australian television information archive

Ulli Birve as Helen Virtue

A former banker, Helen moved back to Emu Springs with her son Harry after the death of her husband Warwick. Returning to the place where she grew up, life in the country has given Helen a satisfying twist in her career… and love life.

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An honours graduate in drama from Flinders University, Ulli has a significant stage background both in Australia and Europe which has lead her through short films to feature films and television, with appearances in the Bill Bennett directed Kiss or Kill, Territorians, Lust and Revenge, The Life of Harry Dare, Bad Boy Bubby, and The Shiralee.

Colin Moody as Tom Dooley

Following several defamation suits and a "nervous breakdown", notorious ex-Sydney talk back radio king Tom Dooley — aka "The Golden Tonsils" — chose Emu Springs as his hiding place. As a fallen star arriving in Emu Springs, Tom's pesky attitude alienated the locals, but Emu Springs doesn't easily hold a grudge; Tom Dooley has found some shelter under the town's protective wing.

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Since graduating from NIDA in the early 90s, and with an impressive CV of theatrical roles to his credit, Colin has also played many roles in both film and television. Colins television credits read like a who's who of Australian TV and include A Country Practice, The Flying Doctors, G.P., Law of the Land, Big Sky, Wildside and the acclaimed mini-series Leaving of Liverpool.

Danielle Carter as Sally Sabatini

A born-and-bred Emu Springs girl, Sally loves Tale Farm and being married to Joe. A deep thinker who's always on the go, she's an eternal optimist. An unfounded pregnancy has made her less ambivalent about having children and the birth of Allie Rutherford sends her maternal instinct through the roof.

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Having graduated from the world renowned National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in 1993, Danielle Carter has appeared in a stellar line-up of Australia's best television dramas including Neighbours, GP, Home and Away, Pacific Drive, Murder Call, Flipper, Fearless, and Beastmaster. However, Danielle's global notoriety has come from her feisty character role as registered nurse Bree Dalrymple in the international top-selling program, Adrenalin Junkies.

Eric Bana as Joe Sabatini (I)

Eric Bana began his career on the arduous Australian stand-up circuit before breaking into television in 1993 on the Artist Services produced comedy series Full Frontal. In 1996 Eric was voted Australia's Most Eligible Bachelor and was also rewarded with his own television show, Eric, which rated very well and was a credit to Bana, who wrote, co-produced and starred in the series. Bana's growing national celebrity resulted in a feature role in 1997s most popular Australian film, The Castle, where he played the memorable character, Con. In the same year Eric won the Logie Award for Most Popular Comedy Performer. Recent projects include the acclaimed feature Chopper, The Nugget and Black Hawk Down. Eric recently signed to star in the upcoming Incredible Hulk motion picture.

Kate Fitzpatrick as Julia Rutherford

Born on the right side of the Emu Springs railway line, Julia is easily one of the most glamorous women in Emu Springs but is also a hands-on Merino woolgrower. While Doug's away in Canberra, Julia runs their substantial property, Merinda.

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Kate Fitzpatrick has acted extensively in Australian film, theatre and television, appearing in some twenty films and more than forty plays since graduating from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). Her television appearances include All Saints, Murder Call, Boney, and Dogs Head Bay. Kate has also appeared in many English productions including Emmerdale - The Dingles Down for Yorkshire Television and The Trial for the BBC. She has also written two short films for England's Channel 4. Kate has also worked as a print feature writer and film & television scriptwriter; having worked for many years as a speech writer for the New South Wales Arts Minister. She has served two terms on the board of NIDA, is currently the Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Noosa Film Festival and was recently awarded the Queens Jubilee Medal for Services to Theatre. Currently, Kate is working on two commissioned books and an American television series.

Frank Holden as Stuart McGregor

Stuart McGregor runs the Emu Springs Station Hotel. A thrice-divorced ex-cop, he ventured down south when the investigative broom swept through the NSW Police force. There's a hint of shadiness in his background, but so far it hasn't caught up with him.

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Frank Holden is one of Australia's most versatile and popular actors, at ease in either drama or comedy situations. His show business career began in the mid-70s as lead singer with one of Australia's most successful recording bands, Ol' 55. Franks acting career has grown over two decades and he has created some of Australia's most memorable characters through long running television series such as Embassy and Police Rescue.

Franks roles in more than thirty local and international films are equally as memorable and have included The Odd Angry Shot, Evil Angels, The Big Steal and his most recent film role Fortunes of War opposite Martin Sheen. Franks respect and admiration within the Australian film and television industry has seen him host his own live variety show, In Melbourne Tonight and MC the prestigious Australian Film Institute Awards on three separate occasions. After being nominated for a Best Actor Award at the AFIs for the film Return Home, in 1989, two years later Frank won the AFI Award along with the Australian Television Society Award in the same year for Best Actor in the telemovie Police Crop.

Anne Phelan as Monica Taylor

Mon is the eyes and ears of Emu Springs. Owner of the General Store, she's shrewd and astute yet has a homey, salt-of-the-earth nature. She believes her adoptive family, the Donnellys, are founders of Emu Springs - although that's hotly challenged by Julia who thinks her grandfather Thomas Crawford discovered the town.

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Anne's versatility as an actress and singer has allowed her to work in all aspects of the industry for the past 30 years, including TV, stage, film and radio. Anne has performed in over 40 plays and has been awarded several Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress awards highlighted by her Variety Club Actress of the Year Award in 1987 and her AFI Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 1988 for her performance in the mini-series, Poor Mans Orange. Anne's impressive list of television credits includes both dramatic and comedy roles in Neighbours, Good Guys Bad Guys, Blue Heelers, Law of the Land, G.P., The Man from Snowy River, Mother & Son, The Flying Doctors, Prisoner, and Bellbird. Anne has also recently been cast in a support role for another Beyond Simpson Le Mesurier production, the telemovie series Dogwoman.

Jeremy Lindsay Taylor as Ryan Cassidy

Before Tom Dooley drove into town, twenty year old Ryan, a natural radio talent, was the only full-time announcer at 3ES. Grateful for the opportunity to learn from the master, Ryan watched and listened. He has the flair that could take him to the top, but Ryan wants to live his life in Emu Springs.

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A drama major graduate from Newcastle University, Jeremy Lindsay Taylor is a young actor with an impressive resume of theatre acting including lead roles in Romeo & Juliet, Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf, and Ordinary Man. Jeremy has already appeared in two quality Australian dramas, namely Heartbreak High and another Beyond Simpson Le Mesurier production, the top rating adult drama series, Stingers where he played the role of Rory Barnes.

Thomas Blackburne as Harry Virtue

Harry once had a ferret named Puberty, loves 70s Aussie rock music, likes drawing cartoons, has considered becoming a priest and swears he gets weird ghostly messages from the universe.

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Twelve-year-old Thomas Blackburne has been acting since before he can remember, having appeared literally as a babe in arms in the short film Aya. More recently, the red-head, freckle faced Thomas has appeared in television programs, Blue Heelers, Neighbours, State Coroner, and Seachange as well as this years feature film Nigel.

Mariel McClorey as Megan McGregor

Megan sees every situation as an opportunity. Biding her time in Emu Springs working at 3ES as a cart-tart and trainee radio announcer, the ambitious 18 year old has her eyes set on a big radio career in the city. But she can't ignore the fact that there's something comforting about being a big fish in a small pond. She also pulls beers at her dad's pub.

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Mariel McClorey is a diversely trained actress whose career includes many stage roles in productions of classics such as Macbeth, Taming of the Shrew, and Cosi. Mariel's recent film and television appearances include Wildside and First Daughter on the small screen and Grace, Me Myself I and the critically acclaimed and multi AFI Award (1999) nominated feature film, Two Hands.

Melita Jurisic as Dr. Eva Petrovska

A thorough doctor, versed in not only Western medicine, but the more esoteric and Eastern practices. Great bedside manner.

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Stage, screen and radio performer, Melita Jurisic is a multi-talented and multi-award winning actress, including the International Critics Prize for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival in 1987 for her role as Ruby Rose in film The Tale of Ruby Rose. Melita's feature film appearances also include those in The Sound of One Hand Clapping and Transatlantic. Her television roles have been in Mercury along side Geoffrey Rush, Bordertown and The Flying Doctors, wherein as suitable to this new role, Melita played a doctor. Melita's stage success has seen her nominated for a Green Room Best Actress Award three times, winning on two occasions and nominated for Best Support Actress twice and winning once.

Roger Oakley as Doug Rutherford

The local senator with a few skeletons - and frocks - in his closet, Doug Rutherford is a cross-dresser. He's also crossed the political floor and since disagreeing with his party on several rural issues, Doug has become an Independent.

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Multi-lingual Roger Oakley has appeared in literally dozens of stage and television productions (in both Australia & New Zealand) and several films over his impressive career. Rogers regular television roles have included characters in Halifax f.p., Good Guys Bad Guys, G.P., State Coroner, Home & Away, and The Sullivans, plus many more guest roles in programs such as The Flying Doctors, A Country Practice, Carsons Law, Cop Shop, Young Doctors, and Sons & Daughters. Roger has won two Green Room Awards for his stage performances including Best Drama Performance by an Actor in 1996 and Best Supporting Actor in 1992.

Steve Adams as Father Briann O'Rourke

Catholic Priest and Teacher. Tall, dark and too handsome for his own good. Hobbies include football and as a result, tribunal hearings.

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Steve Adams is an extensively trained actor who holds amongst many other credentials a BA in drama (performance) from Flinders University. Steve has had vast experience in theatre including Kiss of the Spiderwoman and Gallipoli the musical, whilst his film and television credits include Blue Heelers, Strange Fits of Passion, The New Adventures of Black Beauty, Janus, and Bigger than Tina. Steve also won a Best Actor award for his role in Cabbie of the Year.

Ray Barrett as Len Taylor

A cranky old bloke with a heart of gold. But mostly a cranky old bloke.

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Easily one of Australia's most recognised faces, veteran Ray Barrett has been acting since the early 50s and in 1995 his efforts were recognised with a Kodak Eastman Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Film Industry and was also awarded an Honorary Membership of The Australian Cinematographers Society. In an enviable international career in theatre, film and television, Ray Barrett will be renowned for his roles in Dons Party, The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith (Best Supporting Actor, AFI Awards 1966), Goodbye Paradise (Best Actor, AFI Awards 1982), Blood Oath, Hotel Sorrento (Best Supporting Actor, AFI Awards 1995), Brilliant Lies (AFI Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor 1996) and In the Winter Dark (AFI Award nomination for Best Actor 1998). Rays television career began in 1959 and includes appearances in Dr. Who, Barlow, The Flying Doctors G.P., Bordertown, Corelli, and Adrenalin Junkies. Ray Barretts autobiography was published in 1995 by Random House.

Vince Colosimo as Joe Sabatini (II)

Vince Colosimo replaced Eric Bana as Joe Sabatini in week 62 (episode 203, July 28, 2001)

Joe Sabatini is a battler. He's committed to Tale Farm, Sally, his Emu Springs mates and the local footy team. Since becoming the Springs' Farmers Associate President he's discovered a knack for politics he never knew he had.

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Since graduating from Victorian College of the Arts in 1987, Colosimo has established himself as a sought-after actor. Whilst still a teenager, he starred in the features Moving Out and Street Hero. For the latter he received a Best Actor AFI nomination and for Moving Out was voted Best New Talent by the Sydney Film Critics' Circle. In the years since, Vince has amassed a lengthy list of theatrical and television credits. On television, Colosimo has appeared in Home and Away, Law Of The Land, A Country Practice, Good Guys Bad Guys and Halifax fp. He has amassed a bevy of stage credits with roles in Melbourne Theatre Company productions of A Streetcar Named Desire, Summer Of The Aliens, Othello, A View From The Bridge and The Club amongst many others. Colosimo has most recently starred in the films The Wogboy, Chopper, and Lantana.

Nina Liu as Dr. Annie Young

Emu Springs is Dr Annie Young's first stop after finishing Medical School. Dr Eva Petrovska's replacement, some of the locals will take a while to warm to the new medico — others will be smitten by her.

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Nina has choreographic experience and extensive training in dance, having received awards and scholarships. Her professional credits include Clara Law's feature film Floating Life, Richard Lowenstein's Ghost Story, a regular lead in television series Heartbreak High and roles in Big Sky, Wildside and Water Rats. WAAPA credits include Vera in A Month in the Country, Cassius in Julius Caesar, Snout in The Popular Mechanicals, Esmeralda in Camino Real, choreographer of the dumbshow in Hamlet.

Sullivan Stapleton as Wayne Taylor

After spending the last three years in jail for stealing cars, Wayne returns to Emu Springs and is keen to get back on track. Trouble, however, seems to follow him - or at least that's what people are prone to think.

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Sullivan Stapleton trained at St Martin's Theatre and studied drama and theatre at Sandringham Secondary College, one of Melbourne's most prominent performing arts schools and it was there that he caught the eye of film maker Tony Mahood who cast him in the supporting role of Chris in River Street in 1995. In addition to River Street, Stapleton has appeared in several short films and dramas, including the leading role in the low budget feature Baby Bath Massacre. Stapleton's previous television work includes Blue Heelers, State Coroner, Good Guys Bad Guys, Halifax f.p. and Neighbours (incidentally, Sullivan is the brother of Neighbours star Jacinta Stapleton).