Australian Histories Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep 77 The Lascelles Saga: Australian History Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

When His Lordship Edward Lascelles, son of the 2nd Earl of Harewood, wrote a bouncing fifty pound promissory note to cover the purchase of some horses, the authorities in NSW took exception.

In time he was brought to court to answer for his fraud, but was his deception greater than writing a useless IOU? His court case captivated the interest of all rungs of society there; the story of a an audacious imposter or a wayward aristocrat?

(54 mins)

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Brilliant stories from Australia’s past

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Ep 76 Japanese subs in Sydney Harbour: Australian History Apr 06, 2025

Show notes

When the Japanese entered the Second World War at the end of 1941, the impact on Australia was almost immediate. Singapore fell and a great many Australians were taken prisoner. Darwin & later other northern centres were bombed, and at the end of May Japanese midget Submarines made their way into Sydney Harbour. This episode looks at how that attack unfolded.

(77 mins)

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Rough transcript will soon be available from the episode webpage:

Ep 75 Bass & Flinders Pt6: Australian History Dec 30, 2024

Show notes

In this final episode of the series we follow Flinders as he attempts his return to England in the hope of acquiring a better ship to more thoroughly complete his valuable explorations around the newly circumnavigated Australian coast.

But on the way the Great Barrier Reef gives him one last lesson, and then he makes the mistake of insulting a Frenchman!

(68 mins)

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Rough transcript will soon be available from the episode webpage - https://www.australianhistoriespodcast.com.au/75-bass-flinders-pt6/

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

Show notes

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)

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Brilliant stories from Australia’s past

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Help support the show with a one-off donation

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

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

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

Show notes

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)

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Brilliant stories from Australia’s past

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AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

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

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

Show notes

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)

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Brilliant stories from Australia’s past

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Help support the show with a one-off donation

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

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

Show notes

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)

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Brilliant stories from Australia’s past

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

Show notes

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)

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Brilliant stories from Australia’s past

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Help support the show with a one-off donation

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

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

Ep 69 Waltzing Matilda: Australian History Mar 22, 2024

Show notes

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)

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Brilliant stories from Australia’s past

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Help support the show with a one-off donation

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

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Ep 68 Atomic Australia: Australian History Dec 31, 2023

Show notes

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)

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Brilliant stories from Australia’s past

Enjoying the podcast?

Help support the show with a one-off donation

AustralianHistoriesPodcast.com.au

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