In an awe-inspiring display of resilience and survival instinct, Gina Chick, a 52-year-old rewilding facilitator, has been declared the inaugural winner of Alone Australia.
Gina’s 67-day survival in the remote wilds of Western Tasmania or lutruwita has set a new benchmark for the franchise. Despite battling the harsh forces of nature, scarcity of food, and the anguish of solitude, she outshone nine other participants to seize the grand prize of $250,000.
Reflecting on her transformative journey, Gina revealed,
“The person who began this journey isn’t the one who completed it. I emerged more weather-beaten, more appreciative, and more in love than ever before. I wanted to demonstrate that there’s a way to connect with our ancestral roots without dominating nature or depending on fancy gadgets.
I’m deeply grateful to the palawa people, who have harmoniously coexisted with this land for thousands of years.”
As the competition reached its climax, only three participants were left standing – Michael, a vet and bush regenerator, Mike, a solo adventurer, and Gina.
Unfortunately, Michael tapped out on day 30 due to a lack of food and a longing for his family. The final face-off was between Mike and Gina, with both unaware of their status as the last two participants.
A severe storm battered both camps on day 50. However, Mike was dealt a further blow when his falling blood pressure, following a medical check on day 64, led to his extraction. A disappointed Mike admitted, “Winning was crucial to me, but I gave it my all.”
Gina’s victory was confirmed after she passed her medical check on day 67, marking the longest stretch with only two participants in the franchise’s history. Alone Australia now stands as a leading force in total TV audiences, with a record five episodes garnering over one million viewers.
Kathryn Fink, SBS’s Director of Television, praised Gina’s accomplishment and the impact of Alone Australia. The series has been hailed as SBS’s most successful original commission ever in terms of total consumption, reflecting the shift towards multiplatform on-demand television.
Similarly, ITV Studios Australia CEO and Managing Director David Mott lauded the cast and crew for creating a series that has redefined success in today’s multi-platform world.
