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Whyalla will enjoy more positive national television exposure this year with an episode of Australian Story dedicated to our city.
A film crew and producer from the award-winning ABC documentary program were in Whyalla on Thursday to film a gathering in the City of Whyalla council chambers.
Sanjeev Gupta – the executive chairman of the Gupta Family Group Alliance which owns the Whyalla steelworks and associated mines - was in town to meet a range of city leaders with ABC film crew there to film it as part of the documentary.
Australian Story producer Ben Cheshire said the filming of Mr Gupta’s visit was just one part of the documentary which will focus on the way Whyalla saved itself after Arrium, the former owners of the steelworks, went into administration.
“We’ve tentatively titled the episode ‘The town that saved itself’,” Mr Cheshire said in Whyalla during filming on Thursday.
“The documentary will have a two-part focus – the big part Sanjeev Gupta played in purchasing the steelworks and the way the people of Whyalla helped save the steelworks and the town.”
The film crew will be returning to Whyalla to interview workers who voted to take a pay cut at the steelworks to keep the plant open. There will also be an interview with Whyalla Mayor Lyn Breuer to reveal the equally vital role Council played in saving the steelworks and the city.
“It is an inspiring story how the local people fought to save their industry and the town,” Mr Cheshire said.
“This is sure to be an uplifting and brilliant story about the city of Whyalla and its community.”
The Australian Story on Whyalla is tipped to go to air on the ABC in August this year.
Filming: Whyalla Mayor Lyn Breuer with Sanjeev Gupta during a gathering in the Council chambers this week. Picture: Whyalla News