A transgender story on Neighbours is opening eyes, minds and hearts – thanks to Georgie Stone!
Last year when Australia’s iconic soapie Neighbours screened its gay wedding between Aaron (Matty Wilson) and David (Takaya Honda) it not only set a benchmark for Australian television, but signified the changing attitudes towards the LGBTIQ community.
After all, we now have marriage equality, which is a far cry from the days of No. 96, where LGBTIQ characters were seen more as a novelty than people of importance. But Aussie TV is finally coming of age with more contemporary characters and stories. Neighbours, which now represents Australia as much as Vegemite and the Hemsworths, is continuing to embrace diversity with its first ever transgender story, surrounding schoolgirl Mackenzie Hargreaves, played by Georgie Stone.
Stone is well known locally for her transgender advocacy. At age ten she became the youngest person in Australia to receive hormone blockers, setting a precedent and changing laws for transgender children. Her profile made headlines, most notably after an appearance on Australian Story, and at a time when other teenage girls were listening to Justin Bieber, Stone was in Canberra addressing politicians.
Given her courage and resolve, it’s of no surprise that Stone approached the producers of Neighbours with an ambitious concept – a transgender character on Ramsay Street!
“It all started when I was watching my dad Greg, on the show back in 2016,” says Stone.
“He played the character Walter Mitchell and at the time there was a group of popular young characters including Piper, Ben and Xanthe. I thought it would be so cool to have a trans character on the show and within that group. But it took a while for me to pluck up courage and contact the producers. It was at the beginning of my final school year and I thought, “Okay, I’m just going to do this.” So I emailed the show’s executive producer Jason Herbison, and pitched it. I wrote a character profile and storyline showing how a trans character could be on the show. I was expecting a “Thanks, but no thanks”, but within two hours I got a reply saying it was a great idea and to come in for an audition! I was completely blown away!”
Georgie Stone (Mackenzie) in a scene with Lachlan Millar (Richie)
In the story, Mackenzie, a newcomer to Erinsborough High, befriends Yashvi Rebecchi (Olivia Junkeer) who vaguely remembered her face, having come from the same regional town of Bourke. Eventually she discovered Mackenzie to be the person she once knew as Michael, and accidentally outs her in school. Furthermore, Yashvi’s father Shane (Nicholas Coghlan) also knew of Mackenzie’s secret, and through gilt from his own transphobic past, took Mackenzie under his wing.
“I’ve absolutely loved playing Mackenzie,” says Stone. “She’s certainly an interesting person to work out in your head. People can see that she’s adorable, but in the beginning she’s also very closed off and defensive. We wanted to tell a trans story as realistic as possible, but also make sure everyone could relate. We wanted viewers to emphasise with her. To really see what trans people go through and see themselves in that position. That can lead to greater empathy.”
“We wanted to tell a trans story as realistic as possible, but also make sure everyone could relate”.
Growing up, Stone’s role model was Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), as well as author Janet Mock (writer for Pose) and actress Jazz Jennings (I Am Jazz). Now, in her first onscreen role, Stone is earning her own praise.
“This is my first acting gig and it’s been awesome,” she says.
“The only things I’d done beforehand were school productions, but everyone on set has been so patient, giving me advice and making me feel comfortable. Nick Coghlan who plays Shane Rebecchi, has been a wonderful mentor and friend to me. We’ve done a lot of scenes together, and he’s really switched on. I’ve always loved acting, but being on Neighbours has made me realise just how much.”
As one would imagine, transgender advocacy is incredibly important for Stone who has campaigned for the Safe Schools Coalition, and at fifteen, addressed Australian Parliament for law reform.
Georgie Stone in a scene from Erinsborough High, with Lachlan Millar (Richie), Jemma Donovan (Harlow) and far right, Olivia Junkeer (Yashvi)
“We were there to advocate for law reform and were looking for bipartisan support,” she says.
“I was so nervous, but it was lovely to have all these families come together, with so many incredible young trans people also making speeches. It was wonderful to see the politicians literally sit back to listen and really learn from us. When people said it meant so much to hear me speak, I didn’t really understand what they were talking about. But looking back now, I do get a perspective on how impactful and significant it was to have a fifteen year old trans girl at Australian Parliament, talking about her experiences and urging politicians for support.”
When it comes to supporting Stone, there is no greater admirer than the man who helped bring Mackenzie to Ramsay Street, Neighbours Executive Producer, Jason Herbison.
“Some people are sent to teach us, and I believe Georgie is one of those people,” says Herbison.
“She’s incredibly mature, professional and generous in her desire to help others,” he says.
“I’d been wanting to do a transgender story for some time, particularly in the teenage space, but I knew it was essential to find the right performer. Georgie came with both acting talent and personal experience, which she was willing to share.
“This was crucial because it wouldn’t have been right for us to come up with our own idea of a transgender character. We needed to collaborate with someone living the experience. Georgie also understood the genre that is Neighbours, so the end result was a marriage between her experiences and some good old-fashioned Ramsay Street drama!”
Georgie Stone and the cast of Erinsborough High
Unfortunately, drama can also develop in the real world by way of transphobic adversaries. However, the response to Mackenzie and for Stone herself has been tremendously supportive.
“I was expecting some positive, but given the conservative pushback and the attacks that have come from The Australian newspaper, I was scared we would be attacked,” she says. “There have been some negative comments, but overall it’s been overwhelmingly positive. People love Mackenzie and her storyline. It’s just been lovely.”
Herbison agrees, pointing out the positive letters and messages received from the many appreciative in seeing their stories being told.
“Diversity is very important to all of us at Neighbours, and everybody’s stories should be told,” says Herbison.
“Representation matters. We’ve come a long way and there’s still a way to go. When it comes to most marginalised people in society, everyone just wants to be visible and treated the same as everyone else. That’s what you see with Mackenzie, and I look forward to the day when the fact that she is transgender, doesn’t warrant the batting of an eyelid. That day will come very soon in Erinsborough.”
“Diversity is very important to all of us at Neighbours”.
For Stone, who’s mother, Rebekah Robertson, explains their story in her book About a Girl, having family support for LGBTIQ people is of major importance, whether it’s parents, extended family or chosen family.
“Your chosen family is where you go when your family rejects you,” she says.
“That came into the story with Mackenzie’s search for her dad (played by Paul Mercurio). That really stood out for me, and it means so much to so many people. So many I’ve talked to actually say they haven’t spoken to a parent in years, but they get through it, because they have a group of people around them who they meet along the way. They love them for who they are. In the end, a chosen family can become more important because they were actually there.”
Georgie Stone with Nicholas Coghlan (Shane) in a scene from Neighbours
For Stone, the dream of working on Neighbours continued into the show’s first ever spin off series, Neighbours: Erinsborough High, which debuted last month. As a parallel show, ‘E High’ was a real eye-opener delving into issues such as bullying, mental illness, sexuality and cultural diversity.
“E High was a bit darker than the main show,” says Stone.
“Everyone was quite shocked and even people not involved would come up to me saying, “E High is crazy! I’ve got to get a script!” In fact I was actually thinking about Riverdale during filming! There are some similarities and it’s really quite visceral. The writers really went in depth to explore issues.
“Her journey through the five episodes is really about growing more assertive, which I love. She has come such a long way from the quiet, unsure girl we meet at the beginning of her arch on Neighbours. By the end, she is in more control and excited for her future, maybe for the first time in her life.”
“I was actually thinking about Riverdale during filming! There are some similarities and it’s really quite visceral”.
As a transgender rights advocate Stone has already achieved what some do in a lifetime. She’s an ambassador for numerous events such as Wear It Purple Day and the AFL Pride Game, and won numerous awards including the Young People’s Human Rights Medal and Victorian Young Australian of the Year. There’s no doubt that Stone’s contribution to Neighbours is a milestone for the transgender and broader LGBTIQ community.
“I can’t imagine having gone anywhere else with this story,” she says.
“Neighbours is exactly the right place to tell this story and I’m so proud to be a part of it. Advocacy can come in many forms, and in seeing the impact that Mackenzie and this storyline has had, makes me realise how this is a form of advocacy itself.”
And how does Stone feel about earning permanent residency on Ramsay Street?
“I’m so excited to be coming back in a full-time capacity,” she says.
“It’s a dream come true. We have so many more opportunities to explore about who Mackenzie is as a person, and build on the growth Mackenzie has experienced in the initial storyline, as well as E-High. It is just so exciting!”
This year Georgie Stone won Hero of the Year at the Australian LGBTI Awards. She is already a role model to many. So what’s her advice to her peers?
“I’ve tried in the past to diminish myself and make myself feel smaller to put other people at ease, and that just hurt me. It can be hard, but don’t sacrifice your own sense of yourself for other people’s comfort. Who you are is so important and you should never give that up just to make other people feel better!”
Neighbours screens 6.30pm weeknights on 10 Peach
About a Girl is available at Amazon
For support with Trans and Gender Diverse Youth visit: transcendsupport.com.au
With Georgie Stone at the interview
