On 27 October 1857 a party of Yiman warriors killed 12 people at Hornet Bank Station. On 16 October 1861 another massacre of settlers took place at Culin-la-Ringo when Gayiri warriors killed 19 people. What emerges is a story of frontier wars where local Aboriginal people fought to protect thier hunting lands and sacred sites which they saw were being defiled by white settlers. Email me at [email protected]
Vera Deakin is one of those great women in Australian History that you have probably never heard of. However, if your family has roots that go back to WWI she may have had a significant impact on your life. Vera Deakin was the daughter of Alfred Deakin and his wife Elizabeth. She is known for her long involvement with the Australian Red Cross of over 60 years and establishing the the Australian Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau to trace missing and killed soldiers, bringing comfort to their fam...
We wrap up our four part series on the Australia First Movement. There's one final inquiry, led by Justice Clyne, to investigate the internments. We look at what happened to some of the key people after the War and ask what to make of it all? Finally, it's ANZAC Day, the day Australians and New Zealanders commemorate those who have served in war. You can email me at [email protected]
Following the internments of Australia First members, there is disquiet about why, in a democracy, people could be detained without trial. Some appeal against their internment. The Government establishes a number of inquiries and most internees are released over 1942. Except, that is, for Percy Stephensen and a few others. Remember, you can always email me at [email protected]
The security forces, police and political leaders take a close interest in Australia First members. After WWII is declared the Publicist ceases and there is public opposition to Australia First, particularly in Sydney. In Western Australia the police send in an undercover agent and get evidence of a conspiracy to suport a Japanese invasion, sabotage and the assassination of public officials. The police swoop and arrest key Australia First members on 9 March 1942. Check out Barbara Winter's book ...
On 9 March 1942 four people were arrested in Perth on suspicion of a plot to contact the Japanese armed forces to help with a Japanese invasion and to assassinate public officials. They had formed an organisation called the Australia-First Group. A few days later 16 people, members of the Australia First Movement, were arrested in Sydney. In Parliament they were all denounced as traitors – because WWII was underway and Australia was in fear of a Japanese invasion. Two were sentenced to prison an...
Australia Day is celebrated on 26 January each year. But how much do you really know about the history of Australia Day? 26 January is not the date the First Fleet arrived in Sydney Harbour, nor is it the day the Colony of NSW was proclaimed. And it may surprise you that the first public holiday to be actually called Australia Day was held on 30 July, not 26 January.
On 8 September 2022 Queen Elizabeth II died. In this episode we explore what it meant for Australia. Oh, and I also rave on a little about cricket.
It's ANZAC Day and we commomorate those Australians who served on HMAS Perth which was sunk in the Battle of the Sunda Strait on 1 March 1942.
Learn about the amazing story about Oskar Speck a man who paddled his kayak from Germany to Australia, starting in 1932 and taking 7 years to complete his voyage. By the time he arrived in Australia the world was at war and so he was, like many German nationals, interned. After the War Speck settled in Australia, becoming a successful opal dealer.
In the 1930s the inner suburbs of Sydney were in turmoil as rival gangs fought it out for supremacy in what was called the Razor Gang Wars'. The Razor Gangs were led by two women - Tilly Devine and Kate Leigh. We also pay tribute to Shane Warne (Warnie) who passed away at the young age of 52. For his ball of the century see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44WLwHEWJ4M
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this episode mentions the names of people who have passed away. Governor Macquarie uses military force to effectively end the Sydney Wars. We also wrap things up and conclude that the history I learned at school was not accurate. We also pay tribute to John Landy, the second person to break the 4 minute mile, who has passed away. He is also famous for helping Ron Clarke to his feet in the 1956 Australian mile championships. See https:...
We wrap up our coverage of the 1971 Springbok Tour. The Sprinboks arrive in Australia and are met with protests wherever they go. Email me at [email protected]
The 1971 South Africa rugby union tour of Australia was controversial. Protests erupted against the South African policy of apartheid and in Queensland a state of emergency was declared. The implications of the Tour also went broader than the rugby tour. No Apartheid-era sporting team from South Africa ever toured Australia again. It also made Australians reflect on our treatment of our Indigenous peoples Email me at [email protected]...
The wetlands around Koo Wee Run in Victoria had a long Indigenous history before they were drained for agricultural use. Email me at [email protected]
Ernest Fisk may be a name you have never heard of. But, as the man who bought radio to Australia, he has had a huge impact on your life. Also, be sure to catch the History Detective Podcast series 'Ladies in the House' Email me at jamesdampier [email protected]
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this episode mentions the names of people who have passed away. Things hot up on the Cumberland Plain as large bands of warriors exact reprisals as far south as Razorbank Range. Farms are abandoned as the settlers fear for their lives. Apologies for the poor recording quality. Email me at [email protected]
Mary MacKillop founded the Sisters of St Joseph, the first Catholic order founded by an Australian. She and her order established schools and welfare institutions throughout Australia and New Zealand, with an emphasis on education for the rural poor. She was the first Australian to be canonised as a Saint by the Catholic Church. Email me at [email protected]
James Hardy Vaux was an English-born convict transported to NSW. He is probably the dodgiest convict ever and was, in fact, transported three times. But he also wrote the first full length autobiography in Australia and the first Australian dictionary. Email me at [email protected]
Aboriginal and Torres Islander people are warned that this episode mentions the name of people who have passed away. Pemulwuy may have been killed but the attacks continue. Governor King is forced to act and orders punitive responses. Meanwhile, Mosquito and Bull Dog are caputured and sent to Norfolk Island and Pemulwuy's son Tedbury joins the fight Email me at [email protected]
Reg Saunders was a war hero who won the Military Medal. He was also the first Indigenous Australian to be commissioned as an officer in the Australian Army. Email me at [email protected]
Australia has had censorship since Captain Arthur Phillip planted the Union Jack at Sydney Cove in 1788. During the mid 20th century Australia is said to have had one of the strictest Censorship regimes in the western world. Email me at [email protected]
We finish our look at Malcolm Fraser, the 22nd Prime Minister of Australia. Why did he turn his back on the Party he led did he become a left winger after he retired from politics? Email me at [email protected]
In this and the next episode we look at the life and career of John Malcolm Fraser, the 22nd Prime Minister of Australia. Malcom Fraser was extremely divisive in his day, predominantly because of his role in the Dismissal of the Whitlam Government. I hope to convince you that he is a much misunderstood figure. Email me at [email protected]
On Tuesday 18 January 1977 a crowded commuter train derailed and careered into the supports of the Bold Street Bridge in the Western Sydney suburb of Granville. The bridge collapsed, killing 83 people and injuring 213 others. The Granville Rail Disaster remains the worst rail disaster in Australian history. Email me at [email protected]
The conflict on the Cumberland Plain and along the Hawkesbury River ramps up. Pemulwuy takes it to the colonists and leads his band of warriors in serious guerrilla warfare. In the Battle of Parramatta, he and 100 warriors fight it out with the NSW Corps. On the Hawkesbury, the Dharug and Darkingjung people resist the encroachment of the colonists. In the end Pemulwuy is killed after Governor King offers a reward for his capture or death. Email me at [email protected]...
In this episode we learn about Tilly Aston, the blind Australian writer and educator, who founded The Victorian Association of Braille Writers and The Association for the Advancement of the Blind. Tilly Aston is remembered for achievements in promoting the rights of vision-impaired people. Email me at [email protected]
On Remembrance Day I want to bring you the story of two best friends - Harold West and George Leonard. Private Harold West and Private Leonard were among about 5,000 Indigenous Australians who served during the Second World War. Here is a link to a YouTube video which is a trailer for a film about Harold West and George Leonard. Alas the film has not yet been made. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvLCu1i0m-w&feature=youtu.be Email me at [email protected]...
In June 1826 local Campbelltown farmer Frederick Fisher disappeared. Four months later John Farley ran into the local pub claiming to have seen Frederick Fisher's ghost sitting on a bridge pointing to where his body lay. Email me at james [email protected]
On 15 October 1970, 50 years ago, workers were busy constructing a new bridge over the Yarra River in Melbourne. Suddenly the bridge started to groan, a pinging noise filled the air and the bridge just fell away. As a result of this tragedy 35 workers died. Email me at james [email protected]
