| Erinsborough | |
|---|---|
View of Pin Oak Court, the Cul-de-sac that doubles for Ramsay Street |
|
| Neighbours location | |
| Creator | Reg Watson |
| Genre | Soap opera |
| Type | Suburb |
| Notable locations | Erinsborough High School Lassiter's Hotel Ramsay Street |
| Notable characters | Neighbours characters |
Erinsborough is the fictional suburb in which the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours is set. The show focuses on the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the suburb. Neighbours storylines primarily centre around the residents of Ramsay Street and the other locations within Erinsborough such as Harold's Store, Lassiter's Hotel and Erinsborough High School. Erinsborough was originally going to be named Erinsfield and it is a loose anagram of Neighbours.[1][2] Throughout much of the show's run it was not stated which city of Australia Erinsborough was located in. The rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne meant that scripts did not mention that Erinsborough was a suburb of the latter city until 1994.[3] Since the 2000s it has been explicitly stated that Erinsborough is a suburb of Melbourne.[4]
The school and the street were some of the first sets to be seen and used by the characters within the show. The Lassiter's Complex within the town was not featured on-screen until 1986, when Daphne Clarke (Elaine Smith) began working at the Coffee Shop. When other characters began visiting the cafe, they got to know the rest of the complex. Rosemary Daniels (Joy Chambers) used the complex as a base for the Daniels Corporation and a hotel, which used to include a restaurant, a pub and the Lassiter's Lake also began appearing. There are enough different locations for characters to come into contact with each other daily and enough jobs within the complex to ensure that characters will make each other's acquaintances. The Neighbours sets underwent a makeover in 2010 ahead of the 25th anniversary in March 2011. Bulldozers moved in to the Lassiter's Complex area to begin work. Many of the sets were revamped and there were some new additions.
Fitzgerald Motors (previously Carpenter's Mechanics) is the local garage, where many of the residents take their cars to be serviced.[5] The garage is first owned by Lou Carpenter (Tom Oliver), who bought it in 1997 when he decides to expand his business empire. Lou later offers mechanic Ben Atkins (Brett Cousins) a chance to go into partnership with him. Ben has second thoughts when Lou begins treating him like an employee rather than a partner. Philip Martin (Ian Rawlings) then decides to buy a two percent share of the garage to stop the arguments. Ben leaves for Sydney and Drew Kirk (Dan Paris) is hired. He buys into the garage and is a partner until his death in 2002.[6] Stephanie Scully (Carla Bonner) takes over the business on behalf of Drew's widow, Libby Kennedy (Kym Valentine) and eventually she gives Christine Rodd (Trudy Hellier) the managers job when she falls pregnant. Janae (Eliza Taylor-Cotter) and Janelle Timmins (Nell Feeney) then buy the garage from Lou and Libby. Janae leaves Erinsborough and Ned Parker (Daniel O'Connor) is left in charge. Ned also leaves and the garage is taken over by Lucas Fitzgerald (Scott Major). Elle Robinson (Pippa Black) buys the garage from Janae and she is still the current owner. Steph returns to work at the garage in 2009 with Lucas.[7] She later leaves and Lucas is the sole mechanic until he takes on Chris Pappas (James Mason) as an apprentice. In August 2011, Lucas purchases the garage from Elle and renames the garage, Fitzgerald Motors.[8]
Charlie's (previously The Waterhole, Chez Chez, Lou's Place and Scarlet Bar) is a bar and restaurant that has always been a focal point of Neighbours. It has provided many characters with employment.[9] From 1985 to 1994, The Waterhole was the official Lassiter's Hotel bar and was run by Madge Bishop (Anne Charleston).[5][9] A gas leak in the basement caused an explosion, which destroyed the pub and injured Stephen Gottlieb (Lochie Daddo). The Waterhole was rebuilt and purchased by Cheryl Stark (Caroline Gillmer). Cheryl renamed the pub Chez Chez and it became an independent business.[5][9] Lou Carpenter inherited the pub after Cheryl died and he called it Lou's Place. Max Hoyland (Stephen Lovatt) bought into the business in 2002. Two year later the Lou's was set on fire and burnt to the ground by Paul Robinson. A new bar was then built on the site.[5] Max purchased the pub with his sister Izzy (Natalie Bassingthwaighte) and they turned it into a "groovy wine bar" called Scarlet Bar.[10] Of the new look TV Week said "the vibe is a good deal more hip here than the previous and very traditional watering hole, Lou's Place."[10] An office was also built into the bar.[10] Izzy later sold her half of the bar to Max and he gave it to Stephanie Scully. Steph revamped the bar in 2007 and named it Charlie's after her son and grandfather. In late 2008 she gave the bar to Rebecca Robinson (Jane Hall).[11] Many singers and bands have performed guest appearances in the bar, including Kate Ceberano and Ben Lee.[12][13]
In 2008, the pub was named one of the top ten television pubs and bars by Anna Pickard of The Guardian. She said "Although the Coffee House in Neighbours was arguably more important to the residents of Ramsay Street, Lou's gets included by dint of having the most rubbish name for a TV pub ever. Although it's not called that anymore. It's probably called something immeasurably better now like The Place That Serves Beer.[14]
Erinsborough High School has been been featured since Neighbours began in 1985.[15] Many of the residents have attended or worked there over the years.[5] The Blackburn English Language Centre in Burwood East, Victoria has been used for the location of the school and for exterior shots.[16] The school was regularly seen in 1986, but when Scott Robinson (Jason Donovan), Charlene Mitchell (Kylie Minogue), Mike Young (Guy Pearce) and Jane Harris (Annie Jones) graduated, it was not seen again until late 1988. The set features a corridor, a stairwell, an office and a classroom. Other areas of the school, including the playground and changing rooms, have been featured over the years. In 2010, the layout of the classroom was changed as was the school logo. Neighbours' oldest surviving prop is the school's emblem and motto, which is stuck on the doors leading from the car park to the studios. "Erinsborough High School: Sapienter Si Sincere" means wisdom and success.[17] Erinsborough High has faced the threat of closure twice, in 1991 and 1997 respectively and the school has been merged with both West Waratah Tech and West Waratah High. Erinsborough High's uniform has also been through numerous changes, with the exception of the maroon sweater, which is currently still part of the uniform. Current Principal, Michael Williams (Sandy Winton), arrived in 2010, taking over from Daniel Fitzgerald.[18] Other teaching staff has included Dorothy Burke (Maggie Dence), Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne), Libby Kennedy (Kym Valentine) and Pepper Steiger (Nicky Whelan). Current students include Callum Jones (Morgan Baker), Sophie Ramsay (Kaiya Jones), Andrew Robinson (Jordan Smith), Summer Hoyland (Jordy Lucas) and Natasha Williams (Valentina Novakovic).[19][20]
In May 2011, Erinsborough High came fourth in a poll run by Inside Soap to find reader's favourite fictional school, which they would most like to attend. Erinsborough High received 16% of the vote.[21]
Erinsborough Hospital is the local accident and emergency hospital. The hospital has seen many of the Ramsay Street residents pass through its doors over the years.[5] They have been treated for a variety of illnesses including smoke inhalation, burns, heart attacks and kidney disease. Many of the residents have died and been born at the hospital.[5] Residents who have worked there include Pam Willis, Dee Bliss, Darcy Tyler, Karl Kennedy and Nicola West. Current employees include Peggy Newton, Veronica Olenski and Jodie Smith. A new doctor, Doug Harris, arrived in March 2010. That same year the hospital underwent another revamp, with a new look reception area added.[22]
The Erinsborough News is a major newspaper in Erinsbourough currently owned by Paul Robinson. Its main rival is the West Waratah Star. Paul purchased the paper from previous owner and editor, Brad Jordan in 2008. Employees have included Riley Parker, Elle Robinson, Susan Kennedy and Lucas Fitzgerald. In 2010, the news office moved to the Lassiters complex.[22]
Erinsborough Police Station is where the Erinsborough Metropolitan Police work. Many residents have been seen at the station, whether it is being arrested for a crime, visiting a friend or defending a client. Current employees include Simone Page and Detective Alec Skinner. In 2010, the police station underwent a significant revamp, with several interior rooms and office spaces added.[22]
Harold's Store (previously Daphne's, The Hungry Bite, The Holy Roll, The Coffee Shop and The General Store) is a cafe and shop, which also offers dry cleaning and postal services.[5] It is currently owned by Lyn Scully, who purchased it after Elle Robinson was going to sell it to a corporate coffee chain. During 2004 the cafe was burned down in a fire that also destroyed other businesses in the Lassiter's Complex. When it was rebuilt, a Post Office was included. The production staff worked with the Australia Post to create the store, which is an official registered Post Office.[17] Throughout its time the cafe has had many owners including Madge and Harold Bishop, Isabelle Hoyland, Lou Carpenter and Marco Silvani. Following Marco's death and her decision to leave for Portugal, his wife, Carmella Cammeniti, renamed the cafe yet again to Harold's Store. The store's current employees include Lou Carpenter, Kate Ramsay, Summer Hoyland and Margie Chengatu.
The Lassiter's complex is a short walk from Ramsay Street and encompasses many of the local amenities, including a hotel, bar, law firm, courtyard and the Lassiter's Lake. Following the cancellation of Holiday Island, the sets were redesigned and turned into the Lassiter's complex and the swimming pool was turned into a lake.[23] The complex was not featured on-screen until 1986, when Daphne Clarke's grandfather, Harry Henderson (Johnny Lockwood), bought her the Coffee Shop.[24] When characters began visiting the cafe, they also started to get to know the rest of the complex.[24] Rosemary Daniels thought the complex would make a good base for the Daniels Corporation and she moved the company into an office there.[24] A hotel, pub and the lake also began appearing.[24] This meant that there was enough different locations for characters to come into contact with each other. There are also enough jobs within the complex to ensure that characters would make each other's acquaintance.[24]
At the end of the 2004 season, the Lassiter's was burnt down by Paul Robinson. Paul also murdered villian, Gus Cleary in the pub.[25] When the stunt team set fire to the set, many of the trees surrounding the area also caught alight.[26] The Herald Sun placed the Lassiter's fire at number five on their list of Neighbours top ten moments.[27] Of the storyline, the paper said "Lassiters, the iconic hub of cafes, pubs and other businesses was for years where everyone met in Erinsborough, including the very famous pub run by Lou Carpenter. But at the end of 2004 producers wanted a massive cliff hanger, so the they decided that the whole place would burn down. It was the part of the last major revamp for the soap."[27] Sarah Megginson of SheKnows also added the fire to her list of most memorable Neighbours moments.[25] David Walliams referenced the fire in his 2008 book, The Boy In The Dress.[28] In early 2010, bulldozers moved in to the Lassiter's complex lot to the begin work on revamping the sets ahead of the show's 25th anniversary in March 2011.[22][29] The lake was drained and a new walkway was constructed.[22] There were also some new additions, including a new Erinsborough News office.[29]
Lassiter's Hotel is a local hotel in Erinsborough. It is part of a worldwide chain of hotels in places like Darwin, London, Montana and New York.[5] The hotel's grounds form a courtyard area, known as the Lassiter's Complex, where several independently managed businesses are located. Lassiter's used to have a shopping arcade, which had a bookstore, chemist, clothes shop and gift shop inside.[5] Characters often stay at the hotel and are seen socialising and working there.[5] Lassiter's was originally owned by Jack Lassiter (Alan Hopgood) when it first began appearing in Neighbours.[6] On behalf of The Daniels Corporation, Rosemary Daniels (Joy Chambers) purchased the hotel in 1987.[6][30] To this day, the Corporation holds a majority share interest in Lassiter's.[30] Paul Robinson took over running the hotel from his aunt in 1989.[31] The hotel and complex were sold in 1994 to Cheryl Stark (Caroline Gillmer). She placed Gaby Willis (Rachel Blakely) in charge of the hotel.[31] Cheryl later sold the complex back to Rosemary.[31] In 2002, the Lambert family took over Lassiter's. Chloe Lambert (Stephanie Daniel) became the manager of the hotel, with her son, Marc Lambert (David Karakai), as assistant manager.[32]
Following the fire, which burnt down the complex, in 2004, Paul Robinson resumed ownership of the hotel.[17] His daughter, Elle (Pippa Black), later cons him out of his shares in the hotel, but Paul manages to get them back. Paul asks The Daniels Corporation for money to make refurbishments to the hotel and the surrounding area and in early 2010, the hotel was one of the many sets, which underwent a makeover. A new black, orange and silver logo was introduced and the courtyard updated. A new mezzanine level, which contains a dining area, was added to the hotel.[29] The mezzanine later became the focal point of Neighbours' 6000th episode and viewers saw Paul pushed from it by an unknown assailant.[33] Neighbours has received real-life applications for jobs at Lassiter's from members of the public. One woman once sent in a full CV, applying for a receptionist job.[17]
PirateNet is a radio station first seen in April 2009, when Zeke Kinski (Matthew Werkmeister) is given a job by the station manager, Melissa Evans (Kaela Hilton). Zeke begins broadcasting a show under the alias of "Lost Boy". The radio station is located in a warehouse by the local skate park. Zeke is later joined by Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher), but Karl is sacked when he breaches the station's rules by playing his own record.[34] Zeke's girlfriend, Sunny Lee (Hany Lee) also joins Zeke as "Found Girl". British singer Lily Allen made a guest appearance at the station and was interviewed by Zeke and Karl before performing her song, "22".[35] In 2010, Zeke causes the station to receive unwanted attention when he is arrested. PirateNet is forced to shut after its backers withdraw their support and their landlord wants to charge them for use of the warehouse.[36] Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) hears Zeke mention that the station has thousands of subscribers and if the station became commercial it would be very successful. Paul is unable to own two media outlets and he decides to set up the Robinson Foundation and announces that it has purchased the station. He announces that his wife, Rebecca (Jane Hall), would be Chief Executive Officer. Paul is told to sell the station after he embezzles money from Lassiter's in order to it. Paul and Libby Kennedy (Kym Valentine) make a deal for Erinsborough High and other district High schools to buy PirateNet, with it becoming a Schools Community Station.
Ramsay Street is the residential cul-de-sac where many of the characters of Neighbours have lived over the years. The street was named after the grandfather of original character Max Ramsay (Francis Bell).[37] Pin Oak Court, in Vermont South, is the real cul-de-sac that doubles for Ramsay Street.[38][39] Neighbours has been filmed in Pin Oak Court since the series began in 1985 and it has since become popular with tourists.[40]
Rebecchi Legal (previously Daniels Corporation and Home James Office, Erinsborough Medical Centre, Tim Collins and Associates and Rebecchi Cammeniti) was originally a florist shop when the Lassiter's complex opened. It is later turned into an office for the Daniels Corporation when they begin managing the hotel. Helen Daniels' (Anne Haddy) chauffeur business Home James also starts operating from there. The office is stopped being used by Lassiter's in 1994. Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher) takes it over and turns it into his medical practice.[6] Four years later physiotherapist Ruth Wilkinson (Ailsa Piper) takes over the over half of the office for her business. Karl leaves in 2006 and his office is taken over by Rosetta Cammeniti (Natalie Saleeba) and then by Charlotte Stone (Rachel Gordon). It then becomes part of the law practice, Tim Collins and Associates.[6] The company had taken over half of the office in 2004, with lawyer Toadfish Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney) moving in. Rosetta regains the office from Charlotte and she and Toadie remain there until they quit the company. They later set up their own company and buy the premises. Rebecca Napier (Jane Hall) and Samantha Fitzgerald (Simone Buchanan) are also employed there. The firm is renamed Rebecchi Legal in 2008 and Toadfish is currently the only employee.[5]
|
||||||||||||||||||||