Oryana Angel 

Jetstar Magazine 

April 2009

Filming a hit Aussie TV series up in tropical Far North Queensland is a highlight of the year for most of the Sea Patrol cast and crew.
 

Moving 60 people and six tonnes of equipment on and off boats on the Great Barrier Reef provides plenty of real-life action for the makers of the high-action Australian drama Sea Patrol.

“It’s the toughest, most complicated and demanding show I’ve done in 35 years of producing,” says Sea Patrol co-executive producer Hal McElroy. “But it’s also the best,” he adds.

As the sun sets over another palm-fringed, white sand beach south of Cairns, the cast and crew feel nothing short of blessed to be doing what they do. “We all absolutely love going north, it’s magical to go to work on the Great Barrier Reef on a beautiful day with ridiculously blue water and blue skies. It’s so seductive you just want to jump in,” says McElroy.

Season three “Red Gold” is set on the fictitious Red Reef, where oil and gas rigs lie adjacent to spectacular coral formations and exotic tropical fish. McElroy says viewers are in for a treat this season with double the action and ramped up “visual energy”.

For all involved, the two months spent filming in Cairns, Mission Beach, on Russell Island off Innisfail and towards Fitzroy Island were definitely perks of the job.

Ian Stenlake
One of Australia’s most diverse actors, Ian Stenlake, plays lieutenant commander Mike Flynn, the commanding officer of HMAS Hammersley.
Tell us about your character.
He’s the captain of an Australian warship and a bloke that loves the navy, loves his job and camaraderie; he’d rather be at sea than on land.
Character’s development in 2009?
He consolidates his time as captain, refusing a promotion to maintain his position on the patrol boats. He learns more about his XO [executive officer, Lisa McCune’s character Kate McGregor], has a lot more action and gets off the boat a lot more.
Best moment filming in Far North Queensland (FNQ) this season?
Just being out on the beautiful water around Mission Beach.
Impressions of Cairns?
Cairns is very close to my heart; my gran lived there all her life.
Favourite place to go?
Josephine Falls. I also loved going out on the Reef, and driving around the Atherton Tablelands and Port Douglas.
Best work memory?
Eating Thai takeaway on a AU$60 million warship while it was docked in Cairns. We stayed overnight to get an idea of what it’s like to live onboard.
Must pack item?
A hat.

Lisa McCune
Four-time Gold Logie award-winning actress Lisa McCune plays executive officer Kate McGregor.
Tell us about your character.
Kate is one of those women in her thirties that sees herself in the navy for the long haul. She’s very ambitious and has a great work ethic.
Character’s development in 2009?
She’s settled into life on the navy boat and runs the ship every day, but every week there’s a new adventure.
Best moments filming 2009 series?
Going to Mission Beach. You feel away from the rest of the world. It’s a place I’ll go back and visit beyond Sea Patrol. Every now and then we think of moving up north, we’ve looked at the odd website.
Impressions of Cairns?
I’ve noticed over the years how much it’s grown. It’s a great spot, with incredible natural attractions worth preserving.
Favourite places in FNQ?
Port Douglas — I love it; the hinterlands near Mareeba; around Mission Beach and Bingle Bay; Baron Gorge; the Butterfly Sanctuary up in Kuranda; Paronella Park; all the swimming holes — it’s just incredible.
Must-pack item?
Sunscreen and insect repellant — both will ensure your holiday is more comfortable.

Saskia Burmeister
Stage, television and film actress Saskia Burmeister plays lieutenant Nikki Caetano, navigation officer on the new Hammersley.
Tell us about your character.
I love Nav. She’s beautiful, feisty and strong. I go on a roller coaster ride this year. Her wonderful fiancé dies in the first episode. It’s heartbreaking, but she’s a survivor.
First impressions of Cairns?
Very hot with plenty of great places to eat — there are organic cafés, Greek cuisine, beautiful tapas restaurants, sushi bars and amazing seafood. We always eat really well while we’re in Cairns!
Recommendation for off-camera day?
Walk along the boardwalk, swim in the Esplanade pool where all the kids play, then go have coffee and breakfast looking out onto the bay. Or go for a drive down to Mission Beach and come back for an amazing dinner on the boardwalk. At night the place comes alive.
Best memory filming in FNQ?
Waking up and watching the sun rise over the ocean and seeing a pod of dolphins, followed by turtles swimming by. I feel very fortunate to be on this job!
Favourite part of filming in Cairns?
It’s an honour to be able to have access to the HMAS Cairns. The support we have from the navy is incredible. Also, having the opportunity to spend two months out of every year floating on the Great Barrier Reef in the lee of Dunk Island, Mission Beach and all those amazing tropical islands.
Any embarrassing moments?
I’m the only one who gets seasick. Everyone else is okay and I’m the green one in the corner saying ‘don’t look at me’. There are generally make-up artists around getting me to smell something so I don’t feel so sick.
Must pack item?
Hat and sunscreen.

Jeremy Lindsay Taylor
Since leaving Heartbreak High in the late 1990s, Jeremy
Lindsay Taylor has gone on to appear in some of
Australia’s favourite television shows. Now he plays petty officer Pete Tomaszewski (Buffer).
Tell us about your character.
He’s sort of like the middleman between the captain and the rest of the sailors.
Character’s development in 2009?
He spends a lot of time boarding vessels and doing action and a lot of stunts.
Best moments filming in FNQ?
Seeing a pod of dolphins swim by when we were shooting at Mission Beach, then reaching out and almost touching one of them.
First impressions of Cairns?
It’s hot and humid. I love it!
Recommendations for visiting Cairns off-camera?
Josephine Falls, Dunk Island and I skydived last year — it’s lots of fun!
Best memories from Cairns?
I bought my first didgeridoo in an art gallery along the boardwalk in Cairns. It’s beautiful — traditional with an orange and yellow dot painting of a turtle on the base.
Favourite things to do in Cairns?
Fishing behind the navy rigs I caught a mackerel — there’s always a bit of time for fun. Jet skiing around Dunk was also fun.
Must pack item?
Thai fishing pants and sunscreen.