EPISODE 1

A STUDYGUIDE BY KATY MARRINER

http://www.metromagazine.com.au
ISBN: 13-978-1-74295-250-5

http://www.theeducationshop.com.au

Six households. One street.

Episode running time: 60 minutes

SCREEN EDUCATION

Redfern Now is the first drama series written, directed

and produced by Indigenous Australians. The series was
developed by UK screenwriter Jimmy McGovern and
produced by Blackfella Films.

ATOM

Redfern Now explores contemporary inner city indigenous

life. Over six extraordinary episodes, the series portrays
life in the suburb of Redfern in Sydney, New South Wales.
Family, Joyride, Raymond, Stand Up, Sweet Spot and
Pretty Boy Blue offer compelling and challenging stories of
ordinary people whose lives are changed by a quirk of fate.

CURRICULUM LINKS

the learning areas of English and History and

addresses the cross curriculum priority of Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures.
The series can also be used to teach the general
capabilities of Intercultural Understanding and
Ethical Behaviour.
For students in Years 11 12, Redfern Now has relevance to units of work in Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Studies, Australian History, Cultural Studies,
English, Health and Human Development, Literature,
Media, Religion and Society, and Sociology.
Redfern Now can be examined as film as text or
made part of thematic units of work Teachers may
also use the film to discuss and analyse the issues
facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The series offers stories of indigenous Australians
told by indigenous Australians, allowing students to
develop an awareness and appreciation of Indigenous storytelling and to see the issues affecting
Indigenous Australians from and Indigenous perspective.

We would like to acknowledge the generous and continued

support of the Aboriginal leaders, authorities and community of Redfern. We have assembled an astonishingly talented
team of Indigenous writers and directors and some of the
best actors in the country to create what we think will be
some of the most powerful, heartfelt and dramatic television of the year. Darren Dale
We drove the writers into the ground, he says. Two fourhour sessions every day, just talking story; burrowing down,
asking is this exciting, is this convincing? And because part
of the exercise was to bring on Aboriginal writers, we had to
make sure that they wrote every word. Jimmy McGovern

Jimmy McGovern | Story Producer

With his writing often based on real events or socially vital
issues, Liverpool-born Jimmy McGovern has built a formidable reputation writing powerful dramas for the stage and
screen. McGoverns writing credits read like a list of classic
television. Having honed his skill working on Brookside, his
major breakthrough came with Cracker, one of the bestloved UK TV shows of recent history. McGoverns other
television credits include The Accused (Series 1 and 2) and
The Street (Series 13), as well as Gunpowder, Treason and
Plot, Sunday, Dockers, The Lakes, Heart and Hillsborough.
A detailed biography of Jimmy McGovern can be
accessed at British Film Institute Screen Online
http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/510555/

ATOM

For students in Years 9 - 10, Redfern Now has

relevance to units of work in

SERIES KEY CREATIVES

SCREEN EDUCATION

Redfern Now is suitable for secondary students in

Years 9 12. The series given its insight into the
present experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples, provides opportunities for students
to engage in discussions about Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander identity and belonging and to examine
the influences of family, kinship, community, place,
culture and mainstream Australian society.

Darren Dale | Producer

Producer Miranda Dear began her career with UK public

broadcaster Channel 4 moving from Music & Arts through
to Acquisitions where she became Senior Film Buyer. In
1997, Dear moved to Australia as Acquisition and Production Consultant and negotiated the channels involvement in
a number of film funding and acquisition initiatives. In 2000,
Dear joined SBS Independent as Senior Commissioning
Editor Drama. Her commissions included Harvie Krumpet,
RAN (Remote Area Nurse), and the long-form drama features So Close to Home, Jewboy, Marthas New Coat and
Roy Hollsdotter Live. She was the SBS Commissioning Editor for the feature films Look Both Ways, Ten Canoes, Somersault, Australian Rules, Walking on Water and Tracker,
and also for a number Indigenous drama initiatives which
included Warwick Thorntons Mimi and Green Bush, Beck
Coles Flat and Plains Empty, and Wayne Blairs Black Talk
and The Djarn Djarns. In 2005, Dear joined ABC TV first as
an executive producer and then as Head of Drama. There
she executive produced a number of programs including
Rake (Series 1), Sisters of War, 3 Acts of Murder, Curtin, Dirt
Game, Bed of Roses, The Librarians, Rain Shadow, East of
Everything, Bastard Boys, Valentines Day, and The Silence.
She was the ABC commissioning editor for the feature films
Samson & Delilah, Bran Nue Dae, Here I Am and Eye of
the Storm, and the short film series The New Black. Dear
also commissioned the series The Slap, The Straits, Paper
Giants and Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries. Since 2010,
Dear has worked with Blackfella Films and most recently
produced, with Darren Dale, Mabo.

Since March 2010, Sally Riley has been the Head of ABC
TVs Indigenous Department. Previously Riley was Head of
Screen Australias Indigenous Unit for nine years. Over that
period she was integral to the development of Indigenous
Australian filmmaking. Riley has also been responsible for
developing and overseeing the production of a significant
body of short films, documentaries and feature films, and
she has fostered the development of a new generation of
Indigenous filmmakers. One of Rileys major achievements
during her time at Screen Australia was her contribution
to the development, financing and production of Warwick
Thorntons award-winning film Samson & Delilah. An experienced filmmaker, Rileys film, Confessions of a Headhunter,
won the AFI Award for Best Short Film in 2000. Riley was
awarded the Australian Public Service Medal in 2008 for
her services to the development of initiatives that have
increased the participation of Indigenous Australians in the
film and television industry.

Blackfella Films
Since 1992, Blackfella Films has created innovative and
high quality content across documentary and narrative in
both short and feature formats, for theatrical, television and
online platforms. The companys award-winning productions distinguish it as a creator of distinctive Australian
content. As well as production of screen content, Blackfella
Films integrates a niche exhibition outlet for Indigenous
content through Blackfella Films Presents and an online
directory of Indigenous media and arts called The Black
Book.

Visit Blackfella Films online at

http://blackfellafilms.com.au/.
Episode Directors: Leah Purcell, Rachel Perkins,
Catriona McKenzie, Wayne Blair

ATOM

Miranda Dear | Producer

Sally Riley | ABC TV Executive

Producer

SCREEN EDUCATION

Darren Dale has been a company director of Blackfella

Films, Australias premier Indigenous production company,
for over ten years. In 2008 Dale, together with his business
partner Rachel Perkins, produced the landmark multiplatform history series First Australians, broadcast on SBS
to over 2.3 million viewers. In 2011, Dale produced the
feature documentary The Tall Man for SBS, based on the
award-winning book by Chloe Hooper. Dale has produced
a number of acclaimed short films and documentaries that
between them have screened at the Sundance, Aspen,
Edinburgh, Toronto and Palm Springs International Film
Festivals. The 2010 SBS documentary Lanis Story was the
recipient of a United Nations Media Peace Award. Dale also
co-curated with Perkins the film program for the Message
Sticks Indigenous Festival at the Sydney Opera House from
2002 until 2011. Most recently Dale produced, with Miranda
Dear, the critically acclaimed film Mabo. Dale currently
serves on the board of Screen NSW and the Council of the
Australian Film, Television and Radio School.

Episode Writers: Jon Bell, Michelle Blanchard,

Danielle MacLean, Steven McGregor, Adrian Wills
4

BEFORE VIEWING
REDFERN NOW
Indigenous stories
Redfern Now is a landmark in Australian television because
it is the first piece of drama produced by the ABCs Indigenous Department. In addition, it is the first television drama
series that has been produced, written and directed by
indigenous filmmakers and has a mostly indigenous cast.
Make a list of other texts that you have watched, read
or listened to that tell the stories of Indigenous Australians.
Did Indigenous Australians create these texts?
Why is it important to experience texts told from an
Indigenous Australian perspective?
What do you know about the inner Sydney suburb of
Redfern? Have you ever been to Redfern? What sort of
reputation does Redfern have?
Watch the opening credit sequence of Redfern Now.
Make a list of everything you see and hear. How does
this sequence portray Redfern and the people who live
there?

Working as a class, discuss why the filmmakers chose

to set the series in Redfern.
Map the history of Redferns indigenous community. Use
the Internet to source information and images to create the
map. Your map will need a key and annotations to provide
a detailed account of Redferns past and present. Begin
your research at the Australian Bureau of Statistics:
http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/
getproduct/census/2011/quickstat/POA2016?
opendocument&navpos=220. Additional information cn
be located at the Redfern Oral History website: http://
redfernoralhistory.org/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx.

Redfern is an inner-city suburb of Sydney with a population of 12,035 people.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make up 2.4% of the population.
The Block is an area of the surburb in the immediate vicinity of Redfern Station
bounded by Eveleigh, Caroline, Louis and Vine Streets. The Aboriginal Housing
Company (AHC), the first urban Aboriginal community housing provider, used
grant money to purchase the houses on the Block.

SCREEN EDUCATION

Where is Redfern?

ATOM

Why call the series Redfern Now? What is achieved by

the use of the word now?

Family
Teachers may select from the following information and activities to support
students viewing and close analysis of Family.

EPISODE SYNOPSIS
Grace and Wesley havent had a holiday for years. Now
theyre off on the holiday of a lifetime with their two children and the taxi is waiting to take them to the airport. But
as Grace races back into the house for one last thing, the
phone rings.
Its her nephew Tyler. His mother, Graces sister Lilly, is
off her medication, and he and his little sister Maddi are
desperate for help. Grace knows she has to go to them as
nobody else will, but Wesley cant believe Lilly is messing
things up for them again. Grace promises to be back in
time to make the flight, not knowing that Lilly is in no mood
to cooperate. Unable to restore order and aware that Lilly
needs medical treatment, Grace makes the decision to
have her committed.

INTRODUCING THE
CHARACTERS
Grace is married to Wesley and has two children Malakai
and Jasmine. Grace is Lillys older sister and has always
looked out her. As the mother of two children, Grace has
worked hard to provide a stable and safe environment for
her own children but has always felt guilty about the way
that Lillys children have to live. She could never bring
herself to report her sister to Community Services because
losing the kids would be devastating for Lilly and would
probably make her illness worse. Lillys neediness and the
fact that Grace cant say no have always created problems
in Grace and Wesleys relationship.
Wesley is Graces husband. Wesley is hard working and
is trying to ensure a better future for his own children. He
doesnt have much empathy when it comes to Lilly or her
illness. Any understanding he did have diminished along
with all the money they have loaned her over the years and
never gotten back. He thinks that Graces need to fix things
for Lilly hasnt helped, and in fact has made her more
dependent. He feels for Tyler and Maddi but not enough to
want the responsibility of caring for them.

ATOM

But the next morning Tyler has disappeared. Wesley wants

to leave finding him to the police. He is unable to come to
terms with the fact that Grace has put somebody elses
kids before her own, and threatens to leave if she brings
Lilys kids back. Grace eventually finds Maddi and Tyler at
the hospital astonished to discover that they walked ten
kilometres to see their mum something her own spoilt
kids would never do for her.

When Grace and the children arrive back home Wesley

is packing his bags. Grace follows suit, packing her own
case and then leaving with Maddi and Tyler. She takes
them home to Redfern, determined that she will be better
off looking after Lillys children two than her own ungrateful
family. When Wesley arrives to ask Grace to come home
she initially refuses. An apology from Wesley and the promise of change prompts a reunion.

SCREEN EDUCATION

Grace now has to find somewhere for Tyler and Maddi to

stay. She calls Wesley to say that she may still be able to
make the flight if she can get one of her other sisters to
look after the kids while theyre away. Maddi is taken in but
no one will take Tyler. Grace has no choice but to take Tyler
home with her. Their long-awaited holiday is off. Graces
children blame and ostracise Tyler for their plight and Wesley is furious.

Jerome is married to Graces sister Helen. He is selfish

and opinionated and never misses the opportunity for a
good argument.
Marcia is Grace and Lillys sister. She finds Lillys illness
particularly difficult to deal with and tries to distance herself
from it as much as she can.

Maddi is Tylers younger sister. Tyler shields her from the

madness and upheaval that comes with being Lillys child.
Maddi is happy as long as Tyler is around. He makes her
feel safe.

Evelyn is Grace and Lillys sister. Kind hearted but also

pragmatic, Evelyn knows that the taking on Lillys kids
means that you must also take on Lilly and all her problems.

Malakai is Grace and Wesleys oldest child. Like most

boys of his age he is obsessed with playing computer
games, argues with his younger sister Jasmine and takes
all that he has for granted.

Jon is Evelyns husband. He always seems down on his

luck and can never seem to hold down a job. He knows
that taking on Lillys kids is a problem they just dont need.

Jasmine is Grace and Wesleys youngest child. She likes

hanging out with Malakai even though all they do is argue.
Like Malakai, Jasmine is spoilt.
Helen is Grace and Lillys sister. She has always been a

Jake is Tyler and Maddis father. Jake is a drug addict who

has recently found God and cleaned up his act but in order
to do this he has left everybody else behind. Jake is living a
lie. He is trying to make a new life and pretend the old one
doesnt exist. He has no connection with his children and
has done nothing to help Lilly provide for them.

ATOM

Tyler has had to grow up fast. Much of the responsibility

for caring for his ill mother and his younger sister Maddi
falls on his shoulders. Tyler is accustomed to dealing with
Lillys erratic behaviour and does everything he can to keep
her disorder under control, monitoring her behaviour and
encouraging her to take her medication.

bit of a pushover especially when it comes to her husband

Jerome. She would love to help Grace but needs to run
everything by Jerome first.

SCREEN EDUCATION

Lilly is Graces sister and Tyler and Maddis mother. Lilly

has suffered with bipolar disorder for most of her adult life.
Wary of any form of authority, Lilly relies heavily on her son
Tyler to help her cope.

1. Plot
Family begins at Graces house. Grace is ironing. Four
suitcases are set out on the dinner table in front of her.
Wesley is watching a rugby league game and is oblivious to his wife and children. The sound of a PlayStation
game can be heard from down the hall. Grace and Wesleys children, Malakai and Jasmine are arguing about
whose turn it is.

What happens next and why is this the moment that

changes everything?
Working as a class, make a list of the other key scenes.
Working in a small group, make a detailed analysis of
one of the episodes key scenes.
Use the following questions to make notes about the
scene you have selected.

What happens after Grace turns off the PlayStation?

What is the scene about?

Are there any indications of the conflict to come?

The next morning Wesley loads the luggage into the
boot of the taxi. The family are about to embark on a
long-awaited holiday to Bali. Grace is still inside the
house, packing her toiletries, stripping the beds, locking
the windows and checking that the passports are in her
handbag. The phone rings as Grace leaves the house
and walks towards the waiting taxi. She decides to ignore it. Meanwhile Wesley has realised that Malakai has
packed the PlayStation. Wesley hands the PlayStation
to Grace and she returns to the house with it.

How are production elements used to construct meaning?

Family ends with Grace, Wesley, Malakai, Jasmine,
Tyler and Maddi ready to take a well-earned camping holiday. Grace is just about to close the front door
when the phone rings. She looks over to the car where
Wesley, Jasmine, Malakai, Tyler and Maddi are waiting.
What happens next?
What ideas are resolved in the closing scene?
Was this the conclusion that you expected?

ATOM

How are we positioned to view each member of the

family?

Why is the scene significant?

SCREEN EDUCATION

What do we learn about the family during the opening

sequence of Family?

2. Characters
Complete the table by adding a description of each characters personality traits and by identifying that views that they
express and the values that they hold.

Character

Personality traits

Views and values

Grace

Wesley

Lilly

Malakai

Jasmine

Tyler

SCREEN EDUCATION

Helen

ATOM

Maddi

Jerome

Marcia

Evelyn

Jon

Jake

SCREEN EDUCATION

ATOM

Draw a family tree that names the characters and that both shows and describes their relationships with each other.

10

acting and presenting credits to his name. Use the

internet to research Doomadgees career. Write a short
biography that acknowledges Doomadgees achievements.
Leah Purcell is Grace.
Purcell is one of Australias leading actors. Her first professional break came in 1993 when she was cast in the
musical Bran Nue Dae. What other acting roles has Purcell
played during her career? Visit Purcells website at http://
www.leahpurcell.com/ to learn about her other contributions to Australian society?

3. Theme Mental health

They need to know the truth. They need to know that
youre not perfect, Grace. Lilly
Grace is a strong woman, there is much to admire
about her. Do you agree? Lilly is upset and angry when
she makes this accusation but what motivates her attack?

Mental health refers to how people feel about themselves

emotionally, socially and spiritually, and about their ability:
to cope with everyday life and stressful events;
to reach the goals they have set out for themselves;
to go to work and work productively;

Grace: Have you ever made a decision in your entire

life?
Wesley: Have you ever let me?

to be a part of the community they live in.

What factors in our everyday lives affect our mental
wellbeing?

What type of man is Wesley?

Malakai, Jasmine, Tyler and Maddi are cousins but their
lives are very different.
How does the filmmaker make the audience aware that
Malakai and Jasmine are spoilt?
This is not fair on the kids. They shouldnt have to see
this. They shouldnt have to live like this. Grace
Tyler and Maddi have had to cope with more than any
children should. Do you agree? When were you conscious of the children as vulnerable? When were you
conscious of the children as resilient?
Describe and explain the bond between each pair of
brother and sister.

There is an inequality in mental health between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians that starts from
an early age.
Why does this inequality exist?
Why is important that Indigenous Australians can access culturally specific mental health programs?
Begin your research about the mental health of Indigenous Australians and the programs that they can
access for support by visiting the following websites:
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
http://www.aihw.gov.au/indigenous-health/

How has Jake lived his life?

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

Alec Doomadgee is Wesley.

http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/

Doomadgee is a well-known identity in the Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander community, with numerous

Share your findings with the class.

SCREEN EDUCATION

http://www.health.gov.au/indigenous
ATOM

Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

I cant change the past Grace. I just need to start
again. Jake

11

Tyler: Can you come and talk to Mum?

Grace: Is she taking her tablets?
Tyler: She said she doesnt need them anymore.
Lilly is rampaging through the house. Grace
chooses to answer Tylers cry for help and
leave her own family waiting in the taxi uncertain of whether they will make it to the airport. She tells Wesley, I gotta go. Im worried
about them kids. Wesley disagrees, Youre
not going anywhere, babe. Were going on
holidays remember?
Grace claims that she doesnt have a choice.
Is she right to see it this way?
Wesley acquiesces, Look the latest we can
go is 11.30, alright? Make sure youre back. Grace
leaves, Wesley pays the taxi driver and the kids start
complaining.
Write what Grace is thinking as she drives away from
her family.

Grace: I just got Lilly committed. It was bloody terrible.

The kids watching.
Marcia: Hey, Im sure you saved them kids from a
bloody ugly situation. Somebody had to do it.
Did Grace make the right decision? Does Marcias approval make it easier for Grace to reconcile all that has
happened?

4. Theme Family ties

When Grace arrives at Lillys house, Grace tries to stay

calm and talk Lilly round but Lilly doesnt want her help.
Lillys mental health has deteriorated because she has
not taken her medication.

What does it mean to be part of a family?

What moments suggest that Grace has had to manage

this type of situation before?

Write a personal narrative that tells the reader about

your clan.

What moments suggest that Lilly is a danger to herself

and her children?

Family, kinship and community play an important role in the

lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

When Grace hands Lilly the water and the medication, Lilly pelts the tablets and the glass of water back
at Grace. The glass of water just misses Graces head
smashing against the wall behind her.

Access data about these relationships online at the Australian Bureau of Statistics: http://www.abs.gov.au/
websitedbs/c311215.nsf/web/Aboriginal+
and+Torres+Strait+Islander+Peoples++Family,+Kinship+and+Community. Spend time investigating the data and sharing your observations with the class.

Why is Lilly so insistent that she doesnt need the medication?

Youre trying to get me committed. Youre supposed to
be my sister. Youre supposed to care. Lilly
Isnt the fact that Grace is there and does call for medical attention for Lilly prove that she does care?

Do you spend time with your extended family? What

role do they play in the life of your immediate family?

Why does Tyler call his Aunty Grace? Why doesnt he

call his other aunties?
When the police arrive and take Lilly, Grace is upset
but relieved. Grace watches the police vehicle leave
and then turns her attention to the children. She calls

ATOM

Write the scene that follows Graces departure, as

Wesley explains to Malakai and Jasmine what has happened to delay their departure.

SCREEN EDUCATION

Or

12

I cant, I cant. Ive got to worry about my kids. You

should be worried about yours. Marcia
Marcia is supportive of Graces decision to place Lilly in
care but she refuses to look after her niece and nephew.
What reason does she give and is it reasonable that she
suggests that the family should involve DoCS? Who are
DoCS? What are the arguments for and against Marcias suggestion? Is Marcia heartless?
Right. Off to Uncle John and Aunty Evelyn. Oh, you
guysll have a good time. Righto, quick sticks, lets go.
Grace
Why does Jon refuse to help? Why is Evelyn prepared
to take Maddi but not Tyler? Is this fair?
Grace is furious. She rebukes her sister, Oh, I know.
Why dont we just drop him of at a boys home and be
done with it? And when hes forty and broken, I hope
youre around to pick up the pieces.

Why wont Jake take Tyler? Should Grace have even

asked?
You disgust me. I liked you better when you were a
drug addict. At least then you had an excuse for being a
lousy father. Grace
Jake may be a lousy father to Tyler and Maddi but is
Grace right to speak so bluntly in front of Tyler?
What did you want me to do? Let them fend for themselves. What if it was your family? Grace
When Grace returns home with Tyler and it is clear that
there will be no holiday to Bali, Wesley accuses Grace
of playing Wonder Women. Is he selfish? Didnt Grace
do what she had to?
He wont bring her back here. You know why? Because
Im the bitch who split them up. Wheres my keys?
Grace
When Tyler and Maddi go missing, Grace blames herself.

Why does Grace give in to Evelyns ultimatum and

separate the children?

Why does Wesley believe that she should leave finding

the children to the police?

Jake: Im sorry Tyler. Youll understand when youre

older.

Why does Grace refuse to see the situation from Wesleys perspective?

ATOM

What happens when the kids know where they are going? What happens when they arrive?

Grace: No he wont. Why couldnt you get your act together for their sake? They needed you. They still need
you.

SCREEN EDUCATION

her sister Helen and asks if she will look after Tyler and
Maddi. Helen agrees.

13

One of the most important concerns of any community

is the health, safety and well being of its children. Whilst
parents and carers are responsible for the safety and
welfare of children in their care, protecting children from
abuse and neglect is the responsibility of the whole
community.
Wesley: Look, the police will take them to DoCS and
DoCS will find them a family.
Grace: They have a family. Were their family.
Why is Grace reluctant to place Tyler and Maddie in care?
What type of intervention do you think is in the best
interests of Lilly and her children?
Indigenous children and young people are over represented
in the child protection and out-of-home care service systems in NSW. There are many reasons for this over representation, including the ongoing and generational effects
of Stolen Generations and the separating of Indigenous
children from their families, the increasing effects of poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, poor health, poor education,
unemployment, discrimination, housing and the disempowerment of parents and communities.

What other programs have been implemented to

strengthen and nurture Indigenous children and families?
Why is it necessary to have programs that have been
specifically designed to address the needs of Indigenous children and families?
Working with a partner, use the Internet to find out more
about a government or non-government organisation
responsible for the welfare of indigenous children and
families. Use PowerPoint to share your findings with the
class. Limit your presentation to ten slides. Make sure
that you include words and images in your presentation.
You may include audio.

Malakai give your sister a turn and bring me your runners here, please.
Oh Jasmine get away from there, youll be burning
yourself. Go to bed
You dont see a bloody thing when the footballs on, do
ya Wesley?
I got a husband who wont lift a finger and two spoilt
brats who follow his lead.
Why does Grace resent her roles as wife and mother?
Given Lillys situation, does Grace really have anything
to complain about?
Who do Malakai and Jasmine blame when things dont
go their way?
Why does Wesley blame Grace for his failings as a husband and as a father?

ATOM

Learn more about Keep Them Safe online at: http://www.

keepthemsafe.nsw.gov.au/initiatives/supporting_aboriginal_children_and_families

5. Theme From resentment to

respect

SCREEN EDUCATION

Keep Them Safe is the NSW Governments five-year plan

to improve the safety and wellbeing of children and young
people in NSW. It includes measures to support and work
with Indigenous children and families and to reduce the
number of Indigenous children coming into contact with the
out-of-home care and child protection system.

14

Just go back to where youve come from because I

dont want you here. Lilly
Grace arrives at Lillys rundown house and bangs on
the door. There is no answer. After a few attempts Lilly
finally opens the door and immediately starts on Grace.
Why isnt Lilly pleased to see Grace? What does she
fear? Who does she blame for her predicament?

with Tyler and Maddi, Wesley begins packing his belongings. He is puzzled when Grace grabs her suitcase
and starts filling it with clothes.
You really think Im going to let you leave me here with
four kids on my own, and two of them your spoilt brats?
No way, Im leaving and Im taking Lillys kids with me.
Grace
Grace walks away from her own family.

This is what happens when we let Lilly back in our

lives, everything turns to shit. Wesley
She was committed last time and it didnt make a
bloody difference. The mad bitch nearly got us evicted.
Marcia

Was this the right way to tackle her unhappiness? Is

Graces decision to leave understandable? What does
she hope to achieve? When does she come home?

6. Theme Love is all you need

I hate Aunty Lilly, she ruins everything. Malakai

Do it for your kids. Grace

Is this claim true of other characters?

I love you. And I love them. Dont get me wrong, I love

our kids. But I dont like them.
Grace

Wesley: No. Im not having those kids back in this

house.

Were you shocked when Grace declared that she loved

her children but she didnt like them?

Grace: I am.

They wanted to take you, they did. They got a houseful

Grace

When Grace returns home from visiting Lilly in hospital

ATOM

You choose to be responsible when it suits you, Grace

tells Wesley as they argue about her decision to search
for Tyler and Maddi.

Grace is desperate for Lilly to take her medication.

What does Graces plea tell us about Graces sense of a
mothers love for her children?

SCREEN EDUCATION

Who resents Lilly and why? Is their resentment understandable?

15

Nobody but Grace wants to take on the care of Tyler

and Maddie.
How well do Tyler and Maddie cope with rejection?

8. Setting
Family takes us to the homes of Grace and her sisters. We
also visit the housing commission flat that is home to Jake
and his new family.

Do they think of themselves as unloved?

Why is Grace the one who feels guilty about the childrens predicament?
Grace drives the route from her house to Lillys house
in search of Tyler and Maddi. When she does not find
the children, she goes to the hospital to see if Tyler and
Maddi are there.
Lilly: How could you do that?
Grace: I was trying to do what was right by your kids
and mine.
What does Lilly think of Graces decision to separate
the children?
Tyler and Maddi are with Lilly. Grace is relieved and
amazed. The children have walked ten kilometres to be
with their mother. Grace is amazed.

Write a description of each of the homes used to tell the

story.
What do Grace and Lillys homes reveal about the characters and the lives they lead?
Why do we only get as far as the doorsteps and front
doors of Helen, Marcia, Evelyn and Jakes homes?
Working as a class, make a list of the other settings
used to tell the story.
Spend time as a class discussing the significance
of each setting.
Write a description of one of the interior settings.
Explain how this setting is used to tell the story.
Write a description of one of the exterior settings.
Explain how this setting is used to tell the story.

You may not think that Im fit to be a mum, but they

do. Lilly

Symbols are used to add to the viewers understanding of

the story, a theme or a character. Symbolism can be obvious or subtle.
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful duck called
Ping and he lived on a boat with his Mum and his Dad
and his Aunties and Uncles, and all seventy two cousins. Grace
Can you remember reading PIng when you were a
child?
The childrens picture storybook Ping can be regarded
as a symbol. What meanings can be associated with
this symbol?
What other symbols are used to tell the story, portray
characters and establish the key concerns of Family?
Next to each symbol that you have listed explain its
significance.

Catriona McKenzie | Director

An experienced television drama director, Catriona
McKenzie has recently directed her first feature
film Satellite Boy. Graduating from the Australian
Film Television and Radio School in 2001, McKenzie has an outstanding list of credits including
Dance Academy, My Place (Series 1 and 2), as
well as Satisfaction. McKenzie was also the set-up
director for The Circuit, RAN, The Alice and Fireflies. Her critically acclaimed and award-winning
short films include Box, The Third Note, Road and
Redfern Beach. McKenzie also wrote and directed
the documentary Mr Patterns and directed the
half-hour drama Grange for ABC TV.

Danielle MacLean | Writer

Danielle MacLean is an Indigenous writer, director and producer from Darwin. She directed many
CAAMA productions before writing and directing
For Who I Am: Bonita Mabo, My Colour Your Kind
and the award-winning drama Queen of Hearts.

ATOM

7. Symbols

EPISODE KEY
CREATIVES

SCREEN EDUCATION

Is Lilly a good mother?

16

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