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Weird Crap in Australia

Weird Crap in Australia

Written 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 398 - The History of Australian Video Game Censorship Part 4

    Episode 398 - The History of Australian Video Game Censorship Part 4
    Feb 23 2026
    For decades, Australia treated video games differently.

    Titles were banned. Content was refused classification. Games were edited, delayed, or never released at all. For years, we didn’t even have an R18+ category for games — meaning adult players were restricted by a system built for something else entirely.

    In this episode, we trace the history of video game censorship in Australia — from early classification battles to moral panics, high-profile bans, and the eventual fight for an R rating. What was actually being censored? Who decided? And why were games singled out?

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Episode 397 - The History of Australian Film Censorship Part 3

    Episode 397 - The History of Australian Film Censorship Part 3
    Feb 16 2026
    For decades, Australian audiences were told what they could and couldn’t watch — often with scissors, black ink, and outright bans. From silent films and imported reels to grindhouse classics and modern cinema, Australia developed a reputation as one of the most restrictive film-censoring countries in the Western world.

    Join Holly & Matthew as they trace the history of Australian film censorship, from early morality laws and customs seizures to the creation of classification boards and the long fight over violence, sex, and “community standards”. Along the way, we'll examine infamous bans, bizarre edits, and the cultural anxieties that shaped what Australians were allowed to see on screen.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 24 mins
  • Episode 396 - The History of Australian Film Censorship Part 2

    Episode 396 - The History of Australian Film Censorship Part 2
    Feb 9 2026
    For decades, Australian audiences were told what they could and couldn’t watch — often with scissors, black ink, and outright bans. From silent films and imported reels to grindhouse classics and modern cinema, Australia developed a reputation as one of the most restrictive film-censoring countries in the Western world.

    Join Holly & Matthew as they trace the history of Australian film censorship, from early morality laws and customs seizures to the creation of classification boards and the long fight over violence, sex, and “community standards”. Along the way, we'll examine infamous bans, bizarre edits, and the cultural anxieties that shaped what Australians were allowed to see on screen.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 7 mins
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