Weird Crap In Australia

David Gulpilil, born in Arnhem Land in 1953, was more than just an actor—he was a cultural bridge, storyteller, and proud Yolŋu man who changed the face of Australian cinema. From his breakout role in Walkabout (1971) to his haunting final performance in My Name is Gulpilil (2021), his work brought Australian First Nations voices and perspectives to screens around the world.Off-screen, Gulpilil lived a life as complex as any of his characters—balancing fame with tradition, navigating hardship, and ultimately becoming a national icon whose legacy continues to shape the arts and Indigenous representation in Australia.Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the extraordinary life and enduring influence of David Gulpilil.***All voice clips used come from the My Name is Gulpilil biographical film.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

The legend of the ANZACs was born not through victory, but through courage, endurance, and mateship under fire. From the rocky shores of Gallipoli to the muddy battlefields of the Western Front, Australian and New Zealand troops earned a reputation for resilience, resourcefulness, and unbreakable spirit.Though the Gallipoli campaign ended in withdrawal, the actions of the ANZACs forged a national identity that continues to shape Australia and New Zealand today. Their story is one of hardship, sacrifice, and a legacy that lives on more than a century later. Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the birth of the ANZAC legend and its lasting impact on national memory.***"And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" (1971) written and performed by Eric Bogle.This modern folk ballad reflects on the devastating human cost of war, particularly the Gallipoli campaign, through the eyes of a wounded Australian veteran. Written by Scottish-born Australian singer-songwriter Eric Bogle (b. 1944), the song became a poignant an

The legend of the ANZACs was born not through victory, but through courage, endurance, and mateship under fire. From the rocky shores of Gallipoli to the muddy battlefields of the Western Front, Australian and New Zealand troops earned a reputation for resilience, resourcefulness, and unbreakable spirit.Though the Gallipoli campaign ended in withdrawal, the actions of the ANZACs forged a national identity that continues to shape Australia and New Zealand today. Their story is one of hardship, sacrifice, and a legacy that lives on more than a century later. Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the birth of the ANZAC legend and its lasting impact on national memory.***"The Boys of the Dardanelles" (1916) recorded by Stanley Kirkby. No longer in copyright. Boys of the Dardanelles commemorates the sacrifice made by Australians in the Great War. Composition by Marsh Little (1880 - 1958). It was used to encourage recruitment. Performed by English singer Stanley Kirkby (1878 - 1949). Become a supporter of this p

In the icy waters of Twofold Bay, a strange alliance once thrived between man and whale. At the heart of it was Old Tom, a killer whale unlike any other—who, along with his pod, helped human whalers hunt baleen whales in exchange for first dibs on the spoils.This wasn’t legend. It was a documented partnership that spanned generations, built on eerie trust and uncanny understanding. But like many good things, it didn’t last. When Old Tom's body washed ashore in 1930, the bond between species died with him. Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the extraordinary story of Old Tom and the Killers of Twofold Bay. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

Carl Williams rose from small-time drug dealer to one of the most powerful—and dangerous—figures in Melbourne’s gangland wars. Known for his smiling, seemingly unbothered public appearances, Williams was anything but harmless. He orchestrated a bloody campaign that left multiple rivals dead, including members of the Moran family, as he sought to dominate Melbourne’s criminal underworld in the early 2000s.Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the life and legacy of Carl Williams, the man who declared war on Melbourne’s underworld—and paid the price.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

Judy Moran, once known as the matriarch of Melbourne’s most notorious criminal family, became a central figure in the city’s brutal gangland wars. Linked to a string of high-profile murders, Judy’s name was never far from headlines as her family—husband, sons, and eventually even her brother-in-law—fell victim to the violent world they helped shape. In 2009, the story took a darker turn when Judy was convicted of orchestrating the murder of Des Moran, her late husband's brother. Her downfall marked the end of the Moran family's dominance in Melbourne's criminal underworld, sealing her legacy as both a mother and mastermind in one of Australia’s bloodiest crime sagas.Join Holly & Matthew as they delve into the life and legacy of Judy Moran, from family matriarch to convicted murderer, and what her story reveals about the true cost of life in Melbourne’s underworld.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

Leslie “Les” Moran was a veteran of Melbourne’s underworld, deeply entrenched in the city’s organised crime scene. As a senior figure within the Moran family, he survived the early years of the gangland war, watching as his relatives were picked off one by one. However, his luck ran out in 2004 when he was shot dead in a daylight execution—a clear message in a war that showed no mercy. His death marked yet another brutal chapter in the ongoing bloodshed that gripped Melbourne for over a decade.Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the life and death of Les Moran and his role in Melbourne’s gangland war. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

Jason Moran was a central figure in Melbourne’s gangland war, born into one of the city’s most notorious crime families. Known for his involvement in drug trafficking and violent underworld disputes, Moran’s life was marked by power plays and deadly rivalries. His assassination in 2003—gunned down in front of children at a football clinic—sent shockwaves through Australia and intensified a bloody underworld feud that had already claimed many lives.Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the violent rise and fall of Jason Moran and his part in Melbourne’s gangland war.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

Melbourne’s gangland war claimed many lives, and Mark Moran was one of its most high-profile casualties. A key player in the city’s underworld, Moran was deeply entrenched in organised crime, with connections to drug trafficking and violent turf wars. His murder in 2000 marked a turning point in the escalating conflict, setting off a brutal cycle of revenge killings that would dominate headlines for years.Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the life and death of Mark Moran and his role in Melbourne’s gangland war.Background episodes (chronological order):137 & 138 - Squizzy Taylor and the Fitzroy Vendetta309-312 - L'Onorata Societa, and the Victoria Market Murders 76 & 77 - The Walsh St Shooting118 - The Death of the Vampire Gigolo327 & 328 - Chopper Read Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

During Melbourne’s infamous gangland wars, one criminal organisation loomed large—the Carlton Crew. Made up of powerful underworld figures, the group controlled illegal gambling, drug trafficking, and extortion throughout the city. Their influence and wealth made them targets, and as tensions escalated with rival factions, the streets of Melbourne became a battleground. Betrayals, assassinations, and police crackdowns followed, marking one of Australia's most violent crime sagas.Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the rise and fall of the Carlton Crew and their role in Melbourne’s gangland wars.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

The Melbourne gangland war was a brutal chapter in Australia’s criminal history, and the Kane brothers—Brian and Leslie—were right at its core. Known for their violent reputations and deep ties to organised crime, the Kane brothers became infamous figures in Melbourne’s underworld. Their brutal feuds, particularly with the Moran family and other crime syndicates, escalated into bloody street wars, leading to assassinations, betrayals, and an era of chaos that gripped the city.Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the dark world of the Kane brothers and their role in Melbourne’s gangland war.Background episodes (chronological order):137 & 138 - Squizzy Taylor and the Fitzroy Vendetta309-312 - L'Onorata Societa, and the Victoria Market Murders 76 & 77 - The Walsh St Shooting327 & 328 - Chopper Read Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

The Melbourne gangland war was a brutal chapter in Australia’s criminal history, and the Kane brothers—Brian and Leslie—were right at its core. Known for their violent reputations and deep ties to organised crime, the Kane brothers became infamous figures in Melbourne’s underworld. Their brutal feuds, particularly with the Moran family and other crime syndicates, escalated into bloody street wars, leading to assassinations, betrayals, and an era of chaos that gripped the city.Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the dark world of the Kane brothers and their role in Melbourne’s gangland war.Background episodes (chronological order):311 - L'Onorata Societa and the Victoria Market Murders 76 & 77 - The Walsh St Shooting327 & 328 - Chopper Read Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

Blinky Bill, created by Dorothy Wall in the 1930s, has captured the hearts of generations through books, television, and film. More than just a cheeky bush troublemaker, Blinky represents resilience, adventure, and the spirit of the Australian outback. His tales have been used to teach children about conservation, friendship, and the challenges facing Australia's unique wildlife.Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the legacy of Blinky Bill and his impact on Australian culture.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

A mother and her two young children vanished from their home in Baulkham Hills, New South Wales, in August 1978. Their disappearance quickly turned into a horrifying crime that shocked the nation. The family had been abducted, taken on a terrifying journey north before meeting a brutal and senseless end. What followed was a desperate manhunt, a tense standoff, and a case that remains one of Australia's most chilling acts of violence.Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the tragic murders of Valda, Sally, and Damien Connell, and the impact this horrific crime left on Australia.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

A mother and her two young children vanished from their home in Baulkham Hills, New South Wales, in August 1978. Their disappearance quickly turned into a horrifying crime that shocked the nation. The family had been abducted, taken on a terrifying journey north before meeting a brutal and senseless end. What followed was a desperate manhunt, a tense standoff, and a case that remains one of Australia's most chilling acts of violence.Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the tragic murders of Valda, Sally, and Damien Connell, and the impact this horrific crime left on Australia.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

The North Head Quarantine Station, located on the northern headland of Sydney Harbour, holds a chilling legacy as one of Australia's most significant quarantine sites. Operating from 1833 to 1984, the station housed those afflicted by contagious diseases, such as smallpox, Spanish flu, and the plague, aiming to prevent outbreaks in the Australian colony. Thousands passed through its gates, many of whom never left.With its preserved heritage buildings and proximity to mass graves, North Head is also notorious for its ghost stories and reported paranormal activity. Stories of shadowy figures, unexplained sounds, and otherworldly encounters are told by staff and visitors alike, cementing its place as a hotspot for both history buffs and ghost hunters.Join Holly & Matthew as they uncover the harrowing stories of survival, death, and the spectres that linger in the shadows of the North Head Quarantine Station.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/

Edwin Eastwood was back at it again. Armed with a firearm, he entered the Wooreen State School and took nine students and their teacher, Rob Hunter, hostage. The kidnapper's demands for a ransom and threats heightened the terror of those involved. What did he want? Drugs, money and freedom.Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the details of the kidnapping, the experiences of those involved, and the long-lasting impact this ordeal had on the victims and Mr Lindsay Thompson.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

The Faraday School kidnapping shocked Australia, as a group of six schoolgirls and their teacher, Mary Gibbs, were taken by two armed kidnappers. They stormed the small Faraday School in rural Victoria and held the group hostage, demanding a ransom of a cool million dollars. The police launched an intense search while the kidnappers took the victims into the bushland, keeping them captive for several days.Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the details of the kidnapping, the resilience of the victims, and the enduring impact this crime has had on its victims.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

A Royal Train carrying Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), derailed near Jarnadup, Western Australia, during his Australian tour. The accident occurred when the rails spread, causing the last two carriages, including the Prince’s, to overturn down a low embankment. Remarkably, no one was injured, though the event temporarily trapped the Prince and his entourage in the overturned carriage. This incident, though potentially perilous, endeared the Prince even more to Australians. Known affectionately as the “Digger Prince,” his poise and quick wit during the ordeal reinforced his popularity with the public, already captivated by his tour of the country. The event remains a notable chapter in the history of royal visits to Australia, reflecting both the challenges of travel and the Prince's grace under pressure.Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the derailment, the tour, and the wider context of royal visits to Australia.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weir

In 1949, one of Australia’s largest industrial actions took place when coal miners staged a well-planned strike. Beginning in June and lasting nearly seven weeks, the strike involved more than 23,000 workers protesting poor wages and dangerous working conditions in the coal mines. Coal was a critical energy resource post-World War II, and the strike brought industries and households across the nation to a standstill, causing significant economic and social disruption.Join Holly & Matthew as they unearth the tensions, key players, and ramifications of the 1949 Coal Miners’ Strike, exploring its profound legacy on Australian industrial relations.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.