Weird Crap in Australia

Stop me if you've heard this one. Agent Smith, General Zod and Aldrich Killian walk into a pub... Australia is a land of contrasts: Surf and sand, cold beer and hot days, gay bashings and a cult film about a trio of drag queens... Wait, what? In 1994, a small film made by a bunch of guerrilla filmmakers rewrote what being gay, transgender or a drag queen meant to the Australian public at large. Fr...

Stop me if you've heard this one. Agent Smith, General Zod and Aldrich Killian walk into a pub... Australia is a land of contrasts: Surf and sand, cold beer and hot days, gay bashings and a cult film about a trio of drag queens... Wait, what? In 1994, a small film made by a bunch of guerrilla filmmakers rewrote what being gay, transgender or a drag queen meant to the Australian public at large. Fr...

Between 1975 and 1999, dozens of men across Sydney found themselves the victims of assaults and murders. In 1988, Scott Johnson died off the cliffs of Manly. His body was found naked, and an investigation went underway. 30 years, 3 inquests and a public campaign later, his killer was close to hand. The investigation into Scott Johnson's murder uncovered many other men who lost their lives in simil...

Between 1975 and 1999, dozens of men across Sydney found themselves the victims of assaults and murders. In 1988, Scott Johnson died off the cliffs of Manly. His body was found naked, and an investigation went underway. 30 years, 3 inquests and a public campaign later, his killer was close to hand. The investigation into Scott Johnson's murder uncovered many other men who lost their lives in simil...

Between 1975 and 1999, dozens of men across Sydney found themselves the victims of assaults and murders. In 1988, Scott Johnson died off the cliffs of Manly. His body was found naked, and an investigation went underway. 30 years, 3 inquests and a public campaign later, his killer was close to hand. The investigation into Scott Johnson's murder uncovered many other men who lost their lives in simil...

It’s October 1, 1980, in the early morning in Victorian farm country. The sounds of cattle aren't entirely out of place in the area of Rosedale, VIC and one farm hand on the White Acres cattle station decided to investigate a small disturbance to the herd at about 1 am. The tone of the animals was strange, loud and unusual. Something was messing with the herd, causing them distress. Join Holly and...

When Europeans first set foot in Botany Bay, the local populations found their homes, their foods ounces and their lives under immediate threat. Some sought to negotiate; some fled. Still others stood their ground, and became a thorn in the side of the British Empire. This is one such story. Join Holly and Matthew as they examine the scant and biased histories of the era, and seek out the truth on...

How did a criminal on the run result in the election of Pauline Hanson in the 1990s? Why did a man and some photos turn the public against the police? Just who is the Drop-in-Bandit? Join Holly and Matthew as they look into Brendan Abbott and his crime-sprees. Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod "Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeod Used under a Creative Commons license. Become a supporter of this pod...

Cockatoo Island, situated deep inside Sydney Harbour, has had continual use since time immemorial. Originally a sacred site, the island became a penal colony, a shipyard, and now a tourist location. Join Holly and Matthew as they look into the history of the site, and the stories of ghosts that haunt the island's many buildings. Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod "Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeod...

When Europeans landed on the shores of Australia, a world of foreign animals and strange plants greeted their refined, English sensibilities. While the Americas had big cows and the bones of bigger elephants, Australia was home to jumping deer and teddy bears that drop from the trees to rip you apart. It took decades for the "duck-mole" to be discovered - and it took even longer for its strangest...

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Australia in February 2020, the Australian government faced its biggest medical emergency since the 1920s. With 100 years to prepare and refine their responses to the issue, the changes, differences and actions taken by the Australian Government helped us avoid disaster. Thanks to the work of the Lost Generation and their elders, the 2020 government knew exactly what...

I'm sure you all saw this coming. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Australia in February 2020, the Australian government faced its biggest medical emergency since the 1920s. With 100 years to prepare and refine their responses to the issue, the changes, differences and actions taken by the Australian Government helped us avoid disaster. Thanks to the work of the Lost Generation and their elders, the...

Keren Rowland was 20 years old when she went missing on 26 February 1971, the night of the Royal Canberra Show. Since then, what happened to her has been theorised and questioned, but one thing is sure: she was murdered. Join Holly and Matthew in welcoming our first guest host, host of Capital Crime Files podcast Nichole Overall, as we look into this case that has fascinated Canberra and surrounds...

Canberra may be the home of our lizard overlords, but in the 1970s, it was also the personal haunting ground for UFOs - and especially the poor woman Vikki Klein. Join Holly and Matthew as they look into Claude and the dog-faced aliens, and the journey of the Klein family. Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod "Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeod Used under a Creative Commons license. Become a supporte...

Canberra may be the home of our lizard overlords, but in the 1970s, it was also the personal haunting ground for UFOs - and especially the poor woman Vikki Klein. Join Holly and Matthew as they look into Claude and the dog-faced aliens, and the journey of the Klein family. Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod "Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeod Used under a Creative Commons license. Become a supporte...

If there is such a thing as the perfect cult leader, Anne Hamilton-Byrne could be said to be it. Indoctrinating her cultists and the children she seeks to leave to rule the world, her only flaw (as a cult leader) is that she trusted too much. Join Holly and Matthew for Year 3's Australian cult, the Family, and the consequences of their actions... *Warning violence against kids* Main Theme music –...

If there is such a thing as the perfect cult leader, Anne Hamilton-Byrne could be said to be it. Indoctrinating her cultists and the children she seeks to leave to rule the world, her only flaw (as a cult leader) is that she trusted too much. Join Holly and Matthew for Year 3's Australian cult, the Family, and the consequences of their actions... *Warning violence against kids* Main Theme music –...

Deep in the heartlands of southeast Victoria lives a monster so fearsome, so terrifying, that its very name used to scare the countryside. Join Holly and Matthew as they look into the Wonthaggi Monster, its life in the bush, and possible modern sightings... Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod "Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeod Used under a Creative Commons license. Become a supporter of this podcas...

Join Holly and Matthew as they examine the history of the Gippsland area, its treatment of the local peoples, and the placement of the cairns that memorialise a bloody point in Australia's history. **Listener submitted - thanks to Akarna for her help with the research** Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod "Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeod Used under a Creative Commons license. Become a supporter o...

Join Holly and Matthew as they examine the history of the Gippsland area, its treatment of the local peoples, and the placement of the cairns that memorialise a bloody point in Australia's history. **Listener submitted, thanks to Akarna for her help with the research** Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod "Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeod Used under a Creative Commons license. Become a supporter of...

How did the man in the crocodile-skin vest go from painting on the Sydney Harbor Bridge, to rocking out in Hollywood? Join Holly and Matthew as they go through the life and adventures of Paul Hogan, and his rise to fame and glory. 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...

When two girls from Bega went missing while camping over a long weekend, a manhunt sprouted that would cover 3 states and months of work - and only be solved when one of perpetrators dobbed himself in. Join Holly and Matthew as they examine the link between the Bega Killings, the Russell St Bombings, and the nation's capital, Canberra. Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod "Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin...

It's time for a little fun in the sun. Are you ready to wiggle? In the 1990s, a small band became a hit group in the Australian music industry, and started a legacy that has evolved through 3 generations of members and countless millions of children over the last 30 years. Join Holly and Matthew as they examine the history of the biggest Australian group of all time, and their wholesome origin sto...

It's time for a little fun in the sun. Are you ready to wiggle? Back in the 1980s, Greg, Murray, Anthony and Jeff definitely weren't. Join Holly and Matthew as they examine the history of the biggest Australian group of all time, and their wholesome, lovely origin story. Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod "Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeod Used under a Creative Commons license. Become a supporter...

On a cold winter's night in 1997, a small town in the Snowy Mountains was rocked by an event that leaves scars on its surface - mental, physical and spiritual - to this day. Join Holly and Matthew as they look into the events of that night, and the two weeks following... Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod "Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeod Used under a Creative Commons license. Become a supporter...