This paper examines the role of storytelling in shaping experiences of ageing in rural and regional communities, drawing on the Mallee's Living Histories Project, a community-based archive capturing the life stories of older residents in north-west Victoria. While ageing policy and research often emphasise service systems and health outcomes, less attention is given to storytelling, identity, and the lived experience of ageing in place. The study adopts a qualitative, interpretive approach, analysing a curated set of published life histories to explore how older people construct meaning across the life course. The project positions participants not as subjects of research, but as co-creators of knowledge, contributing narratives in their own voice and on their own terms. Thematic analysis reveals recurring themes, including connection to place; trajectories of transition, migration, and adaptation; traditions of work and community participation; and forms of resilience shaped by environmental, social, and economic challenges. Across accounts, storytelling integrates past and present, reinforcing identity and affirming dignity in later life. The project has been sustained over seven years, generating practical insights into eliciting, supporting, and curating life stories in community settings, including trust, narrative ownership, ethical storytelling, and facilitation. The findings highlight the importance of storytelling in supporting ageing well, particularly in rural contexts where community, place, and memory are closely intertwined. They also offer a transferable model and practical lessons for integrating storytelling into research, policy, and practice, including engaging participants as partners and ensuring stories are used in ways that respect dignity, agency, and community context.