I feel very sorry for Ian. He should talk to other networks to have his story broadcast.
1 Like
The not disclosed serious historical offences would likey become the main story if he went to other networks.
1 Like
He has no credibility now by not being upfront initially.
4 Likes
Raising Richard – Deirdre Croft
Monday, 9 March, 8pm on ABC TV and ABC iview
Over three decades, filmmaker Andrew Wiseman documented the life of Perth woman Deirdre Croft as she raised her son Richard, who was left with a profound intellectual disability following birth trauma.
Now 72-years-old, Deirdre has invited the cameras into her life again.
This time, as her health declines, Deirdre is on a mission to put in place a network of people to care for Richard after she’s gone.
“I think she has been preparing for her death from day one with Richard,” Wiseman tells Australian Story. “The pressure is now on Deirdre to work out who’s going to look after Richard from this point on.”
Wiseman began filming with the family when Richard was just 10, capturing confronting scenes as he had meltdowns in public, as well as moments of great tenderness. Richard is now 45.
“Deirdre loves, loves and loved Richard from the moment he was born,” says her sister Frith Mooney. “She has given him her all.”
Combining Wiseman’s extraordinary documentaries with contemporary scenes, Raising Richard is a deeply moving portrait of a mother who believes her son has taught her the value of a human life.
“Who are we to judge when a person’s life is worth living or not?” asks Deirdre. “Perhaps the real tragedy is … there are too many other so-called intellectually normal people who are severely handicapped in their capacity to care for others.”
Producer: Olivia Rousset.
Morning Star – Witiyana Marika
Monday, 16 March, 8pm on ABC TV and ABC iview
When Witiyana Marika first came to the public’s attention in 1991, he was the dreadlocked dancer and clapstick master of the hugely successful rock band Yothu Yindi.
Thirty-five years later, he is fulfilling his destiny as a leader of the Rirratjingu clan in the Northern Territory’s Arnhem Land, following in the steps of his father, Roy Marika.
“He’s an archbishop. He’s a High Court judge. He’s a professor. He’s a counsellor. He’s like a Lord Mayor”, says Will Stubbs from the Yirrkala Arts Centre.
Even before he was born, Witiyana was learning the songs and lore of the Yolgnu people of Arnhem Land, with his parents singing to him when he was in the womb.
As a teenage dancer and musician, he was spotted by his uncle Mandawuy Yunipingu, who suggested they form a band together.
Yothu Yindi was catapulted to fame when their song Treaty became a worldwide hit. But the jetset rock ‘n roll lifestyle took a toll.
“I was drinking too much sometimes. It was bad to my body. It was just killing, like killing or ruining my talent”, Witiyana tells Australian Story. “I was really sad.”
Witiyana was called home by his dying father and has emerged as a leader of his people. It’s a critical time for the community which has just won a landmark court case against the local mine that’s likely to result in substantial compensation.
“Over the next few years there’s some fairly complex issues we need to get through. He’s got a massive, important role to play”, says Rhian Oliver, chair of the Rirratjingu Corporation.
Morning Star is a rare insight into the rich life of a Yolgnu leader with Australian Story gaining rare access to film the funeral of Witiyana’s brother, a traditional ceremony that stretched over two weeks.
“I would like to bring the clans together”, says Witiyana.
“Witiyana is really a peacemaker”, says Yalmay Yunipingu, wife of Mandawuy. “He can do anything. That’s the kind of leadership that he carries now.”
Producer: Ben Cheshire.