The Open Minded Skeptic

Greg is the author of ‘Awakening the Giant Within – A Personal Adventure into the Astral Realms’ which details his experiences in the astral world. He holds reiki courses, astral travel workshops, meditation classes and offers healing sessions as a Reiki master in Brisbane.  As a former professional classical musician, Greg first discovered meditation primarily to combat stage fright.  In 1999, he awakened to the reality of the phenomenon of astral projection. This was a life changing experience that expanded his consciousness, changed the course of his career and altered the very perception of his being at a fundamental level.  It also led him into reiki, where he began his training in Austria in 2000, completing his master level in Australia in 2005.

Greg is trained in the Usui lineage of reiki. Greg’s healing and meditation work specifically aims at activating latent potential. The many benefits include greater concentration, ease of performance, more restorative sleep, and increased general health, well-being and vitality. Greg works with individuals and groups in both private and corporate settings.

To get in contact with Greg, drop him as message via www.gregdoyleastral.com or [email protected].

In today's podcast we get to know Sheila Kennedy, my previous co-host on our Revolution Radio show.  Sheila is a holistic health and energy wellness facilitator offering unique solutions to every day issues. Sheila draws on more than forty years of research and clinical practice to assist you to make changes in your life. Whether you are looking for an answer to your anxiety or depression, have specific health issues   or learning difficulties, or simply know that there is more available if only you could find it Sheila may be the key.

Her own ill health and looking for answers to assist her children started Sheila on a journey of discovery, not just looking for answers, of wanting to create solutions as well. As a Spiritual and Metaphysical facilitator and Vibrational Kinesiologist utilizing both the unique Sounds from Source programs and her own vibrational sound and energy programs based on wellness integration Sheila is able to assist you to identify your issues and to heal yourself quickly.

Many people credit Sheila Kennedy’s programs with their return to health and well-being and of shining a light for a brighter future for their children.

This is a two-part podcast.

Check out our new website at www.tomspod.com

On the podcast today we interviewed Irene Brown, Author and former proprietor of the Castle on the Hill Learning Centre.  Irene and her partners Professor Robert Pope and Artist Robert Todonai built the Castle on the Hill, Science-Art Research Centre at Uki.  This magnificent Castle won a tourism award for “Accommodation of Distinction” and has been
featured on several TV shows such as The Great Outdoors and Sydney Weekender.

Irene is an author of Chinese Books, and a visual artist trained by the two Roberts.  She graduated from The Excellerated Learning Institute for Entrepreneurs of which Robert Kiyosaki was a teacher. At the Castle, Irene ran educational workshops that the mainstream educational system tended not to address such as Sustainability, Climate change, Biochar, CBD, Indigenous knowledge, and Plasma Technology.

Nexus Magazine used the Castle for their yearly tour of the Nexus conference speakers. Included in the list were the Michell Hedges Crystal Skull, Hassim Haramein, Harry Oldfield, and Richard D. Miller.

Irene’s objective is to provide information for the public that helps them to become self-sufficient and self-reliant.

To find out more about the OeC Magazine, go to our website: www.odditieseclub.com

For our 20th Issue release, I finally got to have a face to face with Patrick J. Kelly.  My free energy columnist, and one of the longest supporters of this magazine.  It was, as expected, controversial and highly educating and entertaining.  Here's some information from the man himself:

"I am just an ordinary person who became interested in "free-energy" as a result of a television programme entitled 'It Runs On Water' shown in the 1980s by a UK television company called 'Channel 4'. This programme has since been put on the internet and at this time can be seen HERE.

From my point of view, the content of this documentary seemed to be rather unsatisfactory as it suggested quite a number of very interesting things but gave no real lard and fast specifics for the viewer to follow up on to investigate  the subject further."
- Patrick J. Kelly

Now, enjoy the show… 
 
 
For more information:

Email our host at [email protected], or leave us a message on our contact page via tomspod.com!

Join us for a little light entertainment to see out the old year, and to welcome in the new!

Enjoy our next Haunted Historical Brisbane podcasts today!

Historical Facts

Boggo Road Gaol was Australia's most notorious prison, it closed in 1992 after 119 years of operation. The prison was divided into two main divisions, No. 1 Division built in 1883 housed male prisoners and No. 2 Division which was built in 1903 and became the State Prison for Women and operated 80 cells until 1921.

Haunting Folklore

If the research compiled by Jack Sim (2017; 2019) is to be believed, Boggo Road Gaol is haunted by, at the very least, thirteen distinct entities or phenomena. Let's start with the Cemetery Fog, a thick white curling fog that rolls over the top of the southern wall of No. 2 Division from the nearby South Brisbane Cemetery. It is said that if a Prisoner (but not a Guard) comes into contact with the fog it leads to an extended bout of Bronchitis and a protracted hospital stay.

The 'A Wing' haunted cellblock that once housed the Gallows is reputedly still visited by those that died by the hangman's noose. This particular piece of lore and haunting was enabled by the fact that graves were found under the exercise yard at the rear of the cell block in the early 1980's; when new plumbing was being installed. It later came to light that the graves were inhabited by plague victims, and not those executed by the hangman. The last man hung at Boggo Road was reported serenaded to hell by the scream of a Banshee, a news reporter and many witnesses to the execution confirming a loud scream just prior to the hanging.

Cell F2 in No. 2 Division, became infamous following the suicide of the Brisbane Arcade murderer. New occupants to the cell started to report sightings of Brown hanging himself from the rear of the inside cell door, his feet banging loudly against the metal whilst he gasped for air. Unexpectedly, animals as well as humans also passed away at Boggo Road Gaol. Tripod the Cat, a feral three-legged cat who was best friends with Dan Fritz. Dan was a well-known No. 2 Division hunger striker in the 1980's and is said to have received visits from Tripod on a number of occasions after she was buried in one of the gardens near its entrance, her limping figure distinguishable in any form.

And it would seem that the ghosts of Boggo Road Gaol like to visit and assist the Prison Guards as there have been multiple sightings of a mysterious night patrol ghost Guard, this apparition is cheekily known as the Warder of No. 2 Division. Multiple guards on duty at night in the Towers have received ghostly phone calls, this playful spirit is a repeat offender, and the reason a number of new guards terminate their employment on Day Two.

Lastly, the most haunted place inside Boggo Road Gaol is the creepy Back Track behind No. 2 Division. Black and white shadow people have been seen moving along this track by Guards on the back track and from the overlooking Towers. A Guard whistle has also been heard on numerous occasions drawing Guards on duty to its location. An officer has also been seen along this track carrying a rifle, dressed in a uniform reminiscent of the 1900's.

For more information email our host at [email protected], or leave us a message on our contact page via tomspod.com!

Enjoy our next Haunted Historical Brisbane podcasts today!

Historical Facts

This beautifully restored 1862 sandstone building set within the grounds of the Queensland University of Technology once hosted grand balls and royalty; and was noted to be the colonial hub of Brisbane. It was the home of Queensland Governors between 1862-1909, since 1910 all Governors have resided at Fernberg in Paddington. Old Government House became a functioning building inside the University of Queensland, up until its move to St. Lucia. As of October 2002, any conservation, management or usage of the building is the responsibility of the Queensland University of Technology (Queensland University of Technology 2006). The building as of 2020 is now a house museum.

Haunting Folklore

Due to its accessibility the Old Government House has been a favoured spot for ghostbusting for some time, especially with the University students that surround it! A quick Google search will show a number of photographs for orbs or strange illuminations taken in, or around this magnificent building.

On Wednesday 1st July 2009, two maintenance workers helping to fix the wiring inside Old Government House roof area had a surprise visit or should that be inspection from a transparent man wearing a top and white pants. The shock of the sighting had both electricians making their way back down to the front desk area at great speed, there of course, they retold their tale.

As they turned to return to their wiring duties, they noticed on the wall an enlarged photograph showing staff at Government House shortly after it had opened. And there in the middle of the group was their man – the Butler did it! In fact, the Head Butler in 1869 to be exact. This must have been one of the fastest ghost identifications on record.

For more information email our host at [email protected], or leave us a message on our contact page via tomspod.com!

Enjoy our next Haunted Historical Brisbane podcasts today!

Historical Facts

Erected between 1865 and 1867, following Queensland's separation from New South Wales in 1859, this building housed the new Queensland Parliament when it first met in 1868. Designed by Colonial Architect Charles Tiffin in a Classical Revival style, it is one of Queensland's most beautiful and historically significant masonry buildings.

An additional video (Wills 1899) can be found above which shows the actuality footage of Lord Lamington, then Governor of Queensland arriving by horse-drawn carriage to open Queensland Parliament on the 18th May 1899. Frederick Charles Wills, the
Queensland Department of Agricultures official photographer shot this footage with the help of his assistant Henry William Mobsby in 1899 and the next day had a separate showing at the Queensland Amateur Photographic Society.

The State Library of Queensland holds within its archive collections a variety of materials concerning Queensland Parliament House from its inception to current times. Myles Sinnamon (2015), a Project Coordinator based at the State Library of Queensland has collated a visual history of Parliament House within his 2015 online blog.

Haunting Folklore

Former Speaker of the House, the Honourable George Pollock's Suicide

The Honourable George Pollock, Speaker of the Queensland Legislative Assembly was found dead in Parliament House around 1pm on 24th March 1939 (Worker 1939, p. 1). His body, and a spent shotgun with a string attached to its trigger discovered by his side by Miss Curnow, the Manageress of the Parliamentary Refreshment Room on entry to the Speaker’s Room. The Speaker dead before a Doctor could be procured. A suicide note was found on a nearby table which sadly read: "A complete mental and nervous breakdown.  Cannot carry on. Too much pain. George Pollock. Postscript. My poor tortured brain. Goodbye to my loved ones". Mr. Pollock had taken his own life.

Marjorie Rose Norval Disappearance

The official version of events would have most believe that he had suffered ill health and mental issues for some time, and his suicide was in fact inevitable. However, others who have researched the events say that there may have been a different reason for his demise, namely, the disappearance of Marjorie Rose Norval (Sim 2017).

Mr. Pollock’s ill health seemed to start around the time of her disappearance, and it is said that she was in fact pregnant with the child of a man of high standing, one who was already married and perhaps in a position of great power within the State of Queensland. An inconvenient ‘love child’ perhaps derailing a future Premiership or possibly a life of higher office.

Whatever occurred in reality, it is obvious to the security guards at Parliament House that the Speaker has not moved on and has unfinished business. Ghostly gunshots have been heard coming from the Speaker’s Room, as well as sightings of the man himself on regular occasions.

A number of other spirits have also been seen in various locations within Parliament House, for example, the Strongroom has attracted a black shadow guard, as well as the sauna in the rear Parliamentary Annex has a number of ghostly figures enjoying the facilities at night.

For more information email our host at [email protected], or leave us a message on our contact page via tomspod.com!

Enjoy our next Haunted Historical Brisbane podcasts today!

Historical Facts

Opened in 1888, this Italian Renaissance and Corinthian architectural designed building (State Library of Queensland 2010) had a
seating capacity of 1387 people. Throughout its 95 year life, Her Majesty's Theatre hosted most of the professional touring
companies' productions, its run ending in 1973 when the theatre was sold to the A.M.P. Society. It was later demolished to make way
for the Hilton Hotel and the Wintergarden Shopping Centre. The foyer and entrance facade and area were saved and today are the
home of the Brisbane Information Centre. The lift well at the rear of the property is the original location of the haunted bar and
entrance to the original main theatre.

Haunting Folklore

Most theatres boast of a backstage ghost or a gallery apparition, however, Her Majesty's Theatre (previously Her Majesty's Opera House) is home to three well-known and frequently sighted spirits.

Backstage Dressing Room Ghost

The first being that of a dead Lead Actor who was murdered by his understudy due to his acting ambitions. The murderer placed the Lead Actor's dead body in the ceiling cavity of a little used backstage dressing room. The story goes that his body was found over a week later after exterminators had been called in to locate the foul odour, most believed to be a dead possum. Since that time, that same dressing room has reportedly smelt of decaying flesh intermittently.

Dress Circle Apparition

Deceased stage performer Jon English once spoke of watching a transparent figure walk across the dress circle during a performance at Her Majesty's Theatre in Brisbane, always the professional and even though spooked, he didn't miss his next cue.

Theatre Bar Trickster Ghost

The original bar area that was situated outside of the main theatre was also a hub of paranormal activity, in particular, a trickster ghost who liked to move glasses and bottles of alcohol to new locations to annoy the live bar staff.


For more information email our host at [email protected], or leave us a message on our contact page via tomspod.com!

Enjoy our next Haunted Historical Brisbane podcasts today!

Historical Facts

Opened in 1924, heritage-listed Brisbane Arcade was designed by architect Richard Gailey. Gailey was engaged by siblings Dr. James
O'Neil Mayne and Miss Mary Emelia Mayne to build one of Brisbane's first shopping arcades in a style reminiscent of late 18th century European design.

Haunting Folklore

Patrick Mayne

In 1848, an impoverished Irish immigrant called Patrick Mayne came into money and purchased two of Queensland's most coveted land blocks on Queen Street in Brisbane (Brisbane Arcade 2019). By 1849, Patrick and his family have moved into their new home and business, a butchers shop in the physical location now known as the Brisbane Arcade. What isn't as well known is that in 1848 a friend of Patrick Mayne's, a timber cutter and ex-convict known as Robert Cox met up with Patrick at The Bush Inn in Kangaroo Point and was later discovered robbed of £350 and murdered. On his deathbed Patrick confessed to his friends murder and robbery, and his restless ghost has been sighted on multiple occasions near the Adelaide entrance (the location of his original home) of the Brisbane Arcade.

Milliner Shopkeeper

The most sighting spirit within the walls of the Brisbane Arcade would have to be the Lady in Black, or the Milliner from the Gallery Level. She is often seen walking in a determined fashion along the balustraded Gallery level walkways, dressed exclusively in black and wearing a bonnet adorned with a beige and cream lace. It is said she is the ghost of the original Milliner who kept a shop on the Gallery Level and following a failed romance threw herself from the Gallery onto the marble floor below breaking her neck.

Bronia Armstrong Murder

And lastly, we have the well-documented Brisbane Arcade murder, that of Bronia Armstrong in 1947. The Central Queensland Herald (1947, p. 19) reported that on the 10th January 1947 Reginald Wingfield Spence Brown, a 49 year old accountant murdered Bronia Mary Armstrong. Miss Armstrong's partly-clad body was found the next morning in room 5 of the offices of the Brisbane Associated Friendly Societies' Institute located above the arcade by fellow employee Nurse Lorna Major. Armstrong was employed under Brown's direct supervision and in his office as a typist. It was said that Brown had developed a sexual passion towards Armstrong and on the afternoon of January 10, when they were alone, he attacked. Armstrong screamed piercingly for some time, before Brown knelt upon her elbows and suffocated her by applying pressure on her chest and after she became exhausted placed something over her mouth. Prior to Nurse Lorna Major's discovering of the body at 8.30am the next day, Brown had informed her that he had been assaulted the previous night in an attempt to explain away the marks upon his visible body.

The Telegraph (1947, p. 1) reported that Mr. Justice Mansfield stated, "This verdict, I think, is justified by the evidence. The facts disclose this was probably one of the most brutal and pathetic cases in the history of Queensland crimes." The Northern Star (1947, p. 5) reported that the Crown Prosecutor in a final address to the jury, said damning and telling evidence had been given and the jury would take into account the fact that it had not been answered. Armstrong's ghost is said to still haunt the inhabitants of the office her body passed away inside, moving objects and causing electrical problems.

Two of Reginald Wingfield Spence Brown's descendants wrotea book defending their grandfathers innocence in regard to the Arcade murder that was released in 2013 (Drummond & Teunis 2013).  You will learn more about Brown's final demise at our final stop - Boggo Road Gaol!


For more inform