Story Factory’s New Home for Creative Writing in the Heart of Mount Druitt
21 May 2026
By Caoimhe Deering
On Saturday, 16 May, Story Factory Bidwill officially opened its doors, proudly welcoming young writers, families, supporters and partners to its dynamic new space in the heart of Mount Druitt on Dharug Land. With creative writing activities, speeches and student readings, we were joined by friends, old and new, in our celebration of this exciting new chapter for Story Factory in Western Sydney.
The official opening showcased the deep relationships already formed after a year and a half of engagement in the Bidwill and wider Mount Druitt area. A strong hum of community spirit underpinned the day and a stunning display of student writing, bravely performed by young people during the formal proceedings, demonstrated the power of storytelling in action. Former Year of Poetry student Olly Muzzatti was one impressive example, performing his poetry and saying: “I’m so happy and glad and truly full of joy that more kids will be able to enjoy this and experience the true joys and true passion that I’ve found over these past few years.”
The joy that Olly mentions has already been extended to Bella-Lee as seen in her poem ‘10 Things I Find Relaxing’ which she wrote at the new Bidwill Centre.
10 Things I Find Relaxing by Bella-Lee, Year 7
1.The horror movie screams.
2. The sound of hail falling on the roof.
3. The sound of the lead pencil scratching against the paper.
4. The sound of watermelon crunching in your mouth.
5. The clouds, making it rain and having soft daylight.
6. The air brushing against your skin.
7. The sounds of the pages on a book swaying to the next page.
8. The smoothness of the tape when it moves off the tape dispenser.
9. The sunset becoming nighttime.
10. The bird’s chirps when it’s the dawn of day.
A Story Factory Bidwill student bravely sharing her writing at the launch event. Photo by Natasha Capstick.
The deep connection to land and community was demonstrated through a Welcome to Country by Dharug woman Lauren Moore, smoking ceremony by Dharug Elder Uncle Colin Locke and a performance by the Garabara Dance group. The Member for Chifley, Mr Ed Husic, emphasised this rich heritage vital to the Bidwill area and Story Factory’s operations, noting that the centre “is here with the greatest storytellers on the planet, tens of thousands of years in this area.”
In her speech, our Executive Director and Co-founder Dr Catherine Keenan AM noted that the community hub approach that Story Factory is taking in Bidwill is both a new development and a return to how Story Factory started in Redfern in 2012. “Because this centre, like that one, is here to serve the local community. What we do here will be shaped by what you want, by your interests and needs. To all the fantastic young people here today: this place is for you. Yours are the voices we want to hear. Our job is to honour and amplify what you want to say. Because what you say matters, and it will shape the future.”
Story Factory’s newest home in Bidwill Square, housed in a shared space with The Hive, a place-based impact initiative, will continue this work with students in the local area, furthering its impact and ensuring students are offered the opportunity to tell the stories they want to tell. Mr Edmond Atalla, The Member for Mount Druitt said: “Through storytelling young people can share their experiences… and imagine new futures,”
Mr Ed Husic, The Member for Chifley, and Mr Edmond Atalla, Member for Mount Druitt, during the Smoking Ceremony led by Dharug Elder Uncle Colin Locke.
Since the 2018 launch of the Parramatta centre, Story Factory has been deepening its roots in Western Sydney, and the Bidwill centre marks the next chapter. In what is now the tenth year of partnership between Story Factory and The Balnaves Foundation, Trustee Diane Balnaves said the Foundation was “thrilled to support Story Factory to launch their innovative program model in Bidwill, Mount Druitt” and that “this exciting new chapter will bring Story Factory’s transformative impact into the heart of the community, inspiring the next generation of creative writers to find their voice.”
Dr Catherine Keenan AM also noted that the community hub approach that the organisation is taking in Bidwill is both a new development and a return to how Story Factory started in Redfern in 2012. “Because this centre, like that one, is here to serve the local community. What we do here will be shaped by what you want, by your interests and needs. To all the fantastic young people here today: this place is for you. Yours are the voices we want to hear. Our job is to honour and amplify what you want to say. Because it matters, and it will shape the future.”
Story Factory warmly welcomes young people from the Mount Druitt area to enrol in these free after-school and holiday programs and tell the stories they want to. Book a free spot through the website or to get in touch with any questions at students@storyfactory.org.au. If the official launch was anything to go by, Story Factory Bidwill is already full of big imaginations, passionate story writers and very enthusiastic cake eaters.
Story Factory Alumni students celebrating the launch. Photo by Natasha Capstick.
Story Factory gratefully acknowledges our Strategic Partner, The Balnaves Foundation, for their support in bringing Story Factory Bidwill to life. We are also grateful for the support of The Ian Potter Foundation in the opening of Story Factory Bidwill, and for pro-bono support with the fit-out of the centre from Green Built Co, Dulux Paints and Rollashield Shutters.
Erych and Adam, the Strange by Isabelle, Year 3
Erych
There was this boy named Erych. He is 8 years old and his hair was mudcake brown and he loved to knit.
On Saturdays Erych liked to go for a walk to the forest. The path to the forest was dirty and full of twigs and crunchy leaves. As he was walking on the path it got darker and darker then Erych felt a bit scared.
A red door caught his eye, then he heard a loud creaking sound. So he looked up at the window and saw a strange face with a scary smirk. He froze, he hoped the strange “face” didn’t see him.
He slowly turned around and ran, tripping over the mailbox in his fright.
Adam, the Strange
Adam was a 7 year old boy, he lived in this house in the forest with a big red door. He lived with his grandpa as his parents passed at a certain age. Adam always found it hard to smile. His smile looked really awkward, because he was sad and lonely. After his parents passed away, he had no friends and nobody to play with. His grandfather didn’t like to play the same games.
When Adam felt sad he liked to go upstairs and look out the window and watch the little blue birds that flew by.
That’s when he spotted a boy approach his home.
He thought, “Finally, someone came to play.”
He couldn’t help but smile. But he thought he must have scared away the boy because he saw him run away.
“I hope he comes back to play.”
The End
Artworks created by students at the event. Photo by Natasha Capstick.