Australian Histories Podcast

Ep 74 Bass & Flinders Pt5: Australian History Oct 11, 2024

After a quick resupply in Port Jackson Flinders again heads out to undertake the second leg of his circumnavigation. This time they began by traveling north, through the Great Barrier Reef and into the tropical north. This journey would prove to be much more challenging for Flinders and his crew.

(56 mins)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brilliant stories from Australia’s past

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with a one-off donation

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rough transcript is available from the episode webpage - AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

Ep 73 Bass & Flinders Pt4: Australian History Aug 24, 2024

This episode we see Bass undertake his speculative business ventures, no longer in the company of Flinders, but his timing meant his returns were not as lucrative as he'd hoped.

Flinders set off on the mammoth task of circumnavigating the New Holland-New South Wales. This first leg of his mission was very rewarding and successful, and Flinders had the experience of meeting one of the ships involved in the French scientific expedition while charting the south coast.

(60 mins)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brilliant stories from Australia’s past

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with a one-off donation

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rough transcript is available from the episode webpage - AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

Ep 72 Bass & Flinders Pt3: Australian History Aug 11, 2024

George Bass and Matthew Flinders undertake an important mapping journey to confirm the existence of what will soon afterwards become known as Bass Strait, a body of water between the mainland of 'New South Wales' and the newly recognized island of Van Diemens Land.

But afterwards their future aspirations diverge, and we follow them as they prepare for the next phases of their lives, Bass undertaking trading and Flinders consolidating his career as an explorer and navigator.

(75 mins)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brilliant stories from Australia’s past

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with a one-off donation

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ep 71 Bass & Flinders Pt2: Australian History Jun 10, 2024

George Bass and Matthew Flinders arrived in New South Wales in September of 1795, with grand plans to "explore more of the country than any of [our] predecessors in the colony". In part 2 we look at how their plans progressed.

As naval men, they had work to do when they arrived in the young colony, but to their delight, they soon began doing some of the discovery and exploration they desired, around the coast and inland.

(65 mins)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brilliant stories from Australia’s past

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with a one-off donation

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ep 70 Bass & Flinders Pt1: Australian History May 07, 2024

Naval men who arrived in NSW in September 1795, Bass & Flinders were both intent on undertaking exploration and charting sections of New Holland, still largely unknown to the British.

They became well known as navigators, explorers and map makers, charting the Australian coasts and enhancing the then limited knowledge of the new colony.

In this Part 1 episode we take a look at the backgrounds of both men to understand what brought them to NSW.

(45 mins)

----------------------------------------------------------------

Brilliant stories from Australia’s past

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with a one-off donation

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Rough transcript is available from the episode webpage - AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

Ep 69 Waltzing Matilda: Australian History Mar 22, 2024

Waltzing Matilda is described as 'the people's song'. More well known than the real Australian National Anthem around the world, Banjo Paterson's jaunty little ditty actually contains clues to some turbulent times he witnessed in Australian history. This episode shares a little background about the much loved song.

(40mins)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brilliant stories from Australia’s past

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with a one-off donation

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ep 68 Atomic Australia: Australian History Dec 31, 2023

In the 1950s Australia hosted a number of British nuclear weapons tests. The very first one took place on the Montebello Islands, off Australia's north west coast. This episode we will explore 'Operation Hurricane' on the Montebellos.

(75 mins)

----------------------------------------------------------------

Brilliant stories from Australia’s past

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with a one-off donation

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Ep 67 Maria Island: Australian History (remixed) Sep 18, 2023

Maria Island is a UNESCO World Heritage listed Tasmanian convict site, with a long and varied history, and a number of spectacular natural and geological places of interest.

From its original indigenous use, soon after aboriginal people made their way to Tasmania, around 30,000 years ago, through it’s early colonial use as penal outposts and then for agricultural and industrial uses, many historical remnants are visible for visitors to explore.

Since 1971 it was designated as a National Park, with an added calling as a refuge island, helping to protect a number of endangered or ‘of concern’ species. This episode follows it's story through the ages.

(Remixed 75 mins)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brilliant stories from Australia’s past

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with a one-off donation

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ep 66 Australian Dogs: Australian History Jun 27, 2023

From a land with no native domesticated dogs, nearly 230 years after colonists’ brought their first pets & hunting dogs on the first fleet, Australia now has one of the highest rates of dog ownership in the world.

Almost half of Australian households kept at least one dog in 2022, but lets take a look at the history & development of the uniquely Australian dogs we created along the way.

(45 mins)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brilliant stories from Australia’s past

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with a one-off donation

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ep 65 Royal Flying Doctor Service: Australian History Apr 29, 2023

Presbyterian Minister John Flynn had a desire to bring "a mantle of safety" to those living in the remote areas of Australia. WWI Australian fighter pilot John Clifford Peel suggested a blueprint for such a service. Alf Traeger tested and designed equipment that would allow communication across the outback and Hudson Fysh acquired the planes that could be used by an Aerial Medical Service. The vision and tenacity of Flynn brought all these ideas & people together to create one of the most outstanding, helpful and appreciated services in Australia. Something that still serves those in remote & rural Australia since it's beginning in 1928.

(57 Mins)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brilliant stories from Australia’s past

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with a one-off donation

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ep 64 Buckley & Wathawurrung Pt 3: Australian History Jan 31, 2023

In this final episode on Buckley & the Wathawurrung, we hear about what happened after Buckley made contact with Batman's party from the Port Phillip Association.

Moving back into his original society, he later records his recollections of living amongst the Wathawurrung.

(66 mins)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brilliant stories from Australia’s past

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with a one-off donation

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ep 63 Buckley & Wathawurrung Pt 2: Australian History Dec 11, 2022

In Part 2 of William Buckley's story, living amongst the Wathawurrung people who adopted him, we hear how he adapted and learned a great many skills. He was able to record many of the practices that allowed his mob to live so successfully, in country that almost killed him. And we learn of tragedies that deeply disturbed him.

(62mins)

Brilliant stories from Australia’s past

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with a one-off donation

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

Ep 62 Buckley & Wathawurrung Pt 1: Australian History Nov 12, 2022

William Buckley was an escaped convict who lived amongst the Wathawurrung people for more than 30 years. Adopted as Murrangurk, he had the opportunity to participate in, witness and later record some of the lifestyle and cultural practices of these First Nations people, at a time before they had substantial contact with colonial newcomers, when their way of life was altered.

Buckley's story is an exceptional one and we begin in Part 1 by learning how he found himself on this side of the world and living amongst the Wuthawurrung.

(63 mins)

Brilliant stories from Australia’s past

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with a one-off donation

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

Ep 61 The Overland Telegraph Line: Australian History Aug 22, 2022

We talk about 'Telegraph Todd' and the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line, built through the largely unsurveyed and vast centre of Australia. Only one group of British explorers had, to date, survived a trek all the way from the south to the north and returned, but using the information they recorded, Todd was sure he could supervise the construction of a more than 3200km Telegraph Line, that would allow the colonies in Australia to be linked up the the rest of the world. A huge leap into a more modern communications era.

(105 mins)

Brilliant stories from Australia’s past!

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with a one-off donation

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

Ep 60 Alexander Pearce - Cannibal Pt 3: Australian History Jul 03, 2022

In this final episode on Alexander Pearce we hear about his second escape attempt from Macquarie Harbour, with fellow convict Thomas Cox. They planned a less difficult route for their escape but again, their scheme didn't proceed as they had planned.

This time the authorities took the situation more seriously and we learn how it all ended for Cox & Pearce.

(40 mins)

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with a one-off donation

---------------------------------------------------------------------

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

Ep 59 Alexander Pearce - Cannibal Pt 2: Australian History Jun 08, 2022

We continue the story of Alexander Pearce as he and his fellow convicts continue their escape from Port Macquarie. They have found themselves in the wild west country, exhausted mentally & physically, and starving with no provisions remaining. Talk turns to cannibalism, and the horror soon begins....

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with a one-off donation

---------------------------------------------------------------------

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

Ep 58 Alexander Pearce - Cannibal Pt1: Australian History May 09, 2022

Alexander Pearce was one of our more notorious convicts, and one of very few convict escapees from Macquarie Harbour, who survived attempting to reach the settled districts. As the last man standing from the eight that absconded together, his survival was only possible because he resorted to cannibalism.

In Part 1 we look at his background, and what lead him to be shipped to Sarah Island, a place of harsh secondary punishment, attempting an unlikely escape. We consider the terrain and conditions they had to face and consider his fellow escapees.

Ep 57 Macarthur & Wool: Australian History Mar 28, 2022

John Macarthur was a divisive character in the first decades of the New South Wales penal colony and he was instrumental in the overthrow of Governor Bligh (see the Bligh series Eps 52-55), along with the discomfort and early recall of a number of other Governors.

But he and his family did manage to build a farming dynasty in NSW and he was often later promoted as the 'founder' of the Australian Wool industry. This episode takes a look at the Macarthur family, the development of his sheep flocks and the early development of wool production in the new colony, and consider the impact of the Macarthurs in that important industry.

(64 mins)

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with a one-off donation

---------------------------------------------------------------------

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

Ep 56 Great Ocean Road Memorial: Australian History Jan 11, 2022

The 'Great Ocean Road' is it one of Victoria’s, indeed Australia’s, most well known international tourist attractions, and a favoured coastal town drive for locals, dotted as it is with beautiful surf & swimming beaches, but you may be surprised to know, the road itself constitutes Australia’s longest War Memorial. This episode we talk about how the construction came about.

The Great Ocean Road’s heritage listing states, it was “Constructed by workers including around 3000 returned servicemen, as a utilitarian memorial…. The Great Ocean Road is a significant reminder of the participation of Australian servicemen in the First World War, the Australian community's appreciation of their service, and the support provided for the continuing welfare of servicemen upon returning to Australia.” It's also a beloved destination for surfers, fishers, and those who just enjoy native Australian landscapes and beautiful coastal vistas.

(44 mins)

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with a one-off donation

---------------------------------------------------------------------

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

Ep 55 Bligh & the Rum Rebellion - Part 4 - Final: Australian History Dec 10, 2021

This episode is the final in the Bligh-Rum Rebellion series, and we take a closer look at how the day developed, how the arrest of Bligh unfolded at Government House, and what followed on from the revolt by the New South Wales ‘Rum’ Corp.

The British Government was slow to act, but inquiries were made, and the protagonists were expected to stand trial for mutiny, so we take a look at how that all proceeded too.

(75 mins)

Ep 54 Bligh & the Rum Rebellion - Part 3: Australian History Oct 23, 2021

We reflect on the reforms Bligh had introduced and note the rising aggravation amongst the 'trading group', who were beginning to lose some of their previous dodgy income streams and privileged arrangements. Many were challenging Bligh's authority, particularity through the courts and with appeals directly to England, and as tensions escalate, we begin to see the path to rebellion opening up. Macarthur and his friend George Johnston, commander of the New South Wales 'Rum' Corp, are stirred to action.

(61 mins)

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with a one-off donation

---------------------------------------------------------------------

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

Ep 53 Bligh & the Rum Rebellion - Part 2: Australian History Sep 13, 2021

This episode looks at William Bligh's background and his reputation as a Naval Captain. He had some very difficult tasks ahead of him as Governor of the troubled NSW colony, and we need to consider if he had the requisite personality and abilities to introduce the reforms required.

The English were already aware there was a lot of resistance to the changes required, mainly from the members, ex-members and cronies of the NSW Corp, and Bligh was likely chosen for his tenacity. So we look at how he was initially received by the influential people in the colony, by the struggling settlers and farmers, and how he began his Governorship in NSW.

Ep 52 Bligh & the Rum Rebellion - Part 1: Australian History Aug 02, 2021

William Bligh, the very same Captain probably best known for the mutiny on the Bounty, was to be recruited in his later life, as the Governor of the Colony of New South Wales. But it seems his days of attracting mutinous behaviour were not over. Bligh would find himself again at the mercy of military men who felt they could do a better job.

So we’ll talk in this series, about the New South Wales Corp – otherwise known as the Rum Corp, the Governors managing them, and the episode that we sometimes call the Rum Rebellion.

This episode - Part 1 - we'll begin by considering the state of NSW during these years, and the lead up to Bligh’s arrival to take up the Governor's post.

(55 mins)

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with

a one-off donation

---------------------------------------------------------------------

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

Ep 51 Australian Rules Football: Australian History Jun 20, 2021

Australian Rules Football and the earliest clubs formed to compete, are said to be the oldest established football clubs in the world. Started in the late 1850s, initially based loosely on the Rugby School game, within 20 years it had evolved to become the basis of Australia’s very own, different & distinctive code; Aussie Rules Footy.

(62 mins)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with

a one-off donation

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

Ep 50 WW2 Salvage Operation: Australian History Apr 30, 2021

Early in World War 2, German Raiders were laying sea mines around Australian & New Zealand coastal waters.

Here we tell the story of one ship that was sunk by those mines, and the exceptional salvage operation that was undertaken to recover precious cargo that had gone down with the ship.

(65 mins)

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with

a one-off donation

---------------------------------------------------------------------

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

Ep 49 Convict Mutineers - Part 2: Australian History Mar 31, 2021

In Part 2 we will follow William Swallow and his fellow mutineer convicts on the commandeered ship, the Cyprus.

Swallow and his men were delighted to be heading into the Pacific, away from the dreaded Macquarie Harbour, and his sailing skills were put to the test as they made their way across the ocean. But they ran in to unexpected trouble around the Japanese coast.

(60 mins)

-------------------------------------------------

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with

a one-off donation

Ep 48 Convict Mutineers - Part 1: Australian History Feb 26, 2021

In part one of Convict Mutineers, we learn about a felon who just could not bear the idea of a life in exile, willing to take all necessary risks to try to return to England. And his efforts were extraordinary.

I think you will enjoy hearing about this Houdini like convict, a man the authorities had trouble keeping hold of. Today we look at what brought him to Van Diemen's Land, and how he created opportunities to try and escape the penal servitude there.

(60 mins)

------------------------------------------------------------

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with

a one-off donation

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ep 47 Final Readings - Henry Lawson EXTRA: Australian History Feb 12, 2021

As an appendix to Episode 44, Henry Lawson, today's episode presents two final readings, two more humorous offerings. We read a Banjo Paterson poem, called 'The Man from Ironbark' which I mentioned in Ep 44, and then a short story by Henry Lawson, titled 'The Loaded Dog'.

(23 mins)

Ep 46 Debate Poems - Henry Lawson EXTRA: Australian History Jan 29, 2021

This episode is an appendix to Episode 44- Henry Lawson. We read poems that contributed to the 'Bulletin Debate', discussed in the earlier episode. We include Banjo Paterson's 'Clancy of the Overflow', 'In Defense of the Bush' & 'An answer to various Bards', as well as Henry Lawson's 'Up the Country' & 'The City Bushman'.

(26 mins)

Ep 45 Drovers Wife - Henry Lawson EXTRA: Australian History Jan 21, 2021

Following Ep 44 on Henry Lawson, this episode will be a reading of Henry Lawson's short story (or sketch), The Drover's Wife, published in the Bulletin, July 1892. Please listen to Ep 44 first, for the life & times of Henry Lawson.

(20 mins)

Ep 44 Henry Lawson: Australian History Dec 30, 2020

Henry Lawson was a 'bush poet' and writer from the 1880s-1890s. One of a number of writers that were focusing on the Australian experience and fostering a pride and understanding of the emerging Australian identity. Today's episode looks at Henry's complicated life, and the times in which he was writing.

(62 mins)

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with

a one-off donation

Ep 43 Shipwreck & first contact: Australian History Nov 30, 2020

In 1796, the Calcutta merchants Campbell & Clark, sent a boat load of attractive goods, including much needed home and personal wares, and much desired rum, to sell to the isolated people in the new penal colony at Port Jackson (now current day Sydney).

The Sydney Cove foundered and the men were obliged to take refuge on Preservation Island. Some of the crew continued on, in a longboat & on foot, to raise the alarm & affect a rescue. This month we retell the story of their epic journey.

(70 mins)

Ep 42 Snowy Hydro Scheme - Pt 5 - Completion: Australian History Oct 26, 2020

This episode concludes the series exploring the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme; the vast hydro electric, and irrigation project, that began in 1949 and was under construction for 25 years.

As well as providing much needed electricity and irrigation water to a soon to be booming Australia, the international workforce helped usher in the era of Multiculturalism, and the project developed engineering expertise and pride, at a time of great optimism in Australia.

(52 mins)

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with

a one-off donation

Ep 41 Snowy Hydro Scheme - Pt 4 - Working environments & safety: Australian History Sep 28, 2020

Today we turn our attention the workers' arrangements. At the peak of construction, over 1959/60, there were 7300 people employed on the project. So that’s a lot of people to keep fed & watered, and entertained.

But it was hard and sometimes dangerous work, so we consider some of the human costs on the project too.

(56 mins)

Brilliant stories from Australia’s past! www.australianhistoriespodcast.com.au

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with

a one-off donation

Ep 40 Snowy Hydro Scheme - Pt 3 - Contractors & townships: Australian History Aug 24, 2020

The Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme began construction at Guthega, with a Norwegian contractor, and before too long, power was being delivered to the people.

Workers and families got used to the new environment and the working conditions as the construction projects multiplied across the project sites, while others had to get used to their relocated townships.

(60 mins)

Brilliant stories from Australia’s past! www.australianhistoriespodcast.com.au

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with

a one-off donation

Ep 39 Snowy Hydro Scheme - Pt 2 - Getting Land & Workers: Australian History Aug 06, 2020

The Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme was underway. Now they Authority had to acquire the land across the Alps, and recruit a workforce, to survey, plan and construct the many parts of the project; not an easy thing to do in booming post war Australia.

Part 2 gives an overview of the recruitment of workers, the majority coming from various worker schemes and displaced persons camps in Europe. And we learn about the arrangements for compensating and moving the existing landholders to make way for the Snowy Scheme.

(47 mins)

Brilliant stories from Australia’s past! www.australianhistoriespodcast.com.au

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with

a one-off donation

Ep 38 Snowy Hydro Scheme - Pt 1 - Inception: Australian History Jun 29, 2020

The Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme, took nearly 30 years to complete in the post war period, and was an astounding engineering feat. It remains one of the “engineering wonders of the world”. It created thousands of jobs and drove the development of increased home-grown Engineering expertise in large civil projects.

Not without social & environmental costs of course, it brought with it some amazing practical power & water supply developments, and lead the country in embracing varied and valuable cultural influences, from it’s international, often refugee, workforce, recruited in the optimistic and welcoming post war Australia. It’s a great story, and all these drivers and outcomes deserve a bit of reflection. Today's episode will discuss the background and inception of the massive project.

Brilliant stories from Australia’s past! www.australianhistoriespodcast.com.au

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with a one-off donation

Ep 37 Lady Jane Franklin - Explorer: Australian History Jun 01, 2020

Lady Jane Franklin was an unusual woman. In the late 1830s, as the wife of Van Diemen's Land Governor Sir John Franklin, she took the opportunity to explore the new settlements and wilds of Tasmania, undertook an overland trek from Melbourne to Sydney, astounding the public with her drive & resilience. One source suggested, her “unfeminine curiosity” lead her to investigate many places where European women had not previously ventured.

She was instrumental in setting up scientific societies and publications, and promoted the development of Hobart as the cultural hub of the colonies, at a time when it was previously only associated with it's convict history.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Australian Histories Podcast

Related Podcasts

1

2

3

4

5

6