Season 8

Hazel Hawke speaks out about a confronting issue, and looming national crisis, by revealing that she has Alzheimer's disease.

Brenden Abbott, aka "The Postcard Bandit" is now undergoing what's alleged to be the longest continuous term of solitary confinement endured in an Australian jail.

Tracks Hetty Johnston's journey from anonymous working mother to community activist to major player at the centre of national events.

ABC cameraman Paul Moran was killed by a suicide bomb in Iraq early in 2003. He was the first journalist to die in the Iraq war and the first Australian casualty.

For more than 30 years Mischelle lived her life in silence, all that changed 3 years ago when she underwent successful surgery for a cochlear implant.

Mike Munro's professional successes have been achieved despite growing up in grinding poverty with an alcoholic and violent mother.

From a boyhood spent catching snakes and crocodiles, Steve Irwin is now a Hollywood celebrity seen by over 200 million people in 230 countries.

Alison Grosse and her supporters tell a story of dirty politics, trial by media and a stalker whose strategy was to throw mud at every opportunity.

Geoff Clark has always been a controversial figure and no more so than now after allegations of rape led to his suspension.

Alan Finch, confused about his sexuality as a teenager eventually started living as a woman, but at the age of 21 made a tragic mistake.

The besieged former Chief Executive of Pan Pharmaceuticals, Jim Selim, has refused to talk publicly until tonight's Australian Story.

Follows RSPCA Inspectors on an eye opening variety of raids and investigations, as they gather evidence and attempt to bring perpetrators to justice.

A story of love, loss and high adventure that centres on a young man who fulfils his boyhood dream of becoming one of the Air Force's F-111 pilots.

Lyn Dawson was a devoted young mother with a seemingly perfect marriage to a glamorous, high profile football star and two daughters she adored. But twenty years ago, she disappeared without warning and without trace.

Layne Beachley is the most successful Australian surfer ever - female or male - after securing her fifth world title last year.

Bruce Kiehne has gone from being a $400-a-week boilermaker to the head of a multi-million dollar public company, all because of a needle stick accident to a family member.

Australian Story takes a look at the surprising emergence of former Australian cricket captain Ian Chappell as an activist on behalf of asylum-seekers.

Mary Moody is a grandmother and Gardening Australia veteran who achieved success with a book she wrote about an extended holiday in France. But the sequel which she is now preparing has unleashed unexpected consequences.

In the aftermath of his sister's death Chris Newman faced a bleak future. On top of the trauma of his early life, the little boy was diagnosed as autistic.

Ballina-based former police officer Lance Ferris dedicated his life to fixing the plight of the pelicans.

Australian Story filmed with Simon Crean, as the crisis over the leadership of the ALP built.

Tom Nash survived a catastrophic case of meningococcal and is currently helping with an awareness campaign to warn other young people about the disease.

Jacki Weaver is one of Australia's best loved, most enduring and most successful actors - in film, TV and on the stage. She has been a major figure in the Australian arts community for more than forty years. But the passions and tragedies on stage have sometimes been eclipsed by dramas in her own life - in particular her highly publicised relationships with men - from legendary theatrical director Richard Wherrett to controversial television and radio presenter Derryn Hinch. In 'Secret Life of Jacki' she talks candidly about the struggle to get over a devastating recent period in her life when grief and depression drove her into difficulties she believes she has now overcome... difficulties discussed in detail in the program. In a moving episode, Jacki Weaver, now 56, also reveals details of her long relationship with Richard Wherrett, who died of liver failure in December 2001 after a long struggle with HIV. Wherrett was openly gay but during his lifetime he acknowledged Jacki as the most important relationship of his life. The passionate personal and professional relationship between these two icons of the arts world has been the subject of a great deal of speculation over the years. Jacki Weaver now reveals the truth about that remarkable relationship...

Dan Halloran, now on the verge of adulthood has helped write a book to try to assist other families dealing with schizophrenia.

Never before has an Australian run 100 metres in under ten seconds - at least not until Patrick Johnson achieved it in a most spectacular fashion.

For more than 40 hours Victoria Friend waited in dense bushland for rescuers to save her and her fiancé Geoff Henderson after their single-engine plane crashed.

Sydney brain surgeon Dr Charlie Teo is known for his aggressive attitude to removing brain tumours.

In the Tasmanian Midlands four sisters pooled their resources to buy back the beloved family farm.

27 year old Gayle Shann was working with her husband putting in fence posts on their property "Cantaur Park" when her glove became entangled in a drilling machine inflicting shocking injuries and nearly ripping her apart. It would take half an hour for the nearest neighbour to arrive and a further two hours for the flying doctor to get there. Luckily for Gayle that neighbour was a former nurse - but she was shocked by the extent of the injuries. Gayle's right arm and shoulder and had been ripped from her body, the left arm paralysed, her face slashed and a leg fractured. It's left Gayle physically dependent on her 24 year old husband for almost every need - from putting on her make-up to being fed meals - a bitter blow for a young woman who excelled at physical tasks and was a top competitive horse rider (camp drafting). The couple's predicament has galvanised the local community. They've raised about $200,000 - nearly three times their original target - to help with medical and rehabilitation costs. Australian Story details the drama of the combined rescue effort which saved Gayle's life - and relates the love story which is making it possible for her to cope with her injuries and stay on the land.

A notorious murder case, unresolved after 30 years and now back in the headlines because of moves for the law itself to be changed.

A Sydney lawyer, Rachael Wallbank, pursuing the case of a lifetime.

Former NSW Police Commissioner Tony Lauer and his family.

One of Australia's wealthiest families, the Morans.

Inside the sometimes controversial Moran family dynasty.

The Australian bush welcome extended to two families fleeing the troubles in Zimbabwe.

Kerry Armstrong has led a life like one of the roles she's played - a roller coaster ride of triumph and tragedy.