26 Dec 2015

50 years of Country Calendar

From The Weekend , 8:12 am on 26 December 2015

City and country dwellers have loved Country Calendar for almost 50 years. It’s TV's tribute to the ingenious and hardy people who make a living off the land. 2016 marks its 50th year on our screens, making it far and away New Zealand’s longest running TV show. It wouldn't have lasted if it didn't continue to rate highly, surviving the onslaught of more channels and more competition for viewers' time and attention.

Country Calendar's 50 Golden Years opens at Waikato Museum in 2016. Lynn Freeman spoke to two of the show's veterans - cameraman Richard Williams and sound recordist Don Paulin.

Frank Torley with others in earlier days of Country Calender.

Larsen's in the Waitotara Valley used a Cessna in the early days to feed cattle hay bales in the middle of winter. Here Frank Torley gets ready to direct a reenactment!!!

Waiting for a jetboat that is used for access in the episode Flying Farmer.

The jetboat arrives in the episode Flying Farmer and crew readies theirselves to shoot point of view shots.

Port Jackson Corromandel horses are very friendly. Soundman Don Anderson says g'day.

Agrisea harvesting seaweed at Waihau Bay. When the harvest is on the sea bottom they still have to be there!

Richard Williams shooting at Whanganui River.

Frank Torley in Sydney airport.

Mareeba, Queensland. Frank Torley rides in the sugar cane harvester. The crew followed ex kiwis who had made their life in Oz

Sound recordist Don Paulin on the Whanganui River.

Shooting longlining. It was the only way to shoot the fish being taken off the line and processed.

Richard Williams shooting at Kawakawa Station 2013.

Richard Williams paddling Whanganui River

Richard Williams and Don Paulin film Duncan Furniss Kawakawa April 2013. Photo Dan Henry.

Not Afganistan. The Muzzle, Inland Kaikouras with homebuilt transport

Cameraman Richard Williams at Muzzle Station.

Richard Williams and Don Paulin shooting at Kawakawa Station 2013.

On Cook Strait with the Heberly Brothers.

Cameraman Richard Williams shooting a woolshed.

Whitebaiting near Tauranga.

Richard Williams above Current Basin in 2015.

Goathunters camp at Kahurangi National Park.

Goathunters Jason and Shaun at Kahurangi National Park.

Richard Williams in November 2013.

Richard Williams and Don Paulin shoot with Rex Hendry in Taranaki 2012. Photo by Frank Torley.