Weird Crap in Australia

In early March, 1973, a collection if people from all walks of life - farmers, military police, police officers, criminals and laypeople - gathered at the Whiskey Au-Go-Go Brisbane for a night of fun, passion and music. Around 2 a.m., their lives changed forever. Within 20 minutes, 15 people were dead, the club was destroyed, and the Whskey itself became a magnet for conspiracy thought - most of i...

Australia is home to some pretty unbelievable creatures, from the mighty platypus to to the Tasmanian Devil. When Europeans settled on the land, they heard stories of creatures dangerous to the human population, and which could strike at any time. From the Bunyip to the Yowie, Gigantic Cats and Crocodiles hiding in dried-up watering holes, there's a lot of danger in this country. But there is none...

When most people think of the Dreamtime, the first story that usually comes to mind is the Rainbow Serpent. The story of the Rainbow Serpent, however, suffers the same fate as the bunyip, the yowie, and many other Dreamtime creatures. Across Australia, different Nations and Language Groups have different versions of the stories, from the malevelent, to the benevolent, from winged to mountainous. J...

As stumbled his way home, a green Holden Commodore pulled up nearby, calling him over. Inside were four young women, including 23-year-old Tracey Wigginton, Kim Jervis, Tracey Waugh, and Lisa Ptaschinski. The girls offered the inebriated man a lift, and he happily accepted. After all why would a grown man be afraid to get a lift from four young women? Join Holly and Matthew as they look into the c...

In the far-away days summer of 2009, a collection of bad luck, climate issues and circumstances led to the deadliest single day of bushfires to ever overcome the continent, 173 people died and more than 3500 buildings were razed. Join Holly and Matthew as they look into the bushfires that shocked the nation, the circumstances that caused them, and the lessons learned - and applied during the 2019-...

In the far-away days summer of 2009, a collection of bad luck, climate issues and circumstances led to the deadliest single day of bushfires to ever overcome the continent, 173 people died and more than 3500 buildings were razed. Join Holly and Matthew as they look into the bushfires that shocked the nation, the circumstances that caused them, and the lessons learned - and applied during the 2019-...

Dale Kerrigan is to Australia what Homer Simpson is to America: a 1980s/90s parody of the trashes levels of society, that has become someone you can only aspire to financially mulate. Join Holly and Matthew as they enjoy the serenity of the old 1990s film, the cultural shifts that made it possible, and just how likely it would be for you to have to sue the government out of taking your land. Yep,...

Built in the early 1800s, the Fremantle Lunatic Asylum, like most of Australia's colonial buildings, has held a number of occupations since its initial completion: Asylum, Gaol, Girls' school, Old Women's Home, and more. Join Holly and Matthew as they travel through the history of the Asylum, and visit with a few ghosts along the way... Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod "Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin...

On October 16, 1988, a 63ft schooner called the Patanela set off on a voyage from Fremantle, to the south of Perth, WA, heading to Airlie Beach, QLD, in the Whitsundays region. Somewhere along the way, the boat managed to get lost, radioing into Sydney, then requesting directions to the harbour. Join Matthew and Holly as they examine the missing boat, how it vanished, and what could have happened...

In the 1960s, a man terrorised the Sydney night time, attacking lone, drunken men, mutilating their corpses, and taking trophies home. When a body was found under a delicatessen, he was identified and buried, as so many people are. Almost a full year later, the same man was seen walking around the streets of Sydney. Who was this man, and what connection did he have to the Mutilator? Join Holly and...

In the 1960s, a man terrorised the Sydney night time, attacking lone, drunken men, mutilating their corpses, and taking trophies home. When a body was found under a delicatessen, he was identified and buried, as so many people are. Almost a full year later, the same man was seen walking around the streets of Sydney. Who was this man, and what connection did he have to the Mutilator? Join Holly and...

The walking bathroom carpet himself is an icon of Australia's morning television, as legendary as Hey Hey it's Saturday (without the blackface). However, his modern audience knows him from his YouTube clips more than his TV show. Join Holly and Matthew as they slip back into nostalgia and enjoy reliving their lives as under-10s. Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod "Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeod...

Australia's crime world can be a little intimidating for newcomers. You have men that look like normal bogan car enthusiasts, you have women that look like kind grandmothers, then you have Shane Chartres-Abbott: the Vampire Gigalo. Join Holly and Matthew as they look into the man behind the moniker, the crimes that brought him to the police's attention -- and the court hearing that had him assassi...

Australia's crime world can be a little intimidating for newcomers. You have men that look like normal bogan car enthusiasts, you have women that look like kind grandmothers, then you have Shane Chartres-Abbott: the Vampire Gigalo. Join Holly and Matthew as they look into the man behind the moniker, the crimes that brought him to the police's attention -- and the court hearing that had him assassi...

In the 1820s, a man would take the wilderness - and women - of Van Diemen's Land by storm, stealing hearts, wallets and watches alike. The Gentlemen Bushranger was a man who was feared by the men and adored by the women, doing his part to keep chivalry alive in the face of life in Tasmania. Join Holly and Matthew as Matthew swoons over Brady, they discuss his history, and his antics. Main Theme mu...

In the 1820s, a man would take the wilderness - and women - of Van Diemen's Land by storm, stealing hearts, wallets and watches alike. The Gentlemen Bushranger was a man who was feared by the men and adored by the women, doing his part to keep chivalry alive in the face of life in Tasmania. Join Holly and Matthew as Matthew swoons over Brady, they discuss his history, and his antics. Happy New Yea...

While Australians are known for our "eh, screw it" attitude when it comes to dealing with things, sometimes that doesn't turn out for the best. In December 1974, That attitude led to death, destruction, mayhem, and the second rebuilding of Darwin in 35 years. Join Holly and Matthew as they explore the cyclone, the wrong turns (on behalf of cyclone and human alike) and the lessons we should have le...

The "Francis & Eliza" departed Cork, Ireland, as part of a convoy of convict ships bound for Australia on December 5, 1814. The ship was under the command of Captain William Harrison, and began its journey under shifting, unsettled Northern Hemisphere winter weather. A month after departing Ireland, on January 4, 1815, the Francis and Eliza was separated from its convoy by a winter storm near Made...

Blue ringed octopi are octopi covered in blue ring markings. You're welcome. Join Holly and Matthew as they examine a creature that has a more dangerous reputation than they deserve, and listen to the reminisce about the before-times (Before the 2019-2020 fire season, and covid, and quarantine, and more covid, and...) Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod "Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeod Used under...

In the late 1980s, a man single-handedly led a 14-month reign of terror on the elderly population of Sydney, attacking women in broad daylight with a hammer, stealing their purses and running away. With a clear signature, the Granny Killer sought out elderly women he thought would make an easy mark for a fast robbery - and found a thirst for blood along the way. Join Holly and Matthew as they look...

In the late 1980s, a man single-handedly led a 14-month reign of terror on the elderly population of Sydney, attacking women in broad daylight with a hammer, stealing their purses and running away. With a clear signature, the Granny Killer sought out elderly women he thought would make an easy mark for a fast robbery - and found a thirst for blood along the way. Join Holly and Matthew as they look...

In 1942, Darwin was a small town with limited civil and military infrastructure. Seeing its location in close proximity to the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), Portuguese Timor and others, the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force constructed bases near the town in the 1930s and the early years of World War II (1939-1945). In spite of being the Northern Territory’s capital city af...

In 1942, Darwin was a small town with limited civil and military infrastructure. Seeing its location in close proximity to the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), Portuguese Timor and others, the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force constructed bases near the town in the 1930s and the early years of World War II (1939-1945). In spite of being the Northern Territory’s capital city af...

As of 2021, Skylab is the only space station 100% operated exclusively by the USA - everything else has been at the behest of or in conjunction with another nation, or as part of the ISS mission. Join Holly and Matthew as they look into this historic effort, its achievements, and the reason why it's sometimes called the "Chicken Little Satellite" in Australia. Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod "Slo...

It's Halloween again! Join Holly and Matthew as they look into 3 stories from Canberra, and their spooky legacies: - The 1940 Canberra Air Disaster - The Ghosts of Duntroon House - The Tuggeranong Yowie Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod "Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeod Used under a Creative Commons license. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-austr...