Weird Crap in Australia

By: The Modern Meltdown
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  • Summary

  • Welcome to "Weird Crap in Australia," a podcast hosted by Holly and Matthew, a husband and wife team with a passion for all things strange and unusual in the land down under.

    Each episode, Holly, a trained historian, and Matthew, a pop-culture enthusiast, dive into the weird and wacky aspects of Australian history and society. From the colonial era to the present day, they explore topics such as aliens, monsters, ghosts, and true crime, uncovering the stories and legends that have fascinated Australians for generations.

    As a social historian, Holly provides a unique perspective on the cultural significance of these strange phenomena, while Matthew brings his expertise in pop-culture to the table, offering insights into how these stories have been portrayed in movies, TV shows, and other media.

    With a mix of humor and insight, "Weird Crap in Australia" is the perfect podcast for anyone who loves to explore the oddities and quirks of our world. Join Holly and Matthew as they take you on a journey through the strange and wonderful world of Australia's weirdest stories.

    ***

    Did you know a full firefight between MPs and soldiers took place in Central Station (Sydney) in February 1916, and you can still find the bullet holes in the pillars?

    Did you know that one of Australia’s convict ships was waylaid by Americans during the aftermath of the American Revolution in 1815?

    Did you know we have a dinosaur called Qantassaurus, and that most Australian fossil expeditions of the 1970s and 1980s were sponsored by corporations, rather than the government?

    Did you know that the majority of the miners that took part in the Eureka Stockade of 1854 were Chinese, African-American, or from other ‘minority’ groups? And that the Victorian Gold Rush is where Australia learned to love Chinese food?

    There’s a lot of history when it comes to this country - even just in the last 200 years - and very little of it is taught in our school systems. We feel that, in order to preserve the past, we have to get it out there into the minds of the present, and hopefully apply those lessons to the future. If you agree, we'd love you to join us.

    New episodes release 12pm AEDST/AEST every Monday.

    ______

    Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod
    "Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeod
    Used under a Creative Commons license.

    All sound and voice clips used are (c) their respective owners.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.
    Holly & Matthew Soall
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Social Sciences True Crime World
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Episodes
  • Episode 360 - The Legend of the Anzacs Part 1

    Episode 360 - The Legend of the Anzacs Part 1
    Apr 28 2025
    The legend of the ANZACs was born not through victory, but through courage, endurance, and mateship under fire. From the rocky shores of Gallipoli to the muddy battlefields of the Western Front, Australian and New Zealand troops earned a reputation for resilience, resourcefulness, and unbreakable spirit.

    Though the Gallipoli campaign ended in withdrawal, the actions of the ANZACs forged a national identity that continues to shape Australia and New Zealand today. Their story is one of hardship, sacrifice, and a legacy that lives on more than a century later.

    Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the birth of the ANZAC legend and its lasting impact on national memory.


    ***

    "The Boys of the Dardanelles" (1916) recorded by Stanley Kirkby. No longer in copyright.
    Boys of the Dardanelles commemorates the sacrifice made by Australians in the Great War. Composition by Marsh Little (1880 - 1958). It was used to encourage recruitment. Performed by English singer Stanley Kirkby (1878 - 1949).

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Episode 359 - Old Tom and the Killers of Twofold Bay

    Episode 359 - Old Tom and the Killers of Twofold Bay
    Apr 21 2025
    In the icy waters of Twofold Bay, a strange alliance once thrived between man and whale. At the heart of it was Old Tom, a killer whale unlike any other—who, along with his pod, helped human whalers hunt baleen whales in exchange for first dibs on the spoils.

    This wasn’t legend. It was a documented partnership that spanned generations, built on eerie trust and uncanny understanding. But like many good things, it didn’t last. When Old Tom's body washed ashore in 1930, the bond between species died with him.

    Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the extraordinary story of Old Tom and the Killers of Twofold Bay.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.
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    41 mins
  • Episode 358 - The Melbourne Gangland Wars 4 - Carl Williams

    Episode 358 - The Melbourne Gangland Wars 4 - Carl Williams
    Apr 14 2025
    Carl Williams rose from small-time drug dealer to one of the most powerful—and dangerous—figures in Melbourne’s gangland wars. Known for his smiling, seemingly unbothered public appearances, Williams was anything but harmless. He orchestrated a bloody campaign that left multiple rivals dead, including members of the Moran family, as he sought to dominate Melbourne’s criminal underworld in the early 2000s.

    Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the life and legacy of Carl Williams, the man who declared war on Melbourne’s underworld—and paid the price.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.
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    54 mins

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Funny and enjoyable

Full of great humour and a wonderful husband-and-wife team. Great research. May not be everyone's taste, but it sure is mine! Some of the jokes just keep me smiling!

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.