Original subtitles

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la,

la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la,

la.

Already an hour late.

I wouldn't worry too much, Kate.

It's fairly quiet here.

Sally hasn't turned up yet. Well, don't expect me back for at least three hours,

and from the sounds of it, I'm not missing out on that. You've been here

long enough by now to know the procedures.

Look, we were late.

That's your responsibility.

You flew too slow.

He's a moron.

Hi, Sal.

Hi. I still isn't here.

Hop in.

Thanks.

Thought I'd have to hoof it.

Nah. The old bush hospitality's alive and well out here.

People will always stop for you.

Good to see you, Sal.

Same here. I wish you could get up to ring them off.

Yeah. Well, at last I get to show you the famous Cooper's Crossing.

That should take about five minutes.

Compared to Warringah, I'm sure it's a thriving metropolis.

Anyway, I'm here to work, not play.

Oh, we should be able to do both.

Although with this rubella outbreak at the moment.

Oh, what's this?

Do you know anything about cars?

Just enough to drive one.

I don't even know what I'm looking for. I can't help you, mate.

Hold on. I'll get some water.

I'm going to wash your eyes.

Keep keeping this in your eyes. I'll get the antivirus.

Ray Craddock, look.

What's happened to your eyes?

The battery exploded.

Sally!

Sally?

Where is she? She was on the main road.

Oh. Oh, yeah.

Yeah. Look, we're going to get you to a doctor.

Look, give me some water quickly. My eyes.

I'll get you to an airstream.

Where's Sally?

She'll be here in a minute. I didn't realise she was with you.

She didn't leave us.

Well, have a blue blazer so I know she was with you. Come on, get in the truck.

Here, right?

Victor Charlie Charlie?

Yeah, this is it. Whiskey? Hey, bravo!

It's okay,

we'll just put some drops in them.

Hey! No!

I'll carry it for you.

Look, I'm sorry I didn't stop for you back there.

I thought you were... Well, I didn't realise that you were... Thank you. It's

a heavy bag.

A new anti-biotic drop.

Well, it looks pretty clean to me. There's no foreign matter.

We'll have to take a closer look when we get back to hospital.

I should have been more careful.

Well, you can't be expected to know your positives from your negatives.

Oh, yeah? How many batteries have blown up in your face?

Come on, now.

It's not too many of us who are perfect.

I blew up a battery once.

That was different, though. I threw it at a doctor.

I'm very impressed that you knew what to do, Miss Connolly. I've trained as a

nurse doctor.

Still, I'm impressed.

What, that a trained nurse knew what she was doing?

Doctors have such a wonderful way of making us nurses feel so competent.

No, no, I didn't mean all nurses.

Is there anything I can do?

No, no, I'll be fine.

How long are you staying with us? Just a few days.

Great. Well, give me a chance to try out my Aboriginal studies on you. I did it

at university.

Really?

days, yes.

Ah, terrific.

Now listen, Jeff, I'm not staying in hospital, all right?

No, I wasn't even considering it.

We haven't had time off for ages, now's our chance.

Oh, great.

That'll be a barrel of laughs, won't it, with a blind woman under your feet?

Give me a chance to pamper you, when you're not blind.

Jeff, I will be able to see again, won't I?

Oh, foolish girl.

The RFDS has already stretched and now this happens.

And to put you two hours behind.

Look, are you all right, Ray?

Oh, I don't know.

Lucky there was another nurse there, I reckon. Jackie?

Oh, Sally someone or other.

Working with the flying ducks.

Come down and get some instruction on the radio or something.

Haven't heard about this.

I am on the fundraising committee.

I thought a bit of a drunkard driving right past her.

Thought she was drunk or something.

Well, what made you think she was drunk?

Well, you know, these hobos, they usually are. I didn't realise she was

trying to... You mean she's an aboriginal?

Yeah, she's the assistant at Warringah. Come down to get some instruction.

Dr. Stander should never let an Aborigine run the radio.

I mean, you need someone you can always rely on for that job.

I didn't realise it was so big.

You know, we've got a matchbox compared to that.

Oh, it'll be pretty much the same principle.

You'll pick it up in no time.

Look, I'm not going to leave your equipment on to the aircraft, mate.

Well, why not?

These hands are not meant to be damaged by menial work.

They're pure magic.

It's been a long day, Jack.

Grab us a cup of coffee, will you?

See these?

These are pure magic, too.

Jeff Fennec's sort of magic.

Touchy. Chill out, Jack.

Well, you're as a guy. We could do with a cup, too.

Yeah, me too. Yeah, me too.

Eight years hard slog. Eight years to become a coffee cook.

How do you have it, Black?

I mean, with milk or without.

Black will be fine, thank you.

It's just, I remember in America, people stopped ordering long black and short

black so as not to offend.

I'm talking about coffee. It became with milk or without milk.

Fascinating.

Hey, I'll get that.

Come on.

There we go.

Water's down here. I'm fine.

I'm fine.

We'll be able to catch up on some music.

Take a few drives in the country.

Show me the sights, you mean.

Well, at least we can get some fresh air.

Sniff the breeze.

Touch the soil.

Roll in the hay.

You're planning on taking advantage of a defenseless woman.

Kate.

Kate. What happened?

The coffee table's in front of the lounge.

Look, I moved it because I didn't want you bumping into it. Will you do me a

favour? Don't be so helpful in the future.

Well, your coat's looking good, Nick Ellis. You've done well.

Yes. We've had a good year this year.

G'day, Frank.

You got your bias cap on? Yeah, you bet.

Well, how's married life treating you two anyway?

Haven't seen you around recently to congratulate you. Oh, so far so good.

Hey, Gillian.

I'm just waiting for some little tackers now to help me out with the farm. I

could do with some cheap labour.

Yeah, well, you have any problems with that one?

If they can ride, I'll give them a job. As for problems, just the usual.

I don't know what to expect. I mean, we've employed them on our property ever

since my great-grandfather opened up the area.

It's got different ways.

That's odd.

Yeah, well, I hear the Flying Doc's got one on staff now. That's going to be

interesting.

Yes. Well, I'm afraid Dr. Standish is stepping over the line if he decides to

take an Aborigine on.

Yeah. I'll have to speak to head office.

Get them to see some sense before we have a disaster on our hands.

Have you always been at Warringah? No, I was born in Broken Hill. Lived there

most of my life. Oh.

Where are you from? So I was telling you before, Sal.

I did Aboriginal studies at university.

It was a wonderful history.

You've got such a rich culture, you know.

Thank you. Why don't you enlighten us with your knowledge, Guy?

Exactly which tribes did you study?

Well, all of them. The whole general history.

So you went into it that thoroughly.

It must have taken you years.

Did you do any field studies?

Uh, no.

Visit settlements?

Well, no.

Study languages?

I only did it for a few terms. It was a fascinating subject, but I was so busy,

something had to go.

So what made you choose Warringah? Have you got four hours?

You know, the best thing we ever did was hand Ayers Rock back to the Aboriginals.

I was there. I fought for that. I rallied for that.

Anybody like a drink?

No, thanks.

Yeah, it's...

You're treating Sally as if she's some minority group you're fighting for.

I'm just trying to make her feel welcome.

Well, talk to her like you would to any other workmate, or woman, for that

matter. Clare, she's an Aborigine. She's... Is that all you can say, the

colour of her skin?

Look, if you of all people think of her only as being black, well, can't you see

the prejudice in that?

You'd be setting an example as a racist.

Clare, come on, me, a racist?

I was fighting for Aboriginal rights since the moment I hit university.

You've got it all wrong.

I've got to go. Catch you later.

What's so funny?

Reminds me of the first doctor we ever had in the cross.

Like very much like Guy. Drove everyone up the wall.

Sounds impossible. Not funny.

Yeah, but what the rest of the base did to him was.

Remember old Doc Hilton?

Like that joke they played on him.

Kept him out of mischief for at least six months.

I need the files and all the rebelling taxes we paid this month. Will you get

them for me, please?

Of course, Carl.

And call me doctor when we're in the hospital.

For I know it'd be better.

Excuse me?

Nothing, doctor.

Cooper Cropping Hospital.

Dr. Reid, please.

Just a minute.

It's for you.

Just a minute?

Dr. Reid.

Dr. Reid, it's Joe Farquhar here.

How you doing, Joe?

Not too well, actually, Doctor. I've been a bit crook.

I've got a temperature.

How high a temperature?

Oh, about 100.

Oh, I don't think there's anything to worry about, Joe.

It's probably just a cold.

You got your medical chest lift there? Yeah.

OK. Take two number 62s on shelf B every four hours. You got that?

These pains are getting in my sides, Doc.

Which side?

The left.

The left.

Well, it was on the left, but now it seems to be on the right.

Well, like I said, I don't think there's anything to worry about, Joe. Just take

those two number 62s. And if there's still a problem in the morning, I'll

schedule a visit.

But it's not that I'm worried about, Doc. It's my skin.

Your skin?

Yeah.

It's to be getting darker.

Darker? Well, yeah.

Actually, I've gone black.

I don't know whether I'm a short black or a long black.

Or whether I'm with milk or without milk.

What do you reckon, guy?

Can you help me?

It's very funny.

I just thought you might like to tell me about it.

Were you always like this?

No, I was worse.

Is it because we played a joke on you?

Of course not.

Oh, yeah.

You know what really irritates me?

Is that no one takes me seriously when it comes to Sally and racism.

It's as if everyone thinks I'm joking.

I admit, I was a bit... I was trying to make a feel at home.

Good, you're telling me how you feel. I feel really...

I care about this.

Sure, it's easy being white. But we've got to help. We've got to fight.

I think it's her fight, Guy.

Yeah?

Well, I can't stand back and simply be an observer.

Why not?

My first patient ever was a black man.

He had massive internal injuries, cuts and bruises and broken bones.

Now, I didn't know what had caused this.

Maybe he'd fallen from a building, or maybe he had a terrible car accident.

But I was wrong.

It was none of those.

It was hatred.

He'd been bashed because of his car.

Oh, that's awful.

And he died right there before I could even figure out where to begin.

Can you believe that?

Hatred and racism killed that man.

What are you doing?

Nothing.

It's okay.

What are you doing?

I'm going to pamper you.

And we're going to start with a picture.

Jeff, my toes can wait, really.

No, no, no, no, no. I want to do it.

I want to visit my horse later on.

Toby. Yeah?

Do you think that's wise?

What? Aren't people allowed out who can't see?

Yeah, yeah, of course they are.

But, um... We'll go after lunch, all right?

Look, it doesn't matter. Don't worry about it.

We'll stay in.

Come on, I'm doing the best I can, all right?

This is Victor Charlie Charlie calling Malkania Station.

Come in, please.

This is Victor Charlie Charlie calling Tango Tango Uniform.

Come in, Malkania Station.

Yes, hello, Victor Charlie Charlie.

I heard you the first time. Can you hear me?

Over.

This is Victor Charlie Charlie calling Victor X-Ray Sierra.

Come in Willambie Station.

Reading you. Go ahead, love.

What is he doing?

Victor Charlie Charlie calling Quinnenby 5 Alpha Zulu. Are you receiving me,

please? Over.

Hello, Victor Charlie Charlie calling 5 Alpha Zulu. Quinnenby, please, are you

receiving me?

She must have her transmit button stuck on. Stupid girl. I knew something like

this would happen.

Hello, Malkania Station. Come in tango, tango, uniform, please. You must be

receiving me.

What's the problem, Sam?

No-one's answering.

They're doing it deliberately.

Why? I just want answer.

For heaven's sake, where's Claire?

Victor, Charlie, Charlie, receiving your emergency.

Please identify yourself.

Sal, you got your bag on the transmit pedal.

A lot of good pressing the emergency does. I mean, the stupid girl's still

not receiving.

Obviously doesn't know what she's doing.

We're receiving you now. It was a small malfunction.

Nothing to be worried about.

when lives depend on a competent radio operator out here.

The more she's exposed to people, the more they'll get used to her.

Let's hope she just doesn't get put off, that's all.

Not if I know Sally she won't.

Let's face it, the main reason she's here is to gain experience so she can

take over at Warringah.

She's not going to throw that away in a hurry.

How are you going to let her face this on her own?

Well, no, Kate, that's not what we meant.

Just because she gives the impression she can cope doesn't mean she's made of

granite, you know.

Any stations wishing to speak to Dr Reid?

Who's on call? Go ahead, please.

Good.

4R for Zulu.

Can I speak to Claire?

It's Jill Franklin here.

Yes, Jill, hello.

Claire, hi.

We need drug replacements for the medical jet.

Is that all?

Hand you back to Sally. She can deal with that.

Go ahead, Jilly.

Go ahead, Jilly.

I'm sorry. I've been told only to do it with Claire.

I hope you understand.

Would you mind telling me why?

You know why.

Well, I'd like you to tell me.

What's the problem exactly?

Um, we don't think you're good enough at your job.

Well, because the transmitter wasn't on.

Look, I admit, I made a mistake.

But most people are entitled to a second chance, aren't they?

No, my mother doesn't think so.

Well, what about you?

How do you feel?

Well, should I be given another chance? Or don't black-spray any chance at all.

We don't.

It could have happened to anyone.

Yeah, but it happened to me.

You know, I can't afford to make mistakes.

I'm constantly under the microscope.

I know, Cal, but...

The whole base and most of the people around here are behind you.

You just can't give in to the Mrs. Franklins in this world.

Their views just aren't acceptable.

They're acceptable enough to have people doubting my ability.

When that sort of thing happens, you just can't help but lose your

confidence.

I find that hard to believe, coming from you.

Well...

At least you'll be back to normal tomorrow.

Yeah, maybe.

Don't be negative.

You know, I've just got to accept the possibility that there could be some

damage. And if there is?

Jeff and I want to have a baby.

That's great.

How can I if I can't see properly?

Sight's got nothing to do with having babies unless you know something I

don't. You know what I mean.

And if there is some damage to your sight, well...

We'll manage.

Yeah, maybe.

Yeah, we will.

Anyway, enough of me. What about you? Aren't you married?

Oh, I was.

He's an artist.

Last I heard, he had a successful exhibition.

He was with another artist.

Oh.

Must be hard.

Yeah.

Character building.

Women are getting stronger.

There's the car.

That goes for you too, you know.

My problem's totally different.

Is it?

Okay.

When Sally goes back to Warringah, she's going to be our liaison with the

Aboriginal community.

That's going to make our job a lot easier.

And we have to make those ignoramuses... Ignoramoi.

Yeah, we have to make them accept it. Right on, Geoff. I'm with you 100% all

the way. Well, that's good. Yeah, what we need is suggestions on how we're

going to make them change their minds.

What we need to... Excuse me, Cliff. What we need to do... Wait a minute,

wait.

We need to organise the Aboriginal community and demonstrate.

Thank you, Guy.

Clear? You have a clinic run at the Franklins' property and you want to take

Sally? This will confront things head-on and show our full support of Sally.

I'm not looking for a head-on confrontation.

That's not going to solve anything.

I don't mean cause a confrontation.

This thing needs to be dealt with sooner or later.

And I agree with you, Guy, but the Franklins have to be treated seriously.

You're not marching against a faceless injustice here. The Franklins are real

people, and their attitudes run too deep.

Jeff, I am not a complete idiot.

Trust me on this one.

I wish you would take someone else.

I have been over this roster at least a dozen times. There isn't someone else.

Well... No, no.

I'd better take Sally. They will respect my position.

Well, thank you.

Thank you for your vote of confidence.

I'm sorry, Guy. If it was anything else... What about... What about Kate?

Her bandage has come off tomorrow.

I thought you'd want to be the one to take them off.

Or maybe you don't trust me to do that either.

You check with me the minute anything goes wrong, all right?

I won't let you down.

And stay out of trouble.

Of course I will.

Yeah. Good night, Del. Good morning.

You're late.

Oh, I was... Oh, it's all right. It's my day off, that's all.

You don't want to miss a second of it.

You can't leave me alone.

I'm not after what happened.

Well, the only way to learn is to be thrown in at the deep end.

I'm going to get out of this clobber, jump in the car and head for the low

hill.

Have a good night.

How's business?

It's good.

Yeah, not bad.

Hello, Claire.

Just a pleasant surprise.

Who's looking after the radio?

Sally Connolly.

After what she did, you're letting her take over?

Oh, yes, I am.

The equipment played up, that's all.

Don't give me that, Claire.

I know she left the transmit button on.

She made a mistake. She's learning. It's part of the process.

She was panicking and quite unable to handle the pressure.

That's what worries me.

A cool head is essential in that position.

Yes, it is, but the pressure she's under has nothing to do with the demands of

the job.

It comes from certain elements in the district whose complaint about Sally is

that she's an aborigine.

Very fashionable to accuse people of being racist these days.

And the real truth is that Aborigines just don't have the same sense of

responsibility or priority as we do.

Well,

I'm really sorry you feel like that, Alice.

Because the Royal Flying Doctor Service is for everyone, not just you.

Sally will continue working with us until she's happy with her training. So

you'd better get used to it.

Nice to see you, Alice.

Before you go, do you mind confirming these times with the stations for

tomorrow's clinic line? Sure.

What's my name doing down here?

I'm taking you as my nurse.

One of these clinics is at the Franklins?

That's right.

They won't let me step foot on their property.

There'll be people coming from all over. It's not just for the Franklins.

We've had a run on Rebella.

You know how they feel about me.

All the more reason why you should go.

Look, I know this is a tough thing to do.

But we've got to fight this thing together.

We won't be doing it together, Guy.

I'm the one who'll be copying it. I'll be defending it.

You can't defend what you don't understand, Guy.

Look, have you ever stood in front of a group of people who hate you?

I'm leaving here in two days.

And why should I bother with people like Alice Franklin?

It's her with the problem, not me.

She's not the one who loses out on this.

You do.

Do you think so?

I look at it as her problem.

What about the flying doctors?

Oh, I guess that doesn't matter since you're only here for two more days.

Look, I don't think we should try to provoke trouble.

But Alice Franklin should not be allowed to get away with this intimidation.

You should be in politics, Guy.

So you'll make the call?

See, I told you.

With me on your side, you've got nothing to worry about.

We'll see.

I think it was stupid to send Guy with Sally.

He should have gone with her.

Well, I can't be two places at once, can I?

Jackie can take off my bandages if that's what you're worried about.

I would have thought you'd like me to do that.

It should be where you need it.

And I'm not needed here?

Look.

I've been thinking.

What if my vision is impaired?

Kate, it'll be fine, really.

You keep saying that, but what if it isn't fine?

If there is something wrong, I think we should separate.

What is all this?

I mean it, Jeff.

Oh, you can't be serious.

Do you really think you could cope with a wife who's an invalid for the rest of

your life?

Running home to me every time I break something or bump into the furniture?

Don't you realise everything would have to change?

Kate, I wouldn't care if you were blind, if you were crippled or bedridden.

What have all these years meant if you think I can turn my back on you?

I don't want to be a burden on you.

There's never been a better moment.

You know him?

Don't you know how much I love you?

Oh, Jack.

Oh, Jack.

Ten minutes to landing. Buckle up, gang.

I want you to keep your eyes closed until I take the other pet off.

Oh, Jeff.

I'm scared.

I love you.

Now, it may be blurry for a while, but don't panic.

Can you see me?

Yes.

It's a bit fuzzy, but yes.

Can you read my lips?

What did I say?

That I've been a pain in the bum.

No, no, not what I was thinking, what I said.

Good to see your husband again.

Yeah.

It's wonderful.

If I was in your position, would you leave me?

No, of course not.

Would you stop loving me?

No.

It's quite a double standard you've brought me.

Let me read you a letter again.

Hey, John, don't forget those bags.

Ah,

Mrs. Franklin, good morning.

Thank you for the spread.

What's Miss Connolly doing here? I'm assisting Dr. Raven, Mrs. Franklin.

For those requiring rubella inoculations...

Please see, Sister Connolly. All other patients, please see me. No, no, Dr.

Reed. If anyone's giving Jilly an injection, it'll be you.

I don't see how I can do everything myself, Mrs. Franklin.

That's why we bring a nurse.

I thought Miss Connolly was a trainee radio operator.

Yes, she is.

She's also a nurse.

But not with the Coopers Crossing crew.

I'm a fully qualified sister, Mrs. Franklin.

What difference does it make? We have a right to be treated by whom we choose.

What exactly is your problem with Sister Connolly?

I take it you are refusing to treat us?

No, not at all.

It seems you're the one who's refusing to be treated.

You start banding words with me, Doctor.

The RFDS has never, in its whole history, ever refused service to its

patients.

Well, Sister Connolly is ready.

Now, we have one hour before the next clinic.

Please line up, folks.

Some people here have come over 200 kilometres, Mum.

You ready, sister?

Yes, Doctor.

Who's first?

Dad.

Come on, now.

We've had several cases of rubella in the district recently.

Surely you don't need me to tell you of the dangers rubella can cause during

pregnancy? We'll wait for the next clinic.

Get from Kate to come out.

We may not be back for some time.

Abbo, love.

We're going to run you all off this place.

Try it and you'll get more trouble than you can handle.

Who do you reckon you are?

John Johnson, RFDS, at your service, mate.

You can give me a shot.

That's if you've got enough to go around.

You don't need it, Mr Craddock.

You see, it's to protect young girls.

For later on, when they're pregnant.

Ray.

How about a tetanus, then?

I reckon I could always use one of them shots.

All right, Mr. Craddock.

It'll be a pleasure.

If you let her touch you, you're finished working for me.

It's my arm, Mrs. Franklin.

Well, Robin, I want to have a kid later this year.

It's not worth the risk.

No, it's not.

I'll have that injection now.

It's okay. Go ahead.

It didn't hurt that much?

I think it probably hurt a lot more than you can imagine.

Now that you've finished here, I'll see you in my office.

You can collect your pay and be off my property by morning.

It's a bit rough, isn't it?

Oh, I knew what I was doing.

Probably should have done it 20 years ago.

Why aren't those cattle in the top paddock? The jackaroos are gone.

What do you mean, gone?

They just packed up and left.

They're the best boys we've had.

We can't afford to lose them.

Typical.

Walkabout.

Maybe they stand by each other more than we thought.

did this. It looks good.

Terrible. What do you think, Johnny?

Please, I'm drinking.

Here you go.

Thank you.

I could kill you.

Yeah, but you won't, will you?

No.

No, I think I'll just sit here and look at you forever.

Guy. Hey, partner.

I just wanted to say thanks for everything.

No, I should be saying thank you to you.

It was a real eye-opener.

You know, I could almost go for a guy like you.

Except you make a really bad cup of coffee.

No more orders?

Cleans up after himself, and he even made me a cup of tea yesterday.

Really? Nurse, nurse, quickly, an emergency.

Tractor volume.

Multiple fractures of the femur. Sally, Penn State, 100 milligrams. Jackie, IV.

Sorry, now.

Take a look at this here, Bert.

Forget the IV, Jackie. I need a combine. We've got to stop this bleeding.

There's no time for a painkiller, Sally.

Maybe it'll just work its way out.

Maybe I could pull it out.

How's that feel, Bert? Well, even me. Good on you.

Magic. You rotten mangrove.

Quits?

Should we forgive him?