James Davern
Director
A Country Practice (1981)
Season 1
A Country Practice was an Australian television drama series. At its inception, one of the longest-running of its kind, produced by James Davern of JNP Productions, who had wrote the pilot episode and entered a script contest for the network in 1979, coming third and winning a merit award. It ran on the Seven Network for 1,058 episodes from 18 November 1981 to 22 November 1993. It was produced in ATN-7's production facility at Epping, Sydney. After its lengthy run on the seven network it was picked up by network ten with a mainly new cast from April to November 1994 for 30 episodes, although the ten series was not as successful as its predecessor . The Channel Seven series was also filmed on location in Pitt Town, while, the Channel Ten series was filmed on location in Emerald, Victoria.
Released Nov. 18, 1981
Episode 46 min
2+
Keywords: tmdb.medical-drama, imdb.lying-on-a-bed, imdb.police-officer, imdb.small-town, imdb.patient, imdb.nurse, imdb.hospital + 22 more, imdb.visit, imdb.telephone-call, imdb.pub, imdb.nickname, imdb.married-to-a-police-officer, imdb.name-calling, imdb.hospital-bed, imdb.dog, imdb.blonde, imdb.apology, imdb.mother-daughter-relationship, imdb.mother-son-relationship, imdb.father-daughter-relationship, imdb.father-son-relationship, imdb.husband-wife-relationship, imdb.veterinarian, imdb.australia, imdb.woman-wears-eyeglasses, imdb.man-wears-eyeglasses, imdb.telephone, imdb.feel-good-romance, imdb.medical-drama
Production Companies: JNP Productions
Network: 10
S1E1 - In General Practice (1)
A pregnant woman from out of town admits herself to Wandin Valley Hospital with signs of foetal distress. Despite his reluctance, Terence is forced to operate when another doctor is unable to reach the town in time. Delivering a baby girl, the hospital staff are surprised by Mrs Myers' disinterest and apathy toward her daughter, whom she says is ""not mine"".
Meanwhile, Simon has to refuse local girl Jenny Secombe's request for the birth control pill. At fifteen, Jenny needs parental consent to obtain the pill, but is afraid to ask her father.
Shirley finds she is receiving unwanted attention from the recently widowed Frank Gilroy, while Simon continues to pursue Vicky, despite her insistence that they remain friends.
Nov. 18, 1981, midnight
S1E2 - In General Practice (2)
None
Nov. 19, 1981, midnight
S1E3 - Town Tragedy (1)
Ladies' Auxiliary President and part-time hospital administrator Elaine MacKay is killed in a car accident at the Five Mile Bridge. As the town grapples with the loss, speculation begins as to why Elaine was in a car with her husband's friend—Ian Sutton—heading out of town.
Molly and Brendan Jones arrive in town.
Nov. 25, 1981, midnight
S1E4 - Town Tragedy (2)
Frank awaits Peter Gleeson's blood results to see if he was driving under the influence of alcohol when the accident that killed Elaine MacKay occured.
Gossip begins to circulate in town that Ian and Eliane were having an affair. Andy, increasingly speculative as to why Elaine was traveling in Ian's car (which was heading to Sydney), goes to see Ian in the hospital.
Molly adjusts to nights alone on the farm.
Nov. 26, 1981, midnight
S1E5 - The Itinerants (1)
Tension is high between some members of the community and the seasonal fruit pickers, who are in town for the orange harvest. While making a house call at the Cameron farm, Terence spots one of the picker's children, Lexy Popovich. At first thinking that the child has malnutrition (because of his swollen stomach), Terence comes to the conclusion that the child has a hydatic cyst. After much convincing, Lexy's mother Sandra allows Terence to operate. The operation is a success. However, Sandra—who is attempting to hold down her job, regularly visit Lexy at the hospital, and, resultingly, is not taking adequate care of her health—collaspes whilst working.
Meanwhile, Shirley tries to dissuade Frank's interest in her by cooking for him (showing, she thinks, that she would be a bad wife). However, the plan backfires when Frank announces that he can cook and proceeds to whip up a gourmet meal.
Dec. 2, 1981, midnight
S1E6 - The Itinerants (2)
None
Dec. 3, 1981, midnight
S1E7 - They Shoot Cows? (1)
Simon meets former nurse Emily Page, who knew his grandfather Charlie. Befriending Emily—who is beginning to feel the effects of crippling arthritis—he is shocked to learn that she plans to commit suicide when she feels the illness has progressed to such a point that living would constitute a burden to those around her.
Terence persuades Pat Turner to admit her belligerent father Artie to the hospital so that she can have a long-overdue vacation. While at the hospital, Artie engages in a war of wills with his nurse, Brendan.
Bill Ferguson continues to visit Sandra at the hospital.
Molly buys an old, sick cow, much to the disappointment of Vicky.
Dec. 9, 1981, midnight
S1E8 - They Shoot Cows? (2)
None
Dec. 10, 1981, midnight
S1E9 - Coming Home (1)
None
Dec. 16, 1981, midnight
S1E10 - Coming Home (2)
None
Dec. 17, 1981, midnight
S1E11 - Secrets (1)
None
Dec. 23, 1981, midnight
S1E12 - Secrets (2)
None
Dec. 24, 1981, midnight
S1E13 - Alternatives (1)
None
Dec. 30, 1981, midnight
S1E14 - Alternatives (2)
None
Dec. 31, 1981, midnight
S1E15 - Golden Fleece (1)
None
Jan. 5, 1982, midnight
S1E16 - Golden Fleece (2)
None
Jan. 6, 1982, midnight
S1E17 - Teamwork (1)
None
Jan. 12, 1982, midnight
S1E18 - Teamwork (2)
The team at the hospital - with the help of Shirley, Frank, Vicky, and Robert Bowen - work together to treat the passengers of the bus accident.
Molly confronts the bank manager about her loan.
After burning his hands at the accident scene, Frank moves in with Shirley and Vicky so that Shirley can take care of him.
Robert expresses some reserved praise for Simon.
Jan. 13, 1982, midnight
S1E19 - Suffer Children (1)
Vicky secures a high-profile job treating a Yarraman colt trained by Neil Stephens, but worries that Stephens is excessively pushing his reluctant daughter Robin into constant showjumping training. Meanwhile, Terence becomes concerned about Neil's wife Jill, who requests that Terence sterilize her.
Simon suspects that a young girl is being physically abused by her father.
Molly decides to go into business breeding turkeys.
Marta spends an evening at Terence's vineyard with Alex Popovich.
Shirley helps Frank work on his article for the Horticultural Society.
Jan. 19, 1982, midnight
S1E20 - Suffer Children (2)
After Robin is admitted to hospital as the result of her horse-riding accident, Simon searches for the truth about the previous injuries - which were treated by Terence - that become apparent on her X-rays.
Molly decides to start business as a yabbi farmer.
Marta's friendship with Alex continues to deepen, with Alex gifting her with a wood-carving of The General.
Shirley's attempts to get Frank to move back into his own house with a farewell dinner backfire.
Jan. 20, 1982, midnight
S1E21 - Mates (1)
None
Jan. 26, 1982, midnight
S1E22 - Mates (2)
None
Jan. 27, 1982, midnight
S1E23 - Agrophobic Sons & Other Lovers (1)
Terence comes to the aid of a woman suffering from agoraphobia.
Molly assists at the veterinary practice when Vicky falls ill, while Simon uses this as an opportunity to get closer to her.
A three-year-old child is treated by the team after falling off a moving plough.
Shirley continues to replace her craving for cigarettes with food.
Marta learns that the Hospital Workers' Union has advised workers to strike for a pay rise, leaving only the medical staff to run the hospital.
Feb. 2, 1982, midnight
S1E24 - Agrophobic Sons & Other Lovers (2)
Shirley, Molly, and Vicky assist at the hospital during the strike.
Simon performs his first operation in the valley on Kathy Pieri. However, what is at first thought to be an appendicitis turns out to be something quite different.
Terence worries that problems at home may be the cause of Brett Morgan's anxiety and inability to study or sleep.
Vicky becomes upset when Terence refers to his wife in Sydney.
Feb. 3, 1982, midnight
S1E25 - I Know Where She's Gone (1)
None
Feb. 9, 1982, midnight
S1E26 - I Know Where She's Gone (2)
None
Feb. 10, 1982, midnight
S1E27 - No Apparent Reason (1)
None
Aug. 10, 1982, midnight
S1E28 - No Apparent Reason (2)
None
Aug. 11, 1982, midnight
S1E29 - The Second Deadly Sin (1)
None
Sept. 7, 1982, midnight
S1E30 - The Second Deadly Sin (2)
None
Sept. 8, 1982, midnight
S1E31 - The Seeds of Discontent (1)
None
Sept. 14, 1982, midnight
S1E32 - The Seeds of Discontent (2)
None
Sept. 15, 1982, midnight
S1E33 - Sign of Affection (1)
None
Sept. 21, 1982, midnight
S1E34 - Sign of Affection (2)
None
Sept. 22, 1982, midnight
S1E35 - Field of Thunder (1)
None
Sept. 28, 1982, midnight
S1E36 - Field of Thunder (2)
None
Sept. 29, 1982, midnight
S1E37 - The Push (1)
None
Oct. 5, 1982, midnight
S1E38 - The Push (2)
None
Oct. 6, 1982, midnight
S1E39 - Acts of Kindness (1)
None
Oct. 12, 1982, midnight
S1E40 - Acts of Kindness (2)
None
Oct. 13, 1982, midnight
S1E41 - A Human Reaction (1)
None
Oct. 19, 1982, midnight
S1E42 - A Human Reaction (2)
None
Oct. 20, 1982, midnight
S1E43 - Show Down (1)
None
Oct. 26, 1982, midnight
S1E44 - Show Down (2)
None
Oct. 27, 1982, midnight
S1E45 - Pie in the Sky (1)
None
Nov. 2, 1982, midnight
S1E46 - Pie in the Sky (2)
None
Nov. 3, 1982, midnight
S1E47 - Stirring the Possum (1)
None
Nov. 9, 1982, midnight
S1E48 - Stirring the Possum (2)
None
Nov. 10, 1982, midnight
S1E49 - Cup Fever (1)
None
Nov. 16, 1982, midnight
S1E50 - Cup Fever (2)
None
Nov. 17, 1982, midnight
Network: 10
Episode Runtime: 46 min.
Season Runtime: 48208 min.
Released: Nov. 18, 1981
Last Air Date: Nov. 5, 1994, midnight
Status: Ended
Certification: TV-G / 2+
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