Weird Crap in Australia

As the world was beginning to shut down in 2020, two campers in their 70s headed up into the Alpine National Park for a weekend away. This was the last weekend before Covid restrictions came into effect in Victoria, and a lot of people were taking advantage of the March weather. This would be the last weekend away for our older campers. This would also be the story that spread a new legend in the...

In 1804, the only place you'd find someone prouder to be Irish than those in Ireland was in Australia. When the Irish motherland rebelled against their English overseers (for neither the first nor last time), a section of the burgeoning Australian Irish convict community stood up in solidarity. Join Holly and Matthew as they look at the Rebellion that never was, the only one that had the potential...

King Charles III succeeds Queen Elizabeth II to the throne. Will this cause anarchy in the streets, or will life continue on as before? The sharks are already circling, so let's put some information down for posterity. Bonus tip: Queen Elizabeth was alive 1926-2022 - which means she's seen almost 80% of Australia's life as "Australia". Her reign lasted just over 57% of the time we've been a nation...

In 1804, the only place you'd find someone prouder to be Irish than those in Ireland was in Australia. When the Irish motherland rebelled against their English overseers (for neither the first nor last time), a section of the burgeoning Australian Irish convict community stood up in solidarity. Join Holly and Matthew as they look at the Rebellion that never was, the only one that had the potential...

There is one common held truth amongst Aussies and that is that Australia is deceptively large. With a menagerie of various ecosystems and habitats, from deserts to rainforests and snowfields, the land reveals new secrets about herself all the time. In fact, the discovery of new animal species is quite frequent (though mostly of the ‘fossil’ or ‘insect’ varieties). What we don’t see in this countr...

In this episode, we explore the shocking case of the Pyjama Girl Murder, a brutal killing that occurred in Victoria, Australia in 1934. The unidentified body of a woman wearing distinctive pyjamas was found in a culvert outside Wagga Wagga, NSW, sparking a massive investigation that became one of Australia's most infamous and enduring mysteries. We delve into the details of the crime scene, the in...

In this episode, we explore the shocking case of the Pyjama Girl Murder, a brutal killing that occurred in Victoria, Australia in 1934. The unidentified body of a woman wearing distinctive pyjamas was found in a culvert outside Wagga Wagga, NSW, sparking a massive investigation that became one of Australia's most infamous and enduring mysteries. We delve into the details of the crime scene, the in...

In this episode, we explore the fascinating story of the 1956 Olympic Torch Hoax. With the Melbourne Olympics set to begin, a group of university students plotted to carry out a daring prank - stealing the Olympic Torch and replacing it with a homemade replica. The group's plan was meticulously executed and resulted in the international media reporting on the hoax as if it was real. The story capt...

Australia has some of the most varied fauna in the world. In the early part of the 20th century, it was all about the dinosaurs. We still discover new Australian fossils today - sometimes even at Harvard. Join Holly and Matthew as they look at the dinosaur America took, and its place in history. Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod "Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeod Used under a Creative Commons lic...

On July 26, 2022, the possible identity of the Somerton Man was put forth by Prof. Abbott. Holly and Matthew discuss. 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-australia--2968350/support .

In 1899, a murder went down in the heart of Melbourne, the repercussions of which were felt 120 years later in the Australian gaming industry. What could possibly have happened, and how did phrenology, palmistry and a bunch of radishes play into the story? Join Holly and Matthew as they examine the murder that was, and the games that could be... Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod "Slow Ticking Clock...

There is a tiny creature dwelling in the south-west or this nation, which strikes fear into the hearts of the hard-working communities it preys on. The South Australian Tiger is known to consume 20,000 members of society a day, causing mayhem, devastation and destruction in its hunting grounds. Lucky it's so dang cute! Join Holly and Matthew as they examine the South Australian Tiger, its history,...

Bushrangers can be many things: pious priests (Captain Moonlight), womanisers (Captain Thunderbolt and Matthew Brady), scoundrels (The Kelly Gang and the Ben Hall Gang), or even slippery (Moondyne Joe and the Tasmanian Cannibals). Generally speaking, they tend not to be as mad as a stuck pig. But there was one bushranger out there who seemed to have no code, other than to cause chaos wherever he t...

Bushrangers can be many things: pious priests (Captain Moonlight), womanisers (Captain Thunderbolt and Matthew Brady), scoundrels (The Kelly Gang and the Ben Hall Gang), or even slippery (Moondyne Joe and the Tasmanian Cannibals). Generally speaking, they tend not to be as mad as a stuck pig. But there was one bushranger out there who seemed to have no code, other than to cause chaos wherever he t...

Along the Parramatta River, extending out from the area now known as Petersham, was a large area of land that was part of the lands under the management of the Wangal people. Between 1789 and 1821, 15 land grands were made by the European settlers regarding the area, but with them being so far away from the then-town centre, they were slower to develop. Garry Owen House was built in 1839 for the e...

The 1950s were a glorious time! UFO sightings, post-War trauma and nuclear sunsets for everyone! At the end of WWII, Britain found itself locked out of the nuclear race it had directly contributed to not a few months before. Feeling the pinch, they searched the world for somewhere to test their armaments - and like their ancestors before them, found the Great Southern Land to their liking. Main Th...

The 1950s were a glorious time! UFO sightings, post-War trauma and nuclear sunsets for everyone! At the end of WWII, Britain found itself locked out of the nuclear race it had directly contributed to not a few months before. Feeling the pinch, they searched the world for somewhere to test their armaments - and like their ancestors before them, found the Great Southern Land to their liking. Main Th...

The 1950s were a glorious time! UFO sightings, post-War trauma and nuclear sunsets for everyone! At the end of WWII, Britain found itself locked out of the nuclear race it had directly contributed to not a few months before. Feeling the pinch, they searched the world for somewhere to test their armaments - and like their ancestors before them, found the Great Southern Land to their liking. Main Th...

On a Saturday afternoon in 1991, a man sat alone in a cafe in inner Sydney, drinking coffee after coffee as he watched the people around him. Beside him sat a bag that contained only a few items, each perfectly designed for their purpose. Suddenly, without warning, he struck. The attack lasted 10 minutes, influenced so many governmental policies. Regardless, it is all but forgotten by the majority...

A beloved children's poem was turned into a freaky-looking animation short for Play School. A soft toy was created out of that animation, and proved popular on the show. The popularity of that toy then spawned a new show for children, featuring three teddies, two bananas and a rat. Join Holly and Matthew as they look through another nostalgic TV show from their childhood - and possibly yours. Main...

On April 21, 1964, a program aired on television with themes that would be very recognisable to about 80% of Australian adults today. This breakout children's edutainment hit was aimed at pre-school children, and included a cast of characters, mostly stuffed toys, including Jemima, Humpty, Big Ted and Little Ted. This is not an episode about that show. Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod "Slow Tickin...

On the night of August 20, 1860, an expedition left Melbourne that would go down in history as a success in spite of the hardships the Australian outback threw at the brave explorers. The reality is a little more nuanced - and ridiculous - than the story we've been told. Join Holly and Matthew as they follow Bob Burke and Will Wills -and their forgotten companions John King and Charles Gray - as t...

On the night of August 20, 1860, an expedition left Melbourne that would go down in history as a success in spite of the hardships the Australian outback threw at the brave explorers. The reality is a little more nuanced - and ridiculous - than the story we've been told. Join Holly and Matthew as they follow Bob Burke and Will Wills -and their forgotten companions John King and Charles Gray - as t...

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 sonsoiracy though - most of it...

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 sonsoiracy though - most of it...