Seasons & episodes

Jungle Orphans The People Smuggler Dear Mum, Love Turia Jungle Orphans This is a story about Indonesia’s jungle orphanage. Not for humans but for baby orangutans. Hundreds of incredibly cute but sadly orphaned orangutans, are getting a second chance at life. They’re cared for by dedicated human mums, who raise these hairy little bundles into young adults before releasing them back into the wild. As Allison Langdon discovered, it’s their best hope of avoiding extinction. Reporter: Allison Langdon Producer: David Alrich The People Smuggler So far this year nearly 7000 refugees have tried to seek asylum in Australia by boat. It’s a desperate journey, and the numbers are only increasing. One of the reasons, too many People Smugglers are getting away with their deadly trade. In fact, one of the most ruthless, is living as a free man, collecting welfare, under the protection of a foreign government and our authorities can’t touch him. He helped load 400 people onto the doomed Siev X which sank on its way to Christmas Island. 353 people drowned. 146 of them were children. He’s been on the run for more than a decade and we’ve just tracked him down. Reporter: Michael Usher Producer: Stephen Rice Dear Mum, Love Turia Sunday, May 12 is Mother’s Day, a time to thank our mums for their unconditional love and unwavering selflessness. Over the years, 60 Minutes has met some very special mothers and Celestine Vaite is one of them. She’s nurtured her daughter, Turia Pitt back to health, after Turia was severely burnt while competing in the Kimberley ultra-marathon. For this Mother’s Day, Turia has written her mum a letter to say “thank you”. Producer: Ali Smith

Flight 447 A Cultural Revolution Flight 447 This Sunday, the story of Flight 447. It has been called the "Titanic of air disasters". A passenger aircraft so advanced that the chance of it falling out of the sky is unthinkable. But on a stormy June night in 2009 that's just what happened to an Air France A330. Its terrifying descent into the Atlantic Ocean took just four minutes. For three years, what happened inside the cockpit remained a mystery. But as you'll see now, the black box tapes have revealed a shocking and scary scenario of how quickly and easily a high tech passenger plane can crash. Reporter: Karl Stefanovic Producer: Gareth Harvey A Cultural Revolution There's an old Chinese proverb that says "women hold up half the sky". And in China today, there are plenty of tough, independent and very wealthy women who seem to prove it. Half of the world's female billionaires come from China. Not surprisingly, a lot of young women would like to follow in their footsteps.

The Lost Pharoah Trail Blaiser Cleveland’s Evil The Lost Pharaoh In the modern history of Ancient Egypt, new world-headline-making discoveries are rare. This Sunday a Royal tomb full of golden treasure that is likely to be bigger and grander than the discovery of the famous boy king, Tutankhamen. Renowned archaeologist John Romer believes he’s found the tomb of the long lost Pharaoh, Herihor. Along with the King and his priceless relics, there could also be all of Ancient Egypt’s missing Queens. It’s an ambitious quest that takes us to a secret desert valley and could transform what we know about these exotic and remarkable people. Reporter: Tara Brown Producer: Stephen Taylor Trail Blaiser Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability among Australian children. 34 thousand people struggle through life with the crippling condition. And the little boy you’re about to meet, Blaise Wyatt, suffers from the most cruel form of this affliction.

Genetic Curse Miracle at Sea Hazel Genetic Curse When Angelina Jolie announced she'd taken the drastic step of removing both her breasts to avoid cancer, she was widely lauded for her courage. Not only for undergoing such a radical procedure but for being so open about it. Sadly for one Australian family, Jolie's news was all too familiar. The Neave family has had to grapple with the same mutant breast cancer gene. Sisters, Veronica, Elisha and Chrissy are three of the most determined women you could ever hope to meet. Like Angelina, they've taken extreme steps to beat cancer, but the battle rages on. Reporter: Tara Brown Producer: Stephen Rice Miracle at Sea For decades we have listened to peoples stories and this is among the most riveting we've ever heard. Brett Archibald, a 50-year-old South African, on a surfing trip to Indonesia, falls overboard in the middle of the night. One man, all alone in the ocean fighting the elements, fending off sharks and battling to keep his sanity.

Australian Rabies Scammed! Search for Truth Australian Rabies The deadly threat of Rabies has reached our shores. Earlier this year, the Australian Bat Lyssavirus, claimed its third human victim. And only a fortnight ago, a horse tested positive for the virus, the first known cross-species infection. Lyssavirus is Australia’s Rabies, spread the same way, with the same horrific symptoms, and just as deadly. Any one of the millions of native bats across the country could be carrying it. In February, 8-year-old Lincoln Flynn lost his life in the most devastating of circumstances, after being scratched by a bat. This Sunday Lincoln’s parents tell his story, in the hope they’ll save lives. Reporter: Liz Hayes Producer: Lincoln Howes Scammed! We’ve all heard of the Nigerian scammers, conmen who bombard us with tales of woe and get rich quick schemes. You’d think we’d be wise to them by now but they lure more than a hundred million dollars out of Australians every year.

Invisible Threat Rag Trade Inside Scientology Tahlia's Story Invisible Threat It was brazen and brutal. When a British soldier was run down by a car in London and then hacked to death with meat cleavers, it signalled the beginning of a new and frightening form of terrorism. Two British born, Muslim men at the scene, hands bloodied and still carrying their weapons waited patiently for police to arrive - all the while spreading their message of hate to stunned onlookers. It raises the frightening question - how do you counter terrorism by young radicalised men, willing to act as individuals with no threat or warning? Reporter: Liz Hayes Producer: Stephen Rice Rag Trade This is a story our major retailers would prefer you didn't see. 60 Minutes has just been inside the third world factories where thousands of workers are making the cut-price clothes that we wear every day. Getting our cameras into the country, and then into the factories, was not easy.

Emma Everest ER Outback Hope Emma It’s the most exciting day in a parent’s life – finding out whether their baby is a boy or a girl. But for some, the answer is not always clear-cut. Emma Hayes was just 5 years old, when she told her parents that, despite being born a boy, she wanted to live and dress as a girl. Diagnosed with gender dysphoria, Emma is among a growing number of children across the country, who insist they’re trapped in the wrong body. Now, Emma’s parents have agreed to let her live as a girl, and have re-enrolled her at the same school, as a female. This Sunday, Emma and her family are sharing their story, in the hope they’ll create awareness and acceptance. Reporter: Karl Stefanovic Producers: Steve Jackson, Lincoln Howes Everest ER On Sunday, join Michael Usher five and a half thousand metres above sea level, at Everest Base Camp, where mountaineers launch their quest for the summit. It’s a deadly pursuit and 60 years after Sir Edmund Hillary reached the peak, more people than ever, are risking their lives to scale Everest. But even the most experienced climbers can develop deadly altitude sickness and they end up in the world’s highest hospital. They call it “Everest ER”, a tiny tent where volunteer doctors try to rebuild broken bodies, and shattered dreams. Reporter: Michael Usher Producer: Jo Townsend Outback Hope For more than a century, outback Australia has been a place of hope, hardship and second chances. Generations of men and women have made their fortunes or lost them, on the whim of the land. Now, a legendary Queensland horse whisperer is giving back to the people who helped make his family prosperous. Damien Curr is taking young Aboriginal men with little opportunity and hope in life, and training them to be stockmen. With Damien’s help and skill, our Indigenous youth are saddling up and riding tall. Reporter: Charles Wooley Producer: Nick Greenaway

Murder on Parole Lost and Found Murder on Parole As multiple rapist and murderer Adrian Bayley sits in his jail cell with no prospect of release for 35 years. This monster stalked, raped and then murdered Melbourne woman Jill Meagher, as she walked home from a night out. Adding to that horror, we now know that Bayley has been a sexual predator for the past 20 years, repeatedly raping women and repeatedly getting caught, only to serve minimum prison sentences, after convincing authorities he was safe to be released. Sarah Cafferkey was murdered by a violent repeat offender just 2 months after Jill Meagher was killed. On Sunday, Sarah’s mother breaks her silence, to call for tighter restrictions on the prison and parole system. Reporter: Tara Brown Producers: Stephen Taylor, Ali Smith Lost and Found Few life stories involve such impossible odds, incredible love, and sheer determination as Saroo Brierley’s.

Ghost Cities Late Bloomers Hugh and Deb Ghost Cities We have a lot to thank our Chinese neighbours for. The Communist giant’s remarkable boom has shielded us here in Australia from the worst of the global economic downturn. Our mineral resources are fuelling a rush of urban development across China that is simply mind-boggling. Vast new megacities, bigger than London or New York are shooting up all over the country at a rate of 20 a year. But there are disturbing signs that the bubble is about to burst. Take a visit to some of these mega-cities and you’ll find them bizarrely empty. Brand new, shiny, ghost towns. Reporter: Michael Usher Producer: Stephen Rice Late Bloomers If you were one of those people shocked by the news that Lisa Curry was planning to have a baby at age 51 – take a deep breath. The former Olympic swim champ is part of a growing trend. In fact, at 51, she’s a mere pup compared to many older women taking the plunge into parenthood.

Fatal Flaw Emma Known Unto God Fatal Flaw The Robinson R44 is one of the most popular helicopters in Australia. It’s commonly used by small business, tourism operators, and in regional Australia. For nearly twenty years it’s been allowed to fly, despite mounting proof it’s a death trap. It has a faulty fuel tank, that can explode on impact, turning minor and survivable accidents – into deadly infernos. In a special 2 year investigation, 60 Minutes has uncovered dozens of crashes – blamed for the deaths of 78 people in the past 10 years alone. And despite evidence they knew all along, the manufacturer Robinson, and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, did nothing. Worse still, they’re now facing the same deadly problem with the smaller R22. Reporter: Allison Langdon Producer: Gareth Harvey Emma Last month, we broadcast the story of nine-year-old Emma Hayes. Emma has gender dysphoria – born as a boy, but in her mind she’s a girl.

Reasonable Doubt Ancient Giants Reasonable Doubt In 2003, Kathleen Folbigg was found guilty of killing her 3 babies and 1 toddler. Initially, all four children were found to have died of natural causes but after forensic pathologists learned of the other deaths, they changed their opinion. Kathleen was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Now 10 years on, leading criminal, medical, legal and psychological experts believe Kathleen Folbigg should be set free. In this special report, 60 Minutes details how the jury was misled, the dodgy evidence the conviction was based on and, tragically, how multiple infant deaths in the one family, while rare, can and have happened around the world. You’ll see never before seen parts of Kathleen’s police interview, hear her inner most thoughts from inside jail and meet ‘Team Kathleen’ – the supporters pushing for a judicial review. And viewers will get to have their say through a live poll on the 60 Minutes ipad App and the 60 Minutes facebook page. Reporter: Tara Brown Producer: Jo Townsend Ancient Giants The Nullarbor Plain is famous for its emptiness. Vast and Barren. But that wasn’t always the case. More than 50,000 years ago they resembled the plains of Africa. Giant creatures, scientists call mega fauna, roamed the outback. There was a giant kangaroo, a massive wombat, even an Australian lion. Today they have all gone, but the search for their remains is hotting up. It’s a quest that takes palaeontologists deep underground, into a secret cave, somewhere on the Nullarbor. It’s beautiful and breathtaking, and contains some of the most spectacular fossils you’ll ever see. Reporter: Allison Langdon Producer: Nick Greenaway

Made of Steel Trigger Happy Bull Run Made of Steel Liam Knight is a living miracle. In January, he was at a friend’s 18th birthday party, when a two and a half metre steel pole was speared straight through his skull. Two teenagers have been charged in relation to the incident – and the events of that night will soon be heard by a court. On 60 Minutes, you’ll see the story of Liam’s amazing survival and recovery. Paramedics, emergency services, trauma specialists and surgeons all worked together to stabilise Liam; cut the end of the pole off, so he could fit inside the ambulance; perform an emergency roadside procedure to put Liam into a coma; and then once in surgery, painstakingly and delicately pull the steel rod back out of his head. Family and friends took up a bedside vigil as Liam lay in a coma for two weeks. Then this cheeky young man would wake up, telling his mum “I need to pee”. His sense of humour was back, but 6 months on, Liam is still struggling to regain his life. This story will make you wince, cry, laugh and wonder at the miracle of Liam Knight. Reporter: Karl Stefanovic Producer: Nick Greenaway Trigger Happy Since the shocking mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School last December, there have been more than 6 thousand people killed by a gun in America. With numbers like these, it would be reasonable to expect the U.S. would be doing everything it could to reduce access to firearms. Well, Liz Hayes just travelled across America and found quite the opposite. The gun lobby is more outspoken than ever. Women are signing up to “Pistol Packing Ladies” clubs. Kids as young as 7 years old are being taught to shoot. And we’ll take you to the town where they’ve passed a law to make it compulsory to own a gun. Reporter: Liz Hayes Producer: Phil Goyen Bull Run Every year, tens of thousands of people descend on Pamplona in Spain, for the Running of the Bulls. It’s a cultural festival that’s been commercialised and overrun by backpackers and booze-fuelled tourists. Injuries occur every day, and deaths are not uncommon. Traditionally, women don’t usually take part, but this year a 23 year old Australian woman was gored by a bull. Allison Langdon was there to witness the terrifying stampede and see the carnage that’s left behind. Reporter: Allison Langdon Producer: Gareth Harvey

No episode summary available yet.

P!NK Fighting Back Supernova P!NK Australia is tickled Pink! Once again the enigmatic singer has taken up residence and during this current national tour she’ll perform to more than half a million Aussies. It’s hard to imagine her trumping her 2009 tour, when she hung from ropes and performed death defying stunts – but that’s exactly what she’s done. Australia was the first country to embrace P!NK and it’s not surprising that an Aussie has been instrumental in guiding her career — from the earliest days. 60 Minutes has been given exclusive access to P!NK’s rehearsals, backstage as she prepares with the band, inside her spectacular arena shows and on tour with husband Carey, and daughter Willow. Reporter: Peter Overton Producer: Steven Burling Fighting Back The ad in the newspaper promised so much — the chance to work as a nanny aboard a luxury yacht. And many young women, in their late teens and early twenties, took the bait.

Crude Solution Love Twist The Boss Crude Solution When petroleum giant BP spilled millions of litres of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico 3 years ago, it was the worst ever offshore oil disaster. To try and break up that massive slick, vast quantities of chemical dispersant was sprayed on the spill. It seemed to work: the oil disappeared. But people started getting sick and then people started dying. Now, this environmental disaster has become a health catastrophe. The dispersant, when mixed with the oil, increases in toxicity by 52 times. This sickly, invisible toxin, still lurks in the water and absorbs straight into peoples’ skin. In this special 60 Minutes investigation, we reveal the same chemical dispersants have been sprayed on the Great Barrier Reef and off the north west coast of Australia. They’re still approved for use and our authorities are clueless as to how deadly they are.

Turia Pitt The Humpback Crude Solution Turia Pitt In 2011, Turia Pitt set out to compete in an ultra marathon across the harsh Kimberley region. A few hours later she would be fighting for her life, after suffering horrific burns when a bushfire trapped her and other competitors on the side of a hill. 60 Minutes has followed every step of Turia’s recovery. She’s undergone 16 grueling operations. Her boyfriend Michael, has been with her all the way. Now it’s time for Turia to remove her mask for good. This is a story of love, courage and inspiration. But sadly, there’s a dark side to this story. Turia still has not been able to hold the organisers of the doomed race to account. Despite damning findings by the Western Australian Government, Racing the Planet has refused to accept liability, or offer Turia adequate compensation for what will be decades of ongoing treatment and rehabilitation.

Smarty Pants Allergy Free A Mother's Pain Smarty Pants Women will understand this story straight away… but blokes may be left slightly bewildered. Sara Blakely is the creator of Spanx and by making bums look beautiful, she's made herself a billionaire. Like all good ideas, it started very simply. Sara didn't like the way she looked in a tight white pair of pants, so she went about trying to hide the bad bits and shape the rest. Now, as Allison Langdon discovers, women all over the world are giving thanks for Spanx and Sara has more money than she can count. Reporter: Allison Langdon Producer: Stephen Taylor Allergy Free Childhood allergies are frightening and they're getting worse. One in 10 kids born in Australia has a food allergy - one of the highest rates in the world. If your child is affected, it takes over your life. You're forced to navigate around family meals, school lunches and birthday parties - knowing one tiny speck could be fatal.

Killer Cure Flyin' Ryan Alicia Keys Killer Cure Imagine doctors saying they’ve found a cure for childhood cancer. Not some quackery, but a genuine cure. Well, that’s what researchers are on the verge of right now – perhaps one of the greatest medical breakthroughs of the 21st century. But it’s only the start of this amazing medical story. Because this treatment uses one of the most notorious killers of our time – the dreaded H-I-V. It is a killer cure that parents of desperately sick children are hailing as a miracle. And with a little more science, it might just beat all cancers for good. Reporter: Ray Martin Producer: David Alrich Flyin’ Ryan True adventure is hard to come by these days. The world’s become a smaller place and great journeys of discovery are rare. Which makes 19-year-old Ryan Campbell even more extraordinary. While other teenagers rarely venture from their bedrooms, Ryan has just returned from an epic airborne adventure that took him around the world. For the last 10 weeks, Charles Wooley has followed this determined young man’s quest to become the youngest person in history to fly solo around the globe. And on Saturday, the conquering hero will achieve this remarkable feat. Reporter: Charles Wooley Producer: Lincoln Howes Alicia Keys One of the greatest compliments you can pay Alicia Keys is to say she isn’t as flamboyant as Lady Gaga or as attention-seeking as Miley Cyrus. Alicia prefers to let her singing do the talking and currently she’s hitting all the high notes. It’s a great triumph because, over the years, Alicia has suffered breakdowns and struggled to handle the pressure of stardom. But no more. The Alicia Keys Allison Langdon met in New York is a changed woman – confident, relaxed and a whole lot of fun. Reporter: Allison Langdon Producer: Stephen Taylor

Justice for Kiesha Urban Myth JFK Justice for Kiesha It’s often said the bond between a mother and her child is unbreakable. Which is why it seems inexplicable when a child is killed by the person who should love them the most. Such is the case of 6-year-old Kiesha Weippeart – her brief, tortured life was punctuated by physical, emotional and psychological abuse of the worst kind. For the public, this story began in August 2010, when Kristi Abrahams – Kiesha’s mother – made a teary plea, claiming her daughter had been abducted from the family home. We now know this was nothing more than a gruesome hoax for the cameras. Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of investigators began the task of finding out what really happened to little Kiesha. For the first time this Sunday, 60 Minutes will broadcast the police interviews with Kristi Abrahams and reveal how detectives began to unravel the most horrific truth, which will haunt them for the rest of their lives. Reporter: Liz Hayes Producer: Steven Burling Urban Myth From the age of six, Keith Urban wanted to be a country music star but it still took 20 years for the kid from Caboolture to crack the big time. There were many speed bumps along the way: drugs, alcohol and a whole lot of rejection. Then everything started to click for Keith – hit singles, marriage to Nicole Kidman and kids. But it wasn’t until his appearance on The Voice that we Aussies really began to know – and like – Keith Urban. Despite all this time in the public spotlight, he’s still an enigma. So when Tara Brown caught up him with on tour in America, she was happily surprised to find a man ready to let his guard down. Reporter: Tara Brown Producer: Stephen Rice JFK Few historical moments of the last century are as powerful, or as visceral, as the assassination of American President John F Kennedy. It may be difficult to imagine in these hardened political times but JFK was much more than a politician. He was a star, a beacon of hope for the future. Of course, all that was shattered when he was gunned down in Dallas, Texas on November 22 1963. As we approach the 50th anniversary of that shocking day, anyone old enough will no doubt recall that moment with vivid clarity. But none more so than the bodyguard who still can’t forgive himself for failing to save the President’s life. Clint Hill was the agent seen scrambling onto the back of the President’s car after he was shot. On 60 Minutes, he’ll retrace his steps, actions and feelings on the day the world lost its innocence. Reporter: Charles Wooley Producer: Nick Greenaway

Testing Times Abducted TWA 800 Testing Times Right now across the country one million students, their parents and teachers are sweating on the NAPLAN results – the national numeracy and literacy tests. NAPLAN began in 2008 to compare all students across the country and better help those who are falling behind. We adopted the idea from New York, where teachers are promoted or sacked on the back of the results, but we haven’t done that here and, instead, the pressure falls on the students to perform. Teachers here claim NAPLAN retards growth and restricts creativity. A NAPLAN revolt is underway, with one principal even likening the tests to child abuse. Reporter: Ray Martin Producer: David Alrich Abducted It’s hard to forget the traumatic scene – as four young girls were dragged kicking and screaming from their mother and put on a plane home to Italy. It was the culmination of a most extraordinary battle between Australian mum Laura Garrett and her Italian husband Tommaso Vincenti.

Fatal Call The Girl Curse of the Bounty Fatal Call Sarah Durazza was a 26 year old woman, with the world at her feet. She was a beautiful Miss World runner up, who was devoted to charity and helping those less fortunate than herself. Last month, upset and emotional, Sarah got behind the wheel of her car. Then she made a phone call. Sarah was distracted, distressed and, in a split second, out of control. When she careered off the road and slammed into a tree, she was on the phone to her mother. Fiona Durazza will forever be haunted by the sound of her daughter’s final, terrible moments. This Sunday, the Durazza family are speaking out, in the hope Sarah’s death will mean something. It’s a raw and powerful plea, from a family heartbroken by their loss. Reporter: Karl Stefanovic Producers: Steve Jackson, Lincoln Howes The Girl It was one off the biggest scandals in the world. In 1977, Hollywood director and producer Roman Polanski drugged and raped a 13 year old girl, at the home of actor Jack Nicholson. The story made international headlines and when he fled America to avoid sentencing, it only got bigger. 36 years later, US authorities are still trying to bring Roman Polanski to justice. His 13 year old victim was Samantha Geimer. She’s never forgotten what happened to her all those years ago. This Sunday, Samantha tells her story. What she has to say is difficult, challenging and most definitely not what you might expect. Reporter: Liz Hayes Producer: Phil Goyen Curse of the Bounty All great stories of the sea tend to end in disaster, usually involving reckless human error in which people take the sea for granted. Such is the story of HMS Bounty. The first Bounty was burned to the water line off Pitcairn Island by Fletcher Christian, after history’s most famous mutiny. The second Bounty was a twentieth century replica, built for the 1962 movie starring Marlon Brando. Last year, it too sank, after deliberately sailing straight into Hurricane Sandy – one of the worst storms ever recorded. It was an unbelievable decision on the part of her skipper. One of the crew to perish was Claudene Christian, a descendant of the original mutineer, Fletcher. The Captain also went down with his ship, leaving behind many unanswered questions about his actions on that fateful voyage. Reporter: Charles Wooley Producer: Nick Greenaway

Chopper Dolly Chopper Just 16 days before he died, Tara Brown sat down with Mark 'Chopper' Read for his last ever interview. It quickly became a confessional in which he admitted in graphic detail to murdering four men. Dolly Dolly Parton is a show business superstar. So much about her is unreal - the cosmetic surgery, the wigs, the false eyelashes and fingernails. But when Ray Martin met her in Nashville Tennessee, he found her to be real and honest.

Seventh Heaven Face of Evil Nuclear Paradise Seventh Heaven How does Philip Sharp manage it? He’s got seven wives. They’ve borne him 18 children. Life in the Sharp household is busy, to say the least. Philip is polygamous and proud of it. In fact, the British Rabbi even claims that by reviving the long outlawed practice of taking several wives, he’s merely doing God’s work. And he’d take 100 wives if it would help build God’s kingdom. It raises all sorts of uncomfortable questions for the wives, not to mention the chaos of raising all those kids, but what Peter Overton discovered was a harmonious household most families would envy. Reporter: Peter Overton Producer: Jo Townsend Face of Evil In 2010, Australian girl Zahra Baker was brutally murdered by her American step mother. Zahra, with the bright eyes and big smile, had survived cancer and overcome much more than should be asked of any 10 year old. Then, along with her father Adam, she travelled to America. Adam’s new wife, Elisa Baker, first killed and then dismembered Zahra in the most heinous crime. At her trial, she entered into a plea bargain, meaning she never had to face questions about what she did and why she did it. This Sunday, Liz Hayes goes inside maximum security to confront a child killer and comes face to face with evil. Reporter: Liz Hayes Producer: Phil Goyen Nuclear Paradise The Montebello Islands off the coast of Western Australia are so far flung, so off the beaten track, that most of us have no idea they’re even part of Australia. Which is exactly why the British chose them as a site to conduct nuclear bomb tests back in the 1950s. The British Navy detonated three massive atomic bombs and, in the process, obliterated a marine paradise. More than 60 years later, you’d expect to find a scorched wasteland. Instead, it’s one of nature’s most breathtaking comebacks. Reporter: Allison Langdon Producer: Howard Sacre

Sleeping Giant In Their Footsteps Saving Petra Lifehouse Sleeping Giant Mountains aren’t usually known for their role in making and preserving history. But when Mount Vesuvius erupted two thousand years ago – it did just that. The volcano’s downpour of ash was so quick it destroyed the ancient city of Pompeii and caught its people in a moment in time. However, the destructive power of Vesuvius is not consigned to the history books. Today, it threatens the city of Naples – home to three million Italians. They know that when Vesuvius next explodes, there will be very little warning. Reporter: Allison Langdon Producer: Gareth Harvey In Their Footsteps Tim Jarvis is one of the world’s most fearless adventurers who recreates great exploits of the past. He strides out bravely in the footsteps of Scott, Mawson and, now, Ernest Shackleton. Tim’s challenges are painstakingly authentic right down to the awful food and the ancient clothing worn by his historical heroes. And like so many giants of the past, he’d rather die than fail. Reporter: Charles Wooley Producer: Nick Greenaway Saving Petra Tucked away in a hidden valley in Jordan, is one of the wonders of the world. Carved into a mountainside, Petra, has survived for two and a half thousand years. Its popularity soared off the back of the Indiana Jones movies but, now, the “Rose City” has become too popular for its own good and archaeologists fear it will be lost forever. Luckily, there’s a Jordanian Princess who’s making it her life’s work to save Petra. Reporter: Tara Brown Producer: Stephen Taylor Lifehouse It’s been four years since Australia lost the much loved and respected Professor Chris O’Brien. It was a cruel twist of fate: the life-saving cancer surgeon became a cancer victim. Even in the final stages of his life, Chris never gave up on his grand vision for a world-class, cancer centre. Next week, The Chris O’Brien Lifehouse will be officially opened and 60 Minutes was given an exclusive first look. Reporter: Peter Overton Producer: Ali Smith