Mon, Jun 4, 2007
Australian Story this week asks the question of how far someone should reasonably go to save the life of a perfect stranger. Ash Falkingham is a young Sydney man who's decided to go to Canada to donate his kidney to a seriously ill woman he's only just met. Since his mother found out, she's been desperately trying to stop the surgery. Ash is a member of a controversial group called the Jesus Christians. Nineteen of its 30 members have already donated a kidney, leading to them being labelled 'The Kidney Cult'. They regard kidney donation as the ultimate expression of their goal to follow the words of Jesus and to live selflessly. But Ash's mother, Kate Croft, believes her son is being pressured by the group to follow suit. Meanwhile in Canada, the woman to whom Ash intends to donate, is in worsening health. Her brother has already died from the same kidney disease and she will have to go on dialysis soon if she doesn't receive a new kidney.
Mon, Jun 11, 2007
This week, Australian Story returns to the story of boot maker turned classical singer, Peter Brocklehurst. Brocklehurst developed a big following after appearing on the program four years ago. He released a top-selling CD, appeared at the Sydney Opera House and was feted in the press. His manager was certain he was on the brink of a major international breakthrough. But behind the scenes Brocklehurst was dragging his feet and struggling with old demons dating back to a traumatic and tragic childhood event. As we meet him again, we find he has one last chance to recapture some of the magic that once absorbed audiences around the nation...