In Black and White

This week we tell stories of the people who, by choice or circumstance, found themselves lurking through Australia's underbelly. If you or anyone you know needs help Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the Pacific War to the Titanic disaster, here are three tales of Aussies who found themselves in the thick of the action. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a young Norwegian adventurer found himself shipwrecked in the Southern Ocean, he couldn't know that it would only be the start of his ordeal. His granddaughter Cathrine Harboe-Ree joins the show with more. More about Cathrine's book at: https://scholarly.info/article/book_author/cathrine-harboe-ree/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a young Norwegian adventurer found himself shipwrecked in the Southern Ocean, he couldn't know that it would only be the start of his ordeal. His granddaughter Cathrine Harboe-Ree joins the show with more. More about Cathrine's book at: https://scholarly.info/article/book_author/cathrine-harboe-ree/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Goldfields diggers knew Edward Thonen as the lemonade man, but his path to Ballarat took him from high-stakes robbery to high-seas adventure. Amateur historian Daniel Bamberger joins the show from his home in Germany with more. To find out more about Thonen, read Bamberger's free book, Edward Thonen: A forgotten Eureka rebel. Clarification: Peter Lalor made Edward Thonen captain of one of his divi...

Goldfields diggers knew Edward Thonen as the lemonade man, but his path to Ballarat took him from high-stakes robbery to high-seas adventure. Amateur historian Daniel Bamberger joins the show from his home in Germany with more. To find out more about Thonen, r ead Bamberger's free book, Edward Thonen: A forgotten Eureka rebel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Far from being a passive governor's wife, Jane Franklin spent her time coming up with innovative ideas to help the people of colonial Tasmania. Sadly, her notion to eradicate all snakes from the island was not one of them. Author Jim Haynes joins the show to tell more tales from his book Heroes, Rebels, and Radicals of Convict Australia. https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Jim-Haynes-Heroes,...

Far from being a passive governor's wife, Jane Franklin spent her time coming up with innovative ideas to help the people of colonial Tasmania. Sadly, her notion to eradicate all snakes from the island was not one of them. Author Jim Haynes joins the show to tell more tales from his book Heroes, Rebels and Radicals of Convict Australia. https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Jim-Haynes-Heroes,-...

When nearly 800 malnourished convicts set off for Botany Bay on the First Fleet, no-one expected them all to survive. But thanks to the heroic efforts of head physician John White, the prisoners had a better hope of survival than they would have if they stayed at home. Jim Haynes returns to the show to tell the tale. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He may have inspired one of our country's most famous ballads, but far from the romantic image of a wild and dashing bushranger, John Donohoe was a criminal hell-bent on violence. Author and entertainer Jim Haynes joins the show with more. Information about Jim's book at: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Jim-Haynes-Heroes,-Rebels-&-Radicals-of-Convict-Australia-9781761470370 See omnys...

Adelaide Ironside's life was as improbable as her name. She held court with princes, poets, and the Pope. She became a celebrated painter in Europe, where she was known as 'the Australian flower'. But it was an act of creativity in the midst of the Crimean War when Sydneysiders feared a Russian invasion that first made her famous. Historian Kiera Lindsey joins the show with more. More about Lindse...

Adelaide Ironside's life was as improbable as her name. She held court with princes, poets, and the Pope. She became a celebrated painter in Europe, where she was known as 'the Australian flower'. But it was an act of creativity in the midst of the Crimean War when Sydneysiders feared a Russian invasion that first made her famous. Historian Kiera Lindsey joins the show with more. More about Lindse...

When young World War II POW Allan Chick survived the sinking of his Japanese transport ship, he probably thought himself lucky. But it was as a forced labourer in the doomed city of Nagasaki that his luck would truly be tested. Australian War Memorial historian Meghan Adams shares his story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite being Victoria Racing Club boss for more than 40 years, Henry Byron Moore was so indifferent to horse racing he used to take a four-minute break while the race that stops a nation was run. But as an entrepreneur, inventor, and showman, he knew how to capture the public’s imagination. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite being Victoria Racing Club boss for more than 40 years, Henry Byron Moore was so indifferent to horse racing he used to take a four-minute break while the race that stops a nation was run. But as an entrepreneur, inventor, and showman, he knew how to capture the public’s imagination. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a criminal world dominated by men, Cecilia Curtain earned a fearsome reputation as a champion street fighter. But Geelong Gaol historian Deb Robinson has probed her painful past and discovered a strange murder case and a string of tragedies that led to her life of crime. Get features and more at  heraldsun.com.au/ibaw . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the early 1800s,  Napoléon Bonaparte ’s wife set her heart on acquiring a vast collection of wombats, kangaroos, black swans and dwarf emus to roam the magnificent gardens at her home, Chateau de Malmaison. And while scientists had other plans for the prized Australian animals, the French emperor stepped in to ensure his beloved Josephine got her way. State Library Victoria reference librarian...

In the early 1800s, Napoléon Bonaparte’s wife set her heart on acquiring a vast collection of wombats, kangaroos, black swans and dwarf emus to roam the magnificent gardens at her home, Chateau de Malmaison. And while scientists had other plans for the prized Australian animals, the French emperor stepped in to ensure his beloved Josephine got her way. State Library Victoria reference librarian An...

Once one of Australia’s most feared gangsters, Snowy Cutmore is most famous for a shoot-out with Squizzy Taylor in 1927 in which both died. Until now, it’s been widely believed they shot each other. But historian Roy Maloy has pieced together the evidence from the night, and concludes a third man killed them both. Learn more about Roy Maloy’s book: Squizzy - The Forensics, The Man, The Vendetta: ...

Once one of Australia’s most feared gangsters, Snowy Cutmore is most famous for a shoot-out with Squizzy Taylor in 1927 in which both died. Until now, it’s been widely believed they shot each other. But historian Roy Maloy has pieced together the evidence from the night, and concludes a third man killed them both. Learn more about Roy Maloy’s book: Squizzy - The Forensics, The Man, The Vendetta: ...

Karl Kast arrived in Australia claiming to be a refugee from the Nazis and was interned as an enemy alien. But it was after his release when his doctors refused to back his claims that he was too injured to work that he went on a killing spree. Forensic psychiatrist Robert M Kaplan returns to the show to tell this story.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harold Lasseter claimed he had stumbled across a vast and lucrative gold reef in the central Australian desert when he was just 17. So successful was he in convincing authorities - and himself - that his story was true, the legend of the lost reef still excites fortune seekers to this day. Forensic psychiatrist Robert M Kaplan joins the show to delve into the mind of one of Australia’s greatest li...

Harold Lasseter claimed he had stumbled across a vast and lucrative gold reef in the central Australian desert when he was just 17. So successful was he in convincing authorities - and himself - that his story was true, the legend of the lost reef still excites fortune seekers to this day. Forensic psychiatrist Robert M Kaplan joins the show to delve into the mind of one of Australia’s greatest li...

Bee Miles was famous for her outrageous public acts of defiance, whether stopping a country train in its tracks to hitch a ride or emerging from the surf with knives strapped to her thighs. But a new book reveals the troubled mind of the woman once voted more famous than the prime minister.  Author Rose Ellis tells the story in her new book Bee Miles: Australia’s famous bohemian rebel, and the unt...

Bee Miles was famous for her outrageous public acts of defiance, whether stopping a country train in its tracks to hitch a ride or emerging from the surf with knives strapped to her thighs. But a new book reveals the troubled mind of the woman once voted more famous than the prime minister.  Author Rose Ellis tells the story in her new book Bee Miles: Australia’s famous bohemian rebel, and the unt...