Originally, from Newcastle I moved to the area 10 years ago and I now run a farm in Mount George. I’ve never acted before so being given the opportunity to play a role in a film was amazing. I was very nervous when we were filming and sometimes it was hard to remember my lines but I enjoyed the whole experience and would definitely do it again. This is exactly the type of film that I would choose to watch.
I moved to the Manning Valley from the Blue Mountains 5 years ago to teach Phys Ed. A few years back, long before I was approached to be in ‘The Ghindaring’, my colleagues asked why I was growing a beard so I spun them a bit of yarn saying I needed it for a part I was playing in a movie. I managed to convince them for a while but they soon found out it wasn’t true. So now, when I told them I’m actually in a movie, no-one believed me! Can’t wait to show them the film.
After a career in admin I never thought I’d see myself as a medical doctor, albeit only on the big screen! Life takes you in all different directions, both in vocation and geographical location hence my motto: ‘expect the unexpected’.
I lived in England and Europe before journeying to Australia in my mid-20s. After settling first in Victoria then in Western Australia, we travelled throughout this vast country and it was the beauty of the Manning Valley with its friendly residents that enticed Graham and I to retire here, with no regrets.
I moved to Mount George in 2015 from Sydney with my wife and three young children. I knew a little bit about the yowie before I arrived so it was really interesting to learn about the dreamtime element. What I love most about this film is that it is all about the local area, scripted by a local and the story was brought to life by local volunteer actors. It has really been an amazing community achievement. I’d not done any acting before and, even though I played the part of the school teacher, I think I might just stick to my real job which actually is the Principal of Mount George Public School!
Being two people operating a small production company who not only directed the film but also shot, edited and composed all the musical content we had a unique opportunity to work closely with not only great actors and crew but also very closely with the man who had the initial vision for this film, Graham Mansfield.
We want our work on this film to ignite that childlike wonder in people, opening their minds from the normal and adding a sense of wonder into day to day life while also highlighting the beauty and mystery that surround this great Australian bush that we are so blessed to live in.
This whole process has been a brilliant experience for us both and we hope the sense of fear and excitement you felt as a child exploring and learning new things will be felt by all who view The Ghindaring.
This whole process has been a brilliant experience for us both and we hope the sense of fear and excitement you felt as a child exploring and learning new things will be felt by all who view The Ghindaring.
Additional Actors throughout the film include:
Search party:
Alison Archinal
Bill Archinal
Lyn Booth
Rebecca Cavanagh
Judi Costanzo
John Charles Hunt
Graham Mansfield
Scarlett Palmer-Morrison
Peter Roney
Kathryn Warwick
Abbey Sheather-Welsh
Angela Sheather-Welsh
Adam Welsh
Merran Welsh
Jordan Terry
Braidy Chick
School children:
Joshua Murray
William Murray
Eden Warner
Elina Warner
Ruby Warner
Sari Warner
Brodie Scanu
Aboriginal warriors:
Clayton Avery
Nathan Mitchell
Jesse Shilling