1 9 6 8 (Australia)
132 x 30 minute episodes
An early home-grown soap from Australia’s ATN7, this black and white series told the stories of the staff and residents of the Greenfields Motel, halfway between Canberra and Sydney. The half-hour show screened at midday four times a week and was repeated in the evening.
The motel was run by Hal (Walter Sullivan) and Mary (Brenda Senders) Gillian, whose family included businessman son Rod (Noel Trevarthen), his glamorous – and none-too-faithful – wife Gaye (Jill Forster), their rebellious teenage son Chris (Gregory Ross) and their daughter Liz (Gae Anderson), who was secretary to a politician called Paul Brennan (Brian James) – This being Canberra after all.
Other characters included motel employees Maria (Margot Reid) and Janie (Maggie Gray), motel owner Alec Evans (John Faasen) and Reverend Larcombe (Ross Higgins).
The show’s stand out was local acid-tongued and opinionated matriarch Bunty Creighton, played by 80-year English actress Enid Lorimer.
Motel featured the first major television appearances by future Aussie film star, Jack Thompson, (pictured at right) who appeared in 26 episodes as the local chemist.
The regular cast ran to 17 people and the production had a generous budget, utilising several large and elaborate sets.
The theme tune was Love Is Blue by Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra.
Hal Gillian
Walter Sullivan
Mary Gillian
Brenda Senders
Gaye Gillian
Jill Forster
Chris Gillian
Gregory Ross
Rod Gillian
Noel Trevarthen
Liz Gillian
Gae Anderson
Paul Brennan
Brian James
Sue
Joanne Walmsley
Janie
Maggi Gray
Bruce Jackson
Harold Hopkins
Andy Maxwell
Stuart Finch
Bunty Creighton
Enid Lorimer
Tony Cranwell
Allan Lander
Alec Evans
John Fassen
