Photo: There’s as much excitement as there are nerves as organisers and participants for Hello, Coonamble! prepare for opening night on Friday 22 August. IMAGE: Miriam ‘Mim’ McKeown, Bec McIntyre, Paul Underwood, Anne Cullen, Patrick Forbes, Minh and Dee Do, Melissa Skuthorp, Hannie Rayson, May and Sooty Welsh, Sonja Sands, Rick Murray and Michael Cathcart.
You may think you know them, but audiences will be in for a surprise when some of the shire’s larger-than-life characters tell their stories for Hello, Coonamble!.
Twenty locals will take the stage at the Plaza Theatre in three shows between 22 and 24 August with tales that range from heartwarming to outright bonkers.
Serial volunteer Patrick Forbes will share how a relative inspired him to pursue a policing career, while 2025 Citizen of the Year Carol Stanley will reveal the time she accidentally swallowed sheep testicles.
In less disturbing culinary adventures, Vietnamese-born Deanne (Dee) Minh and Do will treat spectators to the origin story behind Tong Fong Restaurant (now Dong Fang).
“I’ve never been on the stage at all,” said Dee, who admitted she is a little nervous.
“When we came here, we had no job, no money, only $200 in my pocket.
“I’m proud to be Australian and I thank Coonamble for supporting us over 35 years for us to raise our three children.”
Dee said their performance will be a love letter to Coonamble, where the Dos arrived after fleeing the Vietnam War.
Others performing for three minutes each include former Tin Town residents May Welsh and Sonja Sands, young farmer Joe Keady, champion ice swimmer Peta Bradley and carpet seller and man about town Rick Murray.
Castlereagh Connection will also take the stage, as well as dancers from Coonamble High School.
The three-day spectacle has drawn interest from the ABC’s Back Roads program, which broadcasts to hundreds of thousands of viewers across Australia.
Director Helen Barrow reconned Coonamble in early August ahead of a film crew coming to shoot a program about the town.
“The cast are getting nervous and excited in equal measure,” said Michael Cathcart, who has been coaching the locals with fellow director Hannie Rayson.
“They are revealing themselves as wonderful storytellers.”
The Coonamble Community Choir, complete with two groups of altos and one of sopranos, have come together over the last two months to sing an original number dedicated to Coonamble as part of the show.
The two evening performances will warm up with drinks in the foyer from 6pm ahead of the 7pm showtime, and audience members can keep the magic going at the afterparties.
Tickets for the Friday evening include a meal after the show, with the bar open from 6pm.
Saturday night’s event involves lots of delicious food after the show and a glass of champagne on arrival.
Eventgoers can also choose budget and family-priced tickets for the matinée on Sunday 24 August at 2pm.
Coonamble Shire Council is the lead financial partner for Hello, Coonamble!, which is a partnership between Council, Outback Arts and the Outback Theatre for Young People with additional support from The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.
The dancers have been trained by guest artists from National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA) and Lily Shearer, the artistic director of Moogahlin Performing Arts.
Tickets are still available at 123tix for this never-to-be repeated home-grown theatrical treat.