Wait... They Did What!?

Every Aussie home used to have an outdoor dunny... some people even protested when toilets started moving indoors. 

This episode will answer questions like: 

• What is an outdoor dunny? 
• What is a night soil man? 
• Why did toilets used to be outside? 

Find more episodes of kids’ history podcast Wait... They Did What!? with Tilly Oddy-Black on the Kids tab of ABC listen.   

Up until the 1970s left-handed kids were forced to write with their right... or risk a rap over the knuckles. 

This episode will answer questions like:  

• What is the history of left-handed people? 
• Why was left-handedness considered evil? 
• Who are the most famous left-handed people? 
• Why were left-handed people forced to be right-handed? 

Find more episodes of kids’ history podcast Wait... They Did What!? with Tilly Oddy-Black on the Kids tab of ABC listen.

‘Witches’ were burnt at the stake hundreds of years ago, but witchcraft was still illegal in Australia right up until the 2000s... luckily, it’s safe to wave your wands today.  

This episode will answer questions like: 

• Is witchcraft illegal in Australia? 
• Are witches real? 
• What is Wicca? 
• What does the church say about witches? 

Find more episodes of kids’ history podcast Wait... They Did What?! with Tilly Oddy-Black on the Kids tab of ABC listen. 

The Stomp was a popular dance in the 1960s until it was banned across Australia... we wonder what the party-poopers would think of twerking?  

This episode will answer questions like: 

• What was The Stomp dance? 
• Why was The Stomp banned? 
• Why were dances banned? 
• Why was The Twist controversial? 

Find more episodes of kids’ history podcast Wait... They Did What?! with Tilly Oddy-Black on the Kids tab of ABC listen. 

Landline phones and fax machines seemed high-tech in the 1990s, but now they’re almost  extinct thanks to smart phones and email...  and does anyone remember telegrams?  

This episode will answer questions like: 

• What is a fax machine and how does it work? 
• What is a telegram? 
• When were mobile phones introduced in Australia? 
• What is a rotary phone? 

Find more episodes of kids’ history podcast Wait... They Did What!? with Tilly Oddy-Black on the Kids tab of ABC listen. 

How would you feel if the school rules said you had to show your legs? In the 1970s, boys had to have bare necks, and girls had to have bare legs... until some students fought for their rights to long hair and pants.  

This episode will answer questions like: 

• Why couldn’t girls wear pants to school? 
• Why weren’t boys allowed to have long hair? 
• Can a school enforce hair policies? 
• What to do if you feel discriminated against. 

Find more episodes of kids’ history podcast Wait... They Did What!? with Tilly Oddy-Black on the Kids tab of ABC listen. 

Bikinis come in all shapes and sizes today, but in the 1960s you could get arrested for wearing one in public... if the ‘beach inspector’ thought it was too skimpy.  

This episode will answer questions like: 

• Who invented the bikini? 
• Why was the bikini banned in Australia? 
• What is a beach inspector? 
• How have swimsuit laws changed? 

Find more episodes of kids’ history podcast Wait... They Did What!? with Tilly Oddy-Black on the Kids tab of ABC listen. 

Hitchhiking was a popular way to travel in the 1970s... despite some hitchers being accused of needing a shower and a haircut.  

This episode will answer questions like: 

• Is hitchhiking illegal? 
• Why don’t people pick up hitchhikers anymore? 
• Why do people no longer hitchhike? 
• What are vagrancy laws? 

Find more episodes of kids’ history podcast Wait... They Did What!? with Tilly Oddy-Black on the Kids tab of ABC listen... and don’t ever get in cars with strangers. 

It was legal for Australian teachers to hit school kids up until the 1990s... with a weapon known as the cane.   

This episode will answer questions like: 

• What was the cane at school? 
• When was the cane banned in schools in Australia? 
• Why was the cane banned in schools? 
• What are the rights of children in Australia? 

 Find more episodes of kids’ history podcast Wait... They Did What!? with Tilly Oddy-Black on the Kids tab of ABC listen. 

If you or someone you know is being hurt by anyone, you should tell a trusted adult, or you could call the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800. 

School assemblies looked a little different between the 1950s and 80s. Kids had to sing God Save the Queen... and then promise to be her servants.  

This episode will answer questions like: 

• What is the oath of allegiance to the queen? 
• Why did Australia stop singing God Save the Queen? 
• Why is God Save the Queen controversial? 
• What is the connection between the monarchy and Australia? 

Find more episodes of kids’ history podcast Wait... They Did What?! with Tilly Oddy-Black on the Kids tab of ABC listen.