australian television information archive

A Wayne in a Manger

Episode 01
June 02, 1997 (ABC)
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Paul Maloney

Wayne Wilson and his family move into their new home in suburban Melbourne. On arrival they discover that the previous owner has emptied almost the whole house, and the the moving truck carrying their possessions has gotten lost. They must start their new life in a practically bare house, compensating in ways such as using Mr. Wilson's (a plumber) toilet collection for chairs, while waiting for the truck to find its way. On top of this, Wayne must adjust to a new school, make friends such Squocka, Violet (the girl next door) and Rosie (her sister), and put up with the school bully, Kevin, and his accomplice, Patrick, as well as his nagging parents and sister.

Cast: Jeffrey Walker as Wayne, Jah'shua McAvoy as Squocka, Tracey-Louise Smith as Violet, Brooke Harman as Rosie, Rainee Skinner as Mum, Cassandra Magrath as Charlene, Remi Broadway as Rupert, Andrew Booth as Mr Dellafield/Alien, Simon James as Kevin, Mark Hill as Patrick, Ingrid Mason as Mrs Pringle, Chris Betts as Henry, Jo-Anna Lawson as Imelda, Nick Waters as Dad

Note: Girl-next-door Rosie Spencer would get her man. Brooke Harman (here in her first acting role at age 11) and Jeffrey Walker (Wayne) would eventually get married. (see them in 2012)

The Alien

Episode 02
June 03, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Paul Maloney

Wayne leaves home and continues his pursuit of the alien. Charlene tries to unearth information about the cute boy in the car. Wayne feels guilty after he turns the alien in to the police.

Cast: Jeffrey Walker as Wayne, Jah'shua McAvoy as Squocka, Tracey-Louise Smith as Violet, Brooke Harman as Rosie, Rainee Skinner as Mum, Cassandra Magrath as Charlene, Remi Broadway as Rupert, Andrew Booth as Mr Dellafield/Alien, Simon James as Kevin, Mark Hill as Patrick, Ingrid Mason as Mrs Pringle, Adam Cooper as Sergeant, Nick Waters as Dad

This Guy Dellafield

Episode 03
June 04, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Paul Maloney

School troubles include a new teacher and a bully.

Cast: Jeffrey Walker as Wayne, Jah'shua McAvoy as Squocka, Tracey-Louise Smith as Violet, Brooke Harman as Rosie, Rainee Skinner as Mum, Cassandra Magrath as Charlene, Andrew Booth as Mr Dellafield, Simon James as Kevin, Mark Hill as Patrick, Nina Henderson as Small Girl, Nick Waters as Dad

A Slave to Fashion

Episode 04
June 05, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Paul Maloney

Wayne wants to be accepted; Rosie has feelings for Wayne.

Cast: Jeffrey Walker as Wayne, Jah'shua McAvoy as Squocka, Tracey-Louise Smith as Violet, Brooke Harman as Rosie, Rainee Skinner as Mum, Cassandra Magrath as Charlene, Remi Broadway as Rupert, Ingrid Mason as Mrs Pringle, David Shaw as Shadow/Tough Guy, Brendan Vella as Shadow/Tough Guy, Hamish McCormick as Shadow/Tough Guy, Adam Robinson as Shadow/Tough Guy, Nick Waters as Dad

Pizza

Episode 05
June 06, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Sophie Turkiewicz

Wayne boasts that he can cook; Charlene finally meets Rupert.

Rites and Wrongs

Episode 06
June 09, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Sophie Turkiewicz

Wayne's surprise birthday present is a family camping trip. The trip is a washout but Wayne encounters Violet and Rosie, who are on a camping trip of their own, and makes a daring rescue.

Cast: Jeffrey Walker as Wayne, Jah'shua McAvoy as Squocka, Tracey-Louise Smith as Violet, Brooke Harman as Rosie, Rainee Skinner as Mum, Cassandra Magrath as Charlene, Kelly Rummery as Kylie, Natasha Sakas as Sally, Emmaline Carroll as Melody, Emma Kelly as Phoebe, Peter Armstrong as Farmer, Jo-Anna Lawson as Imelda, Nick Waters as Dad

The Wayne Manifesto

Episode 07
June 10, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Sophie Turkiewicz

Wayne discovers his first chest hair and, to celebrate, compiles his six-point manifesto.

There's Good in Everybody

Episode 08
June 11, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Sophie Turkiewicz

Taking his parents' advice, Wayne tries to see the good side of the bully Kevin Merry and invites him over for a cookout. Rosie forms a gang but is too bossy to keep it together.

Cast: Jeffrey Walker as Wayne, Jah'shua McAvoy as Squocka, Tracey-Louise Smith as Violet, Brooke Harman as Rosie, Rainee Skinner as Mum, Cassandra Magrath as Charlene, Remi Broadway as Rupert, Simon James as Kevin, Mark Hill as Patrick, Nick Waters as Dad, et al.

Harris Weed

Episode 09
June 12, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Sophie Turkiewicz

Visiting relatives cause problems for Wayne. The Wilson's furniture finally arrives.

Cast: Jeffrey Walker as Wayne, Jah'shua McAvoy as Squocka, Tracey-Louise Smith as Violet, Brooke Harman as Rosie, Rainee Skinner as Mum, Cassandra Magrath as Charlene, Nick Waters as Dad, et al.

You Can't Take Him Anywhere

Episode 10
June 13, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Ian Watson

Grandpa comes to stay, taking over Wayne's room and causing endless embarrassment for Wayne and Charlene.

Junk

Episode 11
June 16, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Ian Watson

Wayne's mum decides that his father's ever-expanding toilet collection has got to go.

Work Experience

Episode 12
June 17, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Ian Watson

Wayne tries his hand at baby-sitting while Squocka and Violet do their work experience on a building site.

Wise Words

Episode 13
June 18, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Ian Watson

Wayne wants to go to the fete but first he needs to earn some money—he decides to raise money by salvaging golf balls.

Now You See It, Now You Still See It

Episode 14
June 19, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Denny Lawrence

Squoka needs an assistant for his magic act and Grandpa moves into a home.

Fancy Dress

Episode 15
June 20, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Denny Lawrence

Wayne tries to impress Violet by being more sensitive and tolerant. Wayne and Charlene teach Harris Weed a lesson at a birthday party.

Wheels Within Wheels

Episode 16
June 23, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Denny Lawrence

Wayne finds a way to reconcile Rupert and Charlene, but the Merry brothers are up to no good when they steal the wheels to Rupert's Volvo.

Cast: Jeffrey Walker as Wayne, Jah'shua McAvoy as Squocka, Tracey-Louise Smith as Violet, Brooke Harman as Rosie, Rainee Skinner as Mum, Cassandra Magrath as Charlene, Remi Broadway as Rupert, Simon James as Kevin, Joshua Lawson as Trevor, Samuel Atwell as Vernon, Ben Lawson as Mervyn, Dayle Marriott as Drum Major, Craig Marriott as Small Boy, Nick Waters as Dad

Special Operations

Episode 17
June 24, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Denny Lawrence

It is limited specials day at the local supermarket and Wayne's mum wants everyone to help.

Elementary, My Dear Squocka

Episode 18
June 25, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by David Cameron

Violet and Squocka turn detective when Wayne is accused of cheating on an exam. Violet leaves for the States.

Soap

Episode 19
June 26, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by David Cameron

It is Father's Day, but Wayne and Charlene are too preoccupied with their own troubles to find a real present.

Cast: Jeffrey Walker as Wayne, Jah'shua McAvoy as Squocka, Tracey-Louise Smith as Violet, Brooke Harman as Rosie, Rainee Skinner as Mum, Cassandra Magrath as Charlene, Remi Broadway as Rupert, Reg Gorman as Grandpa, Peter Leong as Young Man, Fergus Hutchinson as Geoffrey, Grant Donges as Arnold, Nick Waters as Dad

Amy Pastrami Day

Episode 20
June 27, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by David Cameron

Violet is back from America and her stories of 'Amy Pastrami Day' ignite the imagination of the drama teacher.

Witch Wayne

Episode 21
June 30, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by David Cameron

It is Halloween and Violet decides to find out the truth about the neighbourhood 'witch'

A Wayne's Gotta Do...

Episode 22
July 01, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Steve Mann

Wayne would prefer to go to the cinema with Violet but is forced to face the school bully instead.

The Harder They Fall

Episode 23
July 02, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Steve Mann

Wayne reluctantly drags himself away from Violet to help his mother with the shopping.

Where's Wilson

Episode 24
July 03, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Steve Mann

Wayne receives an after-school detention which upsets his plans to judge a bake-off.

Dad's Ad

Episode 25
July 04, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Steve Mann

Dad brings home a video camera to make a commercial for the local television station. Wayne spots the camera and thinks up a different project.

Cast: Jeffrey Walker as Wayne, Jah'shua McAvoy as Squocka, Tracey-Louise Smith as Violet, Brooke Harman as Rosie, Rainee Skinner as Mum, Cassandra Magrath as Charlene, Simon James as Kevin, Mark Hill as Patrick, Nick Waters as Dad

Wayne in the Wings

Episode 26
July 07, 1997
Written by David McRobbie
Directed by Steve Mann

It is Christmas again, but Wayne is not happy because it looks like Violet might be going to a different high school next year.