A Goldfields, Christmas Carol

By Jenny Davis OAM

Since 2012, a volunteer troupe of professional actors, musicians and technicians have given their time to present a play to raise funds at Christmas. Over the years, this generous gift of time has raised over $85,000 for people in Western Australia who are homeless, and those in need.

The organisation who will receive all proceeds from the 2026 performance is Operation Sunshine WA, a volunteer run charity supporting women and children escaping family and domestic violence, children in out-of-home care, and young people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. The money raised will assist with creating Rise Packs which are distributed to youth homelessness support agencies across the state.

Rise Packs provide essential items to support the personal care needs of young people experiencing homelessness. In the last 12 months Operation Sunshine has delivered Rise Packs to organisations providing youth homelessness services across WA, including deliveries to the Salvation Army Youth Services and Aboriginal Legal Services in Kalgoorlie, and Hope Community Services in Hannans, so there is a wonderful connection to this year’s performance which is set in the Goldfields.

It’s December 1895 in a tent camp near Coolgardie, and two prospectors, old Bill and young Tom, have had a pretty good year, thanks to Paddy Hannan. But when is enough when it comes to gold?

For Bill, enough is never enough, but when Tom contracts typhoid fever he meets nurse Bessie Wray, famously dubbed as the Angel of the Goldfields. She reads him a well-known and much loved Christmas story by her favourite author Charles Dickens about another character interested only in money, and Tom begins to dream…

Reminding us of the heart in the Christmas message in an age of materialism is a stellar troupe of professional WA performers featuring an intergenerational cast from THEATRE 180, together with the Perth Undergraduate Choral Society directed by Sarah Mills Menogue.

This very special one-night only performance in the beautiful St George’s Cathedral will celebrate the festive season with words, music, and good cheer.