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Private Notes
The former Tropfest winner Damon Gameau who starred in the film Balibo has had a runaway success with his production That Sugar Film. It recently won an AACTA award for best feature length documentary.
Adam Spencer is a consummate communicator whose mission is to make maths appeal to the masses. He's convinced the youngsters of today will build the 21st century by embracing the wonder of numbers.
Theatre producer Tom Schumacher took The Lion King from screen to stage. But even with the most successful musical in history under his belt the president of Disney Theatrical says it's impossible to pick winners.
Judith Durham enjoyed success with The Seekers in the '60s, but says she was an accidental pop star with little interest in fame. She describes how through grief, tragedy & ill health, she has always turned to music for help.
Sigrid Thornton holds a special place in Australian hearts, with a four-decade acting career and roles in many iconic dramas. She says that in spite of the pressures, her feet are firmly on the ground - thanks to her family.
Maajid Nawaz was a radicalised youth who rejected Islamist extremism after a spell in an Egyptian jail. He now devotes his life to spreading an anti-extremist message, despite knowing his life is in danger.
Tim Soutphommasane was born in France after his parents fled Laos following the communist takeover. Now Australia's Race Discrimination Commissioner, he still ponders what it means to be Australian.
When her book "Still Alice" was rejected by a slew of literary agents, Lisa Genova published it herself & sold copies from the boot of her car. Her persistence paid off, as it went on to become an Academy Award-winning film.
Stephen Whittle is a trailblazer and a professor of law. Only the 13th female to male transsexual in Britain, he has battled discrimination & hate campaigns to win the legal right to be recognised as a husband & a father.
Comedian Luke McGregor has been plagued with anxiety all his life, but he's never looked back since discovering his talent for performing. In the new ABC series Luke Warm Sex, his angst around the subject of sex is laid bare.
Simon Sebag Montefiore's fascination with Russia began as a young war correspondent. After a few near-death experiences he turned to history instead. His latest book, The Romanovs, is an epic tale with modern parallels.
Penny Arcade was an Andy Warhol superstar in her teens, before carving out a career as a pioneering performance artist. Widely known as the Queen of the Underground she's now embracing what she calls the youth of her old age.
Ken Done's art is as polarising as it is colourful and its been a long, tough battle to be accepted by the critics. Hes staved off financial setbacks, survived prostate cancer and now, at 75, is busier than ever with his paintbrush.
Best-selling children's author Jackie French grew up dyslexic in a household filled with stories. She's come through challenging times to find inspiration in the environment and her friendship with some extraordinary wombats.
Professor Emma Johnston is an award-winning marine ecologist who is passionate about persuading young women to become scientists even though teachers, and society, aren't always encouraging.
Dee Madigan knows a thing or two about persuasion, with 20 years' experience in the advertising industry. After working on many major brands, she's now switched her focus to selling social and political messages instead.
As a child who performed badly at school, Dick Smith felt destined to fail. Once his car radio business took off & he became a multi-millionaire. Now a passionate philanthropist he's certain he doesn't want to make more money.
Artist Joshua Yeldham was targeted by school bullies, but found his feet through travel and a successful foray into film-making. Nowadays his focus is on family, fine art and the mysticism of the Australian landscape.
Actor Richard Roxburgh is back on TV in a fourth series of the riotous legal comedy, Rake. He speaks of his fear of celebrity and the roles he wishes he hadn't played.
Daniela Di Toro became a paraplegic at 13 when a wall collapsed at a school swimming carnival. After success as a wheelchair tennis player she's switched to para-table tennis & will co-captain the Australian Paralympic team.
He's enjoyed half a century of success as a pop & folk-rock star, but at age 74 Graham Nash isn't slowing down. As his first solo album in 14 years is released, he speaks with Jane Hutcheon about creativity, love & regret.
Jane Hutcheon sits down with Kon Karapanagiotidis, founder and CEO of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre for an in-depth one on one conversation.
Juliette O'Brien lost her father - renowned cancer specialist Dr Chris O'Brien - to a brain tumour in 2009. Two years later her brother died suddenly after a seizure. Juliette discusses love, loss & the search for answers.
Khaled Abol Naga has been described as Egypt's answer to Brad Pitt. While he shrugs off the comparison, he uses his big-screen stardom to fight oppression in his home country.
