THe men ride again:REVISITING Craig’s Hut, central to The Man From Snowy River movies, were actor Tom Burlinson (right) and Charlie Lovick last week. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the making of the first Snowy River movie and Charlie and his crew organised a special ride.Photo: Courtesy of Mansfield Shire Council

Iconic actor returns for 30 year milestone

MANSFIELD’S High Country beamed into the living rooms of homes around Australia last week, reliving some of ‘The Man From Snowy River’ moments.

Channel 7’s Sunrise weather presenter Grant Denyer took a week out to accompany Tom Burlinson and Charlie Lovick on a ride around the old haunts of The Man From Snowy River movies.

Tom Burlinson starred in the movies, made back in the 1980s - and this special trek into the High Country with the Lovicks marked the 30th anniversary of their making.

Charlie Lovick organised the Sunrise presence, which is being supported by Mansfield Shire Council’s visiting journalist program.

Numerous live crosses each morning showcased the beauty of the region, with the iconic Craig’s Hut featuring on Tuesday.

And during Wednesay morning’s crossovers, Lovick explained the story of how his family came to be in the possession of Ned Kelly’s spurs - a secret now known country wide.

Among the picturesque scenery shown during the crossovers were horsemen re-enacting the ride up to Craig’s Hut, Tom Burlinson still performing whipcracking feats and stories from the bush.

On Wednesday one visitor to the set included a Canadian lady who had travelled especially for a ride in the High Country to see where these movies had been made, having first viewed them as a young girl but yearning to visit the area.

"This part of the country is still just like it was in the movies, it is just beautiful," she told Denyer.

Shire mayor Jeff Whyte said the value of the Sunrise opportunity for the region was huge.

"You can’t have seen the vision and not be inspired to visit," Cr Whyte said.

Council’s visiting journalist program has also been busy working on a host of other opportunities to promote the destination and its many experiences.

A visit by freelance journalist Melanie Ball last December will result in a drive story in RACV’s Royal Auto March edition.

An international UK journalist Lindsay Hawdon, who writes the ‘have kids will travel’ blog for the Sunday Times, visited last week and experienced Lake Eildon at its best with an afternoon spent on and in the water.

"The visiting journalist program effectively leverages council’s limited funds and enables us to maximise the value of the resulting publicity and promotion," Cr Whyte said.