Weird Crap In Australia

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.

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

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...

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, devestation 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, and its future...

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 trod. Ladies and gentlemen, we present: Mad Dan Morgan, also known as 'Mad Dog'.

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 trod. Ladies and gentlemen, we present: Mad Dan Morgan, also known as 'Mad Dog'.

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 estate’s owner, Ryan Brenan. He went bust during the 1844 depression, and in 1845 he gave up the rights to the Garry Owen estate. He sold it to Sydney Businessman John Gordon, who renamed the property Callan Park.In the ensuing ~180 years, Callan Park Mental Hospital has had guests of all manner of persuasion, from famous newspaper editors to suffragettes, and surprisingly, was never once considered as an Old Folks Home or Young Girls' School (That's weird for Australia!)Join Holly and Matthew as they revisit the history of the area, the inmates, and the "breakthrough" medical practices that took place on the Parramat

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.

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.

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.

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 of the Sydney population. Until now. **This was recorded in late April, and has no reflection on the current situation in America**

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 Theme music – Kevin MacLeod"Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeodUsed under a Creative Commons license.

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.

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 they travel from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria, and their attempts to return home.Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod"Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeodUsed under a Creative Commons license.

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 they travel from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria, and their attempts to return home.Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod"Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeodUsed under a Creative Commons license.

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 mental, but some of it true.Join Holly and Matthew as they walk through the fire, the lives of the perpetrators, and the legacy of that night - a legacy that's still being written.Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod"Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeodUsed under a Creative Commons license.

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 mental, but some of it true.Join Holly and Matthew as they walk through the fire, the lives of the perpetrators, and the legacy of that night - a legacy that's still being written.Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod"Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeodUsed under a Creative Commons license.

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 it outlandish, but some of it true.Join Holly and Matthew as they walk through the fire, the lives of the perpetrators, and the legacy of that night - a legacy that's still being written.Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod"Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeodUsed under a Creative Commons license.

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 more dangerous than the Drop Bear. For Episode 200, we look into the propaganda attempting to fictionalise or mythicise Australia's deadliest native species, and explain how best to avoid becoming its lunch when out walking in the bush. Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod"Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeodUsed under a Creative Commons license.

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. Join Holly and Matthew as they examine some of the different stories, the different reasons for the stories, and the special place the stories of the Rainbow Serpent has in the hearts of the local peoples.Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod"Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeodUsed under a Creative Commons license.