I Was Actually There is a new six-part documentary series from the creators of You Can’t Ask That. The show looks into defining moments in Australia’s recent history through the firsthand accounts of individuals who experienced them.
The first episode, airing on ABC Australia on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 8.00 pm, focuses on the tragic mass shooting that occurred at Port Arthur’s historic convict settlement in 1996. Through the eyes and voices of those who were there, the episode provides a deep exploration of the incident and its ongoing impact.
On a crisp autumn morning, a gunman opened fire at the Broad Arrow Cafe, killing 20 people in a matter of seconds. The episode features interviews with tourists who ran for their lives, a local GP who was among the first responders, and a journalist who spoke to the gunman on the phone.
Brigid Cook, a chef at Broad Arrow, recounts her experience of being shot by the gunman and how she managed to escape and warn others, saving countless lives. “It felt like someone had driven a star picket into my leg… I was so full of adrenaline I could still run,” she recalls.
Victorian police sniper Craig Harwood shares his experience of being flown to the scene and sworn into the Tasmanian force, tasked with taking out the perpetrator. He describes the difficult decision-making process and the emotional impact of the event, reflecting on the fine line between taking action and maintaining one’s moral compass.
The episode also explores the long-term effects of the tragedy on first responders and survivors, including local GP Pam Fenerty, who found it challenging to cope with treating patients in the aftermath as she experienced compassion fatigue from hearing the same traumatic stories repeatedly.
I Was Actually There: Series 1, Episode 1 airs Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 8.00 pm on ABC Australia.
