In 1833, cockney sailor James Porter pulled off an audacious escape – stealing a leaky boat with nine other convicts and sailing all the way to South America and a life of freedom.  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a hefty reward was offered to solve Melbourne’s Gun Alley murder, a parade of shonky witnesses with outlandish claims sent an innocent man to his death.  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Sister Vivian Bullwinkel was shot with a machinegun in one of the worst massacres of World War II, a split-second decision to feign death saved her life.  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our grand, tree-lined boulevards are a spectacular showpiece, but our city would be a very different place if they served the suburbs beyond the city fringe. What went wrong?  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When wireless pioneer Violet McKenzie realised Australia was short of Morse code operators as WWII approached, she opened a free school and trained thousands of young women. Become a Herald Sun subscriber. Go to www.heraldsun.com.au/ibaw and click on any article to begin  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After fleeing Nazi Germany as a child, Albert Ullin set up Australia's first bookshop specifically for children - and inspired a generation of authors and illustrators. Become a Herald Sun subscriber. Go to heraldsun.com.au/ibaw and click on any article to begin  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From bogus doctor to counterfeit clergyman to US consul-general, Australian con artist Anthony Duerdin adopted at least 26 fake identities. But it was more about chasing thrills than the cash.   

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Armed with a trained monkey, a barrel of marbles and a swag of tricks, gang leader “Paddy the Pig” swindled the crowds at Melbourne racecourses with his crafty cons and sleight of hand. Subscribe to the Herald Sun. Go to heraldsun.com.au/ibaw and click on any article to begin  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From street beggar to child prisoner to Australia’s best-known celebrity showman, “Flash Jack” Donovan packed a lot into his remarkable 57-year life, including making a fortune off Ned Kelly’s hanging. Read more here.  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ex-convict Smith Brown used a heart-shaped wooden matchbox and one simple trick to fool 1800s Melburnians into handing over their savings, making him one of old Melbourne’s craftiest conmen.  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.