A History of Australia

This week, we discuss the start of the Great Depression in Australia. We also talk about the highly influential 1929 federal election (and the return of Billy Hughes to federal political prominence), the Victorian and Queensland state elections, the Port Adelaide Wharf and Rothbury Riots, and the rise of two Australian sporting legends, Donald Bradman and Phar Lap.

In this episode, we discuss the last document frontier massacres, the Coniston massacres. We also discuss Charles Kingsford Smith's and Charles Ulm's flight across the Pacific, the 1928 Waterside Workers Federation Strike, and the Bundaberg Tragedy.

This episode, we discuss the first rise and fall of NSW Premier Jack Lang. We also talk about the Berkley Street gangster shootout, the launching of the 2nd HMAS Australia, the formation of the ACTU (Australasian Council of Trade Unions), and a couple state elections.

This episode, we examine the 1925 Federated Seaman's Union Strike. We also discuss some key state elections, such as the 1925 NSW election which saw Jack Lang become Premier for the first time and the Communist Party of Australia contest its first election. Finally, we talk about the 1925 Federal election, the splitting of the Northern Territory, and more across 1925 and 1926.

This episode, we discuss significant milestones in the evolution of technology in Australia, from the arrival of Holden onto the car manufacturing scene to the establishment of radio stations across Australia. We also talk about the establishment of compulsory voting at a federal level, political chaos in Victoria, and the Big Brother Movement.

This episode we examine the Victorian Police Strike of 1923, alongside Tasmania's financial crisis, the beginning of construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Marble Bar Heatwave, and (potentially) the first ANZAC Day dawn service.

This episode, we discuss Queensland becoming the first and only state in Australia's history to abolish its upper house. We also talk about the New States Movements for the first time, the Empire Settlement Scheme, 2 State Elections, and the 1922 Federal Election which sees the arrival of the Bruce-Page government.

This episode we discuss the Group Settlement Schemes, the Barnardo's Boys, the Gun Alley Murder, the Murder of MP Percy Brookfield, and plenty of state politics in an episode packed with many events.

This episode, we discuss the formation of the Communist Party of Australia. In addition, we talk about two key legal cases which significantly changed Australian federalism, R v Licensing Court of Brisbane and the Amalgamated Society of Engineers v Adelaide Steamships Co Ltd, as well as 3 major state elections (one has minor parties galore in it!)

This week, we discuss the many instances of post-war unrest throughout Australia in 1919. These include the Red Flag Riots, the Battle of the Barricades/Fremantle Wharf Strike, the Townsville Meatworkers Strike, the HMAS Australia Mutiny, and the 1919 Peace Day Riots. We also discuss the 1919 federal election and the arrival of the Country Party in Australian politics.

This episode, we discuss the aftermath of WW1 in Australia. We look at the Spanish Flu's effects on Australia, Australia's involvement in the Paris Peace Conference, the Deportation of Paul Freeman, the Soldier Settlement Schemes, and Australia's Involvement in the Russian Civil War.

This episode, we witness the end of the First World War, with Australians fighting during the German Spring Offensives, in the Middle East, and during key moments in the Hundred Days Offensive. We also discuss Henry Lawson becoming Victorian premier and the Darwin Rebellion.

This episode, we examine World War One in 1917 from the Australian point of view. We discuss the battles of Passchendaele, Third Ypres, Messines, and Bullecourt, as well as the capture of Jerusalem, and the efforts of Frank McNamara which led to him getting his Victorian Cross.

This episode, we discuss the 2nd plebiscite on conscription during WW1, as well as the 1917 federal election, the connection of the Trans-Australian railway, multiple state elections, the 1917 attempt to abolition the Queensland Legislative Council, and, most importantly, the time someone threw an egg at Prime Minister Billy Hughes.

This episode, we discuss Australia's contribution to the Battle of the Somme in World War One, specifically its fighting at the Battles of Pozieres, Mouquet Farm, and Fromelles. We also talk about the ANZACs in the Sinai Peninsula, with the battles of Romani and Magdhaba.

This episode, we discuss the 1916 Conscription plebiscite and the debate which surrounded it, as well as the first Labor split which it led to. We also talk about the Liverpool Riot, and Mowla Bluff Massacre, another instance of frontier conflict and violence in the 20th century.

This episode, we discuss Australia's involvement in World War One during 1915, and more specifically, the Gallipoli Campaign. At the heart of Australia's national story, we discuss it, the Battle at Lone Pine, the Anzac Legend, and talk about the myths that have come to be associated with the Anzacs at Gallipoli.

This episode, focusing on the home front during 1915, we take a look at the violent attack known as the Battle of Broken Hill. We also discuss the recruitment drives for World War One known as Snowball Marches and talk about the resignation of Prime Minister Andrew Fisher for Billy Hughes.

This episode, we begin our journey into Australia's participation into World War One. We discuss the battle of the Cocos Islands, the Australian takeover of German New Guinea, and the fact that an Australian fort may have fired the first shot of the war for the entire British Empire.

This week, we discuss the end of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition! We also talk about the 1913 federal election and some state politics in the lead up to World War One. Note: I mentioned there would be no episode until the 7th of January in this episode, I meant the 14th! Sorry for the confusion.

This week, we examine the 1912 Brisbane General Strike and the event known as Black Friday. We also discuss the Fairbridge Farm School and its child migrants, some political history, and continue the story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition.

This week, we're discussing some of the first national referendums in Australia's history. We also talk about the 1910 federal election (the first post-fusion one), the start of the Australasia Antarctic Expedition led by Douglas Mawson, the expansion of Australia's military with the HMAS Australia, and even more!

This week, we're discussing one of the most prominent political events in Australia's history, the Fusion. The event which started the two party system in Australia as we know it now, this episode is perhaps one of the most relevant to the rest of Australia's history going forward. In addition, we discuss the end of the Nimrod Expedition, Douglas Mawson's first trip to Antarctica, as well as the 1909 Broken Hill Miners Strike.

This week, we discuss the role Australians played in the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration. We also discuss the Sunshine rail disaster, Andrew Fisher becoming prime minister, the choice of Canberra over Dalgety for the national capital, and much more! This is the podcast's 100th episode, thank you all so much for listening to 100 episodes of australian history, and here's to atleast 100 more! G. Sherington's PhD Thesis on Dalgety and Canberra: https://web.archive.org/web/20200620152620/https://unsworks.unsw.edu.au/fapi/datastream/unsworks:42439/SOURCE01?view=true

This week, we discuss perhaps one of the most significant legal cases in Australia's history, the Harvester case. Its legacy, that of a fair and reasonable wage for all Australians, is one that is still felt to this day. In addition, we also talk about multiple changes in government, the arrival of Rugby League in Australia, and the establishment of the International Workers of the World (the Wobblies) as well!

This week, we witness the rise of the anti-socialist movement across 1905 and 1906. This movement affects much of Australia's political history across the next century, so this episode is key to understanding what comes next. In addition, we also discuss the deportation of Pacific Islanders from Queensland, and some more political moments!

This week, we've got an episode for all you political history lovers out there. From two changes of Prime Minister in one year, the one of the only times this ever happens, to a premier change in every state besides Queensland and South Australia, 1904 is packed with political shifts and changes.

This week, we discuss the end of the 2nd Boer War and the 1903 Federal Election. We also talk about political changes in multiple states, the Federation Drought, the post office's ban on a lottery business, and the 1903 Victorian Railway strike.

This week, we witness Australia as a federated Commonwealth for the first time. We discuss the first Federal election and reckon with the reality of the White Australia policy. We also discuss Australia's continuing role in the 2nd Boer War, and significant political instability in Western Australia.

This week, we examine the final step towards Federation, the event known as the Hopetoun Blunder, and see how WA finally joins in with the rest of the colonies. We also discuss Australia's involvement in the 2nd Boer War and the Boxer Rebellion. Finally, I give a retrospective on 1800s Australia, as an ode and reflection on what has come throughout the podcast.

This week, we examine the second round of referendums for Federation, and see whether the Australian colonies finally vote to federate. On top of this, we take a look at the Australians who volunteers in the Second Boer War, and what they did, as well as 7 premier changes in a packed episode!

This episode, we overview the first attempt at finalising Federation, the 1898 referendums!

This week, we look over the Federal Convention of 1897, and see what delegates are elected from each colony and what key issues they believe will affect Australia's Federation as we gear up for the referendums of 1898 and 1899.

This episode, we discuss the death and legacy of the man often considered the father of federation, Henry Parkes. We also talk about the 1896 VFA/VFL split, as well as many other events.

This week, we discuss the women's suffrage movement in South Australia, and witness women fight for and gain the right to vote in the colony. In addition, we discuss multiple political conflicts, as well as the foundation of the AWU. Finally, we return to Paraguay, and see whether William Lane's New Australia survives the year.

This episode, we overview the climactic end of the 1890s Depression in Australia, with the massive banking collapse of 1893. We also take some time to discuss one of Australia's most peculiar historical episodes, William Lane's socialist utopia in Paraguay.

This week, we discuss the ongoing depression that is striking the Australian colonies. We also see strikes occur in Broken Hill, political changes galore, and true crime as we talk about the murders of Frederick Bailey Deeming.

This week, we discuss the Queensland Shearers' Strike of 1891, one of the Great Strikes of the 1890s, and the one credited for transitioning Labour politics from strikes and activism to parliament and elections. In addition, we talk about the National Australasian Convention, where Australia's constitution was first decided upon, and the formation of Labor parties across the colonies. There is even more in this hefty episode, so be sure to listen!

This week, we delve into Western Australia's struggle for responsible government, 30+ years after Australia's other colonies had achieved such a milestone.

This week, we discuss the first of the great strikes of the 1890s and the beginning of grand shifts in labour in Australia, the Maritime Strike of 1890. Furthermore, we talk about the first federation conference as well the importation of the Single Tax/Georgism ideology. We also discuss a few important premier changes.

This week, we examine the beginnings of both the Liberal Party of Australia and the Australian Labor Party. We also discuss the continued move towards Federation, local colonial politics, and the first ever grand final in Australian Rules Football. We end by noting the fall of the Premier's Permanent Building Association, whose collapse signals the end of the Long Boom and the start of the 1890s Depression.

This week, we discuss the roots of the White Australia policy, as the forebearers of this most infamous policy begin to appear in the late 1880s. We also discuss the 1887 London Colonial Conference, the establishment of the Australian Socialist League, and so much more. Finally, we reflect on the fact that this episode represents 100 years from the start of white colonisation of New South Wales.

This episode, we discuss the first Federal Council of Australasia, as we examine the year 1886. In addition, we see major political changes in NSW, Victoria, and Tasmania, as well as some significant moment's in Australia's labour history.

This week, we examine the NSW colony's involvement in the Mahdist War in Sudan, one of the first times colonial Australians fought in a war outside their continent. We also discuss the naval expansions of many of the colonies this week, in what seems like a very military-focused episode. To round this out, we talk about the case of the Hopeful in the ongoing issue that is Blackbirding in Queensland. And to finish, we discuss both premier changes and strikes around the colonies.

This week, we dive into one of the first international moves an Australian colony makes, Queensland's annexation of New Guinea. We also discuss the 1883 Intercolonial Conference and the finalising of the Federal Council of Australasia. Furthermore, we take some time to look over the Kalkadoon wars of Queensland, as well as colonial politics in New South Wales and Victoria.

This week, we examine the first major inter-colonial conferences to take the idea of federation seriously. Do such ideas succeed? Unlikely! We also discuss the start of Australia's most major cricketing tradition, the Ashes. Finally, we also talk about the beginning of major strikes in the 1880s, a trend that continued over the coming decades.

The culmination of what is now an audio documentary of Ned Kelly's life (at over 1.5hrs of content), this episode examines the Kelly Gang's last stand at Glenrowan, and the legacy of Ned Kelly.

This week we'll be looking towards the Bushranger's life, as he goes from small-time criminal to well-known highwayman, and discuss what Ned did throughout the years that he was a Bushranger, from 1876 to 1879.

In this episode, the first part of three, we look at the beginning of Ned Kelly's life, and his upbringing as part of the massive Kelly clan. We'll see how he grew up, and his first forays into a life of crime and bushranging, working to understand what led him to be the person he'd become.

This week, we discuss the events of 1879-1880, as they occurred around Ned Kelly. From a riot over cricket which would include Australia's future first prime minister, to another bushranger whose life has been overshadowed by Kelly, this week is incredibly interesting! Next week, we'll be diving straight into Ned Kelly and his gang!