“Comedy is like a secret ingredient that helps us deal with life’s chaos.” - Andrea Gibbs, playwright for Carol.
Beyond Bank is pleased to partner with Black Swan State Theatre Company to bring the harsh realities of homelessness and financial hardship to the stage through the funny, courageous, yet heartbreaking Christmas story of Carol by Andrea Gibbs, which premiered at the State Theatre Centre of WA on 26 November 2025.
The partnership shines a light on the themes of Carol – housing insecurity, resilience and community connection – while supporting Beyond Bank’s focus on financial wellbeing and housing affordability across Australia.
As part of this collaboration, Black Swan and Beyond Bank have put a call out to audiences attending Carol to bring non-perishable food items and toiletries to the theatre. All donated goods will be delivered to The Spiers Centre, a Beyond Bank community partner, to directly support individuals and families experiencing homelessness, financial stress, crisis or hardship. Beyond Bank is also collecting donations in WA branches for The Spiers Centre.
In addition to donations, we are also providing access to low or no-cost tickets for our community partners to raise awareness for those experiencing housing insecurity. We’ve also invited Shelter WA, the peak body for the community housing and homelessness sector in WA, to be involved in ensuring the conversation reaches and engages a broad audience.
“This initiative connects closely to our purpose of changing the lives of our customers and communities through financial wellbeing,” said Rebekah Worthington, Community Development Manager at Beyond Bank.
“It embodies our shared value of empowering communities.”
Rebekah Worthington and Kim Gorte from Beyond Bank’s Community team (seated) and CEO of The Spiers Centre Neil Starkie (standing) with audience donations received on the opening night of Carol.
Housing affordability is a key focus area for the Beyond Bank Foundation. By joining forces with Black Swan and other community partners, Beyond Bank continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Australians facing financial and housing challenges.
Carol runs from 26 November to 14 December 2025 at the State Theatre Centre of WA (Heath Ledger Theatre) in Perth, WA. Audiences are invited to bring in non-perishable food items and toiletries that will be collected and given to those in need this holiday season.
Book your tickets Beyond Bank’s support for housing affordability
