Australian Story Season 6 Episodes

Episode 1

The Prodigal Son: Jason Donovan

34 mins

For the first time, Jason Donovan's closest family and friends reveal the inside story of his turbulent ride from early fame as the much loved Scott Robinson character in "Neighbours" onto international pop stardom and notoriety, through to his new status as a dad. Australian Story spent part of the summer with Jason as he returned to Australia to try to rebuild his credibilty as an actor via a lead role in the new Australian film "Tempe Tip". There was also a more personal objective - introducing his new baby Jemma to friends and family back home. As part of his determination to reinvent himself, Jason reveals surprising plans for his future - plans which could even lead to a political career one day.

Episode 2

The Story of Sydney: Darren and Joanna

31 mins

Darren and his wife Joanna, were shocked to find out they were expecting their fifth child. The working class couple from Central Queensland were worried about how they would be able to afford another baby and about the impact on their other young children. On the other side of the world in Chicago, Darren's sister Tracey was experiencing her own heartache. She and her husband Rick had everything money can buy but couldn't have children, and a much-anticipated adoption had just fallen through. When Joanna was a few months pregnant, she and Darren made a momentous decision. They offered the new baby to Tracey and Rick. It was to be "a gift of love" from a brother to a sister. The American couple gratefully accepted and arranged for Joanna to come to America for the birth of the baby. But no-one anticipated the heartache that would result. Two years on, baby Sydney, is thriving in her American home. But both couples - and Sydney's Australian siblings - are still struggling with the deep feelings that have been stirred up. Everyone's emotions come to the fore when the two families reunite for a short holiday on Hamilton Island just before Christmas... [transcript]

Episode 3

Best of Friends: Nick Ross

31 mins

Helicopter pilot Nick Ross talks exclusively to Australian Story about why he gave a kidney to his close friend and employer, Kerry Packer. Mr Ross, talking publicly for the first time, describes his friendship with Mr Packer and the chain of events which led to the major transplant operation last November. In candid interviews, he and those closest to him describe the momentous decision, the operation itself and getting on with life. Mr Ross, who initially declined all media requests, says he decided to appear on Australian Story because he wanted to get across the message that you don't have to be a relative to donate a kidney.

Episode 4

The Insider: Phil Vardy

31 mins

Australian Story on February 22 tells the story of a life ruined - and reinvented, against the odds. Phil VardyPhil Vardy was the man who reluctantly "blew the whistle" on Dr William McBride, the Australian scientist with an international reputation built on his discovery of the malforming effects of the drug thalidomide. Vardy, a scientist himself, was working for Dr McBride when he discovered that the results of experiments on another drug, had been falsified. When he confronted McBride, he was sacked. He subsequently found it impossible to get full time employment until he moved interstate - away from home. His marriage broke up under the pressures. Five years passed before a chance call to the ABC's Science Show on an unrelated matter, resulted in a meeting with broadcaster Norman Swan. Swan recognised Vardy's name and connection with the saga and began a long process of persuading Vardy to go public - with momentous consequences for all involved... But, as Australian Story reveals, there is much more to Phil Vardy than his role in exposing a major scientific scandal. Confined to a wheel chair as the result of a motor cycle accident in his youth, Vardy turned his back on his traumatic past and became the driving force behind the establishment of sailing for the disabled in Australia. His efforts set the groundwork for the Australian's golden sailing successes in last year's Paralympics.

Episode 5

Love Is the Drug: Tony and Deb Sands

33 mins

While heroin trials continue to be debated and delayed elsewhere in Australia, Tony Sands is already getting drugs on prescription from his doctor. He is one of only a handful of users allowed to self-inject morphine, the closest legal drug to heroin. The unconventional treatment has stabilised Tony after a 20 year battle with heroin and methadone addiction, which included several stints in gaol. He has gone public with his story because he believes morphine injections should be available to other addicts. Love is the Drug is also the story of Tony's wife Deb, a former secretary who studied law and medicine in her long-running fight with the Queensland Health Department on Tony's behalf. Although many people advised her to leave her husband when times were difficult, she managed to keep the family together and bring up three children now in their teens.

Episode 6

Last Bus to Bethany: Sir Joh and Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen

33 mins

The 90 year old former Qld premier and his ex-Senator wife have apparently fallen on hard times and are reduced to supplementing their living by meeting tourists. Coaches rumble onto the family property Bethany twice a week bringing eager pilgrims from all over the country to tour the farm with son John, meet the famous couple, eat pumpkin scones and hand over a few dollars. Allen Callaghan describes the scene as a mixture of "Disneyland and Camelot" and a program spokesperson said: "It is surreal - halfway between a royal garden party and a visit to Lourdes. But Joh and Flo obviously do need the money." But, sentiment aside, what is the truth about the Bjelke-Petersens and how will history ultimately judge them? With commentators now noting a revival of the "Joh Factor" through the activities of politicians as diverse as Pauline Hanson and Peter Beattie, the program re-examines the life and times of Joh. Australian Story talked to admirers, insiders and critics to gain new insights into a man, who during his political career provoked polarised reactions - loved or loathed with nothing in between. Queensland Premier Peter Beattie is among those interviewed about his famous predecessor. Admitting his public support for Joh annoys some in the ALP, he says: "I think you have got to be prepared to say he made a contribution. I think they (ALP critics) lack respect and are very petty about it. Surely now it is time to turn the page. If you can't have some Christian forgiveness and acknowledgement of what he did, then that's pretty poor form." And the program even re-discovers a long lost woman from the Premier's past - his famous pilot Beryl Young.

Episode 7

Champion of the World: David Bussau

28 mins

David Bussau was abandoned by his parents when he was just a toddler. He grew up in orphanages, never knowing who his parents were. At the age of 15 he was sent out into the world to survive as best he could. His prospects could not have been bleaker but somehow David Bussau managed to not only survive but flourish. He started by setting up a hot dog stand at his local football ground and by the time he was 35 he was a multi millionaire with a huge construction company in Sydney. But he was bored with making money. It was Cyclone Tracy in 1974 which set him off in a competely new direction. In a voluntary capacity, he took a team of tradesmen to Darwin to help in the rebuilding program. It opened his eyes, got him thinking and changed his life. He divested himself of all his companies and poured all his money into a philanthropic family trust. The ultimate result was a major global aid organisation called Opportunity International which he co-founded. O.I. operates in thirty eight countries. Princes Anne is the patron in the U.K. Opportunity International is credited with revolutionising overseas aid - using the principles of "micro enterprise development" in which small repayable loans are advanced to poor people so they start little businesses which grow and employ other people. Bussau's family trust (which he still manages today) distributes about a million dollars a year to a range of projects around the world - not just alleviation of chronic poverty but getting actively involved in crisis situations - floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions... In the early days he was criticised for trying to inflict capitalism on the poor but today the World Bank and aid agencies around the world recognise the visionary nature of Bussau's principles. Back home in Sydney, he has a family of his own to whom he is devoted - a wife, two grown up daughters and five grandchildren. But he believes, in a strange way, his own emotionally and physically deprived background actually enabled him to achieve what he has.

Episode 8

Three Men and a Bus

30 mins

Australian Story details how three mates, "Skroo" Turner, "Spy" Lomas and Bill James, on the loose in London in the seventies, seized on the idea of putting bunks into a double decker bus and charging other young Aussies to cavort around Europe on the trip of a lifetime. With coloured beer coasters instead of motor registration stickers and multiple passports shared at random among the drivers, compliance was the last thing on any of their minds. The original bus turned into a fleet and "Top Deck Travel" soon became a legend among the young and the reckless - creating memories, marriages and escapades fondly remembered by millions of baby boomers even today. As the business took off beyond their wildest dreams, the three mates struggled to keep one jump ahead of both the creditors and the law enforcers. Ten years later they were back home and they had turned their "ground up" experience in the travel industry into a new goldmine - by bringing the "bucket shop" concept of discount air travel to Australia for the first time. They called the new business "Flight Centre". It is now listed on the stock exchange and has recently become Australia's fourth biggest retailer. But only two of the original mates stayed the course. One was forced to drop out and left to wonder what if ...

Episode 9

Shining Through: Shane Gould

29 mins

Gould was the Ian Thorpe of her day. In 1972, when she was just 15, she held every world record in women's freestyle swimming. Later that year she won five medals, including three gold, at the Munich Olympics. But her success came at great personal cost. At 16 she retired from competitive swimming and withdrew into a secluded private world which included marriage and motherhood and a lifestyle of Christian fundamentalism. Three decades later Shane has thrown off her old life. She is back, reinvigorated and embracing new challenges and fresh directions with relish and success. Not only is she involved in journalism, commentating and horse riding, but she has also clocked up record breaking times in masters swimming events. In a revealing Australian Story Shane, her parents, her children and her new partner talk candidly about the travails of the past and the excitement of her new life.

Episode 10

Special Edition and Claire Goes to College: Ella Ebery and Claire Cooper

29 mins

At the end of 2000 Ella Ebery beat off droves of much younger rivals to clinch a major national journalism prize, the Shakespeare Award for excellence in editorial writing in country newspapers. Canberra Times editor Jack Waterford was the judge and he describes her winning entry as "quite staggering". It was only after the prize had been awarded that Waterford learned Ella was approaching ninety and very much a "driving force" in her small community. Australian Story profiles the remarkable Ella who only started her journalistic career at the age of sixty. She has also served as the local mayor. The program discovered a warm, funny and feisty woman who has had to deal with more than her fair share of hardship and loss. But over the course of nearly a century, she has always managed to stay in the vanguard of change and provide leadership for everyone around her.

Episode 11

The Good Doctor and My Life as a Dog: Professor John Overton and Martin McKenna

31 mins

The Good Doctor: Professor Overton, who originally put himself through medical school by working as a plumber's mate, is described as a cross between Patch Adams and George Clooney. His last day on the wards was seen by patients and staff as the end of an era. My Life as a Dog: Martin McKenna is a dog trainer whose mission in life is to save as many animals as he can from being abandoned, dumped and euthanased. He has made regular appearances on ABC Radio dispensing advice to pet owners. But his motives and background are unusual to say the least. Martin grew up us a one of a set of triplets born to abusive parents in Ireland. He claims that at the age of ten, he ran away from home and ended up living wild on the streets with a pack of stray dogs for four years. "I became a dog. I absolutely believed that's what I was." As a young adult, he moved to Australia, married and had three children of his own, and now lives on an old farm in Northern NSW. But helping dogs to be better understood by humans remains his life's work. "I'm going to be a protector for any dog that I can help anywhere in the world" he says. Martin has written a book about his experiences and his training theories, which is soon to be published.

Episode 12

That Sinking Feeling/Flying High: David Jones/Anne Rennie

30 mins

In 2001 off the coast of W.A. the world watched as the Navy embarked on a two week submarine escape and rescue mission - dubbed "Black Carillon". It involved a partial re-enactment of the Kursk submarine disaster in which 113 Russian sailors were entombed and centres on the Australian Navy's $13 million rescue vessel, the "Remora", the world's first remote operated rescue craft. But not everything went according to plan...

Episode 13

A Sense of Destiny: Matt Laffan

29 mins

Matt Laffan was born with a rare genetic disorder, diastrophic dysplasia, which meant that his limbs would not grow to the normal length. He was given a week to live. It was a one in a million chance, caused by both parents carrying the recessive gene but not knowing it. At the age of 10, an operation to correct the twisting in his spine led to him becoming a paraplegic. But none of this has prevented Matt from becoming a lawyer with the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions, and a member of the NSW Rugby Judiciary. In his spare time, he runs a website with tips for disabled travellers. Now aged 30, Matt Laffan is facing new challenges. As his old university mates get married and move away, what are the prospects of Matt finding a partner too? How difficult will it be for a man in his situation to find true love?

Episode 14

Inside Out: Mark 'Chopper' Read

30 mins

Australian Story will see a strikingly different version of Mark Read to the drunken appearance which so inflamed viewer reaction in 1998. The program pulls no punches where Read's criminal record is concerned but reveals a life full of contradictions and surprises. A wide range of contributors have been interviewed for the program, including police officers, Read's relatives and book collaborators.

Episode 15

The Baby Maker: Carl Wood

30 mins

Professor Carl Wood is internationally renowned as one of only a handful of scientists around the world responsible for the test tube baby revolution which has enabled tens of thousands of infertile couples to experience the joys of parenthood. Together with his small team, he was responsible for the world's third test tube baby and the world's first frozen embryo baby. But Carl Wood is anything but an aloof scientist in an ivory tower. He is seen by family, friends and colleagues as an eccentric genius - as fascinated by alternative therapies and outlandish theories as he is by mainstream medical thinking. At 72, he is nearing the other end of the life cycle and has had some close shaves with his own mortality - most recently through surgery for prostate cancer. It forced him to re-evaluate his life and his working hours and confronted him with the reality of the medical system as it's experienced by patients.

Episode 16

Val's Miracle: Valerie Pont

31 mins

So severe was Valerie Pont's illness she ended up spending most of her time on the floor in the grip of uncontrollable spasms. If she wanted to see a movie she had to lie on the floor and watch through the gap between the seats. Val's illness imposed terrible strains on her family; her marriage broke up, she fell out with one daughter because of the stresses and another daughter, Melanie, a ballerina, made the decision to return from Europe to care for her mother. People in shops ignored her and referred to her as "it" on the assumption that she was severely mentally disabled and incapable of understanding. Then, last Christmas, Val was presented with a radical choice - a chance to undergo a controversial brain operation called pallidotomy which, if successful, could dramatically ease her symptoms. But she had to accept that there was some risk - and, perhaps most confronting of all, she would have to remain conscious while the doctors were operating on her brain ...

Episode 17

The Battle of Bullo: Marlee Ranacher

30 mins

The Henderson family of Bullo River Station in the Northern Territory have been immortalised in a series of best selling books by former "Businesswoman of the Year" and breast cancer awareness campaigner Sara Henderson. But life on Bullo has always been a bit of a battle, not just against the hardships of the bush, but also between family members. Sara Henderson has long had a turbulent relationship with her middle daughter Bonnie but had enjoyed a long and close relationship with her oldest daughter Marlee with whom she ran Bullo. It was Marlee who nominated her mother for the "Businesswoman of the Year" award which was the catalyst for Sara's highly successful writing career. But now Marlee and Sara have had a spectacular and bitter falling out over the future of Bullo itself, culminating in a court battle over Sara's decision to sell the station. An out of court settlement a few weeks ago gave Marlee and her husband the right to purchase the property. But they now face an uphill struggle to raise the funds to pay Sara and keep the property going ...

Episode 18

Out of the Blizzard: Frank Hurley

28 mins

Frank Hurley's famous documentary film "Home of the Blizzard" was shot after he talked his way onto Douglas Mawson's first Antarctic expedition in 1911. Three years later he was also part of the legendary Ernest Shackleton "Endurance" expedition when the team were caught in pack ice, drifted for a year, and were forced into camping on an iceberg which slowly broke apart under their feet. Hurley salvaged his film of this period by diving into the sub zero waters of a sinking boat to pull out his negatives. The men survived by rowing 800 kilometres to uninhabited Elephant Island in the Southern Ocean. Touring exhibitions of Hurley's work have recently attracted records crowds in both the U.S. and the U.K. and there is now talk of a major feature film. In this week's Australian Story, his epic life is retold through the eyes of a new generation of "Hurley-philes" and Hurley's eighty-two year old twin daughters, Toni and Adelie. Toni and Adelie hardly knew their father when they were growing up but recently visited the Antarctic themselves for the very first time as part of their rediscovery of their own father. The program includes emotional footage of the two women at Elephant Island where their father's ordeal ended. Hurley went on, controversially, to become Australia's first WW1 cameraman and he continued his extraordinary adventures until his death in 1962 at the age of 76.

Episode 19

The Comfort of Strangers: Shari and Ian Davies

29 mins

Shari Davies was 23 years old when she was abducted, stabbed repeatedly, raped and left for dead with a puncture wound to her heart and her throat slashed. She somehow crawled to a roadside and was found many hours later. Her attacker was convicted rapist Darren Osbourne who'd just been released on parole. Osbourne subsequently killed a young English woman before being captured and ultimately committing suicide in jail. Shari survived but the events of that night changed not just her life but the lives of many other people - some of them complete strangers. Her father Ian gave up his panel beating business and has travelled a path that's taken him from would-be vigilante ("I was so angry that I was ready to kill") to victims' support group founder and eventually a major role as a Corrective Services Commissioner in Queensland where he has been a powerful advocate for progressive measures such as anger management and skills training for prisoners. Ian Davies says it is crucial that the suffering of victims is taken into full account but also acknowledges the disadvantages in the backgrounds of many prisoners. Of Osbourne he says: "I started to think about what opportunity did he have, what opportunities does any prisoner have. Are we just throwing them in jail without somebody checking to see whether or not that person was ready to be put back into the community?" Shari thought she had recovered but was plunged into deep depression three years ago by the trauma of reliving her experiences through a book and the publicity that followed. There was another blow when she found she was unable to conceive children. But she and her husband recently travelled to Ethiopia to adopt an abandoned baby. Shari finally feels her life is complete and she can at last let go of the past.

Episode 20

Thrill of the Chase and You'll Never Walk Alone: George Elliot/Carol and Graham Blaser

29 mins

George Elliot is a fifty-two year hotel owner, turned racing driver, turned best selling author who's now being groomed by movie industry professionals to be "the next Paul Hogan". It all started when he got the idea of writing a book based on his own life experience. His original objective was to broaden his appeal in order to attract more sponsors for his Nascar racing team. He wrote it in six weeks and showed it to best selling author, Bryce Courtenay who is a friend of his brother. Courtenay was most impressed and encouraged him to find a publisher. So George ambushed the biggest publisher he could find at a book fair and in no time at all the book was in the shops and selling like hotcakes. But George is not stopping there. He wants the book made into a film and what's more he intends to be the star. As he presses on with his acting lessons, he has assembled some of the top people in the industry - including Russell Crowe's agent - to make sure that he succeeds ...

Episode 21

For the Record: Charmian Brent

28 mins

Charmian, daughter of an English headmaster, married Biggs against her family's wishes when she was just eighteen. And she remained with him through the turbulent events of the train robbery, imprisonment, escape and the years on the run. The couple ended up in Australia with their children and parted only when Biggs escaped to Brazil to avoid re-arrest. She finally divorced Biggs only at his request so he would be free to marry his pregnant Brazilian girlfriend to avoid extradition. Charmian stayed on in Australia where, alone, she had to deal with the death in a car accident of her eldest son. And alone she raised her two other boys, dogged all the way by the notoriety of the Biggs association. She also put herself through university and established a career as a journalist, publisher and editor.

Episode 22

Man for All Seasons: Wayne Bennett

30 mins

"Man for All Seasons" tracked Wayne Bennett during the tough 1999 rugby league season when his the Broncos hit a losing streak. While Australian Story was filming with Bennett, halfback Alfie Langer announced his retirement. That decision had its sequel on Sunday night when Alfie returned at Bennett's bidding to rewrite the ending that seemed so sad in 99. In "Man for All Seasons" Bennett, legendary for his poker face, dropped his guard for the first time, talking openly and emotionally about his own past and family challenges he's had to meet.

Episode 23

The Best Medicine and the Woodlanders: Peter and David Bissell and MacDonald Brothers

32 mins

Despite their engaging personalities and good looks, the Bissell brothers are existing on borrowed time. They were born with cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition affecting the lungs. Life expectancy in such cases is generally reduced to only thirty or thirty five at the most. The boys' older sister Tonya was also born with C.F. and died three years ago. Both boys have married and their wives have accepted not just the inevitably of early widowhood, but childlessness - another consequence of C.F. The family trait of good spirits and fortitude in the face of grim odds is shared by the boys' parents Bob and Narelle. They have already lost their daughter and they accept that they must now make the very best of the time that's left with Peter and David.

Episode 24

The Devil You Know: Sandy MacGregor

30 mins

MacGregor was a Colonel in the Army when he became the first to lead soldiers into the tunnels of Vietnam, to conduct underground warfare. He was subsequently awarded the Military Cross. In 1987 a knock on his door changed the direction of his life. A uniformed policeman had arrived to tell him his three teenage daughters and their 19 year old girlfriend had been shot dead by Richard Madrell, a paranoid schizophrenic fixated on one of the girls. In the aftermath, Sandy's son Andrew (the only remaining child from his first marriage) taught Sandy relaxation and meditation techniques to help both of them combat their grief and distress. Twelve years later MacGregor shocked many by appearing on Sydney radio and declaring that he had "forgiven" Richard Madrell. He argued that continued hatred and loathing would only make him another victim of Madrell. These days he teaches other people - many of them prominent business people - the meditation techniques he believes can improve every aspect of their lives. But he felt his personal journey would not be complete until he finally confronted his daughters' murderer in prison.

Episode 25

Bridge Over Myall Creek: Beulah Adams and Sue Blacklock

28 mins

On Sunday June 10 1838 at Myall Creek in Northern NSW, 28 Aborigines, men, women and children of the Wirrayaraay people were killed by a mob of white stockmen. What makes the Myall Creek massacre unique is that it subsequently became the first occasion when whites were charged and convicted of murdering blacks. It took two trials and a series of sensational events but eventually seven men hanged for the murder of an Aboriginal boy called Charley. 162 years later, as part of a Uniting Church reconciliation program, a permanent memorial was set up at Myall Creek. Not long before the dedication of the memorial, a retired white woman came forward and asked to see Sue Blacklock, a direct descendant of a boy who escaped the massacre. She was Beulah Adams, the wife of a country schoolteacher, and she revealed to Sue that one of the men hanged for the murders was her great uncle. Beulah had come to say sorry. And she was not the only one ...

Episode 26

In George We Trust: George Piggins

30 mins

The victory for South Sydney Rugby League Club came in an appeal court judgement on July 6 2001 confounding all expectations and making legal history. There were euphoric scenes among Souths supporters and their many high profile backers (from Russell Crowe to Andrew Denton and Alan Jones) but the key players in the drama have reserved their personal stories for this edition of Australian Story. Businessman Kerry Stokes talks about his behind the scenes role for the first time. Souths chairman George Piggins, a former wharfie, horse breeder and self made millionaire reveals the gruelling personal toll the two year struggle took on him. And lawyer Nick Pappas discloses how the case nearly collapsed in the final stages. Australian Story was the first television program to highlight the plight of the "Rabbitohs" two years ago when they first on the verge of being kicked out of the NRL. This week's program documents the unexpected sequel.

Episode 27

Taking Care of Business: Erika Ford

30 mins

Erika Ford was the dynamo behind a shareholders group which dared to challenge the Australian mining giant North Ltd over its involvement in the proposed Jabiluka uranium mine surrounded by Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory. It took the destruction of her own health, a Supreme Court challenge and a dramatic showdown at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders - but Erika Ford and her allies helped bring about the suspension of the uranium project by new owners, Rio Tinto. As the program reveals, Ford is a most unlikely green activist. She's five foot two, forty six years old with a long standing six figure investment portfolio and a professional background as a waste management consultant. She'd owned North shares for several years. Her life changed forever in 1999 when she saw a TV news item reporting a protest over the proposed Jabiluka mine, identifying North's involvement. "I was shocked because I bought into what I thought was a forestry and gold mining company," she says. Then the phone rang. It was the Wilderness Society. They'd acquired North's share register and with it Erika's name. In the space of a few months she became the effective leader of a group of 121 North shareholders who'd decided to fight the company...

Episode 28

Much Ado About NIDA: John Clark

32 mins

From humble beginnings 40 years ago in a ramshackle hut in Sydney, the National Institute of Dramatic Art has become a star factory which has produced some of the biggest names not just in the Australian entertainment industry, but in Hollywood. From Mel Gibson, to Cate Blanchett, to Baz Luhrmann to Judy Davis, these are some of the dominant figures of their generation. This week's Australian Story tells the story of NIDA and of John Clark and Elizabeth Butcher, the key individuals who've been there from the start and who must now prepare to hand over the reins. Along the way we meet some of the famous alumni from Garry McDonald to Robyn Nevin to Tom Long. Mel Gibson not only introduces the story but has contributed an extensive interview about his days at NIDA and his ongoing involvement with the school through regular visits and funding donations.

Episode 29

A Hand Made Life: Kim McKenzie

29 mins

In her 50 years, Kim has fitted in many lives: professional fisherwoman at 14, big wave surfer in Hawaii and as the famous "Shark Girl" who ran the netting program in Queensland for 18 years. Kim's life has been one of "confronting fear, seeking adrenaline rushes" and taking on the men at their own game. Australian Story finds a semi-recluse who lives in the sand dunes near Noosa and where even today she competes for spanner crabs in a multi-million dollar male dominated industry. Kim reflects that her "hand made life" has seen her working alongside whales, sailing yachts in cyclones and getting rammed by other fishermen in the course of her work. She has rescued dozens of boats in storms and landed some of the biggest great white sharks ever caught. Now Kim says her aim in life is to continue to seek excitement and adventure even as she gets older, "hopefully I'll get to the age of an old lady".

Episode 30

The Legend of Frogs' Hollow and the Men's Movement: Jill Jordan

28 mins

Jan and her family were taken captive when the Japanese invaded Indonesia during World War Two. Like an estimated 200,000 women in the Asia-Pacific region, Jan was removed from the prison camp and forced into sexual slavery. These 'Comfort Women' were hand-picked to service Japanese military officers in organised brothels. In 1992, three Korean 'Comfort Women' shocked the world with their demands of an apology and compensation from Japan, whose government had denied these events ever took place. Jan then decided the time had come for her speak out, fifty years after her harrowing experience. Although shocked by what had happened to their mother, Jan's children now support her 'mission' in campaigning world wide for the protection of women in war.

Episode 31

A Little Black Mare: Bud Hyem

28 mins

Bud Hyem was a champion show jumper, becoming the first woman to compete for Australia in an Olympic equestrian event at Tokyo in 1964. While Bud has experienced great success with her horses, her personal life has been marred by tragedy including the premature deaths of her husband and son. Her love of horses has inspired her to continue through the difficult times. Although retired, the 67-year-old continues her breeding program and "muddles around" with 60 horses, including Tic Toc who's come back to Kibah to enjoy his retirement. But all this looks set to come to an end. Her beloved property, Kibah, namesake of her champion horses, is on the market due to family difficulties and Bud will be forced to leave. The story also features an interview with equestrian Matt Ryan who tells of how he and Bud clashed over his show jumping of Tic Toc.

Episode 32

Playing for Time: Aaron McMillan

31 mins

Australian Story was with Aaron McMillan as he prepared for the life or death surgery at Sydney's Prince of Wales Hospital. Following the story from a few days after the diagnosis, the cameras captured every moment as the drama unfolded. Aaron had brought his electric piano into the hospital ward and was soon giving mini-concerts for visitors and staff. Friends such as INXS guitarist Tim Farris stopped by to wish him well. But renowned neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo was worried. It was one of the worst tumours he had ever seen, and the prospects of removing it without damaging Aaron's brain were slim. Aaron was advised to make a will and tidy up his affairs ...

Episode 33

A Place in the Country: Patrice Newell

28 mins

A classic "back to nature" yarn, featuring two high profile city slickers with no previous farming experience. But Patrice in particular, has thrown herself into rural life with single minded intensity. The saga has been partially canvassed in Newell's best selling book "The Olive Grove" but this is the first time she's discussed the story on television. Newell details her passion for biodynamic farming and healthier food: "I had the vision of creating a sustainable farm that wasn't going to be dependent on huge amounts of things like industrial chemicals." Ten years down the track there are no regrets, and Newell is also relishing motherhood - something she never considered in the city. Also discussed in "A Place in the Country" is the couple's unconventional relationship with Adams absent for long periods and each partner somehow accommodating the others obsessions - from Adams' collection of Egyptian antiquities, to Newell's objection to compliments of any kind about her appearance.

Episode 34

Unbreakable: Lauren Burns

29 mins

Before Lauren Burns was even born, her dad was a legend in the entertainment industry through his pop songs and appearances on "Young Talent Time". But Lauren was destined to shine in a different field. A year ago, aged 26, she surprised the sporting world by winning Australia's first ever gold medal in taekwondo, thereby becoming one of the Games' unlikeliest success stories. She was one of only three Australian women to win individual golds, along with Cathy Freeman and Susie O'Neill. But what nobody knew at the time was just how much Lauren went through to get there ... from being beaten with a stick in training sessions in Korea to starving herself down to an almost skeletal weight. And then there were all the injuries, wounds and the operations ...

Episode 35

Vanishing Point: Falconios

30 mins

On Saturday night, July 14th, young British couple Joanne Lees and Peter Falconio were driving towards Darwin when they were stopped by a man in a four wheel drive ute. Joanne Lees described hearing a gunshot before being bound and gagged and put in the back of the truck. Joanne escaped and hid in the bush for several hours but Peter Falconio is missing, presumed dead. Alice Springs police have been recently reported as admitting that the investigation has stalled with no fresh leads. Filming in England, Sydney and the Northern Territory, Australian Story has retraced the steps of Peter and Joanne, talking to close relative and confidantes of the couple as well as people from Barrow Creek who were directly involved in rescuing and helping Joanne Lees in the first few days. There are fresh insights into Joanne Lees' behaviour and feelings from those closest to her. And serious doubts are raised about the effectiveness of the police investigation - in particular a long delay in releasing a service station security video with potentially vital pictures of the only suspect in the case. The origins of the rumours about Joanne Lees - rumours which prompted some observers to make comparisons with the Lindy Chamberlain case - are also explored.

Episode 36

In the Family - The Howards: John Howard and Family

29 mins

Episode 37

In the Family - The Beazleys: Kim Beazley and Family

30 mins

Episode 38

A Class of His Own: Fred Hyde

31 mins

Fred Hyde spends nine months of the year living in the most primitive conditions alongside struggling Bangladeshis, returning home to Australia only to raise more funds to continue the work of building and maintaining schools. He draws no salary or expenses. His efforts and those of his supporters are voluntary. Remarkably, Fred only embarked on his philanthropic mission at the age of 60, when he retired from running his own engineering business in Warwick. He never married because a doctor (wrongly) diagnosed a heart complaint which he said would result in certain early death. Fred's organisation "co-id" (Cooperation in Development) is strongly supported by a number of Australian private schools including the prestigious "Kings School" in Sydney. Students hold fund raising events - every six thousand dollars raised builds a new school in Bangladesh or supports an existing school for a year. There are now 12 schools.

Episode 39

Then and Now - Part One: Australian Story Ensemble

32 mins

Episode 40

Then and Now - Part Two: Australian Story ensemble

30 mins

Episode 41

Best of Friends: Nick Ross

30 mins