Four Corners Classics

With a staff of six and a weekly budget of 480, Four Corners made its debut on Saturday August 19, 1961. Recorded in Sydney, copies of the program were flown around the country for broadcast. Australia's first national TV current affairs program was on air.

By the 1970s Four Corners was a fixture on the television landscape, covering a decade of social and political upheaval.

The 1980s was the decade of excess, corporate crime and rampant police corruption. Four Corners was there to capture it all.

The 1990s ushered in a new era of TV reporting with videotape replacing film. A new style of reporting began: video journalism. Four Corners was there to capture the key moments of the last decade of the 20th century.

The 2000s were defined by terror attacks and military action. Four Corners was there to chart and investigate the key issues of the decade.

The perfect piece to camera can require many takes from the reporter, though you wouldn't know it from the final product. These are some of the best from over the years.

Over the years Four Corners' reports have explored cultural and social change, political upheaval, conflicts, disasters and terrorism, with an eye on national and international events. Here are some memorable moments.