• AFR Magazine
  • Updated Dec 25 2015 at 12:15 AM

10 long reads: the best of AFR Magazine 2015

AFR magazines
AFR magazines

The most powerful, the most intriguing, the most stylish: these are the people the AFR Magazine specialises in profiling. Here are our top 10 most-read profiles of the year.

1. Ron Walker: "I didn't want to die"

Christmas 2012 was meant to be the prominent businessman's last. Rather than accept defeat, he flew to the US to join the trial of a drug that cleared him of cancer. Three years later, Walker's campaign to make the drug that saved his life available in Australia paid off.

2. Marc Newson in the kitchen

Marc Newson
Marc Newson John Ross

Australia's most renowned design export turns his hand to tea and toast – while munching on an Apple.

3. Australia's most powerful people

Our annual list of the 39 individuals running Australia.

4. Young rich-listers turned philanthropists

Scions
Scions Josh Robenstone

​Meet the new generation philanthropists in a hurry to change the world.

5. John Fraser: "I am a prick"

The plain-speaking Tresaury secretary is on his second stint in the public service after two decades in a completely different world.

6. Mark Scott's exit interview

AFR MAGAZINE. Pic of Mark Scott on the roof top of the ABC building in Ultimo Sydney. Pic to go with a story by Matt Drummong on ABC's future and the new digital age. Pic by Nci Walker. Date 23rd Jan 2013. MarkScott
AFR MAGAZINE. Pic of Mark Scott on the roof top of the ABC building in Ultimo Sydney. Pic to go with a story by Matt Drummong on ABC's future and the new digital age. Pic by Nci Walker. Date 23rd Jan 2013. MarkScott Nic Walker

"I had no idea of the scale of the challenge," the ABC managing director says as he prepares to step down.

7. Six rising stars of Australian politics

Malcolm Turnbull's elevation to Prime Minister proved to be good news for three of these young politicians, who were promoted shortly after this profile was published.

8. Lucy Turnbull, the PM's most valuable asset

"At the age of 57, I'm more than capable of having my own identity," says Lucy Turnbull. "It was more of a challenge when I was a lot younger."
"At the age of 57, I'm more than capable of having my own identity," says Lucy Turnbull. "It was more of a challenge when I was a lot younger." Nic Walker

There's something about Lucy (and it's not Malcolm).

9. Groovy Aussie chefs

They're not household names – yet – but they're cooking some of the country's most interesting food. These kitchen stars are united by their commitment to sustainable farming, savvy use of social media and determination to retain control.

10. Rachel Griffiths, homecoming queen

The actress talks about (being) Julie, her new roles - on and off the stage, and why she returned to Australia

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