On 19th August 2021 Four Corners celebrates 60 years as Australia’s premier investigative current affairs program. ABC Alumni salutes all those, past and present, who have contributed to the program. In this special series, we publish memories from Alumni who have worked in various roles, beginning with renowned archivist Wendy Borchers.
It would be hard to imagine the free-to-air TV landscape without this iconic program which has consistently brought the powerful to account and helped to ensure the health of democratic processes.
Wendy Borchers: The Holy Grail
Wendy Borchers AM describes her pathway to becoming an outstanding researcher and archivist and the exhilaration of finding the lost film clip that set a program alight.
David Brill: Four Corners at war
David’s personal reflections take us back to the turbulent ’70s when he, his camera and a crack crew covered the political and military stories of the Vietnam war.
Kerry O’Brien: The ’70s: Trail-blazing on a shoestring
With limited resources, Four Corners struggled to establish its identity in the mid-70s, as Kerry recalls, while producing some landmark stories against the odds.
Peter Manning: The 1980s: A golden era
Peter relives the heady times of Four Corners as its star-studded team broke new ground, scooping up awards for blockbuster programs.
Martin Butler: Perils of filming in Antarctica
It’s 1989 in the frozen south. Martin, Tony Jones and the crew battle the elements and produce a program that turns the tide against mining in Antarctica.
Andrew reminds us of the perils of investigative journalism when it treads on the toes of those in power.
Inside the editing suite with Alec Cullen
Alec’s photographic essay draws us into the engine room of Four Corners as editors, journalists and producers weave their magic in film, and later digital, threads.