8 /10 1 Votes
Country of origin Australia No. of seasons 19 Original network ABC
ABC News 24 Genre Documentary film | 8.1/10 IMDb Original language(s) English Running time 30 minutes First episode date 29 May 1996 Number of seasons 19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Presented by Caroline Jones (1996-2016) Writers Ben Cheshire, Mara Blazic, Nicky Ruscoe Awards Logie Award for Most Outstanding Public Affairs Report, Logie Award for Best Documentary Series Nominations Logie Award for Most Popular Reality Program Similar True Stories, Border Security: Australia, The Crocodile Hunter, RPA, Foreign Correspondent Profiles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Australian Story is a national weekly reality documentary television series produced by and broadcast on ABC Television. The program has aired since 1996, and each episode features the story of Australians from diverse backgrounds and reputations.
Contents
Australian story series 2013 a place for us
Format
Caroline Jones has presented the series since the program began, however it is common for a high profile person to introduce particular episodes as well. Despite Jones being presenter, there is no reporter narration. Instead, the stories are 'told' by the profile subjects and other individuals such as friends, family, colleagues and critics.
The personal approach to story-telling has been very well received with the program winning many awards including multiple Walkley Awards for excellence in journalism and four consecutive Logie Awards. As of 2013, it attracted an average audience of more than one million viewers each week making it one of the most popular programs on ABC Television.
Jones announced she would be leaving the ABC at the end of 2016. As a result of her departure, it was announced the Australian Story format would change to be no longer introduced by a presenter.
Profiles
The program features both high profile Australians, such as politicians or celebrities, as well as ordinary Australians without a profile. Examples of well known people featured include Hazel Hawke, rugby league coach Wayne Bennett, Australia's first female Prime Minister Julia Gillard, broadcaster Red Symons, actor and author William McInnes, former Governor-General Peter Hollingworth, the founders of fashion label Sass & bide, art-activist Van Rudd, Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin and actress and singer Belinda Emmett. Lower profile Australians have also been profiled, such as Sabina Wolanski who was the Holocaust survivor chosen to represent the six million dead at the opening of the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.