Episode 023 - Australian Outlaws Part 4: Captain Moonlite/Moonlight (1842-1879)

Captain Moonlite, one of Australia’s most infamous bushrangers, left an indelible mark on the country’s colonial history. Born in Scotland as Andrew George Scott, he arrived in Australia as a convict, but after a failed escape attempt, he became a notorious outlaw. Captain Moonlite’s story is one of complex motivations – he turned to bushranging, not only to escape the harsh penal system but also driven by a sense of rebellion against perceived injustices. His criminal career was marked by daring robberies and a final, tragic stand that led to his capture and execution. Despite his short-lived career, he became a legendary figure of the Australian outback.

Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the life of Captain Moonlite, from his rebellious beginnings to his ultimate downfall, unraveling the mystery and myth of one of Australia’s most intriguing bushrangers.

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Sources cited:

• Trinker, Rick. 2012. "Controlling parents more likely to have delinquent chldren, UNH research shows." University of New Hampshire, February 10. Accessed August 4, 2021. https://www.unh.edu/unhtoday/news/release/2012/02/10/controlling- parents-more-likely-have-delinquent-children-unh-research-shows.
• 2017. Lawless: the real bushrangers. Performed by Michael Davie.
• Carmody, Shane. 2004. "Through Green Tinted Glasses: Barry, Kelly and Irish Sentiment." The LaTrobe Journal, Autumn. Accessed August 5, 2021. http://latrobejournal.slv.vic.gov.au/latrobejournal/issue/latrobe-73/t1-g- t4.html.
• Hill, Suzanne. 2018. "Nightlife: Australia's Bushrangers - Captain Moonlight." ABC Radio. January 2. Accessed August 5, 2021. https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/nightlife/bushrangers---captain- moonlight/9303686.
• You Me and Junee. 2018. Bushrangers. Accessed August 5, 2021. http://www.youmeandjunee.com.au/explore/self-guided-drives/bushrangers.aspx.
• Sparrow, Jeff. 2015. "A Queer Bushranger." The Monthly, November. Accessed August 5, 2021. https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2015/november/1446296400/jeff- sparrow/queer-bushranger.
• Richards, Jared. 2017. "On this Day: Captain Moonlite's hanging." Australian Geographic, January 12. Accessed August 5, 2021. https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/blogs/on-this-day/2017/01/on-this-day-captain-moonlite-hanged/.

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