Australian Story

TV News and Current Affairs ABC and SBS News
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DOWN TO THE WIRE – SAUL GRIFFITH

Monday 8 June at 8PM

When Australian Story first met inventor Saul Griffith in 2023, he was on a mission to electrify the world, one suburb at a time.

He’d had success in the US, where his bold ideas on energy caught the eye of President Biden, leading to the passage of ground-breaking climate legislation.

At the same time, Saul was bringing his electrification dream to Australia, inspiring local communities to drive the push to renewables.

Now with President Trump in power and climate action measures being dismantled, Saul’s optimism is being tested.

We catch up with him in the US, as he rallies climate campaigners, and back home, where his own community is forging ahead with its ambitious Electrify 2515 project and inspiring others.

“It felt like we’ve changed the national conversation to showing that households matter,” says Kristen McDonald from Rewiring Australia.

"There’s over a hundred groups across Australia now doing similar sorts of work.”

Saul’s message to people is to stay hopeful and keep up the pressure.

“If you’re not maintaining optimism, you’re giving up,” he tells Australian Story. “You just have to keep saying, we can do this.”

Australian Story Saul Griffith Pic credit Tom Hancock
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I wonder if the ABC will replay one of Richard Scolyer’s episodes next week, following his death on Sunday? Nine already showed a separate 90 minute tribute last night.

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A Beautiful Mind - Richard Scolyer

Australian Story Richard Scolyer
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Monday 15 June at 8PM

When 59-year-old Richard Scolyer died last Sunday from brain cancer, he left a remarkable legacy.

He was a world-renowned pathologist whose work with his colleagues at the Melanoma Institute led to a huge jump in survival rates from the deadly skin cancer.

When he was diagnosed three years ago with an aggressive brain tumour, his friend and colleague Professor Georgina Long devised a novel and risky immunotherapy treatment based on the Institute’s melanoma work.

Despite the risks, Professor Scolyer leapt at the chance to contribute to a medical breakthrough. Their work led them to being jointly nominated as Australian of the Year in 2024.

Richard Scolyer survived far longer than predicted and his experimental treatment will now be tested in clinical trials. Australian Story has followed Richard’s medical and personal journey over three years, including the months leading up to his death.

Despite doctors urging him to slow down, Richard continued to live life to the fullest. Eleven weeks before he died, he cycled 500kms to raise money for cancer research.

“Don’t just lean in, leap in!” Richard told Australian Story in one of his final interviews. “That’s how you can make a difference.”

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