On 27 October 1857 a party of Yiman warriors killed 12 people at Hornet Bank Station. On 16 October 1861 another massacre of settlers took place at Culin-la-Ringo when Gayiri warriors killed 19 people. What emerges is a story of frontier wars w
Vera Deakin is one of those great women in Australian History that you have probably never heard of. However, if your family has roots that go back to WWI she may have had a significant impact on your life. Vera Deakin was the daughter of Alfre
We wrap up our four part series on the Australia First Movement. There's one final inquiry, led by Justice Clyne, to investigate the internments. We look at what happened to some of the key people after the War and ask what to make of it all?
Following the internments of Australia First members, there is disquiet about why, in a democracy, people could be detained without trial. Some appeal against their internment. The Government establishes a number of inquiries and most internees
The security forces, police and political leaders take a close interest in Australia First members. After WWII is declared the Publicist ceases and there is public opposition to Australia First, particularly in Sydney. In Western Australia the
On 9 March 1942 four people were arrested in Perth on suspicion of a plot to contact the Japanese armed forces to help with a Japanese invasion and to assassinate public officials. They had formed an organisation called the Australia-First Grou
Australia Day is celebrated on 26 January each year. But how much do you really know about the history of Australia Day? 26 January is not the date the First Fleet arrived in Sydney Harbour, nor is it the day the Colony of NSW was proclaimed.
Learn about the amazing story about Oskar Speck a man who paddled his kayak from Germany to Australia, starting in 1932 and taking 7 years to complete his voyage. By the time he arrived in Australia the world was at war and so he was, like man
In the 1930s the inner suburbs of Sydney were in turmoil as rival gangs fought it out for supremacy in what was called the Razor Gang Wars'. The Razor Gangs were led by two women - Tilly Devine and Kate Leigh. We also pay tribute to Shane Warne
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this episode mentions the names of people who have passed away. Governor Macquarie uses military force to effectively end the Sydney Wars. We also wrap things up and conclude that th
We wrap up our coverage of the 1971 Springbok Tour. The Sprinboks arrive in Australia and are met with protests wherever they go. Email me at [email protected]
The 1971 South Africa rugby union tour of Australia was controversial. Protests erupted against the South African policy of apartheid and in Queensland a state of emergency was declared. The implications of the Tour also went broader than the
Ernest Fisk may be a name you have never heard of. But, as the man who bought radio to Australia, he has had a huge impact on your life. Also, be sure to catch the History Detective Podcast series 'Ladies in the House' Email me at jamesdampier
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this episode mentions the names of people who have passed away. Things hot up on the Cumberland Plain as large bands of warriors exact reprisals as far south as Razorbank Range. Farm
Mary MacKillop founded the Sisters of St Joseph, the first Catholic order founded by an Australian. She and her order established schools and welfare institutions throughout Australia and New Zealand, with an emphasis on education for the rural
James Hardy Vaux was an English-born convict transported to NSW. He is probably the dodgiest convict ever and was, in fact, transported three times. But he also wrote the first full length autobiography in Australia and the first Australian dic
Aboriginal and Torres Islander people are warned that this episode mentions the name of people who have passed away. Pemulwuy may have been killed but the attacks continue. Governor King is forced to act and orders punitive responses. Meanwhile
Reg Saunders was a war hero who won the Military Medal. He was also the first Indigenous Australian to be commissioned as an officer in the Australian Army. Email me at [email protected]
Australia has had censorship since Captain Arthur Phillip planted the Union Jack at Sydney Cove in 1788. During the mid 20th century Australia is said to have had one of the strictest Censorship regimes in the western world. Email me at jamesda
We finish our look at Malcolm Fraser, the 22nd Prime Minister of Australia. Why did he turn his back on the Party he led did he become a left winger after he retired from politics? Email me at [email protected]
In this and the next episode we look at the life and career of John Malcolm Fraser, the 22nd Prime Minister of Australia. Malcom Fraser was extremely divisive in his day, predominantly because of his role in the Dismissal of the Whitlam Governm
On Tuesday 18 January 1977 a crowded commuter train derailed and careered into the supports of the Bold Street Bridge in the Western Sydney suburb of Granville. The bridge collapsed, killing 83 people and injuring 213 others. The Granville Rail