Ben Cheshire has been working on Australian Story since proposing an idea for the pilot of the program in 1996. Since then he has produced over 100 episodes, many of which became award-winners for excellence in journalism. Valentine’s Day, a moving account of the death of a heroin addict, won the program its first Walkley Award in 1997.
He picked up a second Walkley Award in 2006 for One Perfect Day, the story of the Australian women’s cycling team involved in a horrific crash in Germany, and a third (with Peter Wilkins) for She's Not There, about the Australian women’s rowing team’s misadventure at the Athens Olympics.
A career highlight was winning a Logie Award (with John Stewart) in 2005 for Into The Forest, on the family of serial killer Ivan Milat.
Before joining Australian Story, Ben worked as a reporter on the 7.30 Report, Countrywide and ABC News, as well as spending three years as a freelancer in New York in the 1980’s. Away from work, he likes to ride a mountain bike, paddle a kayak and play drums in a country blues band and a jazz band.
In one of the toughest parts of Australia, a renegade pastoralist is trialling a bold idea to regenerate his land using feral pests. Now, he’s found himself on the wrong side of the law.
Chris Henggeler is the only grazier in Australia using feral donkeys to regenerate his remote property. Now he's on the wrong side of the law.
As Cold Chisel marks its 50th anniversary, we explore why the iconic group has made such a lasting impact on Australian life.
Cold Chisel went from a 'reckless' band unfit for radio plays to rock legends who've transcended the generations. This is why the Aussie band continues to be the soundtrack of our lives.
Leila McDougall has been defying the odds since childhood. She’s overcome dyslexia, beaten cancer, and after sneaking into acting school, has written, produced and starred in a feature film to help her farming community.
Leila McDougall has been defying the odds since childhood. She's overcome dyslexia and beaten cancer and, after sneaking into acting school, she has written, produced, and starred in a feature film to help her farming community.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bon Scott joining AC/DC, Australian Story repeats its hugely popular profile of the band’s late, great frontman. Featuring a wealth of archival material, On the Brink covers the highs and lows of a remarkable life.
Elly-May Barnes, daughter of rocker Jimmy Barnes, is stepping out as a solo cabaret artist – and an advocate for people with disabilities.
Elly-May Barnes, the youngest daughter of rock legend Jimmy Barnes, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a toddler. Now the 34-year-old is a solo cabaret artist and disability advocate.
When Aussie rock band Silverchair broke up in 2011, drummer Ben Gillies was left feeling sad, heavy and unsure where to turn. Then he had a frightening anxiety attack while in the surf. This is how he staged a life comeback.
Rock band Silverchair makes a comeback with its fifth album and a massive hit. But backstage, the wheels are falling off and the band finally fizzles out. For Ben and Chris, life after Silverchair proves to be bumpy too.
One of Australia's biggest rock bands, Silverchair ended with a whimper, not a bang. And so too did their friendships … almost.
From Newcastle to world fame, the untold story of Silverchair’s meteoric rise.
The campaign that lead to the extraordinary pardoning of Kathleen Folbigg
How Mick O'Dowd found a ‘new normal’ since a sudden illness left him a quadruple amputee. (Image: Harriet Tatham)
Encore screening: In a world exclusive, family and friends of AC/DC’s iconic lead singer Bon Scott reveal the man behind the myth.
After more than 70 years, one of Australia’s most enduring mysteries – the identity of the “Somerton Man” – is finally solved.
For seven decades the Somerton Man was simply known by his anonymous autopsy photo. But now he has a name — Charles Webb. And for the first time his relatives explain the answers were in a family photo album all along.
When middle-aged insurance executive Greg Donovan was made redundant, he was told to play it safe. Instead, he gambled his payout on a crazy idea to build a music festival in the desert — and won.
The big gamble that launched the world's most remote music festival, the Big Red Bash.
Shanna Whan went from a fall-down drunk to a national hero. But while an award at the highest level has opened doors for Shanna, she says without the help of government, changing the "booze-worshipping" culture in small towns will be a struggle.
Australia’s Local Hero of the Year Shanna Whan is determined to help more people swap hangovers for bush sunrises.
But when big advertising dollars and a culture of drinking are stacked against her, Shanna is fighting harder than ever for her "bush tribe".
Four decades after Bon Scott was found dead in London, the enigmatic AC/DC star's closest friends and relatives have spoken of his greatest vulnerability.
In a world exclusive, for the first time, family and friends of AC/DC’s iconic lead singer Bon Scott reveal the man behind the myth.
Athlete, mother of four and reality TV star Jana Pittman talks about her new life as a doctor and her regrets about the period when she was labelled "Drama Jana".