NEW Norfolk has regained its starring role in ABC-TV’s Rosehaven, with the show’s central filming location returning to the town after an absence of four years. While much of the show has been filmed in the Derwent Valley throughout its run, New Norfolk’s main time in the sun was during season one.
When the home-grown comedy about a fictitious Tasmanian town and its local real estate agency burst onto television screens in 2016, a vacant shop in New Norfolk’s High St served as the filming location for the scenes involving the business known as McCallum Real Estate.
While the Huon Valley town of Geeveston was widely regarded to be “Rosehaven”, many scenes were shot in New Norfolk and the wider Derwent Valley. After the first episode aired in 2016, New Norfolk News noted “the premiere episode last week was nearly all New Norfolk, from the scenes set in the High St ‘real estate agency’, to the Circle St ‘medical centre’ and the lead character’s family home at Lachlan.”
At the conclusion of the production of the eight-episode first season, Derwent Valley councillor James Graham suggested that the Rosehaven set in High St should be retained as a tourist attraction. This did not eventuate, and by the time season two had been commissioned, the shop at 55 High St had a new tenant and the producers had to look elsewhere.
“Elsewhere” ended up being High St, Oatlands, where a local shopfront served as the relocated McCallum Real Estate for two seasons. In season four the location shifted again, this time to Richmond, and after four years it has now returned to New Norfolk. With the High St location still unavailable, rooms at the front of the Energiser Church, in Circle St, have been dressed as the fourth home of McCallum Real Estate.
Despite all the moves, a reminder of the original location remains, in the form of the curved front counter occupied by octogenarian receptionist Mrs Marsh (Noela Foxcroft). The original counter remains at 55 High St, and a replica created by the Rosehaven set-dressers has been used in all the subsequent locations.
The Derwent Valley Council today announced that the Rosehaven crew would be in New Norfolk from tomorrow (Wednesday), and would be in town for the next month. “With so many cast and crew, equipment and large vehicles to service the shoot, there will be increased activity in designated locations around town,” a council spokesperson said.
Rosehaven was created by Celia Pacquola and Luke McGregor, who also star in the lead roles.
