Where it all began

It all started when a Seven Network television producer called Alan was searching for an inspiration for a new TV series as Neighbours had left for another network. He found it while buying an ice-cream from the General Store in the town of Kangaroo Valley NSW.

During his stay in Kangaroo Valley, Alan got chatting to some locals who were unhappy about a home for foster kids being built in their town. As he listened he was struck by the potential of the situation for plenty of conflict and story lines in a TV series.

In the next few months, the idea was developed into story form, but when the script was delivered to the Seven Network weeks before filming was due to start, it was a disaster. John Holmes the executive producer of the new series knew the project was in trouble so he called in writer Bevan Lee to write an entirely new script.

Weeks later the new script was presented, the actors were called in and cameras began to film the pilot episode of a new TV series called Home and Away.

The original story focused on Pippa and Tom Fletcher, a happily married couple who, unable to have children, decided to share some love by becoming foster parents.

Tom was retrenched from his job in the city so the fletchers bought the Summer Bay Caravan Park form Alf Stewart and moved there with their five foster children – Frank, Carly, Steven, Lynn and Sally. The discovery of runaway Bobbie Simpson in an abandoned caravan soon added a sixth child to the clan.

Home and Away premiered on the 17th of January 1988 and made an impressive debut on Australian television. The Seven Network allowed it time to settle in and find a dedicated audience. By the End of the first year Home and Away was a ratings hit.

Just over a year later, on the 11th of February, 1989, Home and Away debuted on British television and quickly made a loyal audience there. It now also screens in New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, Estonia, France, Norway, Sweden, Israel and many Asian countries.

Over 21 years Home and Away has won 34 Logie Awards and three Australian Writers Awards, as well as one AFI Award.

Thousands of actors have stepped on and off the Summer Bay set and strutted their stuff before the cameras, including future Oscar and Golden Globe nominees Heath Ledger, Naomi Watts, Julian McMahon and Simon Baker.

Of all of the talented cast who began on Home and Away all those years ago, only Ray Meagher (Alf Stewart) remains.

Australian television’s sweetheart Kate Richie (Sally Fletcher) was the second longest serving cast member at 20 years, having made her exit in April 2008.

Home and Away began as a teen-based family drama, but it has kept pace with the changing tides of society. The storylines have dealt with challenging social issues such as teenage pregnancy, adoption, sexual assault, drug abuse, infidelity, homosexuality, racism, divorce, domestic violence, mental health problems and murder.

In its 21st year, Home and Away continues to be one of the most popular dramas on Australian television, and one of the cornerstones of the Seven Networks programme schedule.

Home and Away now also holds the record for the second longest-running drama on Australian TV with the 5000th episode set to screen in the second half of 2009.
Home and Away remains a powerful television performer, winning consistently strong ratings across generations of TV viewers.

Alan Bateman’s chance conversation in that country store some 22 years ago has resulted in an integral part of Australian cultural landscape, responsible for entertaining generations of viewers in our own backyard and in a number of countries around the world.