Redfern Now

Season 1

Episode 1: Family

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Tyler calls Grace because his mum is unwell. What is happening with Lilly?
What connection does Grace feel toward her family?
How is Tylers dad portrayed? What did he do to deserve such treatment?
What is Grace cautious of?
How does Lillys situation impact on Graces family?
Violent communication. How are they being violent?
What roles does Grace play?
Why does Grace put Tyler and Maddi before her own children and
husband?
9. Do you agree with Graces actions? Why?
10.Which character do you empathize with or have compassion for?
11.The end scene contrasts the opening scene. How is the decision making
between the family members different to the start of the episode, due to
the respect Grace feels?

Episode 2: Joyride

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What do you learn about Coral during the opening sequence?

What do you learn about Danny during the opening sequence?
What do you learn about Taneka during the opening sequence?
When Coral is hit by the car, why won't she go to hospital?
Later in the episode when Coral has no choice but to spend time in
hospital, she becomes disgruntled with the care and discharged herself.
Why is she so fiercely independent?
6. How is the theme of family violence evident throughout the episode? Give
examples.
7. What programs have been implemented in QLD to support Indigenous
Australians who are victims of domestic violence?
8. Research statistics of Indigenous youth across QLD and Australia in the
juvenile justice system. Do you think Australian society is failing to meet
their needs?
9. How is the theme of racism evident throughout this episode? Give
examples.
10.What statement does 'Joyride' make about the love of family?

Episode 3: Raymond

1. Is the Blake-Tenner family a happy one? How do you know?

2. What type of man is Derek? Is the audience positioned to like him? Why is
he antagonistic toward Raymond?
3. The theme of respect is explored throughout this episode 'Raymond'
through the portrayals of Raymond's relationships with others and his
community. Is Raymond respected by his colleagues at the Redfern
Aboriginal Men's Circle Center? Does Raymond show respect to his
colleagues?
4. Does Raymond have the respect of his community? Why/why not?
5. Does Raymond believe he is above the law? Why/why not?
6. What moments and statements reveal that Lorraine is proud of Raymond?
7. How is the theme of Indigenous leadership expressed throughout this
episode? Give examples.
8. At the presentation honoring Raymond, why does he choose a moment of
glory to talk about his shame?
9. The MC explains that the Sydney Indigenous Leadership Awards honor
those who have devoted themselves to the service of others. Why is it
important to recognize such people? How does this have the potential to
impact the community?

Episode 4: Stand Up

1. Why does a country need a national anthem?

2. Research 'Waltzing Matilda' and 'Advance Australia Fair' and make a list of
reasons for and against Waltzing Matilda replacing Advance Australia Fair
as the national anthem.
3. "Advance Australia Fair is an important national symbol and should be
treated with respect and dignity." Do you agree with this statement?
Why/why not?
4. Why does Joel choose not to stand and sing the national anthem at his
school assembly?
5. Why does Joel keep being reminded that his scholarship is a privledge?
6. Closing The Gap is an initiative and commitment made by the Australian
Government to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians, and in
particular, provide a better future for Indigenous children. Closing the Gap
focuses primarily on closing gaps in education and healthcare, with the
aim of overcoming Indigenous disadvantage. What are some ways these
targets can be achieved?
7. What is Reconciliation Australia?
8. How is the theme of reconciliation addressed in this episode?

Episode 5: Sweet Spot

1. 'Sweet Spot' begins with Indigo in a counselling session.. His dialogue is

intercut with images of punches being thrown. What were you thinking
when you watched this scene the first time? How is the audience
positioned to view Indigo?
2. What type of man is Indigo? What are his strengths and weaknesses?
3. Indigo is a very jealous person. No matter how many times Allie tell him
she loves him, he continues to wonder if she is telling the truth. In the
scene when Allie is talking to Jumpy, why does she deny speaking to him
when confronted by Indigo?
4. Indigo meets with his parole officer Bill Townsend. During this scene, what
triggers Indigo's anger? When is it obvious that anger impairs his
judgement?
5. When Indigo and Allie are walking home from Indigo's parole meeting,
Mookie tackles him. Indigo is dodging and weaving the punches, making
sure Mookie's punches don't connect. Indigo doesn't fight back. What does
his restraint show you about his ability to manage his anger? What
changes in thinking take place in this scene?
6. At what point in the episode do we see Indigo try and make things right?
7. What is significant about the final scene that portrays the importance of
family?

Episode 6: Pretty Boy Blue

1. This is not the first time that you have seen Aaron's character appear in
Redfern Now. He was also in the episodes 'Joyride' and 'Raymond'. What
role did Aaron play in these episodes and what is the audience positioned
to think of him before this episode?
2. Aaron and his partner Constable Ryan Hobbs are training at the gym with
a group of young Indigenous men. What happens at the gym?
3. Aaron and Hobbs are on duty when they come across Lenny and his mates
who are bored and ready to stir trouble for their own amusement. Lenny
spars with the constables, throwing punches that aren't meant to connect,
but are meant to antagonize and provoke. Why do you think Lenny acts
this way toward the police? How does Aaron handle Lenny? If Aaron wasn't
with him, how do you think Hobbs may have responded?
4. Later at the police station, Lenny arrives in the back of a paddy wagon
after being arrested for fighting. He is in a volatile mood and the officers
have had enough. Aaron steps in to diffuse the situation. Why does Aaron
threaten to call Lenny's mother?
5. Later in the scene, Lenny begins to rile Aaron by making accusations
about Robyn. Why do you think Lenny is trying to aggravate Aaron when
Aaron is trying to help him?
6. When the Charge Officer asks if an ambulance should be called to attend
to Lenny's injuries, Aaron makes the call that Lenny is tough enough to

handle the pain. What did you think of Aaron when he hung up the phone?
And how is this the moment that changes everything?
7. How does Aaron handle Lenny's passing.
8. Research Aboriginal deaths in custody (in Australia) and write down the
primary statistics that you find.
9. Research the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. What is
it? What outcomes came from the Commission? What are some strategies
that we as a community can put into action to decrease the number of
Aboriginal deaths in custody?