Forgotten Australia

This episode of Forgotten Australia explores the historic Wave Hill Walk-Off, a landmark eight-year struggle led by Gurindji elder Vincent Lingyari starting in 1966. The narrative provides deep historical context, detailing the decades of systemic brutality, unpaid labor, and land dispossession experienced by Aboriginal people at Wave Hill Station under various pastoralists and companies like the Vestie Group. The episode traces the progression from the initial strike for equal wages to the broader demand for land rights. It highlights the immense bravery of the Gurindji people, who resisted starvation and intimidation, eventually leading to the symbolic handback of land by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam in 1975. The story serves as a testament to the power of persistence in the fight for Aboriginal justice and land ownership.

This episode explores the 1928 murder of schoolteacher Jack Mulholland in the quiet Australian town of Wollumla. The investigation into his violent death by shotgun blast uncovered a web of local secrets, including potential sex scandals and domestic tensions involving former students. Despite an inquest that ruled the death a willful murder by unknown persons, a wall of silence among the townspeople prevented any charges from being brought. While the case eventually faded from public memory, the mystery remains unsolved, leaving behind a legacy of suspicion and unrevealed truths.

Host Michael Adams presents the Aussie History Trivia Quiz, exploring various facets of Australian history through a series of competitive rounds. The episode covers topics ranging from true crime and political scandals to censorship and iconic moments in Australian entertainment. The quiz progresses through rounds focusing on politicians, free speech, and pop culture, revealing fascinating details about historical figures, banned books, and the creators behind legendary Australian media.

This episode investigates the criminal history of William Gould, examining his involvement in the 1911 murder of Russian Dean and a 1904 murder charge involving Wong Fu. The narrative explores how racial prejudice in historical Australian newspapers may have influenced legal outcomes, specifically regarding the arrest and release of the Gould brothers. The investigation further delves into the discovery of human remains at Palmer's Lagoon in 1931. While the victim was identified as Frank Grimson, the case remained unsolved due to the transient nature of the population during the Great Depression and the failure of investigators to trace the potential connection to William Gould.

This episode explores the 1911 Australian census, known as the 'Great Stock Take,' detailing the logistical scale and dangerous work of census takers in remote Queensland. It examines the socio-political implications of the era, including the exclusion of Aboriginal people and the eugenicist ideologies held by official George Handley Knibbs. The narrative connects the census process to a murder investigation in Cloncurry, where the failure of an Afghan man, Russian Dean, to return his census form led police to discover evidence of a brutal crime. The episode follows the trial and conviction of William Gould, exploring themes of racial bias in the Queensland justice system and Gould's eventual release following a successful appeal.

In this episode, author Stuart Cooper discusses his book 'Saffron Incorporated', which explores the life and business empire of Abe Saffron. The discussion delves into how Saffron's vast real estate holdings and business structures facilitated a criminal culture in Sydney, moving beyond simple criminal tropes to examine his role as a facilitator of illegal activities. The conversation further explores Saffron's legacy of corruption involving police, judges, and politicians in King's Cross, including theories surrounding the disappearance of Juanita Nielsen. The episode concludes by detailing Saffron's downfall due to tax evasion and comparing his calculated era of crime to the more violent criminality that followed.

This episode examines the trial and appeal of Keith Shaw, who was convicted of murdering George King. Initially defended on grounds of insanity, Shaw eventually provided an affidavit revealing a physical altercation as the true motive for the crime. The investigation explores legal strategies like the 'homosexual panic' defense and potential cultural influences from contemporary films. The narrative also follows the aftermath for Lionel Shaw, detailing his military service, his legal battles for defamation, and the eventual fates of those connected to the case.

This episode explores the 1917 inquest and trial of brothers Keith and Lionel Shaw following the brutal murder of George King in Katoomba. The narrative details the evidence presented, including Keith's written confession driven by an obsession with a diamond ring and his chillingly detached description of the attack. The trial further examines the prosecution's case against the defense's attempt to prove hereditary insanity. Through testimonies regarding Keith's substance abuse, erratic behavior, and letters to Stella Chu, the episode delves into the conflicting medical opinions on whether Keith was driven by delusions or was feigning madness to avoid responsibility.