''RAN (Remote Area Nurse)'' is an Australian

television program A television show, TV program (), or simply a TV show, is the general reference to any content produced for viewing on a television set that is broadcast via Terrestrial television, over-the-air, Satellite television, satellite, and cable te ...

(drama series) that aired on SBS on 5 January 2006. The series was filmed entirely on Masig Island (Yorke Island) in the

tropical The tropics are the regions of Earth surrounding the equator, where the sun may shine directly overhead. This contrasts with the temperate or polar regions of Earth, where the Sun can never be directly overhead. This is because of Earth's ax ...

Torres Strait The Torres Strait (), also known as Zenadh Kes ( Kalaw Lagaw Ya#Phonology 2, �zen̪ad̪ kes, is a strait between Australia and the Melanesian island of New Guinea. It is wide at its narrowest extent. To the south is Cape York Peninsula, ...

north of the

Cape York Peninsula The Cape York Peninsula is a peninsula located in Far North Queensland, Australia. It is the largest wilderness in northern Australia.Mittermeier, R.E. et al. (2002). Wilderness: Earth's last wild places. Mexico City: Agrupación Sierra Madre, ...

, the northernmost part of Australia (State of

Queensland Queensland ( , commonly abbreviated as Qld) is a States and territories of Australia, state in northeastern Australia, and is the second-largest and third-most populous state in Australia. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Austr ...

), and the border with

Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea, officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is an island country in Oceania that comprises the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and offshore islands in Melanesia, a region of the southwestern Pacific Ocean n ...

. This is an important series to

Torres Strait Islanders Torres Strait Islanders ( ) are the Indigenous Melanesians, Melanesian people of the Torres Strait Islands, which are part of the state of Queensland, Australia. Ethnically distinct from the Aboriginal Australians, Aboriginal peoples of the res ...

, but also to the predominantly Anglo Australian community as it highlights the difference between Islanders and mainland

Indigenous Australians Indigenous Australians are people with familial heritage from, or recognised membership of, the various ethnic groups living within the territory of contemporary Australia prior to History of Australia (1788–1850), British colonisation. The ...

and the interactions between Islander and Anglo culture. Islander actors and extras are extensively used. The series was released on DVD on 20 February 2006.

Outline

First aired in early 2006 on Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) television, it follows the life of Helen Tremain (

Susie Porter Susie Porter (born 1970 or 1971) is an Australian television, film and theatre actress. She made her debut in the 1996 film '' Idiot Box'', before rising to prominence in films including '' Paradise Road'' (1997), '' Welcome to Woop Woop'' (1997 ...

), the Remote Area Nurse, charged with providing medical services to the remote

community.

Drama

The drama comes from the RAN's necessarily close association with the island Chairman, Russ Gaibui ( Charles Passi), and his extensive and somewhat

dysfunctional family In psychology, abnormality (also dysfunctional behavior, maladaptive behavior, or deviant behavior) is a behavioral characteristic assigned to those with conditions that are regarded as dysfunctional. Behavior is considered to be abnormal when i ...

of wife Ina and grown children Eddie, Solomon, Paul (adopted), Nancy and Faith (adopted) and their families and friends, and other characters on the island including some white Australians. The season of six episodes covers topics such as: whites fitting into an Islander culture;

alcohol Alcohol may refer to: Common uses * Alcohol (chemistry), a class of compounds * Ethanol, one of several alcohols, commonly known as alcohol in everyday life ** Alcohol (drug), intoxicant found in alcoholic beverages ** Alcoholic beverage, an alco ...

misuse and smuggling in Islander communities; family hostility and love; outsider influence on island life; family tension, life and death; seasons in the tropics and the effect on people, marriage and family.

Accuracy

The series is portrayed as telling true stories. Many of the idioms of the drama come from local situations. Islanders speak among themselves in their local dialect with

subtitle Subtitles are texts representing the contents of the audio in a film, television show, opera or other audiovisual media. Subtitles might provide a transcription or translation of spoken dialogue. Although naming conventions can vary, caption ...

s provided for the wider television audience. While non-Islanders can only guess at the accuracy of the portrayal, many

extra Extra, Xtra, or The Extra may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Film * The Extra (1962 film), ''The Extra'' (1962 film), a Mexican film * The Extra (2005 film), ''The Extra'' (2005 film), an Australian film Literature * Extra (newspaper), ...

s are Islanders and that there was significant assistance from locals in the production.

Cast

- Helen Tremain (Remote Area Nurse) - Logie winner (Best Actress), 2007 * Charles Passi - Russ Gaibui (island Chairman) *Billy Mitchell - Robert Henry Hoffman (Robbo) (barge operator) *

Luke Carroll Luke Carroll is an Australian stage, television, and film actor. He is known for his role in the television drama '' The Alice'' (2005), and as a host of the children's program '' Play School''. Early life and education Luke Carroll was born in ...

- Paul Gaibui (son of Russ and Ina) *Margaret Harvey - Nancy Gaibui (daughter of Russ and Ina, mother of Faith) * Merwez Whaleboat - Bernadette (de facto wife of Paul Gaigui, mother of two daughters) *

Jimi Bani Jimi Bani is an Indigenous Australian actor, known for his portrayal of land rights activist Eddie Mabo in the 2012 tele-movie '' Mabo'', several television series, and theatre performances. Early life and education A Torres Strait Islander ...

- Solomon Gaibui (second and favoured son of Russ and Ina, husband of Lindy and father of Grace; island quarantine officer) *

Aaron Fa'aoso Aaron Fa'aoso is an Australian actor, screenwriter and producer, known for his roles in ''East West 101'', ''The Straits'' (which he also wrote and produced) and ''Black Comedy (TV series), Black Comedy''. He established Lonestar Productions in ...

- Eddie Gaibui (first son of Russ and Ina;

black sheep In the English language, black sheep is an idiom that describes a member of a group who is different from the rest, especially a family member who does not fit in. The term stems from sheep whose fleece is colored black rather than the more comm ...

, but a

Christian A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...

minister; lives off-island, but visits) *Serai Zaro - Ina Gaibui (wife of Russ, mother to the clan; quiet, patient, loving and kind; but, capable) *

Peta Brady Peta Brady (born 1972) is an Australian actress, known for her role as Cody Willis in ''Neighbours''. Early life Brady first gravitated towards acting and writing during her high school years, where she wrote some scenes for a school producti ...

- Lindy Gaibui (white wife of Solomon, mother of Grace) *Belford Lui - Mick Gaibui (brother of Russ, island

police The police are Law enforcement organization, a constituted body of Law enforcement officer, people empowered by a State (polity), state with the aim of Law enforcement, enforcing the law and protecting the Public order policing, public order ...

man and

church Church may refer to: Religion * Church (building), a place/building for Christian religious activities and praying * Church (congregation), a local congregation of a Christian denomination * Church service, a formalized period of Christian comm ...

deacon A deacon is a member of the diaconate, an office in Christian churches that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. Major Christian denominations, such as the Cathol ...

) *Louisa Taylor - Myrtle (mother of Jesus; low mental ability; can be a friend to everyone) *Santa Marina Rodgers - Mrs Augustus (mother of Doug and Ina; former midwife; community elder) *Moses Kaddy - Doug Augustus (son of Mrs and brother of Ina;

schizophrenic Schizophrenia () is a mental disorder characterized variously by hallucinations (typically, Auditory hallucination#Schizophrenia, hearing voices), delusions, thought disorder, disorganized thinking and behavior, and Reduced affect display, f ...

; lovable rogue) *Norah Bagiri - Lucy (mother of Daniel, Joey and Jesus (adopted); health worker with the RAN) *Fred Kebisu - Amos (island child) *

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 ...

- Vince (brother of George; white "entrepreneur", bar owner and "shady" character) *

John Brumpton John Brumpton (born 28 July 1958) is an Australian actor who has appeared in a large number of local productions. Early life Brumpton grew up in Sydney. He graduated from the University of New South Wales in 1982 with a Bachelor of Survey ...

- George (brother of Vince; white "entrepreneur", bar owner and "shady" character) *

Felix Williamson Felix Williamson (born 29 May 1969) is an Australian actor. Early life Williamson is the stepson of playwright David Williamson. From age 13–17, he trained at the Australian Theatre for Young People in Sydney, Australia, learning the foundat ...

- Dr John Bourke (fly-in medical

doctor Doctor, Doctors, The Doctor or The Doctors may refer to: Titles and occupations * Physician, a medical practitioner * Doctor (title), an academic title for the holder of a doctoral-level degree ** Doctorate ** List of doctoral degrees awarded b ...

) *Gabriel Ingui - Tuuks (bored islander)

Crew

Penny Chapman Penny Chapman is an Australian television producer. Her work includes the award-winning '' Brides of Christ,'' '' RAN Remote Area Nurse'' and ''My Place''. Penny received the Maura Fay Award for Services to the Industry at the 2013 Screen Produc ...

- Producer *

David Caesar David Caesar (born 1963) is an Australian television and film director and writer. He grew up in Turlinjah on the south coast of NSW and attended school in nearby Moruya where he was school captain in his senior year. Caesar graduated from the ...

- Director *

Catriona McKenzie Catriona McKenzie is an Australian filmmaker. She is known for her film '' Satellite Boy'' and television series '' Kiki and Kitty'' (written by Nakkiah Lui) and '' Wrong Kind of Black''. Her production company is called Dark Horse. Early life ...

- Director *Helen Pankhurst - Co-Producer *John Alsop - Writer (Ep 1 & 2) *Alice Addison - Writer (Ep 3 & 4) * Sue Smith - Writer (Ep 5 & 6) *George Mye - Cultural Consultant (Islander, from Erub (Darnley) Island; long-time member of local government, and

ATSIC The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) (1990–2005) was the Australian Government body through which Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders were formally involved in the processes of government affecting thei ...

Commissioner) *Robyn White - Medical Consultant (nurse; since 1992, a Torres Strait remote area nurse, currently on Masig Island) *

David Bridie David Ross Hope Bridie is an Australian contemporary musician and songwriter. He was a founding mainstay member of world music band Not Drowning, Waving which released six studio albums to critical acclaim. He also formed a chamber pop group, ...

- Music Producer *Ian Jones - Director of Photography *Jon Rohde - Production Designer *Greg Apps - Casting Director *Shawn Seet - Film Editor

Episodes

Awards

The show and cast have won several awards, and been nominated in many more. Below is just some of the wins and nominations. ;At the 2006

Australian Film Institute Awards The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards, known as the AACTA Awards, are presented annually by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). The awards recognise excellence in the film and television industr ...

, the show won 3 awards: * Best Screenplay: Sue Smith (for the fifth episode) * Best Actress in a Drama:

* Best Series ;At the 2007

Logies The TV Week Logie Awards (known colloquially as The Logies) is an annual ceremony celebrating and honouring the best shows and stars in Australian television, sponsored and organised by the magazine ''TV Week''. The event is telecast live and b ...

, the show won 1 Award: * Most Outstanding Actress:

;Nominated in two other categories: * Most Outstanding Drama Series, Miniseries or Telemovie * Most Outstanding New Talent:

References

External links

*
AFI Awards
{{AACTA Award TeleFilmMiniSeries 1990–2009 APRA Award winners 2000s Australian drama television series Special Broadcasting Service original programming Australian medical television series Television shows set in Queensland 2006 Australian television series debuts Indigenous Australian television series