Afleveringen
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In the 1950s, Australia was gripped by a bizarre and terrifying trend of thallium poisoning, one of the most sinister and mysterious poisoning cases in Australian history. Thallium, a highly toxic metal, was used in a range of household items, including rat poisons and insecticides, and became the weapon of choice for a number of perpetrators. The poison’s ability to cause severe and often fatal damage to the nervous system made it incredibly difficult to detect, and as such, it led to a series of deaths and illnesses across the country. At the time, symptoms of poisoning were easily mistaken for other diseases, leading to confusion and numerous misdiagnoses.
Join Holly & Matthew as they delve into this shocking chapter of Australian crime history, exploring the chilling details of the poisonings and how they led to greater awareness and safety regulations around toxic substances in Australia.
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"Cell Block Tango" clip - By John Kander and Fred Ebb
Part of the movie "Chicago" (2002)
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Big Philou, an Australian racehorse with promising odds in the Melbourne Cup, became infamous for a scandal that rocked the racing world. Just minutes before the race, Big Philou was scratched due to a sudden illness, later found to be caused by a malicious case of doping. The horse had been a favourite to win, and the last-minute scratching not only cost owners, bettors, and fans but also spurred an investigation into race-fixing and doping within Australian horse racing.
Join Holly & Matthew as they dive into the mystery of Big Philou’s last-minute Melbourne Cup removal, the aftermath of the scandal, and how it changed the course of Australian racing history.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Round the Twist is an iconic Australian children’s television series that aired from 1989 to 2001, famous for its quirky humor, supernatural themes, and often bizarre storylines. Created by author Paul Jennings and based on his short stories, the show follows the Twist family—siblings Pete, Linda, and Bronson, and their dad, Tony—as they encounter surreal adventures in a haunted lighthouse on the fictional Australian coast.
The show is remembered for its episodes that mixed absurdity with heartfelt moments, tackling issues like adolescence, relationships, and identity in unique and humorous ways. With catchphrases like "Have you ever… ever felt like this?" and its unforgettable theme song, Round the Twist quickly gained a cult following. It was celebrated not only in Australia but also found an audience internationally, thanks to its relatable characters and inventive storytelling.
Join Holly and Matthew as they look in on this quirky series for our contribution to the Halloween spirit, and nostalgia the hell out of some episodes. Without my pants.
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At 11:50 a.m. on October 15, a 2,000-ton section of the bridge buckled and fell into the Yarra River, along with the workers on site. It remains one of Australia’s worst industrial accidents, leaving a profound impact on construction safety standards nationwide.
The collapse was caused by a combination of design flaws and construction errors, leading to a Royal Commission investigation. The tragedy transformed workplace safety practices, particularly in high-risk industries, and led to stricter regulations for future projects.
Join Matthew & Holly as they look into the causes, both preventable and not, and the consequences of the collapse.
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At 11:50 a.m. on October 15, a 2,000-ton section of the bridge buckled and fell into the Yarra River, along with the workers on site. It remains one of Australia’s worst industrial accidents, leaving a profound impact on construction safety standards nationwide.
The collapse was caused by a combination of design flaws and construction errors, leading to a Royal Commission investigation. The tragedy transformed workplace safety practices, particularly in high-risk industries, and led to stricter regulations for future projects.
Join Matthew & Holly as they look into the causes, both preventable and not, and the consequences of the collapse.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support. -
The May 8 protests, part of the Moratorium to End the Vietnam War movement, saw hundreds of thousands of Australians take to the streets. These demonstrations were some of the largest anti-war protests in the country’s history, and they spanned across Melbourne, Sydney, and other major cities. The protests were inspired by similar movements in the United States, with Australians calling for the withdrawal of Australian troops from Vietnam and an end to conscription.
The Vietnam War divided Australian society, with many questioning the government’s involvement in a conflict so far from home. The May 8 protests highlighted the growing discontent with the war and contributed to shifting public opinion, which would eventually lead to the end of Australia's direct military involvement in 1972.
Join Holly & Matthew as they look into Australia's involvement in Vietnam, our changing views on it - and what the Americans did to change our minds.
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The May 8 protests, part of the Moratorium to End the Vietnam War movement, saw hundreds of thousands of Australians take to the streets. These demonstrations were some of the largest anti-war protests in the country’s history, and they spanned across Melbourne, Sydney, and other major cities. The protests were inspired by similar movements in the United States, with Australians calling for the withdrawal of Australian troops from Vietnam and an end to conscription.
The Vietnam War divided Australian society, with many questioning the government’s involvement in a conflict so far from home. The May 8 protests highlighted the growing discontent with the war and contributed to shifting public opinion, which would eventually lead to the end of Australia's direct military involvement in 1972.
Join Holly & Matthew as they look into Australia's involvement in Vietnam, our changing views on it - and what the Americans did to change our minds.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support. -
Located along the Limestone Coast, The Shaft is one of the region’s most alluring yet treacherous underwater caves. In 1973, while attempting to explore the sinkhole’s submerged chambers, a group of 9 divers came up against their own mortality - and some didn't live through the experience.
The tragedy underscored the extreme dangers of cave diving in Australia. The Shaft, known for its alluring depths and limited visibility, would go on to become a symbol of the deadly potential of underwater exploration. This incident prompted authorities to create a body for training divers, enforce tighter safety measures in the sport, shaping the future of cave diving regulations in the region.
Join Holly & Matthew as they look into one of Holly's biggest fears: Drowning alone in the dark, hundreds of feet below water level.
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The Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system, located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, has long been a marvel of natural beauty and ecological importance. Stretching over 2,300 kilometers, it comprises over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands. Its biodiverse ecosystem supports countless species and holiday makers, as well as the occasional UFO report.
Join Holly & Matthew as they look far back into the past to discover this natural wonder anew.
And remember, Just Keep Swimming, Fish are Friends, Not Food.
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Mark "Chopper" Read, one of Australia's most notorious criminals, was known for his violent past and larger-than-life persona. He was involved in organized crime, including stints as a debt collector, hitman, and underworld enforcer, throughout the 1970s and 80s. Despite his criminal activities, Read became a controversial figure in Australian media, gaining notoriety for his bestselling books that chronicled his criminal exploits.
While his tales were often exaggerated or self-aggrandized, Read's life offered a glimpse into the dark underworld of Australia's crime scene. His candid recounting of his life led to interviews, public appearances, and even a 2000 film, Chopper, where he was portrayed by actor Eric Bana. Read's stories and charisma fascinated many, but his violent legacy also sparked debate on whether criminals should be celebrated in popular culture.
Join Holly & Matthew as they wader through the legacy of Chopper Read, trying to sort fact from fiction, and discuss the morality of venerating a criminal.
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Mark "Chopper" Read, one of Australia's most notorious criminals, was known for his violent past and larger-than-life persona. He was involved in organized crime, including stints as a debt collector, hitman, and underworld enforcer, throughout the 1970s and 80s. Despite his criminal activities, Read became a controversial figure in Australian media, gaining notoriety for his bestselling books that chronicled his criminal exploits.
While his tales were often exaggerated or self-aggrandized, Read's life offered a glimpse into the dark underworld of Australia's crime scene. His candid recounting of his life led to interviews, public appearances, and even a 2000 film, Chopper, where he was portrayed by actor Eric Bana. Read's stories and charisma fascinated many, but his violent legacy also sparked debate on whether criminals should be celebrated in popular culture.
Join Holly & Matthew as they wader through the legacy of Chopper Read, trying to sort fact from fiction, and discuss the morality of venerating a criminal.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support. -
Echidnas are one of the most distinctive mammals on the planet, belonging to the rare group of monotremes, which also includes the platypus. These spiny creatures are equipped with a long, sticky tongue that they use to capture ants and termites, their primary food sources. Despite their spiky appearance, echidnas are shy and solitary animals, often found burrowing into the ground to escape predators or extreme weather conditions.
Join Matthew & Holly as they explore the biology, behavior, and quirks of these spiky monotremes. Learn about the echidna’s incredible adaptations, from their specialized snouts to their unusual reproduction process, and uncover some lesser-known facts that highlight just how extraordinary these animals are.
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In this series, we take on the truest form of gaslighting history to dive deep into the life and legacy of Captain James Cook, the legendary British explorer known for his voyages to the Pacific. While his adventures and discoveries have been celebrated for centuries, many myths and misconceptions about his life and actions persist.
From his humble beginnings and early naval career that shaped him into a master navigator, his first Pacific expedition where he charted New Zealand and the eastern coast of Australia, and common myths about his interactions with indigenous peoples, his supposed brutality, and the true nature of his death in Hawaii, so many stories and legends have popped up, not helped in the least by British propaganda.
Join Holly & Matthew as they separate fact from fiction, exploring the true story of Captain James Cook, and debunking the myths of his time.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support. -
In this series, we take on the truest form of gaslighting history to dive deep into the life and legacy of Captain James Cook, the legendary British explorer known for his voyages to the Pacific. While his adventures and discoveries have been celebrated for centuries, many myths and misconceptions about his life and actions persist.
From his humble beginnings and early naval career that shaped him into a master navigator, his first Pacific expedition where he charted New Zealand and the eastern coast of Australia, and common myths about his interactions with indigenous peoples, his supposed brutality, and the true nature of his death in Hawaii,somany stories and legends have popped up, not helped in the least by British propaganda.
Join Holly & Matthew as they separate fact from fiction, exploring the true story of Captain James Cook, and debunking the myths of his time.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support. -
In this series, we take on the truest form of gaslighting history to dive deep into the life and legacy of Captain James Cook, the legendary British explorer known for his voyages to the Pacific. While his adventures and discoveries have been celebrated for centuries, many myths and misconceptions about his life and actions persist.
From his humble beginnings and early naval career that shaped him into a master navigator, his first Pacific expedition where he charted New Zealand and the eastern coast of Australia, and common myths about his interactions with indigenous peoples, his supposed brutality, and the true nature of his death in Hawaii,somany stories and legends have popped up, not helped in the least by British propaganda.
Join Holly & Matthew as they separate fact from fiction, exploring the true story of Captain James Cook, and debunking the myths of his time.
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"Great Southern Land" is by Icehouse.
"Bound for Botany Bay" is performed by John Williamson.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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