Original title
The Sullivans
Released
11/15/1976
Origin country
AU
Genre
Drama, Soap
Production companies
Crawford Productions, Nine Network Australia
Status
Ended
Number of seasons
23
Number of episodes
1114
The Sullivans is an Australian drama television series produced by Crawford Productions which ran on the Nine Network from 1976 until 1983. The series told the story of an average middle-class Melbourne family and the effect World War II had on their lives. It was a consistent ratings success in Australia, and also became popular in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands, Gibraltar and New Zealand.
September 1, 1939 to February 17, 1940 War is looming and it poses very special threats to the Sullivans and their friends. Dave is a veteran of WWI and Grace, his wife, fears that he will enlist to fight again - but it is their son Tom who is the first to go off to war. Local German shopkeepers, the Kauffmans, face discrimination and risk internment while amidst the turmoil is John Sullivan’s love for their daughter Anna. With the war preoccupying the adults, 13-year-old Kitty Sullivan embarks on an innocent relationship with a lonely man – much to the consternation of Mrs. Jessup their nosey neighbour.
The story began in 1939, with the declaration of war against Germany. From the outset the series focused on the Sullivan family of 7 Gordon Street, Camberwell, Victoria, along with neighbourhood friends, relatives, and associates. The majority of show's storylines related to the war, focussing on either the fighting itself or its effect on the Sullivan family.
It is a tense reunion for Maggie and Dave, after all these years. They talk together at the local pub alone. While at the same time, Grace is sitting at home alone. Tom meets up with Bert and is impressed. They end up drinking at the pub together and Maggie learns Tom is Dave Sullivans 2nd Son. Bert gets them both thrown out of the pub and Norm talks to Maggie about Dave. Tom later arrives home late at night only to wake Dave and Grace in his drunken state.
Grace informs John about Dave's decision wanting to join the Army. Tom heads out with Bert again to try and devise ways they can make money. The Kauffmans return to the their shop depressed after attending the Police station to register as 'aliens'. Grace invites Mrs.Jessup and Lil to come over to the Sullivans house for a cup of tea and to meet her friend from Burrabri. Lil almost faints and won't go. Mrs.Jessup goes to the Sullivans house without Lil and discovers there is a good reason Bert and Lil left Burrabri.
February 17, 1940 – September 30, 1940 Grace faces the inevitable – her second son Tom will soon be leaving for the Middle East. As Tom departs he fears Christine may not wait for him to return? Dave Sullivan continues to struggle with indecision – will he re-enlist to fight in this war? Meanwhile Grace suspects that Dave is not telling her everything about his past with Maggie. The arrival of evacuee children from London disrupt home life for Jarvis and the Sullivan family. Newlyweds John and Anna face difficult times while in Palestine Bert Duggan awaits news from Lil. Is he a father yet?
September 30, 1940 – February 1, 1941 With a court case pending and the risk of a jail sentence, Uncle Harry needs all the support he can get. The shop is in financial trouble but there is a greater tragedy ahead for the newlyweds John and Anna. Grace re-discovers her faith and returns to the Catholic church while Dave thinks it’s such mumbo-jumbo. Both Kitty and Terry have their young hearts broken as they grow up and discover the opposite sex. The North African campaign begins in earnest when Tom, Norm and Bert go into battle in Bardia, Tobruk and Derna.
February 2, 1941 - May 5, 1941 The tension remains between Dave and Grace. Dave isn’t being totally honest. John’s anti-war sentiments lead him to join the Communist party – creating a massive rift throughout the Sullivan family. Lil returns from Sydney and travels back to Burrabri to reconcile with her family while Harry and Rose’s marriage appears to be on the rocks. Dave resists seeing the doctor when his health fails. With the war in North Africa going badly, Tom, Norm and Bert’s unit is evacuated to Greece and then sent to Crete to face the Germans.
May 6, 1941 - August 29, 1941 John makes a surprising and crucial decision about his future when his relationship with Sue ends. Maggie’s secret past is revealed when her daughter, Alice, makes contact. Mrs. Jessup also has an unexpected visit from her nephew Michael. When the navy evacuation of allied troops from German occupied Crete is abandoned, the boys of the 2/7th must fend for themselves. They are forced to seek refuge in the hills and caves - relying on the help the local villagers. Dave risks his health through overwork while Grace suffers nightmares about her sons at war. Her fears are realised when they receive an ominous telegram from the Army.
September 1, 1941 – April 30, 1942 With two sons away at war, Dave and Grace anxiously await any news. Now their third son, Terry, wants their signature on his enlistment papers for his 18th birthday. On German occupied Crete, Norm, Tom and Bert must endure the harshest conditions while working undercover with British Intelligence, all the while planning their escape from the island. In constant peril – one of them must stay behind. Michael and Alice hit rocky times as he wrestles with his conscience. Many believe him a coward for not enlisting. Harry gets lucky on the Melbourne Cup – but his luck runs out when tragedy strikes.
April 30 - November 14, 1942 Honouring his mate’s dying wish, Tom finds Geoff, the newly orphaned younger brother, and brings him home to the Sullivan family. After basic training, new recruits Terry and Michael find themselves on the Kokoda Track. Later, Terry is re-united with Norm and Tom where they continue to fight the Japanese in the jungles of New Guinea. At home, Kitty can’t decide between her two sailors - Eddie and Peter. She gets advice from her new sister-in-law Caroline. Harry finds romance with the ‘beaut sheila’ Lou.
November 20, 1942 - May 28, 1943 The war grinds on as Tom, Norm and Terry continue to fight the Japanese in the jungles of New Guinea. At home, wedding plans are made for Alice and Michael. Grace returns from Adelaide and Geoff has problems settling into his new school. Uncle Alf shows up to stay with the family but will he ever leave? Eddie faces a court-martial and Caroline receives some unwanted attention while Terry is reported missing in action. Harry and Lou leave for Sydney and Kitty struggles for independence.
May 29, 1943 - September 24, 1943 The boys arrive home on leave from New Guinea - but all too soon Tom and Terry have to return. Anticipating a medical discharge, Norm is promoted and re-assigned to Army Intelligence in Melbourne. Maggie and Norm announce their engagement. With Michael often away as a war correspondent and Alice’s preoccupation with the shop, the couple become ever more alienated. Dave involves himself in civic politics and considers joining the Freemasons – much to Grace’s dismay. Kitty makes a career change and enters nursing.
September 24, 1943 - January 9, 1944 Tom and Terry join Norm in a Z-force covert mission to contact an allied coast-watcher secreted on a Pacific island. Upon their return Terry finds that Caroline has changed. Dave hires a young ambitious new assistant at the office to share the workload. Norm’s intelligence work brings some surprising news to the Sullivans and Grace has to risk a flight to London leaving her family.
January 10, 1944 to April 6, 1944 With Grace away in London helping with John’s recuperation, Dave and Kitty find themselves at loggerheads when he doesn’t approve of her dating an older man. Harry acts as Jack’s financial advisor and after a failed land scheme they end up owning a racehorse. Geoff has problems at school and considers an apprenticeship. Tom and Terry are sent on a covert mission with Norm. Destination – Singapore - Changi prison.
April 7, 1944 to July 9, 1944 In London, John tries desperately to locate Nadia. Dave’s relationship with Kitty is at breaking point when she follows Ben to Sydney. Harry again finds himself in court but this time the outcome is serious. Tom, Terry and Norm attempt their escape from Changi, but only Terry makes the submarine rendezvous. Disaster strikes as John and Grace are about to return home from London.
Tom meets the excited Tivoli actress Gloria and spends fun hours with her. John wants to find out whether his wife Nadia, whom he last saw in Yugoslavia, is still alive and asks his old friend Meg for help.
July 10, 1944 to September 13, 1944 As the family gathers for Grace’s funeral, John returns home, but he leaves for Palestine soon after, in search for Nadia. Tom & Norm embark on a clandestine mission to German occupied Holland. Jim Sullivan, Dave’s cousin, arrives in Camberwell. Kitty is smitten by Jim’s army mate Robbie. Harry succeeds in a new career but loses in love.
September 14, 1944 to November 20, 1944 Terry’s emotional state is affected by his time at war. Dave does his best to help. In Holland, Tom and Norm pursue Krull, the German SS officer who executed Melina in Crete. Alice and Jim fall deeply in love but they must keep a secret from family and friends. Kitty and Robbie are wed.
November 20, 1944 to March 21, 1945 Tom and Norm return to London from occupied Holland but are sent back to Belgium during the "Battle of the Bulge" A flyer named Flynn puts Terry and Caroline's marriage reconciliation at risk. Jim and Alice finally take their wedding vows - in secret. Harry leaves for Queensland and leaves Jim in charge.
March 26, 1945 to July 27, 1945 Tom and Norm continue to train Dawn Force. Kitty becomes a mother and when Flynn is reported missing, Terry and Caroline stand in as parents for young Frank. Mrs. Jessup is not thrilled to see Alice bring Laura back to stay and not everyone is happy about Dave's growing fondness for Elizabeth.
July 27 - December 13, 1945 As the war draws to a close, Norm and Tom end their tour in the Pacific - but not before Tom is critically wounded. A witness to Hiroshima, Robbie returns deeply troubled. Dave runs for mayor of Camberwell while Jim proves his business acumen. Terry and Caroline continue to struggle in their marriage as Terry slips further into criminal activities.
December 19, 1945 to June 30, 1946 Norm establishes a boy’s club for the underprivileged. Disaster awaits Kitty and Robbie in Adelaide while Terry runs afoul of the law and finds himself in court. Patti Spencer arrives in Camberwell in search of Tom, Mrs. Jessup becomes engaged and Magpie and Urger become share croppers.
July 4, 1946 to January 14, 1947 Jim and Maureen's mother Mary and young brother Steve leave Horsham to live in Camberwell. Tom travels to Boston and brings Patti back to be his bride while Norm and Maggie are granted permission to adopt Carla. Laura moves in next door when Mrs. Jessup and Arthur leave for England. Jim goes into the plastics business backed by Patti's father.
January 18, 1947 to June 18, 1947 A private detective creates turmoil in Jack and Laura’s cosy lives while Ray ruffles feathers with his ‘social comment’ broadcasts at Radio 3PA. With Jim away working all hours Alice grows lonely. Sullivan-Spencer Plastics comes under threat of take over and Dave learns to trust Kitty’s instincts. Patti finds a friend who shares her interest in home renovation but Tom is suspicious.
June 20, 1947 to November 20, 1947 Norm undergoes harsh interrogation by the Dutch in Indonesia while Tom and Patti hit an insurmountable impasse in their marriage. Alice can no longer conceal her alcoholism, Ray’s ambition and vulgar egotism reach new heights, Geoff returns to Camberwell and Dave tries his hand at state politics.
November 24, 1947 – June 6, 1948 Jim takes an extended trip to New Zealand, leaving a pregnant Alice at home. Kitty gets a job in advertising, Norm trains a young boxer and it’s wedding bells for Horrible and Maureen. Dave quits his job with the Army and Grandpa Sullivan moves in after the death of his wife.
June 10, 1948 to August 22, 1948 In this final chapter of The Sullivans, Grandpa tries to help Geoff realise his dreams, Maureen naively runs up a hire purchase debt, Juliana defies Norm and Maggie and Alice gives birth with Jim still in New Zealand. When Terry escapes prison and comes home unexpectedly, there are tragic consequences for the family.
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