Strikebound

Strikebound is based on real events in Gippsland, Victoria in 1937, where Wattie Doig (Chris Haywood) is employed at the Sunbeam coal mine and his wife, Agnes (Carol Burns), is a member of the Salvation Army. Angered by poor pay and dangerous conditions, the miners present demands to company manager Birch (David Kendall). Birch refuses to negotiate, prompting the miners to strike. With union organisers Idris Williams (Hugh Keays-Byrne) and Charlie Nelson (Rob Steele) coordinating efforts, Wattie emerges as a spokesperson and Agnes forms a Women’s Auxiliary to support the men. Scab labour hired by the company eventually join the strike, and shots are fired at Agnes and Wattie.