Puppet Shows Will Bring History To Life

Local school students are getting a ‘hands-on’ experience of Australian history as they prepare two European puppet shows depicting the colourful stories of two migrants who first settled at the former Bonegilla Migrant Reception and Training Centre.

The puppet shows will form part of four booths which will be ‘showcased’ at the forthcoming ‘Celebrate – The Beginning Place’ grand opening event to be held ‘Block 19’, Bonegilla, on Sunday, Dec 4.

In collaboration with theatre and event company, Shaken and Suspicious, students from Wodonga Primary School and Murray High School were given the task of finding a local community resident who first came through the former migrant camp and creating a puppet show based on their story.

Wodonga Primary School teacher, Ms Stacey Anderson, said the experience has brought history to life for the students. ‘The students had no idea that the world war had such a huge impact on our own local community with the creation of the Bonegilla Migrant Camp, and were fascinated to learn about it,’ she said.

‘They knew nothing about their local history and could not believe the story of the lady, who our show is based on, and what trials she went through to finally arrive here at Bonegilla.’ The project provided a fantastic cross-curricular learning environment which kept the students engaged throughout.

‘The students worked tirelessly on this project with organising questions, interviewing, script writing, creating and playing the music, and making the puppets,’ she said.

Murray High School drama teacher, Ms Alison Ward said the Bonegilla project provided a wonderful opportunity for the students to connect to the community and the past in a creative way. ‘Working collaboratively with such wonderful professional artists is so important to the development of students in HSC drama,’ Ms Ward said.

‘It has provided a unique situation where we are building student skills, discovering history, and meeting syllabus requirements at the same time.’

Shaken and Suspicious spokesperson, Mr Ian Pidd, said the migrants have incredible stories of survival and courage that cannot be told often enough. ‘I don’t think people should get blasé about the whole migrant experience as the benefits to our country are huge.  It’s great to look at this whole period of migration in such an optimistic light.’ 

The Bonegilla Migrant Experience Manager, Mrs Christine Thorpe, says having local students help in the preparation for the celebration highlights the sense of community which is what the event is all about.

‘The essence of the former migrant camp is people and community and our committee keeps this foremost in our minds in every aspect of development, and events that occur, at the site,’ she said. 

‘We welcome and encourage community consultation on developments at ‘Block 19’ and would like to encourage more people from the local ethnic community to join our committee.’

For further information on the huge range of activities planned for the weekend of December 3 and 4, please contact Christine Thorpe (02) 6023 2327, 04 2222 6451, or in writing at parklands PO Box 1040, Wodonga, VIC, 3689.

For information on travel, accommodation, packages, and for a free regional information pack please phone Ros Quigley on 1300 796 222.

Thanks must go to the Victorian State Government, Victorian Multicultural Commission, Major Projects Victoria, and Tourism Victoria for past and present support.

The Bonegilla Migrant Experience Steering Committee and parklands Albury Wodonga are working in partnership to provide more efficient and effective services to the residents of the Albury Wodonga region and the Victorian community in relation to The Bonegilla Migrant Experience.