How convict behind Australia’s greatest escape dodged the noose
Convict James Porter and his crewmates were viewed as mutineer scum when they escaped Australia in a leaky stolen boat, but were later hailed as heroes in their new home 10,000km away.
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How larrikin convict escaped to Chile in a leaky boat
In 1833 cockney sailor James Porter pulled off an audacious escape – stealing a leaky boat with nine other convicts and sailing all the way to South America and a life of freedom.
How shonky evidence hanged innocent man
After a hefty reward was offered to solve Melbourne’s Gun Alley murder, a parade of shonky witnesses with outlandish claims sent an innocent man to his death.
How Aussie nurse survived massacre by playing dead
When Sister Vivian Bullwinkel was shot with a machinegun in one of the worst massacres of World War II, a split-second decision to feign death saved her life. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST.
How morse code operator ‘Mrs Mac’ helped win WWII
When wireless pioneer Violet McKenzie realised Australia was short of Morse code operators as WWII approached, she opened a free school and trained thousands of young women. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST.
How bookshop founder nurtured a generation of authors
After fleeing Nazi Germany as a child, Albert Ullin set up Australia’s first bookshop specifically for children – and inspired a generation of authors and illustrators. LISTEN NOW TO THE PODCAST
How conman duped Aussies with 26 fake identities
From a bogus doctor to counterfeit clergyman to US consul-general, Australian con artist Anthony Duerdin adopted at least 26 fake identities. But it was more about chasing thrills than the cash. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST.
How ‘Flash Jack’ made his fortune from Ned Kelly’s hanging
From street beggar to child prisoner to Australia’s best-known celebrity showman, “Flash Jack” Donovan packed a lot into his remarkable 57-year life, including making a fortune off Ned Kelly’s hanging.
How swindler conned Melburnians with one simple trick
Ex-convict Smith Brown used a heart-shaped wooden matchbox and one simple trick to fool 1800s Melburnians into handing over their savings, making him one of old Melbourne’s craftiest conmen. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST.
How shonky undertaker conned Melbourne
When shonky undertaker Charles Jones got fed up paying religious ministers to officiate at his funerals, he simply registered his own church with himself as its preacher to save costs. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST.
Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/jen-kelly/page/23