1. What plot/storyline would you like to see RO in?

I love playing RO and having enjoyed all of the storylines I’ve had so far. Season 4 is no different and I’m having a great time delving into the complicated world of HMAS Hammersley’s Radio Operator. Robert makes me laugh and is always getting into interesting situations so I guess I hope they (the writers) keep coming up with quirky things for me to do.

2. Some feel your character is underused in the series, what do you think about this?

We have 9 main cast in Sea Patrol and each and every character has something to offer the show and only 16 episodes to tell their stories. This year RO has 2 episodes where his stories are at the forefront. I think the audience will be happy with their RO fix.

3. Since Jeremy Lindsay Taylor was hurt and had to bow out of one episode, you were chosen to take a leadership role in this episode. How do you think you went? Would you like to do it again?

It’s always fun when new challenges are presented and I enjoyed doing those episodes. Everyone including RO has many facets to their personality and it’s the challenge of the actor to be open to exploring these facets. RO would never have been able to reach the rank of Leading Seaman if he didn’t have leadership potential, so it was nice to show some of that last year.

4. How do you cope with the extreme heat in FNQ?

There is no doubt that it gets very hot where we film and the uniforms don’t help (flack jacket, life vest, helmet) but every time I think of complaining I think of those poor people working in dry cleaning shops in Cairns. P.s. I drink a lot of water.

5. When you first started filming Sea Patrol, did you experience any seasickness? If so, do you still experience it, and how do you overcome it?

Each boat we work on is different and moves in its unique way so depending on what boat you’re on and the sea state, depends on your level of discomfort. I’ve always been pretty lucky and don’t suffer too badly. Ginger is good. Get as much fresh air as your can and look out over the horizon.

6. How do you think you’d go as a Radio Operator in real life?

I’m not very technical so I’m not sure I’d do so well. The communicators (RO’s) on patrol boats are generally considered to be some of the smartest people onboard and are also the most highly paid. It’s one of the best jobs to have on the boat, so if I ever joined the Navy it’s a job I would like to do.

7. If you could change one thing about your character, what would it be?

It would be nice to open him up to having closer personal relationships (possibly some RO-mance).

8. Do you ever wish you played another character, perhaps Swain or Buffer?

No offence to Swain and Buffer but why would I want to play anyone other than the hugely sexy and charismatic Robert J Dickson?

9. Besides physical appearance, is there any resemblance between you and the character you portray?

You always use aspects of your own character when fleshing out a role, so there are bits of me in RO. I would like to think I’m a little more relaxed than him and somewhat more successful in my personal life.

10. Can we expect RO to find his way out of the radio room in Series 4?

Hell yeah. Let him out of that room, off the boat, and you never know what you’ll get.