In this episode, we explore the little-known story of the Ideal Human Environment cult, also known as the Ringers Western Cult. Founded in Australia in the 1960s, the cult espoused a philosophy of self-sufficiency and isolation from mainstream society, attracting a group of devoted followers. We delve into the beliefs and practices of the cult, including their reliance on communal living and strict adherence to a code of conduct. We also examine the controversies and scandals that plagued the group, including the conviction of their leader James Salerno in 2019. Join Holly and Matthew as they examine the world of the Ideal Human Environment/Project 2000, and the brand that made them famous.Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod"Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeodUsed under a Creative Commons license.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

Episode 247 - The Ideal Human Environment Cult Part 2

Welcome to "Weird Crap in Australia," a podcast hosted by Holly and Matthew, a husband and wife team with a passion for all things strange and unusual in the land down under.Each episode, Holly, a trained historian, and Matthew, a pop-culture enthusiast, dive into the weird and wacky aspects of Australian history and society. From the colonial era to the present day, they explore topics such as aliens, monsters, ghosts, and true crime, uncovering the stories and legends that have fascinated Australians for generations.As a social historian, Holly provides a unique perspective on the cultural significance of these strange phenomena, while Matthew brings his expertise in pop-culture to the table, offering insights into how these stories have been portrayed in movies, TV shows, and other media.With a mix of humor and insight, "Weird Crap in Australia" is the perfect podcast for anyone who loves to explore the oddities and quirks of our world. Join Holly and Matthew as they take you on a journey through the strange and wonderful world of Australia's weirdest stories.***Did you know a full firefight between MPs and soldiers took place in Central Station (Sydney) in February 1916, and you can still find the bullet holes in the pillars? Did you know that one of Australia’s convict ships was waylaid by Americans during the aftermath of the American Revolution in 1815? Did you know we have a dinosaur called Qantassaurus, and that most Australian fossil expeditions of the 1970s and 1980s were sponsored by corporations, rather than the government?Did you know that the majority of the miners that took part in the Eureka Stockade of 1854 were Chinese, African-American, or from other ‘minority’ groups? And that the Victorian Gold Rush is where Australia learned to love Chinese food?There’s a lot of history when it comes to this country - even just in the last 200 years - and very little of it is taught in our school systems. We feel that, in order to preserve the past, we have to get it out there into the minds of the present, and hopefully apply those lessons to the future. If you agree, we'd love you to join us. New episodes release 12pm AEDST/AEST every Monday.______Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod"Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeodUsed under a Creative Commons license.All sound and voice clips used are (c) their respective owners. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

Society & Culture

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True crime

In 1977, Griffith-based anti-drug campaigner Don Mackay disappeared, and despite strong suspicions of mafia involvement, his body was never found. The case remains unresolved, an intriguing mystery that continues to haunt and captivate those fascinated by the dark underworld of organized crime.Will he ever be found? That's something only the fishes can answer. Join Holly & Matthew as they close out Year 6 with a close look at the case, the suspects, and the trade.Sources used: Donald Bruce (Don) Mackay (1933–1977) | C. A. Gregory | Australian Dictionary of Biography | 2000 | Volume 15 | https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/mackay-donald-bruce-don-10976Drug case: $1m reward plan | The Canberra Times | 26 Jul 1977 | Page 3 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110856526 Drugs truth will come out: Wran | The Canberra Times | 22 Jul 1977 | Page 1 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110855965Forty years after Donald Mackay's murder, the Calabrian mafia still thrives | Lesley Hicks | Sydney Morning Herald | 14 Jul 2017 | https://www.smh.com.au/opinion/organised-crime-thrives-40-years-after-the-donald-mackay-murder-20170709-gx7sg4.htmlHeartache has no end for family of Donald Mackay | Tony Wright | The Age | April 30, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110510102950/http://www.theage.com.au/national/heartache-has-no-end-for-family-of-donald-mackay-20110429-1e0if.htmlInquest to be held on Mackay | The Canberra Times | 12 Dec 1981 | Page 3 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/126864914James 'Machine Gun' Bazley dies with his lips sealed over Donald Mackay murder | Paige Cockburn | 2 Nov 2018 | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-02/donald-mackay-murder-james-bazley-dead/10458946Mackay case prompts drugs commission call | The Canberra Times| Tue 19 Jul 1977 | Page 6 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110855547Mackay was dumped in river, police told | The Canberra Times | 16 Jun 1983 | Page 3 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/131849589New clues in Donald Mackay murder case | Mark Morris, Clementine Cuneo and Leigh Van Den Broeke | Adelaide Now | 19 Jun 2013 | https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/new-clues-in-donald-mackay-murder-case/news-story/ee4e160ba59520c0860276cf6bc1c8cfNotification Of The Appointment Of Trustees Under Section 26 Of The Crown Lands Consolidation Act, 1913 | Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales | 14 Apr 1972 [Issue No.40] | Page 1339 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/220140256Royal Commission into Drug Trafficking [Woodward Royal Commission] | State Records Archives Investigator | Agency Detail | https://web.archive.org/web/20120411044444/http://investigator.records.nsw.gov.au/Entity.aspx?Path=%5CAgency%5C2125RSL head warns of 'mob rule on grand scale' | The Canberra Times | 20 Jul 1977 | Page 10 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/11085578 Tale of the Mafia among the vineyards - in Australia | Kathy Marks | The Independent (UK) | 27 Feb 2009 | https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/tale-of-the-mafia-among-the-vineyards-in-australia-1634115.htmlTwisting trail that led to Mackay’s murderer | Sydney Morning Herald | Page 7 | 17 Apr 1986 | https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xrcyAAAAIBAJ&sjid;=eOgDAAAAIBAJ&pg;=4704%2C607758Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

Episode 312 - L'Onorata Societa Part 4: The Disappearance of Don Mackay (1977)

When the Pope and the Toad died 2 months apart in 1963/64, chaos overtook the Melbourne arm of the Honorable Society. Men were shot in the streets, in their driveways, and in their beds as the search for the new heads of power came to a close.Join Holly & Matthew as they look into the series of shotgun killings known as the Victoria Market Murders, and their impact on the peace of the city.Sources used: £5,000 Reward For Murder Evidence | The Canberra Times | 18 Jan 1964 | Page 4 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1317399763rd 'Mafia Type' Killing | The Canberra Times | Fri 17 Jan 1964 | Page 3 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/131739820Cold Case file remains open on the suspected Mafia slaying of Vincenzo and Alfonso Muratore | Keith Moor | Herald Sun | 25 Mar 2013 | https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/cold-case-files-remain-open-on-vincenzo-and-alfonso-muratore/news-story/33856e7d08d84992001149e86d5eace8Coroner commits man over shotgun killing | The Canberra Times | 29 Sep 1964 | Page 17 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/131751627Denies Any Part in Victoria Market Shooting | The Age | 9 Dec 1964 | Page 15 | https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age/128738552/Domenico Demarte, victim of the Queen Victoria Market Murders, Melbourne, 1963 | The Age | 7 Feb 2015 | https://consumer.licensing-publishing.nine.com.au/archive/2ITPN4NTR0KSMafia in Australia : NDRANGHETA: IL CRIMINE AUSTRALIANO Part 4: The Market Murders | “Steve” | 25 Apr 2024 | https://mafiainaustralia.wordpress.com/part-4-the-market-murders/Market Shooting | The Age | 9 Dec 1964 | Page 15 | https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age/128738552/Secret dossiers probed Godfathers behind Melbourne's mafia bloodshed in the 1960s | Keith Moor | Herald Sun | 13 Jul 2013 | https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/secret-dossiers-probed-godfathers-behind-melbourne8217s-mafia-bloodshed-in-the-1960s/news-story/94f47899aeb832e720676efa3443d7bdThree Men On Murder Charge | The Argus | Wed 21 Nov 1945 | Page 7 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/12154422 Vincenzo Angilletta (1916-1963) - Find a Grave Memorial | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/66110811/vincenzo-angillettaBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

Episode 311 - L'Onorata Societa Part 3 - The Victoria Market Murders (1964-1965)

The Black Hand Gang's reign of terror from 1929 to 1938 left a chilling imprint on Australia. From Jean Morris's tragic murder to a series of mysterious deaths in Ingham, their ruthless tactics instilled fear across communities. Despite law enforcement's efforts, their legacy endures as a reminder of organized crime's dark underbelly.As whispers of their deeds echo through history, the tale of the Black Hand Gang serves as a cautionary reminder of the lengths to which criminal organizations will go to maintain power and control.Join Holly & Matthew as they look into the activity and the consequences of the Gang's reign in Queensland.Sources used: "Black Hand" In Q'land | Truth| 16 Jun 1935 | Page 24 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/169347220Black Hand Menace | Truth | 14 Jan 1934 | Page 1 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/198667940Boogan Murder | The Brisbane Courier | 26 Oct 1928 | Page 16 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/21327815Brutal Murder of Queensland Cane Farmer | Truth | 8 Dec 1935 | Page 1 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/169352884Domenico Antonio Strano (1893-1965) - Mémorial Find a Grave | https://fr.findagrave.com/memorial/188401281/domenico-antonio-stranoFacing Death, Italian Refuses To Speak | Truth | 26 Aug 1928 | Page 17 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/206148224Girl's Story Of Dread Ordeal | Truth| 12 Feb 1933 | Page 10 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/206125350House Bombed | The Telegraph | 22 May 1935 |Page 2 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/182431936 Italian Murdered | The Mercury | 8 Mar 1934 | Page 11 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/24917024Mafia in Australia : NDRANGHETA: IL CRIMINE AUSTRALIANO Part 1: The Black Hand | “Steve” | 14 Jul 2023 | https://mafiainaustralia.wordpress.com/the-mafia-in-australia-introduction-early-history-of-italians-down-under/queensland-black-hand/'Oxley's Roads' | The Biz | 27 Mar 1952 | Page 6 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/75594546Pay... or else: the Black Hand reaches out again on the canefields | The Daily Telegraph | 17 Dec 1939 | Page 15 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/247823119Serious Offence | The Central Queensland Herald | 29 Dec 1932 | Page 2 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/70304803Terror in the cane fields | Georgina Hitch | ABC |27 Jun 2023 | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-27/the-black-hand-terror-cane-fields-far-north-queensland/102329810The Boogan Murder Left The Police Baffled | Daily Standard | 6 Aug 1932 | Page 3 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/182812777Two Italians Charged | The Argus | 18 Dec 1925 | Page 21 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2174136Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

Episode 310 - L'Onorata Societa Part 2 - The Black Hand Gang (1924-1938)

Jean Morris's murder in 1932 remains a haunting enigma with a simple answer. Found stabbed 43 times in her home, suspicions fell on her Italian associates Joe Maganetti and Michael Gudas.The brutality suggested the involvement of foreign criminal elements, possibly by the notorious Black Hand. Italian national Vincenzo Dagostino emerged as a suspect, allegedly ordering her death for rejecting his advances and knowing too much about Mafia activities. As the investigation intensified, the shadows of conspiracy grew darker, leaving Jean Morris's death a chilling tale of crime and secrets.Join Holly & Matthew as they begin their journey into the secrets of L'Onorata Societa - the Honored Society. Sources Used: A Ghastly Tragedy | Townsville Daily Bulletin | 5 Oct 1932 | Page 6 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/61693594Cairns Items | Townsville Daily Bulletin | 31 Mar 1933 | Page 9 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/61381289From The Vault – Murder of ‘Stiletto Jean’ Morris | QPS Media | Oct 28, 2022 | https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/museum/2022/10/28/vault-murder-stiletto-jean-morris/Many Stabs | The Sun | 4 Oct 1932 | Page 9 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/229254133Murdered sex worker Jean Morris's body lays in an unmarked grave in north Queensland — now locals want to change that | Baz Ruddick and Jessica Naunton | 25 Feb 2024 | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-25/jean-morris-murdered-grave-headstone-north-queensland/103503982No Fresh Light | Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs Gazette |16 Mar 1933 | Page 7 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/254299139Stab Frenzy | The Sun |5 Oct 1932 | Page 15 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/229259473Terror in the canefields | Georgia Hitch | 27 Jun 2023 | ABC |https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-27/the-black-hand-terror-cane-fields-far-north-queensland/102329810The Ayr Murder | Cairns Post | 31 Mar 1933 | Page 8 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/41192651The O'Driscoll Memoirs | Truth | 30 Jul 1950 | Page 13 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/201435822Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

Episode 309 - L'Onorata Societa Part 1: The Murder of Stiletto Jean (1932)

"Ferals" was an Australian children's TV gem that aired on ABC from 1994 to 1995. In a zany share-house setting, puppet pals like Rattus P. Rattus and Mixy wreaked havoc, challenging their human landlord, Joe, at every turn. With uproarious antics and a rebellious spirit, this cult classic delivered laughs and life lessons in equal measure, captivating young audiences Down Under with its unforgettable characters and offbeat charm.Join Holly & Matthew as they wander down Nostalgia Avenue again, and argue about what the Ferals actually were.Clips copyright of their respective owners. Sources Used:Feral Minds - Feral TV Ep 2 Series 2 | 11 Jul 2023 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieJsFmsdM64Feral TV Intro | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWlx0F0Pd3wObviously Fantasy | Margot Date | The Canberra Times | Mon 13 Mar 1995 | Page 5 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/127517655Teletubbies: Ned’s Bicycle |Torres News | Feb 13 1998 | Page 1 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/254380345The Ferals – An Explosion of Talent | Australian Screen | Tammy Burnstock | https://aso.gov.au/titles/tv/the-ferals-explosion-of-talent/notes/The Ferals - S01-E01- An Explosion Of Talent | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4UED_cHDOYThe Ferals Intro/Opening | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSC4pZBYcsgThe Ferals were dangerous. We need them on kids' TV more than ever, puppeteer says | Leigh Tonkin, Dave May and Richard Mockler | ABC | 25 Aug 2018| https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-26/the-ferals-puppeteer-tina-matthews/10159876Tina Matthew’s creations: The Ferals “spoke what was unspeakable” | Throwback | ABC | 28 Aug 2018 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuEPzwTHrOsToni Collette auditioned for The Ferals…and more things you didn't know about the cult '90s TV show | 9 Honey | Yasmin Vought | April 08, 2016 | https://celebrity.nine.com.au/tv/toni-collette-auditioned-for-the-ferals-and-more-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-cult-90s-tv-show/6f98c5f2-88a7-494c-9061-b4ec02d51fd5Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

Episode 247 - The Ideal Human Environment Cult Part 2

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