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Race Around the World

From Alfawiki
Race Around the World
Company typeTelevision series
IndustryTelevision production
Founded1997
FounderMichael Rubbo
Defunct1998
Headquarters
Australia
Area served
Australia
Key people
Richard Fidler (host)
ProductsDocumentary and competitive travel television series
ParentAustralian Broadcasting Corporation

Race Around the World is an Australian documentary and competitive travel series produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that aired between 1997 and 1998. Developed by filmmaker Michael Rubbo, the show was based on the Canadian program La Course destination monde (1988–1999).

Both installments featured Richard Fidler, formerly of the Doug Anthony All Stars comedy troupe, as the host.

Premise

Each season showcased eight "racers" chosen from video submissions sent in by the Australian public. Entrants had to include ten seconds of black footage at the beginning; notably, John Safran submitted ten seconds of yellow instead. Those selected underwent a short documentary filmmaking workshop, planned their international routes, received a digital video camera, and were dispatched to their initial destination.

During a period of 100 days, competitors created ten four-minute documentaries, one backup film, and five "postcards." They were allotted ten days to travel, shoot footage, and send their materials along with editing notes back to ABC in Sydney. The series aired weekly in a 30-minute format, presenting four films per episode. A judging panel comprising media professionals such as David Caesar, Sarah Macdonald, Tony Squires, and Sigrid Thornton evaluated the entries alongside audience voting. Late submissions resulted in point penalties.

First series (1997)

  • Ben Davies (Sydney)
  • Bentley Dean (Sydney)
  • Scott Herford (Sydney)
  • Daniel Marsden (Brisbane)
  • Olivia Rousset (Perth)
  • Claudia Rowe (Melbourne)
  • John Safran (Melbourne)
  • Kim Traill (Melbourne)


The inaugural series was won by Olivia Rousset, while John Safran earned the viewers' choice award.

Second series (1998)

  • Cate Anderson from Kangaroo Valley, New South Wales
  • Rachel Bannikoff from Canberra
  • Tim Bryson from Adelaide
  • Sheona McKenna from Melbourne
  • David Shankey from Brisbane
  • John Thiris from Sydney
  • Catherine Turner from Sydney
  • Tony Wilson from Melbourne


Tony Wilson emerged as the winner of the second season.[1]

After the Race

Although Race Around the World achieved respectable viewership, it posed considerable logistical and financial challenges for the publicly funded ABC. In 2000, rebranded as Race Around Oz, the show focused solely on Australia to coincide with the Olympic year and emphasize domestic content.[2]

An offshoot aimed at younger audiences, Race Around the Corner, was produced by ABC's Children's Unit. This version featured low-budget local productions created by students aged 14–16, following the original program's format.[3][4]

Host Richard Fidler continued his media career with roles including ABC's arts and culture discussion show Vulture before becoming a leading radio personality and host of the acclaimed Conversations program and podcast.[5][6]

In 2025, a reunion special titled The Shoot Out was broadcast on Australian Story, reflecting on the series' impact.

Several participants went on to establish careers in media and filmmaking:

  • Despite finishing last in the first season due to disqualification for covert filming, John Safran became a prominent television producer and presenter with programs such as John Safran's Music Jamboree, John Safran vs God, and John Safran's Race Relations.[7][8]
  • Olivia Rousset, Bentley Dean, and Kim Traill became reporters for SBS's Dateline. Traill authored the book Red Square Blues: A Beginner's Guide to the Decline and Fall of the Soviet Union (HarperCollins, 2009).[9][10][11]
  • Catherine Turner worked as a reporter for Al Jazeera and Channel 7.[12]
  • Bentley Dean earned an Academy Award nomination for producing Tanna.[13]
  • Scott Herford produced three independent Australian feature films.
  • Tony Wilson hosted Melbourne’s 3RRR breakfast program and authored the novel Players.[14]
  • Ben Davies created and produced Network Ten’s enduring observational documentary series Bondi Rescue. As founder of production company Ronde, he also produced several prime-time series including Netflix drama Territory, Nine’s factual show Big Miracles, and comedy-drama Here Come The Habibs. Davies has received six Logie Awards.[15]

See also

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named wilson
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named racearoundoz
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  13. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named tanna
  14. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named rrr
  15. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named bondi
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