THE Giant Koala at Dadswells Bridge will feature in the new Paul Hogan movie Charlie and Boots.
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Hogan was in Dadswells Bridge on Monday for a full day of shooting at the Giant Koala with co-star Shane Jacobson of Kenny fame.
Giant Koala owners Julie- Anne and Rob McPherson will appear in the film along with eight other locals.
Mrs McPherson said the scene took the whole day to film on Monday.
"The production people first got in touch with us before we took over to let us know they would be filming at the Giant Koala," she said.
"They were filming all day but the scene itself would be less than five minutes long in the movie."
Mrs McPherson said she and her husband had a small part in the film.
"We are in a scene with Paul and Shane where we are playing tourists," she said.
"We get off the tourist bus and walk into the Koala and then back out again. It's myself and Rob, as well as about eight other locals."
Mrs McPherson said she got to meet Jacobson but not Hogan.
"At the end of the day we had a chat with Shane. He was really nice and very friendly and we actually got a photo with him so he was very cool. But Paul Hogan wouldn't have a bar of it," she said.
"Before filming we were told not to try to talk to the stars."
Mrs McPherson said police from Geelong Traffic Management Unit controlled traffic on the Western Highway for the shoot.
She said the film would be great exposure for the area.
"It's especially good for us because we have only just taken over the Giant Koala so it will definitely put us on the map as well as the Grampians and the region," she said.
Co-owner of Dadswells Bridge Motel Laura Pettier was among the film extras.
"It was me, my daughter Chantal and her boyfriend Domenic who came down from Melbourne, so we got him to be in it too. I also got Dave Naidoo and Dianne Decker who are local residents to be the other extras," she said.
"We enjoyed a relaxing but very early morning when the crew set up about 5.45am at the tennis courts. They came with their own fully-contained kitchen and marquees and tables and chairs for everyone. They even had their own French chef who provided breakfast for the crew and us.
"There would have been around 60 of the crew which included people doing make- up and security."
Mrs Pettier said she looked forward to seeing the film.
"It's been very good for Dadswells Bridge because it might get more people looking for accommodation and it's been a lot of excitement for us for the day as well. I think they might remember the name."
Publicist and co-producer Deb Fryers said the movie would be released next year.
