''Fresh Start'' is an Australian television series created for 1990's International Literacy Year. The series consists of two sections. One section is a series of six 10 minute documentaries while the other is 12 half hour dramas. The documentaries feature a wide range of subjects talking about the effects of low literacy and programs in place to improve literacy. The dramas follow an adult literacy teacher Kerry (

Caz Lederman Caz Lederman (born c. 1951/1952), is an Australian former actress. Early life Lederman is Jewish and was born to Viennese parents who emigrated to Australia. She studied at University of New South Wales and took on early stage roles as a means ...

) who in each episode (named for the guest character) works with a new student who for different reasons are trying to improve their literacy. These characters include Billy (Dean Love), a mechanic who needs to learn to advance his career prospects, Linda (

Anne Tenney Anne Tenney (born 1954) is an Australian film, television and theatre actress, perhaps best known for her roles as Melissa "Molly" Jones in the television drama ''A Country Practice'', Liz Taylor in ''Always Greener'', and as Sal Kerrigan oppos ...

), a country mother who can't read medicine labels, Mick (Denis Grosvenor), a prisoner who's cellmate has been writing for him and Marcia (Judith Stratford), a housewife who wants to read in church.

Episodes

*Billy ::written by Marion Ord. produced and directed by Jacqui Sykes ::cast: Dean Love,

*Marcia ::written by Marion Ord. produced and directed by Jacqui Sykes ::cast: Judith Stafford,

, Alex Morcos, Barry Langrish *Tracey ::written by Sylvia Johnson. produced and directed by Roger Bayley ::cast: Sascha Huckstep,

, Sonja Tallis, Sharon Tamlyn. *Frank ::written by Sylvia Johnson. produced and directed by Roger Bayley. *Linda ::written by Marion Ord. produced and directed by Paul Schneller ::cast:

Ritchie Singer Ritchie Singer is an Australian actor. Singer portrayed executive producer Richard Shapiro in the fictionalized 2005 American television movie/docudrama '' Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure'', based on the creation and behind the scenes ...

*Kevin ::written by Marion Ord. produced and directed by Paul Schneller ::cast: Robert Noble,

, Mary-Lou Stewart, John Paramor *Mick ::written by Peter Neale. directed by Tony Wickert ::cast: Dennis Grosvenor,

Ben Gabriel Ben Gabriel (25 February 1918 – 25 April 2012) was an English Australian character actor, director, voice artist and theatre founder. Gabriel had numerous appearances in stage and radio roles and in film and television. Early life Gabriel was ...

, Geoff Cartwright. *Chris ::written by Peter Neale. directed by Tony Wickert ::cast: Alex Morcos,

, Penny Pederson *Luisa ::written by Sylvia Johnson. produced and directed by Roger Bayley ::cast: Carmel Cullen,

, David Weatherley *Elsie ::written by Sylvia Johnson. produced and directed by Roger Bayley ::cast:

Lillian Crombie Lillian Crombie (1958 – 3 January 2024), also known as "Aunty Lillian", was an Aboriginal Australian actress and dancer, known for her work on stage, film and television. Early life and education Lillian Crombie was born in 1958. She was of ...

, John Blair,

, Sarah Lambert. *Steve ::written by Peter Neale. produced and directed by Paul Schneller ::cast: Gavin Harrison,

, Jane Ahlquist, John Allen *Dennis ::written by Peter Neale. produced and directed by Paul Schneller ::cast: Terry Serio,

, Karen Day

References

{{reflist 1990s Australian television series