Surf's up for Lockie Leonard Series 2 in Albany

The second series of family television hit Lockie Leonard finishes filming in Albany this week after a busy five-month shoot.

Based on Tim Winton's novels of the same name, the much anticipated second series brings more mayhem, laughter and the occasional tear as it follows the lives of an eclectic group of friends and family in a small surfing town. 

Culture and the Arts Minister John Day, Education Minister Liz Constable and Australian Children's and Television Foundation chair Janet Holmes à Court, visited the set this morning to meet with cast and crew. 

Mr Day thanked producer Kylie du Fresne of Goalpost Pictures Australia (Sydney), for bringing Lockie and his family and friends back to Albany.

"The setting of Albany has once again provided the perfect place for Lockie's adventures. The weather has been kind and the community has got right behind the production with many locals working in small guest roles and as extras," he said.

"With the crew and principal cast relocating to Albany for the duration of the shoot, Lockie Leonard 2 has provided an economic boom with the production spending more than $4.5million in Western Australia.

"ScreenWest's investment of $475,000 in the series has benefited the local film and television industry and local businesses."

The lead cast once again includes Busselton actor Sean Keenan (Lockie), Australind's Corey McKernan (Phillip, Lockie's brother), Perth actors Clarence Ryan (Egg) and Gracie Gilbert (Vicki), along with Rhys Muldoon (Sarge, dad) and Briony Williams (Mum) from New South Wales.

WA filmmakers James Bogle (Closed for Winter, The Circuit) and Peter Templeman (Bogan Pride) each directed seven episodes.

The Department of Education and Training funds the Australian Children's Television Foundation to develop, produce and distribute high-quality children's television, and to produce materials that allow teachers to bring children's media into the classroom.

"I'm sure this series will be a great success like the first, which won the AFI, Logie and ATOM Awards for Best Children's Series in 2007 and was nominated for a prestigious BAFTA award," Dr Constable said.

The 26 episode series will screen on Channel 9 and WIN in 2010.

Culture and the Arts Minister's office - 9213 6600

Education Minister's office - 9222 9699

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