Rovers, The (0-10 1969, Rowena Wallace, Noel Trevarthen)

Action adventure series The Rovers told stories of Journalist Bob Wild, young boy Mike, his Grandfather Cap and their friend photographer/journalist Rusty Collins as they travel the shores of Australia having adventures aboard Bob’s boat The Pacific Lady.

A hall on the banks of the Hawkesbury River was taken over and a sound studio set up there. The show cost some $600,000 and early working titles included The Sea Rovers, Adventure Ahead and The Seekers.

Rowena Wallace said that Rusty wasn’t a challenging role and found it hard being cooped up on deck all the time but took the role because she wanted to lay the ghost of You Can’t See Round Corners.

There were a few calamities during filming too with Noel Trevarthen breaking two ribs, Ted Hepple being bitten by a Koala and Rowena’s hands swelling up.

production details
Australia / 0-10 Network-NLT Production / 39×30 minute episodes / 1969

Creator: Roger Mirams / Executive Producer: William Harmon / Music: Tommy Leonetti / Lyrics: Barry Crocker, Peter Flanagan

cast
ROWENA WALLACE as Rusty Collins
NOEL TREVARTHEN as Bob Wild
EDWARD HEPPLE as Cap McGill
GRANT SEIDON as Mike

THE EPISODES
1. SLIPWAY
2. THE FUGITIVES
3. LONG CRY OF A BUNYIP
4. DANGEROUS CARGO
5. BRIDIE BAINES
6. A LAMB, AND A HANDFUL OF SUGAR
7. WIDE ANGLE SHOT
8. PIGEON POST
9. THE STRANGERS
10. GUITAR BOY
11. DOUBLE OR NOTHING
12. THE BUSHRANGER
13. DAY OF THE BLACK EAGLE
14. FORGET ME NOT
15. U.F.O. PACIFIC
16. THE ODYSSEY OF REGINALD PECK
17. CANNON TO THE RIGHT OF THEM
18. CRISIS
19. SITTIN’ PRETTY
20. DOUBLE EXPOSURE
21. WRIGHT’S PEAK
22. CRY WOLF
23. THE EXPERT
24. THE CHARMER
25. COUSIN PATRICK
26. HAMISH… WHERE ARE YOU?
27. A TOUCH OF YELLOW
28. THE SECRET OF AROORA-HITTE
29. A PLACE OF MY OWN
30. A PRESENT FOR JENNY
31. THE SAILOR
32. GONE FISHIN
33. SOPHIA
34. THE QUACK
35. FRIENDS AND ENEMIES
36. MY MILLION FOR A MEAL
37. A DAY AT THE ZOO
38. THE CHOICE
39. COMA