In 2009 Chroma Australia supported the Hornsby Gang Show, with donations of paint which were used to make needed sets. Last year’s show was called “Once upon a Time” and was held at the Asquith Boys High School Theatre in July.

There were more than 130 participants including performers, skills building teams in singing, choreography, and acting, a stage production team and the orchestra. In addition over 150 volunteers helped get the show on stage. Their involvement ranged from hanging banners, to designing programs, fitting costumes, and helping to make and paint sets. Volunteers were gathered from scouting and guiding friends and family.

Hornsby Gang Show members audition every year in February for inclusion in the performance. These local Scout and Guide members need to be active scouting/guiding members and located in the Sydney North Region, aged 11 - 26yrs. Once the cast, crew and orchestra are selected they go into 5 months of rehearsals.

Gang Show is based on an original concept by a young rover scout, Ralph Reader in 1932 . He started the London Gang Show to raise money for a local swimming pool. Reader continued to develop the concept and the idea spread to many Scouting and Guide countries around the world. The first Hornsby Gang show was staged in 1973 to raise funds to send troop members to the 10th Annual Jamboree. The two 1973 performances were outstanding successes and it was decided that the benefits of character and skills development which theatre provides would become a regular part of scouting in Hornsby.

The show is supported by many local businesses and is officially patronized by the local Mayor, Nick Berman, members of State parliament, Barry O’Farrell MP and Judy Hopwood MP and the Federal member for Berowra the Hon. Philip Ruddock, MP. The Hornsby Gang show is a firmly established part of the Hornsby and Kuring-gai cultural landscape.