THE GREAT OUTBACK TALENT COMPETITION

Welcome to the Outback Talent Show! Held in a dusty, open-air amphitheatre deep in the Australian Outback, this event is surrounded by red rock formations and stretches of golden desert. 

The stage stands grandly on a flat patch of land, with the audience seated on hay bales and logs under the starlit sky. Towering eucalyptus trees frame the background, with an orange sunset setting the scene. Bright banners flutter in the breeze, and string lights hang from branches, ready to light up the evening.

The show is organized by Sheila the Shrew, a tiny but fierce community leader, and Bruce the Bustard, a tall, energetic bird who’s the stage manager and MC. Together, they keep everything running with humour and enthusiasm. It's more than just a talent show—it's a grand outdoor festival with a campfire, food stalls, and games. Animals big and small from all over the Outback have come to perform. From the tiniest insects to bouncing kangaroos, the stage is filled with unique acts, including:

Ziggy the Zebra Finch, an eager but forgetful singer.

Kenny the Kangaroo, a dancer who’s more comical than graceful

.Clyde the Crocodile, a deep-voiced croc who roars rather than sings.

Wanda the Wombat, a clumsy yet lovable ballet dancer.

Taz the Tasmanian Devil, a whirlwind rapper who spins out of control.

Many of the animals stay in cozy, Outback-themed glamping tents around the amphitheatre. These tents, luxurious but rustic, have canvas walls and beds made from palm leaves and wool. For those wanting a more glamorous experience, a few tents are set up by a famous koala fashion designer, decorated with indigenous art and plush eucalyptus leaf bedding.

The show begins with a lively parade. Each performer struts onto the stage, dressed in costumes from glittering feathers to bandanas made of native plants. Acts are grouped into categories: Sing and Dance, Comedy and Magic, Talent with a Twist, and Wild Card.

The judges are a quirky trio:

Gertrude the Galah, a witty, seasoned singer

Milo the Meerkat, a tough but fair critic with surprising insights.

Rory the Red Kangaroo, a soft-hearted former world champion jumper.

Winners earn fantastic prizes. First place receives the Grand Outback Trophy, a golden boomerang etched with Aboriginal art, plus a holiday at the Outback Animal Resort and a music video. Second place wins a giant plush koala and a guitar made from eucalyptus wood. Third place takes home a picnic basket filled with Outback treats.

Ziggy the Zebra Finch is first up, brimming with excitement for his big debut. He’s been practicing, but his songs always get mixed up. As he starts with “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” he suddenly blurts out, “The wheels on the bus go round and round!” 

His friends— Patty the Platypus, Louie the Lizard, and Tracy the Tree Frog—try to help. But no matter how many times he practices, Ziggy just can’t keep his tunes straight. 

At the big show, he belts out, “Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda, I’ll sing and dance with kangaroos, having tea with emus, it’s all true, and I’ll bring the biscuits too!” The crowd loves it, laughing and cheering as he mixes up “Waltzing Matilda” with “Advance Australia Fair,” tossing in tea for good measure!

Kenny the Kangaroo is next, ready to show off his “perfect” dance. But his routine is hilariously chaotic as he tangles his tail in his pouch, trips on his oversized ears, and tumbles right into the judge’s table. The audience roars, thinking it’s all part of the act, and Kenny proudly takes a bow, blushing but triumphant.

Eddie the Emu comes next, ready to tell a thrilling story about an emu who went surfing. But Eddie has the hiccups! His every sentence is interrupted with a loud “hic!” making his tale even funnier. The audience is in stitches as Eddie tries everything to stop the hiccups—holding his breath, drinking water, standing on one leg. But the hiccups win, and Eddie hiccups all the way off the stage to thunderous applause.

Then there’s Patty the Platypus, who aims to impress with her magical disappearing act. She proudly announces, “Prepare to be amazed as I make myself disappear!” Then, with a dramatic flourish, she hides under a table... and forgets to let the audience know! Strange noises start coming from under the table, and the crowd wonders if she’s stuck. Finally, Patty pops up with a big grin. “Ta-da!” The crowd laughs and claps, loving her accidental comedy.

The grand finale sees all the animals on stage, trying to follow their rehearsed routine. But things quickly descend into chaos—Kenny’s tail gets tangled in Wanda’s pouch, Clyde’s claws catch in Ziggy’s feathers, and Ziggy, still mixing up his lyrics, has to dodge a tumbling wombat. The audience roars with laughter, and the animals, realizing the mess, decide to go with it, turning their finale into one big, silly, out-of-control dance party.

As the Outback Talent Show comes to an end, the crowd cheers and claps, wiping away tears of laughter. It’s a night none of them will forget—filled with song mix-ups, wobbly dances, hiccupping stories, and unforgettable fun. And as Ziggy proudly takes a bow with his friends, he knows he might not have sung perfectly, but he sure brought a lot of joy to everyone under the Outback stars.

.