Redfern Now

Season 2

Episode 1: Where the Heart Is

1. Why do Peter and Richard argue?

2. In 2011, there were 32,365 same-sex couples in Australia. Approximately
12% of these couples were parenting a child. For Amy, having two fathers
is normal. Do you think society was accepting of same-sex parenting?
What challenges are facing same-sex parents?
3. When Richard gets into the back of the car with Amy to comfort her, why
is these scene important?
4. Richard is driving when Peter calls, yet he takes the phone call regardless.
Why does Richard take the call? What does the dialogue tell the audience
about Peter and Richard's relationship?
5. Describe the way the hospital room setting is used to convey the
characters relationship with Richard, with each other, and the way they
cope with the seriousness of his injuries.
6. Margaret is adamant that Richard will remain on life support. She refuses
to listen to the doctor and Peter. Peter is Richard's next of kin, so it is up to
him to decide Richard's fate. How does each character deal with the
moments leading up to Richard's death?
7. Refer to the mediation scene. Do you think Margaret is acting in Amy's
best interest and genuinely taking care of her welfare, or is she projecting
her hurt and anger on to Peter? Why do you think this?
8. Explain the symbolism of the post-it note that Peter retrieves from under
the dishwasher.
9. 'Where the Heart Is' ends with Amy and Margaret waiting for Peter in the
park. Margaret admits that saying goodbye to Amy isn't easy, and Peter
responds that she doesn't have to. They all leave the park together. Were
you surprised by Peter's response? What does this suggest about the
future for Amy, Peter and Margaret?
10.'Where the Heart Is' is about the importance of forgiveness. Write a few
sentences about what forgiveness means to you.

Episode 2: Starting Over

1. On Koorioke night, Indigo is at the bar and finds Allie performing on stage.
Explain Indigo's reaction. Why doesn't anyone other than Allie challenge
Indigo's behavior?
2. Does Indigo think it is okay to hit Allie?
3. What is the definition of domestic violence?
4. What programs have been implemented across QLD and Australia to
support Indigenous Australian's who are victims of domestic violence?
5. How can we as a society further support these victims?

6. The scene in the interview room reveals the stereotypes that strain
relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Is
Hobbs' stereotyping of Allie racist or sexist?
7. Is Allie right to label the police the way she does?
8. When Allie returns to Koorioke night, why does she call the members of
the audience hypocrites? What is hypocrisy?
9. What do Allie's comments suggest about attitudes to domestic violence in
Indigenous communities?
10.Allie accused Aaron of not being a 'real blackfella' when they were at the
police station. Why is Aaron's identity as an Indigenous Australian
questioned by individuals in his community.
11.How has the overall theme of courage been worked into this episode?
Refer particularly to the final scene, and give examples.

Episode 3: Babe in Arms

1. The opening scene shows the Myles family as they make their trip home
from hospital with their newborn baby. How do the scene outside the
hospital and in the car on the way home portray the new parents?
2. Janine is estranged from her own family and is unwilling to depend on her
Indigenous in-laws and the other Indigenous women in her neighborhood.
Does Janine believe she is disapproved of because she is white? If so, why?
Do you think Janine is estranged from her family because she married an
Indigenous man?
3. The Myles' home is a key setting in this episode. When Janine and Justin
are sitting on the couch admiring their new baby, how does this portray
their family?
4. Attending to the needs of a baby can be very physically, mentally and
emotionally demanding. What is Justin doing to help Janine cope with
these new demands? What signs are evidence that Janine isn't coping?
5. What type of support services are available in Queensland that parents of
an infant can access?
6. How has becoming a parent changed Janine and Justin's relationship?
7. Justin is supposed to go to Footy training, but instead goes to La Perouse
where he begins drinking. Later that night he comes home to find the
police at his house, and his newborn son missing. When Justin asks Janine
where the baby is, she says 'sorry'. What does Janine tell Justin and the
detectives about the circumstance of their son's disappearance?
8. How does this scene portray Janine, and has your opinion of her changed
since the opening sequence?
9. Why does Justin begin to doubt Janine, and how is his opinion of her
beginning to change?
10.In the final scene, Justin and Janine's baby is found and returned. Do you
think the dynamic of their relationship has changed for good?

Episode 4: Consequences

1. This episode relies on flashback sequences to portrays Mattie's childhood

memories of her father. Describe the way the Collinson-Mikkel family is
portrayed and established in the scene that begins the flashback. Are they
a happy family?
2. Describe Trish and Jack's relationship, drawing on Trish's reference to the
relationship as being complicated.
3. Describe Mattie and Trish's relationship. Comment on Trish's desire to
protect her daughter's innocence.
4. What statement does 'Consequences' make about the status of an
Indigenous woman of Trish's generation?
5. What statement does 'Consequences' make about the status of the 'other
woman'?
6. The term 'reconciliation' is used in conversations about the relationships
between Indigenous Australian's and the broader Australian community.
What does the term 'reconciliation' imply? How has the idea of
reconciliation been explored throughout this episode?

Episode 5: Pokies

1. Poker machines are regarded to be the biggest cause of problem

gambling, with Australians spending nearly $12 billion per year on the
pokies. This episode begins with Nic spending her lunch in the casino
playing the pokies. Her phone rings, and it's her work saying they want
her back. Nic explains that she won't be much longer. How is Nic portrayed
in this opening scene?
2. As you watch this episode, list the moments that establish Nic is gambling
more than she can afford to lose.
3. On November 1, 2012, the Government introduced legislation to reduce
the harm caused by poker machines. How will this legislation protect
people who play the pokies? You can use this link as a starting point for
your research: http://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/communitiesand-vulnerable-people/programs-services/problem-gambling/nationalgambling-reform-acts-introduction
4. Have you been raised to view gambling as a normal part of life? Have you
ever gambled? Dont forget to consider things such as instant scratch-its,
participating in the Melbourne Cup, playing cards for money, or buying a
raffle ticket.
5. How do you think Nic's gambling as impacted her son Joel?
6. What is the costs of problem gambling for: problem gamblers; for the
families and friends of problem gamblers; and for the community?

Episode 6: Dogs of War

1. Explain the significance of the opening scene of 'Dogs of War'. What does
the audience see, hear and understand?
2. How is Evonne's character portrayed in the opening sequence?
3. How is Derek's character portrayed in the opening sequence?

4. This episode portrays Ernie's experience of the horror of war through his
recurring nightmares. Each nightmare provides the audience with a
glimpse of an incident that Ernie has faced but is yet to come to terms
with. What comment is Blair making about the impact of war?
5. Ernie is not well, and his daughter Evonne is concerned. Why do you think
Ernie denies that he is unwell?
6. Is Ernie's tough demeanor a defense mechanism?
7. The episode ends happily, Ernie is in good health and Evonne has had her
baby. What does Jake's use of the word 'uncle' suggest about the change
in Ernie's status?