MagicLands
Part 1: Moorrups Call
Based on a true story from the interview with Mrs. Mary Clarke, 1979, Framlingham Mission.
Genre: Period Drama, MA 15+
Scripted (Development-Pre-Production)
Story-Line: In 1800s Australia, a British convict on the run and a Indigenous woman fall in love, but as gunslinging settlers encroach to grab the land, their lives are torn apart in a silent war of survival.
Historical and Cultural Significance
The film is a true depiction of different points of view, both Indigenous and Settlers, meticulously developed, researched, and interviewed over nine years with the permission/ consent and collaboration of First Nations communities across Victoria and Tasmania. It aims to be an authentic portrayal of history which will help create further social and moral awareness of Australian and First Nations history and culture.
Further Information: "MagicLands" is a captivating period drama based on a true events and characters set in the wilds of early 1800s Southern Australia that explores the bloodline of Purra, a gifted Wadawurrung musician and resistance fighter, and Buckley, an escaped British convict who lived among the Wadawurrung People for 32 years before colonisers arrived to seize land and create the settlements of Geelong and Melbourne, then later State Of Victoria.
Buckleys pamphlet, Hobart 1852.
Melbourne’s naming, 1837.
MAIN and SUPPORT CHARACTERS
Currently casting in 2025
Buckley, William (1780-1856), Convict, Wadawurrung Elder, Interpreter for the Batman Family and Commander of the Natives for British Government when settlements of Geelong and Melbourne were built.
Purra (Purranmurnin) Tallawurnin (1803-1869), Wadawurrung Resistance Fighter and Elder from the Buninyong People near Ballarat. A musician and healer who survived up until 1869, found in a journal at Framingham Mission.
Fanny, Daughter of William Buckley and Purranmuring Tullawurnin (Unknown birth and death), Wadawurrung Resistance Fighter, Recorded in Untold Stories, Jan Pritcher
John Pascoe Fawkner ( 1792-1869), First Settler at Melbourne, Publican, Businessman and Politician of early Melbourne. Antagonist of Buckley and Purra.
Henry Batman (1803-1839), Brother of John Batman, Mass-Murderer. First Policeman and Land Commissioner of Melbourne.
John Batman (1801-1839), Grazier and British bounty hunter from Van Diemen’s Land. Instigator of the Port Phillip Association and Land Treaty where his organisation stole land early in Western Victoria before British Government arrived.
Caroline Newcomb (1812- 1874), Governess of the Batman children. A religious and lover of Anne Drysdale (1792-1853) in early Geelong, managing a 10,000-acre squatter run.
Nannymoon (unknown birth and death), Wadawurrung Resistance Fighter, Antagonist to Buckley and Purra
Murrindanuck (1799 to 1840s), Murrangurk’s grandson, Wadawurrung Resistance Fighter from the Monmart People. Grew up with Buckley when he was taken in as family by the Monmart People, Murrangurks clan.
Warrora (Pigeon), From Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Pigeon was employed by John Batman in 1829. He was part of the Black Wars in Van Diemens Land and the Batman Treaty with Wurundjeri Elders.
Elizabeth Callaghan/Batman (1802-1852), Escaped convict, Wife of John Batman who had five different names, eight children all by early 30s.
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES and LANGUAGES
Victoria/ Australia: Wathaurong/ Wadawurrung, Eastern Maar, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung, Boon Wurrung, Eastern Maar, Gunditjmara, Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, and Taungurung.
English in British, Scottish, Irish, and European accents.
Wilmot Abraham, Buckley and Purra’s Grandson, Postcard, Warrnambool, 1910
Uncle Gavin Couzens Painting
Art Direction of Fanny, Buckley and Purra’s daughter.
White Settlers arriving in 1835 for the land grab.
The Calcutta Ship, 1803. Convicts arriving, Story Board
CREATIVE TEAM - 2025
- James Vegter: Creator, Writer, Director, Executive Producer
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3012068/
- Uncle Trevor (Reg) Abrahams: Creator, Executive Producer, and Senior Indigenous
Culture and Heritage Advisor. 42-Year Wathaurong Community Member.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11410933/
- Uncle Glenn Shea, Producer, Story and Script Advisor
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3411498/
- Kerry Armstrong: Executive Producer. 50 years experience in the entertainment industry
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0035788/
- Nelson Khoury, Executive Producer- Line Producer
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1841160/
- Nick Farnell, Associate Producer
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1218575/
- Jordan Fraser Trumble - Associate Producer
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3968992/
- Amos Roach, First Nations Dance and Music Composer, Dance Choreographer, Actor.
- John Baird, Horse Wrangler, 50+ Years Experience
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0047884/
- Anthony Littlechild - Director of Cinematography and Camera Equipment
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1566088/
FIRST NATIONS ADVISORS and CONSULTANTS
Uncle Reg Abrahams – Gunditjmara – Wadawurrung/ Wathaurong Traditional Owner – Bonn-wurrung, Yorta Yorta – Palawa – Senior Heritage Culture Advisor
Uncle Gav Couzens (Wadawurrung/Wathaurong Traditional Owner, Permission and supported by in 2019)
Uncle Glenn Shea – Wathaurong Theatre/Film and Story Advisor/ Stolen Generation Respected Elder – Associate Producer
Aunty Vicki Couzens – Gunditjmara – Eastern Maar – Language and Costume Advisor
Jordy Edwards - Wadawurrung Traditional Owner - Dance, Language Advisor and Actor
Aunty Lisa Couzens – Gunditjmara – Eastern Maar – Education- Woman Culture Consultant and Costumer Advisor
Aunty Vicki Abrahams – Gunditjmara – Eastern Maar - Palawa – Yorta Yorta
Aunty Faye Clark – Framlingham Mission – Gunditjmara, Palawa
Jason Briggs – BoonwurrungTraditional Owner – Yorta Yorta, Palawa – Boonwurrung and Legal Advisor
John Clarke – Eastern Maar Traditional Owner – Gunditjmara – Culture and History Advisor
Amos Roach and Family – Gunditjmara Bundjalung, Yorta Yorta - Musician, Actor, Dance Choreographer
Judy Dalton-Walsh - Wadawurrung Traditional Owner, Senior Language Advisor
Brett Clarke – Gunditjmara – Musician- Props- and Artist.
Carissa Nyalu – Dja Dja Wurrung, Yorta Yorta – Musician- Songwriter – Cultural Teacher For Employees and Sole Traders for Production.
Perina Drummond - Torres Strait Islands – Costume and Set Design Consultant.
Sandy Greenwood - Bundjalung, Gumbayngrrii[DA1] - Dunghutti –New South Wales First Nations Consultant and Actor
Grant Hansen – Tuangurung Traditional Owner – Elder and Musician Consultant
Barry Gilson – Wadawurrung Traditional Owner – Actor- Musician - Songwriter
Layton Barker – Gunditjmara – Wurundjeri Culture Heritage Consultant
Andrew Clark – Gunditjmara – Artifacts, props, set builds and weapons consultant.
Alfie Oram – Wathaurong Respected Community Member – Actor and Production Manager
Dooley Lovegrove Mac – South Australian First Nations Consultant
Uncle Robert Lowe – Gunditjmara – Elder Consultant
Kathy Harrison - Gurnai Kurnai, Wathaurong Community Member, Woman Culture Advisor
Steve Parker - Boonwurrung Traditional Owner and Artist