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Weird Crap in Australia - Podcast

Weird Crap in Australia

Welcome to "Weird Crap in Australia," a podcast hosted by Holly and Matthew, a husband and wife team with a passion for all things strange and unusual in the land down under.

Each episode, Holly, a trained historian, and Matthew, a pop-culture enthusiast, dive into the weird and wacky aspects of Australian history and society. From the colonial era to the present day, they explore topics such as aliens, monsters, ghosts, and true crime, uncovering the stories and legends that have fascinated Australians for generations.

As a social historian, Holly provides a unique perspective on the cultural significance of these strange phenomena, while Matthew brings his expertise in pop-culture to the table, offering insights into how these stories have been portrayed in movies, TV shows, and other media.

With a mix of humor and insight, "Weird Crap in Australia" is the perfect podcast for anyone who loves to explore the oddities and quirks of our world. Join Holly and Matthew as they take you on a journey through the strange and wonderful world of Australia's weirdest stories.

***

Did you know a full firefight between MPs and soldiers took place in Central Station (Sydney) in February 1916, and you can still find the bullet holes in the pillars?

Did you know that one of Australia’s convict ships was waylaid by Americans during the aftermath of the American Revolution in 1815?

Did you know we have a dinosaur called Qantassaurus, and that most Australian fossil expeditions of the 1970s and 1980s were sponsored by corporations, rather than the government?

Did you know that the majority of the miners that took part in the Eureka Stockade of 1854 were Chinese, African-American, or from other ‘minority’ groups? And that the Victorian Gold Rush is where Australia learned to love Chinese food?

There’s a lot of history when it comes to this country - even just in the last 200 years - and very little of it is taught in our school systems. We feel that, in order to preserve the past, we have to get it out there into the minds of the present, and hopefully apply those lessons to the future. If you agree, we'd love you to join us.

New episodes release 12pm AEDST/AEST every Monday.

______

Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod
"Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeod
Used under a Creative Commons license.

All sound and voice clips used are (c) their respective owners. 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

True Crime History Society & Culture
Update frequency
every 7 days
Average duration
57 minutes
Episodes
385
Years Active
2018 - 2025
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Episode 319 - The Poltergeist of Humpty Doo (1998)

Episode 319 - The Poltergeist of Humpty Doo (1998)

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.

P…
01:00:47  |   Mon 15 Jul 2024
Episode 318 - The Pilbara Pastoral Workers Strike (1946-1949) Part 2

Episode 318 - The Pilbara Pastoral Workers Strike (1946-1949) Part 2

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 prosec…
00:48:39  |   Mon 08 Jul 2024
Episode 317 - The Pilbara Pastoral Workers Strike (1946-1949) Part 1

Episode 317 - The Pilbara Pastoral Workers Strike (1946-1949) Part 1

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 prosec…
00:47:02  |   Mon 01 Jul 2024
Episode 316 - The Whom-batt

Episode 316 - The Whom-batt

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…
00:41:22  |   Mon 24 Jun 2024
Episode 315 - The Twelve Tribes Cult

Episode 315 - The Twelve Tribes Cult

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…
01:06:44  |   Mon 17 Jun 2024
Episode 314 - The Disappearance of Niamh Maye (2002)

Episode 314 - The Disappearance of Niamh Maye (2002)

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 …
01:01:42  |   Mon 10 Jun 2024
Episode 313 - The Dish and the Moonlanding

Episode 313 - The Dish and the Moonlanding

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. A…
00:53:51  |   Mon 03 Jun 2024
Episode 312 - L'Onorata Societa Part 4: The Disappearance of Don Mackay (1977)

Episode 312 - L'Onorata Societa Part 4: The Disappearance of Don Mackay (1977)

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 t…
00:48:10  |   Mon 27 May 2024
Episode 311 - L'Onorata Societa Part 3 - The Victoria Market Murders (1964-1965)

Episode 311 - L'Onorata Societa Part 3 - The Victoria Market Murders (1964-1965)

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…
00:42:19  |   Mon 20 May 2024
Episode 310 - L'Onorata Societa Part 2 - The Black Hand Gang (1924-1938)

Episode 310 - L'Onorata Societa Part 2 - The Black Hand Gang (1924-1938)

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 insti…
00:50:32  |   Mon 13 May 2024
Episode 309 - L'Onorata Societa Part 1: The Murder of Stiletto Jean (1932)

Episode 309 - L'Onorata Societa Part 1: The Murder of Stiletto Jean (1932)

  • 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 brutalit…
00:52:59  |   Mon 06 May 2024
Episode 308 - The Ferals (1994-1995)

Episode 308 - The Ferals (1994-1995)

"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 land…
01:05:32  |   Mon 29 Apr 2024
Episode 307 - The Cowra Breakout (1944) Part 3

Episode 307 - The Cowra Breakout (1944) Part 3

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 S…
00:59:12  |   Mon 22 Apr 2024
Episode 306 - The Cowra Breakout (1944) Part 2

Episode 306 - The Cowra Breakout (1944) Part 2

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 war…
00:40:45  |   Mon 15 Apr 2024
Episode 305 - The Cowra Breakout (1944) Part 1

Episode 305 - The Cowra Breakout (1944) Part 1

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 war…
00:55:54  |   Mon 08 Apr 2024
Episode 304 - Agri-Tourism and the Big Pineapple

Episode 304 - Agri-Tourism and the Big Pineapple

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 tou…
01:05:04  |   Mon 01 Apr 2024
Episode 303 - Dumb Ways to Die (2012)

Episode 303 - Dumb Ways to Die (2012)

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…
00:59:22  |   Mon 25 Mar 2024
Episode 302 - The Voyager Disaster (1964) Part 2

Episode 302 - The Voyager Disaster (1964) Part 2


The sinking of HMAS Voyager in 1964, following a collision with HMAS Melbourne during a night-time exercise off New South Wales, resulted in 82 fatalities. Miscommunication and poor visibility were i…
00:59:52  |   Mon 18 Mar 2024
Episode 301 - The Voyager Sinking Part 1 (1964)

Episode 301 - The Voyager Sinking Part 1 (1964)


The sinking of HMAS Voyager in 1964, following a collision with HMAS Melbourne during a night-time exercise off New South Wales, resulted in 82 fatalities. Miscommunication and poor visibility were i…
00:55:08  |   Mon 11 Mar 2024
Episode 300 - Peter Iacono from the A Dingo Ate My Movie Podcast, and Q&A with Holly & Matthew

Episode 300 - Peter Iacono from the A Dingo Ate My Movie Podcast, and Q&A with Holly & Matthew

Join Holly & Matthew for our traditional 100-episode celebration! This round, we're publishing an interview previously only seen on Patreon, and answering fan questions!

Thanks for all your support, g…
01:38:31  |   Mon 04 Mar 2024
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