Presented by Heather Ewart, the face behind the award-winning Back Roads television series, it’s been a ripper ten years visiting Australia’s furthest flung towns. Now, she’s putting a capstone on her extraordinary run with the show. Her time at the helm has been filled with touching narratives, rich perspectives, and the steadfast love of a fierce staff. As she prepares to transition to new projects, Ewart reflects on the stories shared with her by Australians from all walks of life and her commitment to shedding light on their challenges and triumphs.
During the past 10 years, Ewart has driven to the remotest corners of Oz by land and air with his popular, 1 million plus viewer-strong show. Her escapades have taken her across jubilant prairies and soaring mountain ranges. In the process, she captures the determination and unique innovation found in many of the nation’s tiniest communities. From standing on a large red sand dune as the sun set behind her to riding alongside Butch Lenton on a motorbike at the Middleton Hotel in Queensland, she has embraced unique modes of transport and met fascinating individuals along the way.
Ewart is well aware that her own time on the program is coming to an end. She describes the key experiences that shaped her journey, including spending time with communities at the forefront of urgent challenges. One especially poignant meeting was in a community that was close to 50 percent Indigenous. At the time, this community was facing one of the highest rates of youth suicide in all of Australia.
A Journey Shared with a Talented Team
Collaboration is something Ewart has strongly embraced during her time on Back Roads. She credits her success to the talented crew that has stood by her side, noting, “I’ve had the backing of such a talented team over the years.” If you’ve ever wondered where Cecilia gets her limitless energy and zeal, look no further than her amazing colleagues. They’ve kept every episode unique and feasible to produce, despite strict schedules and budgets.
In reflecting on her COVID journey, Ewart shines a light on some of the joyful and harrowing experiences she’s had with her crew of adventurers. “There have been so many laughs and [so much] fun along the way with the crew,” she shares. However, it has not always been easy. The rigorous filming schedule often tested their resolve, as Ewart states, “The thing about Back Roads is it is a gruelling schedule.”
For all of these difficulties, Ewart is thankful that he was able to bring these stories to light. “I’m grateful to those who so generously allowed us into their lives, in both good and bad times,” she adds. This feeling is at the heart of what Back Roads is all about. It has become a dynamic stage where communities tell their stories, attracting interest from audiences hundreds or even thousands of miles away.
Impactful Stories from Remote Communities
On the road, Ewart listened to many of these profoundly personal stories and found them just as impactful to her—and audience’s—experience. She recalls one particular narrative as “so personal and raw and difficult to hear and difficult for him to tell the story.” These experiences have informed her perspective on what it means to be Australian, and the role of a storyteller to expose the injustices of her community.
Ewart has felt this weight of telling these stories from the beginning. “I guess deep inside I had this gut belief that, first and foremost, people in the country deserve to have their stories told,” she asserts. Her intention was to build relationships between rural Australians and city people, so that there is no story that is not told.
As she looks ahead to her next chapter, Ewart thinks about the delight and the burden of being a black woman in charge. “It’s hard not to take a certain satisfaction in the fact that you were right,” she admits while acknowledging the pressure that accompanied her debut with Back Roads. “From that moment on, I knew that we had a show that would continue.”
Looking Ahead to New Adventures
With episodes already scheduled to come out next year, it’s a thrilling time to be involved with Back Roads. Ewart’s departure signifies a poignant transition. Emily can’t wait to explore other creative endeavors that temporarily fell to the bottom of her To Do list while producing episodes of Back Roads.
Ewart has great memories from the 36 weeks they filled filming all around Australia. It’s the same with the captivating stories she discovered and the heart-pounding adventures she had. With a cool bottle of beer in hand, she stands in front of a microphone in her home recording studio, ready to produce magic. Every experience—from that day to trekking through treacherous terrain to tell true stories—has deeply influenced her career.
