Original subtitles

Go with him. Stevie, I want you to go.

- Pattie! - Go!

What's this?

Deeds, plans and approvals

for this here boat shed to be turned into a business.

Finders keepers.

You must never approach Michael until he reaches

the age of adulthood,

which in the state of New South Wales is 21.

Sheila, if I'm wasting my time, just tell me. I'll leave you alone.

Half-naked on the television, and I find out from my boss.

So it's all right when I'm being the strong wife

but not when I'm standing up and being my own person.

Pattie?

Pattie?

Pattie!

What are you doing?

Pattie!

Shush, Mum. The water, it's the only thing that gets her to sleep.

I can't believe I actually got her down.

She's so peaceful.

She is.

I used to have to take you down to the end of our street

and stand right outside the steelworks,

and the machinery at night used to make this weird noise,

like, erm,

whoomph... whoomph... whoomph!

Whoops!

She knows her own mind, this one.

There you go.

For God's sake, Pattie, what have I told you?

You need to keep your ring on. Now Stevie's gone,

you need to be more careful.

I'm gonna go get some sleep

before we all start roasting to death in that tin can.

Australia.

A great place for families.

Australia is an exciting new land, a country in the modern world.

Create a real home for your family, a good place to grow.

There's a bright future.

Come over to the sunny side.

The cost of the journey halfway round the world is £10.

- Look for a new start. - On your way to Australia.

Peter, just so you know, girls really love being stared at.

I wasn't staring.

♪ Two little birdies sitting in a tree

♪ K-I-S-S-I-N-G! ♪

Yeah, well, the joke's on you, because birds actually can't kiss.

They have beaks, so they preen each other's feathers.

- Leave him alone, will you? - He's gonna make a fool

out of himself. She's way older.

Then let him make a fool out of himself. Part of growing up.

Your food's stone-cold, love.

Yeah, well, I've got to push the store where I can.

Must be nice to feel useful.

- Well, we knew it would be hard. - Yeah, but not this hard.

Right, I'm off.

Oh, by the way, I have to work late tonight.

- How come? - Stock rotation.

Stock rotation. Right...

See you, Peter, lad.

Come on, come on!

Oh! You came. Come in.

Thank you.

Everyone, let me introduce Annie Roberts from Larry's news segment.

Lovely to meet you, Annie. I thought you were so bold.

It was a tonic for us all, wasn't it?

An absolute tonic. You really stole the show.

Thank you.

We were also the first country

to allow women to stand for government.

And we have more female politicians than...

Yes, but what are those women in government

actually doing for the rest of us?

I managed a factory during the war.

You worked in the Defence Ministry.

Sarah drove trains, for God's sake.

And now we're all just supposed to stay at home knitting

and plumping pillows.

How about you, Annie? What did you do in the war?

I worked in a bakery. And the baker was, erm... He was very kind,

taught me how to drive the van.

But, you know, I...I have opportunities here in Australia

that I just wouldn't have back home.

So you'd say that women here have more freedom than in Britain?

In some ways, yes.

But then in other ways, no.

Like in England, the men and women drink together

and nobody bats an eyelid.

But here you've got your gentlemen's bars and your ladies' lounges

and everyone's separated. I don't really understand that.

So they can talk about us, I suppose.

I've often walked past those bars and wondered to myself

what would happen if I just walked in there and ordered myself a rum.

You should try it.

Maybe I will.

I'll come with you.

So will I.

W-Well, we'd need to think about it. I don't want us getting arrested.

You're right. It definitely needs some serious thought.

Then again, thoughts can change actions...

...but actions can change thoughts.

Who the hell are you, and what are you doing in my hut?

- Your hut? - Correct.

My husband, Arthur Farthington, left it to me.

So you are trespassing. Now, I don't know much about you people,

but I do know you shouldn't be in here.

- You're Arty's wife. - Mm-hm.

He never mentioned you.

Funnily enough, he never mentioned you.

You sleeping in here?

- No. - Then what are you using it for?

I don't mean to speak ill of the dead, but Arty told me

that you died during the war.

- Did he now? - He did.

He told me lots of things, because he hired me and a friend

to turn this beach hut into his dream business.

Well, do I look dead?

No. I'm his widow,

and I only came over when I heard about his passing.

I'm Maggie, by the way.

I'm Ron.

So, this dream of his, what was he planning?

- Fish and chip shop. - Fish and chips?

English tradition, he said. Fish and chips on the seafront.

True enough. Irish, as well.

Mm. It's not a bad idea.

It's a beautiful spot for it.

Be a hit with the folks where I'm staying.

- Where's that? Galgownie? - Mm.

In my Arty's bed, God rest his soul.

Then you'll know Terry Roberts.

He was Arty's best friend and the other man involved.

Everything he owned comes to me.

The deeds to this property.

You can't be here without them.

They're mine.

Oh, man. Let's go.

- Still want to do it? - Annie Roberts,

you've been on television wearing little more than Lady Godiva.

This is nothing.

Right.

Three whiskies, please.

Now, now, ladies! You know better than this.

Off you pop.

Just one drink. That's all we ask.

What do you think, boys?

Come on!

-Just one. -Well, there you go.

One drink. And that's your lot.

Well, that went better than expected! Cheers, girls.

- Cheers. - Cheers.

Out on your own, then?

Ah.

You can see we're all married. Just here for a drink, that's all.

Oh, got a pom here, boys!

I've never had myself a pom.

Do you mind?

I had a Dutch woman once. And a woman from Darwin,

but... she wanted me to pretend she was her brother.

What's your name, gorgeous?

Annie.

Annie!

Annie, get your gun! Yeehaw!

I'll be your horse, cowgirl.

Climb on there.

Giddy up, Annie! Come on, climb aboard!

Ride me. Ride me, Annie!

Come on, guys.

Ride me!

Where are you ladies going?

You said you wanted a drink.

- Please let us pass. - You want to leave?

That's strange, because first you want to come in to our men's bar.

And when we get friendly and ask you to join the fun,

suddenly you want to leave?

Come on, chaps. This isn't funny.

"Chaps, this isn't funny."

You wanted to stay, pom.

So stay.

- Come on, ladies. - What's the matter?

You're just going to stand there, are you?

Tell your customers to bloody behave themselves.

You can leave. Of course you can leave.

But you leave through the back door.

I don't want any other ladies getting the same idea.

No, no, no, no, no, no!

Where's the door?

What are you doing? Where is the door?

Bugger.

Terry?

- Ron? - Meet me out the back.

Five minutes.

Was Arty married?

Married?

I thought he was seeing some German woman.

He was. Veronica. Gaga for her.

A woman's turned up claiming to be his wife.

What's she look like?

Irish. Dark hair.

Says her name's Maggie. She's just arrived.

She's clutching deeds, Terry, saying she wants us out.

She said she lives here. But when I mentioned your name,

- she got all businesslike. - The only...

...Maggie that's arrived in here is Maggie Skinner. Her husband died,

but his name was Sydney, and he croaked on the boat over.

I'm going to need you to find out what this woman's playing at.

What do they think they're doing? This is bloody mad.

I'll let you out if your husbands agree to come and take you home.

They've made us look like fools, haven't they?

Terry?

Just had a phone call from a bar in town.

There's a bit of a problem with Annie.

Don't look so sad!

Whose idea was this?

Let's just get out of here, please.

Keep your wife in line next time, mate.

- Where've you been? - Just out with friends.

First the bikini business, and now this.

What is it you're trying to prove?

Can we not talk about this now?

That bloke back there telling me to keep my wife in line.

I should have asked him - how?!

And I don't even know what you want.

I'm making good money trying to get us a new home,

for you, the kids and our grandchild.

Those men could have done anything.

That could have gone anywhere, Annie.

What is wrong?

- Nothing. - So why aren't you happy?

I am.

So what's going on?

Because shall I tell you how I see it?

You're needed. But not where you think you're needed.

You're needed here.

She needs you. Baby Mary needs you. I need you. You're barely around.

- Now, that's not fair. - You're not, love.

You're off with Marlene

or whoever them posh handbags were tonight.

Your daughter is alone.

An unwed mum trying to cope in a foreign country with a newborn baby?

So you're saying I'm bloody useless, is that it? That I'm letting

- my own daughter down? - No, I'm not saying that.

I'm just saying...

...you could be here more.

I'm saying...

...if you're restless, there's plenty you can be putting your energy into

right here. Stevie's gone, and Pattie barely leaves the camp.

- That's not good for her. - I brought her up!

Me and Peter.

And where were you?

After the war, where were you?

I'll tell you where you were. You were getting drunk

or losing your wages at the track!

I know where I was.

Love...

...you have been an amazing mother.

But right now, they need you again.

I'm gonna wash up.

Now then, Maggie.

Good morning.

Didn't realise you were a bigamist.

I'm sorry?

Well, Sydney was your husband.

So was Arty Farthington.

So you're a double widow.

Or have I got that wrong?

They say possession is nine tenths of the law, Terry.

The Aborigine seems nice, but he has no rights...

...which leaves me and you.

Now I have the paperwork.

The Corburn Beauty Pageant.

You have beauty pageants in England, right?

I know it's freezing cold and everyone's blotchy,

but you must have the occasional razzle-dazzle.

Well, yeah, we do. In Blackpool and, you know, seaside places.

Oh, can you believe it? They want me, us, Wilson's,

to host this year's event with them.

Naturally, I'm going to play hard to get...

...for the first five seconds, before saying yes, yes, yes!

Sorry, Annie, the baby's woken.

- She's crying. - Sh-sh-sh-sh-sh-sh.

- Does it want breast? - Are you offering?

No, I'm afraid these are pleasure use only.

Here, give it to me. You go and find Pattie.

It's free advertising for us.

And we can get the girls taking part to wear our dresses.

That'll shift some sales in ladieswear.

We have to go big on this.

Yeah...

Well, Pattie can help you. She's young, she's beautiful.

I'll hold the fort here.

You go. Be good for you.

- That's a great idea. - What about Mary?

Bring her with you. We'll be backstage.

You have to come.

All right, I'd like that. Thank you.

OK, try that.

Yeah, there we go. All sorted.

Wonderful. Thank you.

You're very welcome.

Does Mr Bates mind you spending so much time here?

It's what I do.

Unless he needs me for other things.

- Right, well, er... - We're just about to have lunch,

if you'd... like to stay for a bit.

Yeah. Yeah, that'd be great. Thank you.

- Who's winning? - Me.

Oh, wow, look at these. Did you two do these?

-Yeah. - That is a brilliant bird.

And what's this? Is that a dog wearing Wellington boots?

- "Gumboots." - Gumboots. Sorry.

-I did that. - No, I did!

Look at his expression. I like that.

Come on. Come on!

- That OK, that? - Yeah. I hate it, but...

...we're lucky to have it. A lot of the others don't have

any gas at all. Right, you two, come on.

- There we are. - Thank you.

You're welcome.

Mr Roberts, what's your favourite thing in Australia?

Oh, let me think. Erm, I think it'll have to be...

...the beach. I just love the seaside back home,

but I never saw beaches like the ones we've got here. They're heaven.

We used to go to the beach all the time with Daddy.

- We still do. - Hardly ever.

- I can take you to the beach. -Really?

- Yeah. - Yes!

Yes!

- You really don't have to do that. - No, it's OK.

- I'll take you tomorrow. -Yes!

But in return, I want a drawing of a kangaroo wearing Wellington boots.

- "Gumboots." - Wearing gumboots.

- Do we have a deal? -Yeah!

You've still got my ring on...

...fiancee.

Well, if it wasn't for you giving me this, then...

...I might be on a boat back home right now.

We don't have to pretend any more.

Thank you.

How have you been? Are you OK?

Over the last few days, this, er...

...anger has arrived.

I mean, not at the parents. They just want a child.

But at the system, that this was allowed.

And I feel that people should know.

Kate, have you ever heard the story of King Canute?

No.

He tried to stop the waves by commanding them.

He couldn't. Some things are the way they are,

and no matter how loud we scream, they aren't going to change.

Or maybe King Canute didn't try hard enough.

Birdie!

Your father's death, erm...

...affected me.

A man taken before his time.

And I...was wondering...

- Are you paying? - Of course.

You have a deep and unbroken lifeline.

But it doesn't mean you live to be a hundred.

It's just health and vitality.

But see there, that line?

That's a strong, loving relationship.

The position, high up, it's just the middle of your life.

There's a small line crossing it.

It suggests a hazard, something that has to be overcome

for the love to prosper.

Hiya.

- Hi, Luuk. - Hi, Birdie. How's it going?

It's good to see you.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!

Walking sideways, looking diagonally.

My mate Martin Nonose did that.

Fell down a drain. Took six days to get him out.

Er, I'm sorry.

Yeah. You got your eye on the skirt.

- No! No. - No. No.

It's not...

She's not interested in me.

How do you know that?

Because I'm not a man.

And what's being a man?

Don't you know? You're quite old.

Well...

I have no idea what constitutes being a man back in England,

but over here, you need to be able to take charge of a barbie.

Hm? You need to do some hunting, some fishing.

Oh, you need to know about cars. Very important one, that one.

Beer. Footy.

Oh! Don't forget the essential one.

- Surfing. - Surfing.

Mm. You want the birds? Oof, you have to surf.

How... How do I learn all that?

You need a real man to show you how.

Right. Like who?

Ohhh...

Excuse me? Mr Matthews?

Good morning. My name is Marjorie Gibson.

I'm from the London Times.

- The Times?! - Yes.

You may have read my articles.

Anyway, I'm over here on an assignment,

and I would absolutely love five minutes with Mr Matthews.

Oh, yes, of course! But he's rather busy.

Ah.

Let me see if he's free.

- The name again? - Marjorie Gibson.

Oh, Mr Matthews. Miss Marjorie Gibson from the London Times.

Yes, Miss Gibson, he has a few minutes.

- Marvellous. - This way.

Marjorie Gibson from the Times. All the way down under.

- Charmed. - Please.

Mr Matthews, I'm really, really sorry. I've lied to you.

My name's Kate Thorne, and the reason why I lie is...

- Lynne? - Please. Please.

- Lynne! - I have a story.

A really important story.

- Lynne! - Just... just five minutes.

This is urgent.

Children are being taken.

They're being brought to this country,

and your government and my government are turning a blind eye.

I don't appreciate the ruse, Miss Thorne.

But as a journalist...

...I think it'd be crazy to send you away.

Lynne, can you take notes?

You have five minutes.

Look, I've managed to find my son.

He knows who I am, and he knows that I love him.

But most mothers, they don't get that opportunity.

Their children are put on a boat

and told they're unwanted, unloved.

And it's lies.

They get sent to institutions. Their names and dates of birth change,

and they never get to see their mothers ever again.

These women deserve to learn what happened to their children,

to be reunited or, at the very least, know who is responsible

for taking them to the other side of the world.

I came to you because I know you're interested in important issues.

These terrible things are happening to women and their children,

and it can't be ignored.

And you have the evidence to back this up?

- My story is the evidence. - The verbal testimony of one woman.

We'll find more!

You have to believe me.

Miss Thorne, the story's moving.

But we'd be rattling a lot of cages.

Good! We need to scream and shout until something changes.

You're accusing the church, the police

and the Australian government.

Friends in those places, have you? Same clubs?

This is how the silence continues.

I think we're finished here.

Yeah.

Coming! Go!

And again?

Agh! Agh! Tig!

Oh, no! Coming! Go!

Oh, no! Oh! Oh!

Look, you've tired me out. Do you want to put some more sand in?

Oh!

They're great at this age, aren't they?

Just want to fool around and play daft.

They're a handful on your own.

I missed a bit with my two.

First the war.

And then, erm...

...after was, er, harder than we thought it would be.

Readjusting.

My youngest, Peter, I think he's all right.

Erm...

...my daughter, Pattie, she's 16, and, er...

It's a great time to be a young woman in Australia, though.

The outdoor life. Parties.

Yeah.

♪ Well, I feel it comin' The winds are blowin'

♪ I best be leavin' The storms are brewin'

♪ And there ain't nothin' That will slow it down... ♪

Attention, contestants.

All my ladieswear is direct from Paris and Milan.

At least, that's what it says on the labels!

So if you're interested in modelling any of these samples,

step this way.

Every chance you get, say the dress is from Wilson's Ladieswear.

Good luck.

Right, that's the lot. Pattie, can you pack up the rest?

Yeah.

What name, please?

Er, Patricia Roberts.

Patricia... Roberts.

You're not on the list.

Never mind, just sign up at the desk and get your number.

Do you have your chaperone with you?

No. I'm not...

I'm Miss Roberts' chaperone.

Good. Please hurry. We'll be starting quite soon.

- Marlene... - Two girls haven't shown.

You'd be doing them a favor.

I can't. Marlene, look at me. I can't... No.

Yes! You look fabulous.

Anyway, these pageants aren't just about looks. They're about brains

- and they're about personality. - Marlene...

No. I mean, what... what about Mary?

I can look after Mary.

You?

- I don't know. - Go on! Don't be so British.

OK. OK!

Excellent!

But get rid of the ring.

- Oh! - It's for young, single women.

Paddle, paddle, paddle. Wipe it away. Three, two, one, engage. Up!

There you go! Front foot. Right...

No, no, don't look at me. Look over there.

- OK. - Aim towards those ladies,

all those ladies who are looking at you. They want to know your name.

- Tell them your name. - Peter Roberts!

There you go. He'll be back soon.

All right, let's go, let's go.

All right, ready?

Wait.

Let's go, let's go.

Right, pop, pop, pop! He's up!

Oh, no!

Can't expect to be a master on day one, mate.

OK, in the middle.

Go! Pop, pop!

Yeah! You did it, brother!

Whoohoo!

Whoa...

- Whoohoo! - Yes!

- Say bonzer. - Bonzer!

- Bonzer! - Bonzer!

Ladies, ladies, ladies! Round one.

Day wear and, most importantly,

personality.

Please welcome our first young lady,

a girl with a lovely hourglass figure

and not one, not two, but three names!

Amelia Rose Parker!

Ah, you have a lovely smile, my sweet,

like you're up to no good.

Now, tell us, what's a fact people don't know about you?

Well, Mr Vaughan...

...my dream is to sing in an opera.

An opera? Oh, marvellous.

Would you like to give us a burst of your voice?

Er...

♪ Repond a ma tendresse... ♪

Thank you. Wonderful. Thank you.

Oh, and my dress is from Wilson's.

Our next wonderful contestant,

who's come all the way from the United Kingdom,

so let's hope we are not "barkin' up the wrong tree"

and "it ain't a one-'orse race"!

She's "the bee's knees"!

Miss Patricia Roberts of England.

You'll dazzle them.

So, Patricia.

Patricia!

Lovely name.

Now, a juicy, juicy question.

Describe for us your perfect day.

- Oh, my perfect day. - Mm-hm.

Erm...

Er...

I think it would be, erm...

I think it would be...

...to wake up to not a care in the world...

...to blue skies...

...and, erm...

...and the sunlight on my face.

And then to go walking on the beach with the sand between my toes

and to just look out at the ocean and...

...be able to see for miles and miles...

...and feel free.

Yes!

So, through to round two,

we have Jane Jackson,

Patricia Roberts,

Alice Matthews,

Betty Hayman,

Diane Adams

and Robin Cresswell.

You really think this will impress her?

It can't hurt.

I'll tell you what, you get decent at it,

you can offer to teach her.

Plenty of opportunities for intimacy teaching surfing, mate.

Right, now I've helped you, now I need you to help me with something.

With what?

Call it, er...

...an adventure.

What's this?

You remember Sheila Anderson? Used to live in my hostel?

I'm going to pay her a little visit.

Hi. Er, I'm working on a school project

about patients in mental hospitals,

and I was just wondering if you could help.

So, I've been told you use straitjackets, manacles

and leather wristlets to control your patients. Is that correct?

Who told you that?

Just how old are you?

I knew it. You're stunning.

How is she?

Sleeping like a baby.

So, welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to round two.

Excuse me. Can we get some help with these fastenings?

I'll be right with you.

- Don't move. - Patricia, why don't you join me?

I'll be back.

Patricia, so, tell us, what are you passionate about?

Well, I'm passionate about education and learning.

I adore books, so, erm, I think I'd like to teach.

I'd definitely like to travel,

so maybe I can find a way to combine the two.

I think you can do anything, really, if you just set your mind to it.

So I'd really...

Whoops. Someone's not a fan.

Whose baby is that?

Who's the mother?

We're looking for a mother. Anyone lost a baby?

She needs a feed.

Someone needs to be put to the breast.

But enough about me!

Well, someone must be the owner. If no-one claims it,

it's going to lost property.

Pattie, I'm so sorry.

Well, I have to serve you with an eviction notice.

Yeah. Why don't you try that?

Arty was not your husband. Your husband was some poor bloke

who kicked the bucket on the boat over.

I'm sorry for your loss, and all, but give over, lady.

I could make a fuss, you know.

I saw you were... sneaking around with those other men and women.

But I am not going to do that.

I saw finding those deeds as a sign.

Of what?

That I can make it here in Australia.

Syd might be dead...

...but I'll prosper.

And this idea of Arty's might be a winner.

You want in on fish and chips?

I do.

Fine. But I'm a partner, I'm not an employee. You got that?

Got it.

Pattie, how'd it go?

- What happened? - Oh, it's my fault.

There was a bit of an incident.

Right.

Love, I feel awful. I should have gone with you.

No, no. I don't need baby-sitting.

I mean, it's my own stupid fault. I was the one that had sex.

I love Mary.

But...

She trips me.

- Love... - She does.

I'm not like those other girls at the pageant.

When we got here...

...you said that you envied me...

...that I could achieve everything that I was capable of,

my whole future before me.

But I'm going to achieve...

...nothing.

Nothing.

Just like you.

Well, I'm sorry that I brought you up alone...

...through a war.

And I have tried so hard

to give you every opportunity for a better life.

I'm sorry you see that as so terrible.

Annie...

- Annie? - Hi, Kate.

Annie, please. What's wrong?

Here you go, love.

Your mum's a good mum, you know.

She's done her best for you.

I know this is hard.

But it will get easier.

I promise.

What you said upset her.

I know.

So go and find her...

...and apologise.

Get some happiness back in this hut, yeah? Hm?

OK.

I can see history repeating itself...

...Pattie feeling trapped.

She's right, she is going down the same road as me.

I did something, Kate.

And I've never told a living soul.

And then a little while ago, I got a letter from Terry's mother

telling me that someone was close to death.

Who?

A man called Harry Brewis.

He owned the bakery where I worked.

He wasn't allowed to fight. He had trouble with his eyes.

And I had Pattie, and she was tiny.

But the war needed female workers, so...

...my mum helped out and I went to work for Harry.

Now, you're not really allowed to say this,

because so many people died...

...but I loved that time.

I had a... purpose.

Yes, I was worried sick about Terry,

I was, but that job, it kept me sane.

And then I got a card through from the Army saying that...

...they didn't know Terry's whereabouts...

...or if he was even still alive.

And I thought I was going to be a widow, Kate,

and I couldn't remember his face or his voice.

And I just kept thinking, how will I describe him to Pattie?

And I thought that I might die of grief.

But Harry...

Harry was...

He looked after me.

We comforted each other.

You mean you...?

Yeah.

We were only together a few times...

...and it was like I was in this strange dream,

this strange time where I felt this... this passion.

But then I was grieving, and the two things just... They merged.

And then I got word that Terry was alive.

I think Harry loved me.

And when Terry was back, he wasn't an easy man to live with.

But Harry never... He never... We never...

Never again after that time.

Hey.

It's over.

It's all in the past.

Went well, then.

- What are you doing?! - Er, JJ took me surfing.

JJ took you surfing?

Yeah. He's, er, showing me how to be an Australian man.

- Is he now? - I think he enjoyed it, you know?

Like having a son, I suppose.

I have to check my pop-up with him.

Oh, hello. I'm looking for Kate Thorne. I believe she lives here.

Hello.

Christine?

Christine!

Christine?

Kids? Julie? Julie!

Help! Help!

Help!

Help!

No, no!

Go get help! Help! Get help, quick!

No...

Kevin?

He's alive. He's alive!