In Black and White - podcast cover

In Black and White

From alleyway gangsters to cold war spies to eccentric entrepreneurs, Australian history is full of colourful but forgotten characters. Host Jen Kelly talks with experts, historians and yarn spinners to uncover the untold stories of some of our most interesting and offbeat ancestors. 

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Episodes

A wartime flyer's mid-air miracle: Part 2

Len Fuller was just a trainee pilot when his RAAF aircraft collided mid-flight with another plane. But instead of a fiery tragedy, what happened next was front page news. Author and podcaster Michael Adams joins a special Anzac Day edition to tell the tale. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 24, 202427 min

A wartime flyer's mid-air miracle: Part 1

Len Fuller was just a trainee pilot when his RAAF aircraft collided mid-flight with another plane. But instead of a fiery tragedy, what happened next was front page news. Author and podcaster Michael Adams joins a special Anzac Day edition to tell the tale. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 22, 202426 min

Todd the Time Lord

It seemed like science fiction at the time, but in the late 1800s one scientist and his team ventured forth into the deep Outback to connect Australia to the world. Author Adam Courtenay rejoins the show to tell the extraordinary tale of Charles Todd. Learn more about the tale in Courtenay's book, Mr Todd's Marvel, at: https://www.woodslanepress.com.au/collections/author-adam-courtenay See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Apr 15, 202438 min

The jailbird dynasty: Part 2

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT The prisons of old Victoria were no strangers to the tragic, the macabre and the downright bizarre. But in Geelong, the Hassett clan saw all three. Historian Deb Robinson joins the show to outline the multiple generations who found themselves behind bars. Warning: This series contains discussions of self harm. If you or anyone you know needs help: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

Apr 10, 202425 min

The jailbird dynasty: Part 1

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. The prisons of old Victoria were no strangers to the tragic, the macabre and the downright bizarre. But in Geelong, the Hassett clan saw all three. Historian Deb Robinson joins the show to outline the multiple generations who found themselves behind bars. Warning: This series contains discussions of self harm. If you or anyone you know needs help: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

Apr 08, 202422 min

Charlie's perfect footy record

Throughout the decades of AFL and VFL history, there have been many coaching greats. But only one could boast a perfect record. AFL historian Col Hutchinson joins the show to introduce us to Charlie Clymo, the man who coached the Cats to the 1931 flag, and then disappeared. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 01, 202429 min

The Appeal: Part 3

On a special Good Friday edition of the show, we conclude our three-part deep dive into the history of the Royal Children's Hospital and the long-running Good Friday Appeal. Today we talk to Penny Fowler, the granddaughter of Sir Keith and Dame Elisabeth Murdoch and the chairman of the Good Friday Appeal, about her family's deep connection with the event, and what's in its future. Like the show? Go to heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for features and more. Learn more about the Good Friday Appeal and how to...

Mar 28, 202422 min

The Appeal: Part 2

This week, in the lead-up to the 93rd Good Friday Appeal, we do a three-part deep dive into the history of Melbourne's beloved Royal Children's Hospital and the long-running Good Friday Appeal. Today, we speak again with Melbourne historian Peter Yule, author of an amazing book called The Royal Children's Hospital: A history of faith, science and love , about the origins of one of Victoria's most important institutions. Like the show? Go to heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for features and more. Learn more...

Mar 27, 202434 min

The Appeal: Part 1

This week, in the lead-up to the 93rd Good Friday Appeal, we do a three-part deep dive into the history of Melbourne's beloved Royal Children's Hospital and the long-running Good Friday Appeal. Today we speak with Melbourne historian Peter Yule, author of an amazing book called The Royal Children's Hospital: A history of faith, science and love , about the origins of one of Victoria's most important institutions. Like the show? Go to heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for features and more. Learn more about ...

Mar 25, 202432 min

The man who ended Ned

Elijah Upjohn was a sewage worker turned quack doctor who found himself behind bars for chicken thievery. But his life took a sharp turn when a notorious bushranger was convicted - and the state was in need of a hangman. Author and podcaster Michael Adams tells the story. More about Michael's book: https://affirmpress.com.au/publishing/hanging-ned-kelly/ More about the Forgotten Australia podcast: https://forgottenaustralia.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Mar 18, 202449 min

Australia’s greatest environmental idiot?

Thomas Austin owned a great estate and built a grand mansion fit to host royalty. But he will be forever remembered for one of colonial Australia’s biggest bungles: rabbits. Author and comedian Mikey Robins joins the show with more. Learn more about Mikey at: https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/Idiots-Follies-and-Misadventures/Mikey-Robins/9781761107115 Like the show? Get features, backgrounders and more at heraldsun.com.au/ibaw See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Mar 11, 202425 min

The complicated collaboration of Bill Sticpewich

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. This week we tell the story of an Australian PoW in World War 2, who was damned for helping his Japanese captors but hailed for helping send war criminals to the gallows. Author Tom Gilling tells the story. More about Tom’s book at :https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Tom-Gilling-Witness-9781760879273 If you or anyone you know needs help Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Mar 04, 202448 min

Australia's queer history

To coincide with the launch of Qtopia Sydney, the world’s largest museum and cultural centre dedicated to queer history and the LGBTQIA+ community, historian Garry Wotherspoon joins us for a fascinating exploration of Australia’s queer history from colonial days to the present. Find out more: https://qtopiasydney.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 26, 202448 min

The Vampire Murder - Part 3

In the 1930s, Australians witnessed some of the country’s most infamous - and most luridly nicknamed - murder cases. But the “Vampire Murder”, a horrific sex crime in Newcastle in 1937, has been largely forgotten. Crime historian and Forgotten Australia host Michael Adams joins the show for the first episode of a three-part miniseries. More on Michael's new book The Murder Squad at: https://affirmpress.com.au/author/61917 Like the show? Get background, features and more at heraldsun.com.au/ibaw ...

Feb 18, 202439 min

The Vampire Murder - Part 2

In the 1930s, Australians witnessed some of the country’s most infamous - and most luridly nicknamed - murder cases. But the “Vampire Murder”, a horrific sex crime in Newcastle in 1937, has been largely forgotten. Crime historian and Forgotten Australia host Michael Adams joins the show for the first episode of a three-part miniseries. More on Michael's new book The Murder Squad at: https://affirmpress.com.au/author/61917 Like the show? Get background, features and more at heraldsun.com.au/ibaw ...

Feb 12, 202422 min

The Vampire Murder - Part 1

In the 1930s, Australians witnessed some of the country’s most infamous - and most luridly nicknamed - murder cases. But the “Vampire Murder”, a horrific sex crime in Newcastle in 1937, has been largely forgotten. Crime historian and Forgotten Australia host Michael Adams joins the show for the first episode of a three-part miniseries. More on Michael's new book The Murder Squad at: https://affirmpress.com.au/author/61917 Like the show? Get background, features and more at heraldsun.com.au/ibaw ...

Feb 05, 202424 min

The Japanese Schindler

As the Nazi war machine marched toward the Baltic, diplomat Chiune Sugihara disobeyed orders and risked his life to save 6000 Jews. Australian author Linda Margolin Royal tells the tale - and her own connection to that remarkable Japanese hero. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 29, 202437 min

The fighting Irishman

While he's largely forgotten now, Daniel Mannix was a titanic name of the first half of the last century. The Catholic bishop of Melbourne wielded power at the pulpit and the ballot box. And he was never shy of expressing an opinion on controversial issues, from conscription to communism, to independence for the land of his birth. Andrew McConville from the State Library joins the show with more. Like this episode? Get features, backgrounders, and more at http://heraldsun.com.au/ibaw See omnystu...

Jan 22, 202432 min

Summer series: Oddballs and eccentrics

Today we tell three tales of people who made Australia just that little bit more colourful. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 15, 20242 hr 20 min

Summer Series: The snake oil crew

In this episode, we bring together the ripping yarns of some of the nation's greatest liars and frauds. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 08, 20241 hr 15 min

Summer series: What they did in the shadows

This week we tell stories of the people who, by choice or circumstance, found themselves lurking through Australia's underbelly. If you or anyone you know needs help Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 01, 20242 hr 38 min

Summer series: Forgotten heroes of war and peace

From the Pacific War to the Titanic disaster, here are three tales of Aussies who found themselves in the thick of the action. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 25, 20232 hr 39 min

Unsinkable Anders - Part 2

When a young Norwegian adventurer found himself shipwrecked in the Southern Ocean, he couldn't know that it would only be the start of his ordeal. His granddaughter Cathrine Harboe-Ree joins the show with more. More about Cathrine's book at: https://scholarly.info/article/book_author/cathrine-harboe-ree/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Dec 20, 202325 min

Unsinkable Anders - Part 1

When a young Norwegian adventurer found himself shipwrecked in the Southern Ocean, he couldn't know that it would only be the start of his ordeal. His granddaughter Cathrine Harboe-Ree joins the show with more. More about Cathrine's book at: https://scholarly.info/article/book_author/cathrine-harboe-ree/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Dec 18, 202324 min

The diamond thief who became a Eureka hero - Part 2

Goldfields diggers knew Edward Thonen as the lemonade man, but his path to Ballarat took him from high-stakes robbery to high-seas adventure. Amateur historian Daniel Bamberger joins the show from his home in Germany with more. To find out more about Thonen, read Bamberger's free book, Edward Thonen: A forgotten Eureka rebel. Clarification: Peter Lalor made Edward Thonen captain of one of his divisions, rather than one of the rifle brigades. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Dec 13, 202323 min

The diamond thief who became a Eureka hero - Part 1

Goldfields diggers knew Edward Thonen as the lemonade man, but his path to Ballarat took him from high-stakes robbery to high-seas adventure. Amateur historian Daniel Bamberger joins the show from his home in Germany with more. To find out more about Thonen, r ead Bamberger's free book, Edward Thonen: A forgotten Eureka rebel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Dec 11, 202334 min

Lady Jane's snake vendetta - Part 2

Far from being a passive governor's wife, Jane Franklin spent her time coming up with innovative ideas to help the people of colonial Tasmania. Sadly, her notion to eradicate all snakes from the island was not one of them. Author Jim Haynes joins the show to tell more tales from his book Heroes, Rebels, and Radicals of Convict Australia. https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Jim-Haynes-Heroes,-Rebels-&-Radicals-of-Convict-Australia-9781761470370 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

Dec 06, 202325 min

Lady Jane's snake vendetta - Part 1

Far from being a passive governor's wife, Jane Franklin spent her time coming up with innovative ideas to help the people of colonial Tasmania. Sadly, her notion to eradicate all snakes from the island was not one of them. Author Jim Haynes joins the show to tell more tales from his book Heroes, Rebels and Radicals of Convict Australia. https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Jim-Haynes-Heroes,-Rebels-&-Radicals-of-Convict-Australia-9781761470370 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

Dec 04, 202321 min

Saviour of the fleet

When nearly 800 malnourished convicts set off for Botany Bay on the First Fleet, no-one expected them all to survive. But thanks to the heroic efforts of head physician John White, the prisoners had a better hope of survival than they would have if they stayed at home. Jim Haynes returns to the show to tell the tale. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 27, 202338 min

The cold-blooded colonial boy

He may have inspired one of our country's most famous ballads, but far from the romantic image of a wild and dashing bushranger, John Donohoe was a criminal hell-bent on violence. Author and entertainer Jim Haynes joins the show with more. Information about Jim's book at: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Jim-Haynes-Heroes,-Rebels-&-Radicals-of-Convict-Australia-9781761470370 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Nov 20, 202330 min
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