Forgotten Australia

Faced with almost certain death during a mid-air collision between two planes, RAAF trainee pilot Len Fuller takes advantage of million-to-one odds by keeping a cool head and a courageous heart. Overnight, he’s acclaimed as an example of Australian heroism. But no good deed goes unpunished - not when the air force brass have something to say about the accident’s aftermath. Part Three is available...

In September 1940, young RAAF trainee pilot Len Fuller pulled off a mid-air miracle that made front-page news around Australia and around the world. In this instalment, we look at how his whole life seemed to prepare Len for those desperate moments 3000 feet above the NSW Riverina – and for the year he’d spend dicing with death as he fought the Nazis as a member of RAF Bomber Command. RAAF Hero Le...

In September 1976, Dr Hunter S. Thompson, then at the height of his infamy as the drink-and-drug-soaked Dean of Gonzo Journalism, came Down Under to give a series of public lectures. What ensued was chaotic – but not for the reasons you might expect. In this episode, we look at what Australia was like when Hunter S. touched down – and we hear from Peter Olszewski, aka "J.J. McRoach", then a young...

In 1803 Sydney Gazette publisher George Howe got a gallows story beyond imagination – and one that would be retold forever after. To support Forgotten Australia: Apple - http://apple.co/forgottenaustralia Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/ForgottenAustralia Check out my new book, The Murder Squad: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781922863836.html ... and Hang...

In 1803 in Sydney, Constable Joseph Luker became the first Australian policeman murdered in the line of the duty. Who was responsible for this crime that shocked the colony? How did his death trigger one of the strangest twists of fate in our history? Thankfully, the incredible details were captured in Australia's first-ever newspaper, The Sydney Gazette, which had appeared just months earlier to...

In October 1919, South Grafton, on the NSW North Coast, was the site of the one of the strangest and deadliest coincidences in Australian history. Later, the town's mayor, Dr Earle Page, would have his own experience of tragedy at the hands of fate – before fate briefly made him Australia's prime minister. To support the show: Apple - http://apple.co/forgottenaustralia Patreon - https://...

Raised in mere months for the 1879 International Exhibition, the Garden Palace was colonial Sydney's most spectacular building. But its fiery demise was even more spectacular, the grand complex razed to burning rubble in mere minutes. Why did it burn? Who was to blame? And how are its losses still being felt 140 years later? Get The Murder Squad in time for Father's Day - at 33% off the RRP. https...

The jury hands down its verdict in the William Burns murder trial, newspapers discover the existence of his sparrow, a poet is stirred to write verses about what follows... and two more Douglas crew members meet horrible deaths. Apple - http://apple.co/forgottenaustralia Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/ForgottenAustralia Check out my new book The Murder Squad: https://affirmpress.com.au/bro...

At his December 1882 murder trial William Burns pleads self-defence, even as fellow shipmates testify he’d committed cold-blooded murder. But what can his past reveal about his actions? Support Forgotten Australia: Apple - http://apple.co/forgottenaustralia Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/ForgottenAustralia Check out my new book The Murder Squad: https://affirmpress.com.au/browse/book/Micha...

In September 1882, on a British ship on the high seas bound for Australia, English sailor William Burns stabs and kills a superior officer. For this capital crime, he’ll face justice in Adelaide – and await his fate in the company of a baby sparrow. Support Forgotten Australia to get early and ad-free episodes and bonus shows: Apple - http://apple.co/forgottenaustralia Patreon - https://www.p...

In 1959, entrepreneur Lee Gordon staged an all-star rock ’n’ roll show at the Sydney Stadium and filmed it for cinematic release. But this pioneering movie – the only one of its kind – was soon lost. More than half a century later, Melbourne man Mark Iaria found the film. He talks about his remarkable discovery and his efforts to digitise, restore and share the “Lee Gordon 1959 Rock ’N’ Roll Spect...

Exclusive to Forgotten Australia listeners, this episode comprises the first 20 pages of The Murder Squad, my new book about homicide investigation in Sydney and NSW during the worst years of the Great Depression. We start with Detective-Sergeant Tom McRae in Albury in September 1934 as he investigates the Pyjama Girl, before flashing back to the triple tragedies he endured in his early life and a...

Peter Doyle, author of Suburban Noir, talks about researching and writing true crime, and about his uncle Detective-Sergeant Brian Doyle, a top Sydney cop in the 1950s and 1960s, who led the investigations into the Kingsgrove Slasher and the Graeme Thorne kidnapping-murder. With thanks to listeners who contributed questions for Peter. Read Peter’s wonderful essay about taxi driving in Sydney here:...

Launched in September 1922, Melbourne's The Sun News-Pictorial forever changed newspapers in Australia. But for decades this historic publication has been difficult to access and to search because it's only available in a handful of physical microfilm catalogues. Now we have a chance to liberate this extraordinary Melbourne daily tabloid and give everyone free digital access in perpetuity via the...

Sue Northey knew barely anything about her dad’s experiences during World War II. That was until she found 98 letters he wrote between 1941 and 1945. Sue joins me to talk about rediscovering her dad through this correspondence, which chronicles the great events and the small details of these turbulent and tragic years. You can get early ad-free access to every episode, along with exclusive bonus s...

Even when the verdict is delivered in the Katoomba murder trial, the story is far from over – especially after the convicted man makes a startling allegation. Support Forgotten Australia: Apple - http://apple.co/forgottenaustralia Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/ForgottenAustralia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the wake of the gory outrage at the California, the accused faces an inquest and then his trial for murder. If he's found guilty, he'll be sentenced to death. But is he bad – or mad? Apple - http://apple.co/forgottenaustralia Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/ForgottenAustralia Book Club: I’ll be interviewing Peter Doyle about his non-fiction book Suburban Noir, which is a cracking portrai...

A mountains hotel. A locked room. Screams in the night and a body in the morning. The mystery of what happened in the California boarding house in Katoomba in autumn 1917 was like something by Agatha Christie. Except this wasn’t a whodunit – it was a whydunit. Parts 2 & 3 will be on general release soon. You can hear them now early and ad-free by supporting the podcast: Apple - http://app...

Did Lady Justice favour Lady Munro? Would she have the last laugh on her copper nemesis? Has anyone ever faced court more often in Australian history or done it with more style? All will be revealed... almost! Support Forgotten Australia: Apple - http://apple.co/forgottenaustralia Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/ForgottenAustralia To submit questions for the Peter Doyle Book Club episode: h...

Having come back from the grave once, Lady Munro faces another close call with death, becomes ever-more popular in colonial culture and goes toe-to-toe with one of Australia's most prominent gentlemen in a high-profile criminal court case. Support Forgotten Australia: Apple - http://apple.co/forgottenaustralia Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/ForgottenAustralia To submit questions for the Pe...

The eccentric Lady Munro cut a swathe through late colonial and early Federation Australia with her drunken antics, defiant unconventionality and mysterious claim to be from one of England’s most famous aristocratic families. The ‘Notorious Lady Munro’, who confessed to having been been ‘drunk around the universe’, was celebrated as ‘one of the most remarkable women alive’ – and stayed alive long...

While The Salvation Army is now a beloved institution, 140 years ago its men and women were regularly the victims of violent assaults by larrikin hordes who marched under the skull and bones and called themselves The Skeleton Army. These shameful attacks were staged all over Australia but were most prevalent in Melbourne and Victoria. In this episode, we explore the rise of the Salvos, the hostili...

“GIRLS ON PYLON SEX MACHINE”– it’s gotta be the weirdest newspaper headline of the 1930s. So what’s the strange story behind it? Join me for a plunge into the "Pashometer" craze that had Australians going bonkers to have a go on the machine that scientifically measured their all-important Sex Appeal! Change.org petition to fully fund Trove - https://www.change.org/p/fully-fund-trove Contact Tony B...

It’s July 1950 and Sydney detectives have Arthur Graham - aka Fred Stevens, aka Thomas Croft, aka Lionel Thomas – cornered in Perth. But can the man they suspect of multiple murders escape justice again? Support Forgotten Australia: Apple - http://apple.co/forgottenaustralia Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/ForgottenAustralia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s winter 1950 and Sydney detectives are criss-crossing Australia as they try to piece together the whereabouts of Blacktown widow, Phyllis Mary Page, last seen in the company of Fred Stevens – aka Thomas Croft – aka Lionel Thomas. Support Forgotten Australia: Apple - http://apple.co/forgottenaustralia Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/ForgottenAustralia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...