''Australians'' (also known as ''Michael Willesee's Australians'') is a thirteen part

anthology In book publishing, an anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler; it may be a collection of plays, poems, short stories, songs, or related fiction/non-fiction excerpts by different authors. There are also thematic and g ...

documentary drama series which screened on the

Seven Network Seven Network (stylised 7Network, and commonly known as Channel Seven or simply Seven) is an Australian commercial free-to-air Television broadcasting in Australia, television network. It is owned by Seven West Media, Seven West Media Limited, ...

in 1988. A lavishly illustrated spin-off coffee table book was released the same year. It was written by Roger McDonald and published

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. The series was not the idea of Willesee's, but his company, Transmedia was involved.

Episodes

The episodes focused on famous individuals (with one exception covering soldier settlers): *

Les Darcy James Leslie Darcy (28 October 189524 May 1917) was an Australian boxer. He was a middleweight, but held the Australian Heavyweight Championship title at the same time. Les Darcy was the 2003 Inductee for the Australian National Boxing Hall ...

⁣ – starring

Peter Phelps Peter Phelps (born 20 September 1960 in Sydney) is an Australian actor, singer and writer. He is notable for his role as Trevor Cole in ''Baywatch''. Phelps is also known for his roles in the internationally successful Australian series '' Son ...

* Private John Simpson⁣ – starring Robert Willox * Vivian Bullwinkle⁣ – starring

Rachel Ward Rachel Claire Ward (born 12 September 1957) is an English-Australian actress,

Mary Mackillop Mary Helen MacKillop RSJ ( in religion Mary of the Cross; 15 January 1842 – 8 August 1909) was an Australian religious sister. She was born in Melbourne but is best known for her activities in South Australia. Together with Fr Julian Teniso ...

⁣ – starring

Lorna Lesley Lorna Lesley (born 1956, in Kent) is an Australian actress, who has worked extensively in theatre, film and TV during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s period.Lottie Lyell Lottie Lyell (born Charlotte Edith Cox, 23 February 1890 – 21 December 1925) was an Australian actress, screenwriter, film editing, editor and filmmaker. She is regarded as Australia's first film star, and also contributed to the local industr ...

⁣ – starring

Odile Le Clezio Odile Le Clezio is an Australia, Australian actress. She is a NIDA graduate who had lead roles in the films ''Young Einstein'' and ''Backsliding (film), Backsliding'' and the ABC mini series ''Relative Merits''. She played the titular charac ...

Lola Montez Eliza Rosanna Gilbert, Countess of Landsfeld (17 February 1821 – 17 January 1861), better known by the stage name Lola Montez (), was an Irish dancer and actress who became famous as a Spanish dancer, courtesan, and mistress of King Ludw ...

– starring

Linda Cropper Linda Cropper (born 1 January 1958) is an Australian actress, primarily known for her role as Geraldine Proudman in the TV series ''Offspring'' and as Dame Nellie Melba in the television series '' Melba''. A shortened version of ''Melba'' was s ...

Clyde Fenton Clyde Cornwall Fenton OBE (16 May 1901 – 28 February 1982) was the Northern Territory's first flying doctor. Unlike the other doctors with the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, Fenton was also his own pilot. Fenton was a self-tau ...

– starring Scott Burgess *

Jack Davey John Andrew Davey (8 February 190714 October 1959), known as Jack Davey, was a New Zealand-born singer and pioneering star of Australian radio as a performer, producer, writer and host from the early 1930s into the late 1950s. Later in his caree ...

⁣ – starring

Rhys McConnochie Rhys McConnochie (born 28 December 1936) is a New Zealand-born actor, director and educator based in Australia. Career Film & television His screen appearances include the TV miniseries ''Bodyline'' as Pelham Warner and '' Darlings of the ...

Betty Cuthbert Elizabeth Alyse Cuthbert (20 April 1938 – 6 August 2017), was an Australian athlete and a four-time Olympic champion. She was nicknamed Australia's "Golden Girl". During her career, she set world records for 60 metres, 100 yards, 200 metres ...

– starring Helen Mutkins * Gordon Bennett – starring

Bill Kerr William Henry Kerr (10 June 1922 – 28 August 2014) was a British and Australian actor, comedian and vaudevillian. Born in South Africa, he started his career as a child actor in Australia, before emigrating to Britain after the Second World W ...

Errol Flynn Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn (20 June 1909 – 14 October 1959) was an Australian and American actor who achieved worldwide fame during the Golden Age of Hollywood. He was known for his romantic swashbuckler roles, frequent partnerships with Oliv ...

– starring Christopher Stollery * John Norton – starring

John Ewart John Reford Ewart (26 February 1928 – 8 March 1994) was an Australian actor of radio, stage, television and film. Ewart was a double nominee (and one/time winner) of the AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role Early life Ewart was ...

Episode 1: Les Darcy

March 1, 1988. Written by John Upton, directed by Kevin Dobson.

Cast

Gia Carides Gia Carides (; born 7 June 1964) is an Australian actress. She portrayed Liz Holt in ''Strictly Ballroom'' (1992), Susy Connor in '' Brilliant Lies'' (1996), and Cousin Nikki in the ''My Big Fat Greek Wedding'' franchise (2002–2023). Early ...

as Winnie O'Sullivan *

Gus Mercurio Augustino Eugenio “Gus” Mercurio (10 August 19287 December 2010) was an American-Australian chiropractor, actor, boxing referee, boxing judge, and sports commentator. He was equally prominent as a character actor on film and television, and ...

Tex Rickard George Lewis "Tex" Rickard (January 2, 1870 – January 6, 1929) was an American boxing promoter, founder of the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL), and builder of Madison Square Garden (1925), the third incarnation of Madison S ...

Annie Byron Annie Byron is an Australian film, stage, and television actress best known for '' Wolf Creek 2'', ''Fran'', '' Muriel's Wedding'', and '' Doing Time for Patsy Cline''. Early life and education Annie Byron was born in Inverell, New South ...

as Mrs O'Sullivan * Robin Howering as William Hughes *

Nikki Coghill Nicola Vicars Coghill (born 4 January 1964) is an Australian actress. She is best known for playing the roles of Sister Jackie Crane in '' The Flying Doctors'', and Miranda Parker in ''Neighbours''. Career Coghill was born in Melbourne. She h ...

as Lilly Molloy *

Michael Caton Michael Caton (born 21 July 1943) is an Australian actor, comedian and television host, best known for playing Uncle Harry in the Australian television series '' The Sullivans'', Darryl Kerrigan in 1997's low-budget hit film '' The Castle'', an ...

as Mr Darcy *

Kerry Walker Kerry Ann Walker (born 29 February 1948) is an Australian actress. She has had a lengthy career on both stage and screen. She was nominated for the AFI Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role three times, in 1985 for ''Bliss'', 1986 for '' ...

as Mrs Darcy *

Greg Stone Gregory "Greg" Jonathon Stone (born 23 June 1961 in Perth, Western Australia) is an Australian actor who has appeared in films, television and on stage. Early life Stone was born in Perth, Western Australia to parents Roy and Jennifer Stone a ...

as Mick King *

Ned Manning Ned Manning is an Australian playwright, actor and teacher. His film credits include the lead role in '' Dead End Drive-In'' (1986), and television credits include '' The Shiralee'' and ''Prisoner'', and '' Brides of Christ''. His plays include ...

as Mick Hawkins

Synopsis

was a champion Australian boxer, whose promising future was cut short when his mother prevented him from joining the Australian troops in World War I (leading to accusations of cowardice), and when he met an untimely death at age 21 due to septicaemia.

Episode 2: Private John Simpson

March 8, 1988. Written by Roger McDonald. Directed by

Henri Safran Henri Safran (born 7 October 1932) is a Paris-born director who worked extensively in Australia. He worked in French television, then in Britain, before moving to Australia in 1960 to work with the ABC. He became an Australian citizen in 1963 bu ...

Cast

* Robert Willox as John Simpson * Peter Fisher as Private Grimshaw * Lyndon Harris as Captain Fry * Kevin Healy as Col. Ryan * Mark McAskill as Private Pratley * Vic Rooney as Lr. Col. Sutton * Peter Turnbull as Private Gillies *

David Wenham David Wenham (born 21 September 1965) is an Australian actor who has appeared in film, television and theatre. He is known for his roles as Faramir in The Lord of the Rings (film series), ''The Lord of the Rings'' film trilogy, Friar Carl in ' ...

as Wounded Soldier (uncredited)

Synopsis

Private John (Jack) Simpson was a stretcher bearer during World War I, who went into the line of fire in Gallipoli, rescuing wounded soldiers. In the absence of stretchers, Simpson borrowed a donkey to carry the wounded back to base camp. His deeds of bravery, made him a war hero and an Australian icon.

Episode 3: Vivian Bullwinkle

March 15, 1988. Written by

Anne Brooksbank Anne Mary Brooksbank (born 1943) is an Australian writer. She has written a number of novels as well as scripts for film and TV. She teaches screenwriting at The Australian Film, Television and Radio School, Australian Film Television and Radio ...

. Directed by

Rod Hardy Rod Hardy (born 1949) is an Australian film and television director. Career His interest in film began before the age of 12, when he shot several short films on his brother's 8 mm film camera. Hardy has over 350 hours of credits directing tel ...

Cast

Rachel Ward Rachel Claire Ward (born 12 September 1957) is an English-Australian actress,

as Vivian Bullwinkle * Barry Quinn as Private Kinsley *

Julie Hamilton Julie Hamilton is an Australian actress. She was nominated for the 1987 AFI Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her role in '' The Place at the Coast'' and for a Logie Award for Best Actress for '' I Can Jump Puddles''. Other roles ...

Jo Kennedy Josephine Marghrite Kennedy (born 5 August 1962), known professionally as Jo Kennedy or Joey Kennedy, is an Australian actress, singer, film director, and screenwriter. Her best-known role is her feature debut as Jackie Mullins in the 1982 mus ...

Synopsis

Vivian Bullwinkel Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Statham, ( Bullwinkel; 18 December 1915 – 3 July 2000) was an Australian Army nurse during the Second World War. She was the sole surviving nurse of the Bangka Island Massacre, when the Japanese killed 21 of her fe ...

was a volunteer nurse during World War 2. While being evacuated from Singapore, her ship sank – upon which she was captured and shot by the Japanese occupying Banka Island.

Episode 4: Mary MacKillop

March 22, 1988. Written by

John Misto John Misto (born 13 October 1952) is an Australian playwright and screenwriter. He graduated with an Arts/Law degree from the University of New South Wales, and then practised as a lawyer before changing his career to concentrate on working as a ...

. Directed by Mark Callan.

Cast

Lorna Lesley Lorna Lesley (born 1956, in Kent) is an Australian actress, who has worked extensively in theatre, film and TV during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s period.Mary MacKillop Mary Helen MacKillop RSJ ( in religion Mary of the Cross; 15 January 1842 – 8 August 1909) was an Australian religious sister. She was born in Melbourne but is best known for her activities in South Australia. Together with Fr Julian Teniso ...

Kerry Armstrong Kerry Michelle Armstrong (born 12 September 1958) is an Australian actress and author. She is one of only two actresses to win two Australian Film Institute Awards in the same year, winning Best Actress in a Leading Role for ''Lantana'' and ...

as Matron *

Nicholas Eadie Nicholas Eadie (1958 – 22 January 2025) was an Australian television, film and theatre actor. Early life and education Born in Sydney, New South Wales to actor and Australian Broadcasting Commission radio announcer Mervyn Eadie, he attended ...

* George Whaley

Synopsis

Sister

Mary MacKillop Mary Helen MacKillop RSJ ( in religion Mary of the Cross; 15 January 1842 – 8 August 1909) was an Australian religious sister. She was born in Melbourne but is best known for her activities in South Australia. Together with Fr Julian Teniso ...

founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, a congregation of nuns who established schools and welfare institutions throughout Australasia, with an emphasis on education for the poor. The order put itself outside the control of the local bishop, breeding resentment within areas of the Catholic church.

Episode 5: Lottie Lyell

March 29, 1988. Written by

. Directed by

Ben Lewin Ben Lewin (born 1946) is an Australian Film director, film and television director. Early life and education Ben Lewin was born in Poland. As a child, he emigrated with his family to Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. At the age of six, he con ...

Cast

Lottie Lyell Lottie Lyell (born Charlotte Edith Cox, 23 February 1890 – 21 December 1925) was an Australian actress, screenwriter, film editing, editor and filmmaker. She is regarded as Australia's first film star, and also contributed to the local industr ...

Robert Coleby Robert Coleby (born 1947) is a British actor who has spent most of his career in Australia. Active since the 1970s, he has over 70 film and television credits to his name. Coleby has acted on stage in numerous productions for the Queensland The ...

Raymond Longford Raymond Longford (born John Walter Hollis Longford; 23 September 18782 April 1959) was a prolific Australian film director, writer, producer, and actor during the silent era. Longford was a major director of the silent film era of the Australia ...

* Michelle Fawdon as Melena Longford *

Judi Farr Judith Mary Stuart Farr (5 October 1938 – 30 June 2023), also credited as Judy Farr, was an Australian actress of theatre, film and television, with a career spanning some seven decades, she was best known for several situation comedy roles ...

as Ma (Mrs Lyell) * Joy Hruby as Mrs Whittle *

Jeff Truman Jeffrey Maxwell Truman (4 November 1957 – 2 December 2014) was an Australian film and television screenwriter and actor. Career A member of the Australian Writer Guild for more than 30 years, Truman's television credits include '' Rescue: Sp ...

Arthur Tauchert Arthur Michael Tauchert (pronounced "Torcher") (21 August 1877 – 27 November 1933) was an Australian acrobatic comedian, dancer, singer, film actor, and star of the Australian silent film, ''The Sentimental Bloke'' (1919). Biography Born in t ...

Danny Adcock Danny Adcock is an Australian actor. Career Film and television Adcock has worked extensively in television. After scoring a handful of guest roles, he landed his first film role as a policeman in the Ozploitation film '' The Cars That At ...

Arthur Higgins Arthur Embery Higgins (25 October 189122 September 1963) was a pioneering Australian cinematographer known for his use of trick photography during the silent era. His ongoing collaborations with director Raymond Longford include ''The Sentimen ...

* Peter Adams as Mr Dutton

Synopsis

, widely regarded as Australia's first film star, also worked behind the cameras as a screenwriter, filmmaker, art director, costume designer, editor, and business manager. She significantly contributed to the Australian film industry during the silent era.

Episode 6: Lola Montez

April 5, 1988. Written by

Tony Morphett Anthony David Morphett (10 March 1938 – 2 June 2018) was an Australian screenwriter, who created or co-created many Australian television series, including ''Dynasty (Australian TV series), Dynasty'', ''Certain Women (television series), Cert ...

. Directed by

Ian Gilmour Ian Hedworth John Little Gilmour, Baron Gilmour of Craigmillar, (8 July 1926 – 21 September 2007) was a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom. He was styled Sir Ian Gilmour, 3rd Baronet from 1977, having succeeded to his fat ...

Cast

as Folland *

Peter Whitford Peter Whitford (born 1939) is an Australian former radio, theatre, television and film character actor known for numerous roles particularly as wealthy businessmen and members of the aristocracy. Early life Peter Whitford was born in Adelaide, ...

as Mr Crosby * Pat Thomson as Mrs Crosby *

Bruce Barry Bruce Barry may refer to: * Bruce S. Barry, American television soap opera director and writer * Bruce Barry (actor) (1934–2017), Australian actor and singer {{hndis, Barry, Bruce ...

as Wellesley *

as Harry Seekamp *

Warwick Moss Warwick Tennant Moss is an Australian actor, television personality and presenter and dramatist and playwright as well as New South Wales Premier's Literary Award winning writer for the stage. Early life Moss was born in Sydney and attended N ...

as Captain *

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 ...

as San Francisco doctor * Robyn Forsythe as Auditionee #1

Synopsis

was an internationally renowned singer and dancer, whose world tour included an Australian leg, entertaining miners during the gold rush of the 1850s.

Episode 7: Clyde Fenton

April 12, 1988. Directed by John Power.

Cast

* Scott Burgess as

as Martin *

Bruce Spence Bruce Robert Spence (born 17 September 1945) is a New Zealand-born Australian actor. Spence has amassed over 100 film and television credits and has also acted in theatre. Career Spence won an AFI Award for Best Actor for his role in the 197 ...

as Dr Cecil Cook *

Martin Vaughan Martin Kevin Vaughan (5 June 1931 – October 2022) was an Australian stage, television and film actor and musician. He is best known for appearing in the film ''Phar Lap'' as trainer Harry Telford and the lead role in the award-winning 26-part ...

as Mr Jackson

Synopsis

Clyde Fenton was an exceptional pilot and surgeon, who pioneered the creation of the successful Flying Doctor Service. His valiant efforts made him a hero to the people of the

Northern Territory The Northern Territory (abbreviated as NT; known formally as the Northern Territory of Australia and informally as the Territory) is an states and territories of Australia, Australian internal territory in the central and central-northern regi ...

Episode 8: Jack Davey

April 19, 1987. Written by

Geoffrey Atherden Geoffrey John Atherden , credited also as Geoff Atherden, is an Australian television screenwriter and playwright, especially of comedy. He is best known for creating the sitcom '' Mother and Son''. Early life and education Atherden attended the ...

. Directed by George Whaley.

Cast

Shane Briant Shane Briant (17 August 1946 – 26 May 2021) was an English actor and novelist. Briant studied law at Trinity College Dublin but became a professional actor playing the lead in ''Hamlet'' at the Eblana Theatre, Dublin. Briant is best known fo ...

as Tony Ferguson *

Loene Carmen Loene Carmen (born 1970), better known by stage name Lo Carmen, is an Australian singer-songwriter, musician, music producer, author and actress with multiple albums in the indie rock vein. She records, performs and tours solo or with long tim ...

as Betty Fitzgerald * Syd Conabere as Angus Moore *

John Derum John Bernard Derum (born 9 January 1946) is an Australian stage, film and television actor. He is also an artistic administrator and directed and produced for theatre companies throughout Australia and for television. Derum has also been a poli ...

as Len Mauger *

Les Foxcroft Clement Leslie Foxcroft (19 November 1918 – 24 June 2004) professionally known as Les Foxcroft and credited also as Lester Foxcroft was an Australian character actor with a career spanning over 50 years, working in all major facets of the ...

as The Doctor *

Ron Haddrick Ronald Norman Haddrick (9 April 1929 – 11 February 2020) was an Australian actor, narrator and South Australian cricketer. In 2012, he received the Actors Equity Lifetime Achievement Award for his long and distinguished career in media, span ...

as Tom Stone *

as Gwennie Moore *

Alan David Lee Alan David Lee (born 1955 or 1956) is an Australian actor. Early life Lee grew up on a farm in Kenya before moving to Australia when he was 7. He graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in 1981. When he had initially applie ...

as Arthur Cushing *

as Ced Fitzgerald

Synopsis

Australian singer and radio personality

was one of the first to enter the first around-Australia car rally, the

Redex Trial The Round Australia Trial was a long distance rally (a form of motorsport that takes place on public or private roads), which was run on multiple occasions between 1953 and 1998, circumnavigating Australia. Its early years were tremendously popula ...

, amid a battle with his health.

Episode 9: Betty Cuthbert

April 26, 1988. Written by Denise Morgan. Directed by Kathy Mueller.

Cast

* Helen Mutkins as

Deborah Kennedy :''This is an article about the actress. For the American eco artist and author, see Deborah Kennedy (artist)''. Deborah Kennedy is an Australian character actress recognised for several television and film roles, especially for her appearance ...

as June Ferguson *

Lynette Curran Lynette Curran is an Australian actress known for many roles in Australian television series and films, including the soap opera '' Bellbird'', and the films '' Country Town'' (1971) and ''Bliss'' (1985). Career Theatre She started acting ...

as Mrs Cuthbert * Neil Fitzpatrick as Speaker

Synopsis

was an Australian athlete and a four-time Olympic champion, dubbed Australia's 'Golden Girl'. During her career, she set multiple world records and endeared herself to the sporting world through her talent, courage and positive attitude.

Episode 10: General Gordon Bennett

May 3, 1988. Written by

Cast

as Gordon Bennett * Andrew Lloyde *

Edmund Pegge Edmund Pegge (born 1 April 1939) is an Australian actor, who has worked in both Australia and the United Kingdom. Early life Arriving in Adelaide as a teenager, Pegge completed his education at St Peter's College before graduating from the Na ...

as General Percival

Synopsis

General Gordon Bennett was a highly decorated Australian army general who served in both World War I and World War II. After Singapore fell to the Japanese in 1942, he fled back to Australia, while his men became prisoners of the Imperial Japanese Army. After the war, his escape spurned a Royal Commission and military enquiry.

Episode 11: Soldier Settlers

May 10, 1988. Directed by

George Ogilvie George Buchan Ogilvie (5 March 1931 – 5 April 2020) was a prolific Australian theatre director and actor, who also worked as a director and actor in film and television. He was known for being the founding artistic director of the State Theat ...

Synopsis

Following World Wars I and II, Australian farming estates were divided up into small farms and given to war veterans by the Federal Government, in an effort to populate the Australian inland, including the Durkin Family.

Episode 12: Errol Flynn

May 24, 1988. Written by John Lonie. Directed by Michael Carson.

Cast

* Christopher Stollery as

*Nell Schofield as Scotty * Timothy Conigrave as Cooper-Smith * Terence Donovan as Old Errol *

as Scott Dumaresq *Jeanette Cronin as Irene * Paul Sonkkila as Bill Stubbs *

Deidre Rubenstein Deidre Rubenstein (born 1948) is a Jewish-Australian screen and theatre actress, dramatist and playwright, well known for her performance in Australian soap operas and main stage dramatic roles. Early life Rubenstein graduated from the Nationa ...

as Nance

Synopsis

was an Australian actor who achieved international fame during Hollywood's Golden Age, and was particularly known for his romantic swashbuckler roles.

Episode 13: John Norton

May 17, 1988.

Cast

as John Norton *

Bartholomew John Bartholomew John (born 24 August 1952 in Christchurch, New Zealand) is an actor best known for his roles on television in America and Australia. In 1974, his single "Someone" peaked at number 75 in Australia. Career John has worked as a profess ...

as Dick Meagher * James Lovell as

Ezra Norton Ezra Norton (8 April 1897 – 4 January 1967) was an Australian newspaper baron and businessman. Early life Norton was born in the Sydney suburb of Watsons Bay, son of the proprietor of ''Truth'', John Norton (1858–1916) and Ada McGrath (187 ...

Synopsis

John Norton was a journalist, editor and one of Australia's earliest and most successful newspaper barons. His ambitious nature saw him elected to the New South Wales Parliament three times, and he was considered one of Australia's most controversial public figures.

References

External links

*
Australians
at the Australian Television Information Archive 1988 Australian television series debuts Australian Broadcasting Corporation original programming {{Australia-tv-prog-stub

Episodes

Episode 1: Les Darcy

Cast

Synopsis

Episode 2: Private John Simpson

Cast

Synopsis

Episode 3: Vivian Bullwinkle

Cast

Synopsis

Episode 4: Mary MacKillop

Cast

Synopsis

Episode 5: Lottie Lyell

Cast

Synopsis

Episode 6: Lola Montez

Cast

Synopsis

Episode 7: Clyde Fenton

Cast

Synopsis

Episode 8: Jack Davey

Cast

Synopsis

Episode 9: Betty Cuthbert

Cast

Synopsis

Episode 10: General Gordon Bennett

Cast

Synopsis

Episode 11: Soldier Settlers

Synopsis

Episode 12: Errol Flynn

Cast

Synopsis

Episode 13: John Norton

Cast

Synopsis

See also

References

External links