The Champion - First Episode

Author Maurice Gee’s boyhood experiences helped fuel this home front drama, expertly realised by director Peter Sharp (The Fire-Raiser). Rex Pascoe (Milan Borich, later a singer in band Pluto) is a war-obsessed schoolboy who befriends a local Dalmation boy, and reluctantly helps his father with his black-market dealings. Meanwhile American soldiers are making their presence felt. But not all of their attitudes are welcome. Racial tensions will soon be tested by the GI who is set to stay with Rex’s family. Director Peter Sharp writes here about battling tides — and learn where Maurice Gee's script first began.

There were acres of mangroves . . . I can’t imagine growing up without those two things — three things — mud, mangroves, warm brown tidal water.

– Rex in chapter two of Maurice Gee's novel The Champion, page 18

Key Cast & Crew

Scott Harman

As: Leo Yukich

Milan Borich

As: Rex Pascoe

Ginette McDonald

Producer

Maurice Gee

Writer

Sarah Peirse

As: Bernice Pascoe

Peter Sharp

Director