Latest news with #McLeodsDaughters
ABC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Tourism hopes for town of Penola as Netflix films My Brilliant Career
In the small town of Freeling, half an hour north of Adelaide, locals are used to rubbing shoulders with tourists excitedly photographing their pub and truck stop. For more than 20 years, day trippers have made the pilgrimage to "McLeod's Country" to see the real-life setting from TV show McLeod's Daughters, an Australian drama series that ran from 2001 to 2009. Freeling, named Gungellan in the series, shot to fame thanks to the show. "It's as popular today as it was while we were filming there," creator and producer Posie Graeme-Evans said. "People just love having their photo at the 'Gungellan Pub', truck stop, town hall and amid the streetscapes they are so familiar with," she said. "In turn, the town of Freeling has embraced these visitors as a benefit to its tourism. "Small operators have even sprung up offering tours to filming locations. It's been wonderful for the region." It has been 16 years since McLeod's Daughters wrapped up filming in South Australia, but its legacy lives on. Now, the town of Penola, in the south-east corner of the state, hopes the same effect will transpire in the wake of global streaming giant Netflix setting up at a historical homestead in the area in June. Backed by the state government and South Australian Film Corporation's Screen Production Fund, a drama series adaptation of Miles Franklin's classic Australian novel My Brilliant Career is now in production at Yallum Park, an 1878 heritage-listed homestead. Netflix said the story, first published in 1901, had resonated with a rising generation of young Australian women who longed for the freedom to shape their own destinies. The series, which is expected to premiere in late 2026 or early 2027, will result in various locations across the state being transformed for the period production, including across Adelaide, the Southern Barossa region and the south-east. On a wintry day in Penola, local retailers were hopeful about what the production would mean for the town. "It's certainly exciting to be chosen to feature in the series," said Diane Williams, who runs a giftware shop in town and also has accommodation units. "It will put another feather in Penola's cap. "The town has obviously had a lot of accommodation bookings from cast and crew while they're filming here, but I think the real tourism benefits are yet to come. Down the street, chef and cafe owner Ian Perry agrees. "We've had a lot of crew members come in and that's been a boost to trade during winter, when things can be quiet," he said. "They're lovely people and they have all really enjoyed being here in Penola, a part of the country they might otherwise not get to see." SA Arts Minister Andrea Michaels said the production was expected to inject $17 million into the state's economy — the highest spend of any TV series made in the state. Five years after a bypass opened around Penola, Ms Williams is hopeful film tourism will become part of the town's future. "The bypass has had an impact on the town, but there have been plenty of benefits too," she said. "We're looking forward to seeing what might be on the way for Penola now it can add 'film set' to its long list of attractions."
Perth Now
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Posters target actor accused of Nazi act: court
A former well-known Aussie actor turned political activist has been targeted in a poster campaign after he was accused of performing a banned Nazi gesture, a court has been told. Damien Richardson, 55, appeared in the Moorabbin Magistrates' Court on Tuesday for the first time after police laid the charge last December. It's alleged Mr Richardson performed a Nazi gesture while speaking at an event hosted by the National Workers Alliance at a restaurant in McKinnon on September 14. In footage of the alleged act, Mr Richardson can be heard saying; 'am I allowed to do that or am I going to be fined now?' 'This is absurd, this is insane, this is crazy.' The former Neighbours star declined to comment as he left court. NewsWire / Aaron Francis Credit: News Corp Australia The National Workers Alliance bills itself as an organisation working for the 'preservation of western culture and identity'. Mr Richardson's lawyer, Peter Monagle, told the court paperwork had been filed identifying issues in the prosecution case disputed by Mr Richardson. Requesting his client's address be redacted from court documents released to the media, Mr Monagle told the court there had been posters placed near Mr Richardson's home. 'There has been a concerted effort, Your Honour, to get Mr Richardson to feel shame … by some in that area,' he said. The matter was adjourned until June 20 by Magistrate Angela Bolger. Police allege Mr Richardson performed a banned Nazi gesture. Supplied. Credit: NewsWire Responding on social media after his charges made headlines last December, Mr Richardson said the 'mockingbird media came after me because I defended White Australia'. 'I haven't been charged with doing a 'Nazi Salute' contrary to the MSM recent feeding frenzy. Even the police in their 'wisdom' stopped short of making such a plaintively false accusation,' he said. 'However, in its stead, I have been charged with something far more Orwellian, opaque and sinister. The contortion of language involved is extraordinary. I'll leave it to my legal team to try to explain it to me.' Mr Richardson was prominent in the anti-vaccine movement. NewsWire/Sarah Matray Credit: News Corp Australia The former soap star, known for his work on Neighbours, McLeods Daughters and Blue Heelers among other roles in Australian TV shows and movies, twice ran for political office after retiring from acting in 2021. As a candidate for the Freedom Party, Mr Richardson unsuccessful campaigned at both the Victorian and Federal elections in 2022. Since then he has embarked on a career as an alt-right speaker and podcaster, claiming he is being persecuted as a scapegoat by the government after opposing vaccine mandates and lockdowns. Mr Richardson was supported in court by his mother. NewsWire / Aaron Francis Credit: News Corp Australia In October 2023, laws passed by the Victorian parliament came into force criminalising the public display of Nazi symbols and gestures through the Nazi Salute Prohibition Bill. The offence carries a maximum penalty of 12 months imprisonment and a $23,000 fine. Several people have been charged with performing the banned gesture since the laws came into effect, including self-described neo-Nazi Jacob Hersant. In November, Hersant became the first person convicted and was sentenced to one month jail but was freed on bail and plans to appeal the conviction.
