The Rovers (TV series)

The Rovers was an Australian ocean-based family adventure television show originally screened from 21 August 1969 until 12 June 1970 and was broadcast on the 0-Ten network, the precursor of Network Ten

Produced by NLT Productions, executive producer was Bill Harmon and producer Don Cash, who would become famous for creating Number 96. The series was created by Roger Mirams and starred Rowena Wallace, Edward Hepple, Noel Trevarthen and child actor Grant Seiden.

The storylines revolve around the adventures of the crew of the ‘Pacific Lady’, an island schooner owned by Captain Sam McGill (or ‘Cap’ for short), played by Hepple, Bob Wild (a freelance photographer) played by Trevarthen and Rusty Collins, a wildlife journalist (played by Wallace).

Thirty-nine episodes of 30 minutes each were produced on colour film, with an eye to distributing in overseas markets the way Skippy the Bush Kangaroo was. Writers included Kenneth Cook, Michael Latimer, Ron McLean, Michael Wright, Ralph Peterson and Rosamund Waring.

Ron Randell, who was in Australia performing in stage plays, guest starred in some episodes.^[1]

• Rowena Wallace as Rusty Collins
• Edward Hepple as Captain Sam McGill
• Noel Trevarthen as Bob Wild
• Grant Seiden

• Benita Collings as Margaret Walsh
• Brian Moll as Dr Wright
• Dawn Lake as Dawn Tobin / Mrs. Drury
• Jack Thompson as Kenneth Baker / Bill (2 episodes)
• Kat Loader as Constanow / Tony / Fisherman
• Kerry McGuire as Dorrie (1 episode)
• Lionel Long
• Reg Gorman as Policeman (1 episode)
• Ron Randell
• Slim De Grey as Terry Claffey
• Tony Hughes
• Vincent Gil as Biker / Bert

A number of episodes were written by Ron McLean^[2] and Michael Wright.^[3]

• Classic Australian Television - The Rovers accessed 26 April 2009
• Memorable TV The TV Shows (1970's) The Rovers accessed 26 April 2009

• The Rovers at AustLit
• The Rovers at National Film and Sound Archive