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Weird Crap in Australia

Weird Crap in Australia

By: The Modern Meltdown
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About this listen

 Welcome to "Weird Crap in Australia," a podcast hosted by Holly and Matthew, a husband and wife team with a passion for all things strange and unusual in the land down under.

Each episode, Holly, a trained historian, and Matthew, a pop-culture enthusiast, dive into the weird and wacky aspects of Australian history and society. From the colonial era to the present day, they explore topics such as aliens, monsters, ghosts, and true crime, uncovering the stories and legends that have fascinated Australians for generations.

As a social historian, Holly provides a unique perspective on the cultural significance of these strange phenomena, while Matthew brings his expertise in pop-culture to the table, offering insights into how these stories have been portrayed in movies, TV shows, and other media.

With a mix of humor and insight, "Weird Crap in Australia" is the perfect podcast for anyone who loves to explore the oddities and quirks of our world. Join Holly and Matthew as they take you on a journey through the strange and wonderful world of Australia's weirdest stories.

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Did you know a full firefight between MPs and soldiers took place in Central Station (Sydney) in February 1916, and you can still find the bullet holes in the pillars?

Did you know that one of Australia’s convict ships was waylaid by Americans during the aftermath of the American Revolution in 1815?

Did you know we have a dinosaur called Qantassaurus, and that most Australian fossil expeditions of the 1970s and 1980s were sponsored by corporations, rather than the government?

Did you know that the majority of the miners that took part in the Eureka Stockade of 1854 were Chinese, African-American, or from other ‘minority’ groups? And that the Victorian Gold Rush is where Australia learned to love Chinese food?

There’s a lot of history when it comes to this country - even just in the last 200 years - and very little of it is taught in our school systems. We feel that, in order to preserve the past, we have to get it out there into the minds of the present, and hopefully apply those lessons to the future. If you agree, we'd love you to join us.

New episodes release 12pm AEDST/AEST every Monday.

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Main Theme music – Kevin MacLeod
"Slow Ticking Clock" – Kevin MacLeod
Used under a Creative Commons license.

All sound and voice clips used are (c) their respective owners.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.Holly & Matthew Soall Social Sciences True Crime World
Episodes
  • Episode 367 - The Story of INXS Part 1

    Episode 367 - The Story of INXS Part 1
    Jun 16 2025
    Before they were stadium superstars, INXS were just six Aussie blokes carving out a sound in the sweaty pubs of Sydney. In this episode, we chart the meteoric rise of one of Australia’s biggest musical exports—from their gritty early days, to the glitz of international fame, and the tragic loss of frontman Michael Hutchence.

    Join Holly & Matthew as they dive into their chart-topping hits, backstage drama, controversies, and lasting legacy. It’s the story of a band that defined a generation and gave Australia its rock’n’roll swagger on the world stage.

    *

    "Just Keep Walking" clip (c) INXS 1980

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr
  • Episode 366 - Sir Douglas Mawson and the Home of the Blizzard Part 3

    Episode 366 - Sir Douglas Mawson and the Home of the Blizzard Part 3
    Jun 9 2025
    Douglas Mawson wasn’t just a survivor—he was a scientific powerhouse who helped put Australia on the map of polar exploration. His adventures began with the 1907–1909 Nimrod Expedition under Ernest Shackleton, during which he became one of the first to reach the Magnetic South Pole and climb Mount Erebus. But it was his own Australasian Antarctic Expedition from 1911 to 1914 that sealed his place in history.

    Mawson’s leadership, grit, and heartbreak defined that journey. Stranded alone after the deaths of his companions, he hauled himself across 160 kilometres of ice, surviving crevasses, starvation, and the brutal cold. His story isn't just about endurance—it's about the pursuit of knowledge at the edge of the world.

    Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the trials, triumphs, and enduring legacy of Douglas Mawson—Australia’s Antarctic hero.


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.
    Show more Show less
    54 mins
  • Episode 365 - Sir Douglas Mawson and the Home of the Blizzard Part 2

    Episode 365 - Sir Douglas Mawson and the Home of the Blizzard Part 2
    Jun 2 2025
    Douglas Mawson wasn’t just a survivor—he was a scientific powerhouse who helped put Australia on the map of polar exploration. His adventures began with the 1907–1909 Nimrod Expedition under Ernest Shackleton, during which he became one of the first to reach the Magnetic South Pole and climb Mount Erebus. But it was his own Australasian Antarctic Expedition from 1911 to 1914 that sealed his place in history.

    Mawson’s leadership, grit, and heartbreak defined that journey. Stranded alone after the deaths of his companions, he hauled himself across 160 kilometres of ice, surviving crevasses, starvation, and the brutal cold. His story isn't just about endurance—it's about the pursuit of knowledge at the edge of the world.

    Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the trials, triumphs, and enduring legacy of Douglas Mawson—Australia’s Antarctic hero.

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