In the mid-1860s, the goldfields and bush tracks of New South Wales were ruled by one of Australia’s most notorious outlaw groups: the Ben Hall Gang. Led by the charismatic and deeply divisive Ben Hall, the gang carried out a daring string of robberies that humiliated police, terrified settlers, and turned bushranging into front-page news. But this was no romantic Robin Hood tale. As pressure mounted and the government introduced brutal new laws to crush the outlaws, the violence escalated. Betrayals followed, loyalties fractured, and the line between legend and reality blurred beyond recognition.

In this episode, we trace the rise and fall of the Ben Hall Gang — the robberies, the manhunts, the myths, and the bloody end that cemented their place in Australian history. It’s a story of mateship, desperation, and a colony determined to make an example of its most famous criminals.

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Australia has produced many formidable creatures: sharks, snakes, drop bears… but none strike fear into the national heart quite like the humble magpie. We’re diving beak-first into the legend of Australia’s Flying Terror — from swooping season strategies and infamous attack hotspots to the science behind why these monochrome missiles pick their targets.

Join Matthew & Holly as they explore the birds' surprising intelligence, their role in folklore, and the heroic lengths Australians go to simply check the letterbox in spring. Lace up your shoes, keep your eyes front, and join us as we unravel how a beloved national icon also became one of the country’s most efficient airborne menaces.

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In January 2000, a car was found at the bottom of an embankment in Heathcote National Park. Inside were Bill and Pam Weightman — a respectable south-west Sydney couple, seemingly the victims of a tragic late-night accident. Police found no skid marks. No witnesses. No sign of another vehicle. Within hours, the case was closed.

But nothing about the scene truly added up. 

Why were two cautious, routine-driven people out so late? Why did their injuries raise quiet questions no one followed up? And how did a forensic report — later revealed to contain a startling error — help bury the truth for four long years?

In this episode, join Holly & Matthew as they examine the threads of a case that looked simple… until you examine the facts. It’s a story of suspicion, persistence, broken systems, and the unsettling realisation that sometimes the most ordinary tragedies aren’t what they seem.

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What happens when you blend mateship, mud, and the gut-punch of history with a film that refuses to let you stay emotionally upright? You get Gallipoli (1981) — a classic that still knocks the wind out of us every single time we watch it

Join Holly and Matthew as they revisit one of Australia’s most enduring war dramas. From the larrikin charm of its opening act to the stark, sobering descent into the trenches, we’ll explore what makes Gallipoli such a powerful piece of Australian storytelling — and why its final moments still feel like a kick from a horse you trusted.

So line up your copy of the film (we have a countdown this time!), hit play, and march with us through the humour, the history, and the heavy stuff. Expect pauses, tangents about Australian military myth-making, and the occasional patriotic dig at the British.

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In 1941, amid the blistering sands of North Africa, a band of Australian soldiers earned one of the most enduring nicknames in military history — The Rats of Tobruk. Besieged by German and Italian forces, these men held the Libyan port town of Tobruk for eight gruelling months, defying the odds, the desert, and the propaganda of the Axis powers.

What began as an insult from Nazi radio became a badge of honour. The Australians dug in — literally — carving homes and defenses from the desert rock while withstanding relentless shelling and attacks. Their courage, defiance, and larrikin spirit turned Tobruk into a symbol of Australian resilience under fire.

In this episode, we dig into the siege that defined a generation, the humour that kept the Rats going, and the legacy that cemented their place as one of the fiercest fighting forces of the Second World War.


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

In 1941, amid the blistering sands of North Africa, a band of Australian soldiers earned one of the most enduring nicknames in military history — The Rats of Tobruk. Besieged by German and Italian forces, these men held the Libyan port town of Tobruk for eight gruelling months, defying the odds, the desert, and the propaganda of the Axis powers.

What began as an insult from Nazi radio became a badge of honour. The Australians dug in — literally — carving homes and defenses from the desert rock while withstanding relentless shelling and attacks. Their courage, defiance, and larrikin spirit turned Tobruk into a symbol of Australian resilience under fire.

In this episode, we dig into the siege that defined a generation, the humour that kept the Rats going, and the legacy that cemented their place as one of the fiercest fighting forces of the Second World War.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

In 1941, amid the blistering sands of North Africa, a band of Australian soldiers earned one of the most enduring nicknames in military history — The Rats of Tobruk. Besieged by German and Italian forces, these men held the Libyan port town of Tobruk for eight gruelling months, defying the odds, the desert, and the propaganda of the Axis powers.

What began as an insult from Nazi radio became a badge of honour. The Australians dug in — literally — carving homes and defenses from the desert rock while withstanding relentless shelling and attacks. Their courage, defiance, and larrikin spirit turned Tobruk into a symbol of Australian resilience under fire.

In this episode, we dig into the siege that defined a generation, the humour that kept the Rats going, and the legacy that cemented their place as one of the fiercest fighting forces of the Second World War.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

He was the upside-down man who brought imagination to life — with nothing more than a pencil for a nose and a blackboard for a stage. Mr Squiggle, the beloved children’s television icon, captured the hearts of generations with his wobbly lines, friendly charm, and boundless creativity.

Travel back to the earliest age of Australian TV to explore how Norman Hetherington’s quirky puppet became a national treasure. From his humble beginnings on ABC in 1959 to the stories the hosts' own mothers told them about the show, Mr. Jolly Squiggles (Simplified to Mr. Squiggle in later years) wasn’t just a puppet — he was a teacher, an artist, and a friend to millions.

Join Holly & Matthew as they uncover the legacy of Mr Squiggle and Friends, the artistry behind his creation, and the enduring magic of a character who taught Australia that a few squiggles and a bit of imagination could turn into anything at all.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

What happens when you mix grief, ghosts, and grainy home video with a dose of uncanny realism? You get Lake Mungo (2008) — a haunting mockumentary that feels a little too real for comfort - especially for Holly.

In this Spooktober commentary track, join Holly and Matthew as they revisit one of Australia’s most chilling modern horror films. From the eerie performances to the quiet dread that creeps under your skin, we’ll unpack what makes Lake Mungo a masterclass in slow-burn terror — and why it still gets under our skin even 4 viewings later.

Grab the movie (queue it up before you press play on the episode, Matthew forgot to count you in!), hit play, and experience the dread and the goosebumps with us — Weird Crap in Australia style. There will be silences, film-related tangents, and a few genuine shivers. Tell us if you spotted the ghosts before we did!

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

Few scandals have shaken Australia’s justice system like the Lawyer X affair. At the center was a prominent barrister who secretly worked as a police informant, all while representing some of the country’s most notorious criminals. Her name was tied to dozens of figures on both sides of the law, leaving behind a trail of questions about loyalty, ethics, and justice.

By living a double life, she jeopardised the very foundation of the courts. Convictions were thrown into doubt, appeals were launched, and the credibility of the entire legal system was called into question. The scandal not only exposed corruption and desperation in law enforcement, but also highlighted the dangers of blurred boundaries between lawyers and their clients.

In this series, we dig into how one lawyer’s choices spiraled into one of the biggest legal crises in Australian history. From the underworld connections to the Royal Commission, we explore how the Lawyer X scandal redefined trust, justice, and the rule of law in Victoria.

***

Linked Episodes:
- 309-312 - L'Onorata Societa, the Calabrian Mafia
- 188 & 189 - The Death of the Vampire Gigolo
- 351-358 - The Gangland Wars
- 76 & 77 - The Walsh St Shooting
- 61 & 62 - Old Melbourne Gaol


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.