How it works.

A professional interview.
A high-quality audio history.
A personal record to keep forever.

Most of us go through life without being interviewed or telling our stories. A Lasting Tale was created to capture the life experience of Australians for their family or community to treasure.

 

Here’s how it works.

  • We confirm the time and location either directly with you, or with your loved one being interviewed (the subject). Most of our in-person interviews take place in the subject's own home or agreed location.

    We post out our gift certificate and explainer card directly to the interview subject, and then give them a call. We introduce ourselves, address their concerns and book in the interview. It's always during this conversation that nerves turn to excitement.

  • On our call with the interview subject we find out their wants and needs and if they already have some background information. We confirm with an email (or post) to the subject and include a sample of the types of questions we will ask.

    Second, we email you out a five-point questionnaire asking you for some information on your love one. It’s only five short questions - life highlights, considerations or concerns, well-known family stories, why you want the interview and questions you've always wanted to ask them. We encourage you to share this with friends and family.

  • Our interviewer arrives and sets up our recording gear while we have a chat. We use dual Rode wireless microphones, placed on the subject's lapel, and record to a laptop.

    We take the time to make the subject feel comfortable. A cup of tea helps! We assure them the interview is private and they have the option to stop recording or edit. They sign a consent form.

    We step through their life story based on a chronological timeline of their life. Our extensive research and our professional journalism skills allow us to delve deeply into their life journey. It's this process that extracts often unheard tales.

    We complete the interview with our set of reflection questions, asking them for life advice and words of wisdom for future generations.

  • Our sound and editing team take over to produce a high-quality audio program with timeline episodes and music, delivered as a private podcast, MP3 digital file and branded USB gift box.

 

The experience

An experience to share.

A Lasting Tale not only brings delight to the families of loved ones — we’ve been privileged to see how much it helps the people sharing their stories.

It gives them a chance to refine their legacy, look back with pride and think about what they’d like to say to future generations.

We’re honoured to have helped so many older Australians record their life stories.

Watch what Vince Garraffa had to say about his life story experience.

Vince on A Lasting Tale

Vince Garraffa talks about his life story experience.

 

Testimonials

Testimonials
Peter, Google Review.
Peter, Google Review.

“A Lasting Tale interviewed and recorded my 90 y/o father re-telling his life story which will keep his legacy alive long after he is gone. Ideal way of recording anyone's story no matter what age. The spoken word also adds a very personal touch. Highly recommended.”

Peter, Google Review.
Jacob, Google Review.
Jacob, Google Review.

“A Lasting Tale is an absolutely fantastic keepsake. We are treasuring our recording + the extra book that Dimity put together for us. Great value and a very comfortable and enjoyable process!”

Jacob, Google Review.
Wayne, Google Review.
Wayne, Google Review.

“We now have a rich family history recorded which will be enjoyed by generations to come. So much history is lost with time, so A Lasting Tale provide a cost-effective solution to this. Go ahead and commit today.”

Wayne, Google Review.
Andrea.
Andrea.

“Dimity interviewed my father in San Francisco via Zoom. She did a fabulous job putting my father at ease and getting to the heart of his fascinating life story. At the end of the interview I think he wanted to adopt her!”

Andrea.
Andrea.
Andrea.

“A Lasting Tale’s talent is not just the great interview techniques, but also the post interview editing. There is a lot of time and effort that goes into the editing and presentation. This ensures the creation of a professional recording that will be a special heirloom for generations to come.”

Andrea.
Jill.
Jill.

“For days after you were with Dad he was on quite a ‘high’ – still thinking of what he had talked about – and told me he was feeling proud of his achievements, particularly in the area of education and community. So lovely for him. ”

Jill.
Carla.
Carla.

“It was magical to hear her voice.

I didn’t listen to Mum’s audio life story until a few weeks after she passed. Wow! I laughed, I cried. It made me realise that she wasn’t just my Mum – she was Linda, she was a person who had her own adventures and career and friends. She was amazing.”

Carla.
Carla.
Carla.

“When mum was diagnosed with cancer, I knew I wanted to have her life story recorded, whatever the cost — to keep a piece of mum forever.
She had so many amazing stories to tell that would be lost after she passed, and luckily Mum was open to the experience.
I can't fault the process — A Lasting Tale is easily one of the best things I've ever done.”

Carla.
Christa.
Christa.

“We did the private package interview with my father and he really enjoyed the process and now we have his life stories and laughter to keep with our family always. I would highly recommend. ”

Christa.
Murray.
Murray.

“I really enjoyed rehearing Dad’s history and picking up a few new gems. My other family members felt the same. It is great to be able to capture a history that we can revisit time and again.”

Murray.
Luke.
Luke.

“A Lasting Tale’s questions are thoughtful and designed to elicit the best response from interviewees. ”

Luke.
Christa.
Christa.

“The Lasting Tale is a fantastic way to keep memories of loved ones and their stories for future generations. The interviewers are so thoughtful — they really care about the subjects and how to get the best responses.”

Christa.
Jane.
Jane.

“The use of thoughtful questions and a conversational style captured so much more than a simple timeline of life. Our interviewer brought out the colour and emotion of a life well-lived. How we wish we could rewind time and do an audio life story on the family members we have said our final goodbyes to. Mum’s 70th is coming up this year… present sorted!”

Jane.
Jane.
Jane.

“Wow, A Lasting Tale proved to be the very best gift we could give!
What a beautiful way to reflect on life. Our Nan has written her memoir, it’s comprehensive and it is filled with dates and facts. In her audio life story, her spoken word is unfiltered and authentic in a way not possible in a written memoir.”

Jane.
Helena.
Helena.

“Dimity has a natural art for conversation and making the people she interviews feel at ease. Her interview with my grandmother was humorous, respectful and most enjoyable.
I would recommend anyone who has an elderly relative with their backlog of life experience and stories to engage 'A Lasting Tale' for a timeless account that will last for generations to come”

Helena.

 

 

Give the gift of an audio history to someone special — and keep their voice alive.

With every purchase of an A Lasting Tale audio history receive a printed gift card to personalise and share.

 

“I didn’t listen to Mum’s audio life story until a few weeks after she passed. Wow! It was magical to hear her voice.”

“It brought joy, I laughed, I cried. It made me realise that she wasn’t just my Mum – she was Linda, she was a person who had her own adventures and career and friends. She was amazing.”

Carla Lidbury, Albury NSW