person or book cover
The opening and closing titles of Barrier Reef placed great emphasis on the New Endeavour and her environment, at the expense of any shots of the cast (screen cap from closing credits)
form y separately published work icon Barrier Reef series - publisher   film/TV  
Issue Details: First known date: 1971... 1971 Barrier Reef
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Set on far north Queensland's Great Barrier Reef, this adventure series revolves around a scientific search and recovery team working for General Trust Corporation (GTC), a large Australian industrial and pastoral group. Led by Captain Ted King and his first mate and diving expert Jack Meuraki (a Thursday Islander), the team of scientists and divers are also often required to carry out missions for the government. The team is highly proactive with regard to conservation and vehemently opposed to any type of exploitation of the Reef.

The centre of operations for the team is a 135-foot windjammer named the New Endeavour. The ship also houses a sophisticated piece of electronic equipment called Minus Five (Mineral Identification Nuclear Undersea Seismography Mark V), which the Endeavour team affectionately call 'Grandma,' after the line in 'Little Red Riding Hood': 'What big eyes you have!' Specifically developed for General Trust projects, Grandma serves a number of functions, including providing accurate geological analyses of the seabed and the earth below it. Though Grandma plays a vital role in the various missions and adventures that ensue, the machine's presence must be kept secret, since GTC and the Federal Government are concerned that foreign political and commercial interests might attempt to get hold of the technology (which includes, for example, the ability to locate mineral deposits or sunken wrecks with valuable cargo).

Notes

  • Barrier Reef was Fauna Productions's follow-up series to Skippy (q.v.) and again demonstrates the company's intention to combine unique Australian settings and characters with current production techniques and compelling stories that would also appeal to international audiences.

  • Award-winning and individually published episodes of this series are indexed on AustLit.

Includes

1
form y separately published work icon Rendezvous Joy Cavill , 1971 Z1638551 1971 single work film/TV
— Appears in: In Focus : Scripts from Commercial Television's Second Decade 1972; (p. 33-61)
In this episode of Barrier Reef, a senior Australian Government official makes a secret visit to the Endeavour to determine whether General Trust Corporation may use its Minus Five equipment to commercial advantage without affecting the natural heritage of the Great Barrier Reef. The project is placed in jeopardy when he nearly loses his life while riding in the mini-submarine. Dr Paul Hanna, of the Government Science Council, joins the team on board the Endeavour.
1971

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: ca. 1971
    • Norfolk Island, Australian External Territories,: Fauna Productions ; Network Ten , ca. 1971-1972 .
      person or book cover
      Title screen from Barrier Reef (screen cap)
      Extent: 39 x 30 min. episodesp.
      Description: Colour
      Note/s:
      • Peter Maxwell was the series' principal director (with twenty-nine episodes). Ron Taylor directed the underwater sequences.
Settings:
  • Great Barrier Reef, Australian seas,
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