Hamilton mother-of-three Carmen Retzlaff may have trumped the best Father’s Day gift in Australia this year, starring alongside her dad Bob in a national beer commercial.
But aside from it being a unique conversation-starter, the pair say the experience has become a memorable keepsake.
The two-and-a-half minute Great Northern Brewing Co. national television commercial features the 38-year-old midwife with her dad, former RAAF Flight Sergeant Bob Mason, rediscovering the great outdoors together.
The pair are seen swimming in the ocean, riding bikes, walking through streams, reading a map, and sitting by a fire.
It was filmed at several locations around Newcastle including the Ocean Baths and Bather’s Walk as well as Wollombi and Laguna in the Hunter region.
“I loved it,” Bob said.
“It was like a review of our life together for the last 38 years.
“When you look back and see the things you did – it struck a chord.”
Bob and Carmen know all too well how fortunate they are to participate in physical activity together.
A passionate skydiver, swimmer and cyclist in his younger years, life has taken its toll on Bob’s body. A fused shoulder, two knee reconstructions, and arthritis has slowed him down, limiting his ability to enjoy the great outdoors.
But that hasn’t stopped the duo from seeking adventure with the script, Carmen says, not too dissimilar to her childhood.
“He never let fear get in the way of a good adventure,” Carmen reflects in the opening lines of the ad.
“All of my favourite childhood memories are the two of us in the great outdoors.
“Everyone says we’re alike.”
Their winning spot in the commercial was the result of Carmen responding to a callout from the casting agency.
“I don’t know when or how I matched a Facebook algorithm to have that appear in my feed but I thought dad and I matched what they were looking for so I applied,” she said.
“I was always an early riser and I’d get up with dad and go for bike rides or swims. I was the one happy to get dirty or sleep outdoors without a pillow.
“I just didn’t share his love of aeroplanes, but he has a grandson that does now.”
The ad urges Australians to give dad the gift of time together this Father’s Day.
“I think that’s the thing with the year we’ve had,” Carmen said.
“We’ve learned in the last 18 months that you can’t put it off any longer because you don’t know if restricted access will keep you apart.
“You’ve got to make the most of every moment together.”
Great Northern Brewing Co’s Lauren Fildes said she hoped the campaign would inspire others to embrace what time they do have with their own fathers and harness the same sense of adventure.
“We understand how tough it’s been on so many Australians,” she said.
“We all know someone who’s been separated from family during the pandemic. So, whether you’re together or apart this Father’s Day, lockdowns permitting, we want people to invite their dad to spend time together outdoors when they are able to.”
The advertisement airs nationally from this Sunday 22 August.
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