Interviews

Backpackerking.com.au caught up with the man behind the scenes George Josevski.

Q. Hi George and thank you for your time?

A. It's a pleasure, anytime!

Q. Why are you called the Backpacker King?

A. It started as a joke with my old boss. I've been in the industry for over 16 years and you get to meet thousands of great people from all over the world. There was a stage in my life in the summer of 97, I was working in a Backpackers Hostel in St Kilda and every person in the place either greeted me with a high-five or a big sloppy kiss and my boss kept on saying, "Look at you....you are the "Backpacker King". After he repeated that a thousand times he annoyed me with that constant taunt, so I registered the Business Name!!!

Q. How long have you been running the Trivia Nights with the Neighbours Stars?

A. 4 years!

Q. Whats it like rubbing shoulders with the likes of Harold and Toadfish?

A. They're great people to be associated with and they are geniune people when it comes to interacting with their fans. They especially enjoy meeting the British and Irish travellers. Ian Smith (Harold), Ryan Moloney (Toady), Alan Fletcher (Karl), Madeline West (Dione), Krista Vendy (Tess), Jonothan Dutton (Tad), Carla Bonner (Steph) are our regulars along with other current and past cast!

Q. You must get a lot of fans wanting to be your friend?

A. No not really, but over the past year I seem to be getting a lot of British travellers approaching me for photo's... its weird because all they want it for is that I look like the celebrity in the UK called "Danny Baker"???!!! or they say "are you the Danny Baker guy that does the Neighbours gigs"?.

Q. You also organise tours to "Ramsay Street" as well?

A. Yes that's right

Q. How long have you been doing this and what do you see?

A. Over 5 years, again my old boss told me to take travellers to the street and it started from there. I went on my own early last year.
I basically transport them to the street so they can get their photo's of the house and fill them in on the gossip of the show.

Q. Do you go in the houses or have a drink in Lou's Pub?

A. Oh no, that's all filmed in the studio complex which is not open to the public?

Q. Why?

A. Basically there is a lot of productions that are on and by having tours it might be distracting..... to be honest I don't know why, but I'm sure one day Grundy Television will open them up for the public and I'm sure it will satisfy the tourist!

Q. But how do you see the houses?

A. It a residential street in the outer suburbs of Melbourne


Q. Do they mind people visiting their street?

A. I guess not, they are friendly with me. I guess they are used to the fact that their street is in the public eye. Unfortunaetly they do get a lot of idiots who make their own way to the street and do stupid things like knock on their doors or run up and down their back yards and that.
As for me I make sure my group is tamed. They take their photo's and absorb the atmosphere and then we go, and I think they acknowedge that as a sign of respect.

Q. Do you see any filming?

A. Occasionally, but it's better when they are not filming.

Q. Why is that?

A. If they are filming in the street, the fans can't get access, so they have to stand at the end of the street. On the other hand, for them (the fans) it can be exciting because they can see the stars in action and if they are lucky some of the stars kindly take photo's with them. But at the time of filming they do get dissappointed if they don't get a photo of the houses. It's just the luck of the draw.

Q. I hear you also promoted a travellers night out on Wednesday Night?

A. Yes that right...."Frostbites" in South Yarra

Q. What happens, I hear some Neighbours stars party there too?

A. Some do, but not particulary on Wednesdays, I know the Neighbours stars enjoy the Monday Nights at the Elephant and Wheelbarrow ( Backpacker King Trivia Nights). I know Dan Paris (Drew) used to work there (Frostbites) and Krista (Tess) is going out with the owner. But that's their private life and I respect that.
Frostbites on Wednesday night has a great cover band and one of Melbourne's best DJ's! The drinks are cheap, the atmosphere is great and about 300 travellers from all over the world mingle and have a great night!!

Q. Well thanks for your time and keep those Neighbours nights rocking!

A. Cheers, see ya!