ABC News - “Recording the stories of loved one’s before they die”

Dimity and her mother Anne appear on ABC News online at from an interview Dimity gave with Sandra Moon on ABC Goulburn Murray in July 2021: Check out the link here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-23/recording-the-stories-of-loved-ones-before-they-die/100317100

“A mother and daughter in regional New South Wales have developed an app that captures the life stories of loved ones before they pass away.

After losing her father and sister about ten years ago, Dimity Brassil was faced with a sad reality.

"I realised that I wouldn't hear their voices again," she said.

"If someone dies you do forget the sound of their voice. I'm sure we're not alone in wishing we could hear the sound of the voice of our loved ones once again."

It sparked the idea to sit down with her 87-year-old mother Anne and learn more about her life's journey. 

How it works

With current technology it is easy to record and document our lives, but Ms Brassil noticed a common challenge.

"We all have the capacity in our phones to record audio but no one was really doing it," she said.

"What I discovered is people don't know what questions to ask."

Questions are displayed on-screen to help guide a conversation which can be recorded in the app.(Supplied: Dimity Brassil)

The pair carefully crafted several questions to guide a deeper conversation about a person's life, achievements, and memories.

They then built an app, calling it A Lasting Tale, that prompts users to ask meaningful questions and record the conversation.

"Our first question that comes up on the screen is 'Tell me your earliest childhood memory'. Then the story starts," Ms Brassil said.

Curbing loneliness during a pandemic

The regional start-up is giving people the chance to have a recording of their loved ones' voices and a long-lasting memory of their life, as well as helping to curb loneliness during lockdown and isolation.

"Now is a really good time to try and do some in-home activities that are fun and create meaning as well," Ms Brassil said.

Dimity Brassil hopes the app can bring Australians together and encourage more meaningful connections.(Supplied: Dimity Brassil)

Older Australians are especially enjoying the conversations and being able to share their stories. 

"The sharing of our stories connects us during times of isolation … times like now," she said.

By Mikaela Ortolan and Sandra Moon and on ABC News at www.abc.net.au - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-23/recording-the-stories-of-loved-ones-before-they-die/100317100