How Margot Robbie got her big break in Gold Coast movie
A filmmaker has revealed the remarkable story of how Hollywood movie star Margot Robbie got her big break on the Gold Coast.
Lifestyle
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EVERYONE needs that first “big break” and for global superstar Margot Robbie that came when she was spotted by independent filmmaker Aash Aaron.
“I had tried my hand at script writing and even had a project funded by Screen Queensland but as with many others you then end up in ‘option purgatory’,” said Aash.
“Essentially you hope the project will go ahead but usually it gets tied up in red tape and never proceeds.
“Frustrated by the process I wrote and self-funded a low-budget thriller called I.C.U. and I cast a very green 16-year-old Margot. She had no experience but I was an accomplished acting teacher and worked with her and other cast members to get the movie made.
Gold Coast actress Margot Robbie reflects on attending The Logies while performing on Neighbours
“It premiered at the Gold Coast Film Festival and that gave me the impetus to do a second, slightly bigger film, Vigilante, also starring Margot. She headed off to Melbourne to work on Neighbours and I went over to LA to continue writing, directing and producing more films.
“Long story short, I made another two films, one with John Jarratt, but deals that were promised never eventuated – that is so Hollywood – so I came back to the Gold Coast.
“I taught acting, worked in a service station, doing anything to support my family and keep my dream alive.”
Aash’s motto was “never give up, never surrender” and that attitude has now paid off.
“I continued seeking investors and last week a new Los Angeles partner stepped forward with the money so I can finish my films, get them distributed and continue doing what I love – making movies.”
FILMING SHUTDOWN A MOMENT FOR ERIN
A SLIDING-doors moment will come to realisation this Saturday for actor Erin Connor. Last year she received a phone call from John Walton. As the stunt co-ordinator for Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis movie, he had some free time when filming was put on hold so he got busy with his idea for a short film.
“I was in Sydney and John rang to say he wanted me to play the part of Ma, the matriarch of a big family in his movie The Last Zombie. It’s a post-apocalyptic scenario with a zombie invasion which has everything – comedy, love, action, and family ties. There is a special showing this Saturday and I’m excited to see the finished product on the big screen.”
A TOWERING HIT AT IWD 2006
MONDAY is International Women’s Day so for this week’s memory we go back to an IWD lunch in 2006 at Gold Coast Convention and Entertainment Centre.
The special guest was Dr Germaine Greer who was charm personified as she signed copies of her latest book, drew out raffle prizes, and posed for photos with all and sundry.
The organiser was Josephine Tobias who spent several days with “Germs” and described her as highly entertaining.
“She was so much fun to be around. Enormous intellect of course but what struck me the most was her interest in botany. She had some land up at Springbrook and my husband Peter and I went up there with her. A very special woman.”
Some of those in the picture are Daphne Pirie, the late Roma Blair, Margaret Grummitt, Kathy Sullivan MP, (whose birthday is IWD Day), Josephine Tobias, Heather Haynes, Vicki Varthas, Margaret May and Sharon Kells.
A towering (at 183cm that applies in every sense) figure in the women’s lib movement, her 1970 book The Female Eunuch became an international bestseller and is considered one of the defining texts for women’s rights.
THEM’S THE BREAKS
WE extend our heartfelt sympathies to two of our well-known locals who have slipped, tripped and ended up with broken bones.
Real estater Lucy Cole is out of action having fallen over an electric cord in her stunning new apartment. She broke her patella.
No one is surprised that even with one leg up she is still furiously working the phones. Another feeling very uncomfortable is Terry Bawden, wife of Villa World founder Tony, who missed a step at a celebration and broke her leg.
It just happened to be the leg upon which she had her hip replaced.
NEW BOSS FINDS HER FEET
Great to hear that Patricia O’Callaghan, the newly appointed Destination Gold Coast CEO, is literally getting her feet in the water experiencing all that is good and great about our city. “The family is loving it and we have received such a warm and friendly welcome from everyone. I have received an exhaustive list of things to do so we have been slowly ticking them off.
“We’ve visited different beaches, went jet-boating last weekend, which was a brilliant way to enjoy the coastline, and I’m booked in for some surf lessons. I’ve also made a promise to try hydro-foiling. The Farmer’s Market at HOTA is a particular favourite and a great start to a Sunday morning.”
Experience it and then sell it.
OLD GALS BITE MORE THAN THEY CAN CHEW
HOW to bring a dinner party to a screeching halt with one indelicate statement.
As has ever been the case, it happened late into the night when many bottles had been consumed and the talk amongst this over-60s group of mainly single, lavender-smelling ladies, turned to dating. After the usual round of complaints about no suitable men, they have no money or they only want one thing, up piped “Gertrude”.
“Well I’ve met a man who has no money, doesn’t want mine and I’m happy to enjoy that ‘one thing’.”
Cue collective gasp from the others.
“In fact he has introduced to me to ‘things’ I had never heard of but have been wildly satisfactory,” she leered.
That gentle reader is where we will leave it to your imagination but the girls grilled her for every tiny detail.
MUSIC LEGEND MOVES TO THE COAST
For the many, many die-hard fans of Powderfinger we have good news. Darren Middleton, lead guitarist and songwriter for the Aussie super group, has moved to the Gold Coast.
Even better news he is booked to perform at Miami Marketta on Saturday, April 3 for a one-off performance.
“We moved up from Melbourne recently, partly because my son is mad about surfing and tennis, and also to be closer to family.
“I’m really looking forward to playing at Marketta. I’ve never played there and my agent rang to ask if I was interested, so I jumped at the chance.”
Darren’s story from Brisbane teenager to rock star started when he was given a guitar at 15, took lessons for a month, practised endlessly, joined other bands until he linked up to form Powderfinger and the rest is history.
“My hero was Angus Young from AC/DC because he was a guitarist wearing a school uniform and that was me too,” he grinned.
As for the never-ending questions about the band reforming, especially after last year’s mega on-line concert which raised $500,000 for Beyond Blue, he smiles: “We aren’t bad friends or can’t talk to each other but we were together for 20 years and simply decided to take a break.
“We all have different projects and it’s not out of the question but it would depend on our schedules and what would be involved.”
So that’s a definite maybe.
Famously low key and down to earth, we asked Darren about his “chilled” attitude. “Maybe it’s a Queensland thing or the Aussie tall poppy syndrome but none of us in the band ever wanted to be something we aren’t.”
One of the nice guys of rock ‘n’ roll.
BACK IN THE DAY: TURNING ON THE GCCEC TAP
This is from the opening night celebrations for the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) on June 29, 2004.
Besides the thrill of having our very own convention centre at Broadbeach, after years of relentless lobbying, this chorus line was the highlight of the night. Meet The Happy Tappers, a unique group of sprightly dancers of advanced years — some in their 80s — who, with Todd McKenney, brought the house down performing their routine.
Adrienne Readings — general manager of GCCEC then and now — said the idea was to have something local and unique.
The Happy Tappers were part of a troupe that trained with Todd’s mother Peta Norton at her local dance studio. Their arrival on stage was greeted with a mighty roar and were led admirably by Todd who had recently dazzled Australia when he starred as Peter Allen in The Boy from Oz for an extended run. A great night.
NOT SO CHEERFUL
NEWS that the Parramatta rugby league club in Sydney is to discontinue its 50-year tradition of cheerleaders led us to ring the one person we know with connections to the cheer squad.
Sherryl Dobson, now a locum consultant with Ravens Recruitment, used to be the manager of the squad. “I was more of a mother hen,” she laughed, “and making sure they were all there on time. It is a shame it is being discontinued because I always thought it added to the spectacle.
“Back then the girls were around 13-17 years, loved to dance, were big supporters of the team and loved being on the ground. It is in some ways a sad reflection of our new world because I always thought the crowd enjoyed it. I was never a dancer but because I was a huge fan of the Eels was asked to run it. A sad loss.”
IT’S ELECTRIFYING! OH YES, INDEED
The term “electrifying” is used to describe almost everything these days – never this column sadly – but now we have something for which it is really apt.
Introducing the all-new Porsche Taycan Turbo S, an electric sports car that can go from 0-100km/h in a face-distorting 2.8 seconds.
The only person we know who has driven the car is Damien Holley, dealer principal of Porsche Centre Gold Coast, who described the experience:
“Wow! It is just exhilarating. Instant power and a sports car like no other. We are having the Australian launch this Saturday at our dealership from 10am and all Porsche enthusiasts are invited to come along and have a look.”
Lest you think that local car sales have been affected by the events of the past year, Damien begs to differ. “Our Jaguar dealership has been announced as the top-ranked for sales in Australia, meaning we beat all the major capitals for volume of cars sold.”
Going places and very quickly.
GLYNIS’S SOCCER STAR SON HOME
Having suffered through some extraordinary health issues last year, Olympic gold medallist Glynis Nunn has received some good news. “My son Blake Cearns has come back from America after six years on a soccer scholarship and gets out of quarantine this weekend,” she said.
“I can’t wait to see him and catch up on everything.”
Athletic ability is certainly part of Blake’s DNA. The former Helensvale State High and AB Paterson College student was named as the NJCAA Player of the Year in his first year in the US competition in 2015 after making the Australian under-19 squad in his final year of school.
“He is due to play for Gold Coast United when he gets back so I will be there watching him play.”
As for her own health issues, Glynis is slowly getting back to normal. “I had Saddle Pulmonary Embolism or multiple blood clots on the lungs. It was very scary for a while but I take my medication and look after myself.
“I’ve started jogging again but very, very slowly,” she said with a grin.
‘INCREDIBLY STRESSFUL’: FRANKS REVEALS HOW SHE ALMOST LOST BUSINESS
AFTER the year that Camilla Franks has just endured, it is a minor miracle that she has managed to keep creating her joyous, colourful designs.
Her well-publicised health issues resulted in a year of recovery after the removal of her ovaries and treatment for breast cancer in 2018.
Then COVID hit and she admitted that she came very close to losing the business.
“It was incredibly stressful,” she said. “We have many boutiques in Australia and stockists around the globe but like so many others in fashion, it was a difficult time. I made a promise to the staff that we would not lose one of them and I am so proud that we managed to keep all those jobs. There were new plans and the team worked like never before to ensure the brand would go on.”
Seeing her at the Friends and Lovers Lunch at Maman Kitchen and Bar in Burleigh Heads on Monday, you would never guess what she has been through.
She radiates light and love as she embraces friends and acquaintances alike while exulting everyone to have a great time. Something else she is passionate about is The Butterfly Effect, in association with The Hunger Project.
“I became aware of the problem of child brides on a trip to India and vowed to help,” she said. “So far we have raised funds for the charity and saved over 600 young girls from an arranged marriage and given them the skills and education that will empower them to a better life.”
ALWAYS REDDY FOR A CHAT ABOUT SHOWBIZ
ONE of Australia’s great exports to the world was singing superstar Helen Reddy.
Sadly, she passed away in September last year but her song I Am Woman was an anthem for the women’s movement when it was released in 1972.
She was in town in 2010 as a guest speaker at the Showbiz Celebrity Luncheon Club hosted by Kate Peters at the Tipsy Prawn.
With Kate and Helen in the pic is noted actress and performer Sheila Bradley.
Kate’s recollection is that Helen was more interested in talking about aquaculture than her time working in Las Vegas.
“She was quite serious about farming under water. She was here visiting family on the Gold Coast so I managed to get her to speak which was a bit of a coup for our club.”
One of the very great ones.
MARDI ‘ITCHING’ TO TOUR
THE performing arts has been hard hit during the past year.
In our teeny tiny way, we have tried to shine a light on local performers and one of those is singer/songwriter Mardi Wilson who we saw at Miami Marketta.
We asked how she had coped:
“In 2019 I had some great experiences performing at Bluesfest, Gympie Music Muster and Australian Music Week, then the lockdown hit. I started live streaming, created new merchandise and tried to think outside the box to engage with fans.
“I’ve had to learn to focus my energy on things I can control. I’m releasing my debut album in a few months and can’t wait to put on an awesome launch show. Following that, I’m itching to do a tour. I want to bring my music to new audiences and share some of the songs I’ve written over the past year. In short, I feel really grateful for where I am and excited about where I’m headed and what this year has in store.”
LET THE YEARS SHINE THROUGH
CALL moi ageist but it seems slightly pointless that advertisements for make-up are usually geared towards the young and beautiful.
We mentioned that when chatting to Amanda Ramsay (pictured with Tania Meli), one of Australia’s top make-up artists and a Gold Coast Bulletin Woman of the Year finalist. She smiled knowingly.
As an over-40s make-up specialist she was quick to point out her top three tips for those of a certain age who want to look their best: “Wear a broad spectrum, high-factor sunscreen every day – rain, hail, cloud, or shine – because the sun’s rays are the number one cause of premature ageing.
“Next embrace a nutrient-rich face oil that feeds your skin and creates luminosity. Finally, choose a lightweight reflecting foundation – a little ‘shine’ is a good thing.”
As the 2020 Make-up Vlogger of the Year, Amanda is someone who knows what works and if you want to know more go to her online masterclass called The Shine Sessions.
Look good and feel better.
HE’S GOT BALLS FOR REVENGE
NOT that this tourism expert is bitter or anything but it seems that he doesn’t hold our political leaders, of all persuasions, in very high regard.
He has gone to the trouble and expense of having the faces of various politicians embossed on his golf balls. His reasoning is that seeing a face on the back of the dimples helps him concentrate on hitting through the ball and has added considerable distance to his tee shots.
No word on whether the political persuasion of the different pollies helps the ball head to the left or right.
BEAR FACTS FOR CHARITY
NICE touch from general manager Jane Kingston and the team at Palazzo Versace over the holiday season.
In the foyer they placed a 6m Christmas tree and decorated it with 600 limited-edition Teddy Bears, aka “Preston”.
It took 12 staff over 100 hours to assemble the tree and, when completed, guests were invited to purchase one as a fundraiser for ACT for Kids. On Thursday, all that good work was rewarded when a cheque for $10,000 was presented to the charity.
GUNNER’S ‘LESSON LIKE NO OTHER’ FROM MAFS
IF you are a fan of MAFS Season 6 you will remember Mike Gunner.
The Gold Coaster, who now owns his eponymous Hairline Tattoos SMP, was a polarising figure on the show for his firm, well-articulated opinions.
Fast forward to this year and he was part of Channel 9’s Grand Reunion of cast mates who came together for dinner and a confession session.
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Of all the returnees Mike appears to have changed the most so we asked him for some insights into his progress.
“Being on MAFS was a life lesson like no other. If it wasn’t for the show I may never have changed because it was a short, intense course in personal growth.
“Watching the show back was painful because I could see I was was too rigid in my opinions. It has taught me to accept valid criticism, listen more, be patient, and respect that there is always another opinion. We all make mistakes and need refining but to become loveable and find love we have to make adjustments.”
Is marriage and family in the future? “I really hope so. I see myself as young enough and would love to start a family and to be in a relationship that is mutually beneficial.”
Any TV or radio stations in need of a relationship expert to hand out advice would do well to snap him up.
FROM FAMINE TO FEAST FOR MARISSA
HER 16 years as the lead at the famous Moulin Rouge in Paris has not shielded Marissa Burgess from the lack of employment during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Now in one of those famine or feast moments she finds herself involved in three different productions.
“I’ve been asked to help CentaCare and the Running Duck Theatre, which is a performance group for people with disabilities. They have a show coming up at HOTA 25th-27th March and it is one of the most professionally run groups I have ever been involved with.
“Before that I will be performing on 26th-27th February at QPAC with M2 Productions’ ‘Cabaret De Paris’.
“My niece Savanna, who is still home from the Lido in Paris, will be on stage with me. I can remember her backstage at Conrad-Jupiters when she was two combing my wigs before a show so that will be a real thrill.
“Then the day after the QPAC show finishes I will be doing my own show ‘Paris La Nuit’ at Spaghetti & Jazz in Robina.
“I’m not complaining because after so much time away from performing it will be fun to be rushed off my feet again.”
BRUSH OF GENIUS
WE wrote last week about Carlotta’s ‘Showgirl in Isolation’ art show opening in Sydney.
On Monday morning our premier show girl rang with some great news. “Guess what love? Every painting of mine sold on the opening night. Can you believe it?”
Then with a big laugh she said: “Next time I’m going to double the prices.” Supply and demand folks.
WHAT TOM AND CHRIS HAVE IN COMMON
AT the Porsche VIP party at TAG Heuer in Pacific Fair and we were chatting to Mayor Tom Tate.
Behind him was a poster of Chris Hemsworth looking cool and casual as the brand ambassador for TAG Heuer. Tom pointed to the poster and said, “Chris and I have something in common. Can you guess?”
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Quickly we ran through possible similarities. Chris is 190cm, Tom is not. Chris is a huge global superstar while Tom is huge in Evandale.
We were about to say a love of weightlifting when Tom, seeing we were struggling, said with a grin, “We own the same TAG watch.” Ah! It’s so easy when you know.
REMEMBER WHEN: JANE FONDA VISITED COAST
JANE Fonda came to visit in 2006 as the special guest at an Early Risers breakfast at GCCEC.
She was touring Australia to promote her new book ‘My Life So Far’, a warts and all exposé of her life, triumphs and tragedies.
With her is Karen Phillips who hosted the morning and has some fond memories.
“Before she arrived I was very nervous because I had received a 32-page rider with all her conditions,” said Karen. “However she was nothing like a diva – very warm, fun and authentic.
“That breakfast, with 1300 people, was the biggest event for her book in the world. She loved the Gold Coast and asked her team if she could change flights and leave the next day but her schedule wouldn’t allow it.”
Jane has lived some life. Daughter of Henry Fonda, sex kitten in Barbarella, Oscar and Emmy Award winner, political activist, revolutionised the fitness and workout industry via her videos and still continues to work.
GOLD COASTERS WARM TO FROZEN
LOVERS of musical theatre will be thrilled to know that Frozen, the musical, which opened in Sydney in mid-December, features a strong Gold Coast presence.
The lead of Anna is played by our own Courtney Monsma. It gets better because another local, Kimberley Hodgson, is her understudy.
There is another connection to our home town because both stars are graduates of the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) which was founded by Lynn Dyer and Kim Reynolds in 2006.
“I am so incredibly proud of them both,” said Lynn. “When we founded NAPA it was to provide a place for the many talented young Gold Coasters to hone their skills. After graduating they both went to the Conservatorium of Music in Brisbane to further their training.
“We were a part of their journey but it is so gratifying to help students achieve their dreams.
“Today we have a staff of 20 outstanding teachers who are preparing the next generation. It is such a joy to know that we can provide the best training possible and they don’t have to leave home.”
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