A Load of Manure or Straight From the Horses Mouth?

September 22nd, 2007

Australiamovie.net previously reported about the potential affects horse flu quarantine restrictions would have on the Australia Kimberley shoot. Soon after our reports the Sydney Morning Herald followed with a brief mention alleging there were infact no delays as a result of horse confinement. If the restrictions didn’t pose a problem before unfortunately the ABC is reporting that they certainly have now, with the move from Western Australia back to New South Wales. As of last week more than 30 horses from the cast were still in Kununurra, a fortnight after filming ended, because of interstate quarantine procedures regarding the Australian outbreak of horse flu. Producers were allegedly desperately trying to obtain a permit that would allow up to 12 “star horses” to be transported to Fox Studios in Sydney for filming to continue.

Horse trainer John Peel has told ABC National Rural News, the biggest challenge is keeping the animals cool in Kununurra’s 40 degree heat.

“The weather is getting very warm, so we’ll try and get them hosed down during the day. …They’re not used to this heat up here. It’s just a waiting game and we’ll go with whatever we’ve got to do to get these horses home – especially out of this heat now – and we certainly don’t want to be here when the wet season starts.”

Meanwhile, many locals were lining up with their trailers to claim some unusual ‘memorabilia’ in an attempt to make the best of the situation. Robert Wainwright was one of the first of the on the scene and said he will use his trailer load to grow some star-quality tomatoes.

“I heard it on ABC news this morning that there was a big heap of horse dung for gardens and somebody said this morning that it’s from Nicole’s horses, so it must be good stuff,” he said.

Hopefully the transportation has since been resolved. In the meantime, the film’s human stars are shooting at Sydney’s Fox Studios this week.

sources: ABC News, ABC Rural News, Sydney Morning Herald.

Entry Filed under: Miscellaneous,Press