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ilma's verhaal (alleen in het engels te lezen)

After two days I called them again, and they said they were still trying to reach Brett. They would call me back, but again they didn't. I was starting to feel a little disappointed, as I only had one week in Melbourne. I had a tour starting a week later.

On a Thursday I went out for breakfast, and when I came back I called them for the last time. It was a huge surprise to hear they'd been trying to contact me while I had my breakfast. Brett would call me that same morning at 10.30. Just imagine how I was feeling by then. I couldn't believe it, and I was very tense. Brett calling me, oh boy!

I remember I was sitting there on my bed, trying to relax, and I was so scared that I didn't know what to say to him. The phone rang at 10.35 and I picked it up with my heart in my throat. “Room 105, Wilma speaking.” It was Brett, of course. “His, this is Brett Climo, you wanted an interview with me?” It was so strange to suddenly hear his voice, like Dr. David is talking to you. First thing he did after that was apologizing for calling a little too late.

Well, he told me he was in Melbourne at that time, but that he was very busy. He wanted to go out the next day and do some fishing, and he had no time to meet up with me. Maybe it was okay with me to do the interview over the phone. Of course I told him that was okay.

I had a lot of questions [see interview] I made when I was still in Holland. So, I started to ask him the first two. He told me he liked drawing and writing. I told him I liked to write as well. That made him laugh, telling me that didn't surprise him because I was a journalist. Of course I explained to him right away that I wasn't. That I was in fact just a big fan of him, and that my biggest wish was to meet him.

Because of that he suddenly seemed to change his mind. Telling me: “Okay, I think I have about an hour to meet up with you, are you alone?” I told him yes. So he asked me if it was okay to meet up with me at 3.15 that afternoon. Well, of course it was okay. It was more than okay. It made me speechless for a minute. He wanted to knock on my hotel room door, but I told him I would meet him downstairs in the lobby. (I didn't really know the man at that time, so) That was okay by him, and the last thing he told me on the phone was that he just been to the hairdresser, and he hoped I didn't mind. That was somehow very funny.

And again the waiting game began. I went out for some lunch and to buy some cards. I promised a friend of mine a signature of him and bought her a very nice card. Then I took a shower, checked my photo and video camera and went to the lobby at 3.10.

I had a good view in the lobby on the entrée door and large windows of the hotel. I waited, my hands of course all sweaty, and my heart going a mile a minute. At 3.15 I was still alone and was getting a little worried. Would he really come?

He came. At 3.20 the door opened and Brett walked in. He wore sunglasses, but I recognized him right away by the way he walked. (like Dr David does) I thought he would be taller, but he was just a little taller than I am. (I am 1.70) I really didn't mind his haircut. I thought he looked absolutely great.

I jumped to my feet, and he saw that and came my way. We shook hands. “Hi, I'm Wilma.”
“Hello, I'm Brett.” (not that I didn't know this already) He was apologizing for being late, and I told him that was okay and walked him up the stairs to a small alcove where there was a table and a couple of chairs. Still, it was very cold there, so I asked him if he would mind sitting in my hotel room. I also had a table and two chairs and it was much warmer. He didn't mind at all, whatever I wanted to do was fine with him.

We walked to my room, and we made some conversation. I was telling him I just bought myself a couple of new boots, Aussie style. He looked at them, and when I opened the door to my room he suddenly fell on his knees, and was looking at the label on the boots. Pulling at it he almost knocked me over. He told me that they wore that same kind of boot in the Flying Doctors. And of course I was very pleased to hear that. He kept on chatting and made me feel at ease because of that. It clicked in some way. It was weird, but nice.

We sat down and I got my interview questions at hand. He was still looking at my boots, telling me that he didn't want me to try and climb in them. I could slip. I promised him I wouldn't even dare.

At first we just talked a bit, and he put his signature in my little Brett book. He was amazed by all the pictures of him in that book. He was starting to look through it, and that really did embarrass me a lot. He asked if I made all those photos from tv. (some I did) I almost but ripped the little book from his hands. I so didn't want him to start reading in a book where
it says that he's a great person, or the things fans write. *cough*

I bought him a small gift and gave it to him. A small tin with windmills on it. A typical Dutch souvenir with candy in it. Butter candy drops. He opened the tin right away and started eating from the candy a minute later, asking if I wanted one too. He told me he likes everything with butter in it, so I was relieved I made a good choice.

I started my interview where I left when we talked on the phone. Well, it kind of started like an interview, but ended up in a nice conversation most of the time. I still wonder that I got all the answers on all the questions. Brett also talked about private things. I didn't write those down. He talked about his girlfriend, and that they just broke up. [he's married her in 1996]
We talked about clothes (yeah, clothes).. When I told him he looked great, he started to blush. He really started to blush. That was so sweet.

We talked about hobbies, work, travel, fan clubs, fans and life. I can't remember it all. It was a surprise to me though that we seemed to have the same interests and the same look on life. There is more to life than just working. That sort of stuff. I guess we are both a little too serious and deep at times. It's really strange to find that out though.

Brett was very friendly and open. He talked a lot, but he was a good listener as well. He is a serious person, especially about his work. He was a bit shy, and he told me he sometimes doesn't know what to do with all his fan mail. Brett is a little bit like Dr. David. He is not that quiet or confident though. And Brett was really interested.

After about two hours he had to go. He didn't look at his watch one time. So, I asked him to write something in my Aussie diary, and he thought about what to write for a long time. When he was finished he said: “I really don't know if this makes any sense.” He closed the diary, “You can read it when I'm gone.” ( I still have no idea why. I guess it would embarrass him if I would read it when he was still around? No idea) When I read it when he was gone it touched me. It was kind of personal.

I asked him if he wanted to say a couple of words on my video camera to his fans. And he did. As soon as I figure out how to get this on a vcd or as a mpeg file, I will let you all know. And maybe Dianne can put it online then. This might take some time though. I also made a couple of photos of him. He was asking how I wanted him to pose.

We left the room and he asked the lady at the lobby to make a photo of both of us. I wanted to ask this myself, but he was faster, almost running down the stairs to the lobby. The lady made the photo, and I was very worried if it would turn out alright. (No digital camera then) It did turn out okay. Thank goodness. (and again, I wish I have had a digital camera)

And finally we were standing on the busy street, and we were still chatting. He told me if I ever came to Melbourne again, I had to contact his management. I invited him to come to Holland one day. He still has to do that though. He kissed my cheek two times, (in Holland we do this three times), gave me a pat on the shoulder and left.

I was feeling really weird when he was gone. Such a great man. I was very happy for this experience and a little sad as well. I mean, saying goodbye is never easy, right?

There is only one last thing I want to say about him…

“Brett's the Best!”

Wilma
My meeting with Brett Climo. Melbourne October 1994,

Finally my holiday “Down Under”. It was my second trip to this beautiful country, and months before leaving I was already looking forward to it. This time I had a big wish. I wanted to try and meet my favourite actor Brett Climo. Of course it was more of a dream than a wish, but heck, I had to try.

I had a nice hotel in Melbourne for a week, and when I was there, first thing I did was call Brett's management. They were very friendly to me, and they promised me they would try and contact Brett. I told them I really wanted an interview with him for the Dutch Flying Doctor fan club.  I was part of that fan club and info on Brett or any FD actor was always welcome of course. So, the waiting game began, but they didn't call back.
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et interview van Wilma met Brett
Interview met Brett Climo Melbourne 13-10-1994 door Wilma

1) Waar ben je op het ogenblik mee bezig?
Brett: "Op het moment ben ik in Melbourne en ik ben net gestopt met de 2e serie van "Snowy River - The McGregor Saga". Deze 2e serie heeft 19 delen en persoonlijk vind ik deze 2e serie beter als de 1e serie. In deze afleveringen staan de personen meer centraal dan de verhalen. Ook mijn rol als Colin McGregor wordt meer uitgediept. Colin is eerst een hele serieuze jongeman, maar wordt wat zachter door z'n relatie met Emily. Ik vind het leuk om een relatie in een serie te ontwikkelen. Nu heb ik een paar dagen vrij, en hierna ga ik een promotie doen voor de serie in Australië."

2) Waarom ben je acteur geworden?
Brett: "Ik wist eigenlijk niet wat ik wilde worden, kon geen richting kiezen. M'n moeder kwam met het idee om mee te doen aan "Kids Drama Workshop" in Sydney. Dit beviel me wel en ik schreef me in bij een agent. Ik was 15 toen in m'n eerste gastrol kreeg in "A Country Practice", later kreeg ik in deze serie de grote rol van Micheal Langley. Het voelde niet als werken in een soap, wat het dus wel is. In die tijd heb ik veel waardering gekregen voor televisiewerk. De serie gaf me veel zelfvertrouwen en ik vond het prettig om zo te werken."

3) Als je geen acteur zou zijn, wat voor een beroep zou je dan willen hebben?
Brett (zonder aarzeling): "Architect… ik houd ervan om dingen te ontwerpen en te maken. Ik teken en ik schrijf veel."

4) Was het moeilijk om "The Flying Doctors" na 18 maanden te verlaten?
Brett: Het was moeilijk ja, maar ik wilde graag iets anders gaan doen. Ik voelde me net als David en op het laatst speelde ik haast mezelf. Ik vond het goed hoe David de show verliet. David was een gesloten iemand, ik lijk op hem."

5) Welke afleveringen van "The Flying Doctors" vond je het mooist en waarom?
Brett: "Mijn laatste aflevering, "Deceptions". Ik mocht zelf de laatste scenes schrijven, ook de scene bij Geoff en Kate thuis. Hier heb ik veel van mezelf ingestopt… zoals Brett zich ook voelde. Ik wilde het publiek alles laten zien, ook in de laatste scene. De aflevering "The Gift" vind ik ook goed. Ik wilde Dr. David eerst arrogant over laten komen. Ook de aflevering "Valentine's Day" vind ik mooi. Dit zijn allemaal afleveringen met veranderingen in karakters. Iemand komt echt naar voren als hem iets overkomt… blijdschap, verdriet, angst, etc. Ik wil geen held spelen, dat vind ik niet interessant. In Australië hoor je als man je gevoelens in te houden, maar daar ben ik het helemaal niet mee eens."

6) Ging er wel eens een scene mis?
Brett (denkt even na): "Ja… ik stak mezelf voortdurend met injectienaalden. In één scene stak ik mezelf hard in de hand… het bloed stroomde eruit en ik hield snel m'n andere hand erop en m'n hand weg van m'n witte doktersjas. Niemand merkte iets, behalve Lenore geloof ik. Na de scene liet ik het pas zien."

7) Wat vond je van je rol in "GP"?
Brett: "Schitterend om te doen. Ik kreeg de rol aangeboden van iemand die me ook een rol in "A Country Practice" had gegeven. Hij is een beetje m'n mentor. De cast van de serie is heel erg goed, prettig om mee te werken. Er is veel research gedaan om mijn rol van Danny Tanner goed neer te zetten. Het was voor mij een eer om de broer van Nicola Tanner (Judy McIntosh) te spelen. Ik ben trots op "GP". (*GP is opgenomen in Sydney)

8) Is er iets wat je gespeeld hebt en niet leuk vond?
Brett: "Het gaat om keuzes. Als ik iets speel dan heb ik 'Ja' gezegd, omdat ik de rol wilde. Als ik nu terug kijk dan vind ik mezelf slecht in "Sons and Daughter". Op dat moment vond ik dat niet. (Hij denkt een na…) Een klein probleem is dat de bewijzen van je werk overal liggen."

9) Kijk je naar de series waar je in speelt?
Brett: "Ja… ik vind het niet erg om mezelf te zien. Nou moet je niet denken dat dat arrogant is, maar ik wil mezelf steeds verbeteren. Ik kan me niet voorstellen dat sommige acteurs zeggen dat ze nooit naar zichzelf kijken."

10) Wat vind je leuk om te doen in je vrije tijd?
Brett: "Ik ga graag naar de bioscoop en ik houd van films. Ik ben een fan van Hollywoodacting. Deze mensen stralen echt van het doek. Acteurs/actrices die ik erg waardeer zijn: William Hurt, Robert Redford. Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, Sam Neill en Jeremy Irons. Verder doe ik in m'n vrije tijd wat aan fitness om m'n conditie op peil te houden, maar ik houd niet zo van sport. Ook houd ik van wandelen en autorijden. Ik houd van de stad en woon ik de stad, maar ik vind het leuk om naar het platteland te rijden en bijvoorbeeld de wijnplantages te bekijken. Op het moment vind ik het leuk om dingen voor mezelf te doen. Michelle en ik zijn na 9 jaar uit elkaar gegaan en nu wil ik tijd voor mezelf."
(* ze zijn nog wel goede vrienden)

11) Waar heb je een hekel aan?
Brett: "Aan mensen die onbeschoft zijn en bij het minste of geringste een grote mond opzetten. Zo ben ik niet. Ik word natuurlijk ook wel eens boos, maar sommige mensen kunnen zo onbeschoft zijn. Verder heb ik geen hekel aan dingen, ik kom niet snel in een situatie die me verrast, ik overweeg altijd alles. Ik ben op het moment gelukkig en ik leef zoals ik dat wil."

12) Ben je wel eens in Holland geweest?
Brett: "Nee, maar ik wil wel graag een keer komen."
(* bij deze nodig ik hem van harte uit)

13) Graag je eerst reactie op de volgende woorden: RFDS, Australië, David Ratcliffe, Snowy River - The McGregor Saga, fans.
Brett: RFDS -> Responsible (verantwoordelijk)
          Australië -> Home (thuis)
          David Ratcliffe -> sincere (oprecht)
          Snowy River -> warm
          Fans -> supportive (ondersteunend)

14) Wat wil je tegen de fans zeggen?
Brett: "Ik ben onder de indruk van alle reacties van de fans uit Nederland en Engeland. Ik voel me vereerd en ik krijg hierdoor steeds meer zin in mijn werk. Iedereen heel hartelijk bedankt voor de ondersteuning."

Hierbij wil ik Brett Climo hartelijk bedanken voor de tijd die hij voor mij vrij maakte… hij heeft echt de tijd voor dit interview genomen en hij is heel vriendelijk. Nogmaals bedankt Robyn Gardiner Management en Brett.

Wilma
Oktober 1994
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e korte videoboodschap van Brett voor al zijn fans
Wilma had tevens de gelegenheid om een videotape van Brett te maken waarop hij een bericht voor al zijn fans heeft ingesproken.
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ersoonlijke berichtjes wat Brett aan Wilma heeft geschreven
Brettnote
Brettnote1