Obsessed from a young age by the Anzac legend and intrigued by the mystery surrounding the identity of two diggers from a family photo, Damian sets out on a quest to put names to the faces. Whilst holidaying in Warrnambool, a series of curious events lead him to the discovery of a war diary in an op-shop that may finally link him to the legend.

Callinan brings to life the pages of the diary as we meet Paddy Callinan and his ‘push’ as they set off for ‘The Big Show. Along the way we meet Stanza the prankster poet, Bluey the outspoken union leader, Mocka the mumbling ladies’ man, Depot the scrounger and Pirate whose ability to talk could be the weapon that turns the war.

Callinan combines detailed research, hilarious but believable characterisations, black humour, absurdity and deft writing to swing the mood of the story from rollicking farce to aching pathos in a heartbeat.

Actual events are woven into the tapestry of the narrative to put a new spin on history: Depot sells a pantomime donkey costume to Simpson, the lads give a scathing review of a German painting found in a trench attributed to a Corporal Adolf H and a game of cricket in the trenches leads to the first trans-Tasman underarm bowling incident.

The Lost WW1 Diary is fresh take on the generation who travelled across the world to war and discovered that it’s a long way to Tipperary without a GPS.

The Rummage South Memorial Hall has seen better days. With white ants in the walls, possums in the roof and pigeons in the projection booth, the local wildlife are getting more use out of the hall than the locals. Due to the stringent restrictions enforced by Brenda, the intractable hall committee president, many residents have given up even trying to book the place. However, when tree changer Rebecca manages to inveigle her way onto the committee, the community gets a shake-up. When she reveals that a hall grant is within their reach, the fractured committee ultimately join forces to get the hall back to its former glory. Unbeknownst to the committee, the hall is also inhabited by the spirits of the hall’s past who weave their subtle magic to help the hall and the community heal.

The Hall Committee is a nostalgic celebration of the role halls have played in the fabric of small town Australia but challenges us to look forward to the next phase of community life in the ever changing landscape of rural Australia.

Troy Carrington, a former professional football player returns to his country town after an abrupt end to his sporting career and is persuaded to coach the hapless local footy team, the Roosters. To find enough players though he has to enlist some recent asylum seeker arrivals.

THE MERGER premiered at the 2010 Adelaide fringe before going to earn Damian Callinan his 3rd Barry Award nomination at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Since then the show has been intermittently toured throughout the country, including seasons at Sydney’s Seymour Centre, Brisbane’s Powerhouse & Holden Street Theatres and as well funded tours of WA, SA, Victoria & Tasmania. THE MERGER is now also an award winning feature film.