Territory Famous

In 2019, Ben Hoffman was involved in a drug-fueled shooting rampage that resulted in a serious violent incident and multiple shots being fired. This episode focuses on the events of the shooting itself, including how the situation unfolded and escalated, the actions taken during the incident, and the immediate response from those involved and emergency services. It covers the timeline of the day a...

In this episode, I’m covering a pretty full-on pub bashing that happened at the Airport Hotel in Darwin back in 2007. This one stood out to me straight away because I actually used to work there as what they call a toppy (topless barmaid), and later did bookings for the pub — so I know the pub pretty well I couldn't believe I hadn't heard about this episode though, because it got pretty wild. Afte...

This is the third and final episode in the Zak Grieve series. In this episode, we focus on Christopher Malyschko — the man who carried out the killing of Ray Niceforo — and what happened after the trial. We go through Christopher’s sentencing, including why he received a non-parole period of 18 years instead of the standard 20. The court considered his background, his lack of prior serious offendi...

In Part 2 of Zak Grieve’s story, we move beyond the events of that night and into the courtroom, where the real complexities of this case begin to unfold. This episode focuses on what happened after the murder of Ray Niceforo, and how the legal system responded to the roles each person played. While the facts of the case were laid out in court, what followed raised serious questions about justice,...

This episode focuses on the lead-up to the murder of Raffaele “Ray” Niceforo, and the role of Bronwyn Buttery. For years, Bronwyn lived in a relationship marked by control, intimidation and violence. What started as a relationship that seemed promising slowly deteriorated into something much darker — leaving her isolated, financially strained, and fearful for her safety and the safety of her child...

Just a quick update—no episode this week. I'm currently researching and recording a 3-part series on Zak Grieve and his legal battle. The research for this one has taken a lot more time than usual. I would rather hold off on releasing it for a week than rush the job and leave out any information. (Also, my son’s had COVID this week, so I’ve been busy playing Florence Nightingale—poorly—with a fair...

In early 1998, a small house in Humpty Doo in the Northern Territory became the centre of one of the most intense and well-documented paranormal cases in Australian history. What started as a few strange incidents quickly escalated into full-blown chaos — stones falling from ceilings, knives flying across rooms, messages appearing on walls, and objects materialising out of nowhere. Multiple witnes...

In this episode of Territory Famous, I’m sharing the story of how a girl from the Gold Coast ended up travelling and working across the Northern Territory as a skimpy barmaid. Moving from the beaches and nightlife of the Gold Coast to the rugged landscapes of the Top End was a massive culture shock. The Northern Territory is a completely different world – bigger skies, wilder country, remote towns...

In August 2014, two months after the tragic death of Bill Scott, another fatal crocodile attack shook the Northern Territory. Lanh Van Tran, a 57‑year‑old fisherman, was on the banks of the Adelaide River with his wife, fishing near the Adelaide River Bridge when his line got snagged in the murky water. Believing the snag was caught on a branch, he waded in to free it. That decision was routine —...

In June 2014, Bill Scott was on a family fishing trip at a remote billabong in Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory when the day turned into something no one could have imagined. While sitting in a small aluminum boat, Bill reached over the side to fill a bucket with water. In seconds, a large saltwater crocodile surged up from behind the motor, grabbed him and dragged him from the boat...

In 2022, a helicopter crash during a crocodile egg-collecting operation in the Northern Territory claimed the life of Chris Wilson, known to many as “Willow.” Pilot Sebastian Robinson survived but sustained serious injuries that would permanently alter his life. The incident sent shockwaves across Australia, not only because of the tragedy itself, but because of who was involved. Matt Wright, star...

On January 5, 1977, Alice Springs witnessed something no one expected — not an accident, not a mechanical failure, but a deliberate act of destruction. In what became known as the Connellan Air Disaster, Colin Richard Forman stole a Beechcraft Baron aircraft and flew it directly into the Connair complex at Alice Springs Airport. It was a calculated suicide attack, driven by anger and revenge again...

Correction Notice: In the original recording of this episode, I made a couple of errors : The crocodile attack occurred in the early morning (AM), and the size of the crocodile mentioned should be 15 feet, not 15 meters. Thank you for your understanding — I’ll be correcting this in future versions of the episode, but for now the main story and context remain accurate. * In this episode, we explore...

In 2012, Edward Ned Kelly was shot and killed at his home in Broadwater, New South Wales. The man responsible was Jonathan Stenberg. After the murder, Stenberg went on the run — but what followed was anything but ordinary. While wanted for a brutal killing, Stenberg travelled through Queensland, where he auditioned for a role in the film Mystery Road . He was offered a part, then disappeared befor...

The Australian outback is vast, isolated, and unforgiving. A place where distance, heat, and terrain can quickly turn ordinary travel into a life-threatening situation. In this episode of Territory Famous, we examine two separate disappearances connected by the same remote stretch of the Northern Territory: the Stuart Highway. In 2020, Claire Hockridge became stranded in extreme desert conditions...

On 13 August 1983, people near Uluru went out expecting an ordinary night and instead found themselves caught up in sudden and extreme violence. In a matter of minutes, lives were lost, others were seriously injured, and many people were left trying to process something that made no sense at the time. In this episode, I go through what led up to that night, how events unfolded, and the court proce...

In this episode of Territory Famous, we examine the disappearance of Paddy Moriarty from the remote Northern Territory town of Larrimah. In December 2017, Paddy Moriarty vanished without a trace from a town of just eleven people, creating one of Australia’s most puzzling and unsettling true crime cases. Larrimah later became nationally known for the so-called meat pie war — a bitter and long-runni...

In this episode of Territory Famous , Kellie examines the Adelaide River murders , a lesser-known Northern Territory true crime case from 2004 involving the deaths of two women in the Adelaide River near Darwin. The case unfolded during a period of intense national media coverage for the Peter Falconio disappearance, and as a result, this investigation received far less attention than it otherwise...

In 1986, Michael Anthony Lewis was killed in the Northern Territory during a confrontation with Peter Rudge. Rudge claimed he was fearing for his life after alleged threats were made against his family. Following those events, he went to Lewis’s residence, where the situation escalated and Lewis was shot and killed. The case would later focus on a claim of self-defense and how such claims are asse...

Christmas in the Northern Territory is never quiet. From crocs turning up where they shouldn’t, to drunk Santas, dumb criminals, wet-season chaos and festive decisions that went off the rails, this episode rounds up the Territory’s naughtiest moments. Researched and written by: Kellie Arrowsmith Audio editor: Bar Brawl Records https://www.facebook.com/BarBrawlRecords Cover art: http://www.joshbaue...

On Christmas Eve 1974, Cyclone Tracy tore through Darwin, destroying most of the city in just a few hours and changing the Northern Territory forever. In this episode of Territory Famous , I look back at Cyclone Tracy — not just as a powerful storm, but as a defining moment in Territory and Australian history. From the timing and intensity of the cyclone to the scale of destruction left behind, Tr...

Trevor arrived in Darwin in 2005 after giving up his belongings and wandering Australia collecting rubbish. He became known for turning rubbish into sculptures, getting himself listed in the NT News “Most Powerful Territorians” list, and then spending the next decade arguing with councils, churches, politicians, judges, and basically anyone who told him no. Highlights from this episode: • His time...

You would think having a movie written about your life—especially one as wildly successful as Crocodile Dundee —would set you up for life, right? Unfortunately for Rod, that’s not what happened. Rod didn’t get his happy ending. Instead, his story spiraled into a tragic series of events that culminated in the deaths of two men: one died a hero, and the other died a criminal. Audio editor: Bar Brawl...