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.

The history of the Australian Football League (AFL) is rich and multifaceted, beginning in the mid-19th century. Australian Rules Football was officially codified in Melbourne in 1859, with the establishment of the Melbourne Football Club.

 The Victorian Football League (VFL), which would later become the AFL, was founded in 1896. The league expanded nationally in the 1980s and 1990s, evolving into the AFL in 1990.

Today, the AFL is the premier professional Australian Rules Football competition, boasting a passionate fan base and significant cultural impact in Australia. Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the League, its past, and its future.

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

The history of the Australian Football League (AFL) is rich and multifaceted, beginning in the mid-19th century. Australian Rules Football was officially codified in Melbourne in 1859, with the establishment of the Melbourne Football Club.

 The Victorian Football League (VFL), which would later become the AFL, was founded in 1896. The league expanded nationally in the 1980s and 1990s, evolving into the AFL in 1990.

Today, the AFL is the premier professional Australian Rules Football competition, boasting a passionate fan base and significant cultural impact in Australia. Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the League, its past, and its future.

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

In 1998, a home in Humpty Doo, NT, became the site of intense paranormal activity. Objects flew through the air, gravel and shells rained from the ceiling, and Scrabble tiles spelled eerie messages.

Priests, journalists, and police witnessed the chaos, which the residents linked to a deceased friend named 'Troy'. Despite multiple exorcism attempts, the poltergeist's violent behavior persisted until the tenants fled.

Join Holly & Matthew as they examine the Humpty Doo Poltergeist, Australia's most documented poltergeist.

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

In 1946, on the back of decades and generations of racist government and pastoralist policy 800 First Nations people walked off the stations they'd been assigned in the Pilbara Region, risking prosecution and assault by the law-keepers.

Three years later, the strike broke, but only through underhanded tactics by the government and farmers put out by the strike. This was a failed strike in terms of their £1 per week demands, but in terms of scaring the Western Australian government and gathering sympathy in the people of Perth, it was a winner.

This was the longest industrial action strike in Australia's history. More would follow, but we pay tributes to the original, and the chain of actions their strike spawned.

Join Holly & Matthew as they read up on the strike, the people, and the repercussions.

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