The Great Shove Off

Not many of us know that Redcliffe was Queensland's first convict settlement. As a little backwater that was used to send Sydney's worst offenders, so they could be put 'out of the way', Red Cliff Point convict settlement lasted for only seven months in 1824, before finally being abandoned and transferred to Brisbane.

And what better way to learn about this intriguing phase in our history than in a new movie being filmed right here on the Peninsula, called The Great Shove Off.

Local producer, scriptwriter, director and jack-of-all trades extraordinaire, Richard Lancaster, along with his partner-in-crime, technical director and editor, Ben McShea, have already begun filming this little historical quirk of fate in the form of a mockumentary.

We wanted to tell this fascinating story about how these hardened, roughened criminals were effectively told to shove off to someplace else, twice.

Sydney's Free Settlers didn't want them, and neither did the Peninsula's natives or mossies. So with progress on the new Moreton Bay settlement considered too slow, Governor Brisbane ordered a second removal,� says Richard.

A parody seemed to be the best way to go, but everything you will see will be true to life and historically accurate.�

The 80-minute movie is the second in a series called Queensland History Mysteries, of which 'Mutiny on the Gayundah' was the first instalment, a popular hit which helped to spur the demand for 'The Great Shove Off'.

We received a very good response for our first movie ' also a parody as people love learning about the past in a clever, humorous way.�

With over 70 cast and crew members, all of them local, there is already a buzz amongst the community about this movie, which will end filming in November of this year.

Everyone has come on board, wanting to help out. We use a local fancy dress business to provide all the traditional costumes, and some Redcliffe businesses and the Brisbane Movie Makers are helping to sponsor the movie.

We've even got two Moreton Bay councillors and our Mayor, Alan Sutherland, having parts in the movie,� Richard adds.

Filming on weekends all over the Peninsula, and with Richard and his team passionate about highlighting some of the poignant historical landmarks of Redcliffe, he urges for everyone to keep their eye out for men in red regimentals or broad arrows and leg irons.

Kristine Lane