After a successful day in the pub kitchen, Valda manages to talk Lou into putting her on salary at the pub. Rosie tells Max she's going to Papua New Guinea and he tells her how much he'll miss her...

At the Coffee Shop, Susan is surprised to learn from Harold that Rosie is leaving tomorrow for Papua New Guinea. Candace Barkham comes in and mentions to Susan that she isn't sure Karl should be giving a school talk on drink and drugs awareness, given his recent court appearance. Susan is quite surprised and asks if Karl's not good enough, but Candace insists that it's only because some of the students saw Karl in court and he may prefer to keep a low profile.

..

Boyd is trying to convince Rosie to try a new milkshake he's invented, while Summer is upset that everyone around her seems to be leaving. Rosie wants to know what's wrong, and Summer explains that Steph's gone and her Nana's going and that she prefers to have girls to talk to. Rosie suggests she talks to Dee or Michelle or Libby, but Summer says that it's not the same as family, which is what Steph seemed like. Rosie says she understands, but to remember that Steph will be coming back.

..

Susan is about to leave the Coffee Shop, when Candace reminds her to tell Karl that the talk is cancelled. Candace notices Susan's angry tone and asks what's wrong. Susan explains that she's had enough of Candace taking things out on her family - first not giving Libby the job at the school and now cancelling Karl's talk. Candace explains that this isn't the case at all, but Susan says that it's how she sees it. Candace tells her she's got it wrong and promptly leaves.

At the pub, Valda tells Lou that the menus need updating. He tells her that they do their job and there's nothing wrong with them, but she tells him they need to change. Connor brings in some barbed wire to show Lou, but he says it's obviously from the sixties and he needs something from around 1935. Stuart then follows him in with a Japanese garden, completely confusing Lou. Valda explains it's part of her new menu plan.

..

Susan tells Karl about her confrontation with Candace, saying that she just completely snapped and told her what she thought about the school talk situation. Karl says that he's grateful to have Susan's support, but doesn't want her to have problems at school. Susan is also worried about scuppering Libby's chances of a job, but says she'll just have to face the consequences of her little outburst. Karl is worried about having to attend driver education classes and tells Susan he's going to cycle there - if he sees Candace Barkham, he'll make sure to run her down.

Lou is reading out dishes from Valda's new menu and she insists that it will rival the new promotions at Lassiter's. He tells her it's not really right for the pub, but she tells him it'll be wonderful and then goes on to recruit Stuart and Connor to be good-looking waiters for the evening. They're not keen, but she eventually talks him round then leaves to organise everything. Lou is shocked at how quickly everything seems to be happening.

..

Valda finds Michelle in the kitchen of Number 26 and tells her that her fiance Andreas is coming to visit and is bringing Blanche and Stella, the poodles. Michelle seems pretty down and tells Valda that it's Connor. She explains that she's been playing hard to get, but it doesn't seem to be working, he's just completely ignoring her. Valda tells her she will hear from him and that Michelle should always take a hard line with men, starting off harder than she means to go on. Michelle says it's manipulative, but Valda says you need to be in life, or you'll get left behind.

Karl arrives at his driver education class and bumps into Candace Barkham while getting a coffee, they begin chatting, neither realising who the other is. The teacher is trying to begin the class while Karl and Candace chat and asks them if they would mind taking their seats so she can begin.

..

Valda finds Connor at Number 30 and tells him that they need to talk. Valda explains that Michelle is very upset over his behaviour and that if he goes on behaving like this, he's going to lose her altogether. Connor tells her that he can run his own life and Valda tells him he's running it into the ground. He then asks her to leave and she says she's said her piece anyway and reminds him to arrive early at the pub so he can be fitted for his uniform.

The driver education class concludes and Karl jokes to Candace that he managed to get through without a detention. She says that she was only there for educational purposes but has rather enjoyed his company, and is surprised when he introduces himself as Karl Kennedy. She explains who she is and tells him she needs to clear up the misunderstanding about the talk. She says she simply wanted to spare him the embarrassment of talking to the teens who saw him in court, and he agrees. Just then, Susan arrives to give Karl a lift home and is shocked to see Candace there. She quickly accuses Candace of being a hypocrite for having to attend the classes herself but Karl drags her out, telling her he'll explain in the car and apologising to Candace.

..

Valda tells Michelle that she never saw eye-to-eye with Rosie, so won't be going to her farewell party. As she goes out the door, she bumps into Connor and tells him she hopes he's there to see Michelle. He goes into the lounge room and tells Michelle he's sorry he hasn't been in touch, but he's been busy. She's quite offended, but he says he's been thinking and tells her he loves her. He goes on to say that the next few years at school will be important for her and she should maybe concentrate on her studies. She realises he's breaking up with her and tries to stop him, saying that they've been through a lot, but he says it's too much. She thinks he doesn't love her, but he says she needs space to find herself. She tells him that everytime things get too hard, he just runs away and this time, she isn't going to stop him.

There is a tension between Susan and Karl and she eventually tells him that he should be on her side over the Candace thing. He says he judged her as he found her and she was very likeable. Susan says he should still be on her side, no matter what Candace's reasoning, but Karl explains that Candace's reasoning was correct and he was glad to escape the talk. Karl explains to Susan that she's too hung up on disliking Candace and needs some perspective.

..

Max tells Rosie how much he'll miss her and she asks if he's missing Steph that much. Rosie tells him to look on the bright side - he's capable of loving again after losing Claire. Just then Boyd bursts in with all of Rosie's friends for a surprise party.

..

At the pub, Connor and Stuart are standing by the doors dressed like samurai warriors. They both think they look stupid but then Valda comes out and tells them how great they look. They're trying not to laugh at her outfit and claim it's the incense. She announces that they're ready to serve.

At Rosie's party, Harold and Rosie promise to keep in touch. She tells him she's made some great friends, but none as special as him. He tells her how much he values her friendship and she tells him she hopes he finds someone who realises how special he is. Max takes Rosie into the lounge and makes a speech explaining about how he never used to get on with Rosie, but has never doubted her love for him, Boyd and Summer. He says he'll miss her, but looks forward to her safe return.

..

..

The next morning, Rosie is confused as she is driven to Lassiter's and finds Lou and Harold waiting. She says she doesn't know what's going on but hopes that it's good and just then Lou summons the limo to take Rosie to the airport in style. Lou tells Rosie how much he'll miss her. She says goodbye to Harold and Max, Boyd and Summer get into the limo. Rosie says she's never been in one before. She winds down the window and thanks Lou and Harold for everything as they sadly wave her goodbye.

..

..

Valda gets up and tries to cheer up a depressed Michelle, saying things with Connor aren't that bad. Michelle explains that he dumped her, but Valda says it's not that big a problem and that Michelle is going to have to fight for him. She says she has many ways of making Connor realise that he still wants Michelle.

Multimedia
Network Ten Trailer for Rosie's Departure Realvideo: 230k

Notes: Due to recording schedules, Maggie Millar's final performance as Rosie ironically was seen in the previous episode, 4213, in the sequence where Rosie reveals to Max her decision to leave. In Rosie's final scene she and Lou wear their outfits from the 2003 opening titles.