Aussie History Podcast

Over the course of two days –the 28th and 29th of April 1996, Martin Bryant killed 35 people at and near the historic Port Arthur convict prison site some 100 kilometres north east of Hobart.

This tragic event had significant implications for Australia. It enabled the introduction of tighter national gun control laws to ensure that an event like this never happened in Australia again.

In its aftermath conspiracy theories have arisen that challenge whether Martin Bryant was the killer. We take a quick look at some of these conspiracy theories. For a concise debunking of these conspiracy theories visit Brian Dunning’s Skeptoid podcast at: http://skeptoid.com/episodes/4253

Music courtesy of Dano at: www.danosongs.com

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post production.

Email me at [email protected] and visit the Aussie waves Podcast Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/AussieWavesPodcast

It’s Tour de France time and this gives us an opportunity to remember a man who many consider was Australia’s best ever, competitive professional cyclist, Sir Hubert Opperman, or as he is more commonly, and affectionately known, Oppy.

Then we look at the life of Margaret McLachlan. McLachlan was a female cyclist who in the 1960s tried to enter the world of competitive cycling. But back in those days the cycling establishment was not a welcoming place for women. She was banned from competitive cycling despite the protestation from other cyclists. Margaret McLachlan with the support of her husband John then went on to set long distance records. Hers is an inspiring story of overcoming the odds despite discrimination against women.

Check out an article on Margaret McLachlan at: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/51771035?searchTerm=Margaret%20McLachlan%20AND%20%22race%22%20AND%20(cycling)&searchLimits=exactPhrase=race%7C%7C%7CanyWords=cycling%7C%7C%7CnotWords%7C%7C%7Cl-textSearchScope=*ignore*%7C*ignore*%7C%7C%7Cfromdd%7C%7C%7Cfrommm%7C%7C%7Cfromyyyy%7C%7C%7Ctodd%7C%7C%7Ctomm%7C%7C%7Ctoyyyy%7C%7C%7Cl-word=*ignore*%7C*ignore*%7C%7C%7Csortby

In this episode we are in the Philipines - the birthplace of my gorgeous wife Nilda. We are visiting close friends and relatives in Kalibo on the island of Panay and in the province of Aklan. We also visit the beautiful island of Boracay. I had hoped to record some interviews but it didn't quite work out. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy this overview of Filipino history. I know it ain't Aussie history - but I do make some tenuous links to Australia in the episode.

Check out the photos on the AWP Facebook page.

Email me at: [email protected]

On the night of 31 May 1942 – some 73 years ago - World War II came to Sydney when the Japanese navy launched a daring attack on Sydney Harbour. That night three Japanese midget submarines entered Sydney Harbour to destroy Allied naval and merchant shipping. While the attack inflicted minimal damage on shipping, 27 people died, including all of the crew of the Japanese submarines.

At the time of the attacks many Australians were outraged that the Japanese submariners were given a funeral with full military honours. But over time Australians have come to respect the courage and bravery that these men displayed.

Music courtesy of Dano at: www.danosongs.com

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post production.

Email me at [email protected] and visit the Aussie waves Podcast Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/AussieWavesPodcast

The Ode of Remembrance is recited every ANZAC Day to to commemorate those Australian women and men who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Ode Of Remembrance

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old.

Age Shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,

We will remember them.

Lest we forget.

On 25 April every year, Australians commemorate ANZAC Day. ANZAC Day commemorates the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 during World War 1. This is the 100th anniversary of those landings.

Visit the amazing Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABCs) Gallipoli interactive website: http://www.abc.net.au/innovation/gallipoli/gallipoli2.htm#

And watch Channel 9’s Gallipoli series at: http://www.9jumpin.com.au/show/gallipoli/

Email me at [email protected] and visit the Aussie waves Podcast Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/AussieWavesPodcast

Enter the AWP coffee mug giveaway by emailing me. Entries close on 31 May 2015. Unfortunately it is only open to Australian listeners.

In this episode we examine the aftermath of the Rum Rebellion. There were a series of trials and court martials after the coup and these had profound effects on the major players – particularly Bligh, Macarthur and Johnston.

Enter the AWP coffee mug competition. Entries close on 31 May 2015. It’s easy to enter – just email me. Unfortunately this completion is only open to Australian listeners. The cost of postage to international destinations is just too high.

Music courtesy of Dano at: www.danosongs.com

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post production.

Email me at [email protected] and visit the Aussie waves Podcast Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/AussieWavesPodcast

As a schoolboy growing up in the Macarthur region on the outskirts of Sydney, John Macarthur and George Johnston were considered heroes who had deposed the cruel, villainous and cowardly tyrant William Bligh. But was it really like this? Were Johnston and Macarthur right to overthrow Bligh or have we got it completely wrong? Maybe Bligh should be seen as the man who stood up to the wealthy and powerful Macarthur?

In this episode we are going on a journey to the moment Major George Johnston and the NSW Corps entered Government House in Sydney and ousted William Bligh from office on 26 January 1808. This was the only military coup d’état ever to occur in Australia.

Enter the AWP coffee mug competition. Three coffee mugs are on offer. Entries close on Sunday 31 May 2015 - not 30 April which is what i say in the podcast. To enter email me at [email protected]

Unfortunately this competition is only open to Australian listeners – the cost of postage to international destinations is just too high.

Music courtesy of Dano at: www.danosongs.com

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post production.

Email me at [email protected] and visit the Aussie waves Podcast Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/AussieWavesPodcast

On 26th January 1808, exactly 20 years to the day after the arrival of the first Fleet, Governor William Bligh (of the Mutiny on the Bounty infamy) was deposed in a coup d’etat by the New South Wales Corps - under the command of Major George Johnston and with the backing of John Macarthur.

The history we learned at school was that Macarthur and Johnston were the heroes of the day. Bligh was a villainous and cruel tyrant. The real story is far more complex. The Rum Rebellion was really about political and economic control of the colony of New South Wales.

Music courtesy of Dano at: www.danosongs.com

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post production.

Email me at [email protected] and visit the Aussie waves Podcast Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/AussieWavesPodcast

In this episode we reflect on the First Fleet and come to some conclusions about it all. Then we look at two men – Pemulwuy and Bennelong. Both were Aboriginal men who played important roles in the early years of the colony of New South Wales.

Check out the YouTube video of Mirusia Louwerse singing the old Aussie folk song Bound for Botany Bay. It’s a song about a convict being transported to Australia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQCIUKgHc5k

Email me at [email protected] and visit the Aussie Waves Podcast Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/AussieWavesPodcast

Music courtesy of Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post-production.