A stranger arrives in Emu Springs. Who is he? Whoever he is, it's clear he's not impressed with the local radio station 3ES where Ryan is in the chair and station manager Helen Virtue is enchanted with the rhythms of the Tango.
Emu Springs is in a flurry after the collapse of the Poppet Head - the beloved and long-standing symbol of the district's mining past, throwing into doubt major planned events.
Helen sacks Tom, but the damage has been done. Doug instructs Helen to get Tom back. He's good for business. When Harry learns that Len has "spun a yarn" about early Oz Rock, he is not concerned. He's found a new friend in Emu Springs.
When Stephanie Bennett, a Melbourne journalist, visits Emu Springs, Tom Dooley fears she's out to get him. As Doug and the media-shy Julia prepare for an interview with Stephanie , Megan manages to gain an attachment to the crew.
Tom Dooley decides that the radio station is no longer safe if he is to avoid Stephanie, and Megan discovers that journalists have their own brand of creative interpretations.
Tom Dooley returns to work only to be confronted by a rabidly determined Stephanie Bennett. Unhappy with the direction his breakfast show is taking and fearing professional embarrassment, Tom reclaims his breakfast spot.
Inspired by Tom's rhetoric, and with his father's blessing, Joe decides to take a risk on a new investment strategy for the farm by changing to fine wool production. The trouble is, he neglects to inform Sally of his grand plans.
Sally and Joe's relationship is on a communication roller coaster ride with Sally's disillusionment over her husband's inability to confide in her and Joe's disappointment at his wife's lack of trust in his judgement.
Mon's grandfather, Arthur Donnelly, disappeared on the night the Crawford Horseshoe nugget went missing. A reward was posted. When Harry finds gold, Len thinks the body should be there as well.
Helen, Harry, Len and Mon each have a different perspective on the discovery of the gold and bones. Each has trouble keeping the find to themselves, and it's not long before the news spreads and Dr. Eva becomes involved.
After Tom narrowly avoids colliding with Dr Eva's rail trolley, he uses the airways to vent his road rage and challenges her right to use the line and her professional approach as a doctor.
Joe is frustrated by the non-performing ram who won't reproduce. Meanwhile Harry has been asked to write an essay and looks for inspiration from Helen, but she is too busy dealing with the war between Tom and Eva.
Harry is caught up with the problems of life and goal umpiring, whilst Stuart and Ryan are sheepish about their involvement in getting Len sent to hospital with an attack.
Tom apologizes on air to Dr Eva sporting a rooster peck. He has to swallow his pride and present himself to her for an injection before lockjaw sets in.
Megan commences her late night music show, adopting much of Tom's "intimate" style, and is flattered when she attracts the attention of Sean, one of her listeners.
As a last ditch effort to avoid the sales of 3ES, Helen takes some drastic action. Julia also voices her disapproval and Doug is left between a rock and a hard place.
Honey Fever has hit Emu Springs as Len's special honey is back on the shelves, but the good people of Emu Springs are finding they feel just a little bit funny.
Harry, racked by grief he is unable to express, takes off in the ute, leading to a frantic search. Len blames himself and knows that if he had the guts to tell Harry he was sick, this would not have happened.
Helen becomes attracted to Cameron, the suave crop duster. Ryan and Megan are secretly amused when Tom, hung-over from his dinner with Julia, is stung by a bee. The members of the foot club vote to re-instate Len as coach.
Creeping closer to a real awareness that his mortality is limited, Len seeks guidance from Dr. Eva and Father Brian. But it's Helen who puts the brakes on his growing despair.
Tom lectures his fellow townsfolk about embracing a time of change and it isn't long before changes begin to add a new and uncomfortable dimension to life in Emu Springs.
When Tom is personally affected by the impending departure of the chemist, he launches a campaign to keep him in town, thoughtlessly sparking a feud with the neighbouring town of Bullandra.
When Mon tells Wayne that Len has emphysema, the need to make up with his father is brought into sharp focus, but made difficult by the fact that these two men are peas in a pod. Eventually, in their own way, they reconcile.
Joe's foray into the political arena develops when he accepts the nomination for President of the Springs Farmers Association and is elected unexpectedly.
Joe is learning the hard way that there's more to politics than pure idealism. Losing his temper during some verbal jousting with Doug leaves him wondering if he's really cut out for life as a politician.
After several unpleasing experiences hitching rides with the locals, Tom manages to finesse his way into a deal for a brand new car from Ralph Dewey at Dewey Motors.
Sally and Helen bring Matt (Sandy Winton) home and have Dr. Eva give him a thorough examination. Miraculously, there's barely a scratch on him but it is decided that he will stay at Tale Farm for a few days.
Ryan continues to try and teach Mon to drive but ends up being fired by her for his "inexperience." Stuart reluctantly takes her on with similar disastrous results.
Megan's Womens' Sports hour is under threat until she lands the lascivious Ralph Dewey as a sponsor on the promise of him meeting some glamorous female athletes.
Ryan loses his confidence to defend his title as Dart champion of the Bullandra district when he can't find his lucky darts. Everyone pulls together to restore his winning edge.
When Julia fails to show for Rural Roundup, Ryan is thrust into the breach. But his performance is way below par as his anxiety over the darts tournament builds.
Tom is pillored on air following the Bill Clinton schemozzle. But Helen has other things on her mind when Julia show's up for work a day late and then struggles to get through her program.
Mon conjures up a unique plan to finance possible extensions to her shop. Joe and Sally feel left out of the equation when they learn Helen plans to move out of Tale Farm.
At the Tale Farm Harry seems to be stinking the place out, much to Helen's distress. Joe puts it down to puberty, but the real culprit is Harry's new pet - a ferret.