In December 1950, Australia was under threat from a new menace to society: sex-crazed Bodgies and Widgies. This youth ‘cult’ indulged in wild orgies and violent crime sprees and its ranks teemed with unwanted immigrants and perverted homosexuals. Or so the tabloid newspapers warned. In this episode, we look at the moral panic that went with the Bodgies and Widgies - and the Sydney surfing hero at the epicentre of this ‘youthquake’.
Support Forgotten Australia: Apple - http://apple.co/forgottenaustralia Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/ForgottenAustralia
To send me a question for the David Hunt Book Club episode: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com or  https://www.speakpipe.com/forgottenaustralia
Check out my books as possible Christmas presents for yourself or a loved one:
The Murder Squad https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781922863836.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.

The Birth of the Bodgies

Created by Michael Adams, author of The Murder Squad and Hanging Ned Kelly, Forgotten Australia delves deep into bloody crimes, dark histories, unsolved mysteries, eccentric personalities and bizarre happenings that are almost always stranger than fiction. Each episode brings to life people and events that were once known to everyone but are now barely remembered by anyone. Based on intensive original research, Forgotten Australia is crafted with a novelist’s eye for character and detail to create gripping narratives that sound so fresh it's like they're ripped from today's headlines. This is the history you wish you’d been taught in school.
You can get early ad-free access and bonus Forgotten Australia episodes by subscribing at Apple or supporting at Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

History

Society & Culture

True crime

Having escaped prison, fled interstate and joined the army under yet another new name, George Blunderfield seeks reinvention and redemption on the Western Front — but his true nature compels him to commit his most atrocious crimes yet. 
First released in 2021, this episode is re-released as part of Season 8’s ‘Crimes That Shocked Australia’  Brand-new episodes coming in May. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Nature of the Scorpion – Part Three

After committing a sickening outrage in the first weeks of 1900, George Blunderfield serves a relatively short jail sentence. When he's set free he sheds his identity but can’t help but follow the nature that causes him to hurt those who only want to help him. 
Part 3 will be released next week. But you can hear it now ad-free as a podcast supporter.  First released in 2021, this episode is re-released as part of Season 8’s ‘Crimes That Shocked Australia’  Brand-new episodes coming in May. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Nature of the Scorpion – Part Two

Forgotten fiend George Blunderfield left a trail of violence and murder across Australia from the late 19th century until near the end of the First World War. 
Parts 2 & 3 will be released next week. But you can hear them now ad-free as a podcast supporter.  First released in 2021, this episode is re-released as part of Season 8’s ‘Crimes That Shocked Australia’  Brand-new episodes coming in May. 
 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Nature of the Scorpion – Part One

Trapped in Melbourne in bizarre circumstances, Herbert Kopit's last chance is to talk his way out of an arrest and flee the country.
First released in 2022, this episode is re-released as part of Season 8’s ‘Crimes That Shocked Australia’ 
Support Forgotten Australia: Apple - http://apple.co/forgottenaustralia Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/ForgottenAustralia

 The Murder Squad https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781922863836.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.

Nightmare on the Night Train – Part Three

How did Herbert Kopit become the most wanted man in Australia, trying to escape a massive tri-state murder manhunt while dressed as a woman? Part 3 will be released next week. But You can hear it now ad-free as a podcast supporter. Support Forgotten Australia: Apple - http://apple.co/forgottenaustralia Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/ForgottenAustralia
First released in 2022, this episode is re-released as part of Season 8’s ‘Crimes That Shocked Australia’ Brand-new episodes coming in May. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Birth of the Bodgies

Download our free app to listen on your phone