Vonne Patiag at Southern Cross Cinema
21 February – 7 March 2022
During his stay in Young, Vonne developed his new full-length play Yellow Ranger, chronicling the life of Sam Pu, Australia’s first and only recorded Asian bushranger. The play is a satirical look at modern-day myth-making and follows the various attempts of a film production company to create a story out of the shards of history that remain about the mysterious bushranger who operated in the Hilltops region centuries ago.
Thanks so much to STA for the AiR Residency Program. I was able to use the time in Young to conduct historical research into bushranger lore, as well as immerse myself in the local community where I was able to conduct interviews about modern day multiculturalism in the area. My project circles this idea of metro and regional conversations and collaborations, and it was so heart warming to be part of a community that was so warm, inviting and supportive of my many ideas. The Public Program was also special, where I was able to collaborate with the Hilltops Regional Theatre Company to perform a play-reading of my work, which also gave me a chance to connect with local audiences. I especially loved connecting with younger practitioners (filmmakers, writers, actors) and was glad my presence and work could inspire them to pursue their own creative work – there’s something parallel about being from Western Sydney and a regional town, this feeling of being unable to scale the invisible and insurmountable wall to be part of the ‘industry’, and I hope my work inspires them to forge their own paths in the industry. As a city-based artist, I’ve seen and felt first-hand the impact of connecting and immersing myself in regional communities and hope other artists take up the stellar opportunity – I know I will definitely be back soon in the area to develop more work.
About the Artist
Vonne Patiag is an AACTA and AWGIE-nominated Writer and Filmmaker based in Western Sydney. Recently, he worked on The Unusual Suspects (4 x 1 hour), co-writing and producing the series for SBS/Aquarius Films, releasing mid 2021. He was nominated for an AACTA and AWGIE Award for his work on Halal Gurls (ABC, Create NSW), which he produced, directed and wrote inclusively alongside a team of Muslim/female writers, and which was released on ABC iView, smashing viewership records on the ABC Comedy Youtube Channel. His full-length play the life cycle of blanco, which he wrote and performed, had a premiere sell-out season through Brand X in November 2020. His debut full-length play Obviously! – a hybrid sitcom/theatre show, premiered at Q Theatre in 2018.
See more of Vonne’s work at his webpage. Check our Halal Gurls on Iview. The Unusual Suspects is streaming on SBS.
Public Programs that happened as part of Vonne’s Residency
Artist’s talk and Screening Saturday 05 March at 12.00pm
Join Vonne at Southern Cross Cinema for a reading of his play in development with members of the Hilltops Theatre group followed by a discussion about his research.
Followed by a screening of his film, HERE OUT WEST at 1.00pm.
Vonne will also hold a Q&A session after the film.
HERE OUT WEST Saturday 05 March at 1.00pm
A baby is kidnapped from hospital by a desperate grandmother. Her flight sets off a chain of events that bring together complete strangers over the course of one dramatic day.
Rated M (Mature themes, violence and coarse language) 106 mins. FREE no bookings required
Southern Cross Cinema is the home of Hilltops Arts (HARTS) and Arts Centre is Young’s own single-screen cinema, owned and run by volunteers from the community of Young and the surrounding areas. Southern Cross Cinema & Arts Complex is an initiative of Hilltops Arts incorporated (HARTS). Visit their website.
SSC is also the host venue for the Hilltops monthly STA Mobile Office.
We acknowledge Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of the lands where we create, live & work.
© 2026 Southern Tablelands Arts. All Rights Reserved