Weird Crap in Australia

The koala, Australia's beloved marsupial. Master of Camouflage, Marsupial of a Hundred Names, Disqualified Entrant of the "World's Cutest Animal" contest. Known for its fluffy, gray fur and round face, the koala is an emblem of cuteness. Everyone knows what a Koala is. But what if we told you that we've been saying its name wrong for decades? Join us as we examine the Cullawine, Native Bear, Coola...

In the early 19th century, Musquito, a First Nations bushranger, defied British colonial rule in Australia. Born around 1780, he was transported to Tasmania as a convict in 1824. Escaping captivity, he joined forces with Black Jack, another warrior, and led a group of dispossessed First Nations people in guerrilla warfare against settlers. Their audacious raids terrorized colonists, thanks to Musq...

In 1942 amidst the rugged terrain of Papua New Guinea, the battle to save the Australian mainland unfolded in treacherous conditions, dense jungles, and steep mountain ranges, shadowed by the constant threat of tropical diseases. The Kokoda Track, a narrow and challenging pathway, became the epicenter of a battle where outnumbered Australian forces, primarily composed of reservists, aided by local...

In 1942 amidst the rugged terrain of Papua New Guinea, the battle to save the Australian mainland unfolded in treacherous conditions, dense jungles, and steep mountain ranges, shadowed by the constant threat of tropical diseases. The Kokoda Track, a narrow and challenging pathway, became the epicenter of a battle where outnumbered Australian forces, primarily composed of reservists, aided by local...

On the Easter long weekend in 2003, everything seemed cool and normal. The Singh parents were overseas in Fiji, and their children remained at home in Brisbane, enjoying the school holidays together. On Easter Monday, the calm of the Singh family's neighbourhood was broken by a discovery that would break their family: someone had taken the lives of Neelma Singh, her brother Kunal Singh, and her si...

On the Easter long weekend in 2003, everything seemed cool and normal. The singh parents were overseas in Fiji, and their children remained at home in Brisbane, enjoying the school holidays together. On Easter Monday, the calm of the Singh family's neighbourhood was broken by a discovery that would break their family: someone had taken the lives of Neelma Singh, her brother Kunal Singh, and her si...

When the 42-Up train landed at Mt Isa in 1938, there was something strange about the mail cart. One of the locks was different, not regulation, and when they opened the door, they found two bags missing. Join Holly & Matthew as they look into Australia's DB Cooper and the legacy he left behind. Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod "Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeod Used under a Creative Commons...

In the Murray-Darling river system lives a creature to large as to drag ships down into the depths and so powerful it can curse a man to death. But the Muldjewangk hasn't been seen for more than 30 years - and the river system is suffering because of it. Join Holly and Matthew as they look into Australia's own deadly curse-caster, and the stories that gave it its origins... Main Theme music – Kevi...

After drinking away the redeployed US soldiers at the North West Cape naval base, Annie hitched a ride home with two members of the AFP. On the way home, they encountered something that stuck in her mind forever. But not as much as the US-MP visit 2 days later. Join Holly & Matthew as they look into this encounter in WA, and the cheek the Aussies gave the authorities trying to silence her. Mai...

While Kylie is primarily known for her chart-topping music and acting career, there's a peculiar twist to her story, which could have seen her sister Dannii take her crown. We explore her early years growing up in Melbourne, her unexpected transition from a soap opera star to a global music sensation, and a career in film, tv and music that has now spanned 5 decades. Join Holly and Matthew as we u...

While Kylie is primarily known for her chart-topping music and acting career, there's a peculiar twist to her story, which could have seen her sister Dannii take her crown. We explore her early years growing up in Melbourne, her unexpected transition from a soap opera star to a global music sensation, and a career in film, tv and music that has now spanned 5 decades. Join Holly and Matthew as we u...

Against the backdrop of World War II's brownout conditions, Melbourne became a breeding ground for rapists, robbers and murderers. One of them, The Brownout Strangler, became the most notorious serial killer in Australia at the time, because he left no trace. Until the day he did. Join Holly and Matthew as they look into the murders, the perpetrator, and the trial. Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod...

Against the backdrop of World War II's brownout conditions, Melbourne became a breeding ground for rapists, robbers and murderers. One of them, The Brownout Strangler, became the most notorious serial killer in Australia at the time, because he left no trace. Until the day he did. join Holly and Matthew as they look into the murders, the perpetrator, and the trial. Get ready for 1940s anti-America...

Against the backdrop of World War II's brownout conditions, Melbourne became a breeding ground for rapists, robbers and murderers. One of them, The Brownout Strangler, became the most notorious serial killer in Australia at the time, because he left no trace. Until the day he did. join Holly and Matthew as they look into the murders, the perpetrator, and the trial. Get ready for 1940s anti-America...

To say that the Australian film landscape was limited in the early 2000s would be a gross understatement. Much of the 90s Australian film industry was populated seminal drama films dripping with awards prestige. Occasionally Baz Luhrmann got one out the door or an American film production would come knocking, but long gone were the days of the rebels and exploitation directors of the 70s and 80s....

There's a part of modern warfare that is often overlooked by the people on the ground, and that's the communications systems feeding them information. A war can't be fought without orders, and where there's a messenger, there's an enemy looking to find out what he's up to. When Australia joined the WWII efforts on Sept 1, 1939, we didn't have a cryptanalyst team, or anything remotely resembling a...

There's a part of modern warfare that is often overlooked by the people on the ground, and that's the communications systems feeding them information. A war can't be fought without orders, and where there's a messenger, there's an enemy looking to find out what he's up to. When Australia joined the WWII efforts on Sept 1, 1939, we didn't have a cryptanalyst team, or anything remotely resembling a...

Yahoo Serious, an Australian actor, director, and producer, gained fame in the late 1980s with "Young Einstein," a comedic take on Albert Einstein. With red hair and slapstick humor, he carved a niche for himself. Though later films fell short, he remains an intriguing figure in Australian cinema's history. But that's not all he's known for. Join Holly and Matthew as they look at the films, the ch...

This mythical creature, said to prowl the untamed wilderness of northern Queensland, has captured Cryptologists imaginations for decades - They say if any cryptid of Australia exists, it's the Yarri. Join Holly and Matthew as they examine this cryptid, known elsewhere as the Queensland Tiger, and the scientific evidence of its existance. Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod "Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevi...

Perth went from a community able to sleep with a cool breeze flowing through their homes, to locking the doors and windows in the height of summer. Fear was everywhere as a gunman, a strangler and a stabber swept through the community, setting fires and stealing cars as they went. It was gangland pandemonium in 1960s Perth, and everyone was afraid. What they didn't understand was that this was not...

Perth went from a community able to sleep with a cool breeze flowing through their homes, to locking the doors and windows in the height of summer. Fear was everywhere as a gunman, a strangler and a stabber swept through the community, setting fires and stealing cars as they went. It was gangland pandemonium in 1960s Perth, and everyone was afraid. What they didn't understand was that this was not...

In this episode, we explore the enchanting world of quokkas, the adorable marsupials from Western Australia. Discover the unique features that make quokkas so special, from their contagious smiles to their friendly nature. We discuss the quokkas' habitat on Rottnest Island, their herbivorous diet, and the social dynamics within their communities. We'll also highlight conservation efforts and debun...

Eight-year-old Graeme Thorne, a young boy from Sydney, was targeted by a ruthless criminal seeking a hefty ransom. As the Thorne family endured unimaginable anguish, the nation held its breath, waiting for a resolution. Join Holly and Matthew as they recount the events leading up to this infamous case and explore the devastating impact it had on the nation, as well as the good it eventually spawne...

Eight-year-old Graeme Thorne, a young boy from Sydney, was targeted by a ruthless criminal seeking a hefty ransom. As the Thorne family endured unimaginable anguish, the nation held its breath, waiting for a resolution. Join Holly and Matthew as they recount the events leading up to this infamous case and explore the devastating impact it had on the nation, as well as the good it eventually spawne...

Eight-year-old Graeme Thorne, a young boy from Sydney, was targeted by a ruthless criminal seeking a hefty ransom. As the Thorne family endured unimaginable anguish, the nation held its breath, waiting for a resolution. Join Holly and Matthew as they recount the events leading up to this infamous case and explore the devastating impact it had on the nation, as well as the good it eventually spawne...