Ferry Boat Fred

Ferry Boat Fred is an Australian children's programme which was first broadcast in 1992. The main character is a ferry on Sydney Harbour named Fred, along with his older sister Kate, two other ferries, Lou and Bill, as well as Jean, a really jolly and colourful submarine. There is also the Captain, a Koala who is always found asleep behind Fred's wheel. Fred has a voluntary deckkie (deck hand) named Pete, a "know-it-all" Pelican who befriends Fred and follows him around the harbour, assisting Fred and tying him up at Wallaby Wharf.

The show was a success during its limited run. It was created by Polka Dot Productions, a company set up by the Producer/Writer John Pye in 1992 with 25 episodes (not all listed). John Pye, a model maker originally from Dagenham Essex UK, grew up watching the classic British children's TV shows, "Ivor the Engine" and "Noggin the Nog" (made by Oliver Postgates Smallfilms) Not only did Pye write the scripts and the incidental music but was also responsible for making most of the models. The entire series was filmed by Pye and three friends in a loft in the inner Sydney suburb of Surry Hills. The narrator is Jack Osborn, who also provides the voices.

Characters

Episode list

  1. Fred Meets Pete (21 April 1992)
  2. Fred's Birthday Party (22 April 1992)
  3. Fred's Sister Kate (23 April 1992)
  4. Pete's Nephew Percy (24 April 1992)
  5. Fred At The Fairground (27 April 1992)
  6. Pete The Magician (28 April 1992)
  7. Fred And The Whales (29 April 1992)
  8. Jean The Submarine (30 April 1992)
  9. The Ferry Race (1 May 1992)
  10. Kate’s Lost Bell (4 May 1992)
  11. Fred The Floating Zoo (5 May 1992)
  12. Fred Goes To The Doctor (6 May 1992)
  13. Kate The Painter (7 May 1992)
  14. Pete The Water Skier (8 May 1992)
  15. Kate At The Fairground (11 May 1992)
  16. Fred Joins A Band (12 May 1992)
  17. Night-time Noises (13 May 1992)
  18. Fred's Fishing Trip (14 May 1992)

Credits