Honor Morcom remembers her time as a crew member on the filming of the Castaways as ‘pretty easy really’.
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The retired registered nurse and lifelong resident has fond memories of her three month stint on the set where she was responsible for looking after any injuries suffered during the three month filming.
The 13 episodes were filmed in 1973 and were screened on ABC TV in February the following year.
The majority of filming was undertaken on Miners Beach although some scenes were filmed at the lily pond off Koala Street and the pool at the El Paso Motor Inn.
A reunion of the Castaways cast and crew will form part of History Week 2017 which is on September 2 until 10.
That reunion will see some of the cast return to the area that made them famous.
Historian Mitch McKay is part of the reunion committee and says the search is continuing to uncover local people who were involved in the production of the series.
“We know that Honor was employed as the nurse on set for the three month filming process while are also aware that Joy Boston was one of the caterers too,” he said.
“Alan ‘Digit’ Dick worked on set as a lifeguard or lifesaver and he also doubled up in one episode as a ‘cannibal’.
“But there must be other local people who were involved in the filming and we would love to talk with them prior to History Week.”
Honor says the experience of being on set for the three month was a great experience.
“It was pretty easy really,” she said.
Apart form the occasional headache and a few ticks the only real worries were leaches. They (the cast and crew) were petrified.
- Honor Morcom
“Apart form the occasional headache and a few ticks the only real worries were leaches. They (the cast and crew) were petrified.
“And when someone fractured their arm I had to take them to see Dr Harry Hodgson who was the medical man.
“But there were some funny moments. In one episode someone was in a boat and was washed up on the shore. There was a huge debate about the red shoes he was wearing because they looked too new.”
Two Australian-based child actors involved in the filming will be returning to Port Macquarie for the reunion and they will be participating in a walk-through at Miners Beach.
Other former cast and crew will provide access to personal scrapbooks and other information relevant to the filming.
The public is invited to participate in, the discovery walk along Miners Beach, a question and answer session in the Sea Acres theatrette or attending a film screening of three episodes at the Glasshouse.
Bookings are being taken through Sea Acres for the Discover Walk and the Q&A – contact Natalie Talbot or Cassie Dodds on 6582 3355. Bookings for the evening film screening are to be made direct to the Glasshouse. Tickets for the evening event will be available as of Friday July 28..
If you have any details on any other cast or crew, contact Mitch McKay 0447 429 016.