australian television information archive

After The Ball Is Over

Megan embarks on a bold plan to outwit the nasty Moreton Casey. Her quest is wildly successful. But, for Wayne, things are never quite so simple. Tom waits expectantly for Helen to say yes or no to his proposal and Mon makes a big decision; to hit the road with her soul mate, Martin.

Love And Other Bruises

Mon sets off on her great adventure with soul mate Martin. But it soon becomes clear they're looking for different things, and Mon ends up sadder but wiser. Tom's old chauffeur Rollo rolls into town. At first Tom is delighted until Rollo begins adding to his woes. Taking comfort from her pregnancy, Sally has an over-due consultation with Annie. But something is wrong.

Women And Men

Annie breaks the devastating news that Sally is not pregnant, and never was and Rollo, still wallowing in the aftermath of his break-up with Dora, looks for comfort from Tom, who is still nursing his own broken heart. Stuart is affronted to be asked by ex-wife Lorraine to give her away at her wedding. Julia persuades Doug, against his better judgment, to help her with her history of Emu Springs. Helen wonders when the full impact of the sad news will hit Sally and fears for Sally's safety when she appears to be missing. Tom, Stuart, Ryan and Rollo hit the ouzo at the pub, commiserating with each other about their respective women problems. Marie, a psychology student, provides some much-needed, impromptu counseling.

Living In The Past

Annie has a panic attack as her fears for Sally's safety, and feelings of culpability, escalate. Meanwhile Sally still grieving over the news of her baby and is saved by an unlikely candidate. Julia and Doug run into conflict over the history project. She enlists Mon's help. Uninspired by the dusty research material, they turn the project into a steamy historical romance. Megan is upset when Wayne confesses he's received a court summons regarding the Moreton Casey assault charge.

Coming To Terms

Megan, who is running the pub while Stuart attends his second wife's wedding, hires Rollo to run the kitchen. Wayne goes before the Magistrate in a couple of days time, to face charges of assault; he's terrified that, with his record, he will end up having to do more time. Megan does her best to reassure him, but Wayne does not believe that he could survive any more time in prison. Wayne tells Ryan of the "funny turn" Annie had the other night, without knowing that it was a panic attack. Julia agrees to attend a Seahorse Club meeting.

Nothing Left To Lose

Not prepared to take the risk of being given another prison sentence, Wayne decides to do a runner. Aaron, an old flame of Annie's, turns up in her surgery, ostensibly to find out all about being a country GP. Ryan is definitely not pleased to see him hereãthe good looking, urbane and educated Aaron is more competition than he reckons he can deal with. Tom receives a proposal via a phone call, from a colleague to whom he has not spoken for a long time. It's clearly an attractive offer, but it puts him on the horns of a dilemma. The old Tom Dooley would have jumped at it. The new Tom Dooley quite likes his life the way it is.

Make A Good Impression

Tom is trying to decide whether to accept his Sydney offer, Wayne is still missing and his family and friends wonder if he'll turn up to his hearing. In the meantime, Julia has decided to stage Christmas in July to welcome their English guest, Foster Sutton. When he first arrives he doesn't measure up to Julia's expectation. There are celebrations at the pub because of Wayne's release, but he still has to win back Megan. He stuns her by asking her to move in with him. She accepts the offer. Julia and Doug have a late night drink with Foster. She tries to gently bring Foster and Helen together, but Foster is becoming secretly attracted to Julia.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Having lost his job at the pub, Rollo gets an idea for using his limo to take shoppers to and from Bullandra. This causes friction between him and Mon as it soon becomes clear that his success is taking business away from her. Foster is finding his attraction to Julia hard to take and is trying not to be alone with her and Aaron continues to use Annie as a source for his drug addiction. Julia gets the first inkling of Foster's attraction to her and it scares her. Tom shocks everyone by announcing that he's taking the Sydney job and moving away for good.

The Worst Of Intentions

News begins to spread and confusion mounts about the possibility of Tom leaving town. While Harry begins to panic at the possibility of losing another friend, Helen suspects that Tom's decision is based on the failure of their relationship.
Ryan's instinct tells him there's more to Aaron than meets the eye and when he witnesses some seemingly secretive activity, Ryan's suspicion looks like it's well founded. Annie, however, appears swept away by her charming ex-boyfriend.
Meanwhile, Rollo's new business activity looks like threatening Mon's business, but a cunning plan derails his future.

For Better And Worse

Tom continues to vacillate about leaving town and he's disappointed to learn that not everyone wants him to stay. Julia and Foster appear to be hitting it off, but when the ex-Jackaroo questions Wayne's ability, he gets Sally off side. Wayne has a life-changing surprise for Megan and Stuart's attendance at his ex-wife's wedding sees him return home with an injury. While it looks like Annie and Aaron's relationship may have a chance of being rekindled, Aaron's actions seem to suggest an ulterior motive.

Tough Love

Stuart's ex-wife Lorraine appears to have other things on her mind than just a fleeting visit to check on his injured leg—and Megan suspects as much. Annie is forced to send an SOS call to Ryan when she finds there's more to her colleague Aaron's surprise arrival than just a need to keep in touch. Helen and Tom have difficulty deciding the hows and whys of ending their relationship and it's inevitable impact on Harry. Doug and Julia's English guest is fast succumbing to the diverse attractions of his new nvironment, not the least of which is Julia.

So Long Farewell Auf Wiedersehen

Julia has her hands full squiring Foster around and is surprised and a little guilty to find she's actually enjoying the experience. Megan and Wayne finally move into their new home and discover what a real housewarming's all about. Tom's final, irrevocable decision to leave Emu Springs impacts on all its residents, as well, as triggering a remarkable change in life loyal chauffeur and compatriot, Rollo.

Resigned Ambition

Ryan makes a splash in his breakfast shift. But filling the legendary Tom Dooley's shoes is hard going. After offending half the town's population, Ryan finds himself an outcast. Feeling like a total failure, Ryan resigns from the station. Wayne makes Megan a "romantic" dinner for two. Lorraine and Stuart acknowledge there's more going on between them than friendship, while Doug gets a political offer that looks too good to refuse.

Pulp Friction

Julia continues her dangerous game of flirtation with Foster and it finally looks like Sally might have made a go of Tale Farm. Annie talks Ryan into reconsidering his resignation, a move they brings them closer together.

A Kiss Is Just A Kiss

Ryan is desperate to find some Emu Springs competitors to beat Bullandra at the regional dance competition. But there is no obvious couple until Annie reveals a ballet background and she teams up with Ryan, leading naturally to bed.

One Way

The animosity between Annie and Vicki Swallow comes to a head after Annie tends to the sergeant's sprained ankle, and Vicki realises that she is competing in the dance competition. The rivalry between these two will fuel ongoing battles in the lead-up to the dance.

Be Careful What You Wish For

Julia tries to cool the flames of desire between herself and Foster. He appears to back off. But then he floors her by confessing he's in love with her, firmly believing the feeling is mutual. When it becomes public knowledge she's spent the night with Ryan, Annie becomes a target for gossip and fears her professional life is being challenged. Using every bit of cunning he can muster, Harry tries hard to change Helen's mind about going on the father-son camping trip. But Helen out-manoeuvres him: she's going, and he'll just have to cope with that fact.

Two In The Bush

Her canola crop hasn't sprouted, and Sally is worried. Wayne isn't helping, he's beginning to think that, as a farm hand, he's useless. Together they make an awful discovery: Sally has sprayed the crop with the wrong herbicide. Is this the end of Tale Farm? Determined to lift Wayne's flagging spirits, Megan starts to organise his upcoming birthday party. She's horrified when Lorraine, with Stuarts's encouragement, muscles in to help her. But when Lorraine opens up to her, Megan is thrown: Is it possible her stepmother's actually human? Helen and Harry go bush together on the Father-Son camping trip. He becomes upset when she has to tell him that Tom's selling the Station, a sure sign he'll never be returning to Emu Springs. But Harry, showing a new maturity, comes to realise his mother's all he's got.

The Bed You Made

Wayne saves Tale Farm from ruin with some farming know-how and a little help from friends. Lorraine drops a bombshell on Stuart. Doug learns a little more about the nature of Julia and Foster's "relationship". When Foster is given his marching orders, he promises Julia he will be back to pick up where they left off. Megan is determined to make Wayne's birthday the best ever, only to have ice thrown over her special day with his unenthusiastic response to her special gift. Concerned she's suffering an image crisis, Annie tells Ryan she won't be partnering him in the dance contest.

Sweet Lorraine

Sally is forced to say goodbye to Joe's dream when an unexpected delivery arrives at Tale Farm. Helen, Megan and Ryan are given an unconventional introduction to the new lawyer in town. Mark Waters is representing potential buyers for the station. He's likeable, he's charming, and he's an oddball. Unable to take anymore of Lorraine's madness, Megan tells her how she really feels. Peter, Lorraine's jilted fiancÈ, shows up at the pub to reclaim the bride that was almost his. Stuart makes Lorraine an offer she can't refuse.

Will You Go A Courting

Megan's initial fury over Stuart's marriage proposal to Lorraine is soon overcome with the help of Lorraine, who manages to inflict some serious guilt on Megan. Doug and Julia are trying to come to terms with the Foster scenario. But believing Foster has gone, Julia is sure the worst of it has past. Foster visits Tale Farm much to Wayne's annoyance. However, Foster's only interested in the beautiful next-door neighbour, Julia. The cost of the football calendar, a-la Tom Dooley, is causing concern for the footy club. Stuart attempts to enlist Doug's help to move the merchandise. Lorraine finally agrees to marry Stuart after her initial refusal over Megan's disapproval. There's to be a wedding in Emu Springs! But Megan's week from hell continues as she goes head to head with Lorraine over the bridesmaid gown.

It's A Country Thing

As wedding preparations continue, Stuart makes a surprise choice of best man, and Megan revolts over Lorraine's choice of bridesmaid's dress. Foster still casts a disturbing shadow over Doug and Julia. The situation reaches crisis point when Doug must leave Merinda for an overnight stay in Canberra. Mark's corporate colours show through as he reveals the truth about the buyout of the station. The Emu's continue their untarnished losing streak, prompting Stuart to seek comfort in the arms of another team. While in an effort to rally their beloved club, Sally, Megan, Annie, and Mon launch the first all-girl "Sportsman's Corner".

Standing Up To Be Counted

Helen, Megan and Ryan quit 3ES in protest against the takeover, leaving Mark in a tight spot until Ryan breaks ranks in the interests of the town. This causes a nasty rift with Megan. Julia panics when she learns that Foster has read her story about him and may broadcast it around town. When Doug returns from Canberra he forces the issue with Foster by offering to stand aside himself and let Julia decide. Much to Julia's relief Foster gets the hint and finally goes, but having learnt that Julia was more attracted than he realised Doug remains cool towards her. Ryan and Vicki form an unlikely dance partnership.

Close Encounters Of The Cow Kind

Annie suffers humiliation when she mistakes a cow for a bull and lets the cow loose on the Stockton Rd. However she redeems herself when she saves a patient after Annie herself is attacked by a savage dog. Stuart let's slip the Emus may have to amalgamate and Megan's day from hell grows worse as she sees her father falling fatally under Lorraine's spell. Megan also fails to find a job and finally realises that if she goes to the city to get work Wayne won't go with her.

All For One

Stuart is labelled a Judas by Mon and suffers the wrath of the footy team members when they discover he has been having secret negotiations with Bullandra to amalgamate the two clubs. Despite their fierce objections, he seemingly goes ahead with the deal.

Love Hurts

Pressure builds on Julia and Doug's marriage culminating in the potential loss of the one they love the most.

You Can't Teach An Old Dog

When Allie, unnoticed by her quarrelling parents starts to convulse, Doug and Julia are thrown into a panic and call on Annie to help. However, despite Annie's competent handling of the situation Julia finds cause to criticize.

Til Death Do Us Part

Guy and Helen take over the kitchen at Tale Farm, and find that despite their differences they have a lot in common.

Shaken Not Stirred

In the aftermath of the earthquake Helen realises that Mark is missing. While climbing, Mark has got himself stuck, upside down.

Somebody Bring Me Some Water

The return of the springs sends the town into a frenzy. They concoct a plan to build a fancy resort and Mon's shop is the ideal site.

Endangered Feelings

Ryan's dancing troubles continue and manifest themselves in a bizarre and embarrassingly public way. Harry's crush on Claire grows and he invites Claire and her dad, Tas to dinner.

The Cook, The Dad, The Doc And Her Lover

Mon gets to know her father better, but Wayne is suspicious. Helen has a sexy night with Guy, which doesn't quite end the way she was anticipating.

Star Crossed Lovers

The trees of Watercreek Gully are under threat from the loggers, and Harry is at the forefront of the outcry against cutting them down. But when his growing friendship with Claire, a logger's daughter, becomes exquisitely romantic, Harry discovers that love and politics can be harsh bedfellows.
Helen agrees to become Guy's apparent lover; Mon surprises the mineral springs development committee when she makes it clear the general store is not for sale.
Bonding with his long-lost grandfather, Wayne becomes concerned when old William shows a sign of grave illness.

Eels On Wheels

Delivering Meals-on-Wheels, Wayne finds himself in trouble when the food cooked by chef Henry, proves to be inedible. Julia, playing detective, comes to believe Wayne has dumped the meals through sheer laziness. But he's vindicated when Mon, with Guy's help, proves his innocence—and Henry's guilt. Upset over the breakup with Claire, Harry wags school. When she finds him, Helen tries to give him comfort. William's generosity toward Wayne leads to a guilty confession: William has known about Mon being his daughter for more than fifty years.

Eat Me, Drink Me

William reveals to Mon the devastating truth behind his reunion with her. What should have been a celebration becomes a heartbreaking separation once again.
Annie is faced with an ethical dilemma when an old patient seeks her help once again. Roger Smith is in the progressive stages of Motor Neurone Disease. It's a secret he continues to keep from his family. A near fatal accident with two of our locals changes all that.
Guy's opening night turns out to be a success, thanks to some fancy footwork from Helen.
Sally volunteers to help Mark (Grant Bowler) find a place of his own. Despite opposing views on house and home, these two really do connect. Annie is pleasantly surprised to discover one of Ryan's hidden talents.

Its Not What You Drink That Does

Mon continues to struggle with the loss of her father, again.
Stuart risks losing his pub license after he's accused of allowing Roger to leave drunk. It's not until Roger comes clean about his illness, that Stuart is vindicated.
Annie is forced to reconsider the powers of the mineral springs when old Alice's hearing returns after dunking her head in the water. News quickly spreads about the 'miracle' and the media begin to descend on the town.

Your World Today

Don Moore and crew from TV current affairs "Your World Today" come to town to report on the miracle springs. Harry tracks their progress with his video camera and discovers the real Don Moore is a self-absorbed phoney.
Alice Dixon finds the recovery of her hearing to be a mixed blessing and eventually decides to pretend to be deaf again, leaving Don Moore without a story.
When Roger and Carol believe the spring water can help treat Motor Neurone Disease, Annie's efforts to make them understand the incurable nature of the condition result in her alienating them.
Megan's hopes of being "discovered" by Don Moore are dashed when Wayne accidentally gives her a black eye.

Kith And Kin

Sally decides to try running a bed and breakfast at Tale Farm. When there is a flea plague at Merinda, Julia, Doug and Allie are saved from a night at the pub when Helen invites them to be Sally's first customers.
Annie comes to an understanding of how important hope and positive thinking are to Roger and Carol, even in the face of the incurable MND diagnosis.
Guy, looking for somewhere to live, persuades Mon to take him on for a trial period.
Julia and Doug's stay at Tale Farm is shaping up as hard work.
Realising that Mon's feelings about William are unresolved, Wayne persuades him to come back and talk to her. Mon listens to William, under duress, but is not yet ready to forgive him.

We'll Meet Again

Ryan and Annie agree they're incompatible and break up. Ryan is consoled by his mates, Mark and Guy.
William, in a last attempt at reconciliation, tells Mon about his final loving farewell with her mother. Mon is so moved that she forgives him his past neglect, and, encouraged by Wayne, tells him she accepts him as her natural father.
Julia's demanding behaviour makes Sally think twice about taking in bed-and-breakfast guests.
But when blokes in the footy team accuse Guy of being gay, Guy is forced to tell Ryan that indeed he is. Ryan is astonished and upset.

Thin, Neat And Single

Sally agrees to go to dinner at Mark's place, though the evening ends more intimately than either of them intended. Guy, tired of the innuendos, declares his gayness in a coming-out speech in the pub. Ryan has trouble coming to terms with the situation and Guy finds himself struggling to salvage their friendship. Stuart's attitude is ambivalent, too, which infuriates Megan. The new development also increases Julia and Doug's bickering—to the point where they decide to split up.

Letting Go

As news of Doug and Julia's split begins to circulate through town, both struggle to come to terms with separate lives.

Papa's Gonna Sing You A Lullaby

While Mon and Guy's friendship builds, Stuart's personal views on Guy's sexuality cause friction between Ryan and Stuart.

Into The Hall Of Mirrors

Wayne and Ryan, having finally repaired the sprint car, start to practice at the track. Megan, supposedly struck by the futility of the sport, takes up her own hobby—horse riding.
Joe's ghost, tortured by the prospect of losing Sally, tries desperately to contact her. But it appears that his love for her may not be enough to breach the gap.
Ryan re-evaluates his friendship with Guy in light of Stuart's homophobic behaviour. Mon too, sides with her new flatmate, and forces Stuart to re-think his response to Guy.
Stuart wants to launch his country club on the new land he has purchased. Mon however, is pushing her tourist attraction—a giant emu that will stand over her store.

Do Dreams Come True?

Sally becomes aware of Joe and begins grieving for her loss all over again. She sends Mark away, too confused by the intensity of her feelings. Joe begins to realise he's doing more harm than good. But can he bear to leave Sally again?
Guy and Stuart share a drunken honest night where Stuart tries to put his prejudice aside but manages to expose a whole other side to himself that may be equally embarrassing.
Julia's fears of inadequacy cause her deny to Doug his fatherly rights. Doug feels compelled to take action and approaches Mark for custody advice. When Julia realises her mistake, she rights the situation—and finds herself all alone.

Waiting For The Right Girl

Doug feels hard done by with the informal custody arrangements for Allie and is determined to seek legal redress. Stuart is feeling paranoid about overindulging the previous night and having to be undressed and put to bed by a person or persons unknown, especially when the finger of suspicion seems to point firmly in Guy's direction.
Annie is invited to assist in a surgical operation by Bullandra's head surgeon Richard Banks. An unfortunate, but minor oversight on her part causes Banks to abruptly cancel the operation, followed by a belated but puzzling apology from the surgeon for his high-handed actions.
Mon stirs Guy's curiosity about the opposite sex to the point where Guy decides to test the waters with Helen, provoking considerable bewilderment and consternation among the locals.

Somebody Stole My Girl

Helen and Guy work through the aftermath of their uninhibited display at the Voodoo Lounge and its effect on friends and colleagues.
At Doug instigation, he and Julia thrash out a custody settlement for Allie in the wake of a scurrilous rumour published in the local paper about the real cause of their separation. But Doug's first custody visit with Allie ends in disaster.
It's Joe's posthumous birthday and Sally's missing him so much she dreams she's actually seeing him, talking with him and hearing his poetry. Helen suggests Sally's attraction to Mark might also have something to do with her emotional longings, which Sally vehemently denies.
Ryan and Guy continue bonding in a blokey kind of way, or at least, that's how Ryan regards their rapidly growing friendship.

Hell Hath No Fury

The town is in panic when Allie Rutherford goes missing, but she turns up in the most unexpected place - with Julia. Julia took Allie to teach Doug a lesson, which further strains the relationship between them.
Joe's spirit discovers he can partially 'channel' through Harry. He tries to make himself heard, but ends up upsetting Sally and Harry in doing so.
Annie is back in Dr Banks' favour, but certain aspects of his behavior begin to disquieten her.
Out of the blue, Megan gets a call from Tom about a job that's going in Melbourne.

The Times They Are A Changing

With Megan leaving town, Ryan is down in the dumps and invites Guy over for dinner. A blokey evening takes a surprising turn, forcing Guy to confront the fact that his feelings for Ryan may not be strictly platonic.
Megan gets the job at Talk AM in Melbourne, but Wayne isn't happy. Megan is sure the job won't affect their relationship, but Wayne isn't so sure.
Mon takes her Big Emu plans to the BAG meeting, but end up voting in favour of Stuart's country club for the good of the town.
Joe's spirit realises his return to Sally was to help her let go and move on. And he leaves her to do just that.
Dr Banks' disquietening behavior comes to a head and Annie is forced to take action.

Branching Out

Megan is scared: she's about to take up her new city job at Talk AM. Wayne hates the idea of her going. He turns up at her farewell party only after Stuart gives him a good talking to. And when she leaves, Wayne is heartbroken.
Guy confesses to Helen he's in love with Ryan. She urges him to keep his feelings to himself or he'll lose a friend. Guy takes her advice, but it's clearly not going to be easy.
Mon is caught in the middle when Julia and Doug continue their deep freeze. Julia seeks out a women's group to help her cope with their separation. Doug bursts in on the group, demanding to talk about his custody rights, but Julia, with the support of the women, throws him out.

A Loose End

Wayne is not only missing his girlfriend, he's convinced that Guy is usurping his role as Mon's favourite. How can he compete with a bright, witty bloke like that?
Megan's first day at work in the city at Talk AM is fraught with tension. Does she still have a job? Will the new top announcer, Sue Smithies, prove to be as bitchy as she seems? And is this hip and cynical James guy friend or foe?
Keeping his real intentions known only to himself (and Ryan), Mark is determined to groom Stuart as an on-air presenter in the Rural Roundup slot. Stuart's on-air yarn telling proves to be a hit with his regulars, but he's yet to be convinced his future lies in radio.
Annie, taking a rare day off, allows Mark to talk her into going rock climbing. They're having a ball together—Mark even begins alluding to a past heartbreak—when disaster strikes: Annie falls down a hill and lies stunned. While Mark freezes, haunted, unable to respond.

It's All Coming Back To Me

Mark appears strangely traumatised by Annie's fall. Her concerns are validated when Mark reveals the accident dreged up a painful memory—one he continues to struggle with.
When Harry's left home alone for the weekend, his night of pizza and videos turns into fright night when an unexpected guest appears.
With a broken wrist, Annie is beginning to feel the frustration of being away from the surgery. To make matters worse, her temporary replacement looks like becoming a permanent fixture.
Megan is hurled into the harsh realities of working in commercial radio when her ally, James, is summarily sacked. Life in the fast lane is a little faster than she expected.

Sisters Are Doing It

In an act of sheer frustration, Annie prematurely cuts the cast from her arm. She's finally ready to admit to herself that work is her life and she's going to hang on to it. An impromptu dinner party at Tale farm ends in disaster when Wayne storms out unable to contain his antagonism towards Guy. In a drunken state, he reveals to Ryan the truth about Guy's crush on him. Ryan confronts Guy in order to get to the real story. Megan discovers Sue is not the 'sister' she professed to be when she steals Megan's ideas then willingly takes the kudos for its success. Julia's impatience with the Moving On group reaches a climax when they categorically denigrate Doug then move on to someone else's same old sob story. She's not only moving on, she's moving them out of her life for good.

Scratch The Surface

Guy and Ryan's friendship seems set to founder. Megan has a new ally, Brent in her battle with Sue for acknowledgement of her ideas and the two are quickly foming a solid friendship. With Brent backing her up she plucks up courage to take the 'bulls' by the horns and with a happy result behind her is soon again convinced she has the best job in the world. Annie, threatened by her patients' attachment to Dr Curtis, returns to work, much to Mon's outrage. Wayne, devastated by Sally's coldness towards him, gets up the courage to ask her out. Sally assumes the invitation is all part of the apology, not suspecting that in reality it means much more to Wayne than that. Distressed by memories evoked by Annie's accident, Mark has taken off on an unannounced trip to Darwin and returns surprised to find the whole town worrying about him. Suspecting there's more to Mark's disappearance than he's letting on, Annie manages to uncover his deep dark secret.

Where There's A Spark

While Helen is initially pleased that Doug has settled so easily into life at Tale Farm, she is shocked to discover that his feelings for her have become far from platonic. Helen attempts to let Doug down gently but already reeling from what he sees as Julia's betrayal he takes it hard and decides to move out. Much to her surprise, Julia is approached by the dreaded Party and asked to re-join. Despite a spirited resistance she falls victim to their recruiting drive. Meanwhile Annie gets some valuable returns from Mark in the form of good sound legal advice on how to deal with Dr Banks.

The Nicest Guy

Guy risks his life to save Ryan from the burning pub, but the crisis brings other losses: Annie and Doug are left homeless, Guy no longer has a kitchen, and Stuart feels compelled to quit his radio work. Staff losses rule the day as Megan is unceremoniously sacked from Talk AM, and Mark pulls out all the stops—and more—to persuade Julia to come back to Rural Roundup. Guy finally confesses his true feelings to Ryan, and the two friends face up to an emotional farewell.

You've Been Away Too Long

Storm clouds gather on the horizon as a humiliated Megan returns to Emu Springs. While she can talk openly about her sacking to her father, she invents a cover story to impress her boyfriend whose feelings for Sally are getting a little too devotional. Julia rejoins the Party, and her gutsy critique of the Party's weaknesses earns her a surprise invitation to stand for pre-selection. If successful she'll be running against Doug. Well and truly homeless, Doug is rescued by Mon who offers him lodgings; while Annie finds a housemate in Mark. Dr Banks loads Annie up with a heavy duty roster. Her fractured arm doesn't make everyday doctoring any easier, but tonight isn't going to be about routine doctoring…. Whipping up dust and pollen, the storm causes a severe outbreak of asthma attacks. Sally, Julia and Megan are all stricken, and Dr Annie, stretched to the limits as the hospital, struggles to cope.

Local Hero

In the aftermath of the storm, Annie struggles to manage the influx of Asthma patients to the hospital. With help scarce and supplies running out Annie is forced to call Dr Banks for help but the man is nowhere to be found. When Banks eventually fronts up drunk and of no help at all Annie's patience is tried to the limit. The crisis at the hospital sharpens Wayne's awareness of a brewing personal conflict. When he can no longer deny his deepening feelings for Sally the time has come to make some choices and move on. Doug comes through for Julia in her hour of need, raising the possibility that their relationship has reached a new watershed. Mon and Julia's friendship reaches an ugly end.

Fate Accompli

A cash strapped Stuart is alarmed by his negotiations with the Insurance Company over the fire at the pub. Enlisting Mark's help, Stuart goes in to bat for the best deal he can get in an increasingly fraught situation. Dodgey deals turn ugly and Stuart is forced to make some drastic compromises. A colleague from Helen's banking past arrives in town causing her real anxiety. Helen's relationship with Janine Baker, now the ex Merchant Banker cum Tarot Reader, was always based on masked rivalry more than true friendship.

A Blue Day

Emotional instability continues as Janine finalises cutting her psychic swathe through the citizenry. She upsets Harry with a prediction that he will become an accountant and then rips off Stuart nicely—buying his land super cheap and leaving him feeling lower than a snake's belly. Helen and Ryan, meanwhile, each discover potential "significant others". Ryan meets Wayne's friend, Vanessa, and their relationship blossoms. Helen discovers that Janine's earlier prediction of a tall dark stranger turns out to be true—in the form of the owner of the stray horse Helen has been looking after—Dave. Megan decides she needs to cheer her dad up, so she invents a "no-talent" quest to bring people back to her father's pub and show him he's valued in the community. Julia is coming to terms with the realities of politics with the assistance of spin-meister, Mike Fox, who has sent by the party to tutor her.

People Will Say We're In Love

Megan is flat out gathering contestants and judges for the "No-Talent Quest" and trying to keep her mind off her troubles with Wayne. Julia is on a steep learning curve about politics. Demanding a right of reply to Doug's on-air attack, she wipes the floor with her former spouse. Everyone, including her, is amazed. The "No Talent" quest provides moments of realisation for many of our folk. Sally realises that Mark hankers for her; Helen, discovers a talent for public entertainment when she agrees to go into the contest when Dave asks her to do a double act with him; Ryan realises that Wayne is not the friend he thought he was; and Stuart realises he is loved and supported by the people of Emu Springs.

It's Better To Have Loved And Lost

Helen and Dave act like a couple of teenagers in love, much to the amusement of Harry and Sally. Megan takes up stock car racing in the hope it will give her a common interest with Wayne. Instead, Wayne breaks off the relationship, leaving Megan distraught. Wayne himself is confused; he still loves Megan, but not as much as he thinks he loves Sally. Sally herself is blissfully unaware of Wayne's infatuation. She is too busy dealing with her new neighbour, Trent Bradley, a hobby farmer with impossible taste in music. Julia is on a high after spending the night with Michael. With her political career forging ahead, Julia feels like she's on a winning streak, but the same can't be said for Doug as he battles Julia moving on without him.

Wayne's World

Megan moves back home, distraught about her break up with Wayne. And when Mon inadvertently lets slip that Wayne is interested in someone else, it only makes Megan more unhappy. In an effort to save the Emus from extinction, Stuart introduces a tough new code of behaviour for the team. Wayne ignores it and is not only dragged from the field but kicked off the team. He's convinced Stuart has it in for him because he split up with Megan. Annie goes to enormous trouble to cook a housemates dinner for Mark. Just as she is starting to think she might have chance with Mark, he let's her in on a big secret. He is totally in love with Sally Sabatini.

There's A New Kid In Town

Angus Moore, the Emus new star recruit arrives and manages to put noses out of joint, in particular Ryan and Wayne. Julia becomes more involved with Michael who persuades her to forego upcoming duties as Queen of the Springs—it's not good for her political image. To Mon's horror, Julia stands down, leaving the way open for Mon to become Queen. Ryan and Vanessa are trying to come to arrangement that gives them time alone. Ryan decides to take up Wayne's offer to move into the cottage. He explains this to Megan who is none too happy about it. Annie is down in the dumps and lets slip to Wayne that Mark is in love with Sally. Threatened by this news, Wayne confronts Mark, telling him that he and Sally are an item. Shocked, Mark agrees to keep away.

Sit Down You're Rocking The Boat

Doug drowns his sorrows at the pub and encounters Cynthia Gronacle, a lonely novelist. Wayne searches for an appropriate moment to tell Sally how he feels. When he finally gathers the courage to tell her he loves her, Sally is gobsmacked. Michael convinces Julia to avoid the Queen of the Springs handover ceremony, causing a deeper rift between Julia and Mon. But, Julia starts to regret her decision and Michael's increasing manipulation and domination of her life. Eventually she dismisses him as her advisor and lover and crowns Mon as the true queen.

Who Do You Love?

Reeling from Wayne's declaration of love, Sally, with Helen's help, eventually tells him she's not in love with him. He takes it badly.

Lady Sings The Blues

Unimpressed by Doug's old-fashioned, male chauvinist attitude during a farmers' meet and greet at the pub, Julia publicly criticises him on air and finds herself on the wrong side of the male farming community. Megan's depression over her break up with Wayne turns to anger. Attempting to confront him at the speedway, she's accidentally knocked down by his sprint car, bruising her leg and her pride. Frustrated by Cynthia's persistent attention, Doug is saved when Sarah steps in to help by pretending that she and Doug are longtime lovers.

Here's Looking At You Kid

Mon is shocked to discover that her first event as Queen of the Springs means dredging up a life-long phobia. Annie is faced with a dilemma when Angus is injured during a football match between the Emus and the Bulls. Harry uncovers information about Dave's past that could spell the end for Dave's relationship with Helen.

The Path To Ruin

Helen is devastated when Harry enlightens her about Dave's dark past. Stuart decides it's time to dish out a bit of tough love to lift Megan out of the doldrums. Annie's medical career looks grim when she is served with a writ over Angus' football injury. Looks like she's going to court. With the Angora knitwear launch looming, Mon employs an unusual method to overcome her fears.

Every Baby Needs A Da-Da-Daddy

Mon's plan to build the big emu tourist attraction makes her the centre of a protest when itinerant Nigel chains himself to the store verandah. Mon doesn't know who Nigel is, or why he's talking such a stand against her. There's something familiar about him, she just can't work out what. Meanwhile, Ryan tries to get his head around the idea of impending fatherhood , with varying degrees of success. He takes Megan's advice and tells Vanessa they'll get through the pregnancy together. But when Ryan's mother assumes his marrying Vanessa is a forgone conclusion, Ryan finds himself with a whole new set of worries.

Playing The Game

Ryan is under pressure to marry the pregnant Vanessa and Annie finds herself at odds with most of the town.

Rewriting History

Annie has to face the Medical Practitioners Board over her treatment of Angus and Mon has a lesson in the potency of a kind action.

Take Your Pride And Swallow

Now that the proposal and the disastrous engagement party are over, the preparations for Ryan's wedding begin. Only Megan realises that he's treating it all as a burden—not the happiest day of his life. She realises he doesn't love Vanessa and warns him he could be ruining three lives if he goes through with the marriage. Wayne desperately tries to woo Megan back, ignoring her attempts to convince him that it's over between them. Things go from bad to worse, and Mon's warning that he'll end up back in gaol may be prophetic. Helen and Sally are feeling sorry for themselves. Dave has vanished, after Harry unmasked his shady past. And Mark has unaccountably become distant towards Sally, who thought she had discovered a soul mate. After sharing a romantic dinner with Julia, Doug misreads the signals and tries to kiss her. He is shattered when she tells him that romantically speaking, their marriage is over and if he can't accept that, he should think twice about staying. Helen resolves her differences with an apologetic Harry and while she's still feeling sorry for herself about losing Dave, he makes a reappearance, bringing a van-load of friends to bear witness to every sordid fact of his past. Helen is bemused, amused—and realises she's still in love with this guy.

About Last Night

Mon seems on edge as the Big Emu foundation stone is unveiled. Wayne disrupts the unveiling with a gesture to impress Megan. But she still insists it's over between them. Wayne attempts to re-build bridges with Sally and Mark. Sally and Mark begin building some bridges of their own. Helen accepts Dave's proposal of marriage Mark discovers Barry knows the truth about Angus' injury but Barry refuses to testify.

Tell It To The Judge

Annie wins the case against Angus but drops a bombshell announcing her contract in Emu Springs is up in eight weeks. Dave asks Father Brian to marry him to Helen, but will she want to get married in a church? Meanwhile, Sarah tells Doug she feels strongly for him.

Your Friendly Neighbourhood Priest

Mark is preparing to leave much to Sally's disappointment, but when they kiss it becomes obvious there could be a future for them. Sally wants to go to Timor with him and Mark thinks this is a great idea‹at first. Wayne is uncertain about the future. Nothing he can do seems to win Megan back, but when she agrees to go to Ryan's buck's party he sees his opportunity. Father Brian suggests Ryan and Vanessa have a long engagement to get to know each other better but Ryan is adamant‹his baby, his responsibility. Vanessa is surprised when Annie tells her the news that she too is pregnant ‹fifteen weeks. Vanessa is sure Annie's baby isn't Ryan's. Dave makes a further commitment to Helen by getting out of horse racing and taking up farming. The timing is perfect for Sally who accepts his offer to share farm Tale farm.

The Bucks With No Beer

As Sally gets more excited about going to East Timor, Mark becomes increasingly nervous. Ryan's buck's night is a success despite the lack of beer. Father Brian attempts to talk Vanessa into telling Ryan the truth; you can't trick someone into marrying you. When Megan backs out of the buck's party, Wayne's mood blackens again. Mon is grateful when Julia offers to go for a check up with her.

The Hardest Thing In The World

Mark gets cold feet about Sally accompanying him to East Timor. The problem is how to tell her. Several attempts to come clean only prove there is no good time for news like this. Julia tries to con Mon into having the lump in her breast examined, but is shocked when a worrying lump in her own breast is identified. Julia goes into denial while Mon freaks and avoids being examined at all costs. Finally friendship leads Mon to having the examination - she and Julia should go through this stressful experience together. Wayne just can't leave Megan alone. He convinces Ryan to go fishing with him, all the while hoping they can actually visit Megan. Mark gets cold feet about Sally accompanying him to East Timor. The problem is how to tell he—just the two of them, doing what they do best.

Do You Take This Woman?

Ryan's wedding day gets off to a bumpy start when he and Megan over sleep. Then Wayne looks like doing a no show, Ryan begs Megan to be his best man, er, woman. But the wedding plans hit one final snag when Vanessa reveals to Ryan that the baby is not his. Meanwhile, Mon and Julia get the results of their mammograms back. While Mon's is clear, Julia must have further tests. These reveal the lump in her breast is malignant, leaving surgery as her only option. Helen and Dave's wedding plans go ahead smoothly. Helen asks Harry to give her away but because of the tension between Dave and Harry, Helen is unsure whether Harry will comply but Harry agrees knowing how much it would mean to her.

Truth, Dare, Double Dare, Kiss, Promise

Megan reveals her love of Ryan to the girls at the hen's night—not knowing that Ryan is listening! Julia is trying to come to terms with the news of her cancer and the impending surgery. Mark returns to win Sally back but Sally isn't as forgiving as he hoped she would be.

I'll Be Seeing You

Dave marries Helen—to everyone's delight. The Big Emu goes up and comes down. Annie renews her contract. Julia faces her surgery. Wayne begins his own business and takes up an interest in Annie. Mark and Sally finally get together, and so do Megan and Ryan (about time too!). Farewell Emu Springs!