Australian Story — Season 31

Aired 2 February 2026 • 30 min

Six years ago, Olympic champion Michael Klim almost lost the ability to walk. Then he received a devastating diagnosis. In this moving episode, Klim reveals how he hit rock bottom but ultimately emerged stronger.

Aired 9 February 2026 • 31 min

The reclusive adventure filmmaker and '80s icon Alby Mangels looks back on an extraordinary career and explains why he turned his back on fame.

Aired 16 February 2026 • 31 min

Sophie Hyde is one of Australia's most successful directors, working with some of Hollywood's finest. But in her latest film she turns the spotlight on her own family.

Aired 23 February 2026

When pensioner Ian Williams lost $1,300 in a banking scam, he expected a quick refund and apology. The bank's response so incensed the "stubborn bugger", he sued it for $379,000,000.

Aired 9 March 2026 • 31 min

Who cares for our children when we're gone if they can't care for themselves? As Deirdre Croft faces the end of her life, she's on a mission to ensure her son is looked after when she's gone.

Aired 16 March 2026 • 31 min

From Arnhem Land to rock stardom, Yothu Yindi's Witiyana Marika was destined to take centre stage. Now, at a crucial time for his community, he's shed his dreadlocks and emerged as a leader of his people.

Aired 23 March 2026 • 31 min

Many would have despaired after losing both their arms but Ghanim Al Shnen embraced the possibilities of bionic medicine and focused on a dream - to be reunited with his family after 12 years apart.

Aired 30 March 2026 • 30 min

In the 1960s and 70s, Mal Leyland was one of the best-known people on TV, as one half of the Leyland Brothers. Now at age 81, the pioneer of outback documentaries is suffering dementia - but still planning one last trip.

Aired 6 April 2026 • 31 min

In 1966, a Melbourne high school was thrown into chaos when strange objects appeared in the sky. Sixty years on from Australia's biggest UFO sighting, witnesses are still looking for answers about what they saw at Westall.

Aired 13 April 2026 • 31 min

Belgian backpacker Celine Cremer was on the trip of a lifetime but on a hike in Tasmania she took a wrong turn and was never seen again. More than two years later a group of friends and volunteers set out looking for answers.

Aired 20 April 2026 • 33 min

Two and half years after Belgian backpacker Celine Cremer went missing on a short hike, friends and local volunteers scour the forest and finally find the answers they're looking for.

Aired 4 May 2026 • 35 min

Broadcaster James Valentine was offered two different treatments for his cancer so he chose the one that let him keep doing what he loved. When it returned a year later, he faced the end with courage, purpose and humour.

Aired 11 May 2026 • 30 min

John Polson was a troubled teen when a sliding doors moment led him into the world of acting. He went on to create Tropfest, one of the world's biggest short film festivals, changing his life and the Australian industry.

Aired 18 May 2026 • 31 min

Sheep farmer Rob Armstrong never expected to be the face of political resistance. But when his state government proposed a levy that would hit volunteer country firefighters, a childhood trauma propelled him into action.

Aired 25 May 2026 • 31 min

When Instagram trolls accused actor and director Rachel Ward of 'letting herself go', she used the attention to talk about her passion, regenerative farming, which has given her a renewed sense of purpose.

Aired 1 June 2026 • 31 min

At 15, Mohamed Semra made headlines when he was kicked out of a Melbourne Apple Store by staff who were worried he might steal something. At 27, he's making history as the first Australian mayor from sub-Saharan Africa.