Weird Crap In Australia

Explore the stories and legacies of the earlier European discoverers who ventured into unknown territories long before Captain Cook.In this episode, we'll discuss the misconceptions surrounding these pioneers, delving into their voyages, interactions with First Nations peoples, and the profound impacts they had on the New World.From their motivations and navigational challenges to the lasting effects of their discoveries, we provide a comprehensive look at these adventurers. Join Holly & Matthew as they separate fact from fiction and uncover the true stories behind the legends of the early European explorers to Australian shores.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

The history of the Australian Football League (AFL) is rich and multifaceted, beginning in the mid-19th century. Australian Rules Football was officially codified in Melbourne in 1859, with the establishment of the Melbourne Football Club. The Victorian Football League (VFL), which would later become the AFL, was founded in 1896. The league expanded nationally in the 1980s and 1990s, evolving into the AFL in 1990.Today, the AFL is the premier professional Australian Rules Football competition, boasting a passionate fan base and significant cultural impact in Australia. Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the League, its past, and its future.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

The history of the Australian Football League (AFL) is rich and multifaceted, beginning in the mid-19th century. Australian Rules Football was officially codified in Melbourne in 1859, with the establishment of the Melbourne Football Club. The Victorian Football League (VFL), which would later become the AFL, was founded in 1896. The league expanded nationally in the 1980s and 1990s, evolving into the AFL in 1990.Today, the AFL is the premier professional Australian Rules Football competition, boasting a passionate fan base and significant cultural impact in Australia. Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the League, its past, and its future.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

In 1998, a home in Humpty Doo, NT, became the site of intense paranormal activity. Objects flew through the air, gravel and shells rained from the ceiling, and Scrabble tiles spelled eerie messages.Priests, journalists, and police witnessed the chaos, which the residents linked to a deceased friend named 'Troy'. Despite multiple exorcism attempts, the poltergeist's violent behavior persisted until the tenants fled.Join Holly & Matthew as they examine the Humpty Doo Poltergeist, Australia's most documented poltergeist.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

In 1946, on the back of decades and generations of racist government and pastoralist policy 800 First Nations people walked off the stations they'd been assigned in the Pilbara Region, risking prosecution and assault by the law-keepers.Three years later, the strike broke, but only through underhanded tactics by the government and farmers put out by the strike. This was a failed strike in terms of their £1 per week demands, but in terms of scaring the Western Australian government and gathering sympathy in the people of Perth, it was a winner.This was the longest industrial action strike in Australia's history. More would follow, but we pay tributes to the original, and the chain of actions their strike spawned.Join Holly & Matthew as they read up on the strike, the people, and the repercussions.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

In 1946, on the back of decades and generations of racist government and pastoralist policy 800 First Nations people walked off the stations they'd been assigned in the Pilbara Region, risking prosecution and assault by the law-keepers.Three years later, the strike broke, but only through underhanded tactics by the government and farmers put out by the strike. This was a failed strike in terms of their £1 per week demands, but in terms of scaring the Western Australian government and gathering sympathy in the people of Perth, it was a winner.This was the longest industrial action strike in Australia's history. More would follow, but we pay tributes to the original, and the chain of actions their strike spawned.Join Holly & Matthew as they read up on the strike, the people, and the repercussions.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

When Americans talk about how dangerous our country is, especially with our snake, spider and drop bear populations, most Australians laugh. How could anyone who lives in the same space as a mountain lion, a grizzly bear and a coyote really think our animals are dangerous? What, you think the cuddly koala or the beefy wombat could kill you?It turns out that Americans might be right after all. Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the world of the Wombat, its ancient stories, and some terrifying encounters.____The story of Mirram The Kangaroo and Warreen The Wombat can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDJrnldb08oBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

The Twelve Tribes cult established its first community in Australia in the late 1990s. Known for its communal lifestyle and strict adherence to a unique interpretation of the Bible, the Twelve Tribes attracted followers seeking a close-knit, spiritual community. However, the group has faced significant controversy, including allegations of child labor, physical punishment, and indoctrination.The Australian branches of the Twelve Tribes have been investigated multiple times for their treatment of children and their isolationist practices. In 2020, their ex-leader was murdered.Join Holly & Matthew as they look into the unique branch of the Twelve tribes Cult that calls the Blue Mountains home, their history, and their controversies.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

Eighteen-year-old Niamh Maye disappeared on Easter Sunday, 2002, near Tumut, New South Wales. Having traveled to the Riverina region for a gap year with two friends, Niamh was last seen getting into a black hearse with a man she met on the road, Jack Nicklason. Despite extensive searches, no trace of her has been found. The main suspect in her disappearance, Nicklason, was arrested for the rape of a 19-year-old in October that year and committed suicide, leaving many questions unanswered.Maye's disappearance remains one of Australia's enduring mysteries, fed by small town gossip and uncertain sources. Efforts by law enforcement and appeals for information continue, but her case remains unsolved, leaving her family and friends without closure.Join Holly and Tumut-area expert Matthew as they look into the case, where it went wrong, ad who might have been responsible for diverting police attention from the more probable killing ground.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-cra

In 1969, man walked on the moon.In 2000, someone made a film about the unsung heroes. NASA's Apollo 11 mission, featuring astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, successfully landed on the moon. Australians played a crucial role in this historic event, with the Parkes Observatory and Honeysuckle Creek tracking station providing vital communication support. These facilities broadcast Armstrong's first steps to the world, symbolizing global unity and the shared human spirit of exploration.Join Holly and Matthew as they contextualise both the film and the event, their influences on their respective histories, and world around them. Bonus conspiracy theories!acBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

In 1977, Griffith-based anti-drug campaigner Don Mackay disappeared, and despite strong suspicions of mafia involvement, his body was never found. The case remains unresolved, an intriguing mystery that continues to haunt and captivate those fascinated by the dark underworld of organized crime.Will he ever be found? That's something only the fishes can answer. Join Holly & Matthew as they close out Year 6 with a close look at the case, the suspects, and the trade.Sources used: Donald Bruce (Don) Mackay (1933–1977) | C. A. Gregory | Australian Dictionary of Biography | 2000 | Volume 15 | https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/mackay-donald-bruce-don-10976Drug case: $1m reward plan | The Canberra Times | 26 Jul 1977 | Page 3 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110856526 Drugs truth will come out: Wran | The Canberra Times | 22 Jul 1977 | Page 1 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110855965Forty years after Donald Mackay's murder, the Calabrian mafia still thrives | Lesley Hicks | Sydney Morning

When the Pope and the Toad died 2 months apart in 1963/64, chaos overtook the Melbourne arm of the Honorable Society. Men were shot in the streets, in their driveways, and in their beds as the search for the new heads of power came to a close.Join Holly & Matthew as they look into the series of shotgun killings known as the Victoria Market Murders, and their impact on the peace of the city.Sources used: £5,000 Reward For Murder Evidence | The Canberra Times | 18 Jan 1964 | Page 4 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1317399763rd 'Mafia Type' Killing | The Canberra Times | Fri 17 Jan 1964 | Page 3 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/131739820Cold Case file remains open on the suspected Mafia slaying of Vincenzo and Alfonso Muratore | Keith Moor | Herald Sun | 25 Mar 2013 | https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/cold-case-files-remain-open-on-vincenzo-and-alfonso-muratore/news-story/33856e7d08d84992001149e86d5eace8Coroner commits man over shotgun killing | The Canberra Times | 29 Sep 1

The Black Hand Gang's reign of terror from 1929 to 1938 left a chilling imprint on Australia. From Jean Morris's tragic murder to a series of mysterious deaths in Ingham, their ruthless tactics instilled fear across communities. Despite law enforcement's efforts, their legacy endures as a reminder of organized crime's dark underbelly.As whispers of their deeds echo through history, the tale of the Black Hand Gang serves as a cautionary reminder of the lengths to which criminal organizations will go to maintain power and control.Join Holly & Matthew as they look into the activity and the consequences of the Gang's reign in Queensland.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

Jean Morris's murder in 1932 remains a haunting enigma with a simple answer. Found stabbed 43 times in her home, suspicions fell on her Italian associates Joe Maganetti and Michael Gudas.The brutality suggested the involvement of foreign criminal elements, possibly by the notorious Black Hand. Italian national Vincenzo Dagostino emerged as a suspect, allegedly ordering her death for rejecting his advances and knowing too much about Mafia activities. As the investigation intensified, the shadows of conspiracy grew darker, leaving Jean Morris's death a chilling tale of crime and secrets.Join Holly & Matthew as they begin their journey into the secrets of L'Onorata Societa - the Honored Society. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

"Ferals" was an Australian children's TV gem that aired on ABC from 1994 to 1995. In a zany share-house setting, puppet pals like Rattus P. Rattus and Mixy wreaked havoc, challenging their human landlord, Joe, at every turn. With uproarious antics and a rebellious spirit, this cult classic delivered laughs and life lessons in equal measure, captivating young audiences Down Under with its unforgettable characters and offbeat charm.Join Holly & Matthew as they wander down Nostalgia Avenue again, and argue about what the Ferals actually were.Clips copyright of their respective owners. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

On August 5, 1944, the Cowra breakout marked a significant event in Australian military history. Over 1,100 Japanese prisoners of war attempted to escape from the prisoner of war camp in Cowra, New South Wales, resulting in the largest prison break in Australian history. The breakout led to a violent confrontation between the prisoners and Australian guards, resulting in the deaths of 231 Japanese prisoners and four Australian soldiers, with many more wounded. The incident highlighted the challenges of managing prisoners of war during wartime and left a lasting impact on both Australian and Japanese societies. The Cowra breakout has since been commemorated through various memorials and remains a poignant reminder of the human cost of war.TW: Suicide.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

What do the Kokoda Trail, the Bombing of Darwin, the Brownout Strangler and Australian Codebreakers have in commmon?The Cowra Breakout. The Cowra Breakout remains a special episode in Australia's wartime history, reflecting the complexities of captivity, resistance, and conflict. Its enduring legacy prompts continued examination of the human experience in times of war, offering insights into the psychological, social, and political dynamics that shape such events.By delving into the motivations, actions, and consequences of both the prisoners and their captors, the Cowra Breakout invites deeper reflection on themes of resilience, identity, and the enduring quest for freedom. In a world still grappling with the scars of war, the Cowra Breakout stands as a reminder of the enduring pursuit of dignity and liberty amidst adversity.Join Holly & Matthew as they look into the cause of the breakout, and link the event to 4 different events already covered (with more to come!)Become a supporter of this podcast: htt

What do the Kokoda Trail, the Bombing of Darwin, the Brownout Strangler and Australian Codebreakers have in commmon?The Cowra Breakout. The Cowra Breakout remains a special episode in Australia's wartime history, reflecting the complexities of captivity, resistance, and conflict. Its enduring legacy prompts continued examination of the human experience in times of war, offering insights into the psychological, social, and political dynamics that shape such events.By delving into the motivations, actions, and consequences of both the prisoners and their captors, the Cowra Breakout invites deeper reflection on themes of resilience, identity, and the enduring quest for freedom. In a world still grappling with the scars of war, the Cowra Breakout stands as a reminder of the enduring pursuit of dignity and liberty amidst adversity.Join Holly & Matthew as they look into the cause of the breakout, and link the event to 4 different events already covered (with more to come!)Become a supporter of this podcast: htt

The Big Pineapple in Queensland, Australia, isn't just a landmark—it's a hub for agri-tourism. Standing tall at sixteen meters, it represents the region's pineapple industry, offering educational tours and entertainment. Through farmer's markets and festivals, it promotes agrarian experiences, enriching visitors' understanding of rural life. Seamlessly blending entertainment with education, the Big Pineapple sustains cultural significance while boosting the local economy.Join Holly & Matthew as they travel back in time to when this spikey hell-plant was considered a treat, and when people would literally travel for days to see a 16ft tall one.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

The "Dumb Ways to Die" campaign launched in November 2012 by Metro Trains in Melbourne, and by the end of next year, it cemented itself as a legendary advertising campaign. Its viral success not only promoted railway safety, but also earned international acclaim for its creative approach, becoming an iconic example of effective public service announcements and a billion parodies.Join Holly & Matthew as they delve into its viral success and profound impact on public awareness, illuminating the intersection of creativity and public safety advocacy in contemporary advertising discourse.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.