Bonegilla - The Migrants’ Journey

Saturday 8 August, 7:00 PM

Nightingale Performing Arts Australia is proud to present “Bonegilla-The migrants’ journey.”

This show is selling out large venues across Australia. "Bonegilla-The migrant's journey" shows firsthand interviews of post war migrants from various European countries and their photos, home movies and documents, all played on multiple screens.

After World War 2, there were millions of displaced people searching for homes and a new start. Australia committed itself to accepting boatloads of these refugees. “Bonegilla-The migrant’s journey”, charts the “New Australian’s” time during the war and how that influenced their decision to find a new home. It then charts their travel by ships to the other side of the world, their arrival in a land they knew nothing about. Being housed in spartan migrant camps like Bonegilla and their eventual acceptance of Australia as their new home.

You'll laugh. You'll cry. But most of all you'll be truly inspired by these gutsy pioneers who left everything behind and travelled to a country they knew nothing about.

The musical soundtrack is played by a grand piano and violin live on stage, and there is also immersive sound design. The stage is covered in candles and migrant memorabilia like cases, toys and their utensils. The documentary section of this show won the 'People's Choice Award' at the 2025 Melbourne Documentary Film Festival.

The show runs for 86 minutes with no intervals. During a speech at the end of the show, director and filmmaker, Simon Reich, will conduct a Q & A.