Australian Story Season 27, Episode 12: Breaking Free

1

Glenn McGrath: Bowled Over

At home with Aussie cricket legend Glenn McGrath as he and his growing family continue to honour the legacy of his late wife Jane. His children James and Holly speak publicly for the first time about their mother's legacy.

30 min

2

Fakes

After falling for a man whose life was a carefully constructed web of lies, journalist Stephanie Wood meets other women with uncannily similar experiences.

32 min

3

The Great Escapes

Magician Arthur Coghlan's death-defying escapes in the 1970s earned him the title of Australia's Houdini. Now in his late 80s he reveals the stories behind his most terrifying stunts and how he's passed the magic onto his daughter.

30 min

4

Trials and Tribulations (Part 1)

Having spent more than 12 years in jail for murder, Scott Austic was acquitted after revelations of planted evidence. Now the family of victim Stacey Thorne is demanding police reopen the investigation to find her killer.

31 min

5

Trials and Tribulations (Part 2)

Having spent more than 12 years in jail for murder, Scott Austic was acquitted after sensational revelations. Now the family of victim Stacey Thorne is demanding police reopen the investigation to find her killer.

33 min

6

Into the Wild

A young couple brave extreme weather and isolation to tackle Australia's extinction crisis, successfully reintroducing long-lost native animals back into the remote Sturt Desert.

29 min

7

Nicola Forrest: The Undercover Billionaire

How the loss of her stillborn daughter set billionaire philanthropist Nicola Forrest and her husband Andrew on the path of pledging to give away the "vast majority" of their mining fortune.

33 min

8

Lisa Curry: The Deep End

Former golden girl of the pool Lisa Curry has lived in the spotlight for decades. We've seen her weddings, babies and divorce. Now Lisa opens up about the heart-wrenching loss of her daughter Jaimi.

32 min

9

Bon Scott: On the Brink

Bon Scott was set to become an international rock star with AC/DC when he died suddenly in 1980. Now for the first time, family and friends open up about his vulnerabilities and state of mind leading up to his untimely death.

38 min

10

Cathy McGowan: An Independent Woman

Cathy McGowan is considered the "godmother" of the Independents movement that's dominating the election. The former member for Indi is also its secret weapon, sharing her insights with candidates across the country.

34 min

11

Kathy Lette: Letting Loose

Co-author of Puberty Blues Kathy Lette has mined her life for stories since her teens. Now post-menopause, she opens up about her life and determination to age disgracefully.

33 min

12

Breaking Free

A notorious bank robber destined for a life in prison discovers a new path when he confronts his hidden trauma. Now he's assisting others to seek justice for crimes long buried, but it's been a rocky road to redemption.

33 min

13

Shanna Whan: Last Drinks

The story of how self-described 'small town drunk' Shanna Whan transformed her life to become Australian of the Year Local Hero and is now changing attitudes to booze in the bush.

32 min

14

The Songlines of Leah Purcell

From dirt poor beginnings, actor, writer and director Leah Purcell is now at the top of her game, weaving her family's complicated history and her own troubled past into a powerful reimagining of a classic Australian tale.

29 min

15

A Community Undertaking

In the working-class town of Port Kembla, a small funeral home is transforming the way we deal with death and sparking a quiet revolution in the process.

32 min

16

Jumping the Gun (Part 1)

A devoted aunt investigates the mysterious death of her niece Amy Wensley, throwing doubt on the police case and exposing devastating investigative failures.

36 min

17

Jumping the Gun (Part 2)

Concluding the story about the mysterious death of Amy Wensley. As her family fights for justice, they discover a flawed police investigation and devastating forensic oversights.

37 min

18

Lyn Dawson: Vanished

Missing for 40 years, Lyn Dawson's sister and brother never gave up hope they'd find justice. Behind the scenes as her siblings prepare for the outcome of her husband Chris Dawson's murder trial and digest the guilty verdict.

36 min

19

David Pocock: A Whole New Ball Game

Senate powerbroker of the moment David Pocock on the forces that drew him to politics and why his background as an international rugby star helped prepare him for his biggest test yet.

33 min

20

Fire Fight: Mick Tisbury

One man's decade-long mission to expose the extent of an alarming chemical contamination scandal. Then, with no medical training, firefighter Mick Tisbury found an ingenious solution to help those who'd been exposed.

32 min

21

If You Build It - Greg Donovan

When middle-aged insurance executive Greg Donovan was made redundant, he was told to play it safe. Instead he gambled his payout on a crazy idea to build the world's most remote music festival - and won.

30 min

22

In a Different League - Michael Cheika

Controversial rugby coach Michael Cheika has never been in greater international demand. So why is he taking a lowly ranked team to the Rugby League World Cup?

31 min

23

Getting Heavy - Parkway Drive

How five surfers from Byron Bay, in one of the biggest heavy metal bands in the world, turned to therapy to confront their past, save their career and rebuild their friendship.

35 min

24

A World of Their Own - The Seekers

Remembering singing legend Judith Durham and the trailblazing band who put Australian music on the map.

33 min

25

Losing Faith

When Citipointe Christian College issued an enrolment contract asking parents to agree homosexuality was a sin, the protests of students sparked a firestorm around the rights of religious schools to practise their beliefs.

33 min

26

A Star Is Torn - Tim Minchin

After his dazzling career comes unstuck, musician, actor and provocateur Tim Minchin reassesses his comedy, questions the dangerous allure of fame, and finds home is where the heart is.

31 min

27

Life of Poh

From a "nerd" named Sharon to one of Australia's most loved celebrity chefs - how Poh Ling Yeow has refined the art of reinvention and made peace with her past.

31 min

28

My Name is Charles - The Somerton Man

After more than 70 years, one of Australia's most enduring mysteries - the identity of the "Somerton Man" - is finally solved.

31 min

29

Leaning In - Ita Buttrose

As the ABC's 90th year draws to a close, Chair Ita Buttrose reflects on a life in the spotlight and how six decades as a pioneering female journalist and magazine editor helped prepare her for one of the ABC's toughest jobs.

33 min