It is a story and show that warmed hearts and entertained minds, became a popular movie, and now the musical play version is coming to the stage in Bega.
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The Sapphires, inspired by the life of director and writer Tony Briggs' mother, is set in 1968 during landmark changes to rights for Indigenous Australians and tells the story of a singing group of four young Yorta Yorta women discovered by a talent scout at St Kilda's Tiki Club.
He convinces them to tour Vietnam to sing classic soul songs for the troops and it becomes a life-altering trip to the depths of war and back again.
For one of the lead actors, Lorinda May Merrypor, snagging the role of Julie in the musical theatre version was a dream come true.
The 2012 film is one of her favourites, which she used to watch with her father, laughing every time.
"I tried to watch it with some of my non-Indigenous friends and they don't get it as much as we do!" the Darrumbal woman said.
"It reminds us of how our aunties and uncles and everyone talks.
"It's a really relatable story and it's really amazing to see our family represented like that.
"I love other movies, but I've never seen my family represented up there before this show."
Merrypor said equal representation for Indigenous Australians was "on its way" in the country's screen and theatre industries with productions such as The Sapphires, Sugarland and Bran Nue Dae, but there had only been a movement towards inclusion over the past few years.
In fact when she saw applications for Opera Australia's Bran Nue Dae, she thought "oh my gosh, I can actually play myself".
"So often I'm asked to play a Spanish character or African American, which is fine, but different," the 23-year-old said.
"I'm really appreciative of Tony Briggs. It was his whole idea to put on this show and give these opportunities, he saw there weren't enough opportunities for us out there and it's really amazing he did it."
When she was originally asked to audition for The Sapphires, she was asked to go for role of Cynthia, another character.
"I thought 'no, I'm supposed to be Julie!'," Merrypor said.
"But then I got called back and asked to audition for Julie."
She said apart from the fact singer and actor Jessica Mauboy played Julie in the film of The Sapphires, the other reason she wanted to play the character was because the role was her personal favourite.
"We've all been perfectly cast. We are more like sisters because we spend so much time together," she said.
The main lessons she said were taught by the story of The Sapphires were ones of determination and perseverance.
"Every individual has a whole bunch of struggles of their own, but I can't talk about them because you have to come and watch the show to find out!" she said.
She thought the main way the Australian screen and theatre industries could improve equality for traditional owners was by creating new shows that involved them.
"Here in Australia we need to be creating more work that does showcase and give opportunities to Indigenous actors," Merrypor said.
"I feel it is happening with screen now, but there's not much new work being created for the theatre.
"I just want to do musical theatre, I don't want to do anything else.
"Hopefully there will be some more shows I can audition for."
The Sapphires will be performed at the Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre, Bega on Thursday, May 30.
Doors open from 7pm and tickets are $55/$48. They can be purchased by clicking here.
It is suitable for ages 7 and up. There are some adult themes, simulated warfare and a small amount of coarse language.