''RAN (Remote Area Nurse)'' is an Australian

television program Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or the medium of television transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertising, e ...

(drama series) that aired on SBS on 5 January 2006. The series was filmed entirely on Masig Island (Yorke Island) in the

tropical The tropics are the regions of Earth surrounding the Equator. They are defined in latitude by the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere at N and the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere at S. The tropics are also referred to ...

Torres Strait The Torres Strait (), also known as Zenadh Kes, is a strait between Australia and the Melanesian island of New Guinea. It is wide at its narrowest extent. To the south is Cape York Peninsula, the northernmost extremity of the Australian mai ...

north of the

Cape York Peninsula Cape York Peninsula is a large peninsula located in Far North Queensland, Australia. It is the largest unspoiled wilderness in northern Australia.Mittermeier, R.E. et al. (2002). Wilderness: Earth’s last wild places. Mexico City: Agrupación ...

, the northernmost part of Australia (State of

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

), and the border with

Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (abbreviated PNG; , ; tpi, Papua Niugini; ho, Papua Niu Gini), officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea ( tpi, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niugini; ho, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niu Gini), is a country i ...

. This is an important series to

Torres Strait Islanders Torres Strait Islanders () are the Indigenous Melanesian people of the Torres Strait Islands, which are part of the state of Queensland, Australia. Ethnically distinct from the Aboriginal people of the rest of Australia, they are often grouped ...

, but also to the predominantly Anglo Australian community as it highlights the difference between Islanders and mainland

Indigenous Australians Indigenous Australians or Australian First Nations are people with familial heritage from, and membership in, the ethnic groups that lived in Australia before British colonisation. They consist of two distinct groups: the Aboriginal peoples ...

and the interactions between Islander and Anglo culture. Islander actors and extras are extensively used. The series was released on DVD on 20 February 2006.

Outline

First aired in early 2006 on Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) television, it follows the life of Helen Tremain (

Susie Porter Susie Porter (born 1970 or 1971) is an Australian television, film and theatre actress. She made her debut in the 1996 film '' Idiot Box'', before rising to prominence in films including '' Paradise Road'' (1997), ''Welcome to Woop Woop'' (1997) ...

), the Remote Area Nurse, charged with providing medical services to the remote

community.

Drama

The drama comes from the RAN's necessarily close association with the island Chairman, Russ Gaibui ( Charles Passi), and his extensive and somewhat

dysfunctional family A dysfunctional family is a family in which conflict, misbehavior, and often child neglect or abuse and sometimes even all of the above on the part of individual parents occur continuously and regularly, leading other members to accommodate suc ...

of wife Ina and grown children Eddie, Solomon, Paul (adopted), Nancy and Faith (adopted) and their families and friends, and other characters on the island including some white Australians. The season of six episodes covers topics such as: whites fitting into an Islander culture;

alcohol Alcohol most commonly refers to: * Alcohol (chemistry), an organic compound in which a hydroxyl group is bound to a carbon atom * Alcohol (drug), an intoxicant found in alcoholic drinks Alcohol may also refer to: Chemicals * Ethanol, one of sev ...

misuse and smuggling in Islander communities; family hostility and love; outsider influence on island life; family tension, life and death; seasons in the tropics and the effect on people, marriage and family.

Accuracy

The series is portrayed as telling true stories. Many of the idioms of the drama come from local situations. Islanders speak among themselves in their local dialect with subtitles provided for the wider television audience. While non-Islanders can only guess at the accuracy of the portrayal, many

extra Extra or Xtra may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Film * ''The Extra'' (1962 film), a Mexican film * ''The Extra'' (2005 film), an Australian film Literature * ''Extra'' (newspaper), a Brazilian newspaper * ''Extra!'', an American me ...

s are Islanders and that there was significant assistance from locals in the production.

Cast

- Helen Tremain (Remote Area Nurse) - Logie winner (Best Actress), 2007 * Charles Passi - Russ Gaibui (island Chairman) *Billy Mitchell - Robert Henry Hoffman (Robbo) (barge operator) *

Luke Carroll Luke Carroll is an Australian stage, television and film actor. Education Carroll attended Marcellin College Randwick and graduated in 1996. Television and film Carroll started out in guest roles in some Australian shows, including ''The Flyin ...

- Paul Gaibui (son of Russ and Ina) *Margaret Harvey - Nancy Gaibui (daughter of Russ and Ina, mother of Faith) *Merwez Whaleboat - Bernadette (de facto wife of Paul Gaigui, mother of two daughters) *Jim Gela - Solomon Gaibui (second and favoured son of Russ and Ina, husband of Lindy and father of Grace; island quarantine officer) *

Aaron Fa'aoso Aaron Fa'aoso is an Australian actor, screenwriter and producer, known for his roles in ''East West 101'', ''The Straits'' (which he also wrote and produced) and ''Black Comedy''. He established Lonestar Productions in 2013, which brings stories ...

- Eddie Gaibui (first son of Russ and Ina;

black sheep In the English language, black sheep is an idiom that describes a member of a group who is different from the rest, especially a family member who does not fit in. The term stems from sheep whose fleece is colored black rather than the more comm ...

, but a

Christian Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...

minister; lives off-island, but visits) *Serai Zaro - Ina Gaibui (wife of Russ, mother to the clan; quiet, patient, loving and kind; but, capable) *

Peta Brady Peta Brady (born 1972) is an Australian actress. She is best known for being the second actress to play Cody Willis, a role instituted by Amelia Frid in the TV soap opera ''Neighbours''. Since she left the show, Brady has appeared in the film ...

- Lindy Gaibui (white wife of Solomon, mother of Grace) *Belford Lui - Mick Gaibui (brother of Russ, island

police The police are a constituted body of persons empowered by a state, with the aim to enforce the law, to ensure the safety, health and possessions of citizens, and to prevent crime and civil disorder. Their lawful powers include arrest and t ...

man and

church Church may refer to: Religion * Church (building), a building for Christian religious activities * Church (congregation), a local congregation of a Christian denomination * Church service, a formalized period of Christian communal worship * C ...

deacon A deacon is a member of the diaconate, an office in Christian churches that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. Major Christian churches, such as the Catholic Churc ...

) *Louisa Taylor - Myrtle (mother of Jesus; low mental ability; can be a friend to everyone) *Santa Marina Rodgers - Mrs Augustus (mother of Doug and Ina; former midwife; community elder) *Moses Kaddy - Doug Augustus (son of Mrs and brother of Ina;

schizophrenic Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by continuous or relapsing episodes of psychosis. Major symptoms include hallucinations (typically hearing voices), delusions, and disorganized thinking. Other symptoms include social withdra ...

; lovable rogue) *Norah Bagiri - Lucy (mother of Daniel, Joey and Jesus (adopted); health worker with the RAN) *Fred Kebisu - Amos (island child) *

Bruce Spence Bruce Spence (born 17 September 1945) is a New Zealand–Australian actor. Spence has amassed over 100 film and television credits and has also acted in theatre. Biography Spence won an AFI Award for Best Actor for his role in the 1971 comedy ...

- Vince (brother of George; white "entrepreneur", bar owner and "shady" character) *

John Brumpton John Brumpton (born 28 July 1958) is an Australian actor who has appeared in a large number of local productions. Early life Brumpton grew up in Sydney. He graduated from the University of New South Wales in 1982 with a Bachelor of Surve ...

- George (brother of Vince; white "entrepreneur", bar owner and "shady" character) *

Felix Williamson Felix Williamson is an Australian actor. Early life Williamson is the stepson of playwright David Williamson. From age 13–17, he trained at the Australian Theatre for Young People in Sydney, Australia, learning the foundations of acting. Ca ...

- Dr John Bourke (fly-in medical

doctor Doctor or The Doctor may refer to: Personal titles * Doctor (title), the holder of an accredited academic degree * A medical practitioner, including: ** Physician ** Surgeon ** Dentist ** Veterinary physician ** Optometrist *Other roles ** ...

) *Gabriel Ingui - Tuuks (bored islander)

Crew

Penny Chapman Penny Chapman is an Australian television producer. Her work includes the award-winning ''Brides of Christ,'' '' RAN Remote Area Nurse'' and ''My Place''. Penny received the Maura Fay Award for Services to the Industry at the 2013 Screen Produce ...

- Producer *

David Caesar David Caesar (born 1963) is an Australian television and film director and writer. He grew up in Turlinjah on the south coast of NSW and attended school in nearby Moruya where he was school captain in his senior year. Caesar graduated from the A ...

- Director *

Catriona McKenzie Catriona McKenzie is an Australian filmmaker. She is known for her film ''Satellite Boy'' and television series '' Kiki and Kitty'' (written by Nakkiah Lui) and ''Wrong Kind of Black''. Her production company is called Dark Horse. Early life a ...

- Director *Helen Pankhurst - Co-Producer *John Alsop - Writer (Ep 1 & 2) *Alice Addison - Writer (Ep 3 & 4) *Sue Smith - Writer (Ep 5 & 6) *George Mye - Cultural Consultant (Islander, from Erub (Darnley) Island ; long-time member of local government, and

ATSIC The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) (1990–2005) was the Australian Government body through which Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders were formally involved in the processes of government affecting ...

Commissioner) *Robyn White - Medical Consultant (nurse; since 1992, a Torres Strait remote area nurse, currently on Masig Island) *David Bridie - Music Producer *Ian Jones - Director of Photography *Jon Rohde - Production Designer *Greg Apps - Casting Director *Shawn Seet - Film Editor

Episodes

Awards

The show and cast have won several awards, and been nominated in many more. Below is just some of the wins and nominations. ;At the 2006

Australian Film Institute Awards The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards, known as the AACTA Awards, are presented annually by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). The awards recognise excellence in the film and television industry, ...

, the show won 3 awards: * Best Screenplay: Sue Smith (for the fifth episode) * Best Actress in a Drama:

* Best Series ;At the 2007

Logies The Logie Awards (officially the TV Week Logie Awards; colloquially known as The Logies) is an annual gathering to celebrate Australian television, sponsored and organised by the magazine ''TV Week''. The first ceremony was held in 1959 as the ...

, the show won 1 Award: * Most Outstanding Actress:

;Nominated in two other categories: * Most Outstanding Drama Series, Miniseries or Telemovie * Most Outstanding New Talent:

References

External links

*
AFI Awards
{{AACTA Award TeleFilmMiniSeries 1990–2009 APRA Award winners Australian drama television series Special Broadcasting Service original programming Australian medical television series Television shows set in Queensland 2006 Australian television series debuts Indigenous Australian television series