Joan's new career as a doctor is threatened when she helps a pregnant teen. Viv's estranged mother tries to take control of her life. Annie learns a harsh lesson as a single mother in 1970s Kings Cross.

Joan is obsessed with finding the father of Gail's baby. Viv finds an unlikely ally in Matron as she suffers through a difficult labour. Shirley receives a surprise telegram from Vietnam.

Patricia refuses to sign adoption papers for her unborn baby, with tragic results. Joan gets closer to finding the family of Gail's orphaned baby. Matron's world is rocked when her biological son is released from prison. Martha is swept off her feet by an admirer.

Joan finds herself in the middle of a violent custody battle over Gail's baby. Patricia faces a crisis when she travels to Melbourne to marry her Prince Charming. Martha is obsessed with seeing Queen Elizabeth during the 1970 royal tour.

The custody battle over Jim's baby becomes deadly serious. Joan receives a surprising proposal. Annie is deemed an unfit mother when her baby goes missing. Patricia has a life-changing encounter with some hippies.

Martha’s reunion with her birth mother turns into a nightmare. Joan and Jim’s relationship is blown apart by a secret from her past. Annie is distraught to learn she is pregnant again.

In the season final, Joan makes a terrible choice to save her husband. Matron fights a desperate battle to keep Stanton House open. McNaughton makes a fateful decision that has a drastic impact on Joan and Jim’s future.