A community-made project celebrating the birds, land and stories of the Hartley region.

Let’s Fly – To Hartley was developed as part of the Hartley Discovery Day, this project brought together artists, families and community members to explore the birdlife of the Hartley region — including the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater and the Glossy Black Cockatoo — through movement, puppetry, music and shared observation.

A community-led process

We built Let’s Fly with the Hartley community.

Local children and families made their mini bird puppets  on the day from recyclable materials, painting and building alongside our artists. We brought in the WEST Youth Ensemble from Milk Crate Theatre, who joined the parade as performers, and brought in local movers and puppeteers from the local Watershed Dance Collective. 

The process became less about making a polished artwork and more about creating a space: to take risks, for celebrate connection to our incredible region, share stories across generations, and build a stronger sense of belonging together. 

The artists and collaborators

Concept, Co-Creative Producer & Lead Facilitating Artist: Renata Commisso
Designer, Visual Artist & Puppet Maker: Cate Patricia
Musician, Movement & Creative Facilitator: Julian Renlong Wong
Artist Assistant: Camille Kersley
Musician: Tom Morris
Puppeteers: Ngaire Howard, Emma May, Kelsey Webber
Children’s Movement Assistant: Natasha Cesco
Co-produced with: Creative Galah

WEST Youth Ensemble (Milk Crate Theatre):
Facilitator: Abby Smith
Youth Worker: Chloe Mas-Stephens

With thanks

This project was made possible with support from Arts OutWest, Regional Arts NSW, Milk Crate Theatre, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Lithgow Information & Neighbourhood Centre (LINC), and the Hartley District Progress Association.

Why place matters

The Hartley region — and the wider Upper Blue Mountains and Central Tablelands — doesn’t get many opportunities to see stories made about its own landscape, told by the people who live in it. Let’s Fly is part of our broader commitment to place-based, community-led creative practice: work that responds to a specific community’s environment, history and relationships.

What’s next

Let’s Fly is now in development as a full physical theatre work for children aged 4–8, growing out of the connections and stories first explored in Hartley. Read more about the full production at Creative Galah.