-By Kim Parnell-
It was an absolute honour to chat with acclaimed actor, director, and producer Wayne Blair, a creative powerhouse best known for The Sapphires, Top End Wedding, and Mystery Road. Blair is a man of many talents, with a career that spans stage and screen, but at his core, he remains grounded in family and community.
Now, Wayne appears in the brand-new heartwarming film Kangaroo, which opened to audiences across Australia in mid-September, including right here in Hervey Bay. There is a local connection too, as Wayne’s mum, Aunty Julie Blair, proudly calls Hervey Bay home.
“Last month, Mum organised a private screening with family and friends at the Hervey Bay Boat Club,” Wayne said with a smile. “She did the same thing for The Sapphires. Back then, Mum and Dad were living in Rockhampton, and even though the film was showing around the world, we brought a screening home to the local cinema. We repeated it for Top End Wedding, and now, we’ve done it here in Hervey Bay. It’s special. Mum organised everything and prepared all the food platters so everyone could relax and enjoy the film together.”
That sense of family and shared celebration seems to echo the themes at the heart of Kangaroo.
A story that touches the heart
Kangaroo tells the story of Chris Masterman (played by Ryan Corr), a television weatherman who finds himself stranded in a small town just outside Alice Springs. There, he meets Charlie, a spirited 12-year-old Indigenous girl portrayed by rising star Lily Whiteley. Their friendship, unlikely at first, blossoms as they join forces to rescue and rehabilitate orphaned joeys. In the process, they learn as much about themselves as they do about the fragile creatures in their care.
The film boasts an outstanding ensemble cast including Deborah Mailman, Brooke Satchwell, and Roy Billing. But what makes Kangaroo particularly special is its inspiration—the life of Chris “Brolga” Barns, founder of Kangaroo Sanctuary in Alice Springs.
Wayne Blair was drawn to the script immediately and takes on the role of Ralph, a warm, lovable character who seems to have an uncanny knack for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. For Blair, the film’s message was irresistible.
“The movie is about a community—those who are new and those who’ve been there for generations,” he explained. The story is a gift to the world.”
Finding the heart of the story
Blair spoke about the magic of stories that linger long after the credits roll.
“When we think of the films we loved as children, they stay with us,” he reflected. “That’s what Kangaroo is about—the connection between Ryan and Lily’s characters, two people from very different backgrounds who come together, not because they want to, but because they have to—to protect something greater than themselves.”
It’s this idea—of connection across differences, and of finding common purpose in the most unexpected of places—that gives Kangaroo its universal appeal.
Balancing creativity and life
While many know Wayne Blair as an actor, his creative reach extends much further. He is also a writer and producer, a man constantly juggling projects while trying to stay true to his storytelling instincts. But he admits that balance hasn’t always come easily.
“It’s only in the last three or four years that I’ve become better at it; it’s still a bit of a dance,” he said. “Ninety per cent of the battle is knowing the type of stories I want to tell. I hadn’t written for a while, but now I’m working on something new. Creating boundaries is key; time for acting, time for directing, time for family. When I spread myself too thin, it feels impossible, but when I focus, everything flows so much better, and I am healthier because of it.
“At the end of the day, family is everything. I can’t let outside pressures overshadow that. Family is the heartbeat of who I am.”
A message for regional voices
With his ties to Hervey Bay, it felt natural to ask Wayne whether he thought regional communities could play a bigger role in Australia’s creative industries. His answer was passionate and encouraging.
“Absolutely. There are amazing voices in places like Hervey Bay. If you’re given an opportunity, take it with both hands. And if one doesn’t come, do it anyway, start writing, producing, creating, because there are others just as hungry to tell their stories. Organisations like Screen Queensland or Screen Fraser Coast can also support you along the way.”
It’s advice that carries weight. Blair himself has walked the long road of creative work and knows how powerful it can be when a story is told from a unique, authentic perspective.
Experiencing the film firsthand
I was lucky enough to be in the audience and to see Kangaroo myself, and from the very first scene, I knew it was something special. Having watched the trailer a few times, it had been high on my “must-see” list, so finally settling into the cinema seat was a thrill in itself.
The cinematography was nothing short of breathtaking. It was shot on country with its sweeping shots of Alice Springs and its rugged surrounds, the vast red desert stretching out in all its glory, and, my personal favourite, the unforgettable “kangaroo highway.”
But it wasn’t just the scenery that left me spellbound. Kangaroo is a film that pulses with emotion. It is heartwarming, deeply moving, and funny. The cast brought each character to life with richness, wit, and charm, making it impossible not to be swept up in their journey.
Long after the credits rolled, three words stayed with me: community, connection, belonging. These themes are at the core of the story and are universal themes that resonate with us all.
And of course, there were the joeys. Utterly adorable, their innocence lit up the screen and captured hearts in a way only animals can. They made the story not only believable but unforgettable.
Coming home
Wayne Blair is a proud Batjala, Mununjali, and Wakka Wakka man, with country running deeply through his veins, shaping the stories he tells. For Wayne, returning to Hervey Bay is more than just a visit—it’s a homecoming.
“I love walking Urangan Pier, heading to the beaches—Scarness is a favourite—and getting out to K’gari whenever I can,” he shared. “When I’m here, it’s about stopping and just being present.”
This stretch of coastline and K’gari, especially, holds a special place in his heart. It’s where his family’s story is rooted. His mum and dad first met on Miller Street and got married in Hervey Bay. Wayne spent many holidays here, creating the kind of memories that linger for a lifetime.
Perhaps that’s why Kangaroo feels so authentic. At its core, it’s about slowing down, paying attention, and recognising the value of what surrounds us—whether that’s a family gathering at the Boat Club, the friendships we forge, or the joeys that remind us of life’s fragility and wonder.
Kangaroo is more than just a film. It’s a celebration of family, of community, and of the connections that bind us all. It’s a story for every generation, one to watch with your children, your parents, and your grandparents. And it’s a story that will stay with you long after you’ve left the cinema.
See the movie NOW at Big Screen Cinemas Hervey Bay: www.mybigscreen.com.au and the Boat Club Cinema: www.boatclubcinema.com.au.
