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The Theory of Objects

by The Australian

Arts

Six objects. Six stories. The Weekend Australian Magazine's Trent Dalton searches for the things in which we store Australia's history.

From the show's RSS feed, refreshed Oct 23, 2025. Source feed.

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Episodes

  1. 6 - Les Darcy and the locket

    The enduring love story that drove one of Australia's greatest boxers who never was. Music credits ​I got 99 broadswords but this isn't one (Komiku) Androids always escape (Chris Zabriskie) Tent show audio courtesy of TenSecondsOut

  2. 5 - Lynn Santer and the Alby Mangels collection

    Searching for the man whose adventures inspired a generation of Australians. Music credits Big tree (Evan Schaeffer) I will not let you let me down, Honcho Graham from Birmingham (Josh Woodward) Ambient truth (Komiku) Readers do you read, God be with you till we meet again (Chris Zabriskie)…

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  3. 4 - Li Cunxin and his father's stool

    The humble objects treasured by Mao's last dancer.Music credits Mirror lake (Cyrus) Opening, Wake up heroic figure, Dreaming of you (Komiku) Nirvana VEVO (Chris Zabriskie) Honcho Graham from Birmingham (Josh Woodward)

  4. 3 - Mary Watson and the sea cucumber tub

    A young mother makes a desperate bid to save her infant son. Music credits Deep dive, Persistence with beat (Raphael Angel) La Citadelle (Komiku) Three kites circling, The thorn revisit (Axletree) I need to start writing things down (Chris Zabriskie) ​Lizard Island audio courtesy of Delaware North

  5. 2- Percy Grainger and his whips

    The private pleasures of Australia's greatest composer, only discovered a decade after his death.Music credits Action investigation, Time (Komiku) A queer and pleasant danger (Mystery Mammal) Vervain (Axletree) All archival audio courtesy of the Estate of Percy Aldridge Grainger

  6. 1 - The canoe and the crawl

    How a Solomon Island war canoe launched a signature swimming style. Music credits But enough about me Bill Paxton, Undercover vampire policeman (Chris Zabriskie) This is not a rock song (Monplasir) You're right but I'm me (Doctor Turtle) Flutter by Butterfly, Frannie (Josh Woodward)

  7. 0 - Trailer

    Welcome to The Theory of Objects, launching December 16.

About this show

Six objects. Six stories. The Weekend Australian Magazine's Trent Dalton searches for the things in which we store Australia's history.

Hosted by

The Australian

Produced by [email protected]

Frequently asked questions

How many episodes does The Theory of Objects have?

The Theory of Objects has 7 episodes on PodParley. The most recent episode was published on December 15, 2017.

What is The Theory of Objects about?

Six objects. Six stories. The Weekend Australian Magazine's Trent Dalton searches for the things in which we store Australia's history.

How often does The Theory of Objects release new episodes?

The Theory of Objects publishes daily, based on its 7 episodes since December 2017.

Who hosts The Theory of Objects?

The Theory of Objects is created and hosted by The Australian.
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