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PODCAST · history

In Black and White

by Herald Sun

From alleyway gangsters to cold war spies to eccentric entrepreneurs, Australian history is full of colourful but forgotten characters. Host Jen Kelly talks with experts, historians and yarn spinners to uncover the untold stories of some of our most interesting and offbeat ancestors.

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Episodes

  1. NEW PODCAST: Dear Rachelle

    A killer is on the loose in an Australian country town. Excited for the June long weekend, bubbly 23-year-old Rachelle Childs leaves work, calls her sister, and is dead within hours. Her burning, partially naked body is found nine hours later in bushland on a lonely coastal road. Her killer has...

  2. Harry Houdini: The great escape - Part 2

    In the very last of our great history stories, we turn to Harry Houdini, one of the great magicians in history, and his time in Australia. His tale is told by Andrew McConville, from State Library Victoria. There are almost 280 stories in the In Black and White show, and they're all available for...

  3. Harry Houdini: The great escape - Part 1

    In the very last of our great history stories, we turn to Harry Houdini, one of the great magicians in history, and his time in Australia. His tale is told by Andrew McConville, from State Library Victoria. There are almost 280 stories in the In Black and White show, and they're all available for...

  4. A bushranger's body in the window - Part 2

    WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. George Melville was a daring highwayman who pulled off one of Australia's biggest heists. But when the law caught up with him, his fate was most gruesome indeed. Damien Beard from Pentridge Prison Tours joins the show with more. Warning: This series contains…

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  5. A bushranger's body in the window - Part 1

    WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. George Melville was a daring highwayman who pulled off one of Australia's biggest heists. But when the law caught up with him, his fate was most gruesome indeed. Damien Beard from Pentridge Prison Tours joins the show with more. Warning: This series contains…

    more
  6. BONUS EPISODE: The Aussie who gave up gold for honour - Part 2

    With the Paris Olympics in the books, we tell the tale of Cecil Healy, a champion swimmer who innovated in the pool. But it's for an amazing act of sportsmanship that he should perhaps be best remembered. Military historian Mat McLachlan joins the show for part 2 of a bonus two-part series. Learn...

  7. BONUS EPISODE:The Aussie who gave up gold for honour - Part 1

    With the Paris Olympics in the books, we tell the tale of Cecil Healy, a champion swimmer who innovated in the pool. But it's for an amazing act of sportsmanship that he should perhaps be best remembered. Military historian Mat McLachlan joins the show for part 1 of a bonus two-part series. Learn...

  8. The "world's oldest lesbian"

    To the outside world, Monte Punshon was utterly respectable. But her perfect 19th-century diction disguised her wild past as a bad girl who hung out at edgy Melbourne bars and secret drag parties and was monitored in the lead-up to WWII by security services who suspected her Japanese teacher was…

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  9. The witch of Kings Cross

    Rosaleen Norton was a bohemian artist and occultist who horrified Australian society in the 1950s. There were wild tales of devil worship, satanic rituals, blood sacrifices and sex orgies. But were they true? Author Peter Coleman is here to sort the fact from the fiction for us. Get Peter’s book...

  10. The Aussie samurai Gallipoli war hero spy - Part 2

    Harry Freame was raised in Japan under the ancient bushido code but wound up fighting for Australia. But was this Anzac hero betrayed by his nation? His story is told in a new book called The Bravest Scout at Gallipoli by Ryan Butta. Get Ryan’s book at:...

  11. The Aussie samurai Gallipoli war hero spy - Part 1

    Harry Freame was raised in Japan under the ancient bushido code but wound up fighting for Australia. But was this Anzac hero betrayed by his nation? His story is told in a new book called The Bravest Scout at Gallipoli by Ryan Butta. Get Ryan’s book at:...

  12. The bride of Christ and the baby mystery: Part 2

    When Marie Grunke entered a strict convent in Melbourne in the 1960s, she couldn’t tell anyone her shameful pregnancy secret. But Marie’s story would have a surprising ending. Her story is told in a new book called Unconventional Women: The Story of the Last Blessed Sacrament Sisters in…

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  13. The bride of Christ and the baby mystery: Part 1

    When Marie Grunke entered a strict convent in Melbourne in the 1960s, she couldn’t tell anyone her shameful pregnancy secret. But Marie’s story would have a surprising ending. Her story is told in a new book called Unconventional Women: The Story of the Last Blessed Sacrament Sisters in…

    more
  14. Charles Bean: From correspondent to combat

    He was known as one of the men who told Australians what was happening in the Gallipoli campaign. But at a place named Krithia, Charles Bean risked his life to place himself at the heart of the action. Military historian Mat McLachlan joins the show with more. Get Mat's book at:...

  15. The defiant daughter of the rebellion

    One of the enduring images of the Rum Rebellion is of Governor William Bligh cowering under his bed as the mob draws near. But it was his daughter Mary who owned the hour - keeping armed rebels at bay using nothing but her parasol. Author and Journalist Sue Williams joins the show with more.…

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  16. True history of Ned's mate Joe

    When stories of the Kelly Gang are written, it's always their charismatic leader who grabs the spotlight. But Joseph Byrne lived his own very colourful life. Author Georgina Phelan outlines how the young bushranger went from larrikin to outlaw. To order the book, visit...

  17. The murder in the garden mystery: Part 2

    WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. The last photos ever taken of Edward Feeney and Charles Marks showed them holding hands and pointing guns at each other. What happened next was a bizarre case that saw one man dead and the other on trial for murder. Historian Michael Adams, host of the Forgotten...

  18. The murder in the garden mystery: Part 1

    WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. The last photos ever taken of Edward Feeney and Charles Marks showed them holding hands and pointing guns at each other. What happened next was a bizarre case that saw one man dead and the other on trial for murder. Historian Michael Adams, host of the Forgotten...

  19. The last woman to hang: Part 2

    Jean Lee was sentenced to die by 12 good men and true for the gruesome torture and murder of an SP bookie in Carlton in 1949. But was the last woman executed in Australia just covering for her outlaw lover? Pentridge Prison Tours guide Damien Beard joins the show with more. Like the show? Get...

  20. The last woman to hang: Part 1

    Jean Lee was sentenced to die by 12 good men and true for the gruesome torture and murder of an SP bookie in Carlton in 1949. But was the last woman executed in Australia just covering for her outlaw lover? Pentridge Prison Tours guide Damien Beard joins the show with more. Like the show? Get...

  21. A very tangled birthright: Part 2

    During World War I, Letitia Leake may have looked like a proper and patriotic English lady. But her childhood - half a world away - was a saga of alleged murder, infidelity, bigamy and corruption. Professor Carol Grbich, co-author of The Accidental Heiress, joins the show with more. To order the...

  22. A very tangled birthright: Part 1

    During World War I, Letitia Leake may have looked like a proper and patriotic English lady. But her childhood - half a world away - was a saga of alleged murder, infidelity, bigamy and corruption. Professor Carol Grbich, co-author of The Accidental Heiress, joins the show with more. To order the...

  23. How Mad Dog Morgan went from hero to villain: Part 2

    Before Ned Kelly, the bushranger that most struck fear into the hearts of lawmen was Dan Morgan. And while he started out as a champion of the downtrodden, Morgan became increasingly unhinged and dangerous, and was once named the most bloodthirsty ruffian that ever took to the bush. Historian…

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  24. How Mad Dog Morgan went from hero to villain: Part 1

    Before Ned Kelly, the bushranger that most struck fear into the hearts of lawmen was Dan Morgan. And while he started out as a champion of the downtrodden, Morgan became increasingly unhinged and dangerous, and was once named the most bloodthirsty ruffian that ever took to the bush. Historian…

    more
  25. A high-wire act for poor Mabel Worley: Part 2.

    Running away to join the circus has been the quixotic goal of many the bored teenager. But by the time Mabel Worley took that path, her life was anything but ordinary. Corinne Ball, senior curator at the History Trust of South Australia, joins the show to tell the tale. More about Corinne's book...

  26. A high-wire act for poor Mabel Worley: Part 1.

    Running away to join the circus has been the quixotic goal of many the bored teenager. But by the time Mabel Worley took that path, her life was anything but ordinary. Corinne Ball, senior curator at the History Trust of South Australia, joins the show to tell the tale. More about Corinne's book...

  27. The hanging judge's Plan B

    Redmond Barry is best known for sending Ned Kelly to the gallows. But he never would have sat in judgement if it wasn't for some poor judgement of his own. State Library Victoria librarian Andrew McConville joins the show to tell the tale of Barry's torrid love affair at sea, and how it changed…

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  28. A macabre act of betrayal

    WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. When George Augustus Robinson was employed as the Chief Protector of Tasmania's Aboriginal people, he proclaimed he was there to 'do good' for the indigenous population. Instead, he took from the very people who had already had everything taken from them. Cassandra...

  29. The Butcher of Fromelles

    He was dubbed the most unpopular AIF commander of World War I, thanks to a series of bungles and mismanagement. But was James McCay mad, bad, or just another hapless officer caught in the slaughter of the trenches? Military historian Mat McLachlan joins the show to discuss. More on Mat's work at:...

  30. The man who reinvented the Australian home

    Before TV, social media and the internet, Australians turned to magazines to help define their style.And for 43 years William Shum was one of the titans of print who showed modern Australians how to dress themselves - and the places they lived.Now his granddaughter, author Sue Walker, joins the...

  31. A wartime flyer's mid-air miracle: Part 2

    Len Fuller was just a trainee pilot when his RAAF aircraft collided mid-flight with another plane. But instead of a fiery tragedy, what happened next was front page news. Author and podcaster Michael Adams joins a special Anzac Day edition to tell the tale. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

  32. A wartime flyer's mid-air miracle: Part 1

    Len Fuller was just a trainee pilot when his RAAF aircraft collided mid-flight with another plane. But instead of a fiery tragedy, what happened next was front page news. Author and podcaster Michael Adams joins a special Anzac Day edition to tell the tale. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

  33. Todd the Time Lord

    It seemed like science fiction at the time, but in the late 1800s one scientist and his team ventured forth into the deep Outback to connect Australia to the world. Author Adam Courtenay rejoins the show to tell the extraordinary tale of Charles Todd. Learn more about the tale in Courtenay's…

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  34. The jailbird dynasty: Part 2

    WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT The prisons of old Victoria were no strangers to the tragic, the macabre and the downright bizarre. But in Geelong, the Hassett clan saw all three. Historian Deb Robinson joins the show to outline the multiple generations who found themselves behind bars. Warning: This...

  35. The jailbird dynasty: Part 1

    WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. The prisons of old Victoria were no strangers to the tragic, the macabre and the downright bizarre. But in Geelong, the Hassett clan saw all three. Historian Deb Robinson joins the show to outline the multiple generations who found themselves behind bars. Warning…

    more
  36. Charlie's perfect footy record

    Throughout the decades of AFL and VFL history, there have been many coaching greats. But only one could boast a perfect record. AFL historian Col Hutchinson joins the show to introduce us to Charlie Clymo, the man who coached the Cats to the 1931 flag, and then disappeared. See...

  37. The Appeal: Part 3

    On a special Good Friday edition of the show, we conclude our three-part deep dive into the history of the Royal Children's Hospital and the long-running Good Friday Appeal. Today we talk to Penny Fowler, the granddaughter of Sir Keith and Dame Elisabeth Murdoch and the chairman of the Good…

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  38. The Appeal: Part 2

    This week, in the lead-up to the 93rd Good Friday Appeal, we do a three-part deep dive into the history of Melbourne's beloved Royal Children's Hospital and the long-running Good Friday Appeal. Today, we speak again with Melbourne historian Peter Yule, author of an amazing book called The Royal...

  39. The Appeal: Part 1

    This week, in the lead-up to the 93rd Good Friday Appeal, we do a three-part deep dive into the history of Melbourne's beloved Royal Children's Hospital and the long-running Good Friday Appeal. Today we speak with Melbourne historian Peter Yule, author of an amazing book called The Royal…

    more
  40. The man who ended Ned

    Elijah Upjohn was a sewage worker turned quack doctor who found himself behind bars for chicken thievery. But his life took a sharp turn when a notorious bushranger was convicted - and the state was in need of a hangman. Author and podcaster Michael Adams tells the story. More about Michael's…

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  41. Australia’s greatest environmental idiot?

    Thomas Austin owned a great estate and built a grand mansion fit to host royalty. But he will be forever remembered for one of colonial Australia’s biggest bungles: rabbits. Author and comedian Mikey Robins joins the show with more. Learn more about Mikey at:...

  42. The complicated collaboration of Bill Sticpewich

    WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. This week we tell the story of an Australian PoW in World War 2, who was damned for helping his Japanese captors but hailed for helping send war criminals to the gallows. Author Tom Gilling tells the story. More about Tom’s book...

  43. Australia's queer history

    To coincide with the launch of Qtopia Sydney, the world’s largest museum and cultural centre dedicated to queer history and the LGBTQIA+ community, historian Garry Wotherspoon joins us for a fascinating exploration of Australia’s queer history from colonial days to the present. Find out more:...

  44. The Vampire Murder - Part 3

    In the 1930s, Australians witnessed some of the country’s most infamous - and most luridly nicknamed - murder cases. But the “Vampire Murder”, a horrific sex crime in Newcastle in 1937, has been largely forgotten. Crime historian and Forgotten Australia host Michael Adams joins the show for the...

  45. The Vampire Murder - Part 2

    In the 1930s, Australians witnessed some of the country’s most infamous - and most luridly nicknamed - murder cases. But the “Vampire Murder”, a horrific sex crime in Newcastle in 1937, has been largely forgotten. Crime historian and Forgotten Australia host Michael Adams joins the show for the...

  46. The Vampire Murder - Part 1

    In the 1930s, Australians witnessed some of the country’s most infamous - and most luridly nicknamed - murder cases. But the “Vampire Murder”, a horrific sex crime in Newcastle in 1937, has been largely forgotten. Crime historian and Forgotten Australia host Michael Adams joins the show for the...

  47. The Japanese Schindler

    As the Nazi war machine marched toward the Baltic, diplomat Chiune Sugihara disobeyed orders and risked his life to save 6000 Jews. Australian author Linda Margolin Royal tells the tale - and her own connection to that remarkable Japanese hero. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  48. The fighting Irishman

    While he's largely forgotten now, Daniel Mannix was a titanic name of the first half of the last century. The Catholic bishop of Melbourne wielded power at the pulpit and the ballot box. And he was never shy of expressing an opinion on controversial issues, from conscription to communism, to...

  49. Summer series: Oddballs and eccentrics

    Today we tell three tales of people who made Australia just that little bit more colourful. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  50. Summer Series: The snake oil crew

    In this episode, we bring together the ripping yarns of some of the nation's greatest liars and frauds. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

From alleyway gangsters to cold war spies to eccentric entrepreneurs, Australian history is full of colourful but forgotten characters. Host Jen Kelly talks with experts, historians and yarn spinners to uncover the untold stories of some of our most interesting and offbeat ancestors.

HOSTED BY

Herald Sun

Produced by [email protected]

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does In Black and White have?

In Black and White currently has 308 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is In Black and White about?

From alleyway gangsters to cold war spies to eccentric entrepreneurs, Australian history is full of colourful but forgotten characters. Host Jen Kelly talks with experts, historians and yarn spinners to uncover the untold stories of some of our most interesting and offbeat ancestors.

How often does In Black and White release new episodes?

In Black and White publishes regularly with 308 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to In Black and White?

You can listen to In Black and White on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts In Black and White?

In Black and White is created and hosted by Herald Sun.
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