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Forgotten Australia

New miniseries: Death-Defying Destiny Deciders – Part One: War, Peace & Plague

Season 10, Ep. 15

I recently discovered that my great-grandfather was a champion diver who was active in the very same London scene as the doomed stuntmen who featured in my recent miniseries Death-Defying Death Divers!


With this as my, um, jumping off point, I’m taking a plunge into my family history, tracing the men and women of the Murtough family, from the Battle of Waterloo, the Boer War and the Western Front, to the wilds of Western Australia and the remote paradise of Lord Howe Island. We’ll also take a look at the birth of tabloid sensationalism and the early days of the London Blitz. 


Along the way, I'll share a few tips and tricks you can use to make your family history writing come alive.


In this episode, we meet Peter Murtough, celebrated swimmer and diver, who owed his existence to his grandfather surviving one of the most horrific and pestilent battlefields of history. And that was just the start of his military adventures...


*All episodes will be available early & ad-free to Patreon and Apple supporters*

It’s easy to get a free trial that will give you access. Follow these links:


Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia

Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia


Want more original Australian history? Check out my books!

They’ll Never Hold Me:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html

The Murder Squad:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.html

Hanging Ned Kelly:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html

Australia’s Sweetheart:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html

Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com

More episodes

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  • 34. Blue Murder On The Golden Mile — Part Four

    49:48||Season 10, Ep. 34
    On Monday 16 August 1926, a large crowd gathered outside Perth's Supreme Court, hoping to get access to what promised to be the most sensational criminal trial Western Australia had ever seen. Had Phillip Treffene and William Coulter murdered Detective-Inspector John Walsh and his partner Detective-Sergeant Alexander Pitman? What the court heard was an incredible new version of events that left many wondering where the truth lay.See Forgotten Australia live!"Crashes, Chases and Crooks in Melton History" – as part of the Melton Heritage Festival.More info and free tickets:https://libraryevents.melton.vic.gov.au/event?id=209608Forgotten Australia supporters get early ad-free access to all episodes, along with bonus shows and a podcast shout-out.To access a free trial, use these links and follow the easy steps. Cancel before the free-trial ends and you won't be charged. Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustraliaApple: apple.co/forgottenaustraliaWant more original Australian history? Check out my books!They’ll Never Hold Me:https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.htmlThe Murder Squad:https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.htmlHanging Ned Kelly:https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.htmlAustralia’s Sweetheart:https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.htmlEmail: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com
  • 33. Blue Murder On The Golden Mile — Part Three

    46:02||Season 10, Ep. 33
    After police swoop on their suspects, Evan 'Teddy' Clarke, Phil Treffene and William Coulter are charged with the murder. But one of these men will turn against the others, with brilliant barrister Arthur Haynes using this betrayal as a chisel with which to chip away at the crown case. See Forgotten Australia live!"Crashes, Chases and Crooks in Melton History" – as part of the Melton Heritage Festival.More info and free tickets:https://libraryevents.melton.vic.gov.au/event?id=209608Forgotten Australia supporters get early ad-free access to all episodes, along with bonus shows and a podcast shout-out.To access a free trial, use these links and follow the easy steps. Cancel before the free-trial ends and you won't be charged. Continue to support from as little as $3 per month. Cancel any time.Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustraliaApple: apple.co/forgottenaustraliaWant more original Australian history? Check out my books!They’ll Never Hold Me:https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.htmlThe Murder Squad:https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.htmlHanging Ned Kelly:https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.htmlAustralia’s Sweetheart:https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.htmlEmail: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com
  • 32. Blue Murder On The Golden Mile — Part Two

    36:58||Season 10, Ep. 32
    Re-released to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the crime that shocked a nation.On 12 May 1926, south of Kalgoorlie, at an abandoned mine known as Miller's Find, Detective-Sergeant Grenville Purdue makes a horrifying discovery. The biggest manhunt in Western Australia is now on for the murderers of Detective-Inspector John Walsh and Detective-Sergeant Alexander Pitman. See Forgotten Australia live!"Crashes, Chases and Crooks in Melton History" – as part of the Melton Heritage Festival.More info and free tickets:https://libraryevents.melton.vic.gov.au/event?id=209608Forgotten Australia supporters get early ad-free access to all episodes, along with bonus shows and a podcast shout-out.To access a free trial, use these links and follow the easy steps. Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustraliaApple: apple.co/forgottenaustraliaWant more original Australian history? Check out my books!They’ll Never Hold Me:https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.htmlThe Murder Squad:https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.htmlHanging Ned Kelly:https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.htmlAustralia’s Sweetheart:https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.htmlEmail: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com
  • 31. Miniseries – Blue Murder on the Golden Mile – Part One

    37:06||Season 10, Ep. 31
    A special re-release to commemorate the 100th anniversary.On 28 April 1926, Detective-Inspector John Walsh and Detective-Sergeant Alexander Pitman disappeared while investigating gold thefts around Kalgoorlie. It was nearly two weeks before they were missed. When the alarm was raised, a massive search was started. Grave fears were held for these two popular veteran officers.See Forgotten Australia live!"Crashes, Chases and Crooks in Melton History" – as part of the Melton Heritage Festival.More info and free tickets:https://libraryevents.melton.vic.gov.au/event?id=209608Forgotten Australia supporters get early ad-free access to all episodes, along with bonus shows and a podcast shout-out.To access a free trial, use these links and follow the easy steps. Cancel before the free-trial ends and you won't be charged. Continue to support from as little as $3 per month. Cancel any time.Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustraliaApple: apple.co/forgottenaustraliaWant more original Australian history? Check out my books!They’ll Never Hold Me:https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.htmlThe Murder Squad:https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.htmlHanging Ned Kelly:https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.htmlAustralia’s Sweetheart:https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.htmlEmail: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com
  • 30. The First Anzac Day – 13 October 1915

    01:05:53||Season 10, Ep. 30
    While history tells us Anzac Day started on 25 April 1916, the first such event took place six months earlier in South Australia. The name 'Anzac Day' was coined for this colourful military parade and pageant, staged in Adelaide on 13 October 1915, which was usually reserved for the Eight Hours' Day public holiday. The first Anzac Day was to raise funds for wounded soldiers – and a forgotten Aussie was even credited with coming up with the name! So, what did this Anzac Day look like? Why did it feature not only marching soldiers and wounded veterans, but cavemen, prehistoric animals and even a fiery tram stunt? How was it that this Anzac Day came to be forgotten?To see footage of the Burra Anzac Day:https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/anzac-day-history-marches-and-traditionsThe Critic newspaper photos are here:http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page23520895See Forgotten Australia live!"Crashes, Chases and Crooks in Melton History" – as part of the Melton Heritage Festival.More info and free tickets:https://libraryevents.melton.vic.gov.au/event?id=209608Forgotten Australia supporters get early ad-free access to all episodes, along with bonus shows and a podcast shout-out.To access a free trial, use these links and follow the easy steps. Cancel before the free-trial ends and you won't be charged. Continue to support from as little as $3 per month. Cancel any time.Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustraliaApple: apple.co/forgottenaustraliaWant more original Australian history? Check out my books!They’ll Never Hold Me:https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.htmlThe Murder Squad:https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.htmlHanging Ned Kelly:https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.htmlAustralia’s Sweetheart:https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.htmlEmail: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com
  • 29. Talking History – ‘Fighting Mac’: The Man Behind the Anzac Legend

    34:24||Season 10, Ep. 29
    In this interview episode, Dr Daniel Reynaud, author of The Man The Anzacs Revered, tells us about the colourful and incredibly brave AIF chaplain William McKenzie, who was a Salvation Army officer on the frontlines with the Diggers at Gallipoli and then on the Western Front. In his time, ‘Fighting Mac’ was beloved around Australia and the inspiration for many tall tales. But his truth is even more striking. So why has he been forgotten?See Forgotten Australia live!
"Crashes, Chases and Crooks in Melton History" – as part of the Melton Heritage Festival.More info and free tickets:
https://libraryevents.melton.vic.gov.au/event?id=209608Want more original Australian history? Check out my books!They’ll Never Hold Me:
https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.htmlThe Murder Squad:
https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.htmlHanging Ned Kelly:
https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.htmlAustralia’s Sweetheart:
https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.htmlEmail: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com
  • 28. Our First Olympic Hero – Part Two: The Lion of Athens

    31:01||Season 10, Ep. 28
    Having already won two events at Athens in 1896, young Aussie athlete Teddy Flack throws himself at a third victory by entering the Marathon – and he’ll reckon the result ensures the success of the first modern Olympic Games. Despite Teddy’s historic wins, noble defeats and curious claims, in his time he’ll be a marginal character in Australian reporting – a stark contrast with modern Olympic heroes.See Forgotten Australia live!"Crashes, Chases and Crooks in Melton History" – as part of the Melton Heritage Festival.More info and free tickets:https://libraryevents.melton.vic.gov.au/event?id=209608Forgotten Australia supporters get early ad-free access to all episodes, along with bonus shows and a podcast shout-out.To access a free trial, use these links and follow the easy steps. Cancel before the free-trial ends and you won't be charged. Continue to support from as little as $3 per month. Cancel any time.Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustraliaApple: apple.co/forgottenaustraliaWant more original Australian history? Check out my books!They’ll Never Hold Me:https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.htmlThe Murder Squad:https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.htmlHanging Ned Kelly:https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.htmlAustralia’s Sweetheart:https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.htmlEmail: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com
  • 27. Our First Olympic Hero – Part One: An Aussie’s Greek Odyssey

    40:39||Season 10, Ep. 27
    Teddy Flack becoming our first Olympic champion is the prototypical tale of the Aussie have-a-go sporting hero. But in 1896, when Teddy was undertaking his Greek odyssey, and making history against the odds, there wasn’t a lot of interest in him, his achievements or the Olympic Games. In part one, we look at how Teddy’s twin interests – athletics and accountancy – meant he was the right man in the right place at the right time to compete at Athens.*Part Two is available now for Forgotten Australia supporters*Forgotten Australia supporters get early ad-free access to all episodes, along with bonus shows and a podcast shout-out.To access a free trial, use these links and follow the easy steps. Cancel before the free-trial ends and you won't be charged. Continue to support from as little as $3 per month. Cancel any time.See Forgotten Australia live!"Crashes, Chases and Crooks in Melton History" – as part of the Melton Heritage Festival.More info and free tickets:https://libraryevents.melton.vic.gov.au/event?id=209608Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustraliaApple: apple.co/forgottenaustraliaWant more original Australian history? Check out my books!They’ll Never Hold Me:https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.htmlThe Murder Squad:https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.htmlHanging Ned Kelly:https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.htmlAustralia’s Sweetheart:https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.htmlEmail: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com
  • 24. Miniseries Finale – Death-Defying Destiny Deciders – Part Ten: Nature & Nurture

    49:51||Season 10, Ep. 24
    I'm adopted and – while I come from colourful characters who roamed from Ireland and England to Western Australia, Lord Howe Island and Sydney, via South Africa and the Western Front – I didn't know *any* of this family history before tracking down my birth mother in 2018! How much are we the product of nature and how much of nurture? How much of our lives is choice and chance? My family reunion story does come with some startling coincidences.See Forgotten Australia live!"Crashes, Chases and Crooks in Melton History" – as part of the Melton Heritage Festival.More info and free tickets:https://libraryevents.melton.vic.gov.au/event?id=209608Forgotten Australia supporters get early ad-free access to all episodes, along with bonus shows and a podcast shout-out.To access a free trial, use these links and follow the easy steps. Cancel before the free-trial ends and you won't be charged. Continue to support from as little as $3 per month. Cancel any time.Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustraliaApple: apple.co/forgottenaustraliaWant more original Australian history? Check out my books!They’ll Never Hold Me:https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.htmlThe Murder Squad:https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.htmlHanging Ned Kelly:https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.htmlAustralia’s Sweetheart:https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.htmlEmail: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com