The inspiration of artist Esther Paterson, Euroka was an original ballet, written by Hermon Gill and composed by James Penberthy, who at the time was a former lieutenant in the Royal Australian Navy Volunteer Reserve and a 'rehabilitation student at the University Conservatorium, doing piano and composition' ('Euroka', The Argus, 17 September 1947, p.3).
The ballet was based on Indigenous mythology, although the specific source is obscure: the story 'tells how the Sun Spirit is enticed back to earth after departing in anger by a boomerang thrown round the world' ('Impressive Music in Australian Ballet', Argus, 18 September 1947, p.7).
