In Black and White

Running away to join the circus has been the quixotic goal of many the bored teenager. But by the time Mabel Worley took that path, her life was anything but ordinary. Corinne Ball, senior curator at the History Trust of South Australia, joins the show to tell the tale. More about Corinne's book at: https://scholarly.info/book/three-ring-circus/ Like the show? Get features and more at  heraldsun.c...

Redmond Barry is best known for sending Ned Kelly to the gallows. But he never would have sat in judgement if it wasn't for some poor judgement of his own. State Library Victoria librarian Andrew McConville joins the show to tell the tale of Barry's torrid love affair at sea, and how it changed the young lawyer's life. Like the show? Read more at  heraldsun.com.au/ibaw See omnystudio.com/listener...

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. When George Augustus Robinson was employed as the Chief Protector of Tasmania's Aboriginal people, he proclaimed he was there to 'do good' for the indigenous population. Instead, he took from the very people who had already had everything taken from them. Cassandra Pybus joins the show with more. Note: This episode contains graphic descriptions relating to the deaths o...

He was dubbed the most unpopular AIF commander of World War I, thanks to a series of bungles and mismanagement. But was James McCay mad, bad, or just another hapless officer caught in the slaughter of the trenches? Military historian Mat McLachlan joins the show to discuss. More on Mat's work at:  https://battlefields.com.au/ Like the show? Go to  heraldsun.com.au/ibaw  for more  See omnystudio.co...

Before TV, social media and the internet, Australians turned to magazines to help define their style. And for 43 years William Shum was one of the titans of print who showed modern Australians how to dress themselves - and the places they lived. Now his granddaughter, author Sue Walker, joins the show to recount his colourful life. More about the book here. Like the show? Get features, backgrounde...

Len Fuller was just a trainee pilot when his RAAF aircraft collided mid-flight with another plane. But instead of a fiery tragedy, what happened next was front page news. Author and podcaster Michael Adams joins a special  Anzac Day edition to tell the tale. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Len Fuller was just a trainee pilot when his RAAF aircraft collided mid-flight with another plane. But instead of a fiery tragedy, what happened next was front page news. Author and podcaster Michael Adams joins a special  Anzac Day edition to tell the tale. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It seemed like science fiction at the time, but in the late 1800s one scientist and his team ventured forth into the deep Outback to connect Australia to the world. Author Adam Courtenay rejoins the show to tell the extraordinary tale of Charles Todd.    Learn more about the tale in Courtenay's book, Mr Todd's Marvel, at: https://www.woodslanepress.com.au/collections/author-adam-courtenay See omny...

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT The prisons of old Victoria were no strangers to the tragic, the macabre and the downright bizarre. But in Geelong, the Hassett clan saw all three. Historian Deb Robinson joins the show to outline the multiple generations who found themselves behind bars.   Warning: This series contains discussions of self harm. If you or anyone you know needs help: Lifeline: 13 11 14 B...

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. The prisons of old Victoria were no strangers to the tragic, the macabre and the downright bizarre. But in Geelong, the Hassett clan saw all three. Historian Deb Robinson joins the show to outline the multiple generations who found themselves behind bars. Warning: This series contains discussions of self harm. If you or anyone you know needs help: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Be...

Throughout the decades of AFL and VFL history, there have been many coaching greats. But only one could boast a perfect record. AFL historian Col Hutchinson joins the show to introduce us to Charlie Clymo, the man who coached the Cats to the 1931 flag, and then disappeared. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a special Good Friday edition of the show, we conclude our three-part deep dive into the history of the Royal Children's Hospital and the long-running Good Friday Appeal. Today we talk to Penny Fowler, the granddaughter of Sir Keith and Dame Elisabeth Murdoch and the chairman of the Good Friday Appeal, about her family's deep connection with the event, and what's in its future. Like the show? G...

This week, in the lead-up to the 93rd Good Friday Appeal, we do a three-part deep dive into the history of Melbourne's beloved Royal Children's Hospital and the long-running Good Friday Appeal. Today, we speak again with Melbourne historian Peter Yule, author of an amazing book called The Royal Children's Hospital: A history of faith, science and love , about the origins of one of Victoria's most...

This week, in the lead-up to the 93rd Good Friday Appeal, we do a three-part deep dive into the history of Melbourne's beloved Royal Children's Hospital and the long-running Good Friday Appeal. Today we speak with Melbourne historian Peter Yule, author of an amazing book called The Royal Children's Hospital: A history of faith, science and love , about the origins of one of Victoria's most importa...

Elijah Upjohn was a sewage worker turned quack doctor who found himself behind bars for chicken thievery. But his life took a sharp turn when a notorious bushranger was convicted - and the state was in need of a hangman. Author and podcaster Michael Adams tells the story. More about Michael's book:  https://affirmpress.com.au/publishing/hanging-ned-kelly/ More about the Forgotten Australia podcast...

Thomas Austin owned a great estate and built a grand mansion fit to host royalty. But he will be forever remembered for one of colonial Australia’s biggest bungles: rabbits. Author and comedian Mikey Robins joins the show with more. Learn more about Mikey at: https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/Idiots-Follies-and-Misadventures/Mikey-Robins/9781761107115 Like the show? Get features, backgroun...

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. This week we tell the story of an Australian PoW in World War 2, who was damned for helping his Japanese captors but hailed for helping send war criminals to the gallows. Author Tom Gilling tells the story. More about Tom’s book at :https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Tom-Gilling-Witness-9781760879273 If you or anyone you know needs help Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyond...

To coincide with the launch of Qtopia Sydney, the world’s largest museum and cultural centre dedicated to queer history and the LGBTQIA+ community, historian Garry Wotherspoon joins us for a fascinating exploration of Australia’s queer history from colonial days to the present. Find out more:  https://qtopiasydney.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 1930s, Australians witnessed some of the country’s most infamous - and most luridly nicknamed - murder cases. But the “Vampire Murder”, a horrific sex crime in Newcastle in 1937, has been largely forgotten. Crime historian and Forgotten Australia host Michael Adams joins the show for the first episode of a three-part miniseries. More on Michael's new book The Murder Squad at:  https://affir...

In the 1930s, Australians witnessed some of the country’s most infamous - and most luridly nicknamed - murder cases. But the “Vampire Murder”, a horrific sex crime in Newcastle in 1937, has been largely forgotten. Crime historian and Forgotten Australia host Michael Adams joins the show for the first episode of a three-part miniseries. More on Michael's new book The Murder Squad at:  https://affir...

In the 1930s, Australians witnessed some of the country’s most infamous - and most luridly nicknamed - murder cases. But the “Vampire Murder”, a horrific sex crime in Newcastle in 1937, has been largely forgotten. Crime historian and Forgotten Australia host Michael Adams joins the show for the first episode of a three-part miniseries. More on Michael's new book The Murder Squad at:  https://affir...

As the Nazi war machine marched toward the Baltic, diplomat Chiune Sugihara disobeyed orders and risked his life to save 6000 Jews. Australian author Linda Margolin Royal tells the tale - and her own connection to that remarkable Japanese hero. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While he's largely forgotten now, Daniel Mannix was a titanic name of the first half of the last century. The Catholic bishop of Melbourne wielded power at the pulpit and the ballot box. And he was never shy of expressing an opinion on controversial issues, from conscription to communism, to independence for the land of his birth. Andrew McConville from the State Library joins the show with more....

Today we tell three tales of people who made Australia just that little bit more colourful. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we bring together the ripping yarns of some of the nation's greatest liars and frauds. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.