General News
19 July, 2026
Flashback: Friday, July 11, 1986
Freezing extras at Coopers Crossing, alias Minyip, were forced to hand over their jumpers during filming in bitterly cold weather on Tuesday, 8 and Wednesday, 9 July, 1986.
Mail-Times Friday, July 11, 1986.
Freezing extras at Coopers Crossing, alias Minyip, were forced to hand over their jumpers during filming in bitterly cold weather on Tuesday, 8 and Wednesday, 9 July, 1986.
The temperature was less than 10 degrees when extras lined the streets, rugged up in winter coats, scarves, hats, and leg warmers.
The scene, a street parade featuring actress Rebecca Gibney’s character, Emma Plimpton, being crowned “Miss Coopers Crossing” on a float, was meant to have a summery air for the show.
Crew members shouted when it was time for a take, and winter clothing layers were hurriedly pulled off and concealed in a gutter box.
Extras waved, shouted, and enjoyed the parade until they were told to put their winter clothes back on.
Crawford Productions called for 40 extras to serve as observers during the carnival scenes shot over two days.
Pay was $6.50 an hour for extras, and, deterred by the miserable weather, 32 people took part in the filming on Tuesday, while only 22 turned up on Wednesday.
Tuesday’s scenes included a woodchopping contest, a hay bale contest, a sheep round-up, and the crowning of Miss Cooper’s Crossing.
The crew filmed the street procession several times, with one attempt washed out by rain.
The excitement of being an extra attracted locals from across the region, with some travelling from as far as Warracknabeal, Stawell, and Ararat.
The extras said producers Crawford Productions provided excellent morning and afternoon teas for them.
During filming breaks, stars and extras gathered in a room with an open fire at Minyip’s Club Hotel.
The parade featured in episode 18 of The Flying Doctors series.