CH SQ Eps

CLASSIC AUSTRALIAN TELEVISION

CHOPPER SQUAD
EPISODE DETAILS

CHOPPER SQUAD FEATURE ARTICLE HOME INTERVIEWS CHRONOLOGICAL OVERVIEW F.A.Q. LINKS EXPLANATION OF EPISODE GUIDE TERMS	EPISODES: 27, including pilot. LENGTH: 26 x 60 mins; 1 x 90 mins (pilot). FORMAT: Colour, Film. PRODUCTION: Pilot: 1976 0-Ten Network Production. Series: 1977 - 1978 Grundy Production RUNNING ORDER: Official. NETWORK: 0-Ten. CAST: Jebbie Best.......DENNIS GROSVENOR Barry Drummond.......ROBERT COLEBY Phil Traill.......ERIC OLDFIELD Dr. Georgia Batie.......JEANIE DRYNAN (series 1) Dr. Anne Harris.......KERRI EICHHORN (series 2) Roly.......GRAHAM ROUSE (series 1) Tim Gray.......TONY HUGHES Sam Wright.......JOHN CLAYTON (series 2: eps 14 - 17) Derek Price.......TOM RICHARDS (series 2: eps 18 - 26) Support: Dr. Edward Allen.......NOEL TREVARTHEN (series 1) Sue.......SUZANNE CHURCH (series 1) Rodney Coombs.......WILLIE FENNELL (series 1)	EPISODE TITLES ~. Chopper Squad Pilot episode Series 1 1. Something To Shout About 2. Cliff Rescue 3. Surf Carnival 4. A Dream Before Dying 5. Psychotic Lady 6. The Drifter 7. Lifeboat 8. Long Weekend 9. A Pride Of Lions 10. J Is For Julie 11. Dangerous Operation 12. Dangerous Weapon 13. The Farewell Final Jeanie Drynan, Final Graham Rouse Series 2 14. Cliff Hanger First Kerri Eichhorn, First John Clayton 15. Happiness Is... 16. A Deed Without A Name 17. Sweet Youth, Sweet Madness Final John Clayton 18. 8:52 A.M. First Tom Richards 19. Wanting Things 20. The Eye Of The Beholder 21. The Other Man's Grass 22. People Can See 23. Freedom 24. No Strings 25. Stunt 26. The Big Trip
	~ Chopper Squad Georgia Batie.......Rebecca Gilling Jebbie Best.......Dennis Grosvenor Barry Drummond.......Robert Coleby Phil Hardy.......Eric Oldfield Frank.......Tony Bonner Roly.......Graham Rouse 'Captain Doo-da'.......Vincent Gil Syd Tasker.......Hugh Keays-Byrne Rodney Coombs.......Max Osbiston Tim Lynch.......Tony Hughes Detective.......Gordon Piper Bill Cox.......Terry Camelleri Rescued girl.......Carol Lane Tony.......Kevin Healey Lost boy.......Beau Cox Script.......Everett de Roche Director.......Simon Wincer Producer.......Roger Mirams Synopsis: The inaugural day of the Surf Rescue Service proves to be a busy one - one of the crew is trapped by a bushfire with a dangerous criminal escapee, while the others deal with a stoned hang-glider violating air space over Sydney airport. Notes: 90 minute pilot episode, produced by the 0-Ten Network. Differs from the series with some cast changes: Rebecca Gilling plays Georgia Batie as a nurse; Max Osbiston plays Rodney Coombs; and Tony Bonner plays the Surf Club Captain. Also the characters of Phil and Tim have different surnames. Airdate: Melbourne 5/11/76 Newcastle NSW 4/8/77 Orange NSW 1/11/77 Coffs Harbour NSW 22/1/78 Canberra 11/2/78 Wollongong NSW 8/5/78	Pilot ep: Rebecca Gilling and Dennis Grosvenor.
	SERIES 1 1. Something To Shout About Lauren.......Christine Amor 'Patches'.......Karlene Rogerson Beth.......Catriona Brown Macky.......Jon English John Williams.......Vincent Ball Dr. Edward Allen.......Noel Trevarthen Rodney Coombs.......Willie Fennell Charlie.......Johnny Pace .......Tracey Lee .......Cecily Ann Slade Script.......Ron McLean Director.......Pino Amenta Producer.......Howard Leeds Synopsis: A speed boat is running dangerously wild after a man collapses, leaving his girlfriend helpless at the controls; a girl has an epileptic fit while climbing outside the hideaway of a popular rock group trying to catch a glimpse of the lead singer; Georgia has to treat a man who has suffered a severe coronary; and Rodney Coombs' niece arrives at the club, and comes into conflict with Roly when she starts a prolonged campaign to admit female members to the club, culminating in a rescue attempt which nearly goes tragically wrong. Airdate: Sydney 10/6/78 Brisbane 10/11/78 Adelaide 19/12/78 2. Cliff Rescue Janie Smart.......Chantal Contouri Cheryl Falconi.......Lynette Curran Bruce Smart.......Bruce Barry Rodney Coombs.......Willie Fennell Falconi.......Henri Szeps Ruth.......Alexandra Hynes Walter.......Warwick Sims Sandro Falconi.......Greg Kelly .......Craig Berry Script.......Bob Caswell Director.......Howard Rubie Producer.......Howard Leeds Associate Producer.......Ron McLean Script Editor.......Ron McLean Synopsis: A father and son are trapped on a cliff face; a swimmer is caught in a rip; a parachutist is seriously injured after landing in a tree; and a man's speed boat explodes along with a basketful of money, leading to a dangerous encounter with criminals. Airdate: Melbourne 6/4/78 Sydney 14/4/78 Newcastle NSW 9/5/78	Ep. 1: Christine Amor and Karlene Rogerson.
	3. Surf Carnival Marilyn.......Anne Lambert Red Simmons.......John Fegan Boyfriend.......Brendon Lunney Rodney Coombs.......Willie Fennell Dr. Edward Allen.......Noel Trevarthen Ranger.......James Moss Script.......Colin James Directors.......Igor Auzins & Graeme Arthur Producer.......Howard Leeds Synopsis: A near drowning follows a wipe out at a surf carnival; an old man falls down a cliff and is seriously injured, his dog preventing anyone from coming near; a girl attempts suicide after losing a beauty contest; and Barry gets fuel in his eyes and is blinded flying the helicopter. Airdate: Brisbane 1/5/78 Melbourne 4/5/78 Sydney 12/5/78 Adelaide 26/12/78	Ep. 3: Eric Oldfield and Dennis Grosvenor.
	4. A Dream Before Dying Richard Hayle.......Alwyn Kurts Security guard.......Roger Ward Dave Freebold.......Colin Croft Poof.......Peter Whitford Mrs. Hayle.......Joan Bruce Dr. Edward Allen.......Noel Trevarthen Rodney Coombs.......Willie Fennell Babette Roberts.......Maggie Blinco .......Kristen Mann .......Reg Sweeney Script.......Tony Morphett Director.......Howard Rubie Producer.......Howard Leeds Synopsis: A man with a rare blood type is injured, and the only donor refuses to give up a winning position in a yacht race to help; two men lie injured at the foot of a cliff with an incoming tide; a diver contracts the 'bends'; and a rock climber has a heart attack, and he and Georgia are in danger on a crumbling rock face. Airdate: Brisbane 15/5/78 Sydney 27/5/78 Adelaide 28/12/78	Ep. 4: Alwyn Kurts and Jeanie Drynan.
	5. Psychotic Lady Francis Carter.......Elizabeth Alexander Dr. Edward Allen.......Noel Trevarthen Rodney Coombs.......Willie Fennell Dr. Regan.......Ric Hutton Iris Grey.......Anne Haddy Rangi.......Rangi Nicholls .......Terry Peck .......Bill Charlton .......Bob Hicks .......Malcolm Thompson Script.......Colin James From a story by.......Colin Eggleston Director.......Simon Wincer Producer.......Howard Leeds Synopsis: Barry is threatened by a psychotic girl he rescues, Tim is hit by a speeding boat driven by drug smugglers, and a fisherman is swept off some rocks into a treacherous underwater cave. Airdate: Brisbane 17/4/78 Melbourne 20/4/78 Sydney 28/4/78
	6. The Drifter Cheryl.......Georgina McLoughlin Sue.......Suzanne Church Jack.......Terry Bader Bushwalker.......John Ewart Dr. Edward Allen.......Noel Trevarthen Ranger.......John Morris Christina.......Angela Gauchi .......Alex Hay .......Scott Phillips .......Don Quin .......Alan Cinis Script.......Tom MacLennan From a story by.......Keith Hetherington Director.......Julian Pringle Producer.......Don Battye Synopsis: An old man takes his asthmatic granddaughter up the coast in an old sailing boat, but when the boat capsizes and he is rescued, he refuses to disclose the whereabouts of his granddaughter. A bushwalker is bitten by a snake; and two yobbos steal the Surf Rescue jet boat. Airdate: Sydney 17/6/78 Brisbane 24/11/78 7. Lifeboat Jan Cummings.......Joanna Lockwood Sis.......Dina Mann Margaret.......Veronica Lang Peg.......Zoe Bertram Toby.......Gary Gray Harry.......Max Cullen Andrew McNair.......Keith Lee Maureen McNair.......Hazel Phillips Robber.......Greg Apps Wayne.......Stephen McDonald Roger Leeman.......James Elliott .......Beverley Blankenship Script.......Bruce Wishart From a story by.......Ron McLean Director.......Rod Hardy Producer.......Don Battye Synopsis: Barry saves the life of a deaf girl who is being pursued by two blokes who killed a service station proprietor during a robbery. The squad engages in a major bushfire rescue, and Jebbie has to spend the night on a drifting boat with four feuding people. Airdate: Newcastle NSW 20/6/78 Sydney 12/11/78 Brisbane 1/12/78	Robert Coleby.
	8. Long Weekend Lindy.......Candy Raymond Gary's wife.......Carmen Duncan Tony Cochran.......Adrian Wright Martin.......Tim Eliott Sue.......Suzanne Church Carmel.......Maureen Elkner David.......Normie Rowe Gary.......Donald MacDonald Musicians.......'Chalice' .......Simon Pearce .......Shane Aspin .......Alan Becher .......Jenny McNae .......lan Smith Script.......John Bramley Director.......Graeme Arthur Producer.......Don Battye Synopsis: A boy is trapped in a collapsed sand tunnel at the beach, and his young friend feels responsible and runs away. Phil and Sue, on their day off, are on hand when a singer is injured by broken glass thrown at an outdoor concert. Later they are first at the scene of a car accident on a lonely bush road. Notes: Features Perth group 'Chalice' performing their last hit single 'Deeper And Deeper' at a Sydney Opera House outdoor concert. Airdate: Brisbane 8/5/78 Sydney 3/6/78	Ep. 8: Candy Raymond.
	9. A Pride Of Lions Jenny Martin.......Victoria Quilter Gail.......Lorna Lesley Sue.......Suzanne Church Glen.......Leon Gregory Vince.......Peter Bensley Jim.......Mervyn Drake .......Mark Allen .......John Kelly Script.......Ross Napier Director.......Simon Wincer Producer.......Don Battye Synopsis: A ranger in a lion park has a spasm and wanders off in a delirious state, and Phil and Jebbie are in danger when they drop down near a lurking lion to rescue him. Jenny Martin, a model and friend of Jebbie's sister, is seriously injured while swimming to get away from a lecherous photographer on a boat. Airdate: Brisbane 3/4/78 Melbourne 13/4/78 Sydney 21/4/78 Newcastle NSW 16/5/78	Jeanie Drynan.
	10. J Is For Julie Teenage girl.......Anna Hruby Julie.......Margie McRae Cliff Jackson.......Don Barker Jim Hayes.......Mike Preston Steve.......Tony Barry Sue.......Suzanne Church Captain.......Micheal Duffield Young girl.......Samantha Cox Policeman 1.......Robert Alexander Policeman 2.......Peter Corbett Policeman 3.......Nicholas Frazer Script.......Don Battye From a story by.......Ron Ely Director.......Graeme Arthur Producer.......Don Battye Synopsis: Julie, a student journalist, blunders into a situation and saves the day when a man threatens to tip another man out of his bulldozer over a cliff. Later Julie and Georgia just happen to be on hand when a girl is injured on a paddle steamer. Airdate: Sydney 19/5/78 11. Dangerous Operation Lighthouse keeper.......Ben Gabriel Boater 1.......Brian Wenzel Boater 2.......Brian Anderson Dave Evans.......John Orcsik Tony.......Tony Martin Anne Evans.......Julie Dawson Lighthouse keeper's wife.......Faye Anderson Daryl Evans.......Greg Kelly Bob.......Anthony Novak Karen.......Bronwyn Clarke Script.......John Bramley From a story by.......Tony Morphett & Lyle Martin Director.......Simon Wincer Producer.......Don Battye Synopsis: Two amateur sailors in a boat drift dangerously close to a reef; former club member Dave Evans, injured and confined to a wheelchair, has to face his fears; a windsurfer is hit by a boat and badly injured; and Georgia has to perform a dangerous operation on a child in a lighthouse. Airdate: Sydney 24/6/78 Brisbane 8/12/78	Eric Oldfield and Jeanie Drynan.
	12. Dangerous Weapon Gail.......Belinda Giblin Mother.......Tina Bursill Father.......Lionel Long Criminal 1.......Brian Blain Criminal 2.......Barry Donnelly Sue.......Suzanne Church Grant.......Andrew Giles Simon.......Richard McFarlane .......Bill Peters .......Denyse Baillie .......Marcus Hale Script.......John Bramley Director.......Graeme Arthur Producer.......Don Battye Synopsis: Two young children are lost in the bush with their father's .22 rifle; and two criminals have abducted a young woman. Notes: Ghost town scenes were filmed on the set used for Rush (series two). Airdate: Brisbane 24/4/78 Melbourne 27/4/78 Sydney 5/5/78 Newcastle NSW 30/5/78	Ep. 12: Tina Bursill.
	13. The Farewell Penny.......Alyson Best Criminal.......Serge Lazareff Hoaxer.......Lex Marinos Mother.......Anne Grigg Police Sergeant.......Clive Hearne .......Richmond Young .......Martin Harris .......Tom Churchill-Brown Script.......Don Battye Director.......Simon Wincer Producer.......Don Battye Synopsis: A hoaxer plagues the chopper squad; a bomb is dropped at sea; a mother and her son nearly drown; two criminals on a boat have a fight and one is shot; Georgia is leaving for New Guinea; and Roly dies of a heart attack. Notes: Final episode with Graham Rouse and Jeanie Drynan. Airdate: Sydney 19/11/78 Brisbane 15/12/78	Ep. 13: Alyson Best.
	SERIES 2 14. Cliff Hanger Dolly Jarvis.......Olga Tamara Liz.......Celia DeBurgh Brian Jarvis.......Geoff Parry Joe.......Gordon McDougall Jeff.......Ian Gilmour .......Simon Slater .......Hank Johan .......Russell Kiefel Script.......Peter Smalley Director.......Rod Hardy Producer.......Don Battye Synopsis: A rock climber in difficulties is almost hung by the neck before being rescued, and a silly kid with a gun accidentally shoots a camper in the bush. Notes: First episode with Kerri Eichhorn as Dr. Anne Harris and John Clayton as Sam Wright. Airdate: Sydney 26/11/78 Brisbane 19/12/78 15. Happiness Is... Bligh.......Max Meldrum Craig Robinson.......Vince Martin Photographer.......Robert Hughes Greg.......Michael Ferguson Emma Martin.......Olga Dickie Bloke on beach.......Bob Baxter Lady on beach.......Muriel Hopkins Script.......Denise Morgan Director.......Graeme Arthur Producer.......Don Battye Synopsis: The Surf Rescue squad become involved with a motorbike stuntman who has a lot of attitude, and an elderly bushwalker becomes trapped by a fallen tree. Notes: Tony Hughes does not appear in this episode. Airdate: Sydney 3/12/78 Brisbane 22/12/78	Kerri Eichhorn.
	16. A Deed Without A Name Susan McKenna.......Rosie Bailey Sgt. Burrows.......Lucky Grills Perry Quixote Roland.......John Krummel William 'Mac' McKenna.......Shane Whittington 'Pop' McKenna.......Kevin Leslie Mrs. Roland.......Maggie Kirkpatrick Martin.......Patrick Stahle Script.......Denise Morgan Director.......Graeme Arthur Producer.......Don Battye Synopsis: William McKenna disapproves of Tim seeing his sister Susan, and he retaliates against the club by vandalising their equipment. When Susan is subsequently injured in the bush, the vandalism to the jet boat prevents the rescue team from reaching her. The squad meets Perry Quixote Roland, an eccentric bumbler who has set himself up as an alternative rescue service. Airdate: Sydney 10/12/78 Brisbane 26/12/78	Ep. 16: Lucky Grills and John Clayton.
	17. Sweet Youth, Sweet Madness Carol Webber.......Delvene Delaney Kate.......Lulu Pinkus Murray.......Robin Ramsay Eileen Traill.......Carol Raye Les Hodges.......Tom Farley Webber.......Noel Brophy Script.......Bob Caswell Director.......Julian Pringle Producer.......Don Battye Synopsis: Phil's mother comes to visit, but Phil has to spend the day underwater in an attempt to rescue a diver trapped in a sunken ship. A young bloke trying to impress a girl gets himself stuck high up on a crane. Notes: Final episode with John Clayton. Tony Hughes does not appear in this episode. Airdate: Sydney 17/12/78 Brisbane 29/12/78	Delvene Delaney.
	18. 8:52 A.M. lris Deacon.......Patsy King George Deacon.......Richard Meikle Ferry Captain.......Martin Vaughan Barge supervisor.......Kit Taylor Margaret Drummond.......Kay Taylor Police radio operator.......Don Crosby .......Felicity Gordon .......Ken Fraser .......Rina Bourne .......Peter deSalis .......Gary Cosham .......Stuart Campbell .......Angela Bennie .......Lena Coleby .......Anja Coleby .......Marion Schad .......John Pratt Script.......Simon Wincer Director.......Graeme Arthur Producer.......Don Battye Synopsis: A commuter ferry collides with a cargo ship in Sydney Harbour. A massive rescue operation is mounted, and the Surf Rescue helicopter is called in to assist. Among the passengers on the ferry are Barry's parents. Notes: First episode with Tom Richards as Derek Price. Filmed during a simulated disaster training exercise being staged on Sydney Harbour. As the Wales Rescue helicopter was being used in the actual exercise, the storyline was altered to explain the substitution of the Surf Rescue helicopter. This was the only episode to feature a single plotline. Tony Hughes does not appear in this episode. Airdate: Sydney 24/12/78 Brisbane 2/1/79	Robert Coleby.
	19. Wanting Things Sally Chambers.......Margaret Nelson Jack Pearce.......Slim De Grey Norman Chambers.......James Condon Betty Pearce.......Robina Beard Michael Chambers.......Matthew Crosby Dorothy Chambers.......Kay Eklund Script.......Peter Smalley Director.......Julian Pringle Producer.......Don Battye Synopsis: Jebbie finds himself attracted to the sister of a missing boy, who is feared to have had a motorbike accident in the bush. A couple known to Barry are on a boat that blows up due to a gas leak. Airdate: Sydney 1/1/79 Brisbane 5/1/79 20. The Eye Of The Beholder Maureen Jamison.......Brenda Senders Reynolds.......Ralph Cotteril Bob Jamison.......Chris Orchard Nurse.......Suzie Stephens Port Officer.......Gordon Piper Brendan.......Miles Buchanan .......Lyal Loughnan .......George Beddows Script.......Jim Simmonds Director.......Graeme Arthur Producer.......Don Battye Synopsis: The chopper squad finds a drifting boat and evidence that the owner committed suicide. They are also involved in a search for a psychopath who pours acid on bikini-clad girls at the beach. Airdate: Sydney 7/1/79 Brisbane 9/1/79	Tom Richards
	21. The Other Man's Grass Alison Burns.......Abigail Jeff Burns.......Nick Tate Jack Parsons.......Vincent Gil Fred Murray.......John Dease 'Curly'.......Richard Moir Ben.......Tim Burns Script.......Denise Morgan Director.......Julian Pringle Producer.......Don Battye Synopsis: An old friend of Jebbie's is trapped in a mine accident. Jebbie suspects foul play and discovers an insurance swindle with a surprising twist. Phil becomes involved with an old man, Fred, and his nephew Ben after Fred has a heart attack. Fred wants Ben to take over the running of their boat, but Ben would rather learn to fly. Notes: Tony Hughes does not appear in this episode. Airdate: Brisbane 12/1/79 Sydney 14/1/79	Eric Oldfield.
	22. People Can See Paula.......Barbara Stephens Jack.......John Gregg Hang glider.......George Spartels Joan.......Judith Dick Fisherman.......Richard Gilbert Boy.......Raymond Hogan Script.......Luis Bayonas Director.......Graeme Arthur Producer.......Don Battye Synopsis: A bungling couple of newlyweds have their honeymoon on an island. Disaster follows disaster, and their boat drifts away leaving them stranded. An inept hang glider repeatedly crashes, and is repeatedly rescued by the chopper squad. A lady who attempted suicide and was rescued by Barry forms an emotional attachment to him. Airdate: Sydney 21/1/79 Brisbane 2/2/79 23. Freedom Diana Baker.......Chantal Contouri Captain Watson.......Joe James Duffy.......Shane Porteous Lester.......Steve Millichamp Docker.......Kevin Manser Car owner.......Jack Allan Mrs. Docker.......Bettina Welch Andy Docker.......Mark Ferguson Script.......Bob Caswell Director.......Rod Hardy Producer.......Don Battye Synopsis: A man running away from his wife, a 'mascot' training with a rugby team, and the appearance of a previous girlfriend of Barry's all combine to give the squad major difficulties. Airdate: Sydney 28/1/79 Brisbane 19/1/79	Eric Oldfield, Dennis Grosvenor and Robert Coleby.
	24. No Strings Mandy Paramor.......Sigrid Thornton Enid Paramor.......Gerda Nicolson Jack.......Peter Fisher Jimmy Henderson.......Rodney Bell .......Ken Blackburn .......Carol Passmore .......Malcolm Keith .......Sal Sharah .......Olga Yarad .......Bill Rose .......Michael Howard .......Bronwyn Fullerton .......Richard Horne Script.......Derek Strahan Director.......Graeme Arthur Producer.......Don Battye Synopsis: A girl is bitten by a snake when a couple go bushwalking. A boy sneaks off into the bush to fly his model plane, some yobbos dump a van in the bush, and a girl is thrown from her horse causing serious injury. Their circumstances are brought together and the chopper squad is called in, however the helicopter runs low on fuel and is forced to make an emergency landing, which seriously complicates their rescue attempts. Airdate: Brisbane 9/2/79	Ep. 24: Sigrid Thornton.
	25. Stunt Lisa.......Camilla Rountree Bank robber.......Grant Page Ed.......Sean Scully Fisherman.......Richard Gilbert Rescue girl.......Kathy Troutt .......Kay Streeter .......Jeremy Paul .......Jonathan James .......Jason McGrath Script.......Luis Bayonas Director.......Rod Hardy Producer.......Don Battye Synopsis: The chopper squad becomes involved in a wild chase after a bank robber stuntman, and Jebbie is confronted by the jealous boyfriend of a female reporter. Airdate: Brisbane 26/1/79	Ep. 25: Grant Page.
	26. The Big Trip Debbie James.......Briony Behets Jenny.......Diane Craig James.......Ivor Kants Father.......Walter Sullivan .......Marcella Burgoyne .......David Franklin .......Jackie Howard Script.......Don Battye Director.......Graeme Arthur Producer.......Don Battye Synopsis: Jebbie and Barry take the helicopter to Canberra for a demonstration, and while there Jebbie meets a former girlfriend and they become involved in a bushfire rescue. Meanwhile, back in Sydney Phil has his hands full when he comes across a girl and a mystery man trying to kill her, who also tries to kill him. Notes: Segments filmed in Canberra. Airdate: Brisbane 16/2/79	Ep. 26: Briony Behets.