Overview - The Sullivans

Overview

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.

Seasons

• Name: Season 1

  Episode: 50

  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.

  Date first aired: 1976-11-15

• Name: Season 2

  Episode: 50

  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?

  Date first aired: 1977-02-07

• Name: Season 3

  Episode: 50

  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.

  Date first aired:

• Name: Season 4

  Episode: 50

  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.

  Date first aired:

• Name: Season 5

  Episode: 50

  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.

  Date first aired:

• Name: Season 6

  Episode: 50

  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.

  Date first aired:

• Name: Season 7

  Episode: 50

  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.

  Date first aired:

• Name: Season 8

  Episode: 50

  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.

  Date first aired:

• Name: Season 9

  Episode: 50

  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.

  Date first aired: