In Black and White

When the corpse of a teenage girl was found bobbing in a trunk on the Yarra, police didn't know what to think. They went to unusual lengths to get the remains identified - and soon their investigations would lead them to a mysterious fortune telling abortionist named Madame Olga. Old Melbourne Gaol tour guide Aurora Llywelyn joins the show to tell the horrible tale.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the Count de Castelnau sailed into Melbourne, elite society welcomed their new French consul. But the aristocrat was hiding the salacious secret of a young mistress, illegitimate children and falsified birth certificates.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a babbling ragged wanderer was found in Melbourne's east, authorities couldn't place him, so stuck him behind bars. It took a piece of extraordinary luck, along with a touch of kindness, to set him right. Historian Val Noone joins the show to tell an amazing story that was almost lost in translation. Like the show? Go to http://heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for more.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1944, a young soldier named Warwick Meale was brutally bashed to death beside a creek in Townsville with a blacksmith’s hammer after returning from New Guinea. Almost 80 years on, his descendant, Jonathan Butler, has uncovered surprising secrets about the murder and life in the Allied armed forces.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When two prisoners aged in their 60s decided they'd had enough, they plotted one of the most notorious jailbreaks in Australia's history. Geelong Gaol Museum manager Deb Robinson describes the ingenious plan, as well as their lives on the lam.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mary Ann Piper was a grand Sydney lady in a grand sydney house. But her society lifestyle hid a colourful past that started with the First Fleet. Author Jessica North joins the show with more. Read her book about Piper at: https://bit.ly/3r8xa47 Like the show? Get more at: https://heraldsun.com.au/ibawSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Policeman Michael Ward was an unsung hero who helped bring down the Kelly gang. But in a strange quirk of fate, he may also inadvertently help it form. Author  David Dufty joins the show to explain. More information about the book: https://bit.ly/3JAQpue Like the show? Get more podcasts and features at https://heraldsun.com.au/ibawSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thomas McIntyre had a brush with death when his police posse came up against Australia's most famous bushranger. And years later, it was his words in court that sealed Ned's fate. Author Grantlee Kieza joins the show to tell his storySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author Tony Bernard joins the show again to tell more of the story of his father, who saw unspeakable Nazi attrocities as a member of the Jewish ghetto police, and then gave evidence against them after the war. Information about the book here. Like In Black and White? Get more at https://heraldsun.com.au/ibawSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author Tony Bernard joins the show to tell a story of his father's survival in Nazi Europe, the torture he endured at concentration camps, and the secrets he brought to Australia. Read more about Tony's book at: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/books/other-books/The-Ghost-Tattoo-Tony-Bernard-9781761065415 Like In Black and White? Go to https://heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for more amazing stories of Australia's past.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Australia's age of expeditions, William Blandowski catalogued the lands around the Murray. But his adventures in the bush paled in comparison with the war he had with the scientific establishment - a war he fought with fish.State Library Victoria librarian Andrew McConville tells the tale.Like the show? Read more at https://www.heraldsun.com.au/ibawSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the future king and his wife visited Australia in 1927 to open Parliament House, the trip was marred by a bizarre string of RAAF air tragedies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the start of the Cold War, a young Australian scientist found himself caught up in the geopolitics of who could be trusted with nuclear secrets.Find out more about Phillip Deery's book at: https://www.mup.com.au/books/spies-and-sparrows-paperback-softbackSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Macabre entrepreneur Maximilian Kreitmayer found himself a special niche in the Melbourne of the late 1800s: using the faces of dead bushrangers to fill his waxworks' Chamber of Horrors. Old Melbourne Gaol tour guide Aurora Llywelyn joins to tell more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a patrol of diggers were pinned down by enemy fire in Papua New Guinea, it was up to a pigeon named Q to send for help. Its tale is told by author Mark Wilson, whose book Flapper VC, aims to introduce the courageous creature to kids who may never have heard of Australia's history at war. Find out more about the book at: https://marklwilson.com.au/product/flapper-vc/Get more great tales of Australian history at: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/in-black-and-whiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This summer, we have put together a four part series of some of our most engaging episodes so far, and the final episode looks at amazing women in history. You will hear about Eliza Batman, the wireless pioneer Violet McKenzie, and a revolutionary all female garage. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This summer, we have put together a four part series of some of our most engaging episodes so far, and the third episode looks at war heroes. You will hear the story of Sister Vivian Bullwinkel who was caught in one of the worst massacres of World War II, Horrie the War Dog, and the Aussie pilot who saved stricken kids after a U-Boat attack.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This summer, we have put together a four part series of some of our favourite episodes so far, and the second episode looks at serial killers. You will hear about The Brownout Strangler, the Schoolgirl Strangler who terrorised Melbourne and Frederick Deeming who many say could have been Jack the Ripper.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have put together a four part series of some of our favourite episodes so far, and the first episode looks at spies. You will first hear about Nancy Weir, a piano prodigy who wowed the crowd in the early years of Melbourne radio. Then, the story of the dramatic defection of two Soviet spies in Australia made worldwide headlines in 1954. And finally, the incredible story of ASIO spies Dudley and Joan Doherty, who enlisted their three young kids in Australia’s battle against Soviet infiltration during the Cold War.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Between burning a seance client to death and shooting a clergyman while drunk, no-one thought Thomas Walker would make much of himself. But they were wrong. Author David Hunt joins the show with more. More information about David at: https://davidhuntwriter.com/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spiritualism - a belief system centred on seances - took the world by storm in the mid 1800s, thanks in part to Abraham Lincoln’s wife, Mary.But in Melbourne, a spiritualist leader named William Terry was captivating the crowds and influencing his own political protege.Author  David Hunt joins the show with more. Find more about David at: https://davidhuntwriter.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Victorian era Sydney, it wouldn't do to be seen to be bathing on the beaches. Until one cop swept away the wowsers' worries. Historian and author Jim Haynes joins the show with more. Get more features and more at https://heraldsun.com.au/ibaw Get more information about Jim Haynes at: http://www.jimhaynes.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He's often lauded as the man who first found gold in Australia, but according to historian Jim Haynes, pioneer Edward Hargraves was instead a villain who conned the colony.   Find out more about Jim at: http://www.jimhaynes.com.au/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Waltzing Matilda is one of Australia's most beloved songs. But the origin of the term can be traced back to the battlefields of Germany. Author Jim Haynes joins the show to tell the story.  More at: http://www.jimhaynes.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author Barry McArthur joins the show to recount the time he met prisoner William O'Meally, a police killer, repeat escapee, and the last man flogged in Victoria.   Like the show? Go to http://heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for more.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a young jockey named Joan Richmond was banned from racing horses in Melbourne, she swapped out her silks for a steering wheel. Writer John Smailes tells her story. Like the show? Go to http://heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for more. Get more information about the book  at: http://johnsmailes.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laurie Nash just might have been up among the Bradmans and Borders in the pantheon of Australian cricket. But a baffling selection call kept him out of the infamous bodyline series - and a chance at sporting immortality.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In honor of the race that stops the nation, we went into the vault and picked the tale of the youngest jockey ever to win the Melbourne Cup - a “little freckled lad” from a township near Geelong who was only 11 years old. Like the show? Go to http://heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for moreSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Of all of the losers in the race that stops the nation, young John Kavanagh could have been the hardest done by. Because it wasn't another jockey who likely robbed him of a Melbourne cup - it was bad spelling. Get more great tales at heraldsun.com.au/ibaw See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author Graham Addison returns to the show to continue the history of the Aussie rich kids who went on a quest to find one of the world's most famous treasures. More at: https://grahamaddison.com/ Like the show? Get backgrounders and more at http://heraldsun.com.au/ibawSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author Graham Addison recounts a swashbuckling tale of Aussie thrillseekers, secret codes hidden in the Bible, aristocrats, psychics, bribery, gun-running, riots, and a deadly curse. This is the first in a two part series on the real life raiders of the lost ark. More at: https://grahamaddison.com/ Like the show? Get backgrounders and more at http://heraldsun.com.au/ibaw See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When two bush bandits cornered and killed two men including a police officer in the wilds of central Queensland, the murders were just the start of the grisly tale. More info at: https://www.gravetales.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As young Aussie men fought in the trenches of WW1, a rural Queensland pastor found his war was closer to home.Christian Seybold was accused of preaching pro-German sentiment and found himself a virtual prisoner of war in his own country.Like the show? Read more at https://heraldsun.com.au/ibawSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a plane full of men went missing in the early days of Australian aviation, it was one wily bushman who saved the day. Like In Black and White? Go to: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/in-black-and-white Learn more about Grave Tales: https://www.gravetales.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WWII squadron leader John Jackson was needlessly killed in what author Michael Veitch calls one of the most tragic stories of the RAAF’s 100-year history. Read more tales of adventure at https://heraldsun.com.au/ibaw More about Michael Veitch at: https://www.hachette.com.au/michael-veitch/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author Michael Veitch joins the show to tell Jen the remarkable story of John Jackson, a WW2 flyboy who survived being shot down, only to find himself stuck behind enemy lines in New Guinea. Read more tales of adventure at https://heraldsun.com.au/ibaw More about Michael Veitch at: https://www.hachette.com.au/michael-veitch/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over 40 years ago, in the golden age of racing, a punter named Kev Cain reached in his pocket and placed a $6 bet. By the end of the day he was sitting on $86000. This is the story of one of Australia's luckiest streaks. Like the show? Go to https://www.heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for more Get more info about Andrew Rule's book at: https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781760987718/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RAAF gunner turned winemaker Colin Gramp wasn't the inventor of the famous bag in a box wine, but his brand Orlando was instrumental in bringing it to the homes, parks and beaches of everyday Australians. Like In Black and White? get more at https://heraldsun.com.au/ibawSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Satisfaction was demanded when two of Melbourne's finest lined up to settle their differences. But the result was a comic mess. Like the show? get features, backgrounders and more at https://heraldsun.com.au/ibawSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Melbourne boomed with gold rush cash, one medic found an ingenious way to spruik his venereal disease cures. Get background to this story and much more at https://heraldsun.com.au/ibawSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In his short life George Coulthard kicked goald for Carlton, started a riots Sydney and crossed paths with a future PM. Get background to this story and much more at https://heraldsun.com.au/ibawSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a German sub sank a ship carrying British civilians fleeing the horrors of World War 2, Aussie flyer Bill Garing spearheaded a daring rescue. Like the show? got to https://heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for moreSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Beaney was a colourful surgeon and shameless self promoter who would operate when no others would dare. And not even a pair of gory deaths could curtail his career. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As her hospital was bombed during World War I, Rachel Pratt kept on doing what she’d always done – treating her wounded patients. The nurse from Melbourne kept on working until she collapsed after shrapnel from a bomb pierced her lung.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The bestselling Australian-born author known as “Elizabeth” had good reason to hide her true identity, but the world’s press was determined to unmask her.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When convict banter baffled judges in early colonial Australia, they turned to James Hardy Vaux, who published a dictionary of slang - that included many words still in use today. Like In Black and White? Read more at https://www.heraldsun.com.au/ibawSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Billy Caffyn was an all-rounder star of English cricket, who found himself teaching Australia to play the game. But after wowing Melbourne, his next move left everyone stunnedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Augusta the “giantess” was a superstar of the travelling show circuit at the turn of last century. And the super-sized and super-strong solo performer wowed the country with her feats of strength.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In one 24-hour 1000km ride, Hubert Opperman set 100 distance records, including many that remained unbroken for decades.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a pioneer in the early days of aviation, 21-year-old Nancy Bird Walton became the first Australian woman to run a commercial air service. Like the show? Read more at: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/ibawSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.