collects the mail and, after a brief conversation with the postman, realises that Aunt Westbury has disposed of Brownie's letters. An argument follows, and Lola runs away. Finding her mother drunk and unsympathetic, Lola heads to Lyle and Mavis's house, only to be arrested and taken to a reform school to restart and complete her sentence. During this time, a riot is started by the other inmates. After her 18th birthday, Lola has completed her sentence and is immediately reunited with Brownie. Upon returning to the house, Lola discovers Mavis is heavily pregnant with her second child. Lola wants Brownie to quit his job as a sailor, and stay with her. However, Brownie is in a quandary and confides in Bosun about his dilemma. Meanwhile, Mavis goes into labour; the birth does not go well and both Mavis and the baby die. Although Lola and Brownie offer to adopt Sharon (Lyle & Mavis' surviving daughter), they are unable to as they are unmarried. Lyle leaves the child with Lola to give to social services as she will be placed into foster care and Lyle is unable to bear the thought of giving up his only child. Lyle subsequently leaves after telling Lola he plans to travel the world, taking on odd jobs to make ends meet. Lola leaves the house, suitcase packed, ready to take Sharon to the welfare office before heading back to Bundaberg. Brownie sees Lola and Sharon in the taxi and runs after them. Eventually, Brownie catches up with the taxi and he is reunited with Lola and Sharon. The film ends with their wedding with their families and friends in attendance. Cast Kylie Minogue as Lola Lovell Charlie Schlatter as Brownie Hansen Bruno Lawrence as Bosun Todd Boyce as Lyle Desirée Smith as Mavis Angela Punch McGregor as Mrs. Lovell Melissa Jaffer as Aunt Westbury Lynette Curran as Mrs. Hansen Duncan Wass as Bert Lyn Treadgold as Prison matron Rosemary Harris as Isobel Original novel The novel was published in 1962. It had been written in a TB hospital. The novel was submitted for the Miles Franklin Award. Rohan died in 1963, having only published one other book in her lifetime. The novel was re-published in 1986. It was re-released again in 1989 to tie-in with the release of the film. There are some differences between the film and the novel. For example, in the novel,