Fresh Start is an Australian television series created for 1990's International Literacy Year.
The series consists of two sections. One section is a series of six 10 minute documentaries while the other is 12 half hour dramas.[1] The documentaries feature a wide range of subjects talking about the effects of low literacy and programs in place to improve literacy.[2] The dramas follow an adult literacy teacher Kerry (Caz Lederman) who in each episode (named for the guest character) works with a new student who for different reasons are trying to improve their literacy.[3] These characters include Billy (Dean Love), a mechanic who needs to learn to advance his career prospects,[4] Linda (Anne Tenney), a country mother who can't read medicine labels, Mick (Denis Grovsvenor), a prisoner who's cellmate has been writing for him[3] and Marcia (Judith Stratford), a housewife who wants to read in church.[5]
Episodes
- Billy
- written by Marion Ord. produced and directed by Jacqui Sykes
- cast: Dean Love, Caz Lederman
 
- Marcia
- written by Marion Ord. produced and directed by Jacqui Sykes
- cast: Judith Stafford, Caz Lederman, Alex Morcos, Barry Langrish
 
- Tracey
- written by Sylvia Johnson. produced and directed by Roger Bayley
- cast: Sascha Huckstep, Caz Lederman, Sonja Tallis, Sharon Tamlyn.
 
- Frank
- written by Sylvia Johnson. produced and directed by Roger Bayley.
 
- Linda
- written by Marion Ord. produced and directed by Paul Schneller
- cast: Anne Tenney, Caz Lederman, Ritchie Singer
 
- Kevin
- written by Marion Ord. produced and directed by Paul Schneller
- cast: Robert Noble, Caz Lederman, Mary-Lou Stewart, John Paramor
 
- Mick
- written by Peter Neale. directed by Tony Wickert
- cast: Dennis Grosvenor, Caz Lederman, Ben Gabriel, Geoff Cartwright.
 
- Chris
- written by Peter Neale. directed by Tony Wickert
- cast: Alex Morcos, Caz Lederman, Penny Pederson
 
- Luisa
- written by Sylvia Johnson. produced and directed by Roger Bayley
- cast: Carmel Cullen, Caz Lederman, David Weatherley
 
- Elsie
- written by Sylvia Johnson. produced and directed by Roger Bayley
- cast: Lilian Crombie, John Blair, Caz Lederman. Sarah Lambert.
 
- Steve
- written by Peter Neale. produced and directed by Paul Schneller
- cast: Gavin Harrison, Caz Lederman, Jane Ahlquist, John Allen
 
- Dennis
- written by Peter Neale. produced and directed by Paul Schneller
- cast: Terry Serio, Caz Lederman, Karen Day
 
References
- ↑ Hooks, Barbara (31 July 1990), "Splendid series helps people struggling for literacy", The Age
- ↑ Totaro, Paola (30 July 1990), "FRESH START", The Sydney Morning Herald
- 1 2 Loos, Rachel (12 August 1990), "If you can't read this you need a fresh start", The Age
- ↑ Anderson, Doug (13 August 1990), "FRESH START: Billy", The Sydney Morning Herald
- ↑ "The guide", The Sydney Morning Herald, 17 December 1990