In this and the next episode we will be looking at the life and times of Edward 'Ned' Kelly.  We will be asking the question does Ned Kelly deserve his place in Australian culture as a larrikin hero who stood up to the British ruling elite because of oppression faced by him, his family and the broader Irish-Catholic community? Or was he a ruthless  criminal and cop killer who deserved what he got?

A big warning here:  I'm not a Ned Kelly fan!!

It's ANZAC Day, 25 April 2018.  

Over the two days, 26 and 27 November 1942, Australian and American servicemen fought a 'battle' against each other on the streets of Brisbane. Find out what caused this little known incident.

In this episode we wrap up the assassination attempt on Price Alfred by Henry O'Farrell.

We cover O'Farrell's trial, his hanging and ask whether O'Farrell was a Fenian terrorist or a man with significant mental health issues that led him into insanity. We also draw some modern day parallels between the anti-Irish-Catholic sentiment that existed at the time.

It’s the 12th March 1868 and Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh and second son of Queen Victoria is visiting Australia. It’s the first ever Royal Tour of the Australian colonies. He is invited by Sydney’s high society to attend a popular picnic spot at Clontarf.

But not all is well in Australia. There is sectarian strife between the Irish Catholics and the British Protestant elite. At the picnic an Irishman called Henry James O’Farrell draws his pistol and fires a shot at Prince Alfred. The shot hits the Prince in the back.

Harry "Breaker" Morant was an Australian journalist, poet, drover and military officer. On 27 February 1902 he was executed by the British military for war crimes committed during the Boer War in South Africa. He did it in retaliation for the death of his commanding officer and close friend Captain Percy Hunt.

Welcome to 2018 and Episode 72. It’s summer in Australia and that means cricket. Learn about the extraterrestrial origins of the game of cricket – yes aliens invented cricket. And my friend Kate joins me in this episode to talk about cricket and some of the memorable Ashes clashes between Australia and the old foe England at the WACA Ground. We also talk about cricketing songs and how bad I was at cricket.

Be warned!! This is a very long episode.

Here’s some YouTube videos of cricketing songs:

The 'Come on Aussie Come on' advertisement:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uBjJAV3CMk

Greg Champion’s ‘I made a Hundred in the backyard at Mum’s’:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sjr9Y3oNW-4

Sherbet’s ‘Howzat’:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EmSanSFXEM

Paul Kelly’s ‘Bradman’:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjZHfEIEJ54

And of course 10CC’s ‘Dreadlock holiday’ – “I don’t like cricket, oh no, I love it!!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI2FC36lXXQ

Remember you can email me at [email protected]

We finally finish our five-part series on the Eureka rebellion. In this episode we see what happened at the trials of the men charged for their role in the rebellion, the outcome of the Committee of inquiry, and just what happened to some of the main players. We also try and get a handle on why it happened in Ballarat and briefly reflect on the legacy of the Eureka rebellion for Australia. Was it really the birthplace of Australian democracy?

It all finally comes to the battle. After a tense stand-off the Government forces finally storm the Eureka Stockade. The diggers are overwhelmed and at the end of it all 22 diggers and 6 soldiers lie dead. Though some put the death toll as high as 60.  13 men are charged with treason, but the key ring leaders including Peter Lalor (who is severely wounded) remain at large.

The Victorian population do not take kindly to the Government's actions and there is concern that there might be an uprising.  

Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me!  To celebrate here is part four of our five part series on the Eureka Rebellion.

Things are hotting up on the Ballarat goldfields and things inch closer to the ultimate battle.  Anastasia Hayes and two of her friends sew the southern cross flag - five stars and a white cross on a blue background. Then the diggers engage in a skirmish with the police and Redcoats.

On 30 November 1854 the miners meet and there is a mass burning of licenses in protest. The authorities under the command of Commissioner Rede launch another license hunt. The diggers construct a stockade on a hill on the Eureka Diggings. Peter Lalor leads 500 diggers to swear on the southern cross flag to stand by each other and to defend their rights and liberties.

Things are getting crazier and crazier on the Ballarat goldfields. A young miner called James Scobie is murdered and the diggers are outraged when the justice system fails them. Not only that the police rough up Johannes Gregarious the disabled servant of the local Catholic Priest. In retribution the diggers burn down the Eureka Hotel.