The May 8 protests, part of the Moratorium to End the Vietnam War movement, saw hundreds of thousands of Australians take to the streets. These demonstrations were some of the largest anti-war protests in the country’s history, and they spanned across Melbourne, Sydney, and other major cities. The protests were inspired by similar movements in the United States, with Australians calling for the withdrawal of Australian troops from Vietnam and an end to conscription.

The Vietnam War divided Australian society, with many questioning the government’s involvement in a conflict so far from home. The May 8 protests highlighted the growing discontent with the war and contributed to shifting public opinion, which would eventually lead to the end of Australia's direct military involvement in 1972.

Join Holly & Matthew as they look into Australia's involvement in Vietnam, our changing views on it - and what the Americans did to change our minds.

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Located along the Limestone Coast, The Shaft is one of the region’s most alluring yet treacherous underwater caves. In 1973, while attempting to explore the sinkhole’s submerged chambers, a group of 9 divers came up against their own mortality - and some didn't live through the experience.

The tragedy underscored the extreme dangers of cave diving in Australia. The Shaft, known for its alluring depths and limited visibility, would go on to become a symbol of the deadly potential of underwater exploration. This incident prompted authorities to create a body for training divers, enforce tighter safety measures in the sport, shaping the future of cave diving regulations in the region.

Join Holly & Matthew as they look into one of Holly's biggest fears: Drowning alone in the dark, hundreds of feet below water level.

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

The Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system, located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, has long been a marvel of natural beauty and ecological importance. Stretching over 2,300 kilometers, it comprises over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands. Its biodiverse ecosystem supports countless species and holiday makers, as well as the occasional UFO report.

Join Holly & Matthew as they look far back into the past to discover this natural wonder anew.

And remember, Just Keep Swimming, Fish are Friends, Not Food. 

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

Mark "Chopper" Read, one of Australia's most notorious criminals, was known for his violent past and larger-than-life persona. He was involved in organized crime, including stints as a debt collector, hitman, and underworld enforcer, throughout the 1970s and 80s. Despite his criminal activities, Read became a controversial figure in Australian media, gaining notoriety for his bestselling books that chronicled his criminal exploits.

While his tales were often exaggerated or self-aggrandized, Read's life offered a glimpse into the dark underworld of Australia's crime scene. His candid recounting of his life led to interviews, public appearances, and even a 2000 film, Chopper, where he was portrayed by actor Eric Bana. Read's stories and charisma fascinated many, but his violent legacy also sparked debate on whether criminals should be celebrated in popular culture.

Join Holly & Matthew as they wader through the legacy of Chopper Read, trying to sort fact from fiction, and discuss the morality of venerating a criminal.

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

Mark "Chopper" Read, one of Australia's most notorious criminals, was known for his violent past and larger-than-life persona. He was involved in organized crime, including stints as a debt collector, hitman, and underworld enforcer, throughout the 1970s and 80s. Despite his criminal activities, Read became a controversial figure in Australian media, gaining notoriety for his bestselling books that chronicled his criminal exploits.

While his tales were often exaggerated or self-aggrandized, Read's life offered a glimpse into the dark underworld of Australia's crime scene. His candid recounting of his life led to interviews, public appearances, and even a 2000 film, Chopper, where he was portrayed by actor Eric Bana. Read's stories and charisma fascinated many, but his violent legacy also sparked debate on whether criminals should be celebrated in popular culture.

Join Holly & Matthew as they wader through the legacy of Chopper Read, trying to sort fact from fiction, and discuss the morality of venerating a criminal.

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

Echidnas are one of the most distinctive mammals on the planet, belonging to the rare group of monotremes, which also includes the platypus. These spiny creatures are equipped with a long, sticky tongue that they use to capture ants and termites, their primary food sources. Despite their spiky appearance, echidnas are shy and solitary animals, often found burrowing into the ground to escape predators or extreme weather conditions.

Join Matthew & Holly as they explore the biology, behavior, and quirks of these spiky monotremes. Learn about the echidna’s incredible adaptations, from their specialized snouts to their unusual reproduction process, and uncover some lesser-known facts that highlight just how extraordinary these animals are.

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

In this series, we take on the truest form of gaslighting history to dive deep into the life and legacy of Captain James Cook, the legendary British explorer known for his voyages to the Pacific. While his adventures and discoveries have been celebrated for centuries, many myths and misconceptions about his life and actions persist.

From his humble beginnings and early naval career that shaped him into a master navigator, his first Pacific expedition where he charted New Zealand and the eastern coast of Australia, and common myths about his interactions with indigenous peoples, his supposed brutality, and the true nature of his death in Hawaii, so many stories and legends have popped up, not helped in the least by British propaganda.  

Join Holly & Matthew as they separate fact from fiction, exploring the true story of Captain James Cook, and debunking the myths of his time. 

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

In this series, we take on the truest form of gaslighting history to dive deep into the life and legacy of Captain James Cook, the legendary British explorer known for his voyages to the Pacific. While his adventures and discoveries have been celebrated for centuries, many myths and misconceptions about his life and actions persist.

From his humble beginnings and early naval career that shaped him into a master navigator, his first Pacific expedition where he charted New Zealand and the eastern coast of Australia, and common myths about his interactions with indigenous peoples, his supposed brutality, and the true nature of his death in Hawaii,somany stories and legends have popped up, not helped in the least by British propaganda.  

Join Holly & Matthew as they separate fact from fiction, exploring the true story of Captain James Cook, and debunking the myths of his time. 

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

In this series, we take on the truest form of gaslighting history to dive deep into the life and legacy of Captain James Cook, the legendary British explorer known for his voyages to the Pacific. While his adventures and discoveries have been celebrated for centuries, many myths and misconceptions about his life and actions persist.

From his humble beginnings and early naval career that shaped him into a master navigator, his first Pacific expedition where he charted New Zealand and the eastern coast of Australia, and common myths about his interactions with indigenous peoples, his supposed brutality, and the true nature of his death in Hawaii,somany stories and legends have popped up, not helped in the least by British propaganda.  

Join Holly & Matthew as they separate fact from fiction, exploring the true story of Captain James Cook, and debunking the myths of his time. 

***
"Great Southern Land" is by Icehouse.
"Bound for Botany Bay" is performed by John Williamson.

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

Explore the stories and legacies of the earlier European discoverers who ventured into unknown territories long before Captain Cook.

In this episode, we'll discuss the misconceptions surrounding these pioneers, delving into their voyages, interactions with First Nations peoples, and the profound impacts they had on the New World.

From their motivations and navigational challenges to the lasting effects of their discoveries, we provide a comprehensive look at these adventurers. 

Join Holly & Matthew as they separate fact from fiction and uncover the true stories behind the legends of the early European explorers to Australian shores.

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