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KEEN INTEREST: Local blacksmith Andy Hartup gave Totally Wild a demonstration at the Mount Laura Homestead.
There’s no lack of national television interest in Whyalla with yet another film crew coming to town to film in our city.
In recent times we’ve had national programs like e What’s Up Downunder, The Living Room, Landline, Australian Story and the National Geographic Channel here to film various feature programs. They’ve been covering everything from the city’s economic upswing, our wonderful environment, cuttlefish, dolphins, The Mount Laura Homestead, the Elvis Museum and everything else positive that is happening in our region.
Last week a crew from the Totally Wild children’s adventure program. Thanks to Whyalla News for this story and pictures.
Totally wild about Whyalla
The crew from Totally Wild were in Whyalla last week to film local segments for episodes of the Australian children's television series.
Presenter Leela Varghese visited the Whyalla Steelworks, Point Lowly and the Mount Laura Homestead with cameramen in tow to capture some of the steel city’s most iconic features.
At the homestead, local blacksmith Andy Hartup was filmed while he gave a demonstration of creating a hanging hook. He was then joined by Leela, who he helped make her own hook.
“I got Leela to do some of the hammer work, she enjoyed it because it was something she had never done before,” he said.
“At the end of it she was left with something that she had helped make.”
Mr Hartup is an experienced blacksmith, having worked on his art for 18 years.
“I’ve done exhibitions before at the museum and also at places like Booleroo Centre,” he said.
“It’s good to get some exposure for the homestead. Some people who have lived in Whyalla for a very long time don’t know about it.”
After finishing several hours of filming Mr Hartup said he was ‘curious’ to see what the finished product looked like.
“Leela and I had to do multiple takes to get some parts right because we kept laughing,” he said.
Later the crew filmed the giant cuttlefish with the support of Carl Charter from Experiencing Marine Sanctuaries, Shelley Paul from Marine Parks EP and Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula.
Their visit to the Whyalla Steelworks was made possible by GFG Alliance and Liberty OneSteel.
The Whyalla segments will be included in Totally Wild episodes to be broadcast over the next three months.
Story and pictures: Louis Mayfield (Whyalla News)