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Hunters Hill Musician Turns Nine-Gig Marathon Into Guinness World Record

Hunters Hill musician Cate Guirguis has become an official Guinness World Record holder after she and fellow Fathom member Jaxon Italiano completed nine concerts across nine cities in 12 hours.

On 12 September 2026, the pair travelled from Singleton to Canberra, performing in Newcastle, Gosford, Sydney, Penrith, Lithgow, Bathurst and Goulburn along the way. Guinness World Records has since confirmed Guirguis and Italiano as the record holders for the most concerts performed in 12 hours across multiple cities.

From Boronia Park to the record books

Guirguis was among the performers listed for Hunters Hill’s 2026 Moocooboola Festival at Boronia Park before setting out on the record attempt. The festival program included the Cate Guirguis Band alongside school ensembles, dance groups and other community performers.

Hunters Hill News had earlier reported on Guirguis preparing for the challenge, which also raised money for mental-health support. Guirguis and Italiano perform together as the Sydney-based duo Fathom, with Guinness now listing both musicians as holders of the record.

Nine concerts with almost no time to spare

The record rules required at least nine performances of 15 minutes each, with venues at least 50 kilometres apart and population requirements applying to the locations. Reaching all nine stops required road and air travel as the musicians moved from the Hunter through Sydney and regional NSW before finishing in Canberra.

The first five performances ran close to schedule before transport problems began cutting into the remaining time. Fathom said a helicopter transfer from Penrith was delayed while the scheduled pilot was assisting with bushfires. Italiano also left his keyboard power cable behind in Penrith and was unable to play the instrument during the next three shows.

Another setback came at Bathurst when a problem with the planned aircraft forced the pair to change planes. After reaching Goulburn, they continued by road to Canberra and completed the final concert with about 15 seconds remaining in the 12-hour window.

Record run also backed mental-health fundraising

The marathon was also used to raise money for Beyond Blue. Guinness World Records says Guirguis and Italiano pursued the attempt to support mental-health services and encourage greater involvement in Sydney’s music culture.

Fathom reported that more than $2,900 had been raised directly for Beyond Blue at the time of its release, with half of tour ticket proceeds also allocated to the organisation. The other half was earmarked for bands supporting Fathom during the tour.

Record day produced a new single

Fathom released Record Breakers on the same day as the nine-show challenge, linking the new song to the project. The duo has continued performing since the record attempt, with further shows scheduled during October.

A free Sydney performance is scheduled at The Lansdowne in Chippendale on 14 October, with Fathom appearing alongside Flyss, DAC Flow and Stereobuss.

Published 7-Oct-2026

Victoria Road Set For Major Change As Woolworths Shoptop Wins Approval

Photo Credit: SSD-82225458

A sizeable stretch of Victoria Road in Gladesville is set for a major redevelopment, with approval granted for a Woolworths supermarket, cafe and 161 apartments on a site currently occupied by low-rise homes and light-industrial buildings.

Authorities approved the state significant development on 18 September 2026. Woolworths’ property arm Fabcot is behind the $175 million proposal covering 363–373 Victoria Road and 44–48 Eltham Street, less than one kilometre north of Gladesville town centre. The approved scheme represents a substantial change in scale for the 5578sq m site, bringing new housing and retail floorspace to one of the suburb’s busiest road corridors.

Gladesville Woolworths — *Photo Credit: SSD-82225458*

A Bigger Footprint For Victoria Road

The original application was lodged as a 14-storey development containing 171 homes. Following amendments, the approved scheme is reported to comprise 161 apartments across buildings of nine and 13 storeys.

Eleven apartments will be provided as affordable housing. Close to two-thirds of the homes are planned as two-bedroom apartments, while about 11 per cent will have one bedroom and just over a quarter will contain three bedrooms.

Fabcot had sought a maximum height of 49.5 metres and a floor space ratio of 4:1. Approval was instead granted for a maximum height of 47 metres and an FSR of 3.74:1. ClarkeHopkinsClarke designed the development as two residential buildings sitting above a single-level supermarket podium, with concrete, brick and metal forming part of the exterior treatment.

At ground level, about 3698sq m of retail floorspace will accommodate a full-line Woolworths supermarket and a cafe. Four basement levels will contain 392 parking spaces, including 202 for residents and 190 for retail use.

Woolworths shoptop — *Photo Credit: SSD-82225458*

From An Earlier 47-Home Plan to 161 Apartments

The Victoria Road site has been earmarked for redevelopment before, although on a much smaller scale. City of Ryde approved a mixed-use proposal almost a decade ago for 47 apartments in buildings ranging from four to seven storeys. The project did not proceed.

The latest approval lifts the residential component to 161 apartments and introduces a substantially larger retail presence, alongside changes to planning controls for the land. The application includes rezoning to MU1 Mixed Use and amendments to building height and floor-space provisions.

Existing single and two-storey residential properties and light-industrial buildings are expected to be demolished before construction begins. The change will leave the Victoria Road frontage looking markedly different from its present low-rise form, with housing, supermarket retail and parking consolidated into one development close to the Gladesville centre. Construction is expected to take about two years, with completion anticipated in late 2028 or early 2029.

Published 30-September-2026

Music Gala Night Brings Siobhan Stagg and Jonathan Ware to Hunters Hill

Photo Credit: Hunters Hill Music

Hunters Hill’s music gala night looks set to bring a rare kind of sparkle to the Town Hall. On Saturday, 10 October 2026, Hunters Hill Music will present soprano Siobhan Stagg with pianist Jonathan Ware.

It is the kind of event that suits this part of Sydney. The room will feel close. The program will feel polished. And the music gala night will carry a sense of occasion without losing its local warmth.

Origins on Alexandra Street

The concert will centre on Origins, a program that moves between older works and newer voices. The line-up includes music by Hildegard von Bingen, Fauré, Mozart, Haydn, Sibelius and Brett Dean.

That mix should keep the evening vivid. It reaches across centuries, yet it still feels carefully shaped. The result is a recital that promises variety, contrast and a clear emotional thread.

Stagg brings a luminous soprano voice and a strong international career. Ware joins her as a sought-after collaborative pianist. Together, they will give the Town Hall a program made for listening closely.

Supper gives the night its local finish

The performance will run from 7pm to 8.30pm, with an interval. Then the evening will continue with supper from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.

That second act matters. It turns the concert into more than a recital. Guests will stay on at the venue for food and wine, with the supper curated by Simon Sandall and the Boronia Kitchen team. Savannah Estate wines will also be served.

That detail gives the music gala night a distinctly Hunters Hill feel. It is formal enough for a special outing, yet relaxed enough to invite conversation after the final note.

A ticketed evening with broad appeal

Tickets cost $85 for adults and $35 for students. The price includes supper and wines, which gives the event a neat all-in finish.

For local music lovers, it is a chance to hear two acclaimed artists in an intimate setting. For others, it offers a polished night out close to home.

Either way, the music gala night should land well in a suburb that values culture, community and a good venue used well. On this occasion, the Town Hall looks ready to do all three.

Published 23-September-2026

Hunters Hill Bus Stop Attack Sparks NSW CCTV Push

A daylight attack on a teenage Riverview student at a Hunters Hill bus stop has led to a campaign for targeted CCTV at higher-risk stops across NSW. The proposal would give priority to locations used heavily by schoolchildren, busy interchanges and stops with reported safety concerns.

Fifteen-year-old Jordan Herrera-Hu was travelling home with his twin brother Jason on Sunday, 16 August, after spending the afternoon in Burwood. At about 4.15 p.m., a man allegedly approached the boys at a Gladesville Road bus stop, punched Jordan in the face and threatened Jason.

Their father, Jose Herrera Perea, went to the scene while the boys were speaking with police. He later said the lack of usable CCTV footage had made identifying the man more difficult, with nearby footage reportedly insufficient to establish his identity.

Attack leads to CCTV push

Herrera Perea has since lodged the NSW Parliament ePetition Make Bus Stops Safer With Targeted CCTV, calling for a statewide assessment of bus-stop safety and a funded, risk-based CCTV program. The petition had attracted more than 6,100 signatures as of 22 September and remains open until 5 October.

The proposal does not seek cameras at every stop. It calls for priority to be given to locations heavily used by schoolchildren, high-patronage stops and interchanges, sites with reported assaults or recurring incidents, isolated or poorly lit locations and stops serving late-night routes.

The petition also seeks clear responsibility for funding, installation, ownership, operation and maintenance of cameras. Statewide standards covering privacy, cybersecurity, signage, footage retention and police access are also included in the request.

Herrera Perea has said his sons became hesitant about going out alone after the incident, while Jordan struggled with the possibility that police might never identify the man. No person has been publicly identified in connection with the alleged attack.

Support passes first threshold

NSW Parliament requires a ministerial response to petitions signed by at least 500 people after they are presented and announced in the Legislative Assembly. The response must be provided within 35 calendar days, while an ePetition reaching 20,000 signatures is scheduled for debate in the House.

Herrera Perea’s petition has comfortably passed the 500-signature threshold but remains below the number required for a debate. Its final level of support will be known after signatures close on 5 October.

Bus stops cross agency lines

Responsibility for bus-stop infrastructure can involve both Transport for NSW and local councils. Transport’s Bus Stop Urban Design Guideline covers roadside stops on local streets and main roads and notes that councils are commonly involved as landowners, with responsibility for individual elements often shared between agencies.

CCTV is already incorporated into some NSW bus-stop planning. Transport’s Rapid Bus Stop Design Guide provides for lighting and CCTV to be integrated with shelter design at rapid bus stops, while the Hunters Hill petition seeks a process for deciding where surveillance may also be warranted at other stops.

*Photo Credit: Wikipedia/Hustvedt/CC3.0*

CCTV already used in local planning

Hunters Hill Council already includes CCTV within its crime-prevention work. Its Crime Prevention Strategy and Action Plan was informed by crime statistics, a police safety audit and community consultation and sets out measures aimed at strengthening safety in local public spaces.

When the strategy was endorsed in 2022, Council identified CCTV at selected locations alongside improved lighting and signage, facility upgrades and community education. The measures were developed following consultation that included the Ryde Police Area Command.

Privacy rules accompany cameras

Expanding surveillance would also require rules governing the information cameras collect. NSW privacy guidance states that footage showing identifiable people is personal information, and councils must comply with privacy requirements when collecting, storing, using and disclosing it, subject to specific exemptions for public-place CCTV and law-enforcement purposes.

Research by the Australian Institute of Criminology found CCTV footage can assist police investigations in some circumstances. A study of the NSW rail network found cases where footage was provided to police had higher clearance rates overall, although results varied by offence type and gains were greater for theft and property damage than for assault.

Published 22-Sept-2026

Joeys Headmaster Urges Students to Make Women ‘Safer Because You’re There’

Photo Credit: St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill/Facebook

St Joseph’s College headmaster Michael Blake has urged students at the Hunters Hill boys’ school to consider how their conduct can contribute to the safety of women and girls, following separate sexual assault allegations involving students at other Sydney schools.

Mr Blake used the wider public discussion to speak about the standards expected of young men, telling students that women who encounter a “Joe Boy” should be safer because he is there, rather than simply safe from harm caused by him. St Joseph’s College and its students are not linked to the alleged incidents in other schools.

Mr Blake also argued that the dividing line between acceptable and destructive behaviour needed to be drawn well before conduct reached a criminal threshold. His address focused on the experiences of women for whom concerns about violence and personal safety can be an ongoing reality, rather than on the discomfort such allegations may cause men.

A message tied to Joeys’ stated values

St Joseph’s College has operated at Hunters Hill since 1881 and remains closely associated with the suburb. Its public material says the school seeks to develop young men who are dependable, kind and respectful, with respectful relationships included in its broader educational approach.

Mr Blake’s address linked those stated values directly to students’ behaviour towards women and girls. His message went beyond avoiding misconduct and asked boys to recognise that their conduct can affect how safe other people feel around them.

Published reports said the speech was shared among Joeys parents and attracted praise. The attention centred on Mr Blake’s argument that good character could not be measured simply by the absence of criminal behaviour, but also by the standards young men accepted in everyday conduct.

Respectful relationships under greater scrutiny

The speech came amid wider discussion about how schools address consent, respectful relationships, misogyny and attitudes towards women.

NSW education programs covering respectful relationships include material on consent, coercive control and the social influences that shape attitudes towards women. Department resources also address expressions of masculinity, sexist behaviour, online misogyny and the importance of positive male role models.

The NSW Government announced that another 150 public schools would join its respectful relationships education program during 2026. The program is aimed at addressing the drivers of gender-based violence and strengthening students’ understanding of respect, safety and healthy relationships.

Separate criminal proceedings involving teenage boys accused of sexual offences in two Sydney cases provided part of the backdrop to the renewed debate. The allegations have not been proven and the matters remain before the courts.

Published 11-Sept-2026

Hunters Hill Musician Cate Guirguis Takes On Guinness World Record Bid For Beyond Blue

Photo Credit: Fathom/Instagram

Hunters Hill musician Cate Guirguis is preparing to take part in a nine-venue concert challenge with Fathom, combining a Guinness World Record attempt with fundraising for Beyond Blue.

The duo will attempt to perform across multiple cities within 12 hours on Saturday, 12 September, with the route beginning in Singleton and finishing in Canberra.

For Guirguis, the challenge gives the record attempt a clear Hunters Hill connection while placing a local musician in a tightly scheduled day of performances stretching across regional centres and Sydney.

Guinness World Record — *Photo Credit: Fathom/Instagram*

Hunters Hill Musician Joins Nine-Venue Challenge

Fathom’s first performance is scheduled for 11am at the Horse and Jockey Hotel in Singleton, followed by Hamilton Station Hotel in Newcastle at 12:15pm.

The duo is then due to perform at Funhaus Factory in Gosford at 1:45pm and Sean & Dolly’s in Sydney at 3:05pm.

The route continues through Penrith, Lithgow and Bathurst before the final two performances at Hibernian Hotel in Goulburn at 8pm and Pot Belly Bar in Canberra at 10pm.

The listed times are approximate and will depend on travel during the day. Fathom also plans to live stream the attempt so people can follow its progress along the route.

Hunters Hill musician — *Photo Credit: Fathom/Instagram*

Music Challenge Supports Beyond Blue

The record bid is also being used to raise funds for Beyond Blue.

Fathom has said 50 per cent of ticket sales will be donated, while a separate fundraising page carries a $5,000 target. The page listed $200 raised at the time of the information available.

The fundraiser focuses on the role music can play in connection, expression and coping during difficult periods, while encouraging awareness of mental-health support and seeking help.

That fundraising element gives the challenge a community purpose beyond the record attempt itself, linking the day of performances with support for a national mental-health organisation.

Record Attempt Has Set Performance Requirements

Fathom has outlined several criteria for the Guinness World Record attempt.

Each performance must last at least 15 minutes, while venues must be at least 50 kilometres apart. Each location must also have a population of at least 15,000, with at least half required to have populations of 100,000 or more.

The nine planned stops will take Fathom from Singleton through Newcastle, Gosford, Sydney, Penrith, Lithgow, Bathurst and Goulburn before the final Canberra performance.

The day will also mark the release of Fathom’s new single, Record Breaker.

Published 31-August-2026

Geoffrey Joy OAM Recognised for Decades of Service to Catholic Education

National Catholic Education Commission

Geoffrey Joy OAM, who led St Joseph’s College in Hunters Hill from 1977 to 1982 before spending more than two decades shaping Catholic education across NSW and the ACT, has been recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours for a lifetime of service to Catholic education.

The honours were announced on 8 June, with 949 Australians recognised for outstanding contributions to their communities, professions and the nation.

Joy’s connection to Hunters Hill’s most prominent school runs back nearly five decades. St Joseph’s College, founded by the Marist Brothers in 1881, is the largest all-boys boarding school in Australia, and Joy served as its Headmaster during a significant period of the school’s modern development.

A career that extended well beyond the school gate

After his time at the Hunters Hill campus, Joy moved into the Catholic Education Office in Sydney, serving as Director of Finance from 1983 to 1992. He then took his experience to the Archdiocese of Canberra-Goulburn, where he served as Executive Director of Catholic Education from 1993 to 2006, helping shape the structure and direction of Catholic schooling across both the ACT and New South Wales.

Cake cutting – CE Director Geoff Joy, principal Sr Noelene Quianne and Ray Storrier. *Photo Credit: Catholic Voice*

The Medal of the Order of Australia recognises service worthy of particular acknowledgement, and Joy’s record reflects the kind of sustained institutional commitment that rarely makes headlines but shapes the educational experience of thousands of students and families across generations.

Other Catholics recognised in the 2026 honours

Helen Conway was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to business and legal governance, gender equity, youth social welfare and the not-for-profit sector. She served as a board member of Catholic Healthcare from 1998 to 2007.

The late Phillip Joseph Duggan OAM, a parishioner of St Michael’s Parish in Lane Cove, was also recognised posthumously. Duggan held leadership roles with Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College, served on parish finance committees and volunteered for many years with Matthew Talbot Hostel. He was widely known as co-founder of property management company Bright & Duggan.

Across Australia, the 2026 list also included figures associated with Centacare Brisbane, the St Vincent de Paul Society, parish pastoral councils and Catholic schools, reflecting the breadth of Catholic community service the honours system acknowledges each year.

Nominating someone you know

The King’s Birthday Honours are open to nominations from any Australian. Anyone wishing to nominate a person for future recognition can do so through the online portal, or by contacting the Australian Honours and Awards Secretariat at honours@gg.gov.au.

Published 8-June-2026

Hunters Hill Waterfront Estate Sells for More Than $15m

Photo Credit: McGrath

A waterfront estate in Hunters Hill has become the suburb’s highest sale this year to date, with the Vernon Street property selling for more than $15 million after more than a decade under the same ownership.

Vernon Street Result Tops Hunters Hill This Year

A five-bedroom waterfront estate at 6 Vernon Street, has sold for more than $15 million, making it the suburb’s highest sale so far this year.

The property was owned by David Sidoti, head of capital markets and investments at Squadron Energy, and his wife Elizabeth, who works with Qantas. The couple bought the home for $7 million in 2012 before taking it to market in October last year with an $18 million guide, which was later revised to $16 million.

Hunters Hill sale — *Photo Credit: McGrath*

The final price was not disclosed, with the listing marked as sold in May 2026 and confidential. Industry figures placed the result north of $15 million, putting the Vernon Street home at the top of Hunters Hill’s sales this year to date.

Tracey Dixon of McGrath Hunters Hill confirmed the sale but did not comment on the price. The campaign listed Tracey Dixon and Nicholas Cowdrill as the agents.

Hunters Hill property — *Photo Credit: McGrath*

Hunters Hill Home Blends Period Detail and River Views

Set on about 1,188sqm of absolute waterfront reserve land, the home has a north-facing aspect and views across the Lane Cove River. Its setting places it close to restaurants, the city ferry and scenic waterside reserves.

The residence combines renovated interiors with original period detailing and smart home technology. Its living areas include formal and casual spaces, while the kitchen features original Carrara marble benchtops. Parquetry floors, decorative ceilings and nine fireplaces add to the home’s period character.

waterfront estate — *Photo Credit: McGrath*

The accommodation includes four double bedrooms with built-in robes, an optional study, and a master suite with a walk-in robe and water views. The property also has five bathrooms, a double lock-up garage with a workshop, and a theatre fitted with a projector, electric screen and Steinway Lyngdorf sound system.

Waterfront Features Add to Vernon Street Sale

Outside, the home includes wraparound verandas, landscaped gardens and level lawns extending towards the water. A pool, outdoor kitchen, pizza oven and covered Vergola form the main outdoor entertaining area.

McGrath Hunters Hill — *Photo Credit: McGrath*

The property also includes a self-contained studio or cabana with a kitchen and wine cellar. A maritime lease provides exclusive use of the boatshed.

While the Vernon Street result is the highest Hunters Hill sale this year to date, it remains below the suburb record set in December last year, when a double-block estate on Stanley Road sold for $26.25 million.

The sale places 6 Vernon Street among the suburb’s major prestige property transactions of the year, led by its waterfront position, land size and long list of residential features.

Published 2-June-2026

The Priory In Hunters Hill Gains A Quiet Volunteer Groundskeeper

Photo Credit: The Hunters Hill Trust/Facebook

Former Commonwealth Bank chief economist Craig James has taken on an unexpected role at The Priory in Hunters Hill, helping care for the grounds of the long-unused sandstone landmark after seeing it deteriorate during daily walks near his home.

Daily Walks Spark A Hands-On Effort At The Priory

Craig James had spent years as a familiar financial commentator and chief economist at Commonwealth Bank before Parkinson’s disease forced him into retirement two years ago. In Huntleys Cove, near his home, his attention shifted from market movements to the condition of The Priory, a heritage-listed sandstone building that had been unused for about two decades.

The 19th-century building had boarded windows, broken glass and grass growing high around it. Mr James began tending to the outside of the property himself, mowing lawns, trimming edges and touching up peeling paint on window frames with sandpaper, paint and a brush.

His work has helped improve the appearance of the site while broader questions remain over the long-term restoration and use of the building. The boards have since been removed and broken windows replaced after he raised concerns about the building’s condition.

Riverglade Reserve — *Photo Credit: State Library/Kevin Davidson via Facebook*

A Long-Vacant Landmark In Hunters Hill

The Priory is one of the historic buildings tied to the early development of the Hunters Hill area. It has been dormant for more than 20 years, apart from earlier attempts to find a suitable new use.

Previous plans considered adaptive reuse as a café, restaurant and community meeting place linked to Riverglade Reserve. Planning material also referred to possible education uses, artists’ space, public activities and community access. A development application was exhibited from 15 December 2021 to 23 February 2022, with issues such as traffic, parking, noise, seating numbers, trees, heritage impacts and operating hours forming part of the process.

A lease had been negotiated with a prospective operator, although it was not to take effect unless the required approval was granted. The building’s future use has still not been finalised.

Restoring The Priory would require major work. The cost of bringing it to a standard suitable for occupation has been estimated at at least $6 million, including façade restoration, electrical upgrades and fire services.

The Priory’s History Runs Through Generations

The history of The Priory reaches back to the 1830s, when Thomas Stubbs purchased land at Tarban Creek and built a single-storey sandstone farmhouse known as Longwood. In 1847, the property was sold to the Marist Fathers, who used it as a base for missionaries travelling through the South Pacific.

The Marist Fathers extended the original farmhouse, with architect William Weaver associated with later work on the building. The site was known as Villa Maria before Thomas Salter purchased it in 1874 and renamed it The Priory.

The property later became part of the Gladesville Hospital site. Its surrounding land was farmed for hospital use, and during the Second World War an air raid shelter was cut into the terrace. The building was later used for patient accommodation and then offices before being vacated in 2003.

Sydney heritage — *Photo Credit: Margaret Hall/Facebook*

Community Use Remains The Hoped-For Future

Heritage advocates have supported a future that would allow the public to use and enjoy The Priory again. Suggested uses have included a small café, community art gallery, artist-in-residence space, education activities, tours and access connected to the historic site.

For now, Mr James’ work has brought visible care back to the grounds while the larger restoration task remains unresolved. The Priory’s future sits between its deep local history, the cost of bringing it back into use and the continued hope that the building can again become part of community life in Hunters Hill.

Published 29-Apr-2026

Hunters Hill Town Hall to Host Groundbreaking Women-Led Opera Double Bill

Photo Credit: Gente, Gente/ Facebook

Hunters Hill Town Hall will transform into a hub for local storytelling as the women-led company Gente, gente! presents a rare double bill of maritime tragedy and natural wonder.

Bringing the Coast to the Suburbs

The upcoming production scheduled for 25 February, 28 February, and 1 March 2026 marks a shift in how local stories are told through music. The company has chosen to pair a famous work about the Irish coastline with pieces by a composer who studied under the original creator.

This choice highlights the deep connection between a teacher and a student while focusing on the lives of women who live by the sea. By choosing a community hall instead of a traditional city theatre, the organisers hope to make the experience feel more like a shared local event than a formal night out.

Supporting Local Talent

This project does more than just put on a show; it creates a bridge for artists who often find themselves stuck between being a student and a professional. Many formal training programmes in New South Wales stop helping singers once they turn 26, leaving many talented people without a clear path forward.

This production intentionally hires early and mid-career musicians to work alongside experts. Conductor Dr Joanna Drimatis noted that the music by Ralph Vaughan Williams and Elizabeth Maconchy was selected specifically to show off the strength and vocal range of these local performers.

Breaking Down Barriers

The organisers are also changing how people pay for their tickets to ensure everyone in the community can attend. Instead of fixed high prices, the company allows guests to enter based on an optional donation.

This approach reflects the name of the company, which translates from Italian to “People, people!” Artistic Director Sarah Cherlin explained that the goal is to tell stories that feel real and honest to modern audiences. By focusing on the roles of mothers, daughters, and sisters, the group aims to move away from old-fashioned ideas and show the true emotional weight of the characters.

A Focus on Female Perspectives

The entire leadership team for this double bill is female, which is still quite rare in the Australian arts world. Director Bec Moret and the rest of the creative staff are working to ensure that the female characters on stage are seen as strong and enduring rather than just victims of their circumstances. The first half of the show tells a story of loss on the Aran Islands, while the second half uses songs about mermaids and the natural world to find a sense of peace. This balance of sadness and wonder is designed to stay with the audience long after they leave the town hall.

Published Date 01-March-2026