Vazquez – who also played resident good girl Sarah Thompson on the iconic soap when she was just 17, before coming back to the Bay on the other side of the camera – had worked alongside Brummer, Melissa George and Matt Doran in the early ‘90s and formed tight bonds with her fellow teen stars. “I didn’t believe it when I got the message from another close cast member – I thought it had to be a joke,” Vazquez said. “I’d only chatted to him a few weeks ago. We were very close.“At the time we were on the show, we lived in each other’s pockets. We were at work together and all hung out outside of work. We were the best of friends.” Vazquez is still trying to come to terms with the news after Brummer – best known for playing bad boy Shane Parrish on the show – was found dead in his parents’ Glenhaven home last month. “I just feel for his mother, sister and brother who were so close to him. My heart goes out to them,” she said.“He was just one-of-a-kind, down-to-earth, happy funny person. He was like a big brother.“I think everyone feels a loss – not only people who knew him, but everyone who loved Shane on Home And Away. He was such an iconic character and such a massive part of Home And Away.” Brummer’s death has shaken the tight-knit family of cast and crew. Filming has just started back on the after Sydney’s ongoing lockdown delayed the return after the traditional production break, but Vazquez is actually not allowed to leave her home to head to the studio – she lives in one of the completely locked down LGA areas.It’s been a bit tricky, but there’s been plenty of FaceTiming to her great team holding down the fort, making sure the cast are all getting their haircuts and colours.And liaising with directors and producers creating different looks for upcoming storylines. Vazquez is hoping she’ll be reunited with her work family at the end of August. She’s currently eagerly anticipating the soap’s return on Monday from its mid-season break for the Tokyo Olympics. Three lives – Dean (Patrick O’Connor), Mia (Anna Samson) and Nikau (Kawakawa Fox-Reo) – hang in the balance from the tragic cliffhanging accident. Vazquez and her team created those very realistic-looking injuries as the shoot moved to Yass in the NSW southern tablelands. “It is fun when we get to do special effects make-up, but that storyline was particularly gruelling,” she said.“We spent quite a few months shooting – first in the studio. before they went away. I think by the end everyone was so happy it was done and dusted.” Vazquez doesn’t miss being on the other side of the camera – she loves what she does now. “I has such a wonderful time when I was on the show,” she said. “I was 17 years old; to be cast was just a dream come true.“And now to come full circle and still be part of the family is equally magical.“I always say if anything was to happen to Alf (Stewart) or if Ray Meagher ever decides to leave, I would make a cameo when they send him off because he was like my father on the show.“I’m like part of the furniture. The younger actors call me Mumma Bear and they push their up close to me and have D & Ms. They ask me stuff about when I was on the show and for advice. It’s nice for me to help them navigate when they first start.” Home And Away returns Monday, 7pm, SevenLifeline: 13 11 14
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