PROPERTY HISTORY “A MAN’S HOME IS HIS CASTLE.” 1997 The property at 3491 Maintongoon BONNIE DOON Road, Bonnie Doon became immortal- Small parts of the script were altered for ized in Australian Film History as the the American audience. holiday house of the Kerrigan Family in the classic Australian comedy movie These included: The Castle. Although only a small amount of filming was done at the prop- Hey Hey its Saturday to erty, it has become an defining icon for Funniest Home Videos

the township of Bonnie Doon. Filming Camira’s to Corollas was completed in 11 days. Rissole to Meatloaf 2006 Purchased by Sydney Telstra communi- THE CASTLE cations technician Richard Moseley Two-stroke to Diesel after he wangled the price down from $195.000 to $170,000. He then listed the property as a 'Rent-a-home' for $150/night (see attached advert in our fact sheet). The Castle is a private property and for 2010 The Castle was put on the market with this reason it is asked that everyone act an asking price of $195,000.00. with the utmost of respect in choosing not 2011 A Currant Affair takes up the story of so stop or take photographs of the prop- the sale of the Castle in the last week of erty without permission from the owner. January 2011.

2014 An application by land owner Vicki Cosentino was made to allow for ARTWORKZ TOURISM WEBSITE the home to be demolished so two town houses could be built in its stead. She www.esplash.me

said her tenants of seven years had Visit our website for local Visitor Information Centres. caused $14,000 in property damage. Brochures have been produced by passionate volunteers to help promote our District. 2017 The old house (not property) was sold Disclaimer: The authors have taken care to ensure this Shadowed by over 30 Mountains and for $40,000 by Brad Teal Real Estate publication is correct, though please be aware that and removed by the new owner. Its errors and omissions do occur. on the banks of the beautiful Goulburn River location is currently unknown. Last Updated: 28 November 2020 Brochure 100 and Lake Eildon. This is our playground! Image courtesy In 1997 the Australian Movie House Working the main Melbourne Airport, it was more than the Bonnie Doon Community Centre Dog Studios produced an Australian Movie Kerrigan family could ever want or dream for! To called The Castle on a miserly budget of just them it was a little piece of heaven on earth, which $19,000.00 and focused around just 11 days of they purchased for a bargain basement price! filming. Though this did not stop the movie from quickly taking on cult movie status in Australia, What makes this movie special for local Bonnie bringing in over $10,000.000.00 in Australian Doon residents is the movies portrayal of the box office takings alone. Kerrigan's love for Bonnie Doon and how they would constantly drive to their Bonnie Doon The movies storyline follows the Kerrigan holiday house for rest and relaxation. The family’s David and Goliath legal battle with the Kerrigan’s loved enjoying the spoils of the Bonnie Government and an airport corporation as they Doon countryside, which included water sports, battle to save their dream house from a swimming, country living and the large high tension M O V I E C A S T $70,000.00 compulsory acquisition. Whilst the powerlines running beside the property! & INFORMATION Melbourne house was built on a reclaimed toxic landfill, under high tension power lines beside During one movie scene the iconic muttering of "how's the serenity" was made in reference to the Darryl Kerrigan - Michael Caton tranquillity and beauty of the Bonnie Doon lakeside Sal Kerrigan - Anne Tenney district. Locals understand this all too well! Dale Kerrigan - Stephen Curry

Lead actor Michael Caton was born in 1943 and has Steve Kerrigan - Anthony Simcoe a long relationship with the Australian film industry, Tracy Kerrigan - Sophie Lee including Skippy, Division-4, Homicide, The Wayne Kerrigan - Wayne Hope Sullivans, The Flying Doctors, , Dennis Denuto - Tiriel Mora Hey Dad, , , All Con Petropoulous - Saints, Bad Cop Bad Cop and . Lawrence Hammill - Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell Up until 2011 he had also played in six movies,

including alongside Paul Hogan in the 2004 comedy Strange Bedfellows. Director: Rob Sitch Writers: Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Jane It was actor Eric Banner’s first major movie role Kennedy & Rob Sitch and marked the start of his highly successful acting Cinematographer: Miriana Marusic career on the world stage. Executive Producer: Michael Hirsh Producer: Debra Choate Many commentators believe that the castle is the Film Editor: Wayne Hyett best Australian comedy ever made. Whether that is true of not, what is certain is that the movie has Production Design: Carrie Kennedy become a yard stick for other Australian comedies Production Company: Working Dog Productions to measure themselves against. Running Time: 82 minutes Certification: Australia - M, USA -R