Camp Quality’s Puppets Take Centre Stage at Parliament House

On Monday 10 February 2025, Camp Quality’s Cancer Education Program took centre stage at Parliament House in Canberra, delivering an important message about the urgent need for early cancer education for kids diagnosed with cancer, as well as kids where a parent, carer or relative is undergoing cancer treatment.
Through the power of puppetry, the program provides engaging and age-appropriate education about cancer to preschool and school children aged 3-12 years, helping to dispel myths such as ‘you can catch cancer’ as well as powerful messages that help to reduce bullying and absenteeism for kids impacted by a cancer diagnosis.

Six of Camp Quality’s puppeteers performed two engaging shows for local school children, politicians and Parliament House staff. Among those in attendance was Rory, age 6, a Camp Quality kid who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia two years ago.
“My son was only four years old when he was diagnosed and his world was blown apart. Using the [Camp Quality] services and seeing the puppets really helped him come back to himself,” Rory’s mum, Jen, explains.
Rory’s younger brother was in lower primary school during Rory’s treatment, and to support him, the family arranged for Camp Quality’s puppets to perform at the school. This helped to educate his friends and peers about what Rory, his brother and the family, were going through – and teach them how to be supportive friends.

Camp Quality CEO Deborah Thomas says that supporting the mental health and well-being of affected children and communities is crucial to building resilience and better long-term outcomes for individuals and families.
“Living with cancer is traumatising enough, but for young children, whether it is their own diagnosis or that of a family member, they often face unfair stigmas from others who don’t understand what they’re going through. Bullying due to visible symptoms, and misconceptions like the belief that cancer is contagious, can greatly amplify their trauma,” says Deborah.
“It’s been proven that better early education can improve mental health and reduce bullying and absenteeism among children with cancer and their siblings as well as those with a parent or carer affected by cancer.”
With one in two Australians facing a cancer diagnosis before the age of 85, the need for Camp Quality’s Cancer Education Program is increasing. Every year the message delivered through the puppet show supports thousands of Australian kids returning to school after cancer treatment and their siblings each year, and around 17,000 children going through the cancer diagnosis of a parent or carer in Australia.