Australian Story - Season 24

Introduced by actor and director Simon Baker

When screen legend Jack Thompson checked himself into Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital last year, he had no idea how sick he was.

Unbeknown to Jack, his kidneys had failed and he was 48 hours away from death.

Told that he would have to go on dialysis three times a week for five hours, he realised his acting career was in jeopardy.

The film he was about to shoot was set in remote Kakadu, 250 km away from the nearest dialysis unit in Darwin.

It looked like he would have to pull out of the movie — until a big purple truck came to the rescue, a gesture of friendship and respect from the Territory's Indigenous community.

Tim Duncan was a junior doctor, on the brink of leaving medicine for a film making career, when he found himself in desperate need of medical care.

Lying by the side of an outback road, with critical injuries, he knew his only hope for survival was immediate medical attention.

In that moment, as his life was ebbing away, Tim made a pact: if he survived, he would devote himself to emergency medicine.

Revisit the life of legendary broadcaster Mike Willesee who died of throat cancer on Friday. Mike's career spanned five decades, shaping current affairs in Australia and was known as the best interviewer in the business.

Introduced by Norman Swan, ABC Radio National Health Report

It's widely accepted nowadays that pregnant women shouldn't take any medication unless it's absolutely necessary.

But in the early 1960's that wasn't the case.

Reassured by their doctors, thousands of women around the world took the drug thalidomide as a treatment for morning sickness, only to be faced with babies born with catastrophic disabilities.

Born in March 1963, Lisa McManus is one of Australia's youngest survivors. She's leading a group who have taken their fight to Canberra's Parliament House, in a last ditch battle for recognition, compensation and an apology.

This week's Australian Story takes viewers behind the scenes of the Australian effort to separate Bhutanese conjoined twins Nima and Dawa.

It took a village of medicos, health workers and volunteers to bring them to Australia, perform the ground-breaking operation and assist in their five month recovery.

The story features exclusive interviews and vision, including the first moments the toddlers reunite with their father in Bhutan as newly independent individuals.

Introduced by Osher Günsberg

Writer and comedian Rosie Waterland has made a successful career out of seeing the funny side of her traumatic childhood.

Whether it's growing up with alcoholic parents, hiding from welfare workers as a "houso" kid or finding her father's 'dead' body', the darker things got in Rosie's life, the funnier she became.

But as Rosie's star was rising, the trauma of her childhood caught up with her.

It's been her three sisters, torn apart as children when the family disintegrated, who've been the ones helping her back to wholeness.

The extraordinary story of Behrouz Boochani, the man who won Australia's richest literary award but remains unable to set foot in this country.

The stateless refugee, who's in detention on Manus Island, smuggled out his entire book text by text on a smuggled mobile phone.

In January, No Friend But the Mountains won the $100,000 Victorian Prize for Literature,

Born during the Iran-Iraq war and suffering persecution as a Kurd in his homeland, Boochani fled Iran, seeking refuge in Australia.

Arriving on Christmas Island four days after the government toughened its stance on refugees arriving by boat, he was taken to Manus Island where he has remained for five years.

This is the story of determination to celebrate life, even when virtually all hope of escaping a hellish situation has been dashed.

Introduced by Myf Warhurst

The Seekers were the trailblazers of Australian music in the 1960s, knocking heavy hitters such as the Beatles off the top of the charts in the UK and taking the US by storm.

Best known for their unique blend of harmonies and the voice of Judith Durham, the band were unlike anything of their time.

Now, fresh off the back of a record deal featuring their final tour, The Seekers are taking part in the first television documentary since their split 50 years ago. All four band members Athol Guy, Bruce Woodley, Judith Durham and Keith

Potger discuss their music, the impact of sudden fame and the painful fallout from their famous parting.

Introduced by Cate Blanchett.

Jocelyn Moorhouse and PJ Hogan are two of this country's most celebrated movie directors. The success of their debut films had Hollywood calling and they have since worked with some of the biggest names in film.

They are also the parents of four children, two of whom have severe autism. And the experience of raising those children has shaped their personalities and careers.

Jocelyn gave up her career to concentrate on her son and daughter's therapy. She didn't expect to direct again.

But in 2015, 18 years after making her last film, she made a triumphant return with The Dressmaker.

In this intimate portrait, the family speaks candidly about the challenges, heartbreak and unexpected joys of living with two severely autistic children.

Introduced by John Doyle

How far would you push yourself for a cause you believe in?

Australian CEO Mina Guli, 48, is on a mission to draw attention to the global water crisis. In order to do that she attempted a physical feat so extreme, most people would consider it impossible — running 100 marathons in 100 days across the world.

Mina is driven by urgency: By 2030, it's estimated the demand for fresh water will outstrip supply by 40 per cent.

But when her body literally broke during marathon 62, Mina thought all was lost.

Unexpectedly, the campaign took on a life of its own.

Introduced by Mal Leyland

When 21-year-old Menindee farmer Kate McBride came across thousands of dying fish in her beloved Darling River she was determined to tell the country what was happening.

She posted the pictures on her family's Facebook page and the images went viral.

"I don't think there's a way to put into words what seeing millions of dead fish on the river that you've called home for your whole life is," she remembers. "It was just pure devastation… these animals were suffering."

By the time truckloads of fish were disposed of at the town dump, Kate was emerging as a fierce advocate for the health of the Darling River and a leader to watch.

She's been documenting local health concerns about water supplies from the river and is pushing for a Federal Royal Commission.

Introduced by musician Ben Folds

Kate Miller-Heidke opens up to Australian Story about the private pain behind the very personal song she is performing at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest.

In what is a candid insight into one of the world's leading "vocal gymnasts", the singer reveals the challenges of motherhood and how she overcame her struggles.

Inspired by the experience, she wrote a song, Zero Gravity, which she will perform at the semi-finals in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Out of the Box features interviews with family, friends, and music legends Tina Arena and Ben Folds in this exhilarating backstage pass to the world's largest song contest.

Australian Story celebrates the extraordinary life and career of Bob Hawke, Australia's 23rd and most popular prime minister, who died aged 89 on 16th May 2019.

Hawke won four elections, becoming Labor's longest-serving prime minister and overseeing profound economic and social reform. Eventually Hawke's fruitful relationship with treasurer Paul Keating soured and he lost the leadership of the party, bringing to an end a stellar career.

Hawke approached his final years content with his life and proud of his achievements, saying "I don't think about death, I'm not frightened of death".

This intimate portrait features extensive archive, including rare photos from the family's private collection, and revealing interviews with Hawke, his biographer and second wife Blanche D'Alpuget and his three children.

Introduced by Western Australia's Attorney-General John Quigley

When Pamela Lawrence was brutally murdered in her Perth shop in 1994 police focused their investigation around one suspect, Andrew Mallard.

He quickly became the victim of a miscarriage of justice, spending twelve years in jail for a crime he didn't commit.

Mallard's family fought successfully to release him, enlisting then WA Shadow Attorney-General John Quigley and journalist Colleen Egan who uncovered a trail of deception and police misconduct.

In this updated episode of Andrew Mallard's story, Australian Story talks to the friends who stood by him until his untimely death last month.

Introduced by Wentworth actor Leah Purcell

This week's story tracks the fall and rise of Debbie Kilroy — from high security women's prisoner to high-profile crusading lawyer.

Debbie was sentenced to six years for drug trafficking. She began university studies in jail and made history when she became the first woman with a serious conviction to be admitted as ‘a fit and proper person' to the bar of Queensland.

Earlier this year, Debbie mounted a spur-of-the-moment crowd-funding campaign to pay off the court debts of Indigenous women incarcerated in Western Australia for defaulting on fines.

The campaign raised over $400,000 and has led to the release of 11 women from prison.

Introduced by former foreign minister Julie Bishop

Anthony Maslin (Maz) and Marite Norris (Rin) faced the unimaginable when their "whole family was shot out of the sky".

Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was struck by a missile over a Ukrainian warzone in 2014.

The couple's three children, Mo, Evie and Otis, along with their grandfather Nick Norris, became the faces of a senseless war crime.

As the five-year anniversary approaches, Maz and Rin share, for the first time, how they are coping with their loss and moving forward with strength, positivity and compassion.

Australian Story returns with the story of Yoshe Taylor, a Queensland mother duped into smuggling drugs for an international syndicate.

In this two-part exclusive program, Australian Story investigates how a web of lies intertwined to gain Yoshe's trust in a man named "Precious Max", whom she'd met on a dating site. He promised friendship, business opportunities and emotional support before inviting Yoshe to Cambodia several times. It was on her third trip that authorities found 2kg of heroin stitched into a bag she was carrying.

Yoshe Taylor is speaking out for the first time since being released from a Cambodia prison in a surprising legal victory to warn others of the scam that's turning innocent people into unsuspecting drug mules.

Part 2 of Yoshe Taylor's incredible fight for justice as she speaks out for the first time since being released from a Cambodian prison to warn others of the scam that's turning innocent people into unsuspecting drug mules.

Introduced by Australian Story producer Ben Cheshire

Remembering the late Tim Fischer, who died on August 21, 2019, age 73.

A widely respected and quirky political figure, Mr Fischer's remarkable career began as a 20-year-old conscript fighting in the jungles in Vietnam and ended in the Vatican as Australia's top diplomat.

But the Boy from Boree Creek (a tiny town near Wagga Wagga) made his greatest contribution in politics as the deputy prime minister, and will be remembered for the key role he played in reforming Australia's gun laws.

Recently as his health faded, Tim's family invited Australian Story to join them on what turned out to be one of his last trips to his home town of Boree Creek.

By train, of course.

It was the unlikely rag tag bunch of people that became a musical phenomenon. Choir of Hard Knocks put homelessness in the national spotlight, but 13 years on from the ABC documentary, where have their voices led them as a new choir master takes over the mic?

When ABC broadcaster Jill Emberson was told she had ovarian cancer, she opted to go public and go loud. Fighting the deadliest of all women's cancers, Jill decided to advocate for more awareness and funding.

As he prepares to celebrate his 80th birthday, an uncharacteristically reflective Paul Hogan looks back over his remarkable life and career. Featuring unseen photos and candid insights from family, friends and colleagues.

After the success of Crocodile Dundee, Paul Hogan had the world at his feet. But when he left his wife of 30 years for co-star Linda Kozlowski the media turned. Candid insights from Paul, his family, friends and colleagues.

Emma and Richard Austin endured ten years of gruelling fertility treatment in their quest for a baby. Forced to abandon their dream, a surprise offer came from a couple facing the dilemma of managing their leftover embryos. The gift became baby Henry.

Brothel madam Shirley Finn was shot through the head on a Perth golf course in 1975. After her daughter's 10-year battle to discover who killed her mother, an inquest hears fresh allegations of possible police involvement.

More than 70 years after an unidentified body was found on an Adelaide beach, a solution may be in sight to the long running mystery of the Somerton Man. Will modern DNA testing finally give him a name and unearth the truth?

Released on parole after 12 years of incarceration in Bulgaria for murder, Jock Palfreeman's fight for justice saw him caught up in a bitter political struggle threatening Bulgaria's diplomatic relationship with Australia.

Craig Foster built a formidable reputation as a football player and broadcaster. But when Bahraini footballer and refugee Hakeem Al-Araibi, was imprisoned in Thailand, he led a global media campaign to fight for his freedom.

In the NSW mid-north coast town of Kempsey, principal Mark Morrison brushes close to the rules to give troubled teens their last chance at a high school education. He seems headed for a record number of student graduations.

Vincent Fantauzzo went from menial jobs and petty crime to painting portraits of Heath Ledger, Julia Gillard and wife Asher Keddie. He describes his dyslexia as a gift allowing him to see the world from a unique perspective.

After almost killing herself through alcohol abuse, Shanna Whan started a movement to change the pervasive culture of alcohol in rural Australia. Now she travels the country with the message "It's OK to say no to a beer."

17-year-old Ursula Barwick vanished without a trace in 1987, leaving her family in limbo for three decades. When the truth was finally revealed it raised serious questions about the police investigation.

Introduced by NSW Australian of the Year, Dr Munjed Al Muderis

Late last year Ghanim Al Shnen was working on a building site when a metal bar he was holding struck overhead wires. He suffered catastrophic injuries that resulted in the amputation of both his arms.

Now, in a world-first procedure, he is being fitted with two robotic arms that he will control with his mind. Overseeing this complex process is renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr Munjed al Muderis.

The two men have much in common. Both fled Iraq in fear of their lives, arriving in Australia by boat. Boat spent time in detention centres where they used the time to educate themselves.

To adapt to a life with no arms is profoundly difficult but Ghanim has impressed everyone with his resilience, positivity and good humour.

Australian Story filmed with Ghanim over six months, following this medical miracle as it unfolded.

Minutes after entering the water in the Whitsundays, Tasmanian woman Justine Barwick was fighting for life following a shark bite. As the shark control debate continues, she tells her remarkable story for the first time.

From a homeless alcoholic living in the wild to academic success and a book deal, the next chapter in the amazing comeback story of forest dweller Gregory Smith. (Final for 2019)