Have you heard about those convicts in Tasmania who had to resort to cannibalism? No, the other convicts. Yes, it happened twice.

In 1830 five convicts escaped from the brutal penal settlement of Sarah Island, in Macquarie Harbour. Only two made it back to civilisation. And they both made an awful confession about what happened to the other three men.

The Awful Confession

It's the most well known song in Australia. And no one can agree on what it's all about.

The music used was:

Waltzing Matilda, by John Collinson.

Harbour, Run, Brookes and April, by Kia Engles. You can hear more of his great stuff at freemusicarchive.org.

Gods Red Earth

Matilda, My Darling

Of all places in the world few people would think the country-city of Bendigo, located right in the centre of Victoria, would be home to both the worlds oldest and longest imperial dragons.

The music used was Rainbows, Simple Duet, Angel Share and Carefree, by Kevin MacLeod. You can get more of his music at incompetech.com.

And if you’d like to learn more or wanna help Bendigo with their newest imperial dragon, you can got to daigumloong.com.au.

Kate Heffernan's Album

The Dragons Of Bendigo

In 1822, in an attempt to escape the torturous penal settlement of Sarah Island, eight convicts recklessly ran into some of the most inhospitable environments in the world and became the subjects of one of the most horrific stories of survival ever told.

The music was:

Harbour, by Kai Engels. You can find more of his work at freemusicarchive.com

Spacial Harvest, Controlled Chaos, Private Reflection and Long Note Four, by Kevin MacLeod. You can listen to his stuff at incompetech.com.

Chew The Meat

In 1909 the SS Waratah, a luxurious steam liner weighed down with gold and 211 passengers went missing under some very mysterious circumstances.

The music featured was Tumult and Seeker by Kia Engels, with Dreams Become Real and Despair and Triumph by Kevin MCloud.  Both these artists can be found at Free Music archieve.com.

Warm Red Earth

SS Waratah

It's the spooky time of the year ... somewhat off-set by the fact that it's mid-spring, warm and sunny. Nevertheless, seems like the right time to discuss three famous ghost stories from across the country.

The music features was Darkest Child, Water Prelude, Lightless Dawn and Teller of the Tales, by Kevin MacLeod. You can find more of his stuff at incompetech.com

Pool, Bridge, Theatre

A short story this week, a recital of what Euphemia 'Effie' Davidson told her niece, Debbie Nicholson in 1940, two days before her 100th birthday. It centres around the small town of Eden, southern New South Wales, where there has been a fascinating relationship between the people there, and the orcas who live beside them.

Song: Healing, Kevin MacLeod, incompetech.com

An Old Lady Remembers

For nearly a century the people of Eden and three pods of orcas that lived off the coast worked together in one of the most incredible inter-species relationships in the world.

Music featured was Angel Share, Nu Flute, Perspectives, Despair and Triumph, Lost Time, Hidden Past, by Kevin MacLeod of incompetech.com

The Killers Of Eden

On March 12th, 1868, Henry O'Farrell shot Prince Alfred while he was picnicking on the northern beach of Clontarf, an action that saw hysterical fear of an Irish rebellion spread across the nation, a hysteria which a mostly unknown politician Henry Parkes, took cruel advantage of.

Songs used where Sunset at Glengorm, Lightless Dawn, Dreams Become Real, Dragon and Toast and Healing, all preformed by Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com.

Parkes' Fenian Conspiracy

In the early morning of July 29th, 1957, the tiny town of Bega was shocked awake when a massive bomb blast flattened an entire house, killing three people. The victim was the local constable, his wife and 7 month old baby. However, 60 years later, the official police report and eye witness accounts don't quite line up.

The music used was Cryptic Sorrow, Thunderbird, Lightless Dawn, Sunset at Glengorm, Promises to Keep, and Moorland. All music was composed by Kevin MacLeod and more of his work den be found at incompetech.com

The Cream Can

On Anzac Day, 1935, a shark that was on display at Coogee Aquarium suddenly threw up a man's arm. And then things got weird.

Music featured was Sneaky Snitch, Brittle Rille, Lightless Dawn, and Despair and Triumph, all by Kevin MacLeod. More can be found at https://incompetech.com.

The Shark Arm Case

Andrew George Scott will always be overshadowed by his alter-ego of bushranger Captain Moonlite, but Scott's journey to infamy was hardly straight forward.

Music featured was Long Road Ahead B, Pippin the Hunchback, Morgana Rides, Folk Round, Promises to Keep, Skye Callin, Heavy Heart, Long Road Ahead, all by Kevin MacLeod of incompetech.com.

Mysterious Captain Moonlite

On the 6th February 1938 a freak wave washed more than 250 people out to sea. Luckily the volunteer surf life savers were there to conduct the largest surf rescue in Australia's history.

Music was Montauk Point, Perspectives, Living Voyage, Cryptic Sorrow, all by Kevin MacLeod at incompehech.com

Bondi's Black Sunday

From 1889 to 1920 Broken Hill saw four major strikes that ended up shaping not only the mining industry, but saw a complete overhaul in worker's rights across the country.

And right in the middle of all that was bunch of union women armed with broomsticks.

Songs: Folk Round, Master of the Feast, Celtic Impulse, Pippin the Hunchback, Skye Cullin -- by Kevin MacLeod --https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/search/

Bread and Roses -- Judy Collins

Women's Brigade of Broken Hill

A heck of a lot happened in 1932.

Music used was Duet Musette, Pippin the Hunchback, Teller of Tales, Netherworld Shanty, Heavy Heart, Living Voyage and Marty Gots a Plan by Kevin MacLeod. The Bridge We've Been Waiting For, by Len Maurice. ABC Theme Remix, by Pendulam.

WTF1932

In 1892 two titans of Australian poetry clashed in their attitudes towards the blossoming 'Australian spirit'.

Or -- Henry Lawson and Banjo Paterson have a poetical smackdown.

The music used was Brittle Rille, Pepper's Theme, Folk Round, Master of the Feast, Montauk Point, Teller of Tales and Perspectives, by Kevin MacLeod, available at https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/

The Bulletin Debate

Miss Kathleen Butler is a name that's all but forgotten these days, but without her we would not have the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Music used was Awaiting Return, Brittle Rille, Folk Round, Montauk Point and Pepper's Theme, by Kevin MacLeod, https://incompetech.com

The Godmother of the Bridge

The Great Flood of 1852 remains the deadliest flood in Australian history, which would've been worse if it wasn't for the heroic actions of three Wiradjuri men.

Music used was Pepper's Theme, Thunderbird, Long Note Four, Mesmerise High Quality and The Pyre, by Kevin MacLeod. All can be found at https://incompetech.com

The Great Flood of Gundagai

While the Mad Dentist didn't do anything terrible to people's teeth, Henry Louis Bertrand most certainly acted wildly, and all for love.

Music featured was Netherworld Shanty, Pippin the Hunchback, The Prye, Skye Cuillin, Marty Gots a Plan, Long Note Four, Disquiet, Dreams Become Real and Nu Flute - by Kevin MacLeod. All can be found at incompetech.com

The Mad Dentist of Wynyard Square

The ever lasting impact of the death of a stockman in 1917.

The Death of James Darcy

A Mantle of Safety

The mystery surrounding Wonnangatta Murders still haunts the isolated Victorian High Country to this day.

Music used was Industrial Music Box, Lightless Dawn, Oppressive Gloom and Dreams Become Real by Kevin MacLeod

Murder in the High Country

Australia's weird. Lets talk about it.
A podcast that explores the odder parts of Australiana, from forgotten history, to folklore and even a bit of superstition.

Warm Red Earth

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