Cirrus@Austlit

'Betty Flood finds her wacky family embarrassing and wishes her magical mum could at least try to act more normal. But Betty is just realising that she has magical gifts of her own. When a dark power kidnaps her family, she must harness her magical abilities to rescue them. Will her newfound powers be strong enough to save the day?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'The plot follows a man who becomes stranded in an outback town after a car accident. There, he teams up with 11-year-old Indigenous girl Charlie, and the pair form an unlikely friendship working together to rescue and rehabilitate orphaned joeys, an endeavour that proves to be life-changing for both of them.'

Source: IF magazine (https://if.com.au/kate-woods-kangaroo-gets-the-green-light/). (Sighted: 14/12/2023)

'Inspired by the true story of an unlikely hero, and adapted from the major motion picture starring Naomi Watts, Andrew Lincoln and Jacki Weaver

'I guess we all kinda knew our life was perfect and that we wouldn't change a thing.

'But sometimes you don't get that choice, do you? Sometimes stuff happens that you would do anything to try to avoid. But you can't. And that's what happened to us.

'Penguin Bloom tells the true story of Sam Bloom, a young mother whose world is turned upside down after a near-fatal accident leaves her unable to walk. Sam's husband, her three young boys and her mother are struggling to adjust to their new situation when an unlikely ally enters their world in the form of an injured baby magpie they name Penguin. The bird's arrival is a welcome distraction for the Bloom family, eventually making a profound difference in the family's life.

'This young readers' edition, adapted from the major Australian motion picture starring Naomi Watts, tells their story through the eyes of Noah, one of the three Bloom boys.' (Publication summary)

'When Aaron Falk returns to his drought ravaged town in Victoria to attend his best mate’s funeral, he finds himself drawn into a web of lies and murder, which forces him to confront the guilty secrets of his own past. Based on the novel of the same name, written by Jane Harper.'

Source: Screen Australia funding approvals.

After Samantha Bloom suffers a devastating spinal injury, she she struggles with depression, until the family adopts a fledgling magpie called Penguin.

Screen Australia offers the following synopses.

For series one:

A sitcom about a team of scientific geniuses unravelling the mysteries of the universe in the remote Australian desert. Paul, a repressed British astronomer, dreams of a more adventurous life. He abandons his dull research role in London and relocates to a 'front line' field position at the Royal Australian Observatory. Paul does his best to fit in with a dysfunctional group of strangers exploring the furthest reaches of the galaxy from the most far flung place on earth.

For series two:

Series one followed English astronomer Professor Paul Hamilton after he swapped his dull research job in London for field work at the Royal Australian Observatory, joining a team of scientific geniuses as they attempted to unravel the mysteries of the universe while located in the remote Australian desert. In Series Two, Paul is no longer the new boy and begins to assert himself in ways that can only lead to more heated intellectual debate, awkward romantic moments and bizarre outback encounters.

A motivational speaker's girlfriend has to cope with the wilful ghost of her mother, which follows her around offering unsolicited advice.

'"Flat Chat" tells the story of two very different women living two very different lives, which change when their circumstances are reversed and they're thrust together and forced to survive in the other's world. Socialite Claire Jansen is forced to sell her mansion when her husband dies, leaving her flat broke. She moves into the stables when the house is bought by a rich but vulgar man and his new young wife who is unused to the ways of society. Soon, the two women form an unlikely alliance as they struggle to adjust to their new circumstances.'

Source: http://www.australiantelevision.net/flatchat.html (Sighted 20/03/2006).

'Norman Lindsay's much-loved story is brought to life in this magical animated adaptation of the Australian children's classic. When his ship sinks off the South Pole Bill Barnacle (Hugo Weaving) discovers a magic pudding called Albert (John Cleese) who can talk change flavour on request and lasts forever so demands to be continuously eaten. The crew are divided over the pudding but Bill and his first mate Sam (Sam Neil) resolve to protect it. Meanwhile Bunyip Bluegum the Koala (Geoffrey Rush) sets out on an adventure to find his parents with his rough-and-ready travelling companions in tow. Their paths cross when Bunyip stumbles into the middle of an attempt by thieves to steal the everlasting pudding.'

Source: ABC Shop (Sighted 12/10/2011)

'A computer-literate dog called PC flees into the arms of a lonely 13-year-old boy, Zac, after witnessing his master's murder. The two then set about unravelling the mystery of his death and finding treasure that has been hidden.'

Source: Screen Australia.