A Country Practice

A Country Practice is an Australian television soap opera that aired (shown) on the Seven Network from 18 November 1981 to 5 November 1993 at 7:30 pm on Mondays and Tuesdays. A total of 14 seasons and 1,058 episodes were produced. The show was produced at the ATN-7's production facility at Epping, New South Wales. Outdoor locations were filmed in Pitt Town and Oakville, in the northwestern suburbs of Sydney, Australia.  

Several of the regular cast members became popular celebrities as a result of their roles in the series. It also featured many native Australian animals, particularly the iconic 'Fatso the wombat' adding to its appeal both nationally and internationally. After the series was cancelled by the Seven Network in 1993, the series was relaunched on the Network Ten in 1994.    

At the time of its cancellation, A Country Practice was the longest-running Australian TV drama. However, by the late 1990s, the record was overtaken by Network Ten series Neighbours. The series was eventually sold and aired in 48 countries.

Cast
Main cast (Seven Network series) 1981-1993
Note: Actors highlighted in pink were original cast members.
Note: Actors highlighted in yellow were kept in the series when switching from Seven Network to Network Ten.
ActorRoleEpisodes Lorrae Desmond (MBE, AM) (Note:  Nurse: Sister Shirley Dean/Gilroy  (1981–1992) 816 episodes. Shane Porteous  Dr. Terence Elliot  1981-1993 986 episodes  Brian Wenzel   Sgt. Frank Gilroy  1981-1993 Joyce Jacobs  Esme Watson  (1981–1993) 805 episodes, Seven Network. Semi-regular cast member until episode 99 onwards, debuted in episode 1 as Norma. (Retained to Network Ten 1994 series (30 episodes)) Gordon Piper  Robert Hatfield  (1981–1992) 742 episodes (Debuted in episode 3) Returned as guest character during season 12 Syd Heylen   Vernon 'Cookie' Locke  (1982–1992) episodes 723 (Debuted in episode 14) Returned as guest character during season 12. Joan Sydney  Matron Margaret 'Maggie' Sloane  (1983–1990) 453 episodes, Seven Network. (Retained to Network Ten 1994 series after appearing in the Seven Network series finale (30 episodes)) Guest starred in the last episode of season 13. Shane Withington  Nurse Brendan Jones  (1981–1986) 367 episodes (Debuted in episode 3) John Tarrant  Dr. Matthew Tyler (Vet)  (1988–1992) 349 episodes Grant Dodwell  Dr. Simon Bowen  (1981–1986) 332 episodes Penny Cook  Dr. Victoria "Vicki" Dean/Bowen (Vet)  
(1981–1985, returned as a guest in 1986, and the 1993 Seven Network series finale) 330 episodes Guest starred in the last episode of season 13. Anne Tenney  Melissa 'Molly' Jones  (1981–1985) 299 episodes (Debuted in episode 3)Georgie Parker  Nurse Lucy Gardner/Tyler  (1989–1992) 266 episodes (Had previously appeared in a guest role as Barbara Gottlieb in 1988) Josephine Mitchell  Josephine Loveday/Langley (1985–1989) 254 episodes Diane Smith  Dr. Alex Fraser/Elliot  (1986–1989, returned as a guest in 1993) 246 episodes  later guest  during  1989 (Had previously appeared in a guest role as Sharon Lyons in 1982) Maureen Edwards  Matron Rosemary Prior/Elliot  (1991–1993) 243 episodes (Had previously appeared in guest roles as Yvonne McLean in 1983, and Katherine D'Angelo in 1990)  Kate Raison  Cathy Hayden (National Park Ranger)  (1987–1990) 236 episodes (Had previously appeared in a guest role as Darlene McCoy in 1987) Andrew Blackman  Dr. Harry Morrison  (1991–1993) 236 episodes Seven Network (Retained to Network Ten series 1994 (30 episodes)) Michelle Pettigrove  Nurse Kate Bryant/Morrison  (1991–1993) 230 episodes Seven Network (appeared in Network Ten series 1 episode, 1994) (Had previously appeared in a guest role as Mary O'Connor in 1988) Matt Day  Julian "Luke" Ross   (1989-1992),  227 episodes  Guest starred in the last episode of season 13.Wendy Strehlow  Sister Judy Loveday   (1981–1986) 216 episodes Nicholas Bufalo Dr.  Benjamin Green  (1985–1988),  206 episodes Kym Wilson  Darcy Hudson  (1991–1993), 183 episodes (Had previously appeared in a guest role as Leanne Baxter in 1989) Emily Nicol  Chloe Jones  (1983–1986) 174 epiosdes Michael Muntz  Dr. Chris Kourous  (1989–1991) 164 episodes Gavin Harrison  Hugo Szreclecki  (1992–1993) 161 episodes (Had previously appeared in a guest role as J.J. Moffitt in 1987 and Mick O'Brian in 1990) Jon Concannon  Senior Constable/Sgt. Tom Newman  (1992–1993) 160 episodes Judith McGrath  Bernice Hudson  (1992–1993) 149 episodes Guest starred in the last episode of season 13. Allan Penney  Perce Hudson  (1987–1993) 114 episodes (Had previously appeared in guest roles as  Arty Turner in 1981, Alf Trotter in 1982 and Alfred Hitchins in 1984) Appeared from time to time as a valley resident. Not credited until season  13.    Anne Looby  Dr. Anna Lacey/Newman (Vet)  (1990)(1992–1993) 148 episodes (Had previously appeared in a guest role as Jennifer Rose in 1990) Helen Scott  Matron Marta Kurtez   (1981–1983) 126 episodes  Brett Climo   Nurse Michael Langley  (1987–1989) 121 episodes (Had previously appeared in guest roles as  Barry Hall in 1982, and Sandy Hughes in 1984) Sophie Heathcote  Stephanie "Steve" Brennan  (1990–1991), 117 episodes Jamie Croft  Billy Moss   (1992–1993) 111 Episodes. (Had previously appeared in a guest role as Ashley Baker in 1991) Caroline Johansson  Nurse Donna Manning  (1986–1987) 98 episodes Mark Owen-Taylor  Peter Manning (Teacher)  (1986–1987) (88 episodes) returned  for a short time in a guest role in 87. Mary Regan  DN. Ann Brennan (1990–1991) 85 Episodes (Had previously appeared in a guest role as Wendy Allen in 1989) Annie Davis  Kelly Shanahan (Reporter)(1985–1986) 35 Episodes Georgina Fisher  Jessica Kouros  (1989–1991) 112 episodes Queenie Ashton (AM)  Mrs. Lillian Coote  1982-1992 (recurring) June Salter  (AM)  Hilda Arrowsmith - Matron of Burrigan District Hospital   itinerant  1982-1992 Vincent Ball (OAM) Ted Campbell  recurring Brian Moll   Councillor Alfred Muldoon  recurring (1982-1992)

Network Ten (primary and recurring cast) (1994)  
Only four of the original cast members from the Network Seven series were kept in the Network Ten re-launch: Joan Sydney, Joyce Jacobs, and Andrew Blackman, and Michelle Pettigrove (1 episode)
 Actor Role  Episodes  Joan Sydney Matron Maggie Morrison  1994 Joyce Jacobs Esme Watson  1994 Andrew Blackman Dr. Harry Morrison 1994 Michelle Pettigrove Kate Bryant 1994 (episode 1) Paul Gleeson  Ian McIntyre  30 episodes (Appeared in the final 8 episodes of the Seven Network Series 1993) Claudia Black  Claire Bonacci  30 episodes (Appeared in the final 4 episodes of the Seven Network Series 1993) Vince Colosimo  Danny Sabatini  30 episodes Jane Hall   Dr. Jess Morrison  30 episodes  Laura Armstrong  Georgie Wilkes  30 episodes  Katherine Murray  Fred Bates  10 episodes (School friend of Georgie's) Alyce Platt  Sarah Wilkes  5 episodes (Georgie's mother) Chris Lyons  Miles Ferdenbach  4 episodes (School friend of Georgie's) Clarissa House  Dr. June Munroe  2 episodes (Doctor at Burrigan Hospital)

Celebrity guest stars
A Country Practice rose to fame with a long list of guest appearances, with a total cast of over 1000 stars and well-known mostly Australian actors in two-part episodes each week.

Famous stars included: 
Name Notability Bob Hawke  Prime Minister As himself Sir Robert Helpmann (CBE)  Dancer, choreographer, actor Baz Luhrmann Film director (see also article: List of awards and nominations received by Baz Luhrmann Nicole Kidman (AC) Actress Simon Baker (AACTA Award winner) Actor  Toni Colette Golden Globe Award  and Emmy Award winning actress  Smokey Dawson (AM, MBE) Singer, radio personality Paul Kelly (AO) Singer-songwriter, musician Ruth Cracknell  (AM) Actress, comedian  Pro Hart (MBE)) Artist John Meillon (MBE) Actor Ray Meagher (AM) Actor Andrew Denton (AM) TV Host, broadcaster Barry Crocker (AM) Actor, singer  Richard Wilkins (AM) Entertainment reporter, today Show prsenter Dr. John D'Arcy Medical specialist, media personality Delta Goodrem (AM) Singer, actress (Neighbours), TV music show judge Henri Szeps  (OAM) Actor, comedian

Logie Awards
A Country Practice is the third most successful television program after Home and Away (1st) and Neighbours (2nd), at the Logie Awards. The show has won 29 awards during its twelve years of production.

Logie Awards 1983
Best Supporting Actor In A Series: Brian Wenzel 
Best Juvenile Performance: Jeremy Shadlow

Logie awards 1984
Most Popular Actor: Grant Dodwell 
NSW Most Popular Female: Penny Cook 
NSW Most Popular Show: A Country Practice 
Most Popular Drama Series: A Country Practice 
Best Supporting Actress In A Series: Lorrae Desmond

Logie Awards 1985
Most Popular Lead Actor: Grant Dodwell 
Most Popular Lead Actress: Anne Tenney 
NSW Most Popular Male: Grant Dodwell 
NSW Most Popular Female: Penny Cook
NSW Most Popular Show: A Country Practice 
Most Popular Drama Program: A Country Practice 
Best Lead Actor In A Series: Shane Withington 
Best Supporting Actress In A Series: Wendy Strehlow

Logie Awards 1986
Most Popular Australian Actor: Grant Dodwell 
Most Popular Australian Actress: Anne Tenney 
NSW Most Popular Female: Anne Tenney 
NSW Most Popular Program: A Country Practice 
Most Popular Australian Drama: A Country Practice

Logie Awards 1987
NSW Most Popular Program: A Country Practice

Logie Awards 1988
NSW Most Popular Program: A Country Practice

Logie Awards 1989
Most Outstanding Actress: Joan Sydney 
NSW Most Popular Program: A Country Practice

Logie Awards 1990
Most Outstanding Actor: Shane Porteous 
Most Popular New Talent: Georgie Parker

Logie Awards 1991
Most Popular Actress: Georgie Parker

Logie Awards 1992
Most Popular Actress: Georgie Parker

Logie Awards 1993
Most Popular Actress: Georgie Parker

References

Category:1980s Australian soap operas
Category:1990s Australian soap operas
Category:1981 Australian television series debuts
Category:1994 television series endingsCategory:1990s Australian television series endings
Category:Australian English-language television shows
Category:Medical drama television series