Australian Story
Australian Story is a national weekly current affairs and documentary style television series which is broadcast on ABC Television.[1] It is produced specifically by the ABC News and Current Affairs Department.[2] The program first aired on 29 May 1996, and since then it has continued to profile various Australian people, typically ones with a diverse background or notable reputation.[1]
Not to be confused with My Australian Story.Australian Story
News and Current Affairs/ Documentary
Caroline Jones (1996–2016) Leigh Sales (2023–)
Australia
English
25
1011
Caitlin Shea
ABC Brisbane
30 minutes
29 May 1996 –
present
Australian Story tends to explore themes such as 'heroic achievement', 'taking a stand' and 'human weakness'.[2] The episodes are known to frame people or situations in a sympathetic light.[2] This personal approach to story-telling has been well received by many, with the program winning many awards including multiple Walkley Awards for excellence in journalism and four consecutive Logie Awards (2003–2006).[3] 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.[4]
Format[edit]
Australian Story is a weekly half-hour program which airs on Mondays at 8pm (AEST).[5][6] The program is categorised as a documentary style current affairs program.[7] This hybrid categorisation[7] is a result of the program's decision to present newsworthy stories without the presence of an onscreen reporter.[1] Instead, the program aims to have subjects tell their own stories in their own words.[6]
Each week the program presents a story relating to a notable figure or unknown Australian with an interesting story.[1] These are referred to as profiles and they convey subjective experiences.[2] Profiles account for both Australian celebrities and lesser known more ordinary Australians.[1] The program has an intimate approach to storytelling.[2] The subjects are filmed in relevant environments such as their respective home or workplace.[7] Profiles also include footage of and confessionals made by relevant family and friends.[7] Each profile on average, is filmed over a period of 10–12 days, and each episode has an eight-week turnaround.[7]
Broadcast history[edit]
In 1996 the ABC restructured its current affairs program The 7:30 Report, turning separate state editions into one centralised national program.[7] As a result, The 7:30 Report had less scope for localised, human interest stories.[7] ABC in Brisbane established Australian Story as a result of the restructuring, and they were given a remit for rural coverage.[7] The program began screening on 29 May 1996.[1]
Australian Story was initially supposed to be a series of small magazine-style stories.[8] It quickly started focusing on one single story for each episode, this is the format it still uses today.[8] Given it was shot predominantly outside of a studio and always without the presence of a reporter, Australian Story was originally considered to be a novelty current affairs program.[8] Other unconventional elements included their camera work and pacing which were considered to be slow and cinematic.[8] These characteristics of the show contribute to its classification as a documentary.[1]
In 2016 Australian Story celebrated its 20th anniversary and broadcast a two-part special.[8] The special acknowledged many notable stories covered since the program's inception, such as Hazel Hawke's Alzheimer's diagnosis, Australian actress Jacki Weaver's bought with alcoholism and Gail Shann's life in rural Queensland after losing her arms.[8] The special revealed that over the span of 20 years Australian Story had covered over 800 stories.[9]
Caroline Jones was previously the program's presenter and would introduce the subject at the beginning of an episode.[10] Occasionally a high-profile person would fill this role, such one off presenters included the likes of Matt Damon, Elton John and Dawn Fraser.[8] Jones announced she was leaving Australian Story at the end of 2016.[10] As a result of her departure, it was decided that episodes would no longer be introduced by a presenter,[10] although in 2023 the original format returned with Leigh Sales stepping into the role.[11]
Episodes of Australian Story have always aired on a Monday night at 8:00pm (AEST) on ABC TV.[1] They are now also posted weekly to YouTube.[6] In addition to this, episodes are made available via the AustralIan Story webpage and ABC iview.[6]