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Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians

We pay our respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ancestors of this land, their spirits and their legacy. The foundations laid by these ancestors give strength, inspiration and courage to current and future generations, both First Nations and non-First Nations peoples, towards creating a better Queensland.

  • …
  • Newsroom
  • 2023
  • Is That You, Ruthie? World Premiere
Aunty Ruth Hegarty and Family Photography by Tai Bobongie

Is That You, Ruthie? World Premiere

Thu 25 Jan 2024

In 2023, QPAC in association with Oombarra Productions presented the world premiere of Is That You, Ruthie?, written and directed by Leah Purcell, in the Cremorne Theatre.

Based on Dr Ruth Hegarty’s books – the award-winning Is That You, Ruthie? and Buthalangi: A Maranoa Woman – the new stage show follows Ruth, who at four years old, was forced to live in the dormitory at Queensland’s notorious Cherbourg Aboriginal Mission until her late teens, when she was sent to work as a domestic servant on nearby homesteads.

Tribally linked through the Gunggarri people, Purcell first read Aunty Ruth’s book nearly 25 years ago, and knew she wanted to ‘do something with it’. After a prod over the phone by Aunty Ruth in early 2023, the award-winning multi-hyphenate had written a script in two months, and the stage was set for a December premiere.

Here, we sit down with Aunty Ruth and Purcell – two formidable First Nations storytellers and truth-tellers – about the stage adaptation of Is That You, Ruthie?.

The show has been met with widespread audience and critical acclaim, with Purcell and performers Melodie Reynolds-Diarra and Chenoa Deemal praised for creating compelling theatre, and honouring and immortalising Aunty Ruth‘s legacy.

On opening night, Aunty Ruth was joined by all of her eight children, her grandchildren and extended family, and many old and new friends. See who was there in the gallery below.

Social Gallery

  • Dr Ruth Hegarty Photography by Tai Bobongie
  • Minister Leeanne Enoch, Dr Ruth Hegarty, John Kotzas Photography by Tai Bobongie
  • Minister Leeanne Enoch, Dr Ruth Hegarty, Leah Purcell Photography by Tai Bobongie
  • Aunty Ruth Hegarty Photography by Tai Bobongie
  • Welcome to Country by Shannon Ruska Photography by Tai Bobongie
  • Photography by Tai Bobongie
  • Deeanne Staples and Phoebe Wowor Photography by Tai Bobongie
  • Opening Night guests Photography by Tai Bobongie
  • Jeanette Fabila and Guest Photography by Tai Bobongie
  • Photography by Tai Bobongie
  • Opening Night guests Photography by Tai Bobongie
  • Opening Night guests Photography by Tai Bobongie
  • Opening Night guests Photography by Tai Bobongie
  • Dr Ruth Hegarty and Guest Photography by Tai Bobongie
  • Opening Night guests Photography by Tai Bobongie
  • Steve Renouf, Dr Ruth Hegarty Photography by Tai Bobongie
  • Moira Bligh, Dr Ruth Hegarty, Becky Bligh Photography by Tai Bobongie
  • Melodie Reynolds, Leah Purcell, Dr Ruth Hegarty, Chenoa Deemal Photography by Tai Bobongie
  • Opening Night guests Photography by Tai Bobongie
  • Leah Purcell, Dr Ruth Hegarty, Bain Stewart Photography by Tai Bobongie
  • Taitu’uga Kitch Wesche and Sharnee Hegarty Photography by Tai Bobongie
  • Opening Night guests Photography by Tai Bobongie
  • Opening Night guests Photography by Tai Bobongie

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