A selection of four award-winning historical TV dramas adapted from the works of best-selling authors Bryce Courtenay, Colleen McCullough, George Johnston and Max Fatchen, Classic Australian Stories Collection 1 explores the rich texture of Australian life, society and the many challenging experiences that helped shape a nation. JESSICA - Bryce Courtenay Jessica traces a women's harsh, tumultuous life in the Australian bush. Set during the early years of the 20th century in the farmlands around Narrandera, a small frontier town in rural New South Wales, Jessica (Leeanna Wallsman) is a tomboy who rises up against the ruthless ambition of her mother. Wanting to claim Jessica's son for her other daughter, Jessica is sent away to a mental Asylum. It is up to the town's alcoholic English barrister, Richard Runche (Sam Neill) to secure her release and give her the courage to fight for her child. MY BROTHER JACK - George Johnston David Meredith (Matt Day) lives on the Greek Island of Hydra isolated from his emotional and physical past. Through reminiscence we witness the experiences of a young boy growing up in post war inner suburban Melbourne, in a home torn by his father's violence and memories of war. Providing insight into social and political issues relevant to the time we follow David from boy to man as he follows his ambition to become a writer and resolve his own personal battles. AN INDECENT OBSESSION - Colleen McCullough An Indecent Obsession is a drama of intense jealousy and intrigue set in an isolated hospital camp at the end of World War II. Sister Honour Langtry (Wendy Hughes) is a warm, sensitive nurse caring for five emotionally wounded soldiers. But when a new patient arrives (Gary Sweet) who appears charming and untroubled, the delicate relationship between the inmates slowly begins to unravel. THE RIVER KINGS - Max Fatchen This four-part miniseries captures the perilous life along South Australia's Murray River and the many adventures aboard the paddle boat steamer Lazy Jane during the 1920s. With his father absent and life on the land an interminable struggle, sixteen year-old Shawn Hofner (Tamblyn Lord) is forced to find work to support his family. Shawn takes up a job as a deck-hand on a steamboat run by well-seasoned Captain Elijah (Bill Kerr), navigating life's great adventure and the many tragedies and triumphs that come floating his way.