Australian Story
Acclaimed biographical documentary series "Australian Story" has aired continuously on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) TV since 1996. Australian Story is known for its narratorless storytelling in which the subjects tell their own stories in their own words. The program has featured both famous and previously-unknown Australians from all walks of life and won numerous awards including Logies, Walkleys, Golden Tripods, and Ellies. New episodes air every Monday on free-to-air television as well as ABC iview and YouTube.
- 1996-2026
- 31 seasons
- Documentary
Acclaimed biographical documentary series "Australian Story" has aired continuously on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) TV since 1996. Australian Story is known for its narratorless storytelling in which the subjects tell their own stories in their own words. The program has featured both famous and previously-unknown Australians from all walks of life and won numerous awards including Logies, Walkleys, Golden Tripods, and Ellies. New episodes air every Monday on free-to-air television as well as ABC iview and YouTube.
Season 27 Episode Guide
29 Episodes 2022
Episode 1
Bowled Over
30 mins
At home with Aussie cricket legend Glenn McGrath as he and his growing family continue to honour the legacy of his late wife Jane. James and Holly speak publicly for the first time about their mother's legacy.
Episode 2
Fake
32 mins
After falling for a man whose life was a carefully constructed web of lies, journalist Stephanie Wood meets other women with uncannily similar experiences.
Episode 3
The Great Escapes
30 mins
Magician Arthur Coghlan's death-defying escapes in the 1970s earned him the title of Australia's Houdini. Now in his late 80s he reveals the stories behind his most terrifying stunts and how he's passed the magic onto his daughter.
Episode 4
Trials and Tribulations: Part 1
31 mins
When Noongar woman Stacey Thorne was found murdered in December 2007, the small West Australian town of Boddington was torn apart. Police quickly focused on her casual lover Scott Austic whose arrest and subsequent conviction divided the town. But a re-investigation by independent lawyer and forensic scientist Dr Clint Hampson revealed a disturbing pattern of tampered evidence. His discovery was backed up by the Court of Appeal which found that there was "credible, cogent and plausible evidence of planting". After spending over a decade in jail, Scott Austic was acquitted at a re-trial and is seeking compensation. But the Thorne family believes there has been no justice for Stacey and in desperation has now hired a private investigator to chase new leads to find her killer. The Austic family also wants the case to be reopened.
Episode 5
Trials and Tribulations: Part 2
32 mins
In the second part of this compelling story, Australian Story explores how Scott Austic was freed from prison after spending more than 12 years behind bars. The West Australian man was acquitted in a retrial after sensational revelations of planted evidence. But there are no winners in this story. While Scott rebuilds his life, the devastated family of victim Stacey Thorne is demanding police reopen the investigation to find her killer.
Episode 6
Into The Wild
28 mins
A young couple brave extreme weather and isolation to tackle Australia's extinction crisis, successfully reintroducing long-lost native animals back into the remote Sturt Desert.
Episode 7
The Undercover Billionaire
32 mins
Explores how the loss of her stillborn daughter set billionaire philanthropist Nicola Forrest and her husband, Andrew, on the path of pledging to give away the vast majority of their mining fortune.
Episode 8
The Deep End
31 mins
Former golden girl of the pool Lisa Curry has lived in the spotlight for decades. We've seen her weddings, babies and divorce. Now Lisa opens up about the heart-wrenching loss of her daughter Jaimi.
Episode 9
On The Brink
37 mins
Bon Scott was set to become an international rock star with AC/DC when he died suddenly in 1980. Now for the first time, family and friends open up about his state of mind leading up to his untimely death.
Episode 10
An Independent Woman
33 mins
Cathy McGowan is considered the 'godmother' of the independents movement that's dominating the election. The former member for Indi is also its secret weapon, sharing her insights with candidates.
Episode 11
Letting Loose
32 mins
Co-author of Puberty Blues Kathy Lette has mined her life for stories since her teens. Now post-menopause, she opens up about her life and determination to age disgracefully.
Episode 12
Breaking Free
32 mins
A notorious bank robber destined for a life in prison discovers a new path when he confronts his hidden trauma. Now he's assisting others to seek justice for crimes long buried, but it's been a rocky road to redemption.
Episode 13
Last Drinks
31 mins
The story of how self-described 'small town drunk' Shanna Whan transformed her life to become Australian of the Year Local Hero and is now changing attitudes to booze in the bush.
Episode 14
The Songlines of Leah Purcell
29 mins
From dirt poor beginnings, actor, writer and director Leah Purcell is now at the top of her game, weaving her family's complicated history and her own troubled past into a powerful reimagining of a classic Australian tale.
Episode 15
A Community Undertaking
31 mins
In the working-class town of Port Kembla, a small funeral home is transforming the way we deal with death and sparking a quiet revolution in the process.
Episode 16
Jumping the Gun: Part 1
35 mins
A devoted aunt investigates the mysterious death of her niece Amy Wensley, throwing doubt on the police case and exposing devastating investigative failures. (Part 1)
Episode 17
Jumping the Gun: Part 2
37 mins
Concluding the story about the mysterious death of Amy Wensley. As her family fights for justice, they discover a flawed police investigation and devastating forensic oversights.
Episode 18
Lyn Dawson: Vanished
35 mins
Missing for 40 years, Lyn Dawson's sister and brother never gave up hope they'd find justice. Behind the scenes as her siblings prepare for the outcome of her husband Chris Dawson's murder trial and digest the guilty verdict.
Episode 19
A Whole New Ball Game - David Pocock
32 mins
Senate powerbroker of the moment David Pocock on the forces that drew him to politics and why his background as an international rugby star helped prepare him for his biggest test yet.
Episode 20
Mick Tisbury
31 mins
One man's decade-long mission to expose the extent of an alarming chemical contamination scandal. Then, with no medical training, firefighter Mick Tisbury found an ingenious solution to help those who'd been exposed.
Episode 21
If You Build It - Greg Donovan
30 mins
When middle-aged insurance executive Greg Donovan was made redundant, he was told to play it safe. Instead he gambled his payout on a crazy idea to build the world's most remote music festival - and won.
Episode 22
In a Different League - Michael Cheika
31 mins
Controversial rugby coach Michael Cheika has never been in greater international demand. So why is he taking a lowly ranked team to the Rugby League World Cup?
Episode 23
Getting Heavy - Parkway Drive
34 mins
How five surfers from Byron Bay, in one of the biggest heavy metal bands in the world, turned to therapy to confront their past, save their career and rebuild their friendship.
Episode 24
A World of Their Own - The Seekers
32 mins
Remembering singing legend Judith Durham and the trailblazing band who put Australian music on the map.
Episode 25
Losing Faith
32 mins
When Citipointe Christian College issued an enrolment contract asking parents to agree homosexuality was a sin, the protests of students sparked a firestorm around the rights of religious schools to practise their beliefs.
Episode 26
A Star Is Torn - Tim Minchin
30 mins
After his dazzling career comes unstuck, musician, actor and provocateur Tim Minchin reassesses his comedy, questions the dangerous allure of fame, and finds home is where the heart is.
Episode 27
Life Of Poh
30 mins
From a "nerd" named Sharon to one of Australia's most loved celebrity chefs - how Poh Ling Yeow has refined the art of reinvention and made peace with her past.
Episode 28
My Name Is Charles - The Somerton Man
30 mins
After more than 70 years, one of Australia's most enduring mysteries - the identity of the "Somerton Man" - is finally solved.
Episode 29
Leaning In - Ita Buttrose
32 mins
As the ABC's 90th year draws to a close, Chair Ita Buttrose reflects on a life in the spotlight and how six decades as a pioneering female journalist and magazine editor helped prepare her for one of the ABC's toughest jobs.
