Australia: The Story of Us
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television |
| Founded | February 15, 2015 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Documentary drama series |
Australia: The Story of Us is a documentary drama series that was broadcast on the Seven Network from 15 February to 23 April 2015.
Show details
This production serves as an Australian adaptation of the American documentary America: The Story of Us, with narration provided by Richard Roxburgh. It includes interviews featuring notable Australians such as Chris Bath, Professor Tim Flannery, Ben Roberts-Smith, Tim Costello, Guy Sebastian, Dannii Minogue, Bruce McAvaney, and Adam Goodes. The series delves into significant individuals, locations, and events that have influenced Australia's development over the past 40,000 years.
Chris Thorburn, the showrunner at Channel Seven, intended for viewers to experience a mix of surprise, pride, and entertainment while gaining a renewed understanding of Australia's historical journey.
Reviews
Melinda Houston from the Sydney Morning Herald awarded the series a 3.5 out of 5 rating, characterizing it as "engaging entertainment that also educates," blending reenactments, CGI effects, and a variety of expert insights to craft a compelling story rooted in factual accuracy.
David Knox of TvTonight offered criticism, labeling the program as "over-produced" and contending that its dramatic presentation diminished the richness of the historical material.
On the other hand, David Stephens from HonestHistory.net commended the series for delivering a well-rounded introduction to Australian history beyond typical Anzac narratives, recommending it along with other distinguished historical productions for viewers seeking concise and accessible national context.
Ratings
| Episode | Title | Original airdate | Overnight Viewers | Nightly Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-01 | "Worlds Collide" | 15 February 2015 | 876,000 | 8 |
| 1-02 | "Break Out" | 22 February 2015 | 945,000 | 5 |
| 1-03 | "Fair Go" | 1 March 2015 | 838,000 | 4 |
| 1-04 | "New Nation at War" | 8 March 2015 | 737,000 | 7 |
| 1-05 | "Pharlap" | 15 March 2015 | 894,000 | 11 |
| 1-06 | "Nation Building" | 22 March 2015 | 866,000 | 7 |
| 1-07 | "Revolution" | 16 April 2015 | 653,000 | 9 |
| 1-08 | "Final Frontier" | 23 April 2015 | 723,000 | 8 |