Award-winning Larrikin Puppets performed in Brewarrina on Thursday 1 September at the Community Hall, captivating all the younger classes from the Central school, St Patricks School, the Preschool and Goodooga Primary School.

The performances are about more than just entertainment.

Established in 2012, Larrikin Puppets is a world-class Australian puppetry arts company founded by puppeteer and musician Brett Hansen.  His wife Elissa Jenkins joins him as co-puppeteer and human host.

Based on Bribie Island in regional Queensland, they specialise in children’s entertainment and kids’ music. Post-pandemic they're back on the road in regional NSW.

The Brewarrina kids were fully engaged and enthusiastic about the puppet show. They all got involved in the excitement created by the puppeteers with their catchy songs and funky characters. 

Children love to interact with the puppet characters.

When I asked why they do the show Elissa said, “For us it’s that learn, talk, sing, play, dance and have fun that has real child development value."  

"It looks like we are just doing a fun puppet show but its more than that. It’s actually all the things like gross motor skills, literacy and engaging that’s important.” 

Brewarrina Central School students after the show.

The Larrikin Puppet show was invited out to do shows in Lightning Ridge, Brewarrina and Bourke by NSW Outback Division of General Practice to celebrate ten years of “Did Ya Know”. 

‘Did Ya Know is an innovative community capacity building project, designed to support Indigenous parents and carers gain an increased understanding of early childhood development and improve awareness and access to local early childhood and health services.’ 

Students from St Patrick's School Brewarrina line up to post with the puppets.