ABC to feature Michael Berry's latest documentary
Sun 13 December 2009
Gayle Butler, Bachelor of Journalism
Sunshine Coast born Hugh Sawrey’s larrikin life is captured in a documentary directed by Michael Berry and produced by his daughter Emily, to feature on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) early next year.
Having a visual eye for story lines and the ability to weave facts into rich narrative has led Mr Berry to a distinguished career in the media.
From founding programs like The 7.30 Report to producing Four Corners and Geoffrey Robertson’s Hypotheticals, as well as writing and researching for Bill Peach’s Gold series, Mr Berry continues to find stories.
Asked if Mr Berry would ever run out of subjects, he replied that there were still so many stories to tell.
“You know they are [there], and you know that whatever the subject, you are going to find out something interesting that you didn’t know before,” Mr Berry said.
Mr Berry’s wife Faith, co-publisher of the Hinterland Times said “Michael has always had the knack of gaining people’s trust and confidence when getting into the challenging areas of their personal stories”.
“He often quips that our role in life is to make other people look good,” Mrs Berry said.
It is this ability that results in a busy life for Mr Berry as he combines producing documentaries with publishing the popular community newspaper the Hinterland Times.
Keenly interested in local government and regional issues, Mr Berry also has strong views about the presentation of news.
“The reporting of news, particularly on television, needn’t be ordinary and pedestrian, but something that engages and enhances the readers’ lives,” Mr Berry said.
While writing a column for the Range News throughout the 90s, Mr Berry was sometimes provocative and controversial, consequently stimulating community opinions and sometimes heated debates.
“It’s a healthy community when you have discussion and the airing of differing points of view,” Mr Berry said.
“It’s unhealthy when it descends into personal abuse and acrimony.
“But that’s often the price of a vibrant community.”
Also in the news was Mr Berry’s ill health.
Local identity Wendy Nugent, who helped co-ordinate the community fundraiser following the amputation of Mr Berry’s legs below the knees, said “He hasn’t let it stop him, it’s a story of victory, resilience and of overcoming the odds”.
“I greatly admire Michael’s intellectual vigour, and the frisson it causes,” Ms Nugent said.
Without doubt, the Sunshine Coast community is richer for the vibrant and stimulating contributions of Mr Berry, who while admitting to missing the ability to go on long walks still has not slowed down.
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