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Since 1991, Film Australia has been collecting material for an exceedingly valuable resource: the Australian Biography project. Now in its eleventh series, the project records the lives of some of the most extraordinary Australians of our time. Their personal stories form the basis of what could be described as a national portrait gallery for the screen and provide an insight into life as it has been lived by Australians throughout the 20th century. Australian Biography features people from all walks of life, including those from Indigenous and non-English speaking backgrounds. It demonstrates the great diversity of Australian society at the same time as it reveals the things we have in common. Many of these people have had a major impact in the nation’s cultural, political or social arenas. Some are widely known while others are recognised within a particular community. All are remarkable and inspiring individuals who have reached a stage in their lives where they can look back and reflect. Through revealing in-depth interviews, they share their experiences - beginnings and challenges, landmarks and turning points. Each interview is conducted over three days and is stored in its entirety in the National Archives for use by future scholars and filmmakers. From this raw material, a half-hour program is made for television and video, combining excerpts from the interviews with archival photographs and footage. The result is a collection of immediate interest and lasting value. A nation’s story is reflected in the lives of its people and these are the stories of our distinguished elders—told in their own words. A Film Australia National Interest Program. EPISODE 1: David Williamson (Writer) EPISODE 2: June Dally-Watkins (Businesswoman) EPISODE 3: Don Burrows (Jazz Musician) EPISODE 4: May O´Brien (Educator, Writer) EPISODE 5: Ted Egan (Singer, Songwriter) EPISODE 6: Dame Beryl Beaurepaire (Women’s Rights Activist) EPISODE 7: Donald Metcalf (Medical Researcher)