GEORGIE STONE The young activist joins the Neighbours cast as its first trans character
The mum and daughter activists talk ‘Neighbours’ and trans rights
Already a trailblazing advocate for trans and gender diverse children and youth, as well as the 2018 Victorian Young Australian of the Year, Georgie Stone recently joined Neighbours, playing the soap’s first transgender character, Mackenzie Hargreaves. Now, Stone’s mum Rebekah Robertson has published a memoir, About A Girl, charting the 19-yearold and her family’s journey. They chatted to WHO about acting, activism and how they’ve survived the toughest of times.
Have you always wanted to act?
STONE When my brother and I were little we used to make home movies. I always loved drama classes, movies, TV and theatre. When I came up with the idea to contact the executive producer on Neighbours with the idea of a trans character, I thought this could be a good opportunity to tell this story but also to act professionally.
What’s your character like?
STONE I love Mackenzie. She’s a really sweet, caring and lovely young girl. I really loved playing her. I’m really proud of the storyline. We wanted to make it truthful and respectful while not shying away from the issues a lot of young trans people face. I really hope people can see this character – or me – and feel seen, [and] realise they’re not alone. I would have loved to have a character like Mackenzie on screens when I was younger.
Both your mum and dad, Greg, have appeared in Neighbours, so what advice did they give you?
STONE Just to be open and bring as much warmth to the character as you can, and soak it all up – the whole experience.
Did you imagine Georgie would follow your path, Beck?
ROBERTSON I think Georgie could have done anything she put her mind to. She’s got a lot of different interests and I think, as she’s said so often, she wants to do everything. So I’m just here for the ride. I’m quite happy to sit back and see where this juggernaut goes.
Will you write your own story one day, Georgie?
STONE I think I need to read more books first. I’m out of the habit of reading at bedtime so I think I need to broaden my horizons! But I’d love to, down the track.
What was it like reading your mum’s memories of you as a child?
STONE It was really lovely. I don’t often reflect on what life was like when I was so young. It made me smile. The connection between my brother [Harry] and I put a massive smile on my face.
Why did you want to write the book, Beck?
ROBERTSON The rhetoric around trans and gender diverse people – especially children – can be really harmful because it’s based on stereotypes and it marginalises people. I wanted to offer an insight into what our family’s experience has been. It’s time for a more balanced and more rational and compassionate conversation about this.
Georgie, you affirmed how you felt about
yourself from a very early age.
STONE It’s something I’ve always known about myself, that I am a girl. It was never [that] I was a little boy who wanted to be or thought they were a little girl, I’ve always been a girl. That’s something I’ve always known about myself from a very young age.
Did you face a lot of difficulties growing up?
STONE School was complicated at times because I had to wear a male uniform and go to a male bathroom [and] in sport they split up the boys and girls. That was very difficult because it didn’t reflect who I am. I was often bullied. But I was very lucky because I had a great group of friends and, of course, my brother who was there and stood up for me.
How did you support Georgie, Beck?
ROBERTSON I knew Georgie was telling me the truth about herself. I could see her pain and I could hear her pain. There was no way I was going to leave her alone to suffer. I did what every parent should do for their kid.
Are you ever wary about putting yourself out there?
STONE I’ve already lived a lot of my life in the closet and been ashamed of who I am and I don’t want to do that any more. The negative stuff is going to be there regardless so I’d rather be public about who I am and try to do something about it, than be quiet and ashamed. We want to make a difference – we’re not doing this for ourselves, we’re doing this for other people.