The script held in the Crawford Collection in the AFI Research Collection contains the following character notes (excluding regular characters):
'JACK NORTON: 60/65. A retired farmer who, although worked hard [sic] all his life, has nothing to show for it. His only love is fishing and this also provides his food for the week. He and Joe Porter are fishing mates from way back, and both feel that the youth of today are pushing them back and out. Making them obsolete. Jack is a widower of five years with no children. His only companion is:-
'COCKY: His cockatoo - anyone would think it was human.
'DAVE BRADLEY: Early 30's. A young farmer and friend of Gary Hogan's. He has great ideals about conservation and the protection of wildlife. He is setting up his land as a sanctuary and cordons off the billabong as a protection for birds, animals and fish.
'FRANK BURNS: Wildlife and Fisheries expert.
'TEDDY FINCH: 18. A wild lad about Emerald. Out for a good time.
'BERT FINCH: 16. Teddy's younger brother who goes along for the ride.'