Neighbours is ending? I haven’t watched it for about 2000 years but this one hit the heart. Although all the shock and awe in the wake of the announcement really reminded me of the social media hand-wringing and tears when Glamour practically folded. ‘But I LOVE Glamour!’ people cried, followed up immediately with ‘I mean, admittedly I haven’t bought it for a few years now, but…’
About 8 years ago, not too long after arriving in WA, I was down in Esperance (700km from Perth) working on a video series for state tourism. Our primary talent was an English guy, Rich Keam, who'd got "the best job in the world," travelling the state for six months eating and drinking (not dissimilar too my actual job now.)
One of the days was spent with a local photographer, Dan Paris, who for the Neighbours superfans was Drew, Libby Kennedy's husband. I think he met his end on the show in a horse riding accident?
Anyway, he's super amiable, a local that everyone knows in this tiny town on the wild Southern Ocean coast. But for me and Rich both being of prime Neighbours fandom age, it's this very weird experience that goes mostly unsaid - even when I bogged the 4WD I was driving and wheels spinning saw Dan running down the beach from his vehicle; opening the door he looked at the gears, and leaned over and put me in 4WD mode. I'd assumed that it was always on - being a useless Pom.
Then, scrabbling over a rock face, Dan in his wet suit about to dive for abalone, Rich and I paused and then burst into laughter. In hushed tones "this is so fucking weird. That's Drew from Neighbours. In a wetsuit. About to dive for our lunch!"
The day ended on one of the impossibly long and beautiful beaches down there with Dan cooking the living shit out of this fresh caught abalone. I was secretly pleased that he got at least one thing wrong that day. Funny that I'd not watched the show for close to 15 years and still I was kind of starstruck by this strange meeting.
About 8 years ago, not too long after arriving in WA, I was down in Esperance (700km from Perth) working on a video series for state tourism. Our primary talent was an English guy, Rich Keam, who'd got "the best job in the world," travelling the state for six months eating and drinking (not dissimilar too my actual job now.)
One of the days was spent with a local photographer, Dan Paris, who for the Neighbours superfans was Drew, Libby Kennedy's husband. I think he met his end on the show in a horse riding accident?
Anyway, he's super amiable, a local that everyone knows in this tiny town on the wild Southern Ocean coast. But for me and Rich both being of prime Neighbours fandom age, it's this very weird experience that goes mostly unsaid - even when I bogged the 4WD I was driving and wheels spinning saw Dan running down the beach from his vehicle; opening the door he looked at the gears, and leaned over and put me in 4WD mode. I'd assumed that it was always on - being a useless Pom.
Then, scrabbling over a rock face, Dan in his wet suit about to dive for abalone, Rich and I paused and then burst into laughter. In hushed tones "this is so fucking weird. That's Drew from Neighbours. In a wetsuit. About to dive for our lunch!"
The day ended on one of the impossibly long and beautiful beaches down there with Dan cooking the living shit out of this fresh caught abalone. I was secretly pleased that he got at least one thing wrong that day. Funny that I'd not watched the show for close to 15 years and still I was kind of starstruck by this strange meeting.