The year is 1967 and Martinup, situated in rural Western Australia, is largely unaffected by the sixties revolution that is sweeping the rest of the world. High school is the focus of attention for Brian MacArthur and his friend, Trevor Stewart.
It is so different from primary school. They make their own entertainment in the bush.
Their science teacher, Paul Newton, is on his first teaching post, straight from Perth, missing his girlfriend and sharing a dreadful flat with an outrageous person who works as a primary school teacher. Life is unbearable and conflict inevitable.
Brian has reluctantly accepted the position of altar boy in the local Catholic church. The priest hides a dark secret involving church funds.
The Vietnam War rages on, threatening Brian's older brother, Roger, with conscription should he fail in his exams at university.
Brian and Trevor launch a hot air balloon which starts a bush fire and causes the deaths of hundreds.
Well, no. But it could have.