Fresh Start is an Australian television series created for 1990's International Literacy Year.
The series consists of two sections. One section is a series of six 10 minute documentaries while the other is 12 half hour dramas. The documentaries feature a wide range of subjects talking about the effects of low literacy and programs in place to improve literacy. The dramas follow an adult literacy teacher Kerry (Caz Lederman) who in each episode (named for the guest character) works with a new student who for different reasons are trying to improve their literacy. These characters include Billy (Dean Love), a mechanic who needs to learn to advance his career prospects, Linda (Anne Tenney), a country mother who can't read medicine labels, Mick (Denis Grosvenor), a prisoner who's cellmate has been writing for him and Marcia (Judith Stratford), a housewife who wants to read in church.
Episodes
- Billy
- written by Marion Ord. produced and directed by Jacqui Sykes
- cast: Dean Love, Caz Lederman
- Marcia
- written by Marion Ord. produced and directed by Jacqui Sykes
- cast: Judith Stafford, Caz Lederman, Alex Morcos, Barry Langrish
- Tracey
- written by Sylvia Johnson. produced and directed by Roger Bayley
- cast: Sascha Huckstep, Caz Lederman, Sonja Tallis, Sharon Tamlyn.
- Frank
- written by Sylvia Johnson. produced and directed by Roger Bayley.
- Linda
- written by Marion Ord. produced and directed by Paul Schneller
- cast: Anne Tenney, Caz Lederman, Ritchie Singer
- Kevin
- written by Marion Ord. produced and directed by Paul Schneller
- cast: Robert Noble, Caz Lederman, Mary-Lou Stewart, John Paramor
- Mick
- written by Peter Neale. directed by Tony Wickert
- cast: Dennis Grosvenor, Caz Lederman, Ben Gabriel, Geoff Cartwright.
- Chris
- written by Peter Neale. directed by Tony Wickert
- cast: Alex Morcos, Caz Lederman, Penny Pederson
- Luisa
- written by Sylvia Johnson. produced and directed by Roger Bayley
- cast: Carmel Cullen, Caz Lederman, David Weatherley
- Elsie
- written by Sylvia Johnson. produced and directed by Roger Bayley
- cast: Lillian Crombie, John Blair, Caz Lederman, Sarah Lambert.
- Steve
- written by Peter Neale. produced and directed by Paul Schneller
- cast: Gavin Harrison, Caz Lederman, Jane Ahlquist, John Allen
- Dennis
- written by Peter Neale. produced and directed by Paul Schneller
- cast: Terry Serio, Caz Lederman, Karen Day
References
- Hooks, Barbara (31 July 1990), "Splendid series helps people struggling for literacy", The Age
- Totaro, Paola (30 July 1990), "FRESH START", The Sydney Morning Herald
- ^ Loos, Rachel (12 August 1990), "If you can't read this you need a fresh start", The Age
- Anderson, Doug (13 August 1990), "FRESH START: Billy", The Sydney Morning Herald
- "The guide", The Sydney Morning Herald, 17 December 1990