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Forgotten Australia — History
Forgotten Australia

Bloody crimes, unsolved mysteries, eccentric celebrities, dark events and bizarre happenings: it’s all here – the stuff you wish they’d taught you in school!

Dive into our strange-but-true history via never-before-told stories, author interviews, weekly flashbacks and the weekly trivia quiz.

Forgotten Australia is created and hosted by Michael Adams, author of the acclaimed true crime books The Murder Squad, Hanging Ned Kelly and They’ll Never Hold Me.

He’s also a regular history and true crime commentator on ABC Nightlife and the podcast Australian True Crime.

Support Forgotten Australia for a few bucks per month to get ad-free early episodes, exclusive bonus episodes, a show shout-out and the chance to win prizes in the special edition trivia quiz episodes.

Get a week’s free trial here:

Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia

Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia

Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com

Check out my books!

They’ll Never Hold Me:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html

The Murder Squad:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.html

Hanging Ned Kelly:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html

Australia’s Sweetheart:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Latest Episodes:

This Week in 1977: Just Like Jaws Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

This week was a busy one – a royal visit from the Queen, the Centenary Test and mad bulls running through the streets of Melbourne. But no story was more dramatic than the horrific shark attack off Brisbane, which seemed straight out of that recent horror blockbuster: Jaws. In this episode, we look at the men who died that day on Moreton Bay – and the self-styled warrior who set out to avenge them, propelling himself onto the world stage, where he’d remain for decades, killing sharks ruthlessly and playing a role in creating one of the 20th century’s most controversial art works.

For tickets to my presentation about Australia's Titanic Hero:

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/special-talk-australias-titanic-hero-tickets-1111132750969

For a free trial that will give you access to ad-free, early and bonus episodes:

Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia

Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia

Check out my books:

They’ll Never Hold Me:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html

The Murder Squad:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.html

Hanging Ned Kelly:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html

Australia’s Sweetheart:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html

Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Week in 1952: Miss Kangaroo & the Great Koala Heist Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

Long before Crocodile Dundee put Australia on the map for American moviegoers, Miss Kangaroo was sent to the USA on a similar mission. But this young polio survivor wouldn’t be alone on her whirlwind 30-city tour – Miss Kangaroo was to chaperone a couple of baby kangaroos. What could possibly go wrong? At the very same time, a separate film stunt saw four koalas shipped to Hollywood – the first such export in decades. Soon all of these poor Australian creatures – including Miss Kangaroo – would be embroiled in a controversy over animal cruelty and the shady exploitation of our beloved fauna by the man who was supposed to be their greatest protector.

For a free trial that will give you access to ad-free, early and bonus episodes:

Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia

Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia

My books:

They’ll Never Hold Me:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html

The Murder Squad:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.html

Hanging Ned Kelly:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html

Australia’s Sweetheart:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html

Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Short: The Brutal Birth of Mardi Gras Feb 28, 2025

Show notes

In 1978, the first Mardi Gras was met with police intimidation, violence and mass arrests that were followed by custodial abuse, bashings and malicious prosecutions. Though the cops, courts, Labor premier Neville Wran and even the Sydney Morning Herald were against the LGBTQ+ community, they wouldn’t back down in their fight for their right to party – and enjoy the same rights as every Australian.

This episode updates an archived episode of Australia on this Day.

My books:

They’ll Never Hold Me:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html

The Murder Squad:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.html

Hanging Ned Kelly:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html

Australia’s Sweetheart:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html

Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Week In… 1927: The First Miss Australia & the Newspaper Stunt that Launched a Media Empire Feb 24, 2025

Show notes

In the last week of February 1927, Sydneysiders could go to the Crystal Palace Theatre to see Australia’s very own ‘Queen’ – the winner of the first Miss Australia pageant. Not only would she appear in her costumes, she’d tell of her adventures going to Atlantic City to ‘challenge’ Miss America. Soon she'd take her show all across Australia. In the background, newspaper mogul-in-the-making R.C. Packer was pulling the strings and pocketing the profits that’d establish a mighty media empire. But Miss Australia was more than a pretty face – and she’d use her smarts like a modern-day influencer.

For a free trial that will give you access to ad-free, early and bonus episodes:

Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia

Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia

To buy They’ll Never Hold Me:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html

The Murder Squad:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.html

Hanging Ned Kelly:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html

Australia’s Sweetheart:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html

Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Week in 1902: Bubonic Plague, the Crutchy Push, Breaker Morant, Boer War barbarities & the first choice for an Aussie capital Feb 17, 2025

Show notes

In the third week of February 1902: the first Australian senators select a sweet site for our national capital and the first Australian commonwealth soldiers embark for overseas service... right as Australia's first prime minister and first opposition leader act as bipartisan boosters for Britain’s conduct in the Boer War... unaware the Poms are about to execute Australian legend Breaker Morant. Plus: stupidity steers Sydney into a Bubonic Plague sequel right as Melbourne's larrikin criminal leader of 'The Crutchy Push' faces court in a follow-on from a notorious Crutchy murder case.

For a free trial and access to ad-free, early and bonus episodes:

Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia

Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia

For The Plague Returns:

https://shows.acast.com/forgotten-australia/episodes/the-plague-returns-part-one-the-bays-of-blood

https://shows.acast.com/forgotten-australia/episodes/the-plague-returns-part-two-bigger-than-ben-hur

https://shows.acast.com/forgotten-australia/episodes/the-plague-returns-part-three-the-great-fire

For ABC Rewind

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-history-listen/the-history-listen-crutchy-push-disability/104452972

For Australia’s Most Bizarre Crimes:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-most-bizarre-crimes-peter-coleman/book/9781923046269.html

To buy They’ll Never Hold Me:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html

The Murder Squad:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.html

Hanging Ned Kelly:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html

Australia’s Sweetheart:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html

Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your Stories: ‘My Father was Count Copernicus!' Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

As an adoptee, Pam Korreng always wondered about her biological parents. In 2021, hoping for some answers, she used Ancestry DNA. What Pam discovered was that her dad, Dave Clark, was an immensely talented singer, musician, actor, comedian, karate expert, stripper and cosmic seeker, who, after pioneering Australian rock ’n’ roll in the 1950s with Barry Crocker, became glam-rock shocker Count Copernicus in the 1970s. But her father’s story runs deeper than that, beginning in the horrors of war during The Blitz and ending in the bliss of a peaceful NYC spiritual community in the 21st century.

Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia

Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia

The Cosmic Clown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xc3vgPD4jk&t=3s

Check out Ross Hamilton’s band Stringybark

https://stringybark.com/

To buy They’ll Never Hold Me:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html

The Murder Squad:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.html

Hanging Ned Kelly:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html

Australia’s Sweetheart:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html

Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Week in… 1976: Ned Kelly lives, Apocalypse Now dies, sex sells cinema tix but Australia’s star stripper quits Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

In this special movie episode: the same week that we rediscover the first filmic Ned Kelly, we lose the chance to have Apocalypse Now made in Australia – and while sexy times sell ‘sinema’ tickets, singer-stripper-philosopher-turned-soft core star Count Copernicus hangs up his G-string. Plus, the new trend to sci-fi flicks that includes ‘The Star Wars’, Colonel Sanders pops in for a meat pie and a British fashion commando gives our blokes the big thumbs up.

Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia

Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia

Showgirls, Teen Wolves and Astro Zombies - the link is actually too long to paste here. But it’s available on Amazon.com.au

The Story of the Kelly Gang:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdD99am_-zU

The Cosmic Clown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xc3vgPD4jk&t=3s

Check out Ross Hamilton’s band Stringybark

https://stringybark.com/

Aussie Inventions That Changed The World - show

(episode 8 has the Ned Kelly segment)

https://tv.apple.com/au/show/aussie-inventions-that-changed-the-world/umc.cmc.1jkri86gatihce11p8d3wvvc6

Aussie Inventions That Changed The World - podcast

(episode 8 has David Hunt and me in conversation)

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/aussie-inventions-that-changed-the-world/id1468061172

To buy They’ll Never Hold Me:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html

The Murder Squad:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.html

Hanging Ned Kelly:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html

Australia’s Sweetheart:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html

Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Week In… 1951: Melbourne’s Retro “Teacher’s Pet” Case Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

This week in 1951, Melbourne’s detectives and a police diver were searching the waters off Frankston for the body of Caroline Scully, a wife and mother who’d been missing for eight months. The chief suspect in her suspected murder? Her husband Edward, hailed as an Australian military Masterchef.

For a free trial that will give you access to ad-free, early and bonus episodes:

Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia

Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia

To buy They’ll Never Hold Me:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html

The Murder Squad:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.html

Hanging Ned Kelly:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html

Australia’s Sweetheart:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Week in... 1926: Ugly Men, Tesla's Predictions, a Fascist ‘Footloose’ and a Mysterious Masked Dancer Jan 26, 2025

Show notes

As a sensuous Catwoman seduces Sydney society and Perth’s Ugly Men stage their annual carnival at Uglieland, ugly meanie Mussolini uses his new executive powers to protect fascist Italy from having fun while Elon Musk's original man crush Nikola Tesla predicts a wireless world where you can watch an American presidential inauguration on your pocket-sized screen device.

This week's bonus episode for subscribers delves into the identity of the Masked Dancer, who was a household name in mid 20th century Australia for a career that extended from vaudeville to videotape.

For a free trial that will give you access to ad-free, early and bonus episodes:

Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia

Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia

To buy They’ll Never Hold Me:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html

The Murder Squad:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.html

Hanging Ned Kelly:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html

Australia’s Sweetheart:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html

Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Week in... 1901: the first election, a federal erection and the dying queen Jan 19, 2025

Show notes

Australia talks about the first federal election campaign, weeps about the death of beloved Queen Victoria and laughs at a visionary’s plan for a giant statue that’ll rise over Sydney Harbour. Plus: our most famous astronomer mocks Nikola Tesla's "messages from Mars", our most famous meteorologist makes like Elon Musk by firing rockets into the heavens, and our most famous hangman is news for setting a record with his noose. This episode features a short interview with Rachel Franks, historian and author of An Uncommon Hangman: The Life and Deaths of Robert 'Nosey Bob' Howard. (There's also a full-length bonus Rachel Franks interview episode for Apple and Patreon supporters.)For a free trial that will give you access to ad-free, early and bonus episodes:

Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia

Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia

To buy An Uncommon Hangman by Rachel Franks:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/an-uncommon-hangman-rachel-franks/book/9781742237343.html

And my books:

They’ll Never Hold Me:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html

The Murder Squad:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.html

Hanging Ned Kelly:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html

Australia’s Sweetheart:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html

Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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