Farewell to Neighbours: From extra to journalist

In today’s Farewell to Neighbours feature, I thought readers might appreciate
a personal story on how the 10 soap has been good for the industry.

You don’t forget appearing in scenes with a young Kylie Minogue and Guy Pearce that easily.

But I had completely forgotten it was actually 1986 when I was an extra in scenes on Neighbours, bringing home the fact that my ties with the soap extend back 36 years.

If Neighbours has underpinned the Melbourne industry for nearly 4 decades, then I guess I am but one example of how.

You see, I was an extra in the ’80s, a storyliner in the ’90s and a journo in the 2000s+.

In those early years it was all about the Robinsons and Ramsays.

When Kylie performed on location with Guy Pearce that day she was still a newcomer. Pearce as Mike Young was more recognisable than the girl with the perm, denim and big earrings. A bunch of us loitered around in the background while they delivered fairly pedestrian dialogue.

I recall Anne Haddy as Helen Daniels running a Limousine Hire business, Peter O’Brien in a scene with Stefan Dennis at Lassiters, Geoff Paine as Clive serving at the coffee shop, and darts inside the pub where Shane Ramsay was torn over some dilemma.

Extra work was long hours, mostly waiting around in dodgy weather, hanging out for the catering even if it was at the Channel 10 cafeteria. By the time it went to air you were lucky if your elbow made it into an inch of the screen. Ahh showbiz.

 

Fast forward to the late ’90s when I spent several months in the Grundy’s writing department. This was the era of the Scullys, Kennedys and that ‘House of Trouser.’

Australian soap has always been a great training ground by virtue of its sheer output. For this assembly line opportunity, I tracked a single episode from the origins of idea to storyline, scripting, script editing, rehearsal / filming, post production to broadcast.

Sitting around a table constantly pitching ideas, I learned I preferred the creative writing instead. But soap is a collaborative beast and every decision becomes an artistic challenge for someone else. I learned so much from the Grundy team here, constantly juggling limitations around available cast and sets to tell their stories. Some actors were better at the drama, others at comedy. You couldn’t use alcohol in scenes with anger. It was usually orange juice in the pub, because of the classification. The BBC had to approve everything (and once sent an apologetic fax for a comma out of place on a previous missive).

About once a month the writing department would de-camp from Grundy’s South Melbourne base to Nunawading studios to embed with cast and crew. Actors would have a chance to discuss story arcs with the people who held their characters’ fates in their hands.

I can remember Jackie Woodburne (Susan Kennedy) was concerned after Libby (Kym Valentine) left the family coop, with Susan & Karl (Alan Fletcher) becoming empty-nesters. In a show like Neighbours that’s a problem, and she knew it. She pitched an idea of fostering some teens -which was already Home & Away‘s turf. As I recall, Jackie even suggested they might consider Indigenous teens. Even in the late 1990s the writing department knew it would struggle to get producer and network support. I don’t recall how the Kennedys moved on with storylines until Izzy (Natalie Bassingthwaighte) arrived, but we’re all grateful they did.

By the mid 2000’s when I had pivoted into television commentary and journalism I began reporting on the show, initially from an LGBTQI+ perspective. I remember stories with Lana (Bridget Neval) expressing her sexuality as ground-breaking for a 6:30 G-rated show. This young Canadian-born actress handled the material with grace and class, even if it was light compared to primetime heavyweights Queer as Folk, The L Word, Tales of the City. This was contrasted by Home & Away‘s same-sex kiss between Esther Anderson and Kate Bell which sent Seven executives into meltdown, cutting the pash before it even aired.  Representation would follow with Erinsborough characters notably by James Mason, Takaya Honda, Matt Wilson, Georgie Stone, amongst others.

As the years rolled on I lost count of the interviews I would file with cast and creatives, but here is a snapshot:

Reg Watson
Jackie Woodburne
Alan Fletcher
Ryan Moloney
Stefan Dennis
Ian Smith
Takaya Honda
Carla Bonner
Tom Oliver
Matt Wilson
Colette Mann
Geoff Paine
Kylie Minogue
Eve Morey
Mavournee Hazel
Stephanie McIntosh
Melissa Bell
Madeleine West
Rob Mills
Bruce Samazan
Craig McLachlan
Lorraine Bayly
Kerry Armstrong
Brooke Satchwell
Barry Crocker
Remy Hii
Katrina Milosevic
Shareena Clanton
Magda Szubanski
Don Hany
John Wood
Elise Jansen
Lincoln Lewis
Joel Creasey

Creatives:
Jason Herbison
Jan Russ
Susan Bower
Brian Walsh
Rick Maier
Kate Kendall

I’ve chatted to stars on red carpets, watched studio shoots, attended church weddings, garden weddings, and even taken the Neighbours bus tour to interview UK fans about their passion for the show.

But it’s time to say goodbye.

Although there would be criticisms, much has been said about the show’s legacy, discovering stars, employing crew, bringing a slice of Australian suburban sunshine to the UK and under-pinning 10’s drama slate for 4 decades.

If my time with the writers imparted anything it was the show’s unique generational mix. The way older characters would help younger characters talk through their problems, who in turn would pass it on to those following behind. You always knew somebody had your back on Ramsay Street….

Reg Watson’s vision, which burned brightly thanks to a range of custodians, stood the test of time and entertained millions.

A pretty perfect blend, indeed.

Neighbours Finale Week:
Monday July 25 6:30pm – 8pm 10 Peach
Tuesday July 26 6:30pm – 8pm 10 Peach
Wednesday July 27 6:30pm – 8pm 10 Peach
Thursday July 28 7.30pm – 9pm on 10 and 10 Peach

Attention British fans: TV Tonight will be filing a finale story following the Australian broadcast.