To celebrate its centenary, the Shire of Kalamunda has decided to restage a play written by senior citizens seven years ago. Titled, The Spirit of Kala’s Past, the play was originally part of a Community Arts Project. It is based on extensive research by the seniors group into the district’s early European history and was first performed by the group themselves.
Now, with an average age of 75, they are not able to sustain too many performances. This time around the play is to be professionally directed and will include professional actors as well as community members.
“This play highlights the development of our community more than a century ago and the real community spirit which pulled our early pioneers together,” said Wendy Fletcher, Executive Manager Residents’ Services. “Today, 100 years on, we at Kalamunda Shire still work towards ensuring our new and developing communities have the structure and the wherewithal to grow with the same confidence as our early settlers.”
The play acknowledges the various ‘spiritual’ influences on the modern Kalamunda community. This includes the deep love of the land practiced by the local Aboriginal people, a fondness now felt by the European ‘latecomers’.
Significant events, including the opening up of the zig zag railway and the development of the timber industry, the hardship and the isolation of the area, particularly for women, are all included in the script as part of the ‘spirit’ which now characterises Kalamunda.
From early and often bitter experiences, a strong community identity was born – tragedy bringing closeness, joy blossoming into hope, and experience breeding much wisdom. Throughout, there has always been a strong sense of humour linking the community in a human chain of shared identity.
Wendy Fletcher said the work underscores the importance of community and all its facets with many of those facets being just as important to communities today.
“The Spirit of Kala’s Past is a part of our history, yes. But sometimes we have to walk back through the past to get to the future, and we have much to learn from this piece of community theatre if we are to move on,” she said.
For further information contact Iris Jones, Residents Services Officer, telephone (08) 9293 2111.
