Discover
In Black and White
In Black and White
Author: Herald Sun
Subscribed: 820Played: 65,104Subscribe
Share
© 2025 News Corp Australia
Description
From alleyway gangsters to cold war spies to eccentric entrepreneurs, Australian history is full of colourful but forgotten characters. Host Jen Kelly talks with experts, historians and yarn spinners to uncover the untold stories of some of our most interesting and offbeat ancestors.
308 Episodes
Reverse
A killer is on the loose in an Australian country town. Excited for the June long weekend, bubbly 23-year-old Rachelle Childs leaves work, calls her sister, and is dead within hours. Her burning, partially naked body is found nine hours later in bushland on a lonely coastal road. Her killer has never been caught. Now innocent people, once too afraid to speak, are breaking their silence. If you’re looking for your next true crime podcast obsession, search out Dear Rachelle. An unstoppable cold case team is reinvestigating and uncovering damning new evidence. Could this finally be the break the family needs? Dear Rachelle is hosted and investigated by journalist Ashlea Hansen, who teams up with retired detective and renowned cold case specialist Damian Loone. The first episode of Dear Rachelle is now available on all podcast platforms. If you’re looking for your next true crime podcast binge and you want to be first to hear what’s next, visit dearrachelle.com.au - your News Corp Australia subscription grants you access to podcast episodes three weeks before everyone else, as well as exclusive access to videos, interactive evidence, behind-the-scenes content, and more. Dear Rachelle is a podcast from True Crime Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the very last of our great history stories, we turn to Harry Houdini, one of the great magicians in history, and his time in Australia. His tale is told by Andrew McConville, from State Library Victoria. There are almost 280 stories in the In Black and White show, and they're all available for free in this podcast feed. As we say goodbye after five ears unearthing colourful stories from our past, we would like to sincerely thank our listeners for tuning in and sharing your ratings and reviews. Tune in to the final episode for some final thank you and a farewell message from the host, Jen Kelly. Like the show? Read more at heraldsun.com.au/ibawSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the very last of our great history stories, we turn to Harry Houdini, one of the great magicians in history, and his time in Australia. His tale is told by Andrew McConville, from State Library Victoria. There are almost 280 stories in the In Black and White show, and they're all available for free in this podcast feed. As we say goodbye after five ears unearthing colourful stories from our past, we would like to sincerely thank our listeners for tuning in and sharing your ratings and reviews. Tune in to the final episode for some final thank yous and a farewell message from the host, Jen Kelly. Like the show? Read more at heraldsun.com.au/ibawSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. George Melville was a daring highwayman who pulled off one of Australia's biggest heists. But when the law caught up with him, his fate was most gruesome indeed. Damien Beard from Pentridge Prison Tours joins the show with more. Warning: This series contains discussions of self harm. If you or anyone you know needs help: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 Love the show? Read more at heraldsun.com.au/ibawSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. George Melville was a daring highwayman who pulled off one of Australia's biggest heists. But when the law caught up with him, his fate was most gruesome indeed. Damien Beard from Pentridge Prison Tours joins the show with more. Warning: This series contains discussions of self harm. If you or anyone you know needs help: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 Love the show? Read more at heraldsun.com.au/ibawSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With the Paris Olympics in the books, we tell the tale of Cecil Healy, a champion swimmer who innovated in the pool. But it's for an amazing act of sportsmanship that he should perhaps be best remembered. Military historian Mat McLachlan joins the show for part 2 of a bonus two-part series. Learn more about Mat's work at: https://battlefields.com.au/Like the show? Go to: heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With the Paris Olympics in the books, we tell the tale of Cecil Healy, a champion swimmer who innovated in the pool. But it's for an amazing act of sportsmanship that he should perhaps be best remembered. Military historian Mat McLachlan joins the show for part 1 of a bonus two-part series. Learn more about Mat's work at: https://battlefields.com.au/Like the show? Go to: heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
To the outside world, Monte Punshon was utterly respectable. But her perfect 19th-century diction disguised her wild past as a bad girl who hung out at edgy Melbourne bars and secret drag parties and was monitored in the lead-up to WWII by security services who suspected her Japanese teacher was a spy. The ANU's Tessa Morris-Suzuki joins the show to talk about the woman dubbed "the world's oldest lesbian" after coming out at the age of 103. Get the book at: https://www.mup.com.au/books/a-secretive-century-paperback-softback Like the show? Go to heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rosaleen Norton was a bohemian artist and occultist who horrified Australian society in the 1950s. There were wild tales of devil worship, satanic rituals, blood sacrifices and sex orgies. But were they true? Author Peter Coleman is here to sort the fact from the fiction for us. Get Peter’s book at: https://affirmpress.com.au/browse/book/Peter-Coleman-Australia's-Most-Bizarre-Crimes-9781923046269Like the show? Go to heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Harry Freame was raised in Japan under the ancient bushido code but wound up fighting for Australia. But was this Anzac hero betrayed by his nation? His story is told in a new book called The Bravest Scout at Gallipoli by Ryan Butta. Get Ryan’s book at: https://affirmpress.com.au/browse/book/Ryan-Butta-Bravest-Scout-at-Gallipoli-9781922992086 Like the show? Go to heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Harry Freame was raised in Japan under the ancient bushido code but wound up fighting for Australia. But was this Anzac hero betrayed by his nation? His story is told in a new book called The Bravest Scout at Gallipoli by Ryan Butta. Get Ryan’s book at: https://affirmpress.com.au/browse/book/Ryan-Butta-Bravest-Scout-at-Gallipoli-9781922992086 Like the show? Go to heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When Marie Grunke entered a strict convent in Melbourne in the 1960s, she couldn’t tell anyone her shameful pregnancy secret. But Marie’s story would have a surprising ending. Her story is told in a new book called Unconventional Women: The Story of the Last Blessed Sacrament Sisters in Australia, by writer Sarah Gilbert, who joins the show with more.Get Sarah's book at: https://www.mup.com.au/books/unconventional-women-paperback-softback Like the show? Go to heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When Marie Grunke entered a strict convent in Melbourne in the 1960s, she couldn’t tell anyone her shameful pregnancy secret. But Marie’s story would have a surprising ending. Her story is told in a new book called Unconventional Women: The Story of the Last Blessed Sacrament Sisters in Australia, by writer Sarah Gilbert, who joins the show with more.Get Sarah's book at: https://www.mup.com.au/books/unconventional-women-paperback-softback Like the show? Go to heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
He was known as one of the men who told Australians what was happening in the Gallipoli campaign. But at a place named Krithia, Charles Bean risked his life to place himself at the heart of the action. Military historian Mat McLachlan joins the show with more. Get Mat's book at: https://www.hachette.com.au/mat-mclachlan/krithia-the-forgotten-anzac-battle-of-gallipoli Like the show? Go to heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
One of the enduring images of the Rum Rebellion is of Governor William Bligh cowering under his bed as the mob draws near. But it was his daughter Mary who owned the hour - keeping armed rebels at bay using nothing but her parasol. Author and Journalist Sue Williams joins the show with more. Learn more about That Bligh Girl at: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Sue-Williams-That-Bligh-Girl-9781761065880/ Like the show? go to https://heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for moreSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When stories of the Kelly Gang are written, it's always their charismatic leader who grabs the spotlight. But Joseph Byrne lived his own very colourful life. Author Georgina Phelan outlines how the young bushranger went from larrikin to outlaw.To order the book, visithttps://anoutlawsjournal.wordpress.com/2024/06/27/author-signed-copies-of-joseph-byrne-from-larrikin-to-outlaw/Like the show? Go to heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for moreSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT.The last photos ever taken of Edward Feeney and Charles Marks showed them holding hands and pointing guns at each other. What happened next was a bizarre case that saw one man dead and the other on trial for murder. Historian Michael Adams, host of the Forgotten Australia podcast, joins the show with more.More about Forgotten Australia at: https://forgottenaustralia.com/Warning: This series contains discussions of self harm.If you or anyone you know needs help:Lifeline: 13 11 14Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800Like the show? Go to heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for moreSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT.The last photos ever taken of Edward Feeney and Charles Marks showed them holding hands and pointing guns at each other. What happened next was a bizarre case that saw one man dead and the other on trial for murder. Historian Michael Adams, host of the Forgotten Australia podcast, joins the show with more.More about Forgotten Australia at: https://forgottenaustralia.com/Warning: This series contains discussions of self harm.If you or anyone you know needs help:Lifeline: 13 11 14Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800Like the show? Go to heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for moreSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jean Lee was sentenced to die by 12 good men and true for the gruesome torture and murder of an SP bookie in Carlton in 1949.But was the last woman executed in Australia just covering for her outlaw lover? Pentridge Prison Tours guide Damien Beard joins the show with more. Like the show? Get features, backgrounders and more at: heraldsun.com.au/ibawSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jean Lee was sentenced to die by 12 good men and true for the gruesome torture and murder of an SP bookie in Carlton in 1949.But was the last woman executed in Australia just covering for her outlaw lover? Pentridge Prison Tours guide Damien Beard joins the show with more. Like the show? Get features, backgrounders and more at: heraldsun.com.au/ibaw See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.






I think you may have forgotten to mention the protests against the vaccination. there were deaths in relation to having the vaccination. the protest shut down anyone needing a jab also, alot of people chose not to wear masks. In particular a girl who was instructed by her father she need not wear one to school,it would not assist in prevention. her father was a doctor why was this not investigated and spoken about?
amazing episode . why is it that I've never heard of this before
Brilliant episode. Lots of historical detail to reveal a very amazing 'biography'.
Don't think so. How much does he sound like his dad!
Isn't this part 1 repeated?
this is a marvelous podcast 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Anyone else find it ironic that a black American was involved in the abduction, enslavement and prostitution of aboriginal women ?