Riddle Gully
In the seemingly sleepy town of Riddle Gully, fearless young aspiring journalist Pollo di Nozi is chasing the story that could change her life, until a late-night encounter with a mysterious figure in the cemetery sparks an investigation that pulls her into a dangerous web of secrets. When she reluctantly teams up with Will, a rebellious newcomer struggling to prove he’s not the troublemaker everyone believes, the pair uncover a conspiracy led by the town’s powerful mayor involving bribery, a planned casino development, and the destruction of protected wildlife hidden deep in the surrounding bush. As their amateur sleuthing escalates into real stakes, fractured friendships, family tensions, and a race against bulldozers poised to erase the town’s natural heart; Pollo and Will must overcome their fears and learn to trust each other to expose the truth. Blending mystery, humour, and emotional coming-of-age, Riddle Gully is an adventure about courage, belonging, and two kids discovering that real heroes don’t just chase stories — they stand up for what matters most.
Pollo di Nozi writes and produces an online zine for the residents of Mystery Gully, but she dreams of following in her mother’s footsteps and hitting the big time as an award-winning investigative journalist. When a cadetship competition is announced, with the prize being an attachment with the major regional TV station, Pollo is rapt. This is her big chance to not only prove she is a top journo and honour the memory of her mum, but maybe get a bit of attention from her veterinarian dad who has immersed himself in work since his wife’s passing.
Enter Will Hopkins, new kid in town, whose mum has just married the local cop. Bad time for Will to be spray-painting graffiti on Council property! Striking a deal to get him out of strife, Pollo enlists Will’s help to investigate the Mayor’s shady activities, and find out what the weird guy in the long dark jacket is up to in the cemetery. Will has him pegged as a possible vampire, but Pollo thinks it’s worse: he’s a wildlife smuggler.
Pollo, Will and Pollo’s pet sheep, Berry, uncover a web of secrets in Riddle Gully and must alert the locals to their Mayor’s nefarious plans, fight a suspected vampire, save an endangered bat species, as well as learn chess and meet the deadline for the all-important cadetship.
With the fun of INBESTIGATORS and the mystery of A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS, RIDDLE GULLY will delight kids and their parents and grandparents.
PROJECT STATUS
In development
Family Feature
CREDITS
Directors - CHLOE GARDNER/ALICE YANG
Producer - STEPHEN DE VILLIERS
Writer - ALICE YANG
Based on the novels by Jen Banyard