centre for stories

portrait of Marilyn Learmont on a soccer field
The Lady Referee
Podcasts
Game Changers
Marilyn has the great honour of being the first West Australian female referee to crash into the male-dominated game in the late 1970’s. In 1992, she was the first woman to run the line in a national men’s soccer league game.
portrait of Tracey Wheeler
No Longer Invisible
Podcasts
Game Changers
Tracey Wheeler made her international goalkeeping debut against New Zealand in 1989, and has played 55 international matches for the Australian women’s team, including three games at the 2000 Olympics.
Jaime Page holding a soccer jersey
100% Myself on the Field
Podcasts
Game Changers
Jaime is a trans woman, soccer player and committee member for the South Perth Pride Football Club, an inclusive soccer club for players of all different backgrounds, races, ages, abilities and sexualities.
Mikayla Lyons bouncing a soccer ball on her head
An Equitable Pitch
Podcasts
Game Changers
Mikayla is currently completing her PhD studies at Notre Dame University in gender equity in soccer, working as a strength and conditioning coach for Fremantle Dockers in the AFLW, and as a mentor for young girls in soccer.
portrait of Tash Rigby
Joining a Legacy of Champions
Podcasts
Game Changers
Growing up in Margaret River and not initially taking soccer seriously as a career, Tash took an unusual route to becoming captain of Perth Glory women’s team, replacing Sam Kerr in 2019.
portrait of Katelyn Smith
Kicking Goals Together
Podcasts
Game Changers
Katelyn is an award-winning goalkeeper for the ParaMatildas, Australia’s first national team for women and girls with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury and symptoms of stroke.
shoulders up portrait of Lydia Williams smiling and looking at camera
Hidden Talent in Small Places
Podcasts
Game Changers
From the red dirt of Kalgoorlie to the international soccer stage, Lydia is a proud Nyungar woman who has now been inducted into the Aboriginal and Islander Sports Hall of Fame.
Ann Odong leaning against a post looking off camera
Pass the Ball On
Podcasts
Game Changers
Sports journalist Ann Odong travels with the national Matildas team and is Digital Content Project Manager for Football Federation Australia. Growing up in Perth as a Ugandan refugee, Ann connected with other kids through a shared passion for soccer.
mother and daughter portraits
See it to Believe it
Podcasts
Game Changers
Soccer runs through the Brooking family’s veins. After migrating from Zimbabwe to Perth, Thembi started out playing soccer where there was less opportunity for young girls to play. Now, her daughter Ischia is playing at an elite level with the Junior Matildas.
Sandra Bretall sitting on a bench
Take a Chance on Me
Podcasts
Game Changers
At 17 years old Sandra was flying the flag for Australia and playing for the Matildas, shooting to fame when she scored Australia’s first international goal during her debut against New Zealand in 1979 and Australia’s first international hat-trick in 1980.
Lena Van Hale interviewee for the Centre for Stories Death and Dying project
Defying Trans and Sex Worker Stereotypes
Death and Dying
Lena is a sex worker activist and trans woman, and in this interview she breaks down the misinformation around violence and death for sex workers, why (and when) suicide is actually prevalent among trans people, and how deaths from the HIV pandemic affect everyone today.
Maya Shioji  Judy Edgar interviewees for the Centre for Stories Death and Dying project
Sorry Business
Death and Dying
Karijarri and Yawuru woman Judy Anne Edgar and her daughter, Japanese Yawuru woman, Maya Shioji, discuss how much is to be gained by doing death and dying the traditional way.