All language subtitles for The.Castle.1997.1080p.BluRay.REMUX.AVC.DTS-HD.MA.5.1-FGT.eng

My name is Dale Kerrigan
and this is my story.

Our family lives at
3 Highview Crescent, Coolaroo.

Dad bought this place 15 years ago
for a steal.

As the real estate agent said,
“Location, location, location!”

And we’re right next door
to the airport!

It will be very convenient
if we ever have to fly one day.

Dad still can’t work out
how he got it so cheap.

It’s worth almost as much today
as when we bought it.

Our crescent was gonna be the heart
of a major housing development,

but it never got up.

They reckon the planes
put people off.

Them and the powerlines.

Not Dad.

He reckons powerlines are a reminder

of man’s ability
to generate electricity.

He’s always saying
great things like that.

That’s why we love him so much.

Dad is the backbone
of the Kerrigan family.

He made our billiard table.

Shot, Dale.

In fact, he’s built half this house.

He’s always planning extensions.

I reckon we need a patio.
Oh, darl!

How about we finish
the back room first?

Nup. I'm waiting on
some cheap cladding.

I reckon we give the patio
another go.

Dad is a tow truck driver,
one of the best in the game.

He takes great pride in his work.

And he comes home
with so many stories.

The car was wrapped around the pole.

So I said, “Why not hook
the chain on the back axle?”

See, no-one had thought of it.

If Dad is the backbone,
Mum is the other bones — all of them.

She keeps the family together.

Dad adores Mum,
and Mum adores him.

They met at the greyhounds one night
and it was love at first sight.

Mum just loves craft. And she can
pretty up just about anything.

How'd you do that?

Spray can and stencil, darl —
that’s all you need.

You could sell that.

Dad always reckons
Mum could open a shop.

But she has a good part-time job
in the office at Sunbeam.

Dad reckons Mum is
the greatest cook on earth.

What do you call that, darl?
Sponge cake.

Beautiful!

And what’s that stuff on top?
Icing sugar.

How is it, kids?

Why would you want to go
out to a restaurant

when this keeps coming up
night after night?

I have two brothers and a sister,
all older than me.

Steve is an apprentice mechanic

but he spends most of his time
reading the 'Trading Post'.

He just loves buying and trading.

Ergonomic chairs, four of 'em.

What’s he want?
$180.

He’s dreamin’.

Him and Dad really know bargains.

Steve is also an ideas man.

That's why Dad calls him
the 'ideas man' -

he has lots of ideas.

It's a motorcycle helmet
with a built-in brake light.

YOU are an ideas man, Steve.

Dad thinks all of us are tremendous,

but I guess it’s no secret
that Tracey is his favourite.

How do I look, Dad?

Dad just loves her!

You l00k...beautiful!

(SIGHS) Thanks, Dad!

Tracey is the only girl in
the family, apart from Mum and Gran.

Tracey constantly gave Dad
proud moments.

Once she was on 'The Price is Right'.

It was such an exciting
afternoon for us.

Swap them around.

None of us could actually believe

it was Tracey up there
with Larry Emdur.

$45,000 worth of prizes.

The luggage needs to be more
than $640 and less than $740.

She almost won the lot.

Go!
(BUZZER DRONES)

Ohhh!

If only she’d known
the price of the luggage.

I'm so sorry about that.

But she still managed to come home
with a tumble-dryer and drill set.

She is the only member
of the Kerrigan family

who’d had a tertiary education.

Dad reckons the day Trace told him

she’d been accepted
into Sunshine TAFE Hairdressing

was about the proudest day
of his life.

I knew he thought about that — a lot.

There were only two places
he did his thinkin’ —

in the poolroom, and out the back,
looking up at the powerlines.

Yep, Dad’s a real thinker.

But the proudest day
was the day she got married -

to this nice guy called Con.

He is an accountant,
but also a fanatical kickboxer.

Now Trace
has taken up kickboxing too.

Dad could not get the smile
off his face

and he gave a speech
that brought the house down.

As the bride’s parents,
I don’t mind paying for the wedding,

but could you please stop bustin’
all them plates?!

That being a Greek custom and all.

I suppose as a father,

you’d like your daughter
to marry one of your own.

And let's not beat around the bush -
the Greeks have a reputation.

At first, the Petropoulouses thought
he was having a go at them,

but Dad was just saying
how much he thought of Con.

I never thought anyone
could love our Trace

as much as me, Sal and the boys.

But there is another person — Con.

Smart, polite, fit as a fiddle.

And anyone who loves our Trace
as much as us, deserves our love.

So, we love you, Con.

We love ya.

Thank you and, uh...

..kalispera.

That's 'good evening'.

We’d had many top nights,
but this was the most top.

Pity my oldest brother
couldn’t be there.

His name’s Wayne.

He’s in jail.

Eight years for armed robbery.

Many people would call him
the black sheep of the family.

But not Mum and Dad. He got
caught up with the wrong crowd.

He didn’t mean to rob
the petrol station. Now he’s sorry.

With good behaviour,
he’|| be out in a couple of years.

I visit him every Friday.

Good.
How’s Mum?

Good.
How’s Dad?

Good.
How’s Trace?

Good.
How are you?

How’s Steve?
He’s alright.

Good.

Even though he’s the oldest and
I’m the youngest, we get on great!

We can just chat for hours.

Thanks for coming, Dale.

You want some chewie?
Nuh.

So, as you can see,
our family is very close-knit.

We also have pets — four greyhounds.

Banshee. . .

..Starf|ash . ..

.. Trailblazer. . .and Coco.

Coco is the best, most successful
Dad has ever had.

She picked up two firsts
in the country and a third in town.

Dad feeds them every morning
in big bowls

that Steve made
out of tractor hub caps.

They are good dogs, good to Dad,
and Dad is good to them.

All of them are descended
from his first dog — Red Rocket.

Dad never stops marvelling
at the beauty of the greyhound.

In fact, he doesn’t even race them
for the money.

He reckons they are noble animals,

skinny and sleek
and have a beautiful snout.

Another thing Dad loves
is his boat — ‘Sealady’.

He cleans it every Saturday
with something else Steve built -

it’s a brush with a hose in it.

Dad never stops marvelling
at Steve’s ideas.

He’s an ideas man, Steve.

Steve gave it to Dad
for Fathefs Day.

That’s something our family
prides itself on — presents.

Even though none of us
have a real lot of money,

we love giving each other presents.

Ohhh!
He got a rod and reel from Trace.

A rod and reel!

I gave him a new muzzle.
A muzzle!

Wayne sent him an ashtray
he’d made in prison shop.

An ashtray! But I don’t smoke.

And Mum...well, Mum got him a big
German beer mug from Franklin Mint.

Dad couldn’t believe his eyes!

It was too good
to even drink beer out of.

I'd like to do pottery.
You should. You’d be good at it.

THIS is going straight
to the poolroom.

All Dad’s most prized possessions
are in the poolroom —

all his mementos

and things that remind him
of something special.

So, by him saying it was
“going straight to the poo|room”

meant that he thought
it was special.

That is a collector’s item.

This has been
the best Father’s Day ever.

Of course, there were ups and downs.

Wayne being in jail
was an example of a down.

But, all in all, 3 Highview Crescent
was a happy home.

Dad called it his castle.

But one day in June...

..a knock at the door
was to change all that.

Yeah?

Mr Darryl Kerrigan?
Yeah.

John Clifton. I'm from the local council.

Is this about the dogs?

No. The aerial?

The extensions?
No, Mr Kerrigan.

If this is about my truck
on the nature strip...

No! I'm a valuer
with the local council.

I'm here to do a land valuation.
What for?

All properties get valued
from time to time.

Oh, yeah? So, you’d be able to
give me a value on this place?

That's my job.
That'd be good.

Do you want me to show you around?
If you wouldn't mind. Yeah.

Oh, not at all.

Be pleased to.

Because, between you and me,

I reckon values around here are...
(WHISTLES)

As you can see, I've put
a fair bit of work into it.

Would you like me to point out
the features as we go along?

If you wouldn't mind, yeah.

See that lace up there?
Yeah.

Fake. Plastic.

Gives the place a Victoriana feel.

The chimney?

Fake too.

Why is it there?
Charm.

Adds a bit of charm.

Look at the size of that aerial.
That’s a big aerial.

What do you think? Add a bit of value?
Hard to say.

Yeah.

You can over-capitalise, can’t ya?

That’s a huge aerial.

And this...is my backyard.

Airbus — Brisbane via Sydney.

How close is the end of the runway?
Oh, just over the fence.

Is that the runway there?
Yeah!

THERE?
Yeah.

Beautiful machines.

Sometimes, you think they’re
gonna land right on top of ya.

Freaks the dogs, though.

Greyhounds.

Large kennel.

Originally, it was a cubbyhouse
when the kids were growing up.

I was thinking of turning it
into a granny flat.

But the council said no.
Oh.

Now, here back, all landfill.
Not allowed to build there.

Has the soil been tested?
Oh, yeah.

Nothin' too serious in there.

What do you know about lead?

Oh! This is beautiful, darl!

What do you call these things again?

Rissoles.
Everybody cooks rissoles, darl.

Yeah, but it’s what
you do with them.

Mum reckons the trick is
you don’t use mincemeat.

She gets topside and crushes it.
Is that right, Dale?

Well, it shows.
She'll crush silverside too.

Dad, guy's selling
a pair of jousting sticks.

J0usfin'sficks?
What's he want for 'em?

“Make us an offer.”

Darl, what do you want
with jousting sticks?

I dunno. But they wouldn't
come up all that often.

Yeah, but they’re jousting sticks.

What would anyone want
with jousting sticks?

Well, if you get 'em for half-price,
it's a bargain!

Give him a call?
Yeah.

I'll be interested to see
this fella's valuation.

You thinkin’ of selling, Dad?
No, mate. No.

But it'd be nice to know
what we’re sittin’ on here.

Clay-

No, mate. The value of the house.

You know...it’s odd
because Farouk reckoned

he had some bloke around as well.

Must have been doing
the whole street.

Maybe the market’s on the move.
Here?!

STEVE: Dad! $450.

For joustin’ sticks?
Tell him he’s dreamin’!

How much is
a jousting stick worth, Dad?

Oh, couldn't be more than $25G...
depending on the condition.

When do we find out?

Well, we should have the official
notice in a couple of weeks.

And just quietly...l reckon we
could be in for a little surprise.

“Compulsorily acquired”?

“Compulsorily acquired.”

You know what this means, don’t you?

They’re acquiring it compulsorily!

It must be a mistake.

They’re gonna take our place
and we don’t get a say in it.

How can they do that?
I dunno. 70,000 bucks.

Who the hell is Airlink?

Dad, guy’s selling seven eskies.
Hang on, Steve.

What’s up? Is this about Wayne?

No, no. Look...
What do you make of that?

Jesus! This is a kick-out notice.
Mmm.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)
No, |’|| get it. |’|| get it.

Oh, g’day, Farouk.
Hello, Mr Kerrigan.

Can you read to me something,
please, I get today?

Yeah, sure, mate. But I'm a bit busy
at the moment. Can I come...?

Shit. You’ve got one too.
Got what?

What the hell is going on?

Jesus Christ.

(MURMURS) Jack!

(KNOCKS ON DOOR) Jack!

It's Darryl, mate!

(SIGHS)

Someone’s gonna take
me house, Darryl.

Mr Kerrigan?
Yeah. Yeah.

Mr Kerrigan — Darryl —
this is a compulsory acquisition.

Yeah.

Mr Kerrigan,
the airport is expanding.

They’re setting up one of the
largest freight-handling facilities

in the Southern Hemisphere,

and they need a great deal of space.

Yeah.

And your house...is on that space.

Yeah. Yeah, my house.

That’s right. Your house.

That's why
you'll be duly compensated.

No, no. You’ve missed the point.

I'm not interested in compensation.

I don’t wanna go.

(SIGHS) Under the laws
of compulsory acquisition...

AND I don’t necessarily agree
with those laws.

I can understand the pain
and trouble...

Would you stop pretending
to be on my side?

Alright, Mr Kerrigan,
I'll state this simply.

There is an ironclad agreement

between Federal, State
and local governments

and the Airports Commission.

Yeah?

Well, where’s the agreement
with Darryl Kerrigan,

3 Highview Crescent, Coolaroo?

Where’s that agreement?

It's not gonna happen.

DENNIS: I don’t know, Darryl.
This isn’t my area.

What do you mean, this is
not your area? This is law.

Darryl, the airport
wants to buy your place.

Mmm.
Airports come under federal law.

Federal? I just do small stuff —
conveyancing, magistrates.

You defended Wayne.
Yeah, and he got eight years!

Yeah, but you did your best!

You can hold your head up high.
HE was the one that held up...

Darryl, I don’t know anything
about this sort of stuff.

But they can’t do this!
I dunno — maybe they can.

They can’t!
Well...

Look, I'll ring around
and see what I can find out.

Good on you, Dennis. Hey.

How is Wayne?

Good... Yeah, good.

Behaving himself.

Any word?
No, no.

They reckon he’s still
a couple of years off.

I'll let you know.

But Dad was never one
to bring worries home.

Even in the down times, he’d still
tell us funny stories about his day.

It's a head-on between
a Mini and a Vauxhall!

Dad also had a way of making
everyone feel important.

Come on, Dale. Tell 'em!

Go on, tell 'em!

Dale dug a hole.

Like the time I dug a hole.

Started the patio.
Good on ya, Dale!

And he’d compliment Mum
every single night on her cooking.

Hello, hello, hello!
How’s this, boys? Whoo-hoo!

What do you call this?
Chicken!

But it’s got something
sprinkled on it.

Seasoning.
Seasoning!

Looks like everybody’s
kicked a goal!

How are our backs feelin’? Mmm?

Steve did get them
ergonometric chairs.

And Mum had already started
prettying hers up.

Dad placed a great deal of importance
on mealtime.

He had a very strict rule -

when the family starts to eat,
the television is definitely turned down!

But as soon as we finish eating,
it’s a different story.

That was great!

Dad? It's 7330.

Alright! Time for some fun!

Dad reckons there's only one show
better than 'Hey Hey It's Saturday' -

and that's
'The Best of Hey Hey It's Saturday'.

It made Dad laugh. And when Dad
laughed, his whole body joined in.

And then we would too.
Oh... Oh, gong him, Red!

It was funny how on the fun nights
part of me got sad

bause I 'd think about
my big brother in prison

and wonder what he was doing.

Wayne always reckoned
he was doing fine,

but I get the feeling

he was missing us more
than he was letting on.

It'll be great when he comes home.

DARRYL: You’re a ripper, Dennis!

I said, you’re a bloody ripper!

Yeah, OK.

That’s it, Sal. All fixed.

What did he say?

He said...| have recourse to
the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

All I gotta do is rock up there, put my
case, and they can go and get stuffed.

Good on you, dam
Yeah.

He still hasn’t noticed, Mum.
What?

(m AWE) Oh, it’s finished.
(PROUDLY) Today.

How is that?
You should open a shop.

STEVE: Dad! Some guy’s selling
an overhead projector.

Nuh.

Hang on, Steve.
What’s he askin’?

$150.

Yeah.
Tell him he’s dreamin’!

What else did Dennis have to say'?
Nothin'. It's fixed.

Yeah, but when’s the hearing?
Monday.

And I know exactly
what I'm gonna say.

Don’t rabbit on, darl.
I don’t rabbit on.

When do I rabbit on?
You do rabbit on.

Alright. Alright.

But I'll tell you
what we're gonna do.

Friday, we’re gonna pick up
Trace and Con

and then we’re going straight up
to Bonnie Doon for the weekend.

And we’re not worrying about
those clowns for another second.

DALE: Mum!
'The Price is Right' is on!

Oh, righto.

I'd better ring up Farouk
and Jack and Evonne...

..and the others
and tell them what’s going on.

Trace and Con had
a great honeymoon in Thailand.

We met 'em as they came off
the plane with a trolley,

which was lucky,
’cause they had heaps of stuff.

We couldn’t wait to hear
all the stories about the trip.

And we didn’t have to
wait all that long, either,

'cause one of the good things
about living next to the airport

is that it doesn’t take long
to walk home.

They had these masks which you put
over your eyes when you’re sleeping

so you can’t see anything.

And they were complimentary.
Yeah, they were for free.

It was the first time
anyone in our family

had travelled further
than Alice Springs,

and we just sat glued
listening to all the details.

Really?

We had a choice between fish
and beef wellington.

Beef wellington?!
What’s that, darl?

It's beef done in pastry.

And it was an absolute credit
to the airline.

Did they show a film?
Two.

And they also had...
What were they?

Er...we saw 'Twister'.
And they had...

Was it a screen or a telly?
Er, telly.

They had easy listening,
classic gold, contemporary rock...

What was the other one?
The other film.

Er...Juman...
'Jumanji'.

'Jumanji', yeah.
And with the headphones...

Which one was first?
'Twister'.

..you could turn the sound...
How many on the way back?

Dale! You can ask later.
Sorry, Trace.

It was so dry in the plane that your
hair dehydrates, doesn’t it, Con?

Yeah, it loses its moisture.

So interesting.

We could've listened for hours.

But then it was presents time.

For you, Dad.
It's a samurai sword letter-opener.

Ohhh!
That is handcrafted.

Oh, how’s that, love?
That is just...

This is going
straight to the poolroom.

You should use it, Dad.

This I am not even taking
out of the wrapper.

They bought Mum a genuine Rolex
for 15 bucks off a guy at the beach.

He said he’d mail the warranty later.

I got a necklace with a shark tooth.
They got a Walkman for Steve.

'Cause it was Friday, I told Trace
I 'd take VVayne's present to him.

It was an elephant.

'Cause elephants bring good luck,
especially if the trunks are up,

and this trunk was up.

It really made Wayne's day.

Yeah.
She’s great, isn’t she — Trace?

It brings good luck.

She’s coming on Monday.

Oh, great!

When’s Dad going to that hearing?
On Monday.

Yeah.
Yeah?

He reckons they can’t do it.
Dad’d know.

Yeah.
Going up to Bonnie Doon tonight?

Maybe. I dunno.

I didn’t want to tell Wayne
that we were going to Bonnie Doon,

just in case he’d feel bad
that we were going to Bonnie Doon.

He liked it there.
We all liked it there.

(SINGS) ♪ We're going
to Bonnie Doon... ♪

We all left soon after,
except for Trace and Con.

As you could imagine,
they were just married

and wanted some time to themselves.

So they drove up in their own car.

Dad had a song he’d used to sing
about going to Bonnie Doon,

only he sang it a lot
and it was a bit repetitive.

(SHARPLY) Darl...

(MOUTHS WORDS)

(BEEPING)
Dad, radar.

(BEEPING CONTINUES)

(CAR ENGINE SLOWS)

(BEEPING STOPS)

How much did that cost?
70 bucks.

Just paid for itself.

Dale, why don’t you unload the boat,
mate?

Steve, don’t forget the dog food.
Got it.

Here, boy! Hey!

Bloody marvellous to be up here,
isn’t it, Dale?

Yeah.

Bonnie Doon.

Dad loved Bonnie Doon.

How do I describe it?

It is a little town on a big lake.

It’s a beautiful place,

especially this time of year
when the water levels are down.

Dad could not believe his luck
when he found this place.

It was a bargain
and he couldn't work out why.

It was just a block of land
with a beautiful view.

It took him five years
to build this place.

He bought an unfinished kit home
out of the 'Trading Post',

built it in the backyard
and towed it up here with his truck.

He was the only bloke he knew
with a holiday home.

Not a caravan - a holiday home.

And he reckoned we were
the luckiest family in the world.

Dale, I reckon we’re
the luckiest family in the world.

He loved the serenity of the place.

How’s the serenity?

I think he also just loved the word.

So much serenity.

Let’s get to bed.

Tomorrow is gonna be a great day.
Yeah.

If there’s one thing Dad loved
more than serenity,

it was a two-stroke engine
on full throttle.

(BOAT ENGINE ROARS)

Listen to that!

Singing like a bird!

He just loved Bonnie Deon.

And he reckoned the faster you went,
the more you saw of it.

Look at that!
What?

Back there.

But eventually, he’d find a place
he reckoned looked like a good spot.

I reckon this
looks like a good spot.

Dad loved fishing

and he really looked after
his equipment.

He said they’ve only ever made
one good rod.

It's called the 'Ugly Stick'
by Shakespeare.

It’s so strong, you can bend it
right around on itself.

Look at that.
Bends right around on itself.

You see that?

The lake had trout, redfin and carp.

Carp was not a good eating fish
but it was good catching.

They could grow to quite a size.

Generally they just hooked themselves

but occasionally they were crafty,

just nibbling at the bait.

Got a nibble.

Dad reckoned that fishing
was 10% brains and 95% muscle,

and the rest was just good luck.

We all got a few carp that day,
and each of us knew how to muscle fish.

Where’s Con?
Down the shops.

You and Con talked about kids yet?

Yeah — Con wants to start straightaway.

But, you know, I've got a career.
Of course.

I said, “I'm not having kids
until I'm at least 23.”

Times have changed.

Gail had a boy.

Was he a whopper?
Mmm, 10 pounds.

They’re gonna be a big, beefy family.

Tyler Jay. Even the birth notice
was big — stork and everything.

Shannon was nine pounds.
Mmm.

What did you make, then?
I knitted a pair of bootees.

You always need bootees.

I reckon you should make fake flowers.
Oh, yeah.

Jenny makes fake flowers.
Jenny?

Yeah.
Jenny Jenny?

No, microwave Jenny.

She reckons the trick is
to make them real but not too real,

just real enough
to know that they’re fake.

I'd like to do pottery.
Wow! On a wheel?

Yeah. I just love mugs.

Yeah, I'd like to make my own mugs.

Mum...
Yeah?

What’s the matter?
Nothing.

You worried about the house?
No.

Dad said everything’s gonna be OK.
Of course it is, darl.

We ended up with four carp
and one redfin -

a reasonable day’s fishing

considering we had to get back earlier
when Coco got seasick.

Steve wasn’t looking
all that flash either.

Keep it still, Trace.

Disciplined, isn’t he, Sal?

Here are you and I relaxing, having
a beer, and he’s still training.

Yeah, he just loves that sport.

You’ve gotta have
a passion for something.

Yeah.

(MOTORBIKE APPROACHES)

How’s the serenity?

Dad! Where do you want me to put
the chicken coop?

Up the back, Steve.

45 bucks. You couldn't buy
the materials for that.

What do you want
with a chicken coop?

And what do we want with a kit home?
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

(CHUCKLES)

Now give me a kiss,
you big hunk of a man.

Mmm!

Marvellous, ain’t it?

The lake, the kids...

Oh, look at the dogs!

Don’t they love it?

(SNIFFS DEEPLY)

Oh, smell that!

Yep.
Two-stroke.

Pity Wayne can’t be here.

Darl...
No, no, I could've done better.

Well! Let’s start cooking
this feast.

Who ordered medium-rare?
STEVE: Me.

Good stuff.

Check that, Steve.
It could be a little underdone.

I bet they don’t have places
like this in Thailand, Con.

No, Mr Kerrigan.

Hey, hey, hey! Darryl now, mate.

Sorry... Darryl.

It's a good place, though.

Yeah, yeah. I'm curious.

Now, I know it’s unfair to compare
any place to Bonnie Doon,

but why would I want to go there
instead of here?

It's for young people, Dad.
Yeah, I know that, Trace.

It's the culture, Darryl.

The place is full of culture.
Checkers.

Oh, yeah.
Something for everyone.

What was that movie, the one on...
Dale!

There were so many stories.

The hotel Trace and I were staying in,
they had this one channel —

Kickboxing, 24 hours a day.

It was just so interesting
to hear about another country.

Meals were $5, Mum —
the most beautiful satays.

What’s that, darl?

Meat on a skewer
with peanut sauce and grilled.

And the stories went on and on
all night.

The value for money
is absolutely second to none.

One of the other Sony Walkmans...
With presets?

Yeah, presets AND megabass —
$85 Australian.

WOW!

Bargain?
Shit yeah!

But someone like you, Steve,
could've got him down even further.

I can’t wait to go to Bangkok.

It's great to have you two back.
It's great to be back.

Great to be up here.

They haven’t got a place like this
in Bangkok.

How’s the serenity?

(INSECT ZAPPER FIZZES)

Not a sound.

(INSECT ZAPPER FIZZES)

On Monday morning,
Dad was chomping at the bit.

Feeling good, Sal.
Good on you, darl.

Steve, could you move the Camira?

I need to get the Torana out
so I can get to the Commodore.

I'll have to get the keys to the Cortina.
I'm gonna move that Camira.

Watch the boat, mate.
Yeah.

Know why I'm feeling good, Sal?

Why?
I'll tell you why.

Because this is an example
of the individual,

of how the individual,
if he has the guts

to stand up and shove it right up
those people

who think they can
stand on top of you,

the people who think they
can do that, that’s why.

DARRYL: What do you mean,
what’s my plea?

What is the case you are putting?

I told you. You just can’t walk in
and take a man’s house.

Mr Kerrigan, are you disputing
the amount of compensation?

I'm not interested in compensation.

I'm saying that you can’t
kick me out.

Very well. What is your argument?

That’s it. That’s my argument.

You can’t...kick me out.

And on what...law
do you base that argument?

The law of bloody common sense!

Mr Kerrigan! I must ask you
to restrain yourself.

Yeah, alright.

Mr Kerrigan, this is the
Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

You are an applicant.

You need to show...
I need to show?!

So it’s up to me, is it?

Mr Kerrigan, Airlink,
as a federal authority,

has the right to purchase
property compulsorily.

As far as I can see, you have offered
no evidence to refute that right.

No evidence?!

It's not a house, it's a home.

A man’s home is his castle.

I mean, it’s...it’s...it’s Jack’s castle,
it’s Fa-Farouk’s castle...

You just can’t walk in
and steal our home.

You will be compensated.
I don’t want to be compensated!

You can't buy what I've got.

Mr Kerrigan, I am rapidly
running out of patience.

You’re running out of...
What is your case in law?

(SIGHS) Well, OK, um...

The law is supposed to be
about justice.

No, fairness.

And I know that sometimes
what is right and fair is not clear-cut.

It's a bit iffy.

But this is not iffy.

I mean, this is as clear as day.

It is right and fair that a family
be allowed to live in its own house.

That is justice.

I rest my case.

Dad reckoned he’d nailed it.

Farouk agreed.

But Dad was wrong.

I can’t believe I lost.

I've let you down.

No, no, Mr Kerrigan.
You do good job.

Please, Farouk, call me Darryl.

OK, Mr Darryl.

But, you know, I never heard
that one you say before.

“A man’s home is his castle”?
That’s an old saying.

No, no, other one.

“Is not house, is home.”

Farouk, I lost.

I know, Mr Darryl.

Farouk,
how much are they paying you?

$65,000.

For your place?
Yes.

They say the plane,
they fly overhead, drop the value.

I don’t care. In Beirut,
plane fly overhead, drop bomb.

I like THIS plane.

What are we gonna do, Darryl?

I dunno, Jack.

This is the only place I can afford.
I don’t want to move.

See what they’re doing, Sal?

(SIGHS) Mmm.

How |ong’ve you lived here, Jack?

Three years.

No, in the area.

How |ong’ve you lived around here?

57 years.

57 years.

And they’re gonna kick you out
on your arse.

Well, bugger 'em!

I'm not giving up, Jack.

If they wanna play things
by the law, fine.

We'll play by the law.

But they’re not
the only big guns in town.

If it's gonna be lawyers, I'm gonna
hit 'em with the big artillery.

DENNIS: Hang on, Darryl.
Jesus, these fuckin’ photocopiers.

What the fuck is that?!
I cleared Tray 3!

Why don’t you get your girl
to do that for you?

She’s not here on Mondays.
She does Tuesday, Thursday, Friday.

‘F3’. What the fuck is that?

Dennis, how'd you go?

No good. I spoke to
every barrister I know.

No-one wants to touch it.

Alright, you do it.

I told you, Darryl,
I'm not qualified.

You’re not qualified?!

Oh-ho, now I've heard everything!

What do you mean
you’re not qualified?

I mean I'm not in the big time.

You have lost faith
in yourself, Dennis.

Darryl...
You have lost faith.

Darryl, it’s over my head.

It's over your head too.

Over MY head?

Dennis...

Have you heard of the Barlow Group?
No.

It's basically
a big investment company

controlled by three blokes
worth about a half a billion each.

Well, the Barlow Group is Airlink.

I thought
Airlink was the government.

It's a government authority.

But all the money’s
coming from Barlow.

It's a way of privatising
without privatising.

Anyway, it’s a big, big thing.

Every level of government.
Huge investment.

Alright, fine. So they’re big.

But why do they want MY house?

Why don’t they just fill in
the old quarry and build it there?

I don’t know, maybe it’s just cheaper
to pull down more houses.

So we fight 'em.

Darryl...they want
this thing to work.

They’re gonna get their way.

And you know why people
like that get their way?

Because people like us
don't stand up to 'em.

Now, they’ve still gotta play
by the rules.

Darryl, they write the rules.

They own the game.

Fuck, Dennis, it’s my fucking house!

You’re not gonna run scared on me?

I can’t do this by myself.

Alright, mate.

Let me think about it.

(APPLAUSE ON TELEVISION)

Con’s working late tonight.

He’s just so busy.

Cannot believe
this postcard arrived today.

Thanks for dropping in.

Dad!
How’s he treating my princess?

Alright, alright.

“We saw some amazing things.”

Now, that is a bloody big statue.

It's all made of gold.
Is that so? Hmm!

(APPLAUSE ON TELEVISION)

This bloke's gonna win the cars.

How’s the salon?
Good.

Now, look at these models.

Now, they’ve got ripper bodies

but they let themselves down
in the hair department.

You oughta contact Channel Nine,
get a contract with them.

Dad, it doesn’t work like that.

Look at them and look at you.

Now, THAT is a head of hair.

Just beautiful.

Thanks, Dad.

I'm only statin’ the truth.

Dad, what’s a pulpit?

Where the minister
gives his sermon from.

How much?

$800.

Dreamin’.

Actually, I know how
to get you on there.

Send in a photo of you
for the home viewer.

Dad, if you dare...

I've got quite a few lying around.
Dad!

Actually, I think I've got one
taken when you were two

and you didn’t have any clothes on.

DAD! Don’t you...

Quite a few to choose from.
No! (LAUGHS)

No! Don’t, Dad!

That night, I thought of Wayne again.

I wondered what he was doing

and whether the e|ephant’s trunk
was still up,

’cause that brings good luck.

So, in conclusion,

my client will be appealing
the decision to the Federal Court

and, as an interim,
will be seeking an injunction...

..er, to stop any further action
in this matter.

Sincerely, Dennis Denuto.

(TYPES)

(PHONE RINGS)

RECEPTIONIST: Hammersley
& Laycock. Can I help you?

Putting you through now.

(PLANE ROARS)

(HAMMERING)

He can’t come to the phone, Farouk.
He’s up in the ceiling.

Righto, righto. |’|| get him to give
you a call as soon as he comes down.

OK. Oh, give my love to Taboula.

'Bye.

DARRYL: Shit! Steve!

Yeah?

Beams aren’t supportin’.

I reckon we put a hold
on the mezzanine.

Yeah, alright.

But I'll have to give that guy
a call about the spiral staircase,

'cause he's holdin' it for us.

Darl, can you give Farouk a ring?
Yeah.

Where’s Dad?
Up in the roof.

Dad.
Yeah, mate?

I dug another hole.

It's filling with water.

You are FUCKIN’ kidding me!

I cleared that tray
three FUCKIN’ TIMES!

Mr Denuto.
Yeah?

Ron Graham, Hammersley & Laycock.
Got your note during the week.

Oh, yeah...yeah. Um...sit down.

Now, the Kerrigan matter.

Well, we’re gonna
be taking it. ..further.

Yes, we totally understand

and we’re here on behalf
of our client to apologise.

We’ve made a mistake.
You have?

Yes, it appears that the house
belonging to Mr Kerrigan

was grossly undervalued by mistake

and our client would like
to rectify the situation.

Well, what are you offering?

Whoa.
Another $25,000.

As a separate cash cheque.

You know, Darryl — my client —
is disputing the compulsory purchase.

Yes, though,
with the correct valuation,

we thought this may
put the dispute to rest.

What if it doesn’t?

If I were you,

I would advise Mr Kerrigan
against taking any further action.

This is
a multi-billion-dollar project.

It's been in planning
for a long time.

If this action were to
delay or spoil the plans,

well, the understandable anger
could well spill into something else.

Are you threatening?

Hang on, I just came in here,

apologised and increased
the offer by $25,000.

I'm sorry, yeah.

And that offer
should be put to Mr Kerrigan

with your strongest
possible recommendation.

Tell 'em to get stuffed.

It's $25,000, Darryl!

Don’t you get this, Dennis?

Darryl, they’re offering
25 grand extra.

Dennis, this is not about money!

I am not leavin' the house.
Tell 'em I'm not movin'.

They’re not gonna be happy.

Who cares?

I mean, they’re gonna
be really unhappy.

So, what are you tellin’ me, Dennis?

Nothin', Darryl.

Did they threaten you?
Not me, really.

They threatened me?
Not exactly...

They fuckin’ well threatened me?!

They just said...

I want you to get on
that phone right now

and tell 'em where
they can shove their 25 grand.

Darryl, 'them' is the Barlow Group -
people used to getting their way.

Now, they want to expand the airport

and there’s one bloke
who’s a pain in the arse!

Tell 'em to get stuffed.

More, darlin’?

Oh, no. No, love.
That was beautiful.

What do you call that?

Ice-cream.

Yeah, but...but what
you’ve done with it.

What'd you do to it?

Scooped it out of the punnet.

Did I do the right thing?

Oh, yeah, sweetheart.
You did the right thing.

25 grand, Dad.

Yeah, but not that way, Steve.
We’re not gonna take the money.

I wanna tell you a story.
Oh, good.

About how your father and I met.

I know this one.
Not all of it, Dale.

You see, I used to go out
with a very handsome young man —

well-to-do —

called Bob Thompson.

Big Bob Thompson.
What’s he doin’ now, eh?

Puttin’ in fence posts in Adelaide.

He runs a construction company.
So he says.

Well, anyway, one night
he took me to the greyhounds.

He put on a real show.
We ate at the carvery...

What did you have?

Ah...pork.
Ohhhh!

Anyway, we had wine, champagne,

he put on all my bets and he was
just sweeping me off my feet.

And I wouldn't have been at all surprised
if he popped the question.

Well, anyway, later on,
I don’t know what it was,

but out of the corner of my eye,
I spotted this lanky bloke

struggling with one of his greyhounds.

Red Rocket.
That’s you, Dad.

Now, Bob, he went off to talk
to one of the stewards

and this young fella, he comes right
up to me and starts chattin’ to me.

And he asks me out.
And I said, “Well, I'm on a date.”

Well, he backed right off.

He said he wasn’t cuttin’ anyone’s lunch
and he wished me goodnight.

And I thought,
“That man has principles.”

And from that day on,
I've only had eyes for one man.

Hook, line and sinker.

And that’s what I love about him —
his principles.

So we’re not
takin’ the money, Steve.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

No, hang on. I'll get it.

What was the carvery like?

Yeah?

Mr Kerrigan?
Yeah. What?

I've got a message to pass on.
From who?

I'm just passing on a message.

You from the council?
No, I'm not from the council.

The company?

I'm just passing on a message,
Mr Kerrigan.

They always send someone different,
don’t they?

The message is,
“Take the offer and shut up.”

Understood?

Are you threatenin’ me?
Just passing on a message.

Fuck off, you clown!
Mr Kerrigan...

Fuck off!
Better watch your mouth, pal.

You heard my dad. Now, FUCK OFF!

Whoa, whoa.

Fine. I just tried to tell ya.

What the fuck
do ya think you’re doin’?!

You know what I said after Wayne —
no more guns in the house!

Yeah, but he was threatenin’ you.

Where'd you get it?
'Trading Post'.

What did you pay for it?
$180.

What was he askin’?
$250.

He was dreamin’.
Yeah.

Get rid of it.

(SIGHS)

DARRYL: Sell it.

(TYRES SCREECH OUTSIDE)

(DOG BARKS)

(GLASS SHATTERS)

(CAR ROARS AWAY)

Pricks!

Alright. Alright!

I might pass on a message of my own.

Don’t bullshit me, pal!

I know why you want
Highview Crescent.

It's because you're too much of
a tight-arse to fill in the quarry!

It's easier to knock down people's
houses than it is to fill in a hole!

What do you say to that?!

MAN: Get off my property
or I'll call the police.

Fuck the police! You’re the arsehole
that had my car smashed.

Settle down, mate! Settle down!

That’s just what he wants us to do.

OK? Now, just keep our cool.

We don’t want to do anything stupid.

(ENGINE ROARS, TYRES SCREECH)

Darryl John Kerrigan?

You know who I am, Mick.

Darryl John Kerrigan?
Yes, Officer.

Were you in Lancell Road, Toorak,
at approximately 2:30 this morning?

Nuh.

Is there anyone who can verify
your whereabouts at that hour?

Yeah, yeah. Everyone in this house -
while I've still got it.

Daz, I know you did it.

I told you, mate,
I don’t know anything...

Shut up. I'm not gonna book you.
This is just a warnin'.

I know what’s goin’ on.

No-one wants to see you get
the rough end of the stick,

but you’re gonna
have to watch yourself

otherwise you'll end up losing
more than this house.

Mick!
Darryl, I've seen it happen, mate.

Now, settle down.

If you want to take 'em on,
do it the right way - by the book.

Alright, Mick.

Oh, and, Daz...
Yeah?

Put them gates around the back.

Oh, yeah.

DARRYL: Listen, things
are getting a bit serious.

Last night I had a visit
from some hired thug.

FAROUK: Yeah, me, too.
What do you mean, you too?

A man, he come to my house and
he say, “Stop with the court business.”

If no stop, he have friend
who come and beat me.

I say, “You have friend,
I have friend.

“My friend come to your house,

“put bomb under your car
and blow you to fucking sky!”

What'd he do?
He get scared and he leave.

I bet he did!

I don’t really have friend like this
but people think all Arab have bomb.

You’re a bloody ripper, Farouk!
That’s fuckin’ fantastic!

Excuse the French, Evonne.

Get your hand off it, Darryl.

Anyway, um...
I was worried for everyone.

I just didn’t want to force
anyone into this.

Farouk?

I'm with you, Mr Darryl.

Evonne?

What are they gonna do
my ex hasn’t done?

Jack?
Yeah, fuck 'em.

Well, Dennis Denuto is acting
on our behalf.

We’ve gotta be in Federal Court
next Tuesday.

Does he think we’ve got a good case?

He reckons it just has
to contravene the constitution.

And the constitution
is the biggest law we’ve got.

How much?

Ah, good point, Evonne.

Steve.

Now, all up it’s gonna cost $1,500.

Now, that’s $750 now,
$750 in six months time.

So, $150 each.

Jack, I know you can’t do it,
so I'm kickin’ in for you.

Good on ya, Darryl.
I'll pay you back.

Evonne?
Yeah,fine.

Farouk?
I pay cash now.

No, no, no! Hold your horses!

What is it with wogs and cash?

Anyway, it’s bargain basement prices

and...you’d better wear a suit
this time, Farouk.

What’s this Dennis Denuto
like, Darryl?

He’s a lawyer.
This is about the law.

He’s gotta know what he’s doin’.

Um...al-alright.
Give me one moment...and I will.

Um...it’s the...

..the, um...

..the...

..the constitution...of Australia.

This is a blatant violation

of the constitution
of the Commonwealth of Australia.

And when it comes to violations,
they don’t come any bigger.

What section of the constitution
has been breached?

Section?

What...what section...
There is no ONE section.

It's. . .just the vibe. ..of the thing.

I'm afraid, Mr Denuto,
you'll have to be more specific.

Oh, yeah, sure, sure.

I was just starting general

and then I was getting...
more specific with it.

The, um...
Just one moment...please.

The, um...

Jesus, Darryl, I am sweating here!

You’re killin’ them, Dennis.

I don’t even know Roman numerals.

Um...

X...X...

I've got it here as the...Section 51,

uh...second from the bottom.

“The Parliament shall have power
to make laws

“with respect to copyrights,
patents of inventions

“and designs and trademarks.”

It's all part of it.

This is what I'm getting at.
That’s my point.

It's...it's the vibe of it.

Alright, taken.

Do you have a precedent
which supports this...'vibe'?

Uh...yes. Yes, I do.
Um...just one moment.

What’s the name
of the famous Aboriginal?

Cathy Freeman?

No, no, the court...
Evonne Goolagong?

No,no,no.
Ma...Ma...Mabo.

Mabo.

What about it?

That’s your classic case
of big business trying to take land...

...and they couldn't.

Mr Denuto, the Mabo decision

pertains to the specific issue of
native land title and terra nullius.

Yeah.

So, what part of the judgment
is relevant to this case?

A-again... it...
it’s just the vibe. ..of it.

Actually, may |...approach the bench?

Am I wasting my time here?

Your case is not strong.

Am I sort of
in the ballpark, though?

Fm a judge!

I understand.
Can you just give me an angle?

I'm sorry, Mr Denuto. I can’t.

Understood, understood.
I think I've got a good one, anyway.

In summing up, it’s...
the...constitution, it’s Mabo,

it's justice, it's law,
it's the vibe and...er...

No, that's it. It's the vibe.

I rest my case.

That was sensational.

Counsel for the respondent.

Your Honour, I don’t wish to waste
any more of your time.

I appreciate it.

Our arguments are contained
in the forward documents

and we’d be more than happy for that

to constitute the case
for the respondent.

Thank you. So be it.
I call a one-hour adjournment.

Good on ya, Dennis.
That shut 'em up.

I'm going for a bit of
a breather, mate.

How you goin’?

Oh, fine, fine.

Got a case comin’ up?

Er, no, no.

I'm here to see someone.
I'm a spectator today.

Oh, yeah.

My son’s first appearance.

Oh. Do you reckon he'll get off?

Oh, no, no. He’s a barrister.

He’s appearing for the first time
as a barrister.

Congratulations!
Oh, thank you.

Darryl Kerrigan.

Oh, Lawrence Hammill.

G’day, Lawrence.

Barrister, eh?
He’d need a degree for that.

Yes, yes.
He’s got a couple, actually.

You must be as proud as punch.

Well, you know.

Oh, I know. I've got a daughter.

Diploma Certificate —
fully qualified hairdresser.

The day she came home and told me
she’d got into Sunshine TAFE

was the proudest day of my life.

Yes, I can imagine.

Yeah, sure makes us parents
look like a bunch of dodos, eh?

(BOTH LAUGH)

You wouldn't have dreamt
of doin’ what your son's done.

No...no. Anyway, Darryl,
what brings you here?

Oh, bloody government’s
trying to take my house.

This new Airlink thing.

Imagine that — Sal and me brought up
our whole family in that house

and they think they can just walk in...

Anyway, we’re takin’ them to court.
Bloody outrageous.

It's gotta be
against the constitution.

Yes, it is outrageous.
Who’s acting for you?

Dennis Denuto.
Uh... Never heard of him.

Oh, you wouldn't have.
He just does our local area.

Yeah, but I've never heard of him
in constitutional law.

No, you wouldn't.
He does conveyancing, mainly.

You know, wills, petty theft —
that sort of thing.

But, hey, it’s all
based on the constitution.

Yes, yes...in a way.
Mmm.

Good bloke, though.

Yes, sounds like it.

Anyway, I'd better be going.
Sure.

Yeah. Nice talkin’ to you, Lawrie.

Nice talking to you, Darryl.

And good luck with your boy.

Thanks, Darryl.
I hope everything works out.

Oh, yeah, yeah.
I'm pretty confident.

I find in favour of the respondent.

Yes!

It's THEM, Darryl.

But we was responding to them.

We lost, Darryl. I'm sorry.

Dad reckons he must've
sat there for an hour.

He said it was like being kicked
in the guts with the back end of a bus.

Dad had to explain to Farouk
that they’d lost.

It was really hard
telling Evonne too.

But the toughest one was Jack.

Trace and Con were great, though.

Good on you, Dad.
You stood up to them.

I'm so proud of you.

I'm so impressed with your
fighting quality, Mr Kerrigan.

Thanks, mate.

And can I just say how disenchanted
I am with our legal system?

Dad was very quiet
after losing the court case.

I 'd never seen him so down.

He even stopped complimenting Mum
on her cooking.

Are you right there, darl?

Yeah.

STEVE: Dad?

Someone’s, uh...
selling a telephone box.

Oh.

They said no to an extension.

Dennis says we gotta be out
in two weeks.

Two weeks?

(SIGHS)

I haven’t told Wayne yet.

I think Dad felt he’d let everyone down,
but especially Wayne.

That’s why he’d been
putting off telling him.

He just couldn’t think of a way
to break it to Wayne.

I told Dad not to worry —
I knew how to tell Wayne we’d lost.

We lost.
Lost?

(MUMBLES) Yeah.

(SIGHS) Did Dad do his nut?

No, he’s gone real quiet.

Quiet?

Yeah. I think he thinks
he’s let everyone down.

Let US down?

Well, yeah. That’s what I think.

See, especially you.

I think he was looking forward to
the day you’d come back to the house.

Well, you tell Dad
the only reason I love that house

is 'cause it had him and Mum in it.

And, like...everyone else.

Wherever they go, I'll love.

As long as it has them in it.

All those lawyers and government
people can just go and get fucked.

(READS) “As long as it
has them in it.

“A|| those lawyers and government
people can go and get fucked.”

Only, he wanted me to change
that “get fucked” bit, but I forgot.

Onya, mate.

I'd better keep packing.

(PLANE ROARS)

Dad?

Yeah, mate?

I can, uh, get you
some more boxes if you want.

No, I think I'll be right, Steve.

Dad?

You haven’t let anyone down.

I don’t know what the opposite
of lettin’ someone down is...

..but you’ve done the opposite.

When are you gonna sign 'em?

I don’t know.

They gotta be done by Friday.

I can’t.

I can’t. I just can’t.

Darryl, we gotta go.

Yeah, I know.

I know we lost, I know we
gotta get out of this place,

I know this is no longer our house,

but I'll be buggered
if I can sign those papers.

I just cannot physically
pick up the pen and sign them!

Did you speak to Jack?
Yeah, yeah.

His son-in-law's moved to Perth
so he's no help.

Poor Jack.

Listen, I told him he could stay
with us until we work something out.

How did you go with the agent?

(SIGHS) Two-bedroom units
are $80,000.

A flat?

With four people, the greyhounds,
five cars,

the boat and Jack.

It'll be OK.

And what are we
gonna do with Wayne?

Wayne’|| understand.

You know he keeps a photo
of this place on his wall.

I know.

He gets out after five years

and we have to put him in a laundry
smaller than his cell.

Rent? Maybe we rent.

We not only lose our place,
we’re paying for someone e|se’s.

Well, darl...

I'm really starting to understand
how the Aborigines feel.

Have you been drinking?

Well, this house is like their land.

It holds their memories.

The land is their story.
It's everything.

You just can’t pick it up
and plonk it down somewhere else.

This country's gotta stop stealing
other people's land.

STEVE: Dad? There’s someone
here to see you.

G’day, Darryl.

Lawrie!

So, I thought I'd come and visit.

But how'd you find us?

You know us dodos —
we’ve got a few tricks up our sleeves.

Don’t I know it.

I, uh, heard about the decision.

Yeah! Yeah, well,
that’s the way these things are.

How did your boy go?
Oh, fine. Yeah, fine.

Great. Great.

Darryl, I wonder if I could
put something to you.

Yeah, sure.

I don’t think
I introduced myself fully.

You see, I'm retired now
but I'm actually a lawyer myself.

Three degrees in the family.

I'd like to see your poolroom!

I'm, uh...what's called a QC.

Oh, yeah. A QC?
You’re one of those?

What’s that?

A Queen’s Counsel.

Oh! You counsel the Queen.

Um, they’re the lawyers
rich people use, love.

Yeah, well, that’s probably the most
accurate way of describing us.

I don’t think Dennis would be a QC.
N-no, I don’t think, er...

Anyway, my specialty as a QC
was constitutional law,

Australian constitutional law.

Now, have you heard
of the Tasmanian dams case?

Um...

Well, um, Mabo?

Oh, the Aboriginal guy,
told the government to shove it.

That’s the one.

Anyway, I've had quite a bit
to do with these over the years

and I've had a look into your case
over the last few days.

And I think there’s a bit more to it.
What do you mean?

I think you’ve got a case.
So, Dennis was on the right track?

Y-yes.

I told you that judge
had it in for him.

I believe there’s a section
of the constitution

about the government’s right

to acquire land
that hasn’t been tested.

But Dennis tested it.

Well, I think
we could test it better.

Anyway, I would like to appear
on your behalf gratis.

No fee.

Well, no. We couldn't.

I've done pretty well out of
this law caper over the years,

so if you’re happy
for me to take it further...

Further? We’ve been
to the Federal Court.

How much further can we take it?

Three weeks later,
Mr Hammill, Dad and Dennis

went to the High Court in Canberra.

Lawrie asked Dennis
to be his instructing solicitor.

Dennis was stoked,

but shittin’ himself
at the same time.

I'm shittin’ myself.

Shall we?

Let's stick it up 'em.

And so Dad — or as he
was called by the judge,

Darryl John Kerrigan —

sat in the High Court of Australia
and put his case.

Or, at least, Mr Hammill did.

Dennis was very helpful too.

He was passing books around
like a librarian.

He even learnt Roman numerals
especially for the trip.

Um, Paragraph x...

...31.
Thank you, Dennis.

But Dad reckoned
there was no doubt about it.

From the moment he stood up,
Mr Hammill was the star of the show.

Section 51, paragraph 31.

“The Parliament shall have power
to make laws

“with respect to the acquisition
of property on just terms.”

Let’s think about those words
“on just terms”,

and how they relate to real people.

Your Honour, my client
built his home by the law,

in full accordance with the law.

He doesn’t know about the extensions.

But does he have
the protection of the law?

How can the forcible removal
of a family, a good family,

from their home,
have the blessing of our constitution?

How can that be “on just terms”?

Dad reckoned it was in the bag

even though they had five times
more lawyers than we did.

Well, my client has adhered to the law —
every law, every statute,

from the Town Planning Act
to Civil Aviation regulations.

But in what can only be described
as the last desperate measure,

my client is accused of breaching
none other than the constitution!

I mean, good Lord,
what else are we guilty of?

International war crimes? Hmm?

He’s even paid people
to laugh for him.

I refer the court to His Honour,
Mr Justice Dixon’s decision

in Grace Bros and the Commonwealth.

Much as Dad hated to admit it,
the other lawyer was good,

and he was gonna give us
a real run for our money.

..a safeguard to the Commonwealth...

But if Mr Hammill was worried,
he didn’t show it.

He kept right on at 'em.

..a constitutional guarantee
which is designed

to protect the individual...

But everything he said,
they had an answer for.

Your Honour, that statement
was obiter dictum.

Was not.

Well, it wasn’t.

Was it?

The interpretation...
I don’t know.

..“on just terms” was considered
in the Tasmanian dams case.

The court took into account
the interests of the community,

such as job creation...

Dad reckoned Dennis got
the hang of things real quick.

The main job of a senior counsel
was to provide backup for the QC.

Ah, yes! And this is further
underlined in Georgiades...

And that’s what Dennis did.

Ah, utilitarianism — the greatest
good for the greatest number.

But what this principle fails to...

What this principle
fails to take into account

is that competing rights cannot
be weighed one against the other.

Is a family's right to live freely
in their home outweighed...

It wasn’t just legal argument.

Mr Hammill even put jokes in —
clever jokes.

..not that our children
will have a place to live,

but whether they'll have prompt
delivery of their parcels.

Dad thought it was real funny...

..even though he didn't get it.
(LAUGHS)

(LAUGHS) Suffer in yourjocks.

In fact, there were a lot of times

he didn’t quite understand
what was being said.

But one time, he knew exactly
what was being said.

He’s even approached the appellant
with an offer of compensation.

A generous offer, considering
the nature of the, uh, dwelling,

or, as it might more accurately
be called, eyesore.

What are you calling an eyesore?
Darryl.

It's called a home, you dickhead.

Your Honour.
Darryl!

And it’s a bloody fine one! If there
were more homes like that, we’d...

Have the jails full of people
like your son?

You bloody arsehole!
Sit down, Darryl.

Mr Hammill,
I'm calling an adjournment

and I trust that your client will,
in the meantime, compose himself.

Mr Lyle, I'll thank you not to make

any further value judgments
in this court.

I'm sorry, Lawrie, I...

That’s alright, Darryl.

I was thinking the same thing,

though not in those words.

I wish I had your words.

How dare they?

I mean, an EYESORE!

I mean, that just goes to show
that they don't get it.

They’re judging the place
by what it looks like,

and if it doesn’t have a pool
or a classy front or a big garden...

It's got a pretty good gate.

And because of that,
it’s not worth saving.

But it’s not a house, it’s a home.

It's got everything.

People who love each other,
care for each other.

It's got memories. Great memories.

I mean, it’s a place
for the family to turn to.

Come back to.

But that doesn’t seem to mean
as much as a big fuckin’ driveway.

Later, it was time
for Mr Hammill to sum up.

Dad said he was unbelievable.

It's not a house, it's a home.

He reckoned he finished
like a champion greyhound.

People who love each other,
people who care...

He quoted cases, he quoted laws.

But Dad nearly fell off his chair

when Mr Hammill finished
by quoting Dad, only better!

And somehow that’s not worth
as much as a big...driveway.

Now, you may think our appeal
is based on emotion rather than law.

Not true.

It's about the highest law
in this country - the constitution -

and one phrase within it —
“on just terms”.

That’s what this is all about — being just.

They want to pay only for the house.

But they’re taking away
more than that, so much more.

Sure, the Kerrigans built a house.

Then they built a home
and then a family.

You can acquire a house

but you can’t acquire a home

because a home is not built
of bricks and mortar

but love and memories.

You can’t pay for it

and you’re just
short-changing people if you try.

I can’t speak for those
who wrote this document,

but I'll bet when they put in
the phrase “on just terms”,

they hoped it would stop anyone

short-changing someone
like Darryl Kerrigan.

Thanks, Loz.

Thank you.

In the end, who knows whether
it was Dad’s words or Mr Hammill

or even Dennis’s note passing,

but we won the case.

..found in favour
of the appellant.

Shit!

Bullshit! That's us.

We won?

We won.

You little ripper!

(LAUGHS) Thanks, lads.

Ha! We won.

Dad was stoked,
but suitably restrained.

He reckons the other side didn’t know
what to do with themselves.

Dennis was so stunned
he went all quiet.

Dad reckons he almost cried.

In fact, I think he did.

Mr Hammill just sat there for ages.

He reckoned it was the most
satisfying victory

he’d had in 47 years.

Dad reckoned it’s important
to be noble in victory

so he spoke to the other QC...

..the one who had a go at Wayne.

Bad luck...

..you dickhead.

The case was all over the news
that night.

Good evening.

First tonight, a landmark decision
in the High Court today

has confirmed the age-old saying,
“A man’s home is his castle.”

When the huge Airlink consortium
tried to compulsorily acquire

a string of homes on Melbourne’s
outskirts earlier this year,

they didn’t expect a fight.

Well, they got one.

REPORTER: It was a
case of Darryl v. Goliath

in the High Court
of Australia today

when tow truck driver...

Mum reckons it’s real funny
how one day you’re not famous

and the next day you are — famous —
and then you’re not anymore.

Dad had one of the biggest
parties EVER that night back at home.

He invited everyone
from the neighbourhood —

his friends, family, in-laws.

This case has totally regained
my faith in the legal system.

Mr Hammill even brought
his son along.

I'm really pleased
to meet you, Adam.

Everyone was having
a real good time...

..especially Mum and Dad.

I've never seen them so happy.

Dad invited everyone
up to Bonnie Deon.

I fix for you with
special Farouk pressure system.

Mr Hammill said he’d love to come.

I don’t think he’d ever
fished for carp.

Well, that party went
on and on and on.

And Dad smiled all night.

This is why we need that patio.
Yeah.

The victory was reported
in all the papers.

It became known
as the 'Kerrigan Decision'.

Don’t thank me. This is the bloke...

Although Dad said as far as he was
concerned, it was Lawrie’s victory.

Don’t forget Dennis here, either.
Dennis...

That was the beginning of a string
of good luck for our family.

Six months later, we got notice

that Wayne would soon
be eligible for parole.

Dad rang Mr Hammill,
who was more than happy

to come out of retirement again.

Wayne said the parole board
couldn't believe their eyes.

When Mr Hammill walked in,

he reckons they granted him
parole out of shock.

Dennis became very well-known
after the case

and people came
from everywhere to hire him.

He won a very big case —
a class action

against people who put lead
in the landfill 15 years ago.

I think Mr Hammill
helped him there too.

Dad is very happy for him.

He even bought himself
a new photocopier,

one that never breaks down.

And guess what? Mr Hammill
did go up to Bonnie Doon.

At first Dad thought
it was out of politeness.

But it can’t be
’cause he goes up there all the time.

And he and Dad still hit it off

as good as they did
the first day they met.

Coco never won another race,

but she had a son
which Dad called Son of Coco.

He hasn’t won yet,
but Dad has high hopes.

Dad did finish the patio —
in a Greek style.

And the extension, and he even
put up those big iron gates

that he and Steve had gotten
for a bargain that night in Toorak.

Steve got back with Kerry,
his old girlfriend.

Eventually they got married
and had a little boy, three weeks later.

(READS) “Baby capsule.
Still in box.”

Con and Tracey had a kid too.

He’s already taken up kickboxing.

They are great parents.

Wayne started helping Dad with
the tow truck and really made a go of it.

Dad’s even more proud of him now
than when he was in jail!

It was Wayne’s idea
to move into tray trucks.

Pretty soon, they had two,
then three, then EIGHT!

Who knows when it'll stop?

Mum reckons 11.

She’s as proud as punch
with all this.

And guess what?
She DID take up pottery.

She didn’t even need lessons!

And Dad, well, he reckoned he got
everything he’d ever wished for.

He often used to sit out on the patio
and just smile to himself.

And they still live
at 3 Highview Crescent,

even though it’s only them two
living in it.

And Dad still calls it
his castle.

My name’s Dale Kerrigan
and that was my story.