australian television information archive

Dams, Schemes and Damn Schemes

Episode 1
September 08, 1993
Story by Roger Simpson
Written by Roger Simpson
Directed by Paul Moloney

A massive Snowy Authority hydroelectric project changes the Logans' lives.

Starring: Lucy Bell as Kate Logan, Bernard Curry as Michael Logan, Rebecca Gibney as Lilian Anderson, Jochen Horst as Wolfie Heimer, Annie Jones as Eva Kovac, William McInnes as Max Heimer [and newsreel voiceover], Neil Melville as Jack Logan, Charlie Powles as Bernie O'Donnell, Catherine Wilkin as Molly Logan, Bill Kerr as Stuart McLachlan

With: Alan Fletcher as Harry Jarvis, Peter McCauley as Kendall, Peter Hardy as Pokey, John Raaen as Wally, Olav Schappacher as Farmer Volkering, Julie Day as Frau Volkering, Colin Duckworth as Governor General, Colwyn Roberts as Jonesie, Denis Rebic as Russian Sergeant, Ron Scheppers as Russian Solder, Asher Keddie as Young Girl, Peter Curtin as Voice of Older Michael

Mick's Cafe

Episode 2
September 08, 1993
Story by Roger Simpson
Written by Vince Gil
Directed by Paul Moloney

It is 1951 and the Scheme is still in the planning stages but the small township of Cooma is beginning to attract new arrivals and sooner or later, they all find their way to Mick's Café. Molly and Jack's daughter Kate returns home from Sydney unexpectedly and catches the eye of engineer Gordon King. School teacher Lilian Anderson arrives in Cooma and makes an immediate impression on Michael. East German refugees Wolfie and Eva get married before he and Max leave for Australia to work on the project. Eva will have to wait two years to join them.©tzuk

With: Brett Climo as Gordon, Wynn Roberts as Alf Rutherford, Wanda Lee Jackson as Marlene, Brian Davison as Leroy, Colwyn Roberts as Jonesie, Jon Craig as Jesse, Todd Wordon as Lou, Dawn Clinberg as Old Woman, Rids Van Der Zee as Minister, Christopher Lyons as Child, Peter Curtin as Voice of Older Michael; Band Members: Alan Gregor, Fred Hosking, Damyan Wilson, Brian Czempinski; Stunt Doubles: Lance Anderson, John Baird, Wally Dalton, Ken Grant, Chris Peters, Jerry Tulk, Luke Taylor

Beware Of Snakes And Spiders

Episode 3
September 09, 1993
Story by Roger Simpson
Written by David Boutland
Directed by Paul Moloney

A new policeman, Bernie O'Donnell arrives in Cooma prepared to stamp out the ethnic tension that is causing fights in the camps. Lilian shows a special interest in Michael's writing ability and the first meeting between Wolfie and Michael is not an auspicious beginning.

With: Zlatko Kasamovic as Yugoslav, Wynn Roberts as Alf Rutherford, Peter Hardy as Pokey, Michael Bishop as Les, Rosalind Hammond as Jill, Colwyn Roberts as Jonesie, Peter Green as Aussie Foreman, Stephen Scully as Cook, Jonah Keck as German Worker, Les James as Taxi Driver, David Ashton as Truck Driver, Tony Vandenberg as Dutchman, Anita Paul as Aussie Girl, Peter Leerson as Squeeze Box Player, Peter Curtin as Voice of Older Michael, Russell Allan as Stunt Double, John Baird as Stunt Double

The Belly of the Beast

Episode 4
September 16, 1993
Story by Roger Simpson
Written by Roger Simpson & Graeme Koetsveld
Directed by Paul Moloney

Rebellious and full of mischief, Wolfie has a big influence over Michael. Jack and Molly are concerned about their son's new-found friendship. Their fears are realised when Bernie informs them Wolfie has been charged with assaulting a young local girl.

With: Elise McCredie as Jenny Ballard, Michael Bishop as Les Tremain, Tom Davis as Casey, Lisa Taylor as Rosie, Scott Lucey as Herman, Zlatko Kasamovic as Yugoslav, Rosalind Hammond as Jill, Adam Briscomb as Detective, Barbara Burder as Mrs Ballard, Peter Green as Aussie Foreman, Justin Kennedy as Ray, Troy Beckwith as Steve, Matt Van Oosterom as Alan, Tony Vandenberg as Dutchman, Jonah Keck as German Worker, Jenna Cay as Young Woman, Peter Curtin as Voice of Older Michael, Russell Allan as Stunt Double

Shadows In The Dark

Episode 5
September 23, 1993
Story by Roger Simpson
Written by David Allen
Directed by Paul Moloney

Wolfie encourages Michael's infatuation with Lilian, his teacher, while Stuart has a falling out with Alf. At the camp, serious accusations are made against Max who faces deportation by the authorities — and even harsher treatment from his workmates who suffered under the Germans during the war.

With: Petru Gheorghiu as Piotr, Wynn Roberts as Alf, Lisa Taylor as Rosie, Stephen Curry as Ginger, Peter Green as Aussie Foreman, Stephen Scully as Cook, Jonah Keck as German Worker, Tony Vandenberg as Dutchman, James Benedict as Young Max, Frank Nucara as US Soldier, Glen Broadbent as US Soldier, Peter Curtin as Voice of Older Michael; Wally Dalton as Stunt Double, Arthur Hoadley as Stunt Double, Russell Allan as Stunt Double

Blood Rush

Episode 6
September 30, 1993
Story by Roger Simpson
Written by Peter Kinloch
Directed by Paul Moloney

A developing friendship between Wolfie and Kate makes everyone uneasy. The Snowy is beginning to reveal its ugly side with gamblers in the camps and cattle thieves in the mountains — events which combine to provide Stuart with a fateful opportunity to exact vengeance for the death of his sons.

With: Gary Day as Charlie Gillespie, Greg Carroll as Ecka, Chris Stevenson as Fitzy, Stanislaw Jablonski as Vass, Michael Bishop as Les Tremain, Julian Branagan as Thommo, Rosalind Hammond as Jill, Colwyn Roberts as Jonesie, Stephen Scully as Cook, Jonah Keck as German Worker, Peter Curtin as Voice of Older Michael; Stunt Doubles: Russell Allan, Szumai Anderson, Lance Anderson, Wally Dalton, Arthur Hoadley, Ken Grant, Luke Taylor, Mark Fry

Lilian

Episode 7
October 07, 1993
Story by Roger Simpson
Written by Katherine Thomson
Directed by Paul Moloney

As Bernie tries to piece together the events surrounding the shooting, Wolfie lies in a coma from which he may not recover.aa Michael is devastated when the truth behind Wolfie's shooting is finally revealed and Lilian, herself alienated by small town attitudes, reaches out to comfort him.

With: Geoff Paine as Geoff Williams, John Jacobs as Detective Pearson, Rosalind Hammond as Jill, Colwyn Roberts as Jonesie, Joanie Thomas as Mrs Doncaster, Petru Gheorghiu as Piotr, Stephen Scully as Cook, Jonah Keck as German Worker, Peter Curtin as Voice of Older Michael, Lance Anderson as Stunt Double

Song of the Siren

Episode 8
October 14, 1993
Story by Roger Simpson
Written by Vince Gil
Directed by Ian Gilmour

Stuart's arrest divides the community and scandal is brewing over Michael and Lilian's love affair. Kate nurses Wolfie back to health but he is deeply depressed by the forthcoming hearing. Michael tries to reach some understanding with Wolfie. To avoid dismissal Lilian takes a job out of town and Max tries to hide the truth about Wolfie from Eva.

With: Steve Jacobs as George Blessed, Joan Murray as Matron Scanlon, Emma Wibrow as Beverly, Bruce Knappett as Nev, Richard Young as McIntyre, Peter Curtin as Voice of Older Michael; Eddie McShortall as Stunt Double, Chris Wilson as Stunt Double

Sweetheart, Sweet Oblivion

Episode 9
October 21, 1993
Story by Roger Simpson
Written by Robyn Sinclair
Directed by Ian Gilmour

The court finds Stuart has a case to answer and sends him for trial. Michael goes to Lilian and she urges him to make peace with Wolfie, but Wolfie disappears mysteriously. A strike is threatened and Molly pressures the Authority to improve the worker's conditions. Max continues his letters to Eva compounding the lie.

With: Denis Moore as Henderson, John Flaus as Bert Gibson, Giordano Gangl as Paolo, Vanessa Ready as Understanding Woman, Peter Curtin as Voice of Older Michael; Stunt Doubles: Russell Allan, Reg Roordink, Alf Scibilia, Ken Grant, Megan Taylor

High Claim, Higher Title

Episode 10
October 28, 1993
Story by Roger Simpson
Written by David Boutland
Directed by Ian Gilmour

Michael stands by Stuart as he is found guilty and sentenced to five years imprisonment. Molly and Michael have problems to resolve with the lease while Michael organises opposition to the Authority after cattle die due to their negligence. Max excitedly reveals that a close friend is arriving from Germany.

With: Cliff Ellen as Ces Brookes, Peter McCauley as Kendall, Peter Hardy as Pokey, Bruce Alexander as Wellings, Denis Moore as Henderson, Shauna McEwan as Lorna, Joan Murray as Matron Scanlon, Mark Perren-Jones as Wellings Assistant, Rosalind Hammond as Jill, Stunt Doubles: Lea Reid, Russell Allan, Ken Grant, Milan Perkins, Mick Berryman, Megan Taylor, Wally Dalton, Eddie McShortall, Dave Westlake

Codes of Conduct

Episode 11
November 04, 1993
Story by Roger Simpson
Written by David Allen
Directed by Ian Gilmour

In an effort to get closer to Max, still under suspicion for Wolfie's disappearance, Bernie asks him to help in his efforts to rid the camps of their criminal elements. Kate and Bernie go to Island Bend and end up in trouble, spending the night in the bush together. Eva arrives from Germany and is devastated to discover that Wolfie is missing.

With: Gary Day as Charlie Gillespie, Arthur Angel as Salvatore, Vince D'Amico as Vincente, Greg Carroll as Ecka, Chris Stevenson as Fitzy, Rosalind Hammond as Jill, Zlatko Kasamovic as Yugoslav, Ilya Djukic as Jan, Jim Daly as Venables, Norman Steiner as Paymaster, Roberto Micale as Joe, Julian Branigan as Thommo, Joe De Martino as Migrant #1, Emily Robinson as Nurse #1, Peter Curtin as Voice of Older Michael; Russell Allan as Stunt Double, Rainey Carah as Stunt Double

Love's Rocky Road

Episode 12
November 11, 1993
Story by Roger Simpson
Written by Mac Gudgeon
Directed by Ian Gilmour

Max tells Eva what Wolfie was really like but Eva doesn't want to hear. The men are being pushed day and night and accidents on the Scheme are not infrequent. Kate is shocked to learn that Eva and Wolfie are married. Jack shocks the family when he announces he is putting the hotel up for sale.

With: Simon Palomares as Manolo, Jerry Gill as Norm, Jacek Koman as Jenda, Robert Forza as Miguel, Sally Anne Upton as Cook, Paul Hampton as Mr Norris, Roger Neave as Doctor, Melanie Beddie as Woman, Bruce Knappett as Nev, Daniel Daperis as Child, Boris Trbic as Victor, Peter Ashby as Man In Street, Roberto Micale as Joe, George Dragovic as Croatian Singer, Robert Ankerlin as Danish Singer, Domenico Cannizzaro as Italian Singer, Peter Klingbeil as German Singer, Peter Curtin as Voice of Older Michael; Stunt Doubles: Russell Allan, Szumai Anderson, Jim Diprose, David Taylor, Lance Anderson, Trevor Welsh, Russell Frost, Tom Coltraine

Farewell, My Love

Episode 13
November 18, 1993
Story by Roger Simpson
Written by Roger Simpson
Directed by Ian Gilmour

In the series finale, Eva forgives Max but decides to return to Germany; Alf resigns from the Authority; Michael visits Stuart in jail. A love from the past returns shocking Eva and Kate. Lilian and Molly settle their differences and Stuart surprises Michael with a special Christmas call.

With: Wynn Roberts as Alf Rutherford, Dimity Barber as Lynette, Scott Lucey as Herman, Roberto Micale as Joe, Dean Hurlston as Russell, Rosalind Hammond as Jill, Michael Bishop as Les Tremain, Martin Egan as Santa Claus, Peter Curtin as Voice of Older Michael; Stunt Doubles: Russell Allan, Szumai Anderson, Rainey Carah, George Novac, Arthur Hoadley, Ken Grant