The University of Melbourne's involvement in the testing of atomic bombs in South Australia is not that well known. Yet it had a massive impact on the Indigenous people living there, with health impacts that were felt for decades.

University academics were enlisted to ensure the safety nuclear blasts at Maralinga and Emu Field. But how good of a job did they really do?

Interviewees:

• Karina Lester - Senior Aboriginal Language Worker at The University of Adelaide
• Dr James Waghorne - Senior Research Fellow and University Historian at The University of Melbourne
• Elizabeth Tynan - co-ordinator of the professional development program at the James Cook University Graduate Research School and researcher of the history of British atomic weapons testing in Australia

Note: This episode has been updated to reflect further details of Leslie Martin's role in atomic testing.

Music

Gold Hands – Holly Sweeney

Piano Study – Joel Keith

Special mention to the following sources:

Yami: The Autobiography of Yami Lester

Tim Sherrat

The McClelland Royal Commission

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For many international students, International House is more than just a place to stay—it’s a welcoming oasis in an unfamiliar city. But did you know that the community at International House holds a rich history dating back to 1957?

Dive into the history of International House and one of its most cherished traditions: the Great Trike Race. A race that symbolises the spirit of unity at the International House.

INTERVIEWEES

Frank Larkins

Caitlin Stone

Frank Schrever

MUSIC CREDITS

Flight by Alex Garla

Monster by Rock Vishal Shah

Forest by Kabas KAS

Grainger Things by Daniel Cropley

Focus by Ambient Vibes

Our world by Coverr

Inspiring Cinematic by StudioKolomna

Magic Inspiration by Artlss22

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John Medley was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne from 1938 to 1951. But Medley was also a member of the Eugenics Society of Victoria, a group which called for the sterilisation and institutionalisation of minority groups such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, prostitutes and members of the LGBTQI+ community. So why does the university have a building named after him?

Unearth the role the University played throughout the dark history of the eugenics movement and the truth behind who John Medley was.

INTERVIEWEES

Dr Ross Jones

Professor Dennis Foley

MUSIC CREDITS

Cold and Hard by Cold Case

Dolly and Pad by Piano Mover

Hickory Interlude by Onesuch Village

Leaving Baffin Island by Baffin Island

Stepback by Dasjardins

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