A car accident involving a priest has the Blue Heelers puzzled as to what really happened. Tom is puzzled when he sees Father Leary talking to two con artists. Tom feels that Leary has become distant and rude.

Tom's day brightens when he learns his favourite actress is in town visiting relatives. A woman to be reckoned with, Audrey Roper wastes no time in introducing herself to Mt. Thomas's most senior police member. Tom is chuffed to make Audrey's acquaintance as she as she demands he reprimand and punish her 17-year-old grand-daughter for buying cigarettes. The Heelers are policing a crackdown on under-age smoking in conjunction with the council. Dissatisfied with their progress, the militant Audrey intends to supervise their operation personally. Maggie learns that Audrey is on a crusade to save her grand-daughter—and all who come in contact with her—from the ills of smoking. Tom and Maggie wonder whether her end justifies her means. The law presents no boundaries to this woman whose protests keep the Heelers and cigarette retailers of Mt. Thomas on their toes. Maggie takes a liking to the feisty older woman and offers counsel to Audrey's grand-daughter. In spite of Maggie's attempts

There is celebration in Mt. Thomas as Tom gets a service medal for 30 years in the force. But the celebrations are marred when a young Aboriginal woman injures Grace and claims Tom stole her from her family as a child. The Heelers soon discover that when Tom was new to the force, in 1973, he was involved in helping the government remove some Aboriginal children from their families. Where he lived as a child, out near Lake End Mission, was the scene of his removing Kim Cook and her two brothers from their violent father. Kim's life was destroyed in foster homes and her brothers both died (one of drugs and one of suicide). Tess, Evan and PJ stand by the boss but Jo believes it is more his fault for taking the children.

Meanwhile, Chris believes Kim is responsible for stealing some money at the pub that the town had pooled to buy Tom an antique mirror for his 30 years. Kim denies it and her alibi seems to check out, but when they discover she has a boy in the room with her, they think he

Sgt. Roy Holland arrives in town and Joss takes the opportunity to get on his good side and do more than paperwork. While Joss investigates a mother who gave birth on the side of the road but soon is suspected of lying; Kelly bonds with Roy, who worked with her father as young cops. But soon things get out of hand when he makes a sexual pass at her.

Jonesy finds himself against the law again when a friend of his is accused of murder.

Kelly's rejection of Sgt. Holland sees him treating her badly and continually giving her abuse. Amy realises what has happened but Kelly won't put in a complaint.

When she finally does end up deciding to tell Tom, it is too late - for Roy's heroic actions in saving a suicidal kid from a deadly situation have made him a hero.

Meanwhile, after rescuing an attractive older woman from a bicycle accident, Joss and Roy recieve a dinner invitation which ends unexpectedly; and PJ and Susie suspect an inside job when they investigate a robbery at a veterinary clinic and end up unravelling a deep family secret.

Joss discovers that Fay has a jealous husband and decides to break it off, until she makes him an offer; after a difficult confrontation, Kelly confides in Susie about Roy - leading to their decision to teach him a lesson; and PJ and Amy comes to loggerheads over who to arrest in a burglary and arson investigation.

Joss attempts to break things off with Fay Tudor but she doesn't agree. What he soon realises however, is that he is attempting to break off with her because he actually likes the relationship for once.

Kelly is riding high after she gets payback on sleazy Sergeant Holland, but it isn't long before he is trying his old tricks on another young woman named Shayleen, who is only 15.

Tarni Baxter returns to town, and Tom is certain that she is desperate for vengeance after Tom's arrest of her family. While he and Tarni square off, he arrests her boyfriend Ryan for possession of drugs, only Mark is suspicious that he planted the drugs himself. Tom arrives home that afternoon to find his dog, Digger, viciously murdered.

Kelly realises that Roy is dangerous and makes a formal complaint to Tom, who agrees with her and suspends Roy, who then threatens him.

The next day Tom's rental car is found on a deserted road, completely destroyed by fire - and with a charred body at the wheel.