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Touch the Sun (TV series)

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Touch the Sun (TV series), available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 11 August 20252 sources
Touch the Sun
Company typeTelevision film series
IndustryChildren's television, Film production
Founded1987
FounderPatricia Edgar
Headquarters
Australia
Area served
Australia
Key people
Patricia Edgar (Executive Producer)
ProductsTelevision films for children
Number of employees
Various cast and crew per film

Touch the Sun comprises a collection of television films initiated by Patricia Edgar on behalf of the Australian Children's Television Foundation as part of the ACTF's contribution to the Australian Bicentenary celebrations in 1988. Designated as the official children's series by the Australian Bicentennial Authority, it highlighted Australia's varied landscapes through narratives set in each state. With Patricia Edgar serving as Executive Producer, the project engaged top-tier Australian film and television talent and received backing from the ABC, Australian Film Commission, multiple state film agencies, and French distributor Revcom International.[1] Acting as investor representatives were National Trustees, and by June 1987, the entire $7.5 million budget had been secured.[2] The ABC purchased Australian broadcasting rights for $2 million, marking its largest program acquisition to that date.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

The series' six installments were filmed entirely during 1987 and 1988 across various Australian locations: Top Enders (Northern Territory), Devil's Hill (Tasmania), Princess Kate (New South Wales), Peter and Pompey (Queensland), Captain Johnno (South Australia), and The Gift (Victoria and Western Australia).[1]

Scope

Each telemovie, lasting approximately 95 minutes, explores significant themes relevant to children—such as adoption, multiculturalism, life in rural communities, fame, running away from home, and deafness—mirroring contemporary issues encountered during early adolescence while emphasizing resilience and future aspirations.[1]

Production Timeline

By October 1987, filming had concluded and post-production was underway for Peter & Pompey, Captain Johnno, and Top Enders, while shooting for Princess Kate had commenced. Meanwhile, Devil's Hill and The Gift were in pre-production stages with filming planned to start in November.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name By December, production on Princess Kate wrapped up; filming for The Gift began in Victoria before relocating to Perth to finalize.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Captain Johnno

(South Australia)

Premise

Set during the 1950s, Captain Johnno tells the story of Johnno, a deaf ten-year-old boy residing in the small fishing community of Streeton. Often misunderstood by those around him, Johnno's sole source of support is his sister Julie, who soon departs for boarding school. After encountering a less understanding new teacher, Johnno is expelled from school, leaving his hardworking mother to attempt his education at home.

Johnno’s circumstances change with the arrival of Tony, a solitary Italian fisherman who does not speak English. Their budding friendship is tested when Johnno feels let down by Tony’s behavior, triggering a chain of events that prompt his mother to consider enrolling him in a specialized institution. In response, Johnno runs away to live alone on a nearby island but endures harsh conditions and sustains an injury.

A search party is organized; however, only Tony knows where Johnno has gone. Disregarding official instructions, Tony rescues him, leading to their reconciliation. Through this experience, Johnno realizes that avoiding difficulties is ineffective and, supported by Tony’s friendship, begins to embrace a more self-reliant future.

Cast

Launch

The debut screening of Captain Johnno took place in Adelaide at the Academy Cinema on 7 April 1988. South Australian Premier Hon. John Bannon, MP, introduced the film, which included specially designed subtitles for viewers with hearing impairments. Among those present were John Morris, AM, Managing Director of the South Australian Film Corporation; writer Rob George; producer Jane Ballantyne; director Mario Andreacchio; child actors Damien Walters (Johnno) and Rebecca Skyes (Julie); alongside industry representatives, media personnel, and members from the deaf community. The following day featured a dedicated screening for hearing-impaired children and their classmates, which was met with great enthusiasm.

International Emmy Award

In 1988, Captain Johnno, part of the Touch the Sun series, earned an esteemed international television accolade for the Foundation. This achievement represented the first Emmy awarded to an Australian children’s show and only the second Emmy ever granted to any Australian production. The program competed in the Children's and Young People's category at the awards hosted by the International Council of the American National Academy of Television, Arts and Sciences. At the New York event on 21 November, five Emmys were distributed among 198 submissions from 48 countries.

Devil's Hill

(Tasmania)

Premise

Living on a remote farm in southwest Tasmania, Badge has long felt eclipsed by his cousin Sam, who is accustomed to city life. When Sam’s mother becomes ill and his father is away, Sam moves in with his sisters Bron and Sheppie to stay with Badge and his mother Jessie. Sam’s aversion to rural living creates tension with Badge, who forms a bond with Bron, a gentle yet shy girl. Hearing about urban experiences causes Badge to question his father’s wilderness principles.

Conflict between Sam and Badge intensifies during a stormy night. The following day they discover that Brindle, the family cow, has wandered off into thick bushland. Persuading Jessie to lead a search party through Tasmania’s challenging wilderness, they confront hazards such as tiger snakes and fast-flowing rivers. As supplies dwindle, Jessie returns to camp leaving the children behind. When Badge spots Brindle below but slips while trying to reach her, he opts to continue alone.

This unexpected journey compels the children to overcome disputes and pool their abilities to recover Brindle—and locate a lost herd that could ensure the farm's prosperity. They successfully drive the cattle back home and reunite with Jessie. Upon arrival, they learn that Sam’s mother has improved and his father has returned. Sam expresses interest in visiting again next summer while Badge looks forward to attending school alongside his cousins. Their initial rivalry gradually transforms into mutual respect.

Cast

Launch

The debut screening of Devil's Hill was officially presented by The Hon. Peter Rae, MHA, Tasmanian Minister for Education and the Arts, at the University of Tasmania on 13 April 1988. The event was attended by notable figures including Dr Patricia Edgar, Graeme Foster (representing the Tasmanian ACTF Board), director Esben Storm, the young actors Alexander Jacobs, Cameron Atkins, Jane McArthur, Emma Pugh, as well as production staff, educators, and members of the press.

The Gift

(Victoria and Western Australia)

Premise

Greek-Australian siblings Nicos and Sofia Georgialis unexpectedly win a national lottery prize consisting of 500 hectares of bushland located in Western Australia, far from their Melbourne residence. This sudden inheritance triggers family conflicts; Sofia ends her romantic relationship while their grandfather Christos embarks on an all-expenses-paid journey to inspect the new property. Sofia and their father Con wish to sell the land to fund a new home outside the city, whereas Nicos and their mother Helen advocate for keeping it.

Unaware that Con has already consented to timber harvesting from the property, Nicos, Sofia, and Christos travel to examine the land firsthand. They uncover signs of deliberate damage and meet Vera along with her intellectually disabled son George, who live there as isolated caretakers. Realizing that logging would destroy Vera and George’s sanctuary, the children revoke the timber contract and publicly campaign for conservation.

Meanwhile, Con has arranged for their Melbourne house to be auctioned. Sofia and Nicos convince Christos to conquer his fear of flying so he can return in time. At the auction, Christos successfully outbids others to retain the family home. The family comes together with a renewed understanding that unexpected windfalls can carry hidden challenges.

Cast

  • Nicholas Hatjiandreau as Nikos
  • Vicki Serbos as Sophia
  • Alexis Anthopolous as Christos
  • Constantin Laras as Costa
  • Rena Frangioudakis as Helena
  • Peter Felmingham as Peter
  • Margaret Fort as Vera
  • Bill McClusky as George
  • Ken James as Clive Miller
  • Susanne Chapman as Melissa
  • Greg Hocking as Auctioneer
  • Andrew Stuart as Auctioneer

Premise

Set in Gamma, a small town in North Queensland, Peter and Pompey centers on Peter (Clayton Williamson), Margaret (Kate McDonald), who is the mayor’s daughter, and Wayne (Emil Minty), the local bully. The trio unites to study Latin after discovering enigmatic inscriptions on a cave wall. Their investigation leads them to an authentic Roman boat concealed centuries earlier by a Roman poet.

This archaeological find transforms Gamma into a tourist attraction, bringing unwanted fame to the children and exposing their families to commercial pressures. As they translate the Latin text, they uncover a curse associated with the boat—a binding agreement that promises retribution for anyone who disturbs it. Believing this curse is responsible for the town’s upheaval, they work alongside their Latin teacher to return the vessel to the sea, thereby restoring peace.

The film explores themes such as small-town life, sudden celebrity status, and conflicts between cultural heritage and commercialization. With a budget of $1.43 million, it represents a modest production targeting regional viewers while offering wider appeal through its historical mystery storyline.

Cast

Princess Kate

(New South Wales)

Synopsis

Fourteen-year-old Kate (Justine Clarke) enjoys a privileged upbringing with affluent adoptive parents who present her with a seven-metre yacht named 'Princess Kate'. Shortly thereafter, Kate learns about her adoption, which provokes feelings of anger and distress that negatively affect her academic performance and piano lessons. Motivated to locate her biological parents, she obtains a contact number but faces rejection upon calling.

This pursuit creates tension within her adoptive family, coinciding with her father's deteriorating health and business challenges. Acting on impulse, Kate visits her birth mother Glenys (Lorna Lesley), where she meets Glenys' family under strained circumstances but quickly forms a connection with Glenys' daughter May (Rebekah Elmaloglou) through their mutual love of music.

Kate assures her adoptive parents she has no intention of leaving them but invites May to stay for an upcoming music contest. The families experience an initially awkward meeting but eventually reconcile as Glenys and her spouse come to accept Kate's presence.

During the competition, May secures the top prize, while Kate learns to value relationships above material possessions, suggesting selling her yacht to aid in resolving the family's financial issues.

Cast

Synopsis

Alice is a resilient, independent teenager whose mother, Sue, works as a blackjack dealer at a casino in Darwin. When Alice’s father, Jack, returns seeking reconciliation, Alice struggles with accepting him due to previous disappointments and decides to leave home.

While traveling, Alice encounters Mick, an Aboriginal schoolmate on a quest to find his rodeo-rider uncle Roy. They hitchhike, camp outdoors, and borrow a boat to reach Katherine but miss Roy’s rodeo event. After a run-in with the police, Alice impulsively drives off in her mother’s Moke alongside Mick. They set out toward Mick’s tribal outstation but run out of fuel and become lost in the desert, suffering from dehydration and sunstroke.

Meanwhile, Jack and Sue initiate a police search after tracing the children’s path. Following guidance from an Aboriginal man, Jack locates the abandoned Moke and pursues Alice and Mick but crashes while attempting to avoid them. Alice cares for her injured father while Mick manages to find assistance just in time. All three survive; Alice reunites with Sue, Jack is hospitalized, and Mick returns to his aunt in Darwin. Alice comes to recognize her father’s love despite his imperfections.

Cast

Launch

Top Enders premiered on 16 March 1988 at the Museum Theaterette in Darwin, in collaboration with The Hon. Don Dale, Northern Territory Minister for Health and Community Services. Notable guests included Dr Patricia Edgar, Director of the Foundation; Ray Norman, the Northern Territory representative on the ACTF Board; cast members Bennedine Woods and Madeleine Blackwell; educators; and members of the press.

National Launch

The series Touch the Sun was officially unveiled on 15 March 1988 by Hazel Hawke during a sunset cruise on Sydney Harbour. The event was attended by The Hon. Gary Punch, MP, Minister for Arts and Territories; David Hill, Managing Director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation; Geoffrey Daniels, CEO of Revcom Television; Dr Patricia Edgar; Wendy McCarthy, General Manager – Communications at the Australian Bicentennial Authority; alongside cast, crew, and media professionals.

Screenings

Touch the Sun was broadcast nationwide on ABC at 6:30 pm on Sundays over six weeks starting 27 March 1988, receiving widespread critical praise.

After winning the International Emmy Award, Captain Johnno was rebroadcast as a special feature on ABC on 21 December 1988 at 8:30 pm.

The series returned to ABC’s Sunday Afternoon Summer Edition lineup from December 1991 through February 1992.

In 1992, Captain Johnno was included in Ansett’s In-Flight Entertainment offerings.

Beginning 26 February 1994, Touch the Sun was part of ABC’s Family Album series airing Saturdays at 6:00 pm.

In early 1997, The Disney Channel scheduled the series for Sunday evenings at 7:30 pm.

Screenings for Hearing Impaired Children

On 2 August 1988, the Foundation presented a subtitled screening of Captain Johnno at Melbourne's State Film Theatre for an audience of 240 children from deaf schools and hearing-impaired units. Janet Holmes a Court, Chairman of the Foundation, welcomed attendees with sign language interpretation provided by Julie Rees from the Victorian School for the Deaf. The screening was warmly received by both students and educators. A similar event took place on 28 November 1988 at the Australian Film Television and Radio School in Sydney, where Dr Patricia Edgar addressed around 200 children with remarks translated into sign language. Another subtitled presentation occurred on 3 May 1990 in Perth through a partnership between the Foundation and the Young Variety Club of Western Australia.

International Emmy Award

In 1988, the ACTF earned the distinguished International Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Captain Johnno, part of the Touch the Sun series, achieved First Prize in the Children’s and Young People’s category during a gala dinner held in New York.

First International Film Festival for Children – Sofia

From 14 to 22 July 1988, Devil's Hill, Princess Kate, and Captain Johnno were featured at the inaugural International Festival for Children in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The Paters

During the 1988 Bicentennial Paters, hosted by the Australasian Academy of Broadcast Arts and Sciences at Expo 88 in Brisbane, more than 1600 submissions from 46 nations vied across 110 different categories. The Australian Children's Television Foundation secured two out of three awards in the children’s program segment for Drama and Variety Entertainment, with Touch the Sun honored with the award for children’s Drama Series.

AFI Awards

George Ogilvie received a nomination for Best Director – telemovie at the Australian Film Institute Awards for his work on Princess Kate. The awards ceremony was held in Sydney on 10 October 1988.

Chicago International Festival of Children’s Films

At the Chicago International Festival of Children’s Films, held from 14 to 23 October 1988, Devil's Hill was awarded First Prize in the Live Action category within the feature-length Video Section.

Australian Television Society Awards for Excellence

On 19 November 1988, during ceremonies in Melbourne and Sydney, Touch the Sun earned multiple accolades at the Australian Television Society Awards. These included Excellence for Children's Drama (for Peter & Pompey), Excellence in Scriptwriting – One-Off Drama or Mini-Series (awarded to John Misto for Peter & Pompey), and Excellence in a Performance by a Juvenile Actor (awarded to Damien Walters for Captain Johnno).

Australian Cinematographers' Society Awards

Roger Dowling was presented with a Gold Cinema Award on 29 October 1988 for his cinematographic work on Captain Johnno.

Berlin International Film Festival

Devil's Hill was featured in the Children and Youth section of the Berlin International Film Festival, which took place from 10 to 21 February 1989.

7th International Film Festival for Youth

The entirety of the Touch the Sun series was showcased at the 7th International Film Festival for Youth in Lyon, France, between 13 and 23 March 1989. Within the Competition Section, Captain Johnno received a high distinction as runner-up for the Grand Jury prize, while other films were presented in the Information Section.

The Grenfell Henry Lawson Festival of Arts

During the Queen’s Birthday weekend on 10 June 1989 in Grenfell, New South Wales, Touch the Sun was awarded best Australian-produced television series at the Henry Lawson Festival of Arts.

Banff Television Festival

In June 1989, both Captain Johnno and Princess Kate were screened at Canada’s Banff Television Festival. Notably, Captain Johnno was selected as one of three finalists within the children’s category.

The First International Film Festival for Children and Young People – Bulgaria

In July 1988, three films from Touch the Sun—namely Princess Kate, Captain Johnno, and Devil's Hill—were entered into Bulgaria’s inaugural International Film Festival for Children and Young People, held during the Fourth International Children’s Assembly in Sofia.

Festival organizers extended invitations to directors Mario Andreacchio (for Captain Johnno) and Esben Storm (for Devil’s Hill), along with child actors Damien Walters, Alexander Jacobs, and Emma Pugh. The young performers took part in the “Children’s Assembly of Peace,” interacting with peers representing 122 countries. Damien Walters, who is profoundly deaf, delivered a signed address to an audience of 3,000 children during the screening of Captain Johnno, aided by Mario Andreacchio and a Bulgarian interpreter. This event highlighted significant international recognition for the Foundation’s contributions.

Carousel International Du Film De Rimouski

At the request of the Festival coordinator, Captain Johnno and Princess Kate were presented at this Quebec-based festival held from 18 to 24 September 1989.

Cinekid Amsterdam

Between 11 and 18 October 1989, Captain Johnno and Princess Kate were showcased at this Amsterdam festival following an invitation from The Netherlands Children’s Youth Film Centre.

London Film Festival

During the London Film Festival from 11 to 26 November 1989, Captain Johnno and Devil's Hill were screened. Due to positive feedback from the deaf community, the British Film Institute acquired a subtitled version for their archives. On 7 December 1989, excerpts were featured by the Institute during a panel discussion on improving cinema accessibility for deaf and hearing-impaired audiences, moderated by Sir Richard Attenborough.

International Children’s Film Festival of India

At the invitation of the Australian High Commission in India, Peter & Pompey was exhibited in New Delhi from 14 to 23 November 1989.

Oulu Children’s Film Festival

Invited by the festival organizers, Captain Johnno was screened in Finland from 20 to 26 November 1989.

Cleveland International Film Festival

In the United States, both Peter & Pompey and Devil's Hill were featured at this festival held from 19 to 29 April 1990.

Filmfest DC

From 25 April to 6 May 1990, Washington’s international festival included a screening of Peter & Pompey.

Australian Film Festival at Riyadh

During its second iteration in May and June 1990, the Australian Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, presented all films from the Touch the Sun series.

Junior Dublin Film Festival

Between 13 and 21 October 1990, the festival screened Devil's Hill, Peter & Pompey, and Captain Johnno.

Baltimore FilmForum

In April 1991, Devil's Hill was shown in the USA following an invitation by festival organizers.

Cinemagic

At Belfast's Cinemagic event held from 21 to 29 September 1990, Captain Johnno earned First Prize awarded by the Guild of Regional Film Writers’ Jury.

Children's Week Film & Television Award

The Foundation was honored with the New South Wales Children’s Week Award for Touch the Sun in 1989. Director Patricia Edgar accepted this accolade from Hon. Virginia Chadwick, MLC, during a ceremony at Sydney’s Parliament House on 26 October 1989.

Children’s Television Festival, China

In June 1990, China Central TV recognized Captain Johnno with a Children’s Television Program Award.

Kinderfilmfestival

As part of a retrospective celebrating Australian children's films spanning from 1927 to 1990, Top Enders was screened at the 9th International Kinderfilmfestival held in Essen, Germany, from 1 to 10 November 1991.

Kinderkino

The Kinderkino festival in Berlin, Germany, featured a screening of Captain Johnno between 15 and 18 November 1991.

KinderKinotage

Upon request from the festival Committee, Devil's Hill was presented at the seventh Berlin KinderKinotage in November 1992.

Publication

In August 1988, CBS/FOX Video launched Video School Packs and rental videocassettes for Touch the Sun. By mid-1993, sales had reached 6,335 units, rising to 6,604 by June of the following year.

Starting in 1995, the Foundation began distributing video packs directly to schools and recorded sales of 178 packs by June that year.

Several titles within the Touch the Sun collection were distributed through Australia's retail sell-through market by REEL Entertainment. These VHS editions were made available for general purchase; notably, Captain Johnno was released as a subtitled edition intended for classroom use.

Initially, only Princess Kate was issued on DVD within Australia. Echo Bridge Entertainment previously offered collections including titles such as Devils Hill, Captain Johnno, and The Journey, but these releases had been discontinued by 2014.

Subsequently, the Australian Children's Television Foundation issued two separate DVDs: one featuring Touch the Sun - Top Enders and Peter & Pompey, and another containing Touch the Sun - Devil's Hill and Captain Johnno.

Books

By June, companion books for each of the six films had sold a combined total of 54,000 copies, with three titles—Princess Kate, Captain Johnno, and Peter & Pompey—making appearances on children's paperback best-seller charts. Penguin Books Australia announced cumulative sales reaching 89,000 copies by June 1995.

Study Kits

Study kits were provided alongside videocassettes and formed part of the Touch The Sun Video School collections.

Reviews

The ABC's venture into mature programming for young audiences with the Touch the Sun series has been met with high praise. – The Sun News-Pictorial, Melbourne

Touch the Sun marks a significant advancement in Australian children's television, showcasing leading local writers, directors, producers, and actors. – The West Australian – TV Guide, Perth

A breath of fresh creativity in children's TV production. – Daily News, Perth

Engaging entertainment packed with action. – The Sunday Sun, Brisbane

'Touch the Sun delivers compelling, relatable drama appealing to viewers of all ages, blending mystery, comedy, emotion, and fantasy. – The Sunday Examiner, Launceston

An outstanding series offering valuable lessons for adults as well. – Inverell Times, NSW

Each week presents a unique short story filled with excitement, adventure, intrigue, and suspense. – Central Western Daily, Orange, NSW

Well-crafted films featuring excellent scripting and cinematography. – Daily News, Perth

Six exceptional programs designed for families and children alike. – News Mail, Bundaberg

Children will thoroughly enjoy it; the cinematography is impressive and performances highly watchable. – The Sunday Observer, Melbourne

Engaging family entertainment with captivating storytelling. – Townsville Bulletin, Queensland

'Princess Kate is skillfully produced with moments that leave a lasting impact. – The Sun-Herald, Sydney

'Captain Johnno is a compelling children's tale that subtly incorporates moral themes appealing to adult viewers as well. – The Daily Telegraph, Sydney

See also

External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :1
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :4

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