“It’s a tough gig” to be profiled on Australian Story

It’s often branded as being a sympathetic portrait. Even The Chaser once called it ‘award winning misery.’ But according to host Caroline Jones, Australian Story is far from being a pushover for those who are on it, due to the access required.

“It’s a tough gig. How would you like to have a camera crew, and part of your life for weeks or months or sometimes even years on end –off and on?” she asks.

The ABC’s documentary series marks 20 years on air, with Jones as presenter across two decades and founding producer Deb Fleming having steered it for 19 of those years (she has since been succeeded by ex-Four Corners producer Deb Masters).

While the show emerged from both Jones’ own radio programme and the now-defunct A Big Country, it was also a response to current affairs programmes circa 1996, a time when Frontline had parodied journalists as the “stars” of reportage.

By contrast, Australian Story leaves their reporters on the cutting room floor.

“We do lengthy, exhausting and probing interviews but what we show are the answers, keeping the reporter / producer behind the scenes. We’ve found that our audience is very happy with that,” Jones explains.

“You get a mix of high-profile people lowering their guard or ‘every day’ people whose powerful, personal story illuminates a matter of public interest.”

“It was newsworthy but also intensely touching”

The roll-call of famous Australians is now too long to reel off, but Jones recalls a few memorable stories.

“Dame Elisabeth Murdoch reduced her media mogul son, Rupert, to a naughty small boy to whom she had to apply the slipper on occasion. That conjured up a wonderful image!”

“And Diana Bliss revealed behind the scenes of the boom and bust career of Alan Bond, the man who won the America’s Cup for Australia.

“Gayle Rivkin and her family gave a harrowing account of living with the manic depression of celebrity stockbroker, Rene Rivkin.

“And much-loved former First Lady Hazel Hawke revealed that she had Alzheimers.

“It was newsworthy but also intensely touching, moving and a powerful way of bringing attention to a matter of great publicity interest.”

But there are also stories featuring ‘ordinary’ Australians with rich and fascinating stories, such as bootmaker Peter Brocklehurst who realised ambitions to become an opera singer, Barry Singh who left a banana planation to form the Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra. But there was also Pat Assheton, mother of a heroin addict, who was enraged at the lack of help for her son.

“I can remember a quote from that story: ‘You see your own flesh and blood slowly sinking.’ The effect of that story was an increase in national awareness of the problem and they said, some healing for the family,” says Jones.

“The words convey only part of the meaning”

The programme also uses a distinct portrait quality in its interviews, captured by field crew Laurence McManus, Anthony Sines, Quentin Davis, Mark Farnell and Marc Smith.

“They are beautifully lit and they allow the audience a lingering examination of the face and mannerisms of the subject of the story. This is an intimate exploration of a personality. The words convey only part of the meaning. We learn so much more from the facial and body language,” she continues.

“I don’t necessarily choose what I introduce. I’m just pleased when I’m invited to do that. Apart from that I am a voice of experience in the background. And I’m very active on social media!”

On occasions the show has also come in for its share of criticism, including from Media Watch, who have questioned either its balance or chosen subject.

Last year, in an earlier interview with TV Tonight, Jones acknowledged “You try to be right but maybe sometimes well… every programme is open to criticism and that’s fair.”

This week and next Australian Story looks back on some of its more memorable episodes -including the famous, not so famous, the parodies and even the criticisms. It’s all part of a tapestry that still draws a crowd.

Jones, whose media career stems back to 1968, says she will remain with the show for ‘as long as she is useful.’

“When I am no longer useful I will step aside with the gratitude for the journalistic experience of a lifetime,” she remarks.

And to the question of whether she would ever agree to being profiled with her own story? It’s a tough gig, remember….

“I would a run a mile!”

Australian Story: Anniversary Special airs 8pm Monday June 6 & 13 on ABC.