OUR OPERA, OUR STORY - Winning Stories Announced
We are very excited to announce the winning stories from the public vote are (in no particular order):
A NURSE'S LIFE IN AMATA
Submitted by Jennifer Donovan
The story reflects a profound personal and professional transition from the structured pace of Adelaide’s Royal Adelaide Hospital emergency department to the remote and culturally rich environment of Amata in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands. Arriving in the mid-1970s, the narrator encounters an isolated red-dirt landscape of striking beauty and deep cultural significance, where daily life is shaped by community rhythms, cultural law, and a strong connection to Country. Working in a solo health clinic, they quickly learn that Western clinical expectations must give way to patience, observation, and guidance from local Aboriginal Health Workers. Through confronting moments—such as managing illness during an influenza outbreak, witnessing cultural practices around death, and responding to the impacts of alcohol, poor living conditions, and limited healthcare access—the narrator grapples with discomfort, cultural humility, and the legacy of colonisation. Alongside this, they witness resilience, knowledge, and cultural continuity: bush medicine, art, ceremony, and community life grounded in Tjukurpa (Dreaming). Encounters with visiting eye health programs led by Fred Hollows highlight the power of collaborative, community-led care. Ultimately, the experience becomes transformative—shifting their understanding of medicine, culture, and respect for different ways of living, while leaving enduring memories of Country, community, and shared humanity in Amata.
THE SHOWDOWN
Submitted by Joshua May
Two strangers on a first date, supporting rival teams at the Showdown on the Adelaide Oval Hill, decide to drink a beer for every goal scored. Power vs Crows...what could go wrong? What begins as an awkward and risky choice becomes a hilarious journey through nerves, rivalry, shared values, and far too many mid-strengths. Against the backdrop of one of Adelaide’s most passionate sporting traditions, the pair slowly discover a genuine connection, proving that even fierce football loyalties can make room for love. It’s a celebration of community, rivalry, and the unexpected moments that bring people together.
TUNA FOR GOLD!
Submitted by Nathan Davies
Dean “Dinko” Lukin grew up in Port Lincoln, South Australia, the son of a Yugoslav refugee who built a life in fishing after arriving in Australia in 1956. His father established a tuna fishing fleet, and Lukin was immersed early in the demanding, physical world of the sea. Known as “Dino the Dinosaur” for his size as a schoolboy, he caught his first tuna at nine and seemed destined to follow the family trade. As a teenager, he began weightlifting as a hobby, and for years treated it as secondary to fishing rather than a serious sporting pursuit. Even as his talent became clear, he resisted full-time training, balancing early-morning work on the boats with lifting sessions. This rugged, split-focus upbringing shaped his extraordinary strength and work ethic. Leading into the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, Lukin was still very much a part-time athlete by modern elite standards, yet he went on to defy expectations and win gold in the super-heavyweight division—becoming Australia’s only Olympic weightlifting champion.
I'M NOT A RUNNER
Submitted by Anna Liptak
After enduring body-shaming abuse while returning to running as a new mother, Anna turned a painful moment into a lifelong mission to help others discover confidence through movement. Over two decades, she built a community that empowered countless South Australians to achieve goals they never thought possible, culminating in the internationally acclaimed documentary I'm Not A Runner. At its heart, the story celebrates courage, vulnerability, and the profound ways people can rediscover themselves when given the chance to begin.
These stories will now undertake the special treatment in the hands of our talented librettists and composers to be crafted into four, 20-minute micro-operas.
We want to thank all the South Aussies who participated either by submitting a story or voting. This project has proved the importance of the people's voice in creating opera and art of today and tomorrow.
Stay tuned for further updates on our winners, and how these stories are transformed into operas!
