Australian Story: Feb 14

Australian Story next week follows the travels that ensue when an 85-year-old motorcyclist, Doug Sunderland of Wangaratta becomes friends with young Melbourne rider, Kris Growcott.

After losing his wife and being diagnosed with prostate cancer, Doug Sunderland “went down and nutty” until he followed doctor’s orders and got back on his bike.

Twelve years, 19 countries and thousands of kilometres later, Sunderland has camped on every continent including Antarctica – at age 80 – and even went white water rafting on the Zambesi River at 82. He also began speaking at RSLs and retirement homes around the nation.

By late 2010, Sunderland’s health was failing but he was determined to ride one more lap around Australia. That’s when Sunderland met Growcott, who didn’t want to see his new friend sleeping in a swag road-side or skipping dinner, as he normally does.

“I’ve never met anyone as interesting or inspiring,” recalls Growcott.

Within two weeks, Growcott galvanised an online community ready to help Sunderland on his way. On his return to Melbourne, almost 3000 Facebook fans were keen to cheer Sunderland across the line.

Sunderland doesn’t understand the fuss. He was going to ride anyway.

Filmed around the nation from Darwin, Katherine, Perth, Adelaide, Mt Gambier, Melbourne and back home to Wangaratta, this is an Australian Story of community spirit, mateship and adventure.

It airs Monday, February 14 at 8pm on ABC1.