AustLit

In the aftermath of World War Two, Czech doctor Carl Zlinter emigrates to Australia's Victorian high country, where he meets and falls in love with Jennifer Morton.

In the aftermath of World War II, Czech doctor Carl Zlinter emigrates to Australia's Victorian high country, where he meets and falls in love with Jennifer Morton. The narrative also explores the difficulties faced by 'New Australians' at this time, who were dealing with the war's effects on their lives and families, with leaving their homeland, and with prejudice in their new country. As refugees or displaced persons, many were resettled in Australia according to the needs of the government, and thus had little or no control over where they went. It was extremely difficult for many to work in their chosen professions and to have their qualifications recognised, especially if they had graduated either from universities in countries behind the Iron Curtain or from institutions whose records had been destroyed in bombing raids. As a consequence, many university-educated people had to start their education over again. The series ultimately attempts to celebrate the perseverance of these immigrants in making new, often successful, careers and lives for themselves.