MOVIE DEVELOPMENT:
April 2007 - June 2007

The following is a detailed summary of movie news and speculation that was reported from late April 2007
(when Australia started production) until the end of June 2007 (when filmed ended in Bowen).

All news is accompanied by the name of the media source, and links to original articles.
Click here to return to my main Australia page.

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Post-movie tension
Townsville Bulletin, 28 June 2007

If people in Bowen today are bleak, unreasonable and accuse you of not understanding them, blame it on PMT – Post Movie Tension. Baz Luhrmann, Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman and Co have been in Queensland's tomato capital for the past six weeks filming the movie Australia. They shot their last scenes in the town last night. The word on the street yesterday was that star Nicole Kidman had already abandoned the town. If she had, she didn't stop to say goodbye. It has been an emotional roller-coaster, and it has even been said the town's ebullient mayor Cr Mike Brunker could suffer a form of post-natal depression when the movie crew pack up and leave town. It was Cr Brunker, whispering sweet nothings about a wooden jetty and open foreshore land into Baz Luhrmann's ear that convinced the famous Aussie movie producer to shoot the 1922 and 1942 scenes – to be depicted in the movie as Darwin – in the town that was once considered the `ugly step sister' by the likes of Townsville, Mackay and Airlie Beach. Cinderella Bowen is sky walking and it was Prince Baz who helped the ostracized sister, bullied and ridiculed by evil step-mum Townsville, and jealous step-sisters, Airlie and Mackay, to meet her prince and to live happily ever after. Cr Brunker said there was no stopping Bowen now that she had been to the ball and had won the hand of the handsome prince. "The movie has been monstrous for the town. The number of people who have come in to see the sets and then discovered the beaches. It's just been great," he said. Cr Brunker said the town would get to keep movie memorabilia such as the WWI cenotaph, all signage, and a police cell and prison. He said this would all be collected in a permanent display to remind the locals and visitors the time Bowen became Bowenwood.

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Filming to wrap
The Townsville Bulletin, 23 June 2007

The buzz won't go out of Bowenwood the minute the stars leave town next week. Bowen Mayor Mike Brunker said once the cast and crew had left the town by Friday, film buzz would continue. "We're working on ideas to keep the momentum going and we're planning to redevelop the foreshore and when that's done we will have an interpretive centre with a board walk of the stars that featured in the film on the footpath," Cr Brunker said. "The foreshore will be totally dedicated to the film." Cr Brunker said most of the set would be removed and taken back to Sydney. "Some private businesses will keep parts of the set but we will focus on the interpretative centre which will have everything about the film in it," he said.  "It's probably better than having the iron buildings anyway because then we don't have to worry about it being broken into, burning down or blowing away. Fox Studios have also been filming a documentary on the making of the film so we hope to get a copy of it to be able to show in the centre." Bowen Collinsville Enterprise economic development manager Martin Homisan said not only Bowen but the entire region had benefited from the film. Only four days of filming, including today, remains in Bowen before Australia's cast and crew heads to Darwin and Kununurra.

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Dousing Darwin
The Townsville Bulletin, 22 June 2007

The flames that blazed on the set of Australia on Wednesday were doused yesterday by wet weather. All the soldiers carrying heavy machinery were nowhere to be seen as the war-torn Darwin set looked completely deserted. With only days left to catch a glimpse of the filming in action, the sudden rain kept onlookers disappointed as cast and crew re-located to an indoor studio. Despite the rain, a spokeswoman for Australia said filming was still on track. "We've reverted to our weather plan and the cameras are still rolling," she said. If weather permits, more wharf scenes are expected to be shot today with both Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman scheduled to be back on the job. Then on Saturday, shooting of the bombed stockyards, gun emplacement and beacon will run from noon to midnight across several on-set locations. All actors will be given a well-deserved rest on Sunday before cameras resume rolling at the wharf, stockyards, gun emplacement and beacon from 6am on Monday.

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Bowen gold rush
Gold Coast Weekend Bulletin, 22 June 2007

When Bowen was founded in the 1800s, there was a strong push for it to become the capital of north Queensland, the political and administrative headquarters of a tropical paradise. History shows Townsville assumed that mantle -- thanks to the Charters Towers gold rush -- and Bowen has become more famous today for its mangoes than its MPs. Drive through Bowen today and it's easy to see time has stood still since those gold rush days and you get the impression the locals like it that way. So when noted Aussie film-maker Baz Luhrmann started scouting for locations for his Hollywood blockbuster, Australia, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, some locals were a little sceptical that he would take such an interest in little old Bowen, population 9000. But the filming of the Twentieth Century Fox epic has put the sleepy little place back on the map and, since the shoot began a few months ago, 10,000 tourists have visited Bowen. The local bakery has sold more pies in the past three months than it did in the previous three years as hundreds of cast and crew make it their second home. In the first three weeks, the production team spent more than $2 million on accommodation alone and 98 locals are working as volunteers and 600 have become extras, including Joy Jocheim, whose family own the local bakery. Luhrmann has taken a shine to Joy, who he says now has a speaking role in the film. Jackman has jokingly told her she needs an agent. Such is the community spirit within Bowen right now that Jackman's seven-year-old son Oscar has been baking cakes at the Jocheim family pie shop and he's already told his dad he wants to live there. There's now a massive sign titled 'Bowenwood' which greets motorists as they drive into the town. Movies, as the people of Bowen can attest, are big business.

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Fire scene razes church
The Townsville Bulletin, 21 June 2007

As quickly as it went up, it came back down. All that remains of the church and schoolyard that doubled as Mission Island on the set of Baz Luhrmann's Australia is a burnt down pile of rubbish. Hugh Jackman's character Noah played a crucial role in the church where school children were dashed to safety when the Japanese invaded and a fire broke out. On day 31 of shooting yesterday, a scene that saw kids fleeing from that church to the wharf was shot. A simulated fire was ablaze – the result of a possible bomb raid.  Soldiers in uniform carrying backpacks and rifles were also seen parading up and down the set, reminiscent of a true war zone. Debris now lies over the once pre-war red Darwin dirt and black soot now covers all the buildings on set. Tomorrow more wharf scenes are expected to be shot with both Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman set to be back on the job. A movie spokesperson said despite unexpected rainfall, filming was still on schedule. "The weather hasn't been great so we've been shooting things that we can do in wet weather," she said. "Everything is going really well and the shots we have got look amazing."

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Nic lavished with gifts
The Townsville Bulletin, 21 June 2007

Birthday wishes from celebrity superstars arrived in Bowen yesterday for Nicole Kidman's 40th birthday. Local florist Frangipani Florists were inundated with orders from around the world, including from ex-husband actor Tom Cruise and wife Katie Holmes for the big day. And Bowen locals got into the spirit too, with a local bakery making a cake. Even Bowen Mayor Mike Brunker baked a celebratory roast. "My wife spent all day baking, now we're just waiting for Nicole to arrive," he said. But the birthday girl was nowhere to be seen. It is believed the Oscar-winner spent most of the day high atop the hills of her Bowen residence with Keith as she was not scheduled to be on set shooting the epic Australia. Urban made a surprise dash to Bowen to celebrate the milestone by his wife's side after spending the last fortnight touring the US. They were gathered with close friends at the top of Flagstaff Hill last night for a party bash, which included a spectacular fireworks display. There was also a small party on the set. Baz Luhrmann organised the main party, with food caterers from the US making the trip for the prestigious party and fireworks set to light up the night sky for all to see at about 7.30pm. Kidman hasn't been spotted around Bowen this week and was last seen in Bondi Beach at the weekend where she kicked-off an early birthday celebration with her sister Antonia, mum Janelle and a group of close girlfriends who gathered to raise their glasses in celebration of the leading lady's milestone. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii to Australian parents, Kidman has won critical acclaim for her varied roles as an actress over the years.

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Sounds of an epic
The Townsville Bulletin, 20 June 2007

Baz Luhrmann has been busy capturing all of the sights of Bowen – and now he has the sounds, too... Bowen Fire Station's siren, an authentic World War II relic which is still used to summon firefighters to emergencies. The sound of the siren has now been immortalised in film, recorded during the scene in Luhrmann's Australia where Darwin is bombarded by Japanese airplanes.  Ironically, the siren was previously used in Bowen to warn residents of an impending air raid during the real World War II. Retired firefighter Glen Skinner said the antique siren was a surprise find for Luhrmann. "When the firies told them they had an old air raid siren from the war years, the film crew couldn't believe it," Mr Skinner said. While Bowen was not on the target list during WWII, the siren drove residents into shelters when enemy planes neared Townsville.

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Hugh Jackman falls in love with Bowen
Sunday Telegraph, 17 June 2007

Forget the Bowen mango - the north Queensland country town will be known for something much more famous if actor Hugh Jackman's son gets his way. The Hollywood and Broadway star today told Queensland Premier Peter Beattie on the Bowen set of Baz Luhrmann's outback epic Australia that his son Oscar wanted the family to relocate to the country town.  "When you are travelling around a bit like a circus it is not always easy to assimilate into the community, that's why I love being here in Bowen,'' Jackman told reporters today. "I will never forget it, my son wants us to live here full time. I will have to have a serious chat with his mum about that.'' He said Oscar had taken a shine to Bowen after starting to help out at the local pie shop and offering to sell his own pastry creations to the public, for a reasonable profit of course. ''(The shop owner asked) how much for? And he (Oscar) goes $7. He (owner) said 'you're hired','' Jackman laughed. Bowen's charm has also seduced Jackman's co-star, none other than Oscar winner Nicole Kidman. "Nicole (Kidman) and I were sitting here and just went 'how lucky are we?','' Jackman said. About a third of the film is being shot in Bowen and shooting is expected to wrap up in a fortnight before heading to Darwin. But Mr Beattie believed the movie would remain synonymous with Bowen. "Bowen could be known for mangoes as well as the Jackman family and movies - it could be Bowenwood,'' he said.

Luhrmann hoped to reward the country town by holding a premiere at Bowen. "We hope to hold premieres all over the world but I hope we do a very special one here,'' he said. Mr Beattie was amazed at the difference the movie had made since it began filming at the 9,500-strong town last month. The state government gave the filmmakers a $500,000 sweetener for choosing the Queensland location. "They've had more than 10,000 tourists who have come as a result of the movie set, which I think justifies the $500,000 that the state government has invested into this project,'' Mr Beattie said. "Bowen's got not just those 10,000 tourists but they will be able to promote this well after this movie has hit the silver screen. It's reshaped the town.'' Mr Beattie also met Luhrmann and local volunteers on set today. The film centres on an English aristocrat, played by Kidman, who becomes the proprietor of a cattle station before World War II. When cattle barons try to take over her land, she enlists the help of a "rough-hewn'' drover, played by Jackman.

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Baz's love shack buzz
The Townsville Bulletin, 16 June 2007

It's definitely not the most romantic looking building – but Baz has created a love shack. A secret three-day film shoot session at an industrial shed in central Bowen took place earlier this month, and word was Hugh and Nic were getting down and dirty. Raunchy love scenes are said to feature heavily in the movie and Nic even slyly mentioned to reporters that she was looking forward to the filming. For three days earlier this month, security, make-up and crew vans surrounded the corrugated iron shed in Bowen's Richmond Rd. Magazine reports claim the sex scenes have been filmed – with Nic's husband Keith Urban watching on jealously. While an Australia spokeswoman would not shed much light on the filming schedule, blaming paparazzi for her secrecy, scenes have definitely been shot in the shed. The adjoining car wash was closed for the three days. But with no windows to steam up and heavy security, there was no chance of peeping toms.

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Plucking heartstrings
The Townsville Bulletin, 16 June 2007

The team at Bowen Retravision aren't really in the business of making dreams come true, but they have helped put an enormous smile on the face of one of Australia's youngest movie stars, completely by accident. For two weeks, a small Aboriginal boy kept visiting the store, admiring a green classical guitar. Occasionally he would ask staff members whether it was okay to try and play it. His father accompanied his son into the store and when shown the guitar, was overheard telling his son they did not have enough money for it. Not knowing who the 11-year-old was, store owner Georgina Pio decided to give the $69 guitar to the boy as a present. Later they found out the would-be classical guitarist played one of the main characters in Baz Luhrmann's Australia – Brandon Walters, who plays the part of Nullah. Nullah lives on Lady Ashley's (Nicole Kidman) cattle station and becomes a central figure in the relationship between Lady Ashley and the cattle drover (Hugh Jackman). "We just thought he was a little Aboriginal boy from town who couldn't afford the guitar," Mrs Pio said. "Apparently he plays it now every day." Other major cast members have also visited the shop, popping in to buy digital cameras to capture their Bowen adventures, or perusing the CDs. "Hugh Jackman is the most loveliest person you could ever meet," Mrs Pio said. "He comes into town all the time and has a coffee and works out at the gym. His parents have been here, his in-laws have been here, he's really adopted the town as a home and I guess we've adopted him."

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Town still buzzing with movie fever
The Townsville Bulletin, 16 June 2007

Enthusiasm certainly hasn't abated as filming continues in Bowen, with a stroll down the main street almost more entertaining than trying to peer past security guards for a glimpse of the stars. Herbert St businesses are still dressing up shop windows with movie paraphernalia and restaurants have created dishes in an attempt to lure cast and crew. Witty staff at the Central Hotel have created a menu fit for the A-list stars. A 400g steak called `the Baz Lurhmann's Directors Cut' is drawing hungry herds and a special treat has been created for the leading lady herself. Central Hotel's Pam Graham said her head chef Kade Spencer had created three special dishes to honour Baz, Nic and Hugh. Acting on a tip from local chef Michel Bonnet found in the Collinsville State School Recipe Book 2002, Mr Spencer recreated a dish using what was believed to be some of Nic's favourite foods. Atlantic salmon with asparagus and a mango chutney, or the Nicole Special, was `made up with Nic's favourite ingredients, she said.

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Transported back in time
The Townsville Bulletin, 15 June 2007

Bowen's first ever fire engine has been doing some trippy time travelling. The 1924 Model T Ford has been used as an `extra' in Baz Luhrmann's Australia. After 80 years of trundling around Bowen's streets, from fire to fire, the Ford has been transported back to the 1940s to appear on screen as part of the local scenery. It is unknown whether the little scarlet car, which could carry several firefighters and equipment, has a starring role in the movie, during the scene where Darwin is attacked in World War II. The vintage vehicle, which was lovingly restored by a committee of locals four years ago, has had quite the journey back into the past. The near derelict fire engine had been kept in a garage in Townsville for close to 30 years before its owner kindly gifted it back to Bowen in 2003. The owner gave the Bowen Queensland Fire and Rescue Service the first option of having it back before selling it to anyone else. It was purchased by North Queensland Newspapers to mark the 100th anniversary of the Bowen Independent. "The amazing thing was, after sitting in that garage for all those years, they cranked it once and the engine kicked over immediately," said station officer Rob Luscott. The fire engine was brought into service in Bowen in 1925. It has a top speed of 45km/hr, just enough power to get firefighters to the scene of a fire in time. Nowadays the Model T Ford is only brought out for special events, including shows, festivals and displays.

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Baz's billets
The Australian, 15 June 2007

The housing crisis in the northwest of Western Australia is not news - converted shipping containers are considered five-star accommodation in most mining towns - but things are getting out of control in Kununurra as the cast and crew from Baz Luhrmann's epic film Australia move in. If, like Nicole Kidman, you earn $25million for a movie, a shipping container - no matter how chic - probably doesn't appeal. So Luhrmann's minions are scouring the surrounding rural properties offering big bikkies to anyone prepared to vacate their station homestead and give Nic or her co-star Hugh Jackman a bed for the duration of the film shoot. Owners of lesser houses, for lesser stars, are being offered $300 to $400 a bedroom a week and the film company is negotiating with the race club to bring 80 campervans on to its racecourse. Luhrmann has even agreed to build an ablutions block for the crew's six-week stay.

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Northern Territory Government Media Release
Clare Martin, Chief Minister, 14 June 2007

WHARF GETS MAKEOVER TO BECOME MOVIE STAR

Stokes Hill Wharf is undergoing a makeover in preparation for its starring role in the Baz Luhrmann film Australia. Chief Minister Clare Martin was given a tour of the movie set by the production company's location manager, Carl Wood. "This big budget film will bring a touch of Hollywood to Darwin – we expect it to provide a big boost to tourism," Ms Martin said. "Millions of people around the world will see this film which is set in Darwin – it's a real coup for the Territory. Work has started on turning the wharf into a film set before filming begins on July 3 – they will turn back time to recreate what the wharf looked like in the 1930's and 40's. If you think of a house renovation – times it by ten – everything is on a massive scale, just like the movie itself."

The work includes:
• 100 metres of handrail
• 90 square metres of timber deck
• 15 metres of fake railway track
• 11 metre long staircase down to the water
• 37 square metre floating pontoon
• working crane to lift luggage from pontoon onto the Wharf
• cladding existing concrete and steel to look like timber

Products and services for the filming are being sourced from locals where possible with the production company, Bazmark, expected to spend around $4 million locally in total. Bazmark has been overwhelmed by interest from locals to be extras in the movie – with 1200 people attending casting sessions hoping for one of the 300 extra roles available.

Media Contact: Richard O'Leary

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Australia's housing crisis
Perth Now, 14 June 2007

Hundreds of Kununurra residents want Nicole Kidman to sleep in their bed - and she's interested. Film director Baz Luhrmann's film Australia begins shooting in the Kimberley town next month but producers have found one problem - there is no where to accommodate the 400 cast and crew, including Hollywood stars Kidman and Hugh Jackman, during peak tourism season. Organisers of the big budget movie are asking residents to offer their homes to accommodate them because hotels and caravan parks are fully booked. The film company want residents to move in with family or friends or take a take a holiday so senior cast and crew have somewhere to stay during the six weeks of shooting. Lachlan Burnett, who lives in a two-story house overlooking Lake Kununurra, is willing to offer the Hollywood starlet his bed as long as she signs his bed sheets. "I would give my right arm, I would give any part of my body to have Nicole Kidman stay at my house,'' Mr Burnett said. "I could just imagine Nicole opening up the doors of my house in the morning and having that nice wind blowing through her hair.''  Mr Burnett, a pilot for Air North, said he would even offer his services and be Kidman's personal pilot for the six-week stint and let her take anything she wanted from the fridge. "She can even have all the Emu Bitters, that's one condition I will even stock the fridge full of beer for her.''

Despite booking every room at the recently opened Kimberley Grande Hotel and rooms at a number of motels film organisers still need more than 30 houses.  Brad Williams from Kimberley First National Real Estate has been approached by the film company to help find suitable accommodation. Mr Williams said big properties could be preferred over hotel and motel rooms by Kidman, Jackman and Luhrmann. "There's every chance that a small number of very nice, very expensive rural properties may be made available to the production company and some of those might be suitable in terms of security and quality of accommodation for key cast members like Nicole, Hugh, Baz and (his partner) Catherine Martin,'' he said. Williams said while some of the crew may have to pay up to $300 a week for a spare bedroom, there are women in town who are offering to pay to have Hugh Jackman stay with them. "We've got a bid in for Nicole Kidman, but I don't think it will succeed, apparently these people want privacy," he joked. "But their needs aren't too extreme, they just need quality homes in locations that are difficult to get to and can be secured. We've got a few places like that hidden in the mangroves and agricultural areas."  He said a six-bedroom house built especially for short-term executive rentals which rents at $10,000 a week could be suitable. The film company is negotiating with the race club to bring 80 campervans on to its racecourse. Luhrmann has even agreed to build an ablutions block for the crew's six-week stay. Local hotels, motels and caravan parks were unable to reserve rooms for the film company because they could not specify when they would be arriving and how long they would be staying.

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War-hit Bowen lit up
The Townsville Bulletin, 14 June 2007

Bowen is under siege.  Bomb blasts and blazing fires are exploding in the centre of town as filming for Baz Luhrmann's Australia moves to war-time drama in Darwin. The trail of destruction started at Mission Island on Santa Barbara Parade, as cast and crew went about systematically destroying the set. Many residents were wondering whether real fire would be used or if the trick of special effects would be added. But their question was answered when Queensland Fire and Rescue Service staff turned up on set – on stand-by in case anything got out of hand. But an Australia spokeswoman was unwilling to reveal the tricks of the trade. "I don't know – can you make fake fire?" she asked. "But if you went and touched it, you would burn your hand." Filming has been centred at Mission Island three nights this week, with the school house and church being burnt down. It is understood that Hugh Jackman's character Noah is in the church with school children when Japanese invade and a fire breaks out. In town, the carefully created facade at Carney's Corner has been pulled away from historic buildings for when its time comes to burn. Bulldozers have dug bomb craters in the red dirt road, dumped rubble and even unbalanced military trucks.

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A starry close encounter
The Townsville Bulletin, 12 June 2007

Bowen's luckiest residents, the Daltons, cashed in on their once in a lifetime prize last week – a meet and greet with the cast and crew on the set of Australia. Dianne Dalton, who won the prize at Bowen's Seafood Festival, took her husband Bruce, daughter Megan, and three of their friends for a tour of the set and a chat with the movie's director Baz Luhrmann and his megastar Nicole Kidman. "We had a look around the movie set and we had photos taken at places around the set," Ms Dalton said. "We wandered around and then we met Nicole and we chatted for a few minutes and had some photos taken with her and then we met Baz and we chatted with him briefly and had some photos taken with him. "When we met her she was in costume but she wasn't acting at the time. They are really, really busy people, they work very long hours."

Ms Dalton had nothing but praise for the Hollywood heavyweights. "Everyone there is really positive about the film and being here in Bowen and all the rest of it and that's great," she said. "She (Nicole) was very gracious and she's absolutely beautiful – I think she's more beautiful in real life than she is in photos. She very open, down to earth, a nice woman. He (Baz) was good. He was a bundle of energy and just a really nice guy." Ms Dalton said she had no trouble mixing it with the celebrities, although she was not willing to ask Mr Luhrmann how his outback epic was going to turn out. "I don't think that would have been appropriate," she said. "We just spoke about generalities, you don't get into deep and meaningfuls when you meet someone like that. "Nicole was very nice – we just chatted about nothing in particular. Megan our daughter has very pale skin and she was pretty keen to meet her because as you know Nicole Kidman has very pale skin so I think we spoke about that and Nicole thought it was quite funny.

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Lack of thin men
The Townsville Bulletin, 12 June 2007

Baz Luhrmann's legendary attention to detail has left Bowen's men dieting down a dress size. Luhrmann and his fellow movie makers could not find enough slim men in Bowen to play extras during scenes of the harsh conditions and rationing of WWII now being filmed on set. Especially difficult was finding thin men to be extras for the army scenes. A visit to the local high school was necessary to recruit enough fit young men for the military scenes. Production and costume designer, Luhrmann's wife, Catherine Martin is also renowned for her sumptuous design on films such as Moulin Rouge and Strictly Ballroom. It is believed she is looking to win another Oscar with the design for their latest film. Inside the set are a market garden, boarding house, brothel and dry goods store which feature actual period pieces and detailed set design.

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Big bucks spent in Bowen
Townsville Bulletin, 9 June 2007

Bowen businesses are cashed up. Baz Luhrmann's production Australia has spent more than $2 million alone on accommodation in Bowen over the past three weeks at 21 different motels. More than 300 cast and crew members, including Hollywood stars Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, are all being housed in and around the small seaside town. Location manager Mary Barltrop said more than $1.43 million had been spent on renting film locations, office space and stage space from more than 30 businesses. Plus there were things like machinery rental and local tradesmen to pay. "Every day we pay water trucks to dampen the red dirt we're using on set, sometimes twice a day," she said. "Then there's things like cutting the coconuts off the trees for safety purposes and we've had to have made up a lot of extra road signs." Currently there are 260 extras casually employed and by the end of the seven-week filming process there will be more than 500 extras. Also the arts department has spent $850,000 and more than $750,000 went on ensuring security around the set and stars. Security guards are posted throughout the several locations around town, with two-thirds of them being employed locally. With another few weeks of filming left to go that amount again will be spent before their Bowen stint has been completed. Ms Barltrop said the figures didn't include the money injected by crew through day to day activities such as grocery shopping and other living expenses. The town has been swamped with visitors. As of June 1 more than 6000 tourists had signed guest books, collected by 98 Bowen volunteers. A total of 4983 adults and 436 children have logged their details in the visitor books, which doesn't include the locals who gather in front of the set every day.

Ms Barltrop said the volunteers had been a great help over the past three weeks. "The movie's attracted a huge crowd and a big amount of interest and there are so many people coming and talking to the volunteers," she said. "They're able to give them the real colour and flavour of the movie and show them the artwork and reference photos we have set up." Ms Barltrop said residents and businesses had been 'extremely compensating' to the production. "Places like Jochheims Pies have been opening seven days a week just to feed everyone," she said. "I don't think there's been a day that I haven't been down there for a coffee along with half the cast and crew. One of the government departments are actually working out of Bryan Brown's office so they have been extremely compensating." Bowen Mayor Mike Brunker said Australia had put Bowen on the map. He said the free advertising the small town had received from the promotion of the film was priceless. "They have been doing the right thing and looking after the local businesses," he said. "They have been buying all their produce locally and their catering from the butchers' shops. There is no better way to advertise Bowen as a wonderful town to visit than what we have been getting."

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Baz's army defies rain
Townsville Bulletin, 7 June 2007

Rain, hail or shine, filming goes on at the Bowen set of Baz Luhrmann's epic Australia. The town was a little wet underfoot after it rained for most of the day yesterday. There had also been light showers in the town on Monday and Tuesday. Location manager Mary Barltrop said filming would continue even if it rained heavily on set, as there is a
wet weather cover schedule. "Most movies have a wet weather cover schedule, not just ours," she said. "We can film inside for a few (scenes)." On Tuesday, the filming concentrated on external shots of the evacuation of Darwin and manoeuvres by the military extras. But yesterday morning, filming had moved undercover onto the veranda of the Carney's corner building, presumably because of the rain. Ms Barltrop said the scenes on the veranda had been scheduled for filming yesterday. "This was scheduled today by coincidence," she said. "The shots were bought forward to the morning. We are doing some interior shots and some exterior shots between showers." She said the rain earlier in the week had no effect on the filming schedule for Monday and Tuesday. "Continuity has been fine," Ms Barltrop said. "It would have been different if it was torrential rain. "We started filming on the war-time zone and on Monday it was cloudy then too and it has been quite consistent." Heavy rain could prove quite a headache for the film makers as the roads of the World War II-era Darwin set are made of specially mixed red dirt trucked in for the movie. The weather bureau recorded 3mm of rain for Bowen up to 5pm yesterday. Showers earlier in the week had only seen about 1mm of rainfall recorded for the town.

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Extra tired, dirty but smiling
Townsville Bulletin, 7 June 2007

They're tired and dirty and they miss their wives. But Townsville historic vehicle enthusiasts Col Feather, Mark Eardman, Rod Roach and Warren Beasley are having the time of their lives on the newly militarised set of Australia. Even if they do have to keep doing the same thing over and over. The men are all members of the Townsville Military and Historic Vehicle Club. "We're having a good time but missing the wife because the clothes are a bit dirty," Mr Feather said. "We're given one set [of clothes] a week and they don't get washed." The men will appear in the movie alongside their restored vehicles as army drivers and have been issued with World War II-era army uniforms. "I had to pin my trousers to my shirt to stop them falling down yesterday," Mr Roach said. Four vehicles including a Ford Blitz ambulance, a Club GMC 6x6, a Studebaker US6 and an International have been sourced through the club and are being used on the set of Australia. "We might drive 10 foot then reverse and do it again and again for each take," Mr Eardman said. "We're terrorising the foot soldiers by driving up behind them. It's safe though, everything is done at walking pace." While a couple of the men are ex-army, being in Baz's army is nothing like the real thing. "It's just playing really, it's nothing like an actual re-enactment," Mr Roach said.

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Wartime transformation
Townsville Bulletin, 6 June 2007

Nicole Kidman was back in Bowen yesterday after a quick trip away to Sydney for a glamorous photo shoot.  The statuesque actress was spotted by patient fans as she ran up and down the jetty in a skirt, blue shirt and brown felt hat. She was part of the filming for the movie Australia's Darwin evacuation scenes. The town has had another movie makeover in preparation for the next stage of shooting. Gone are the dusty rural streets in favour of World War II Darwin, complete with military tent city and air raid sirens. Set dressers worked quickly over the weekend to give the Bowen beachfront a military look, replacing the cattle with Jeeps and soldiers. Actors and extras on the set of Australia this week re-enacted scenes from World War II Darwin as women and children fled the city to safety.

Movie information volunteer Joan Giachin said the filming of the evacuation scenes started on Monday morning. The scenes being filmed are based on historical events in December 1941 and January 1942 when authorities evacuated women and children from Darwin. The evacuation became necessary as an invasion of Australia by the Japanese seemed likely after the bombing of Pearl Harbour, the fall of Singapore and the occupation of Malaya. Yesterday, filming centred on Kidman's scenes on the old wharf. Hugh Jackman also made an impromptu visit to volunteers and crowds in Herbert Street during a quick break in the morning's filming yesterday. Witnesses reported Jackman only had time for one quick photo opportunity with a lucky fan before having to dash back to set for the next scene.

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Australia dreaming on a carpet of fake red dust
Sydney Morning Herald, 4 June 2007

Big-picture man Baz Luhrmann is a stickler for detail. Garry Maddox goes on location. In A darkened warehouse in a Queensland coastal town, the director Baz Luhrmann issues an unlikely instruction. "Can we have a little more sweat for Jack, please?" Given the baking heat, Jack Thompson, playing a sozzled accountant named Kipling Flynn in the epic romance Australia, must be sweating heavily already in an improvised studio in Bowen. But details matter on a $US100-million ($120-million) film, so more sweat it is. Thompson, in white breeches and waistcoat, is playing a scene opposite Nicole Kidman, buttoned up in white as the English aristocrat Lady Sarah Ashley, who comes to Australia after inheriting a vast cattle station.

Luhrmann calls action …

Flynn: If King Carney's good Christian wife ever makes the same discovery that you have, Fletcher's hopes of marrying his daughter would be dashed.

Ashley: I'm going to the authorities. I'll be telling them everything.

Flynn: Carney is the authority around here.

Despite extensive paparazzi coverage, it's the first chance to see what is happening on the set of Luhrmann's first film since taking Moulin Rouge to the Oscars. It's a romance between Lady Sarah and a rough drover (Hugh Jackman) that involves a long outback cattle drive and climaxes with the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese - with 188 aircraft in the first raid alone - in 1942. But the US producer Mac Brown, whose last film was The Departed, says the film also taps into the stolen generation story. "A woman from England comes to this far away land called Australia and discovers life," he says. "It's a big epic story that spans years, that has moments of history. People are born and people die. There's a war." And the script? "It makes you laugh and makes you cry and makes you cry again, and makes you cry again."

On the balcony of the Territory Hotel, created for the film, Luhrmann tells the visiting federal Communications Minister, Helen Coonan, that Bowen has proved to be a good choice for 1930s Darwin despite being windy. "They call it Blowin' Bowen," he says. "But actually it's been only a good thing because when the bad weather comes - at least it blows away very quickly."

Touring the set, while a second unit films 150 cattle being driven into a yard, it's obvious why Australia is costing so much. Designer Catherine Martin, who won two Oscars for Moulin Rouge, has created an entire town that is "a creative interpretation" of Darwin and Broome at the time. There are the stockyards of the Carney Cattle Company, run by a cattle baron played by Bryan Brown. The red dust is an illusion - it was mixed for camera tests in Sydney then shipped to the set.

The Territory Hotel looks like it could serve beer. It has a bar with a suggestive 1939 calendar, racing odds chalked on a blackboard, stuffed crocodiles in a cabinet, faded photos of horses and bulls, and signs saying "Kanga bitter", "Stewed wallaby and vegies - 5 bob" and "No non-whites". The locals would love to keep the pub as a tourist attraction but it is due to be bombed once the set changes to wartime Darwin. Already, an army tank is under green plastic nearby, military tents are being assembled and blue screens have been erected near the wharf so computer-generated warships can be added later.

Behind the pub is the Chinatown brothel, Faruk's Palace of a Thousand Bees (using extras supplied by the local Chinese and Thai restaurants), Wu Fang's laundry, corrugated iron humpies and a market garden. The colours are as lavish as the detailing is intricate: at the Star Soup Shop, there's a half-eaten bowl of noodles, Chinese checkers and a Chinese newspaper on battered tables. The Sunshine Emporium offers hats on blocks, slippers, pans, bolts of cloth and lamps.

And the Pearl Picture Gardens is an open-air cinema with plaster kangaroos and posters for The Wizard of Oz and Let George Do It out front, packets of Fantales, Jaffas and Minties on display in the foyer and rows of deck chairs in front of a big screen. A sign says "no spitting". The cinema has been used for a scene in which the wet arrives - drenching everyone - during a movie.

The film is a vast enterprise covering 6.5 hectares on the waterfront and involving this day almost 400 cast, crew and extras. Four weeks into filming, there are five months to go. Luhrmann, who is the same perpetually enthusiastic figure he was on the set of Moulin Rouge, is filming next in Darwin, Kununurra, then back in Sydney. "I never see him eat," says Mac Brown. "I never see him sleep … he's just moving forward always."

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Director's thanks
Townsville Bulletin, 4 June 2007

Bowen's work ethic has won over Australia film director Baz Luhrmann. He said it was thanks to the 500 extras putting in long hours that his latest movie would prevail. Luhrmann turned up to Bowen's Queensland Week celebrations yesterday with his wife and two young children to thank the residents for their hard work and perseverance during the seven-week filming schedule. He spent more than an hour talking with locals and posing for photos.  "The whole township has been extremely committed, it's like their spirit is leading the film to be good," he said. "Everyone is playing a role and because they haven't done it before they're doing it with such enthusiasm and intense commitment. It's one thing to be laughing your head off at 9am. By nine at night after they've been doing it all day, to still be going and giving it everything, you can really see it in the footage."

He said it wasn't only the people involved in the movie who were helping the film to become a success, but also the town itself. "It is very difficult to make a film at a labour level here, but we could be waking up in drizzly Sydney at the moment," he said. "(The beautiful weather and surroundings) has been really helping the crew and the company come together. (Bowen's) a really family friendly place too and a lot of the crew have family and kids and love getting out. Hugh and Nicole are really actually enjoying being here and it's good for the spirit so therefore good for the film."

Luhrmann said filming scenes such as the cattle run through the town's main street had been challenging for both cast and crew. "The triumphant return of the cattle to town has been fantastic because for months and months Nicole and Hugh have been training and riding," he said. "To see Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman actually on their own horses, actually driving the cattle themselves down through the streets of Bowen, you don't see that every day in the movies, that's for sure. So that was pretty great."

Filming is running about a week behind schedule but Luhrmann said Bowen residents would have their town back to normal in a month. "After this we're going on to Darwin and then Kununurra out into Western Australia and then back to Sydney at the end of the year so it's a giant circus that's on the road for most of this year," he said.

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Cattle makes way for war
Townsville Bulletin, 2 June 2007

It looks like Bowen's at war. The military has taken over the set of Baz Luhrmann's Australia. What was once a cattle station has been transformed into a militarised 1940s Darwin. There are old military vehicles driving through the streets, and marching soldiers and tents are appearing everywhere. The cattle have been shipped out and tents and army personnel will take their place. Location manager Mary Barltrop said the entire transformation was expected to be completed over the weekend. "There are military tents being pitched all over the set at the moment," she said. "There's extra fencing being put up and military wire fencing that goes around the cattle yard. A lot of sandbags are being brought in and there will be bits of signage that will change to the more military theme. It will all be done by Monday morning. We have an incredibly talented art department who are going to turn the set into wartime Darwin in a very short space of time." Ms Barltrop said the tent city would house a mixture of civilians and soldiers throughout the movie. Yesterday about 100 extras who will play soldiers could be seen marching through the streets of Bowen in preparation for a movie scene where more than 400 extras will be used. The men were led by two drill sergeants who put them through their paces in anticipation for the marching scene. The set will undergo a final transformation in coming weeks after Darwin has been bombed.

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Brush with stars still a thrill
Townsville Bulletin, 2 June 2007

Talk about name-dropping.  It seems everyone in Bowenwood has brushed shoulders with the stars since the cast and crew of Baz Luhrmann's Australia arrived in town. The Hollywood stars promised they would mix it with the locals, and so far they have been true to their word. From the local IGA to the corner fish and chip shop, the stars have been popping up when locals least expect it. And the Bowenites are not shy about speaking up about what it's like to be neighbours with Nic. Fellows Fish Bar owners Lynda and Robert Fellow were among the first to meet Nicole and husband Keith Urban when they popped in for fish and chips on their first night in town. "They were just like normal people," Mrs Fellow said. "The cashier who served them said she was a lovely girl. They pulled up the front and came in alone. They stood near the counter and chatted quietly while we made their dinner."

It seems Urban has been enjoying the local cuisine while his wife is at work. Jeaneys Cafe owner Hazel Fairlamb has become the flavour of the month with Urban after he came into the cafe every day this week. "He has been ordering homemade pea and ham soup and homemade vegetable quiche," Ms Fairlamb said. Cafe worker Craig Joy said he was also getting used to running into Urban after serving him three or four times already. "We have had staff, crew and all the stars eating here and they have been really friendly," Mr Joy said. "If anything, we could say we have made a lot of friends."

A-list stars have also been dining at the North Queensland Cruising Yacht Club. Bryan Brown, Ben Mendelsohn and David Wenham have been sharing drinks with locals overlooking Bowen's picturesque harbour. Commodore Terry Pilcher, who also owns the town's hardware store, said business was booming everywhere and people were often getting a shock when they looked up to see who they were serving. "It's nice to see them mingle with the locals," Commodore Pilcher said.

But it's not all about dining out. Tamara Robson was shopping at the IGA when she bumped into Hugh Jackman. "He was out shopping with his kids and his mum and dad," Ms Robson said. "He was very friendly and really natural – just like any normal person. I got him to sign an autograph and I'm going to frame it eventually." Ms Robson said although she had seen Jackman in movies like X-Men, he was a different man in person. "He's so much taller than I would have imagined," she said.

And Glenn Womal was just as impressed when she met Hugh on the beach at Horseshoe Bay. "He had his shirt off and he is hot. He has a perfect body and a beautiful smile," Mrs Womal said. "He had his little girl on his shoulders and he put her down to sign my autograph. He signed the collar of my shirt and he touched my neck."

But volunteer tour guide Cristian Lenske has the thickest autograph book. So far he has had a photo taken with Nic and Hugh and has met Bryan Brown, David Wenham and child star Brandon Walters. "They are all really nice," Mr Lenske said. "Nicole and Hugh walked straight up to thank the volunteers, they are really down to earth." The owner of the local antique shop has not only met Kidman, Jackman, Brown and Mendelsohn but they have all purchased goods from her store. "They buy anything and everything," the shop owner said. "We even supplied some antique furniture to the crew who are using it as part of the movie."

Summergarden Theatre owner Ben De Luca met Baz Luhrmann when he first visited Bowen early last year and has since got to know the director quite well when he visits the theatre to view rushes of the day's take. "Baz, as you would expect, is a gentleman always," Mr De Luca said. "He shakes your hand and says, 'Ben, how are you today mate?' and when he's leaving he makes sure to come up to you and say thank you."

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Director's cut
Townsville Bulletin, 1 June 2007

Bowen's Summergarden Theatre may be the most secret theatre in the country since becoming the cutting room floor for Baz Luhrmann's Australia. Raw footage from the day's take is being privately shown at the 1940s theatre for Luhrmann and his head honchos to cast their eyes over for errors and inaccuracies. Referred to as `rushes' in Hollywood lingo, the footage is rushed to the labs in Sydney to be processed and then rushed back to Bowen for Luhrmann and his assistants to view before giving the tick of approval. Theatre owner and Bowen cinema pioneer Ben De Luca said they used the facility every few days. "All of his editing staff, the director of photography, all the big-wigs in the production crew, they all come here to view the rushes," he said. "There's no sound, just the actual picture, and that's really all they want to see, just to make sure there's no strange beer cans floating around on the ground or something that shouldn't be there." Mr De Luca said after the screening he suspected they went into conference to discuss changes and omissions. Sometimes they rushed out, possibly to re-film scenes, like one where he had noticed a jet skier and tugboat accidentally in the background. "I have spotted a couple of things but they won't be there in the finished product, you can bet on that," Mr De Luca said.

According to him, Australia's executives had settled on the theatre during their first visit to Bowen early last year, although he didn't know it at the time. "Baz Luhrmann and his wife were in a group with the locations manager and a host of other people, pretty important technical people," he said. "They came and wanted to have a look at the theatre after having driven past it and they were so impressed that we agreed to take them through. I didn't know who they were until we got chatting and Baz asked me a question." Mr De Luca said Luhrmann and his crew were impressed with the facilities the Summergarden had to offer. "They were amazed to find that we had such a facility here that is capable of doing it," he said. "The steadiness of the picture on the screen, the focus and with our curved screen it enables all the film to be in focus, the sides as well as the centre." Clearly, Mr De Luca is overwhelmed with being part of Hollywood history. And from the odd sneak peek he's had when loading and unloading the film into the projector, he said we've got a blockbuster heading our way. "It's one of the greatest feelings you can have, it's the culmination of my career," he said. "It's a marvellous way to go out in my age on a high note of this calibre. It's a real buzz I can tell you because I don't think anyone besides cast and crew have seen as much of this film as I have and I'm very honoured. It's looking super, it really is. Just look forward to it and you'll be amazed."

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Guest book madness
Townsville Bulletin, 31 May 2007

All roads lead to Bowen as filming for Baz Luhrmann's movie epic Australia continues. Thousands of visitors from around the world have converged on the seaside town with the hope of snaring a glimpse at Hollywood heavyweights Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. Their names have been entered in almost a dozen visitors' books posted around the region. People from as far as the UK, Germany, France, Holland, Ireland, Turkey, USA, Korea and parts of Africa have recorded their presence. Others from around Australia have signed the books, including one larrikin who noted his origin as "Pissed from Oz" and his postcode as "4005 I think". Volunteer Elaine Kroon said they have come in numbers. "We've just been marking them off like a cricket score book," she said. "People from all over the world, you name it, everywhere."

Surprisingly it's the Yanks that make up the majority of the visitors. "There are many Americans," Ms Kroon said. "Americans are very intrigued with filming. "Most of their stuff is filmed on closed sets, not done in a town the way this is being done here, so this is very unique and Americans are quite taken by it all. "'We don't see anything like this in the States,' they say." Their most common question Ms Kroon said was why a movie set in Darwin was being filmed in Bowen. "It's a bit difficult for them to understand but they are getting around to it," Ms Kroon laughed.

According to Ms Kroon there were also a lot of Australians making the trip to see how movies were brought to life. "A lot are coming to see just the movie set," she said. "We are getting people from Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, NSW, Tasmania. We are getting people from even just Mackay and Townsville that haven't been to Bowen themselves so they are coming to checking it out. Most times people bypass Bowen, they don't come in. Because of the movie they are taking the detour and coming in and checking it all out and having a look which is great for Bowen."

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Brief stardom
Townsville Bulletin, 30 May 2007

Bowen's famous cattle may end up as hamburgers. Currently they're living a life of luxury _ they have drovers by their side 24 hours a day, sprinklers to keep them cool and they're led by Hollywood royalty Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. Location manager Mary Barltrop said they had to be the best looked-after steers in the country. "I'm surprised they're not in the make up trailers every day," she said. "But they have been doing a wonderful job of kicking up lots of red dust. There's 700 odd cattle there so watching them is like a tsunami of cattle." On their days off they can be seen lazing around the mangroves along Quay St either munching on grass or wallowing in the mud. But Ms Barltrop said they shouldn't get used to their relaxing lifestyle anytime soon. "After filming ends they will be having a couple of weeks holiday out at pasture to let them get over their hectic schedule," she said. "Then we're taking about 200 up to Kunanara with us in July and the remaining 500 will be sold." She said there were no details yet on when the cattle would go to auction.

The large mob have played a major part in the epic movie, creating a cattle stampede. Ms Barltrop said there were some members of the crew who would not be upset to see them go. "We have an off-set cattle yard where some of the cattle are being kept that are right near where some of the crew are staying," she said. "They've been coming into work bleary-eyed because the cattle have kept them awake all night with their loud mooing." The long-horned beasts are now working on overtime. They were due to finish filming last Friday but Ms Barltrop said she had her fingers crossed filming with the cattle would be over tomorrow.

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Raffle winner meets stars
Townsville Bulletin, 30 May 2007

When Dianne Dalton heard her name had been drawn to meet the stars of Australia she didn't get her hopes up. There are two Bowen women with the same name and with her luck she didn't think it would be her. But when she received a call to confirm her win she was over the moon. "We heard from one of Megan's friends from school that they announced my name," she said. "But I thought `let's not get too excited until we hear from the movie people'." Only days later she received the call that she and five friends had the opportunity to meet with director Baz Luhrmann, Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. Mrs Dalton said her husband Bruce and 16-year-old daughter Megan would accompany her but she had yet to decide the remaining three people. She entered the competition at last Saturday's Bowen Seafood Festival where free raffle tickets were being handed out for people to win the chance to meet the stars. Mr Dalton said his wife was not the luckiest person and she deserved the win. "She said it was the only thing she had won since winning a frozen chook at a country dance when she was a teenager," he said. "When she heard she won she was so excited and she was ringing everyone but no one was answering their phone." The lucky six have the opportunity to personally meet the stars and director of Australia and pose for a photo with them. Mrs Dalton said she couldn't wait for the meeting that was yet to be set. "It's very, very exciting and I just can't get over it," she said. "My mother's excited and she's 81. I think they're going to be very nice people."

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War trucks' starring role
Townsville Bulletin, 29 May 2007

Townsville World War II trucks rumbled into Bowen yesterday, ready for their movie debut. The set of Baz Luhrmann's Australia will begin undergoing a transformation today into a militarised 1940s Darwin. Four antique military trucks – a military ambulance, a GMC, a Studebaker US6 and an International – arrived yesterday on the back of semi trailers. Military and Historic Vehicle Club of Townsville vice-president Col Feather made the trip down with the trucks, along with some fellow club members. The men will play the drivers of the vehicles when they join the 400-odd extras being used during military scenes early next week. Mr Feather will be behind the wheel of the military ambulance, which he has spent years restoring, with the help of his uncle Lyle Smith and some mates. He said the final paint touches had only been added to the vehicle on Monday. But it had come a long way since it was found abandoned. "Twenty years ago it was pulled out from its resting place at Mt Molloy," he said. "I'm glad everyone will get to see how good it looks now it's been brought back to the original look." Another one of his vehicles appearing in the movie, the Studebaker, has already made its movie debut in The Thin Red Line that was filmed in the 1990s.

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'Keith Urban' wins race
Townsville Bulletin, 28 May 2007

Keith Urban was all beady eyes and threatening claws at this weekend's first ever Bowen Seafood Festival. Keith Urban the mudcrab that is. It seemed right that he should take out this year's first Nicole Kidman Cup crab race and he did it in style. Although fellow racers Hugh Jackman and John Howard put on a good show it was Keith that took the lead and won the race. Sadly, all 12 competitors will end up in the cooking pot - even winner Keith. On Saturday about 5000 people turned out at Hansen Park for the inaugural festival. Fresh seafood was the order of the day, with people munching on fresh prawns, fish and even the poor mudcrabs. Although passing rain put a damper on the day at times, families, visitors and Australia film crew alike turned up at the festival. Six lucky event goers will even be given the chance to meet the stars of Baz Luhrmann's movie, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman and the director himself. Queensland Seafood Industry representative and event organiser Terry Must said the crowd turnout 'beat all expectations'. "We thought the fishing classic was big but the turnout was fantastic," he said. "It was programmed to run between 11am and 7pm and at 11.30am all the car parks were full. I think some of the food outlets had to run for more tucker at 1pm. We had a shower of rain and we thought that would thin out the crowd but people kept coming. All the stallholders are rapt and served close to 1000 people each. It will be bigger and better next year."

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Film provides tourism drawcard for Kununurra
ABC News Online, 28 May 2007

Tourism authorities in Kununurra, in northern Western Australia, are reporting a surge of interest in the region ahead of the filming of Baz Luhrmann's new film Australia. The Kununurra Visitor Centre says it is already fielding a significant number of enquiries about the epic starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. Scenes for the film are due to be shot around Kununurra from late July, with about 300 cast and crew expected to converge on the town. The centre's general manager, Peter Grigg, says the movie is likely to continue to be a tourism drawcard once it is released. "I know what it's done for New Zealand with the Lord of the Rings trilogy," he said. "I'm not saying the same thing will happen here, but I know that every little town that's had one of these movies made in it has reaped a whole heap of benefits." The centre's reported a big increase in patronage, with just under 90,000 people visiting the facility throughout 2006, up from 64,000 in 2001. Numbers through the centre's doors are predicted to exceed 92,000 this year.

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Nic and Hugh throw party
The Daily Telegraph, 27 May 2007

Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman threw a lavish private party for the cast and crew of the $130 million outback epic Australia last night. Kidman's husband Keith Urban was expected to make an impromptu appearance as the main musical attraction. The celebration, at a local pub in north Queensland, capped off an action-packed week for the stars, whose gutsy performances on horseback have been praised by director Baz Luhrmann.  As these exclusive photographs show, Kidman is revelling in her role as an English aristocrat who inherits a cattle farm.  "She insists on doing all the stunts, which is pretty amazing,'' said horse master Craig Emerton, who has been training Kidman and Jackman since April.  In a scene reminiscent of the buffalo stampede in Dances With Wolves, hundreds of cattle thundered down the main street last week, led by Kidman on horseback.  "Nicole had 750 cattle bearing down on her and, with her whip cracking, she's just performed amazingly,'' Emerton said.  "I've told her if she wants to quit acting, we can make her into a horse-riding champion.''  Last night Kidman charmed more than 400 cast and crew, as well as Bowen volunteers, who crowded into the Grandview Hotel for the invitation-only celebration. A crew member said: "Nicole is having a ball at the moment and she loves filming in Australia. She and Hugh just wanted to say thanks to everyone involved in the film''. "It's a chance to relax and let their hair down for the first time,'' he said.  Crates of champagne were ordered in to toast the night, which was to culminate in Urban taking to the stage.  Among those partying were Bryan Brown, David Wenham and Ben Mendelsohn. Kidman has confided to the crew that she is enjoying the action scenes and it was a delight to have her husband and son, Connor, 12, on set.

The Queensland coastal town of Bowen, where a third of the film will be shot, has been dramatically transformed into 1938 Darwin. Bitumen roads have been replaced with red dirt, the sea air is thick with the stench of cow dung and horse manure and modern buildings have had panels added for the wartime era. Each day, locals line the streets, waiting patiently in the heat for the treacherous cattle drives. But as Bowen comes to terms with its newfound national fame, the town is awash with wild rumours that Kidman, her horse-riding efforts notwithstanding, might be pregnant. "Ludicrous, absolutely not true,'' a close source said. One clear fact in a swirl of rumour is that motels, hostels and even caravan parks are booked out. Locals have started billeting visitors in their homes, the retirement village is offering beds and the CWA is also cashing in, renting out its hall. Jochheims Bakery is doing a roaring trade, with even Keith Urban popping in to try a Hunky Hugh pie and a Kidmango White Chocolate Cheesecake. He has also been spotted riding his Harley Davidson motorbike around the district. While Kidman's personal bodyguard is always close, the film stars are trying to mingle with locals. Kidman popped into the local pub on Wednesday night for the State of Origin. Jackman took his son for a swim at Horseshoe Bay and David Wenham posed for photos while buying groceries at the local supermarket. "We're all star-struck,'' said Scott McCormick, who is among hundreds of locals employed as extras.  "I did a mammoth 16-hour day but I don't mind. There's a lot of waiting around,'' Mr McCormick, 27, said. In his role as a drover he said he's swallowed plenty of red dust. "When the cows are going past they shovel all this red dust so it looks like there are a couple of thousand cows stampeding. I was coughing up plenty of dirt by the end.''

The world's paparazzi have been camped in the small Queensland town for the past two weeks.  While they have snared plenty of photos of Kidman and Jackman filming on set, what they desperately want is the big-money shot of Kidman with her husband. The photo would command a price tag of at least $100,000, said photographer Cameron Laird. "If we got Nicole and Keith hand in hand on the beach or riding down the main street of Bowen the price would be enormous,'' he said. A photo of Nicole with son Connor, 12, would also demand ferocious bidding. But with Connor set to return to the US - and his father Tom Cruise - tomorrow, time is running out.

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Nic rides tall
Courier Mail, 27 May 2007

In two short weeks Nicole Kidman has gone from an immaculately dressed English aristocrat to weathered cattle drover, in a role she is clearly relishing. As Lady Sarah in Baz Luhrmann's epic Australia – which is being filmed in Bowen in north Queensland – Kidman has impressed many with her skills as a horsewoman. In one recent scene, she thundered on horseback down Bowen's main street ahead of a herd of 750 cattle, as whips cracked and dust flew in the air. An on-set source told The Sunday Mail Kidman was "loving" getting into her outback role and shows no fear when herding cattle. Co-star Hugh Jackman is equally commanding as a rugged stockman and every bit the part with his dirt-covered face and sweat-stained clothes. The daily cattleyard scenes are a far cry from when an impeccably dressed Kidman, as Lady Sarah, arrived at the town's jetty – which had been transformed into 1930s Darwin – holding a parasol for the first day of filming. The 500 cast and crew get a break from filming today, but they may well need it to recover from a "thank you" concert put on by Jackman and Kidman at the Grand View Hotel last night. "Nicole is having a ball at the moment and she loves filming in Australia. She and Hugh just wanted to say thank you to everyone involved in the film," a crew member said. "It's a chance to relax and let their hair down for the first time." Crates of champagne were ordered in to toast the night, which was to culminate in Urban taking to the stage. Among those partying were actors Bryan Brown, David Wenham and Ben Mendelsohn. Kidman has confided to the crew that she is enjoying the action scenes, and said it was a delight to have her husband and son, Connor, 12, on set as well.

As Bowen comes to terms with its newfound national fame, the town is awash with rumours that Kidman, her horseriding notwithstanding, may be pregnant "Ludicrous, absolutely not true," said a close source. One indisputable fact is that every motel, hostel and even caravan park in the area is booked out. Locals have started billeting visitors in their homes, the retirement village is offering beds and the CWA is also cashing in, renting out its hall. While Kidman's personal bodyguard is always at close hand, the stars are trying to mingle with locals. Kidman popped into the pub on Wednesday night for the State of Origin. Jackman took his son for a swim at Horseshoe Bay and Wenham posed for photos at the supermarket.

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New face of Australia
Sydney Morning Herald, 27 May 2007

At the age of seven, Brandon Walters beat leukaemia. At age 11 he is the face of Australia - a young boy plucked from obscurity to star alongside Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman in one of this country's biggest film productions. Brandon, 11, was chosen by director Baz Luhrmann for one of the pivotal roles in Australia after a nationwide search for an indigenous boy to perform alongside the film's Hollywood superstars. "He's a very capable young man with a natural cinematic chemistry," said Luhrmann, who hand-picked Walters for the role. Brandon had never heard of Kidman or Jackman nor left Western Australia before being earmarked for the blockbuster film. His mother, Janie Wright, says her son auditioned for the role of a young Aboriginal horseman after being spotted with his father at the local pool by a casting director. "We got a letter from the director [Luhrmann] saying he was very, very interested in him," Ms Wright told The West Australian. "He didn't know who Hugh Jackman was and he didn't know Nicole Kidman," she said. The boy, who was living with his family in an Aboriginal community near Broome, is untrained as an actor but is now immersed in filming in the north Queensland town of Bowen. "The demands of filming extend over a six-month duration which is a big challenge for an 11-year-old boy with no previous acting experience," said Luhrmann, in a statement provided by his publicist. "In the end it was the incredible support that surrounds him in the form of his family, his school and the larger Broome community that was the final deciding factor." Luhrmann spent time with Brandon and his family at the community near Broome, with locals saying he listened to traditional camp-fire stories and Brandon play the harmonica. Brandon then attended film workshops at Sydney's Fox Studios with other indigenous boys, before being chosen for the role. He is now in Bowen, learning horse riding and singing, and being schooled on set. Brandon has been spotted happily mixing with Jackman, Kidman and her son, Connor, and has been accompanied to the set by his own family from Western Australia. He will travel with the big-budget production to Darwin and Western Australia in late June and July.

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Hugh, Nicole waiting for love
News.com.au, 26 May 2007

It has been dubbed Gone with the Wind meets Out of Africa. And while there has been plenty of action, so far there has been no sign of the raunchy love scenes promised by screen siren Nicole Kidman.  The Aussie Oscar winner laughingly told The Courier-Mail how keenly she was looking forward to "more than a kiss" with co-star Hugh Jackman in the $130 million Baz Luhrmann outback epic Australia. But just two weeks into filming in Bowen and her English aristocrat character Lady Sarah is clearly yet to be seduced by the "rough-hewn" charm of the outback stockman. Both Hollywood heart-throbs have, however, been wooing the ever-increasing crowds flocking to "Bowenwood" with some consummate displays of horsemanship. Some of the more dramatic scenes shot in the main street this week involved Kidman and Jackman getting into a heated argument with self-proclaimed "bad bastard" and cattle baron Bryan Brown. Both parties exchange words before the two Sydneysiders wheel their mounts and gallop off through a mob of cattle into a cloud of dust.

Jackman looks the part with his two-week-old beard, sweat-stained shirt and cowboy hat. But the Hollywood hunk admits it has been a steep learning curve trying to master the art of riding like a ringer, mustering cattle and tossing steers. "I have been taking tips from some of the best in the trade," the X-Men star said. Veteran Cape York stockman Neville Hutton, who built the old-fashioned wooden cattle yards in the Bowen film set, said he had offered Jackman some advice about how to carry himself off as a cattleman. "He looked like a yuppie when I first saw him," said the Normanby station ringer, 58. "He needed to toughen up a bit."

Veteran actor Brown said he was relishing his "dark" role as a powerful cattle baron. "I like playing a bad bastard," he said. The supporting cast of Australia reads like a who's who of veteran Australian actors. There's Brown, Jack Thompson, David Wenham and Bill Hunter, John Jarratt and Arthur Dignam, Bruce Spence and Barry Otto. Top indigenous actors feature, too, with David Gulpilil and son Jamie, as well as David Ngoombujarra in the period film set in the Northern Territory during World War II. A long time ambassador for Australian film, Brown believes this project may be the next big thing for the local industry. "There are no guarantees with movies," Brown said on radio. "But this might just nail it on the head and thrill a lot of people."

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New addition to set
Townsville Bulletin, 26 May 2007

Another addition to the Australia set is being constructed on Bowen's foreshore.  A church and schoolyard is being erected on Quay St, a fair distance from the rest of the set. Bowen local Graeme Beverly has an earthmoving business and is helping build the addition. "What happens is they have nuns come ashore from the jetty in a row boat," Mr Beverly said. "The reason they chose this location is because you get unobstructed 180 degree camera views of the jetty all the way around to the church and school," he said. Mr Beverly said he didn't know whether the A-listers would make an appearance on the set – but he did know that, two weeks into filming, business in Bowen was booming. "Nothing is being done in halves," he said.

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Hugh's dusty cattle drive
Townsville Bulletin, 25 May 2007

The moment Bowen had been waiting for finally arrived yesterday. A herd of cattle – though not the hundreds onlookers were expecting – made its way down a section of Bowen's main street led by Hollywood heartthrob Hugh Jackman. Police and security sectioned off most of the street from the public to protect the beasts from being spooked. Led by Jackman, the cattle marched down the end of the street, well away from the hundreds of prying eyes, who had been waiting all week for the big event. After weeks of rehearsals the cattle finally got their 30 seconds of fame, performing exceptionally in front of the camera – with only a few takes before the cut was called. Some people had been waiting for the herd to appear from 6am, and at 4pm their wait was over. When the animals finally stampeded their way across the set, red dirt surrounded the actors on horseback, capturing an authentic and picturesque scene. At the other side of the set, the radiant Nicole Kidman, as Lady Sarah Ashley, awaited Hugh's arrival before the two exchanged some words with actors Bryan Brown and Ben Mendelson, who were atop Carney's balcony. Ben was dressed in an army captain's outfit while Bryan was a rugged cowboy complete with vest and a large hat and acted as though he could have been the owner of the station. Neither men seemed happy at whatever it was Nicole and Hugh were relaying to them. The dramatic scene ended in a heated argument before the two galloped off on their purposely spooked horses. The cattle scene is expected to be shot as a full run using the entire main street today or tomorrow. Rumours were flying that Nicole's husband Keith Urban arrived on set in a bid to spend some quality time with his wife before he jets off to America for the international leg of his Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy  Thing tour. Urban's first show in the US is scheduled to take place in Phoenix, Arizona on June 8 and he is expected to stay in Bowen for at least the next week.

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