When Art Meets Conservation: A Community United for Wildlife

At a time when our local wildlife needs us most, the Coffs Coast is witnessing a collaboration that speaks to the very heart of community leadership, creativity, and care. The partnership between the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary and Naidu Theatre Company - led by two of the region’s most passionate changemakers, Tiga Cross and Jade Naidu - is proving that when art and advocacy come together, real impact follows.This collaboration centres on Threads, the new Australian eco musical by Jade Naidu, opening on 16 January and running until 26 January at the Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium. The production is already generating momentum not only as a major cultural event, but as a vital fundraising and awareness initiative for the sanctuary, with $1 from every ticket donated to support the growing number of turtles arriving weekly from across the coast in urgent need of care.What sets Threads apart is its commitment to education and inclusion.

Two hands-on educational workshops for children will be held on the actual set of Threads at the conservatorium on Wednesday 21 January and Thursday 22 January, giving young people a rare opportunity to engage with theatre, storytelling, and environmental themes in a meaningful and immersive way. These workshops will be followed by sensory-friendly performances, ensuring children of all abilities can experience the magic of live theatre in a safe and welcoming environment.Audiences will also encounter an eco exhibition in the foyer, created in collaboration with the wildlife sanctuary, shining a light on the realities facing local turtles and native animals and the tireless work being done to protect them.

For those looking to celebrate in style, the collaboration culminates in a green carpet gala for the Australian premiere on Friday 23 January, where VIPs and community supporters will gather to mark not just the opening of a show, but the launch of a movement grounded in environmental responsibility and local pride.The story behind this partnership is as powerful as the one on stage.

Both Tiga Cross and Jade Naidu have, at different times, sold their own homes to save the physical spaces their organisations operate from - acts of extraordinary belief and sacrifice. Now, by joining forces, they are transforming that commitment into collective action, rallying the wider community to help sustain the sanctuary at a critical time.Threads is more than a musical. It is an invitation - to learn, to feel, and to act. In supporting this production, audiences are supporting local artists, local wildlife, and a vision of the Coffs Coast where creativity and conservation are deeply intertwined.