As a child of the 1980’s I experienced a huge wave of nostalgia reading about Mike Leyland’s death this morning.
Only 68 Mike Leyland is believed to have died from complications arising from Parkinsons disease, a battle he had been fighting for about three years.
Parkinsons disease is a degenerative neurological condition that affects approximately 30, 000 Australians. Symptoms can include abnormalities of movement, such as tremor and muscular rigidity.
Mal Leyland, Mike’s younger brother told the Newcastle Herald that Mike was happiest with a camera in hand and that they “delighted in inspiring others to get out and see Australia.”
And this delight was infectious.
I know I’m not the only one who can remember scurrying pyjama clad into the living room on a Sunday night as soon as the Leyland Brothers theme song came on.
As one of two television programs I was allowed to watch at that age I’d like to believe it was the show itself and not just the rare chance to watch TV that makes it such a great memory.
But then I also remember my brother and sister mimicking some of the Leyland’s adventures in the backyard where a lemon tree and a brick garage became a convincing replacement for the grandeur of Ayres Rock or the Great Dividing Range.
Ah imagination.
Aside from being as @markjones said on twitter this morning ”further evidence that I am old” , Mike Leyland’s passing is also an opportunity to give a nod to some truly iconic Australian television.
Talking Television Australia says Mike Leyland worked as a cameraman for regional television station NBN before producing a documentary with his brother Mal on the Darling River. This was sold to the Nine Network and then eventually worldwide providing the inspiration for the show, ‘Ask the Leyland Brothers’
The brothers filmed 156 episodes in total and nearly every one of those was directed by a question or suggestion of a place to explore from a viewer.
Filmed on the road with a Super8camera between 1976 to 1984, the scratchy real-time quality of Ask The Leyland Brother’s helped make you feel part of the adventure the way shows like Getaway -that followed in it’s wake- can never match.
Then of course there was the truck and their uniform of shorts and sandals – fashion de rigeur for outdoor adventures at that time in Australian history.
Who could forget the incredible footage of what felt like endless traveling scenes as the entourage moved across the desert highways of Central Australia.
And there was always something very comforting about closing campfire scene where the two families settled down in the evening, BBQ billowing in the background planning their next big adventure.
As Channel Seven reported this morning the Leyland Brothers were “Australian icons for their authenticity, genuine interest in the land and everyday family values”.
Not to mention fantastic inspiration for backyard games and the imagination of lot’s of kids of my generation.
What are your memories of the show?
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