On his Melbourne tour, Prince Alfred was bored by pomp and ceremony, preferring gambling, partying and brothels. Yet he was so wildly popular many wanted him to become King of Australia. Get more of this story, plus backgrounders and other tales of Australian history at: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/ibaw

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His story has been largely lost to history, but the youngest jockey ever to win the Melbourne Cup was a “little freckled lad” from a township near Geelong who was only 11 years old.  

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Before Marine Stupid made headlines for escaping Melbourne Zoo and hurling roof tiles at her pursuers, she made her name by serving with distinction on three British naval ships in WWII.   

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Horrie the Wog Dog saved countless Aussie lives in World War II, acting as an early-warning system when enemy aircraft approached. So when Australian authorities ordered the dog’s surrender in 1945, Private Jim Moody knew he had only one option.  Read more at https://www.heraldsun.com.au/ibaw  

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It is 50 years since one of Australia's biggest bridges crashed down during construction. Herald Sun reporter Alex White speaks to survivors and family who lost their lives in one of Australia's worst industrial disasters.  

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He was notoriously cantankerous, virtually unrideable and often violent, but Bill the Bastard became Australia’s greatest war horse after carrying five troopers to safety in the middle of a fierce gun battle during WWI. Get more on this story and other tales of Australia's hidden characters at https://www.heraldsun.com.au/ibaw  

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When HMAS Perth was sunk by Japanese torpedoes in 1942, fewer than half of the 681 men – and one cat – made it to shore. Her extraordinary survival with the help of a group of Aussie POWs is detailed in a new book. Read more fascinating stories of Australia's hidden characters at: heraldsun.com.au/ibaw  

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From our TV screens to the hit parade, singer Yvonne Barrett was a popular personality in Melbourne’s entertainment scene in the 1960s, but she died tragically and violently. Get more great history stories at heraldsun.com.au/ibaw  

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While other spy rings worldwide are far better known, a trio of respected businessmen dubbed the “Melbourne cell” mounted one of the most successful Soviet espionage operations in history.  

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Frances Bernie was a Catholic schoolgirl raised in Sydney by a couple from Oxford, England. So how did she end up a Soviet spy inside the office of foreign minister HV “Doc” Evatt leaking Australia’s and Britain’s secrets to the Russians? Author John Fahey joins the show with more. Go to https://www.heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for more great Australian history stories More information on John Fahey's book at: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/books/general-books/history/Traitors-and-Spies-John-Fahey-9781760877705  

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