Australian Story
Australian Story: Season 21

Air Date

February 1, 2016

Episodes

43 episodes

Australian Story

Season 21

Overview

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.

Episodes

Phantom Of The Opera House

1. Phantom Of The Opera House

February 1, 2016
30 min

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.

Sea Of Doubt

2. Sea Of Doubt

February 8, 2016
30 min

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.

Nugget Of Gold

3. Nugget Of Gold

February 15, 2016
30 min

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.

True Grit (Part 1)

4. True Grit (Part 1)

February 22, 2016
30 min

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 on and off the field.

True Grit (Part 2)

5. True Grit (Part 2)

February 29, 2016
30 min

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.

My Conscience Tells Me

6. My Conscience Tells Me

March 7, 2016
30 min

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.

How I Met Your Father

7. How I Met Your Father

March 14, 2016
30 min

Former advertising executive Aminah Hart always wanted to be a mother, but no one expected the back-to-front romance that made it happen.

The Beauty Myth

8. The Beauty Myth

March 21, 2016
30 min

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 and body image.

The Minister's Secret

9. The Minister's Secret

March 28, 2016
30 min

The surprising personal revelations of Australia's first Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Fiona Richardson MP.

Whitey's Way

10. Whitey's Way

April 4, 2016
30 min

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 for his life.

Port Arthur

11. Port Arthur

April 11, 2016
30 min

The legacy of the Port Arthur massacre and the impact it had on survivors and witnesses.

Building Bridges

12. Building Bridges

April 18, 2016
30 min

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.

Abby's Road

13. Abby's Road

April 25, 2016
30 min

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 remarkable journey.

A Kind Of Medicine

14. A Kind Of Medicine

May 2, 2016
30 min

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, musician Naomi Wenitong.

Your Money Or Your Life

15. Your Money Or Your Life

May 9, 2016
30 min

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 the odds again?

Dare To Dream

16. Dare To Dream

May 16, 2016
30 min

The remarkable untold story behind the creation of Australia's newest opera and its composer George Palmer.

Into The Fog Of War (Part 1)

17. Into The Fog Of War (Part 1)

May 23, 2016
30 min

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.

Into The Fog Of War (Part 2)

18. Into The Fog Of War (Part 2)

May 30, 2016
30 min

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.

20th Anniversary Special (Part 1)

19. 20th Anniversary Special (Part 1)

June 6, 2016
30 min

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 popular programs.

20th Anniversary Special (Part 2)

20. 20th Anniversary Special (Part 2)

June 13, 2016
30 min

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.

When The Call Comes

21. When The Call Comes

June 20, 2016
30 min

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 graduate.

Limbo Land

22. Limbo Land

June 27, 2016
30 min

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 than done.

One Of The Mob

23. One Of The Mob

July 4, 2016
30 min

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 adventure.

The Longest Expedition

24. The Longest Expedition

July 11, 2016
30 min

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 head injury.

The Heart Bus

25. The Heart Bus

July 18, 2016
30 min

Travel to the outback with innovative engineer-turned-cardiologist Dr Rolf Gomes who takes life-saving cardiac care to people in regional Australia.

Gone Girl

26. Gone Girl

July 25, 2016
30 min

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.

The Two Of Us

27. The Two Of Us

August 1, 2016
30 min

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.

The Olympic Spirit

28. The Olympic Spirit

August 8, 2016
30 min

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 Olympians - Murray Rose.

About A Girl

29. About A Girl

August 15, 2016
30 min

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.

What A Wonderful World

30. What A Wonderful World

August 22, 2016
30 min

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 Long Tan broke out.

A League Of Their Own

31. A League Of Their Own

August 29, 2016
30 min

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.

The Sugar Trip

32. The Sugar Trip

September 5, 2016
30 min

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.

The Flow On Effect

33. The Flow On Effect

September 12, 2016
30 min

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 lives.

When Beccy Met Libby

34. When Beccy Met Libby

September 19, 2016
30 min

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 same-sex marriage?

Shadow Of Doubt

35. Shadow Of Doubt

September 26, 2016
30 min

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.

Tough Love

36. Tough Love

October 3, 2016
30 min

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 their right to reproduce prevail?

The Big Dry

37. The Big Dry

October 10, 2016
30 min

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: young, professional & high functioning.

When Plans Change (Part 1)

38. When Plans Change (Part 1)

October 17, 2016
30 min

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.

When Plans Change (Part 2)

39. When Plans Change (Part 2)

October 24, 2016
30 min

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.

The New Black

40. The New Black

October 31, 2016
30 min

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.

A Field Of Dreams

41. A Field Of Dreams

November 7, 2016
30 min

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.

Out Of The Water

42. Out Of The Water

November 14, 2016
30 min

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.

The Road From Damascus

43. The Road From Damascus

November 21, 2016
30 min

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.