australian television information archive

Fly Like A Bird

Episode 7.01 (147)
Thu, July 19, 1990
Writer: Vince Moran
Director: Rob Stewart

Johnno Johnson, the new Flying Doctor pilot, arrives in the Crossing and immediately finds himself tested. Les Simmons is convinced he has contracted asbestosis as a result of his work down the mines. Les has a compensation claim in with the mining company and, as he believes he is going to die, plans to give the money to young Matt who is keen to become a pilot. However, when Les learns the truth about his health and discovers the mining company will not pay out, Matt steals Johnno's stunt plane and must be talked down.

Starring: Andrew McFarlane as Dr. Tom Callaghan, Brett Climo as Dr. David Ratcliffe, Robert Grubb as Dr. Geoff Standish, Lenore Smith as Kate Standish

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Tammy Macintosh as Annie Rogers, Christopher Stollery as Johnno Johnson, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: Alfred Bell as Les Simmons, Emil Minty as Mat Coulson, Kenneth MacLeod as Darcy Coulson

Note: the series is now a co-production between Nine Network Australia and the BBC.

A Day To Remember

Episode 7.02 (148)
Thu, July 26, 1990
W: Marie Trevor
D: Rob Stewart

The team experiences a terrifying ordeal when a large bush fire breaks out and Geoff burns his hands while rescuing a firefighter trapped by the flames. An elderly man is injured when he falls off his roof trying to secure his home from the fire. Arriving at the remore homestead just ahead of the fire, David helps evacuate the couple to hospital but with Geoff out of action, David must be guided through a risky operation.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Tammy Macintosh as Annie Rogers, Christopher Stollery as Johnno Johnson, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: Peter Cummins as Len Robson, Sheila Kennelly as Hannah Robson, John Proper as Bill Regan, Dorothy O'Neil as Sister McKenzie, Howard Stanley as Malcolm Sinclair

A Place To Call Home

Episode 7.03 (149)
Thu, August 02, 1990
W: Joss Moorhouse
D: Karl Zwicky

Nick plays Good Samaritan to a young pregnant woman whose car has broken down. On their drive back to Coopers Crossing, Nick is forced to deliver her baby on the side of the road with help from Tom over the radio. Back in hospital, the secretive woman claims to be on the run from her husband but when her story starts to fall apart, she runs off with her baby.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Tammy Macintosh as Annie Rogers, Christopher Stollery as Johnno Johnson, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: Joy Smithers as Samuelson, Peter Flett as John Cochrane, Duke Bannister as Dan Shephard, Caetlyn Armstrong as Baby

Note: the third guest role for Joy Smithers who appeared as Violet Carnegie's granddaughter (3.16)

Divided Loyalties

Episode 7.04 (150)
Thu, August 09, 1990
W: Shane Brennan
D: Karl Zwicky

When a fatal plane crash takes the life of a close friend, Johnno investigates hoping to uncover the cause of the accident to clear his friend's name and protect his pregnant widow from a crippling lawsuit.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Tammy Macintosh as Annie Rogers, Christopher Stollery as Johnno Johnson, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: Helen O'Connor as Vicki Lonigan, Richard Moss as Keith Lonigan, Alan Andrews as Mr. Brearly, Beverley Gardiner as Marg Jenkins, Karen Tuczinski as Helen Jenkins

A Rural Education

Episode 7.05 (151)
Thu, August 16, 1990
W: Cliff Green
D: Kath Hayden

David and Annie investigate the unusual behaviour of a group of school children at a defunct mining settlement. After talking with one unruly child's grandfather, David discovers toxic chemicals are leaking into the river causing the behavioural problems in the children.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Tammy Macintosh as Annie Rogers, Christopher Stollery as Johnno Johnson, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: Danielle Spencer as Fiona Jacobs, Edward Hepple as Pat Finnegan, Brian Hannan as Bob Finnegan, Finn Greentree-Keane as Colin Finnegan, Michelle Pirpinias as Mandy Finnegan, Samuel Hammington as Richard Connors, Warren Owens as Dougie

Notes: Danielle Spencer previously appeared in episode 5.01, Edward Hepple was in 1.06 and 5.06 while Warren Owens last appeared in 6.05. Maurie Fields, Val Jellay, and Alex Papps do not appear.

The Ties That Bind

Episode 7.06 (152)
Thu, August 29, 1990
W: Judy Colquhoun
D: Kath Hayden

The team is presented with a major problem when confronted by a couple struggling to care for their disabled child. Abandoned by her husband, the woman is injured in a car accident while going for help to locate her son who has wandered off into the bush.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Tammy Macintosh as Annie Rogers, Christopher Stollery as Johnno Johnson, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: Peter Fisher as Phil Guthrie, Robyn Gibbes as Sandy Guthrie, Jacob Kino as Chris Guthrie

Note: the second guest roles for Peter Fisher (1.17) and Robyn Gibbes (1.22)

Brother's Keeper

Episode 7.07 (153)
Thu, August 22, 1990
W: Peter Kinloch
D: Kendal Flanagan

Through helping an alcoholic friend, Tom finds himself trapped in a mine and at the mercy of a murderer.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Tammy Macintosh as Annie Rogers, Christopher Stollery as Johnno Johnson, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: John Gregg as Harry Langford, Jane Menelaus as Rose Langford, Mark Hembrow as Neil Downes, Tony Rickards as Charlie Coombes

Note: Tony Rickards is mis-credited as Tony Rickhards

Wilderness

Episode 7.08 (154)
Thu, September 05, 1990
W: Julie Philips
D: Kendal Flanagan

Tom tries to provide medical care for a young diabetic girl who lives with her father and sister at a remote homestead. The girl's father eschews all contact doctors after his wife died in a hospital and initiates a legal battle with Tom over the girl's care. Matters come to a head when the man burns down his house and flees into the outback with his daughters. Tom and Johnno scour the countryside in the Nomad looking for the family, desperate to find the girl before her condition worsens.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Tammy Macintosh as Annie Rogers, Christopher Stollery as Johnno Johnson, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: George Whaley as Mungo McTaggart, Jacinta Stapleton as Heather McTaggart, Callie Gray as Diedre McTaggart

Notes: Jacinta Stapleton was previously in episode 4.23. Alex Papps and Brett Climo do not appear as actors continue to be cycled in and out.

Valentine's Day

Episode 7.09 (155)
Thu, September 12, 1990
W: Sam Wilde
D: Riccardo Pellizzeri

David's life changes when he falls in love with Andrea, a young British pilot who makes an unscheduled stop at Coopers Crossing. Meanwhile, Claire acquires a secret admirer and David faces an ethical dilema while treating an elderly patient.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Tammy Macintosh as Annie Rogers, Christopher Stollery as Johnno Johnson, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: Suzi Dougherty as Andrea Grayson, Alwyn Kurts as Ted Warner, Alethea McGrath as Mrs. Harrington, Marty Fields as Burns, Lois Collinder as Mabel Jeffries

A Little Tenderness

Episode 7.10 (156)
Thu, September 19, 1990
W: Angela Martin
D: Piccardo Pellizzeri

Tom and Nick are grounded at the Burgess Farm by a storm when they are called to treat a man gored by a bull. Tensions are running high as the farmer and his wife reach a crisis point in their marriage. On the verge of walking out, the woman's troubles are compounded by the stress of Tom's recommendation that she needs a hysterectomy, ending the couple's hopes of having children. With a thunderstorm raging, Tom is forced to operate.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Tammy Macintosh as Annie Rogers, Christopher Stollery as Johnno Johnson, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: Noel Trevarthen as Ray Burgess, Diane Craig as Marion Burgess

Note: the final appearances for Andrew McFarlane and Alex Papps despite both being credited through 7.20.

Poet's Corner

Episode 7.11 (157)
Thu, September 26, 1990
W: Paul Hogan
D: Graham Thorburn

Kate's decision to stop for a hitchhiker brings celebrated poet Ken O'Connor to Coopers Crossing in search of inspiration for his new book. After drinking at the pub, Ken steals Vic's car and crashes it into the warn memorial. Geoff has concerns about what the Ken's drinking is doing to his health but he can't write without it. Desperate to meet his publisher's demands, Ken steals Vic's book of poetry to publish as his own. Cheque in hand, Ken leaves town but is soon back in hospital confronting his demons.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Tammy Macintosh as Annie Rogers, Christopher Stollery as Johnno Johnson, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: John Paramor as Ken O'Connor, Vincent Crowley as Tony Hogg, Brad Lindsay as Mr. Fowler

Note: the episode's writer is writer/director P.J. Hogan not Paul Hogan of Crocodile Dundee fame. P.J. Hogan is married to Jocelyn Moorhouse who wrote ep 7.03

The Family Farm

Episode 7.12 (158)
Thu, October 03, 1990
W: Robert Matthews
D: Graham Thorburn

A tense situation develops after an auction at the Sexton homestead where a distraught man, burdened by his failure to provide for his family, takes hostages; one of whom is Geoff.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Tammy Macintosh as Annie Rogers, Christopher Stollery as Johnno Johnson, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: Andy Anderson as Jim Sexton, Diane Smith as Celia Sexton, Charmaine Gorman as Janet Sexton, Emily Mortimore as Libby Sexton, David Gray as Peter Prince, Stephen Hall as Const. Pat Chandler [uncredited], uncredited as John Simms, uncredited as Mr Pellum

Note: the second guest appearances for Andy Anderson (5.04) and Emily Mortimore (6.05). Stephen Hall returns as Constable Pat Chandler (6.03) but is uncredited.

A Place To Belong

Episode 7.13 (159)
Thu, October 10, 1990
W: Jutta Goetze
D: Catherine Millar

German doctor Magda Heller arrives at Coopers Crossing and immediately finds herself on a call out to a homestead where she is required to deal with a stubborn cattleman who refuses to accept his diagnosis. When the man's son is among those injured in a rockslide, she and David are called upon to treat the wounded. The stress of the day causes Magda to rethink her decision to come to the Outback.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Tammy Macintosh as Annie Rogers, Christopher Stollery as Johnno Johnson, Melita Jurisic as Dr. Magda Heller, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: Paul Cronin as Jock Weatherhead, Craig Elliott as Brett Weatherhead, Lindy McConchie [Davini Malcolm] as Fiona

Note: Melita Jurisic joins the cast of regulars

Break Away

Episode 7.14 (160)
Thu, October 17, 1990
W: Leonard Rosen
D: Catherine Millar

A young mother tries to escape the clutches of her manic depressive boyfriend by running away to Coopers Crossing. But will she be safe there?

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Tammy Macintosh as Annie Rogers, Christopher Stollery as Johnno Johnson, Melita Jurisic as Dr. Magda Heller, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: David Franklin as Terry Malloy, Adrian Lee as Andy Malloy, Loene Carmen as Stacey Smith, Nick Waters as Ray Hogan, Shani Kassis as Hannah, Esme Melville as Mrs Johnson [uncredited], ? as Jack Riley [uncredited]

Billie and Pete

Episode 7.15 (161)
Thu, October 24, 1990
W: Julie Phillips
D: Mark DeFriest

Responding to the scene of a car accident, Geoff encounters two people from his past — ex-jazz singer Billie Sorenson and her one-time pianist, Pete. While Kate becomes jealous of Geoff's rekindled friendship with Billie, Geoff helps Billie recover her voice which puts her in conflict with Pete.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Tammy Macintosh as Annie Rogers, Christopher Stollery as Johnno Johnson, Melita Jurisic as Dr. Magda Heller, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: Tina Bursill as Billie Sorensen, Jon English as Pete Tindale

Old Man Weed

Episode 7.16 (162)
Thu, October 31, 1990
W: John Reeves
D: Mark DeFriest

In the midst of an emergency call-out to a drilliers' camp, Magda take an interest in the health of a young aborigine girl. Magda and Kate have a fight on their hands when they try to persuade the girl's father to allow her to undergo an operation to save her from a brain tumour.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Tammy Macintosh as Annie Rogers, Christopher Stollery as Johnno Johnson, Melita Jurisic as Dr. Magda Heller, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: Gary Foley as Steve Connell, Jedda Cole as Laura Pickles, Mimi Cole as Josie Connell, Peter Crossley as Ray Moody, Roberto Micale as Franco McGraw

David & Goliath

Episode 7.17 (163)
Thu, Nov 07, 1990
W: Vince Moran
D: Colin Budds

After treating a man for injuries sustained in a tractor accident, David clashes with an arrogant, older doctor when he suspects his patient needs to have a suspicious lump removed from his chest. The patient's doctor assures him there is nothing to worry about but David persists, putting his on career on the line when his reputation is publicly challenged.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Tammy Macintosh as Annie Rogers, Christopher Stollery as Johnno Johnson, Melita Jurisic as Dr. Magda Heller, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: George Fairfax as Dr. Tim Miller, Bob Baines as Ron Moore, Kate Ingram as Carol Moore, Patsy Martin as Sr. Ryan, Robin Dene as George [uncredited], Peter Harvey-Wright as Richard [uncredited], ? as Elizabeth [uncredited], et al.

Last Carnival

Episode 7.18 (164)
Thu, Nov 21, 1990
W: Vince Gil
D: Colin Budds

When Annie gives treatment for a snake bite to a boy who works on a run-down carnival with his grandmother, the pair develop a strong rapport as Annie tries to track down his reunite him with his family.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Tammy Macintosh as Annie Rogers, Christopher Stollery as Johnno Johnson, Melita Jurisic as Dr. Magda Heller, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: Brendon Peel as Alex, Patricia Kennedy as Ruth, Jane Clifton as Greta, Melanie Beddie as Cecily

Innocence Lost

Episode 7.19 (165)
Thu, Nov 28, 1990
W: Phillip Roberts and Vicki Madden
D: Joy Crosby

The tranquility of Coopers Crossing is shattered when a young friend of Kate's is attacked while out horse riding.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Tammy Macintosh as Annie Rogers, Christopher Stollery as Johnno Johnson, Melita Jurisic as Dr. Magda Heller, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: Marcus Graham as Ted Patterson, Caitlin Morris as Jeannie Mooreland, Tom Richards as Colin Mooreland, Anne Scott Pendlebury as Shirley Mooreland, Philip Holder as Det. Sgt. Reynolds, Ray Chubb as Mr Reilly [uncredited], et al.

Bush Christmas

Episode 7.20 (166)
Thu, Dec 05, 1990
W: Jutta Goetze
D: Karl Zwicky

Vic and Nancy are hard at work preparing for Christmas. Geoff tries to help a man tackle his addiction and reconnect with his estranged mother. Vic and Nancy's nephew arrives for a visit but he's changed a lot since they last saw him.

Regulars: Maurie Fields as Vic Buckley, Val Jellay as Nancy Buckley, Alex Papps as Nick Cardaci, Tammy Macintosh as Annie Rogers, Christopher Stollery as Johnno Johnson, Melita Jurisic as Dr. Magda Heller, Beverley Dunn as Clare Bryant

Guests: Pat Bishop as Evelyn Murray, Gregory Parker as Allan Murray, Marco Chiappi as Nicholas Warner, James Blundell as Himself

The Band: Chris Doherty on Guitar, Perre Giglioti on Bass, Warren McLean on Drums, Sean McVitty on Banjo, Robert Greenberg on Mouth Organ

Note: the final episode for Tammy Macintosh