Wollongong Workshop Theatre's first 2015 show focuses on the effects of European colonisation on the land and indigenous Australians.

Our Neighbourhood: A Play with Songs is penned by Shellharbour playwright Adam O'Brien and is told through the eyes of a group of Australian natives - Worrigal the Dingo, Noori the Emu and their long suffering neighbour, a bilby named Bill.

Through a series of misfortunes, the gang are forced to investigate the cause of their hardships with the help of an avian accomplice, Osprey, and try to learn to live with the newly discovered "White Black Fellas".

Peppered with catchy songs to ensnare audiences and colourful characters that will charm and terrify, Our Neighbourhood also investigates the dark happenings that resulted from colonisation, such as the displacement of Aboriginal people, the Stolen Generations, the eradication of traditional language and culture, the effect on the land and the aftermath of living under ongoing occupation.

"It's not about taking sides," O'Brien said.

"It's about never forgetting what happened during the time of colonisation."

O'Brien, a former Charles Sturt University performance student, workshopped the play for two years with the help of his independent theatre company The Dire Theatre, Western Sydney-based Dharug elders and Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Education and Cultural Centre in Penrith.

"I was initially inspired to write the play after I attended an Aboriginal cultural workshop at Muru Mittigar. The facilitator, Uncle Wes, a man directly affected by the Stolen Generations, told me that he was no longer angry. He was too old for anger, and he just wanted us to make sure that it never happens again."

Wollongong Workshop Theatre will hold a special performance of Our Neighbourhood on Australia Day. The day will include speeches, a Welcome to Country and traditional Australian food. Speeches start at 3pm with the performance at 4pm.

The show is at the theatre in Gipps Road, Gwynneville, from January 16-26 on Fridays, Saturdays (8pm) and Sundays (4pm).

Tickets: www.trybooking.com or 0455 896 501