This is a rough list of local film makers working in or near the Flinders Ranges – as at 1/1/2009 – will be updated into a better list and reference in 2010.
John Mannion – local oral historian who has been collecting stories of the region from older residents. John recently started film making and has produced a couple of documentaries which have been screened locally through Flinders Flicks. One of these “last train to nowhere” depicts the demolition of the historic Terowie Railway line in 2008.
Malcolm McKinnon – Reckless Eye Media – has a home base at Pekina but mostly is working from a studio in Melbourne.
Malcolm has worked in the region on documentaries such as
Train stories – film to coincidewith the re-enactment of federation and train link up. Documentaries about the Aboriginal mission at Maree and the stories from the community there. Also a series of films for the Melrose Museum about Nukunu language and culture. recklesseye@bigpond.com
Monty Luke – no other info known at this time
Daniel Campers – film and digital media maker living in Quorn. Makes own digital films in which he writes, animates, acts parts and writes the music.
Jared Thomas – has been involved in making short documentaries for and about Aboriginal families, culture and heritage. Has worked with Malcolm on a couple of projects.
Dave Wade – based at Whyalla, makes short films with comic twist. Best known on the 48hr film making circuit where he has won some awards.
Quorn Area School – schoolteachers such as Jodie Lee have worked on media projects with students.
Film Makers who have worked in the area
Tall Storeez – worked with young people in Quorn to produce some fun films including “Legends of Quorn”.
Rachel Ward – Beautiful Kate – filming in Wilpena Pound
Other references: http://www.prairiehotel.com.au/filmlocations.htm
More info later… we’re working on this slowly :)
If you wish to contribute please make contact.
Dead-shot Moran in our midst!
an interview with Rhonda and Laurie Pumpa
by local oral historian John Mannion
Rhonda and Laurie Pumpa
Former ‘Outback couple’ Rhonda (nee Gill) and Laurie Pumpa (above), were both born a few years apart at Miss Ward’s nursing home at Hawker, before the hospital was built in 1924. Now married for more than 62 years, the couple have lived in Orroroo since 1971 – following decades of living and working in the bush – mainly at Oraparinna sheep station between Blinman and Wilpena in the Flinders Ranges. The well-watered Oraparrina station was established in the 1850s, as were the Arkaba, Wilpena and Aroona runs. Oraparrina was sold in 1970 and is now the headquarters of the Flinders Ranges National Park.
After a ‘life of stock whip and shears’ Laurie Pumpa found it difficult to adapt to life in town and found work with the former Engineering and Water Supply Dept (E&WS) at Port Augusta – a job that took him “years to get used to”, but which took him to many parts of the north and east. Rhonda however found Orroroo to be “not a bad place to live” and soon “joined the golf club, bowls club, the hospital auxiliary and all these things”. Laurie is now retired and he and Rhonda are both members of the Orroroo Probus club – a club which they believe is the best thing that ever happened for the elderly people of the area. Read the rest of this entry »
“Quorn Mercury” Thursday December 8, 1950
FILM STARS ARRIVE IN PORT AUGUSTA
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NIGHT PLANE AND CAR TRIP FROM ADELAIDE
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MINOR BANQUET PUT ON BY COOKHOUSE STAFF
At midnight on Friday two cars and a bus turned off at a dusty track a little more than a mile from Port Augusta and drove to an almost deserted settlement, known locally as Hollywood Park, a hundred yards or so further on- the journey’s end for leaders of the 20th Century Fox Film Unit.
There were no bobby soxers there and stars Maureen O’Hara and Peter Lawford climbed out of a car without having to worry about the whims of fans. After Sydney and Adelaide they found this a welcome change.
Read the rest of this entry »
Held at Cinema Augusta and at the Institute Theatre in Port Augusta, from the 5th – 9th November 2008.
Supported by Country Arts SA, Port Augusta City Council, Media Resource Centre, National Film and Sound Archive, In The Bin, Port Augusta Re-imagines.
Download the full program.
Wed 5 – Fri 7 Nov – IN THE BIN FILM MAKING WORKSHOP
Fri 7 Nov – IN THE BIN SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
Sat 8 Nov -
THE SHIRALEE
BIG STORIES SMALL TOWNS
TWIN RIVERS
JIVE-IN THEATRE
Sun 9 Nov
SUNDOWNERS
LOCAL PRODUCE
KANGAROO
Download the program:
25th October 2008
at Quorn Guide Hall
THE BIG STEAL (1990) directed by Nadia Tass
Danny wants two things in life more than anything else, one is a Jaguar and the other is Joanna Johnson. After Danny’s parents give him their beloved Nissan Cedric, Danny works up the courage to ask Joanna out on a date…. One problem! He tells her that he owns a Jaguar, and to prove otherwise, he trades in the Cedric for an early model Jag. At the car yard he is conned into believing he is getting the deal of the century by the salesman, Gordon “Farkas”.
TWO HANDS (1999) directed by Gregor Jordan
A 19 year old (Heath Ledger) finds himself in debt to a local gangster (Bryan Brown) when some gang loot disappears and sets him on the run from thugs. Meanwhile two street kids start a shopping spree when they find the missing money. Rose Byrne co-stars as a country girl, with whom Ledger starts a romance on his trip.
“Quorn Mercury” October ?, 1950
It would appear that Quorn and Port Augusta locals either did not have suitable furniture and furnishings for the 20th Century Fox film “Kangaroo” or were not prepared to hire or sell it, if they did.
PROPERTY FOR COLOR FILM ARRIVES
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GRANDFATHER CLOCK ABOUT 175 YEARS OLD
A pantechnicon with a full load of 30 cubic tons arrived in Port Augusta last week with furniture which will be seen in the Technicolor film, “Kangaroo”. The consignment will be the basis of the furniture for the film homestead set near Port Augusta.
It included a grandfather clock nearly 174 years old and wardrobes and dressing tables for the star, Maureen O’Hara.
Three Victorian period lounge suites and four chests, including a bow-fronted mahogany one 145 years old, bookcases, sideboards, hall tables, assorted chairs, seven mirrors and a dozen cases of miscellaneous bric-a-brac made up the load which came from Period and Art Furnishers, Waymouth Street [Adelaide].
“Quorn Mercury” 14 September, 1950
Director Who Made Lordly Clifton Webb
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LEWIS MILESTONE EXPECTED IN PORT AUGUSTA SOON
Director Lewis Milestone, who is expected in Port Augusta in the near future to make 20th Century Fox’s new color film, “Kangaroo”, among other achievements, unearthed that princely Clifton Webb and set him on the path to stardom.
Read the rest of this entry »
“Quorn Mercury”, Sept 14, 1950
Furniture Sought for Film Homestead
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SATISFACTORY PROGRESS WITH BUILDING
Mr Mark-Lee Kirk, art director of 20th Century Fox Company, who had been in Port Augusta for some days making preliminary arrangements in connection with the production of the color film in the nearby Flinders Ranges, said on Tuesday that work on the 19th century homestead at the main filming site was progressing satisfactorily.
However, difficulty was being experienced in obtaining suitable furniture and furnishings. He pointed out that the story made it necessary for the building, the home of the leading landowner of the district, to be well furnished, especially two bedrooms, kitchen, living room and halls.
His company was pleased to hear from people prepared to sell or hire furniture, oil lamps, a grandfather clock, cooking utensils and a wood burning stove of that period.
Mr Mark-Lee Kirk praised the cooperation being received from the South Australian people and said that he was able to obtain two wooden windmill wheels previously sought at Glenelg. He left Port Augusta on Wednesday for Sydney, and would like persons willing to assist with furniture, etc., to contact Mr Westonhiser, at Hotel Flinders.
“Quorn Mercury” 31 August 1950
COMPANY GOING AHEAD
IN TRUE AMERICAN STYLE
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Colour Film Site Chosen
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TWENTY TEMPORARY HOUSES
TO BE BUILT IN 4 WEEKS
Final arrangements have been made for the location of the Technicolor film ‘Kangaroo’ on Mrs E, V. Farrell’s property, 12 miles east of Port Augusta at the foot of the Flinders Ranges. Messrs Saul Wertzel and Colin Hall executives of 20th Century-Fox with Mr W. R. Johnston of the SA Lands Board returned to Adelaide from Port Augusta on Thursday night.
The executives stated that Mrs Farrell had agreed to make available the 7,000 acre portion of her property on the western side of the Flinders Ranges. The homestead, Broadview, is several miles distant on the other side of the range, in the picturesque Mt Brown district.
Read the rest of this entry »
“Quorn Mercury” Sept. 7, 1950
MAKING A FILM
(BY MICHAEL DAVENPORT)
South Australians and particularly the northern people are gratified at the decision to make a Technicolor film of the cattle industry, with a location in the lower Flinders Ranges. Read the rest of this entry »
