A day in Shaggy Gully with Camp Quality

When families arrived at PHIVE for a day in Shaggy Gully, they weren’t stepping into an ordinary Saturday. They were stepping into a world of wombats, kangaroos, sheep and a whole lot of theatre-making. Created by Monkey Baa in partnership with Camp Quality and PHIVE, this special day of workshops invited young people living with cancer to dance, play and create together in a space built just for them. 

The idea was simple: a day of creative play, connection and theatre-making, all inspired by the stories of Shaggy Gully. Across the day, thirty young people took part in workshops featuring some familiar faces from Monkey Baa’s productions; dancing with Josephine the Kangaroo, acting alongside Mothball the Wombat and crafting puppets in the world of Pete the Sheep. 

The workshops were designed and facilitated by our Social Impact and Engagement Producer, Alexander, with four of our incredible Teaching Artists – Mat, Teale, Addy and George – leading the sessions. Supported by Camp Quality’s wonderful volunteers, the day was full of drama games, dancing, puppet-making and a final showcase where families were invited to see what their young people had created. 

One parent shared that the creative activities were “great” and the day itself offered “a momentary break and distraction” for their family. Another said they “loved having something that was more accessible” in Parramatta, with a Saturday session that meant their child could rest before the week ahead. 

From the first warm-up game to the final bow, the focus wasn’t on polished performances, it was about connection. About giving young people the chance to play, create and express themselves, and reminding families that theatre belongs to everyone. 

We’re grateful to Mel from Camp Quality for collaborating with us, and to Christine and the team at PHIVE for offering the space and making the day possible. It’s a partnership we’re proud of, and one we’ll be continuing – with more holiday programs and free tickets to Monkey Baa shows, helping to brighten the lives of young people facing cancer. 

Because at Monkey Baa, we believe every child’s story deserves to be heard. And sometimes, that story starts with a wombat, a kangaroo, and a very special day in Shaggy Gully.