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Private Notes
[September 1-3, 1939] War is looming and poses very special threats to the
Sullivans and their friends. Grace sees tension between her husband Dave and their oldest son, John, who is anti-war. For
Dave this war is a reminder of the last one he proudly fought in. John sees only suffering ahead for his love Anna, the
daughter of a German-Jew and local storekeeper.
Meanwhile 13-year-old Kitty Sullivan embarks on an innocent relationship with a lonely man - much to the consternation of
the Sullivan's nosy neighbour Mrs. Jessup. John and Anna learn of a phone threat made to Hans. John suspects Bert Duggan. Mrs. Jessup phones S.C. Smith to tell him that she has seen Kitty with Jarvis. Dave and his brother Harry talk about Dave's past and his relationship with Maggie. The radio broadcast from England announces 'England is at war
with Germany', and Menzies broadcast follows announcing that Australia is at war
[September 1-3, 1939] War is looming and poses very special threats to the
Sullivans and their friends. Grace sees tension between her husband Dave and their oldest son, John, who is anti-war. For
Dave this war is a reminder of the last one he proudly fought in. John sees only suffering ahead for his love Anna, the
daughter of a German-Jew and local storekeeper.
Meanwhile 13-year-old Kitty Sullivan embarks on an innocent relationship with a lonely man - much to the consternation of
the Sullivan's nosy neighbour Mrs. Jessup. John and Anna learn of a phone threat made to Hans. John suspects Bert Duggan. Mrs. Jessup phones S.C. Smith to tell him that she has seen Kitty with Jarvis. Dave and his brother Harry talk about Dave's past and his relationship with Maggie. The radio broadcast from England announces 'England is at war
with Germany', and Menzies broadcast follows announcing that Australia is at war
[September 4, 1939] Grace is distraught by the announcement of war, yet her younger children - Terry and Tom, relish the excitement. Aunty
Rose visits Grace and causes her to worry about Dave joining
up. Next, Mrs. Jessup visits Grace, only to worry her further by
telling her of seeing Kitty with Mr. Jarvis; Grace is concerned about both issues.
[September 5-6, 1939] Terry, Kitty and Tom enjoy care-free spring holidays. Grace is
unsettled when she finds Dave trying on his old A.I.F. uniform but nothing is said.
Dave confesses to Norm about he and Maggie. When a brick shatters their window, the Kauffman's become distressed about their predicament in Australia.
[September 7, 1939] John confronts Bert about the brick throwing. When the incident is reported to the police the Kauffmans are told they must come to the police station to register. All ex-diggers including Dave are asked to enrol in the reserve at Anzac House. Lil has some news for Bert who is surprisingly tender and understanding. Dave decides to call in at the hotel and see Maggie late one night.
[September 7-8, 1939] It's a tense reunion between Maggie and Dave as they talk in the empty bar. Meanwhile, Grace sits at home, alone with her
thoughts. Next day Tom meets up with Bert and is impressed by him. They end up at the pub where Maggie learns that this is 'Dave's boy'. Bert gets them thrown out of the pub and Norm talks to Maggie about Dave.
Later that night Dave and Grace hear Tom arrive home...falling
down drunk.
[September 9-10, 1939] Grace instinctively blames 'the new woman at the hotel' for Tom's drunkenness. Dave learns about the incident with Bert and Maggie, much to his annoyance. Bert returns to the pub to do some betting with Jack. We see Lotte and Hans reading the National Security Bill. The Sullivan family visits Graces parent's grand home in Malvern. Maggie tells jack she may not keep the pub. Could Dave be the reason?
[September 11, 1939] John and Anna go off on a bike ride while Grace visits the Kauffmans 'for a cup of tea' and tries to cheer them up. S.C. Smith speaks to Mr. Jarvis about Kitty. In turn Jarvis writes Kitty a letter of confession. Grace tells Lil she is expecting a visit from a friend from Burrabri - Lil and Bert's home town. Lil is appalled.
[September 12 1939] Kitty is deeply disturbed by Jarvis' letter, but the situation is resolved after she pays him a visit. Norm visits Dave at work to tell him that Maggie may give up the pub. Dave calls by the pub after work. Dave, at home, tells Grace that he is going to enlist...
[September 13, 1939] Grace tells John about Dave's decision to join up.Tom goes off with Bert again as they scheme a way to make money. The Kauffmans return home depressed following their compulsory registration as 'aliens' at the police station. Grace invites Mrs Jessup and Lil to come over and meet her friend from Burrabri. Lil almost falls apart and won't go. Mrs. J goes alone only to find out theres a good reason that the Duggans left Burrabri...
[September 14-17, 1939] Grace learns the full story to why Lil and Bert had to leave Burrabri. There was a scandal. Dave and Grace discuss 'when' Dave will enlist. Mrs. J comes with news that children are being evacuated from London. Kitty and Jarvis discuss her visiting him on afternoons and weekends after school begins. Tom and Bert's money making scheme falls through and almost becomes a police matter...
[September 18, 1939] 'Russia invades Poland'... so there is a rush to enlist. The Kauffmans are worried. Dave gets a pay increase but is not feeling good about it. Bert and Tom take drastic measures to avoid trouble with the police... In Grace's absence, Dave signs Tom's consent forms so he can now enlist in the army. When Grace gets home Dave is left to face his wife and break the news.
[September 18-20, 1939] Grace doesn't take Dave's confession very well. Norm drops in and finds out the whole story about Tom. Harry and Rose call on Grace with news of the death of Rose's cousin from the war in Europe. This hits home to Grace. Kitty is upset to learn about Tom's enlistment and wants an explanation from Grace 'why?'. The Kauffman's receive a pre-war letter from family in Germany with news that their nephew has joined the army. Hans urges secrecy - no one must know.
[September 21, 1939] Tom sees in the paper that the A.L.F. recruits will be called up early next week, which really hits Dave. Lil also sees the news and panics - she pleads with Bert not to join up, but he says he must defend his country. Mrs J. falls for this and Lil must accept. Dave meets Norm at the pub for a beer but when the pub closes it seems Dave has had too much to drink. Realising he can't go home in his present state, Maggie takes him upstairs to her room - without Jack's approval.
[September 21-24, 1939] Dave Explains to Maggie why he is drunk while she sobers him up over black coffee. They touch on old memories... Grace is waiting up when Dave arrives home and assumes he's been drinking with Norm. Mrs. Jessup becomes involved in the re-settlement of children evacuated from London. Hans is frantic to learn that Anna has confided in John about her cousin in the German army. Mrs. Jessup, on a visit to Mr. Jarvis, is shocked by what she sees through the window.
[September 24-28, 1939] Mrs. J tells Lil, Tom and Bert what she saw at Jarvis' home - this is no man to look after evacuees. Lil and Bert, alone, talk about the baby. We can see Bert is relieved to be leaving his present responsibilities as a husband and father. Jack confronts Maggie about her taking Dave up to her room. Kitty and Terry and Tom go to the Show, a last contact with childhood for Tom. Bert comes home from the pub and pays Mrs. J. the rent he owes and a week in advance - where has the money come from?
[September 30, 1939] Grand Final Day: Tom and Bert take Kitty and Terry. The Kauffmans are still worried about their situation. John tells Grace about Mrs. Jessup's concerns with Jarvis. Grace visits Jarvis and asks him about having evacuees in his house - he is taken aback, tells Grace that children generally don't like him. Harry and Rose call in to the Kauffman's shop. When Rose realises they are German she falls to pieces and creates a scene.
[October 2, 1939] Tom tells Grace he really wants to go in the Army. Grace visits the Kauffmans to apologise about Rose's outburst. Bert is uncertain why Maggie gave him the job and paid him the advance. Maggie has her reasons... John and Anna picnic in Studley Park - 'laughter and love'. Maggie confronts Bert about what happened in Burrabri, insinuating that she already knows.
[October 9-15,1939] The 6th week of war. Kitty pesters John as to when he and Anna are getting married. Hans is torn between sympathy and pride - his brother was a soldier with Hitler in the 16th Bavarian Regiment in the Great War. Lil comes calling for Grace but instead finds John. She is feeling sick - early pregnancy - so he calms her down over a cuppa. Anna arrives and finds them together. Dave learns that Kitty has been meeting regularly with Jarvis. He is appalled and sets out of the house to 'pay him a visit'.
[October 16, 1939] Dave confronts Jarvis. Meanwhile, when Grace comes home and hears where Dave is, she blames herself for keeping the news from Dave. Bert visits Maggie... in her room. The news of the 800 men being lost, when a U-Boat sinks a British ship, hits the Sullivan family hard. The postman drops a letter in the Sullivans' box addressed to Tom, from... 'The Department of the Army'.
[October 16, 1939] Norm visits Dave at work to tell him he will be going into camp the following Monday. This means Tom and Bert as well. Meanwhile, Grace is at home with 'the letter' to Tom. Dave struggles with the boss's nephew, Young Hardwicke, who is studying Engineering. He more-or-less belittles Dave with his vast knowledge. Lil arrives at the pub to tell Bert about 'his letter' and Maggie is furious to find out Bert was hiding the fact that he was married. Christine from Burrabri, arrives at the pub looking for work.
[October 17-22, 1939] It's Tom's last week at home. News of German air raids in Europe worries Hans. He suffers from a troubling mixture of paranoia and national pride. Anna tells Tom about her father's keepsake from his time in the German army. Hans is furious. John visits Mrs. J. and Lil to 'check on Lil's health'. He has quite a personal impact on Lil already. Tom's day to depart comes - his room seems overly quiet and empty when he's gone.
