Meet the Bohemians: Des & Keian

Des Flanagan has wonderful, carefree memories of growing up in the former gold-rush town of Beechworth, once a haunt of Victorian bushranger Ned Kelly and his gang. “It was so great living in a country town where everyone knew each other and encouraged you in whatever you did,” he says. “I wouldn’t trade my time in Beechworth for the world. I loved riding my bike around town and hanging out with mates at the lake.” A sports fanatic, Des made his mark in hockey, tennis and football, and racked up grand finals in hockey and tennis. “Sadly, the closest I got to a football grand final was as a 16-year-old water boy for the senior Beechworth Bushrangers who won that year,” he says.

Like Des, Keian will always cherish his country upbringing in the tiny village of Nabiac on the NSW mid-north coast, population 1,000. He spent time fishing, riding his bike, cross-country running and dancing, and he knew his way around the supermarket shelves — his parents owned the supermarket where he worked in the holidays. “I loved the sense of community in Nabiac and how everyone knew each other,” Keian said. “It was such a safe and supportive atmosphere to be a kid and enjoy adventures.”

Both Des and Keian were introduced to the arts at a young age. Des loved performing in school productions at Wangaratta’s Galen Catholic College and gained experience at some of Beechworth’s iconic festivals. “Live music was prominent in Beechworth. My favourite event was the Celtic Festival that encouraged communal singing and dancing,” he recalls. “It was a liberating experience to be among people of all ages sharing a song and dance. I can even remember busking on the streets one year.”

Des grew up alongside many musical families and was always encouraged to perform. “It felt like an offering, a thank-you, and a way to bring joy. I imagine this is why I love entertaining people so much,” he says. His plans to study international relations and agriculture were scrapped after a teacher suggested a career on the stage. He was soon accepted into the Victorian College of the Arts and fell in love with all aspects of musical theatre. After graduating, Des appeared in “Neighbours” and Grease – The Arena Experience, followed by an outdoor production of West Side Story for Opera Australia. He was nominated for Best Lead Actor for the short film Rabbits at the Black Bird International Film Festival in New York.

For Keian, his love of dance evolved after signing up for lessons with a local dance teacher in the old Wallamba agricultural hall. “I was always dancing around the house and watching music videos, and I wanted to do dance lessons, but I was a bit nervous I would be teased by my uncles and friends,” he says. But my mum encouraged me, and I signed up and loved it.”