A local art festival uncovers a raft of problems for the police of Yarra Central. At the centre of the trouble is Arthur Deakin; a poet, an alcoholic and a house-breaker.

A Bit of Culture

Gerard Kennedy

Chuck Faulkner

Frank Taylor

Patricia Smith

Ted Hamilton

Terence Donovan

Johnny Reb

Marvels of Reproduction

Master criminal Lesley Fisher becomes involved in a vicious underworld vendetta. Police investigations lead to a surprising result.

Cocktails At 10:15

Ray Hubbard is studying to get through university, but when his girlfriend becomes pregnant the only solution seems to be an abortion. When things don't go as planned, the Yarra Central police find themselves investigating a con-man, a robbery and a backyard abortionist.

Hush-a-bye

Two men and a woman comprise a gang of thieves stealing cash from retailers in the fruit and vegetable trade. Yarra Central police find their investigations made difficult by changes in tactics of the gang responsible.

Cash and Carry

A night club comedian faces a personal crisis when his broken marriage catches up with him after 14 years in the shape of his 18-year-old daughter. Yarra Central police help sort it out while investigating a call-girl racket and a large liquor theft.

The Crush

Some attitudes towards Aboriginals are re-evaluated when 'Lefty' Cooper, an Aboriginal contender for the lightweight boxing championship, becomes the target for a crooked bookmaker who stands to lose a great deal of money if 'Lefty' wins the fight.

Where's Lefty?

The Yarra Central police are faced with an outbreak of well-planned thefts with no recovery of the stolen goods. Third-rate thieves commit skilful offences under the instructions of a master-mind of unknown identity, referred to as 'Mr. Fifty Percent'.

Mr. Fifty Percent

A confidence trickster tells the Yarra Central police that a young English migrant is planning a bank robbery. The plight of an elderly lady complicates the situation.

The Great Bank Robbery

Doreen Walsh, wife of a former detective, claims that she has been attacked and raped by three men. During investigations, Sen. Det. Banner and Det. Sgt. Vickers uncover an unusual story.

The Word of a Lady

Herb Doherty, who has a string of minor convictions to his name and is known as a trouble-maker, witnesses a smash-and-grab raid. He also falls in love with Policewoman Margaret Stewart.

Fizz

A cruel swindle is played on the local Italian community, and the police investigation impacts on a domestic crisis with Sgt. Vickers and his student son Jamie.

La Truffa

Yarra Central police launch an intensive search when Constable Kevin Dwyer disappears while pursuing a car following a series of baffling robberies.

A Good Man Gone

During an investigation into the violent and apparently senseless desecration of a Catholic church, Yarra Central police track down a young man who has become embittered towards religion, mainly as a result of a 'fire and brimstone' indoctrination as a child. They are assisted on the case by a highly unconventional priest.

The Desecration

Mrs. Maguire is a successful business woman and charity worker. However, a street accident leads to a complex investigation into the truth about Mrs. Maguire and her daughter.

Mother's Image

While investigating three assaults on a young girl, Yarra Central police are faced with several other problems, including the disappearance of a small-time criminal wanted for questioning and the defiant attitude of a stubborn old lady.

The Unwanted

Alf Clark and his pregnant wife Jill are in partnership with her idealistic brother in a counterfeiting racket. Problems occur when they become involved with petty criminal Ted Jamieson.

A man becomes rebellious when questioned about his driving, taking a stand on principle against what he sees as an injustice. The Yarra Central police become the centre of attention when newspapers get hold of the story and run with it.

Investigations into a series of safe breakings uncover an unexpected romantic but illegal entanglement when police discover a man with two wives.

The Tangled Web

Yarra Central police contend with a bank hold-up and a bizarre confidence trick involving the freezing of dead bodies. Suspicion for both crimes centres on the much loved son of a family.

The Big Bloke

While serving a short sentence for theft, young and impressionable Malcolm Tanner formed a hero-worshipping friendship with his tough, ruthless cellmate Ernie Callan. After serving his sentence, Tanner is overjoyed when Callan offers to come and live with Tanner and his family while continuing his life of crime. However, joy turns to tragedy when it is learned that the police are hunting his mate, not only because of his criminal activities, but because he is a carrier of a deadly strain of smallpox.

My Mate Death

Yarra Central police face a crime following a 20-year-old pattern. Investigations lead them to master criminal 'Chalky' Gunnerson, who is a clever chess player and plans his moves against the police with care and precision. Also involved are his daughter Vivienne and a rather brash young apprentice, Ricky Bevan.

Free the Queen

John Anderson, a neurotic young camera enthusiast, unwittingly becomes a key figure in a police search for a couple of jewel thieves.

The Emerging Man

Yarra Central police investigate threatening letters and attempts to injure a leading professional jockey.

The Handicapper

A young girl, Tina Findlay, is caught shoplifting, and Policewoman Margaret Stewart probes her background to find a reason why. Trying to help Tina proves difficult and unrewarding when she becomes mixed-up with hardened criminal Max Gillies.

Closed Doors

Yarra Central police, who rely heavily on radio communication with D-24, face problems when two criminals steal a police radio.

Message Intercepted

An American migrant woman who is homesick has a breakdown and becomes dangerously violent. The plight of her family is worsened when the son becomes involved in a series of service station robberies.

There Goes Betty Seymour

While on holidays, Det. Peters gets married in rather rushed circumstances - he was tricked into the marriage by a pregnancy claim. Then, when a prisoner dies in the Yarra Central lock-up, Det. Peters goes through the most trying experience of his life when he is held directly responsible.

The Prisoners

Feelings of hatred and fear run high in the Yarra Central district when a number of young children are molested by an unknown man. Policewoman Margaret Stewart receives her promotion to Senior Constable.

Brother Animal

Persistence by Const. Dwyer in checking details following a minor car accident leads the Yarra Central police on to the trail of one of the world's most notorious international robberies.

A Key to Paradise

While investigating a series of daring robberies, Yarra Central police are confronted with some surprising characters - a pop singer; a hotel manager; two very 'quaint' furniture dealers; and a swinging, headstrong glamour girl.

A Special Occasion

Sen. Det. Banner and the Yarra Central police face death when they investigate a seemingly minor complaint about the behaviour of Les Monaghan, who is living in a fantasy world in which he sees himself as a soldier hero.

Mad Monaghan

Ex-criminal Sam Breen returns to Melbourne with a small fortune in opals that he mined at Lightning Ridge. When the opals are stolen he sets out after the two thieves, intent on obtaining his own justice.

Man From Lightning Ridge

Yarra Central police receive a series of false tips about a planned city payroll robbery, while also dealing with Hayden Beck, an ex-racing car driver with a chip on his shoulder. When a payroll robbery is actually committed, it soon becomes apparent that Beck had been recruited to drive the getaway car.

Payroll

Police keep watch on a group of criminals planning a daring and unusual robbery but they disappear when the robbery is imminent. WPC Stewart gets little help investigating a quack doctor who is treating the girlfriend of one of the criminals.

A Gathering of the Clan

Daniel Castle, a timid Englishman, leaves his domineering wife Elizabeth and the shop they own in London, taking money from their joint bank account. Elizabeth pursues him to Australia and discovers he has lost most of the money to two con-men.

Elizabeth the Third

Bob 'Smiler' Suttle is a 40-year-old policeman and is still a constable. His resentment leaves him open to a bribery attempt when a criminal tempts him with a scheme that could help him gain a promotion.

Smiler

A husband and wife’s drunken brawl, Banner's search for a man who mutilated a prostitute, and a young boy who wanders into Yarra Central make this Wednesday anything but the usual quiet night.

Wednesday's a Quiet Night

Yarra Central police contend with a professional burglar operating in their district who is proving to be most elusive. Constable Kevin Dwyer marries his girlfriend Kay Hogan.

For Better, For Worse

Constable George Bell, an enthusiastic new recruit, tests the patience of his colleagues with his habit of rushing into things without thinking.

The Recruit

Policewoman Stewart tries to apprehend a bag-snatcher and is helped by a man who identifies himself as Larry Webster, an American FBI agent. He is later exposed as a confidence trickster.

Three Man Trick

A vicious assault on a prostitute leads Yarra Central detectives into an investigation of prostitution in the district, and to a mysterious Mr. Frost who is not what he seems.

Drop-Out

Trevor Clark is suspected of being a 'Peeping Tom' when he is rejected by his girlfriend. Investigating the case, Yarra Central police are confronted by a weird religious sect.

I Thought I'd Met 'Em All

A young girl and her separated parents become the victims when an overbearing mother-in-law takes their affairs into her own hands and hires a private detective.

Separation

Yarra Central police have to deal with a mysterious shop breaker and a lonely widower. Det. Peters' police duties are affected by events in his private life when his marriage is on the rocks.

Running Sheet

A man who has always lived in the bush visits the city and takes strong exception to the vice he considers is prevalent in city life. His subsequent actions unleash a campaign of terror.

A Trip to the City

Will 'Duff-Duff' Duffy, a clown who specialises in trick falls, and Hugo Smith, a criminal with a child-like personality, have never met, but their stories become intertwined when Yarra Central police investigate a robbery, a suicide and extortion.

Pratfall

An investigation into homosexual activity in Yarra Central leads to the discovery of a number of unusual burglaries.

Point of View

Yarra Central police investigate a payroll robbery with some very unusual features that almost has them stumped.

Gaolbird

A young country girl tries to set herself up as a prostitute in the city. She falls prey to a vice operator who sets up 'witchcraft' sessions for his clients.

Dark Afternoon

Police at Yarra Central become involved in a robbery and an illicit stills racket, and all their investigations take them to the notorious O'Connell family.

The Luck of the Irish

A police drama based on the fictional Melbourne suburb of Yarra Central.

A Bit of Culture

Seasons8

Season 2 Episodes50

Cast6

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Episode Summary