Untold Australia: A Modern Mutiny

Tonight SBS screens the second of its single documentaries as part of Untold Australia.

A Modern Mutiny follows four residents during a tumultuous year on Norfolk Island. An outsider, on assignment from Australia, is among them – and Norfolk’s cherished self-rule is in the firing line.

Norfolk Island is 5 miles long by 3 miles wide; or, as some would say of this close-knit community, 5 minutes long and 3 minutes wide when it comes to gossip. In this remote Australian external territory where the local population descended from the legendary Bounty mutineers, it’s no surprise they have their own way of doing things.

With their own language, a blend of old seafaring English and Tahitian, and a hidden culture, many don’t see themselves as Australian – that it says so on their passport is merely ‘a technicality’.

But recent hard times have forced the island to reach out to Australia for help, and with mainland help comes mainland rules. A modern day mutiny is brewing offshore.

8.30pm Wednesday April 20 on SBS.