Get ready for an exciting two-week program of free shows for children and families across East Gippsland during the upcoming school holidays.

The East Gippsland Shire Council events will be held at Swifts Creek, Cabbage Tree Creek, Bruthen, Mallacoota and Lakes Entrance. The performances are designed to entertain both children and adults, fostering a sense of community pride and cohesion.

The first week of the holidays, from Monday 23 September to Friday 27 September, kicks off with the whimsical world of Bunktopia, a puppetry showcase by Jeff Achtem, known as the "Puppetry Wonderboy". Expect a captivating performance featuring both old and new puppets, designed to ignite imagination and delight audiences of all ages.

Following this, Woody’s Bush Cabaret and Ukulele Workshop will tour the shire from Thursday 3 October, offering a vibrant mix of music, puppetry and theatre. Woody, whose ukulele school has taught over 9,000 children and families, will provide hands-on workshops before each show, inviting children aged over six to borrow a ukulele and join in the fun.

General Manager Assets and Environment Stuart McConnell said it was a great opportunity for families to enjoy the performance art locally.

“As we embrace the holiday it’s going to be wonderful to see our community coming together through engaging and fun activities. These shows not only bring joy to families but also foster a sense of unity and community pride. By providing free, high-quality entertainment, we are supporting both the cultural life and the resilience of our region,” Mr McConnell said.

Initiatives like this play a crucial role in the community’s recovery process from the 2019-20 bushfires.

“These shows will build on arts and culture activities at a crucial time in the recovery process for these communities, following on from advice from Dr Rob Gordon, who is known to many people in East Gippsland for his work supporting fire-affected residents,” Mr McConnell said.

"Staging these shows around the shire also supports Council’s aim to expand cultural activity across the region, providing opportunities for more people to enjoy theatre, performances and the arts. This is detailed in our Culture and Creativity Strategy.”

For more information about these free school holiday events and to book your tickets, visit Council’s website.

Funding for these events has been provided by Emergency Recovery Victoria’s Local Government Bushfire Recovery Funding, to support communities in their recovery from the 2019-20 fires.