A new children’s show bringing a Noongar creation story to life will hit the stage later this month at the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre.

Created by award-winning composers Gina Williams-Ghouse and the late Guy Ghouse, Aliwah Bardinar will showcase the story of how the western rosella, known as bardinar in the Noongar language, got its colours.

Williams-Ghouse said productions such as Aliwah Bardinar were crucial because it helped to capture and archive language, stories and culture.

“You can’t separate language from culture,” she said.

“It means these stories are available and they are kept safely for thousands of years to come.

“Not just for my descendants, but for yours as well, because as allies we all call this place home.”

The family-friendly show designed for children between the ages of four and 12 features characters from Nyittiny, the Noongar creation time, when South West native animals were preparing for the arrival of fire.

The legend states the fire was taken from the moon and carried by birds, with the black swan’s (Maarli) red beak, and the red robin’s (Kooba) red breast believed to be marks from the journey.

Nervous about looking dull at the celebrations, the bardinar receives help from the other birds and later emerges as the colourful parrot found throughout the South West native bush.

BREC executive director Fiona de Garis said a core part of BREC’s role in the South West was to introduce children to high-quality live performances, choosing works to not only entertain, but encouraged the young people to think about the world around them.

“We chose Aliwah Bardinar because it combines beautiful theatre with themes that really matter to the next generation,” she said.

“Helping young people understand and care for the natural environment has never been more important and storytelling is a powerful way to inspire that connection.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming more than 650 local students, along with their teachers and local elders to the schools’ matinee.”

Those attending the evening show at 6pm will have the opportunity to enjoy complimentary pasta before the performance, while take part in the pre-show Noongar language yarning session presented by Bilya Moorditjabiny Training Service.

Tickets for the show on July 30 can be purchased online through the BREC website or through the box office.