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Forgotten Australia

Michael Adams

Bloody crimes, unsolved mysteries, eccentric celebrities, dark events and bizarre happenings: it's all here – the stuff you wish they'd taught you in school!


Dive into our strange-but-true history via never-before-told stories, author interviews, weekly flashbacks and the weekly trivia quiz.


Forgotten Australia is created and hosted by Michael Adams, author of the acclaimed true crime books The Murder Squad, Hanging Ned Kelly and They'll Never Hold Me.

He's also a regular history and true crime commentator on ABC Nightlife and the podcast Australian True Crime.


Support Forgotten Australia for a few bucks per month to get ad-free early episodes, exclusive bonus episodes, a show shout-out and the chance to win prizes in the special edition trivia quiz episodes.

Get a week's free trial here:

Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia

Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia


Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com


Check out my books!


They’ll Never Hold Me:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html

The Murder Squad:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.html

Hanging Ned Kelly:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html

Australia’s Sweetheart:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  • 29 episodes
  • Avg 44 min
  • English

Episodes 29

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  • S10 · E49
    June 29 · 33 min

    A Murder of Note – Part Three: The Villain as Victim

    With Mary Ann Brown dead, and no doubt that Kenneth killed her, his April 1876 murder trial appeared to be an open-and-shut case. But he had the best defence that money could buy – and a colonial elite closing ranks to protect one of their own. If you’re in danger from domestic violence, call Triple 0. National Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service
 Tel: 1 800 737 732
 https://1800respect.org.au Lifeline
 Tel: 131 114
 https://www.lifeline.org.au/ Support Forgotten Australia for a few bucks per month for ad-free early and exclusive bonus episodes and the chance to win prizes. Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S10 · E48
    June 28 · 57 min

    A Murder of Note – Part Two: Shotgun Marriage

    In part one, we heard about Kenneth Brown. In this episode, we look at Mary Ann Tindall and how she became his wife and victim. If you’re in danger from domestic violence, call Triple 0. National Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service Tel: 1 800 737 732 https://1800respect.org.au Lifeline Tel: 131 114 https://www.lifeline.org.au/ Support Forgotten Australia for a few bucks per month for ad-free early and exclusive bonus episodes and the chance to win prizes. Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com Check out my books! They’ll Never Hold Me: https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html The Murder Squad: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.html Hanging Ned Kelly: https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html Australia’s Sweetheart: https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S10 · E47
    June 27 · 48 min

    New Miniseries: A Murder of Note – Part One: A Man of the Killing Times

    We all know Edith Cowan – first woman elected to an Australian parliament – graces out $50 note. But did you know she was shaped by a traumatic childhood? In 1876, her father, the prominent colonial settler and explorer Kenneth Brown, shot her stepmother dead. This was a crime that shocked Western Australia – and one whose elements are all too common 150 years later. In Part One of this new miniseries, we look at the forces that shaped Kenneth, from Frontier War violence to his tilt at the Melbourne Cup. If you’re in danger from domestic violence, call Triple 0. National Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service Tel: 1 800 737 732 https://1800respect.org.au Lifeline Tel: 131 114 https://www.lifeline.org.au/ Aidan Kelly's research is here: https://freopedia.org/Kenneth_Brown Support Forgotten Australia for a few bucks per month for ad-free early and exclusive bonus episodes and the chance to win prizes. Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com Check out my books! They’ll Never Hold Me: https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html The Murder Squad: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.html Hanging Ned Kelly: https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html Australia’s Sweetheart: https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S10 · E43
    June 26 · 49 min

    Australia's Forgotten Serial Maniacs

    In 1837, three cold-blooded killers committed a series of bloody outrages that left nine people dead. Two of these murderers were to face their own gruesome fates. But, in an ironic twist, the third would be legally untouchable despite all the victims he'd shot and axed. Support Forgotten Australia for ad-free early episodes, exclusive bonus episodes and the chance to win prizes in the special edition trivia episodes. Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S10 · E46
    June 26 · 50 min

    Talking History - Australia’s Real-Life Jack Sparrow

    Ahoy, me hearties! William Swallow became the pirate captain of the convict ship Cyprus after he seized the vessel in Tasmania in 1829. From there, it was a case of ‘Bring me that horizon!’, with Swallow and his crew of motley misfits setting sail for freedom on the far side of the world. Author Ally Burnham joins us to explain how she researched this swashbuckling true story for Swallow, the first novel in an epic trilogy that will thrill fans of Master and Commander. It's an amazing tale of a fast-talking escape artist, of high stakes on the high seas, and of boldness and tenderness in an era of unspeakable brutality. Plus: Ally has some top tips on how to swear like a pirate! Support Forgotten Australia for a few bucks per month for ad-free early and exclusive bonus episodes and the chance to win prizes. Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com Check out my books! They’ll Never Hold Me: https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html The Murder Squad: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.html Hanging Ned Kelly: https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html Australia’s Sweetheart: https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S10 · E55
    June 25 · 26 min

    Australia’s First Sporting All-Nighters

    This week, when we stay up (or get up) to cheer the Socceroos, we’ll be doing what Aussies first did one winter nearly a century ago. In 1930, the Ashes test cricket series was broadcast live from England via the new marvel of the age – radio! Night after night, Australians defied sleep to hear sporting history being made, with record-smashing new champion Don Bradman leading the charge. In this episode, we look at how these ingenious broadcasts were made and how they were received, from Melbourne to Mount Gambier, Bowral to Ballarat. Support Forgotten Australia for a few bucks per month for ad-free early and exclusive bonus episodes. Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com Check out my books! They’ll Never Hold Me: https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html The Murder Squad: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.html Hanging Ned Kelly: https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html Australia’s Sweetheart: https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S10 · E51
    June 25 · 46 min

    Aussie History Pod Trivia Quiz #3 – Sexy Sinema, Ghostly Figures and a PM Minus His Pants

    Who named Australia? Which former Prime Minister lost his pants in public? Which celebrity came chasing ghosts Down Under? What were the weirdest names suggested for Melbourne before Melbourne became Melbourne? Welcome to the pub trivia night that plays out in your podcast player How well do you know our weird and wonderful history? 30 Questions over 3 Rounds. What will you score out of 30? **Original upload had erroneous bit of commentary in the otherwise correct answer to question 10; it has since been corrected. Many thanks to listener Michael Bragge for pointing up my mistake!** The Aussie History Trivia Bonus Round will be released for supporters on the weekend. To hear this exclusive mini-episode – and have a chance at $100 in cash and book prizes – become a Forgotten Australia supporter. You can try for free: Patreon: http://patreon.com/forgottenaustralia Apple: http://apple.co/forgottenaustralia Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com Check out my books! They’ll Never Hold Me: https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html The Murder Squad: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.html Hanging Ned Kelly: https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html Australia’s Sweetheart: https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S10 · E44
    June 1 · 42 min

    Aussie History Pod Trivia Quiz #2 – Failing film stars! Flailing Frenchmen! Falling space junk!

    Failing film stars! Flailing Frenchmen! Falling space junk! They’re all here, the true and the false, the serious and the deeply stupid. Three rounds. 30 questions. Like pub trivia! Just minus the overcooked rigatoni and the annoying team at the next table who are definitely cheating. Play by yourself, against mates or – for an almost-guaranteed victory – against your dimmest pet. Not happy writing your answers in the mist of your bathroom mirror?
 Well, there’s a free downloadable answer sheet at: www.forgottenaustralia.com If you’re a Forgotten Australia supporter, be sure to check out this week’s Aussie History Trivia Quiz Bonus Episode with 10 more questions – and another chance to win actual prizes. Not a Forgotten Australia supporter? Well, now’s your chance to correct this regrettable life choice. Use a free trial to get a week’s access. It’s easy to get started: Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Showing 21–29 of 29 episodes