Bulletin - Vol 8 No. 6 November/December 2005

Cape Schanck photo shoot

by Steve Merson, LoA Inc Chief Editor and Denise Shultz, LoA Inc President

View of the Cape Schanck lighthouse, keeper's cottage and radio communication mast Photograph: Steve Merson

Revival - Saving Our History is a one-hour documentary series produced by Foxtel's History Channel that showcases Australian heritage and historic buildings that have been restored and returned to use. It is about the history of these buildings, the people who lived and worked in them and about the restoration work that has been conducted to preserve them.

The series is written and directed by Roger Clarke and filmed by Keith Webb from Melbourne. Importantly, they are documenting the important heritage value of significant buildings and creatively exposing their observations to the local community and to the nation.

Roger and Keith wanted to focus on a Victorian lighthouse that answered the criteria for their series, so they contacted Denise Shultz, President of LoA Inc., who suggested that Cape Schanck lightstation would be an appropriate and convenient place for us to meet. Arrangements were made to visit Cape Schanck on Wednesday 9 November to film inside the lighthouse and talk about its place in Victorian history.

In the absence of the resident caretakers, Tony and Pru Sheer (away on leave), we talked to the filmmakers about aspects of Australian maritime history and lighthouse engineering, whilst Max and Doug Huxley recalled their time as kids living at the lightstation in the 1940s. The weather was perfect and we thoroughly enjoyed our time together in the presence of this beautiful and significant light beacon.

View of the Cape Schanck Lighthouse and associated buildings Photograph: Steve Merson	Keith Webb, History Channel camera man, looks up into the Cape Schanck lens Photograph: Steve Merson	Doug and Max Huxley and Denise Shultz in the lantern room Photograph: Steve Merson
Keith Webb and Roger Clarke prepare to film Photograph: Steve Merson	Steve behind the pedestal Photograph: Denise Shultz	Doug and Max Huxley in front of the lighthouse where they grew up in the 1940s. Photograph: Steve Merson

"In our view, the Cape Schanck Lighthouse and surrounding buildings represent a vital part of our national and maritime heritage. We can be proud of the condition of these buildings, and as director of the series I commend the management of Parks Victoria, the work and care of the caretakers Pru and Tony Sheer and their staff, and we acknowledge Lighthouses of Australia Inc. for their support and assistance" said Roger Clarke.

We believe that the segment on Cape Schanck will be shown on Foxtel on Australia Day, 26 January 2006.

UPDATE: Screens on the History Channel on Monday 30 January 2006, 7.30pm EST / 9.30pm NZ. Check the Foxtel website for repeat screenings.

In other episodes "Revival" has looked at such buildings as Her Majesty's Theatre in Ballarat, Victoria, North Bundaleer homestead in South Australia and the preservation of the Luna Park Carousel. 

Email Steve Merson	Previous < Contents > Next