Matthew’s theatre credits include touring from the Sydney Opera House to Singapore in Shorter and Sweeter, Shakespeare on Trial and Attempts on Her Life. He has also appeared in the 2004 short film Arranged.
Tell me in your own words about your character, Swain, in Sea Patrol?
The Swain is quite an emotional character among those on board Hammersley. He is someone who tends to feel things perhaps more than most. As the ship's medic, he is often put in situations deliberating over the best way to save patients. This weighs quite heavily on him when things get tough as no-one likes to lose patients, and he takes it fairly hard when things go awry. He also has a deep affection for most of the crew on the boat, and shares a very close friendship with the Buffer. When you throw into this mix that he is also a loving husband who is expecting his first child, you get a sense that he is someone who really leads with his heart as his first point of reference.
Having said this, he is also aware that there are times when he has to reconcile with his emotions to act in the best interest of those around him. In this sense he is also fairly judicious and shows that he has the hallmarks of a leader. He is a man of strong character and a skilled helmsman and seaman.
How is your character similar or different to yourself?
This character is a strange mix of familiar characteristics and areas that I have not personally explored. To start with he is married and expecting a child, both fairly foreign concepts to me just at this time. I guess I tend to make most decisions on an emotional level, on gut instincts if you like. You could also put Swain into this category, although the great difference is that he is part of a chain of command and that will always have an effect on his decision making.
What was the most memorable aspect of filming?
It would be hard to go past filming on location on the ocean out of Mission Beach. What an amazing privilege to spend 2 months up there with a great bunch of people and be working on this show. The world’s most amazing green room was a highlight, with its very own fishing verandah. That day we caught something like 15 or so Reef sharks while some of the guys were going in the water was hilarious, from the point of view of those of us not going in the drink.
However as with most things, it is the people that make everything worthwhile and some strong friendships were forged on the high seas of Tropical North Queensland. Just an amazing group of people!
What was your view of the navy prior to the show compared to now?
I guess like many Australians when I thought of the Armed forces in Australia, I thought predominantly of the Army, as it certainly gets the lion’s share of the press, but I learnt a lot about what sacrifices these people make. Interestingly most of the people within the Navy that I spoke to, when asked about their reasons for being in the RAN, responded that it was something that they felt they were capable of doing that would be contributing to the greater Australian society. I was struck with how earnestly they said this too. It could have sounded like a well rehearsed press release for them, but these were genuine guys who were just doing their bit.
It's not an easy job, long days, long times spent away from their family and friends, and having to rely on those around them, as in their crew, for support and friendship. Not that dissimilar to the film industry, perhaps without the life/death bit.
Any anecdotes that make the show memorable or different from other shows you have worked on?
I have been fortunate to have worked on productions with great crews, cast and producers in the past. Having said that, this production was certainly special, I guess having to live up there in Mission for those first two months together could have broken or made this production and fortunately it was the latter. Hal and Di's unflappable enthusiasm was infectious and it caroused its way throughout the sets.
Certainly sitting on the Unit Boat and fishing over lunch or in between scenes was something I'm sure I'll never get the opportunity to do again on any other production. And yes I did win the fishing competition although Jeremy may have a word or two to say about that!!!
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