A Colourful Noongar Story Comes to the Indian Ocean Territories in 2026
CircuitWest is announcing its annual tour to Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, featuring the vibrant children’s production Aliwah Bardinar! (Look Out Rosella!) by Breaksea.
Created by award-winning composers Gina Williams-Ghouse and Guy Ghouse, known for acclaimed productions Wanjoo and Koolbardi wer Wardong, Aliwah Bardinar! brings to life the Noongar creation story of how the bardinar, the western rosella, received its beautiful colours.
This Breaksea production combines playful puppetry, energetic dance, stunning costumes and original music in an immersive theatrical experience. Audiences will meet a cheeky frog, an elegant swan and a hilarious willy wagtail, while enjoying lively storytelling, singing and bilingual dialogue in Noongar and English.
Matt Reuben James Ward, Artistic Director at Breaksea, says “I am so excited to be able to tour this production. Music is truly the international language that connects communities. To be able to share Aliwah Bardinar!, from Noongar country in Western Australia, is truly a dream for us. I think audiences will love seeing the cheeky animals come alive on stage, Gina and Guy have been able to craft such quirky and fun personalities.”
Pia Harris, Music Director at Breaksea, says, “I can’t wait to engage with the communities in the Indian Ocean Islands. It is wonderful for us to see this show reach more audiences. Aliwah Bardinar! is such a joyous show, full of playfulness and musical variety. I’m sure the communities will love it.”
Gina Williams-Ghouse, Writer & Performer, says “I am so thrilled to be touring our beautiful little Bardinar across the waters to the Indian Oceans Territories! Matt, Pia and our wonderful friends at Breaksea have weaved magic into this little creation story and I’m certain it will delight all who come to see it. And of course we remain incredibly grateful to CircuitWest for their enduring support. None of this touring would be possible without them. See you soon!”
The tour reflects the Australian Government, WA Government and CircuitWest’s ongoing commitment to connecting regional and remote communities through live performance arts.
Philippa Maughan, Executive Director of CircuitWest, says, “There’s something incredibly special about providing opportunities to experience performing arts in the Indian Ocean Territories. This tour creates meaningful connection, bringing artists and communities together through storytelling, creativity and shared experience. Aliwah Bardinar! is rich with colour, music and joy, and we’re excited to share this beautiful Noongar story with local audiences while also supporting young people to engage directly with the artists.”
This tour is coordinated by CircuitWest and is supported by the Australian Government – Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts, and the WA Government.
Aliwah Bardinar! Tour Dates:
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
- Saturday, 6 June 2026 at 4.30pm, West Island Scout Hall
- Wednesday, 10 June 2026 at 4.00pm, Home Island Foreshore
Christmas Island
- Sunday, 14 June 2026 at 7.00pm, Christmas Island Police Padang
- Thursday, 18 June 2026 at 12:45pm, Christmas Island District High School
For more information, please visit https://circuitwest.com.au/iot-tour/
End.
Media Contact:
Weng-Si Cheang – Manager, Research and Audience Development
Phone: 08 6202 1045
Email: wcheang@circuitwest.com.au
Image: Gina Williams-Ghouse, photo by Andrew J Clarke