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Episode guide

Australian Story: Series 2016

43 episodes · premiered Feb 1, 2016

Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2016, Australian Story returns with more unique stories that provide an insight into Australian life with all its complexities and challenges.

Australian Story: cast and where to watch

  1. Episode 1: Phantom Of The Opera House Feb 1, 2016 · 30m The forgotten man: Peter Hall completed the Sydney Opera House after Danish architect Jorn Utzon resigned. But he was pilloried for his efforts. He died broken and destitute.
  2. Episode 2: Sea Of Doubt Feb 8, 2016 · 30m Mystery at sea: Two men leave on the trip of a lifetime, but only one returns. Now family and friends embark on a quest to solve this baffling disappearance in the remote Pacific Ocean.
  3. Episode 3: Nugget Of Gold Feb 15, 2016 · 30m The remarkable story of Barry 'Nugget' Rees, who rose from the most unlikely circumstances to become friend and trusted confidante of generations of Australia's elite cricketers.
  4. Episode 4: True Grit (Part 1) Feb 22, 2016 · 30m Inside the private life of international rugby star David Pocock. We travel back to his homeland Zimbabwe where dramatic events shaped the passion that so famously drives him today, both…
  5. Episode 5: True Grit (Part 2) Feb 29, 2016 · 30m In the concluding episode of this television exclusive, David Pocock, his partner Emma and his family reveal the inside story of one of Australia's most remarkable contemporary sports stars.
  6. Episode 6: My Conscience Tells Me Mar 7, 2016 · 30m Eighty-year-old Dr. Rodney Syme is prepared to defy the law to help a terminally ill man die, even if it means going to jail.
  7. Episode 7: How I Met Your Father Mar 14, 2016 · 30m Former advertising executive Aminah Hart always wanted to be a mother, but no one expected the back-to-front romance that made it happen.
  8. Episode 8: The Beauty Myth Mar 21, 2016 · 30m The woman on a mission to change the face of fashion: Model agent Chelsea Bonner is the daughter of famously beautiful parents but she's staked her career on changing our ideas of beauty…
  9. Episode 9: The Minister's Secret Mar 28, 2016 · 30m The surprising personal revelations of Australia's first Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Fiona Richardson MP.
  10. Episode 10: Whitey's Way Apr 4, 2016 · 30m Paul White, or 'Whitey' to his mates, is an unstoppable force. He's the bush copper turned CEO of one of Australia's most successful sporting clubs. A shock diagnosis has left him fighting…
  11. Episode 11: Port Arthur Apr 11, 2016 · 30m The legacy of the Port Arthur massacre and the impact it had on survivors and witnesses.
  12. Episode 12: Building Bridges Apr 18, 2016 · 30m For the first time on TV, Michelle Bridges and her family talk about her becoming a mum at 45, her relationship with 'Commando' Steve Willis and taking on the junk food industry.
  13. Episode 13: Abby's Road Apr 25, 2016 · 30m Ten years ago, two-year-old Abby Walker was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and her parents made a controversial decision. Today she is fit and well. This is her family's…
  14. Episode 14: A Kind Of Medicine May 2, 2016 · 30m Music as medicine: one of Australia's first Indigenous doctors, Mark Wenitong, pioneers music for healing after his family is shattered by a horrific accident involving his daughter…
  15. Episode 15: Your Money Or Your Life May 9, 2016 · 30m After cheating death in her early twenties, Danielle Tindle is on a mission to improve treatment and care for other young cancer patients. Now she faces a greater challenge. Can she beat…
  16. Episode 16: Dare To Dream May 16, 2016 · 30m The remarkable untold story behind the creation of Australia's newest opera and its composer George Palmer.
  17. Episode 17: Into The Fog Of War (Part 1) May 23, 2016 · 30m The exclusive inside story of an elite Australian army commando charged with the manslaughter of five children after a horrific and controversial raid gone wrong in Afghanistan.
  18. Episode 18: Into The Fog Of War (Part 2) May 30, 2016 · 30m Continuing the exclusive story of an elite Australian Army Commando charged with the manslaughter of five children after a horrific and controversial raid gone wrong in Afghanistan.
  19. Episode 19: 20th Anniversary Special (Part 1) Jun 6, 2016 · 30m This two-part anniversary special looks back over Australian Story's key themes, with participants and producers revealing the stories behind some of the show's most significant and…
  20. Episode 20: 20th Anniversary Special (Part 2) Jun 13, 2016 · 30m Celebrating 20 Years On Air, ABC's multi-award-winning program looks back on some of the most memorable moments and reveals the untold stories behind them.
  21. Episode 21: When The Call Comes Jun 20, 2016 · 30m This week's episode focuses on Michele Perry's quest for justice and to understand why her homeless brother, Morgan Wayne Perry, was killed in a knife attack by a young private school…
  22. Episode 22: Limbo Land Jun 27, 2016 · 30m Actor John Wood introduces the story of Pat Murphy, a farmer who's doing it tough after a coal mine opened next to his property. Now Pat wants to leave the area, but that's easier said…
  23. Episode 23: One Of The Mob Jul 4, 2016 · 30m Filmmaker David Batty has been a White man in a Black world for 40 years. He struck gold with cult series 'Bush Mechanics'. Now despite a family tragedy he's back with a new screen…
  24. Episode 24: The Longest Expedition Jul 11, 2016 · 30m Renowned climber Paul Pritchard returns to Tasmania's notorious Totem Pole to tackle the climb that nearly killed him eighteen years earlier and left him partially paralysed with a massive…
  25. Episode 25: The Heart Bus Jul 18, 2016 · 30m Travel to the outback with innovative engineer-turned-cardiologist Dr Rolf Gomes who takes life-saving cardiac care to people in regional Australia.
  26. Episode 26: Gone Girl Jul 25, 2016 · 30m Gone Girl: Two young people fall in love and marry, but are torn apart when one of them is taken into immigration detention. Supporters are determined to see the decision reversed.
  27. Episode 27: The Two Of Us Aug 1, 2016 · 30m A heart-warming story of friendship between legendary jazz musician Don Burrows and the star he mentored, James Morrison. Now with Don Burrows about to turn 88, the roles have reversed.
  28. Episode 28: The Olympic Spirit Aug 8, 2016 · 30m With all eyes on Rio, Ian Thorpe introduces a program marking the 60th anniversary of Australia's greatest ever Olympics Melbourne 1956 & the swimmer who inspired generations of…
  29. Episode 29: About A Girl Aug 15, 2016 · 30m Battling prejudice and legal challenges, 16-year-old transgender teenager Georgie Stone takes on the system to make life easier for other transgender kids and their families.
  30. Episode 30: What A Wonderful World Aug 22, 2016 · 30m What A Wonderful World: Fifty years on, Patricia Amphlett (Little Pattie) returns to Vietnam where as a 17-year-old she was on stage performing for Australian troops when the Battle of…
  31. Episode 31: A League Of Their Own Aug 29, 2016 · 30m Businesswoman Susan Alberti could only dream of playing AFL. Now she's supporting a new Women's League & has struck up an unlikely friendship with top player Moana Hope.
  32. Episode 32: The Sugar Trip Sep 5, 2016 · 30m Filmmaker and actor Damon Gameau repays a debt of knowledge when he returns to Central Australia to help revitalise an Indigenous community's healthy eating initiative.
  33. Episode 33: The Flow On Effect Sep 12, 2016 · 30m A year on, what's happening with Australia's most unlikely millionaires? Revisit Byron Bay's father and son beekeepers, the Andersons to see how the success of their company changed their…
  34. Episode 34: When Beccy Met Libby Sep 19, 2016 · 30m An old fashioned love story with a modern day twist. Country singer Beccy Cole wants to tie the knot with her partner cabaret singer Libby O'Donovan. But will the law be changed to allow…
  35. Episode 35: Shadow Of Doubt Sep 26, 2016 · 30m When two cousins set out to find the truth about their grandfather, they uncover family secrets, a scandalous/shocking murder and more questions than answers.
  36. Episode 36: Tough Love Oct 3, 2016 · 30m Taylor & Michael have Down syndrome. They plan to marry & have children, but their parents don't believe they have the skills to raise a family. Can their parents stop them or will…
  37. Episode 37: The Big Dry Oct 10, 2016 · 30m For years TV newsreader Talitha Cummins masked her alcoholism, until her drinking spiralled out of control. Now four years sober, she describes herself as the modern face of alcoholism…
  38. Episode 38: When Plans Change (Part 1) Oct 17, 2016 · 30m Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner reveals for the first time the story behind a desperate attempt to get her children back from Beirut, which landed her in jail along with a 60 Minutes crew.
  39. Episode 39: When Plans Change (Part 2) Oct 24, 2016 · 30m The story of Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner continues, as she describes her desperate attempt to get her children back from Beirut, which landed her in jail along with a 60 Minutes crew.
  40. Episode 40: The New Black Oct 31, 2016 · 30m Black Caviar captured the nation's imagination like no other horse since Phar Lap. Now her first offspring Oscietra is a promising two-year-old filly with top trainer David Hayes.
  41. Episode 41: A Field Of Dreams Nov 7, 2016 · 30m In a bold social experiment, the tiny rural community of Mingoola on the NSW-Queensland border is looking to the past to secure the future.
  42. Episode 42: Out Of The Water Nov 14, 2016 · 30m With summer fast approaching, the experience of a Queensland family is a timely warning of a hidden and deadly danger that can lurk in warm, fresh waters of regional Australia.
  43. Episode 43: The Road From Damascus Nov 21, 2016 · 30m Medico Khaled Naanaa caused a global outcry by exposing the deliberate starvation of civilians in Syria. But doing so made him a target. Now he's been given a new life in Australia.