Hundreds of folders, films, tape recordings and photographs stashed shabbily into ageing filing cabinets have given life to a compelling new written and podcast series featuring 6PR Mornings program host Gary Adshead.

Adshead, a journalist since 1984, has rarely thrown away any of the material he’s gathered along his career.

He decided about 10 months ago to rifle through his garage full of state secrets, organised crime files, records of remarkable rescues he’s reported on and tape recordings he’s kept, to produce a 10-part series titled The Reporter: True Stories.

Press PLAY to hear the first episode of The Reporter, detailing the incredible rescue of Tony Bullimore

“It was always counter-intuitive to throw the folders away once the story had past,” Adshead said.

“I always thought at some point the story would be re-awakened by something and I’d be ahead of the game because I’d kept all the documents, all audio and video elements to a story.”

From today, Adshead and veteran reporter and Nine News presenter Michael Thomson combine to recount the stories behind the headlines.

The series includes the memorable 1997 rescue of British sailor Tony Bullimore, who was feared dead more than 1000 kilometres south of Albany in the Southern Ocean.

“I was the only television reporter on bord the HMAS Adelaide, which was sent to find Bullimore,” said Adshead. “Few people know what occurred behind the scenes and so Michael and I take the audience through the twists and turns.”

Press PLAY to hear Gary’s interview with Rear Admiral Rayden Gates, commander of the Adelaide during the Bullimore rescue

There is also a chilling tape recording of murdered criminal Stephen Cookson, whose head was found washed up on Rottnest Island, which has never publicly been heard.

But the series also reveals the dangers of investigative reporting with Adshead recounting a day he was advised by police to leave Perth with his family because of threats to his safety.

“I’ve often told friends and relatives some of the back stories to the stories I’ve been part of and they say I should write a book,” Adshead explained.

“I’m not sure about that, but this written and podcast series will hopefully surprise people when they learn what can go on behind the headlines.”

Episode one of The Reporter: True Stories looks at the Bullimore rescue and is available now from WAtoday.com.au and wherever you get your podcasts.

Watch below to see the trailer for the first episode of The Reporter

 

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