NSW Parliament welcomed 40 guests on Thursday evening for a special screening of The Colleano Heart, an acclaimed documentary exploring the remarkable story of the Colleano family and their concealed Aboriginal heritage.
In addition to a screening of the award-nominated documentary, the event featured a live panel discussion and audience Q&A with broadcaster Simon Marnie, Yaegl woman and director Pauline Clague as well as Gamilaraay woman and historian Deb Hescott.
Ms Clague said she was pleased to bring the documentary to audiences at NSW Parliament House.
"The Colleano Heart tells a powerful story of family, identity and resilience," she said.
"It was wonderful to share the film in such a significant setting and to hear audience reflections on a story that continues to resonate with so many people."
The Colleano Heart — which premiered at the Adelaide Film Festival in 2025 and nominated for Best Feature Documentary at the Australian International Documentary Conference —uncovers the remarkable story of the Colleano family, internationally renowned circus performers whose Aboriginal heritage was hidden for generations.
Through family archives, oral histories and personal accounts, the documentary explores themes of identity, truth-telling, and resilience.
NSW Parliament Senior Aboriginal Engagement Officer, Joe Stewart, said the event highlighted the important role storytelling plays in sharing First Nations histories and perspectives.
"The Colleano Heart shines a light on an important and often overlooked chapter of Australian history," Ms Stewart said.
"Events like this create opportunities for people to engage with First Nations stories, deepen their understanding of our shared history and reflect on the experiences that have shaped our nation."
The screening forms part of Parliament's program of public events which encourage engagement with Australian history, First Nations culture and contemporary issues through conversation, storytelling and shared experiences.
