A History of Australia

A History of Australia

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A Chronological, Listenable, Academic podcast about Australia’s history.

ahistoryofaustralia


    • Jun 3, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 27m AVG DURATION
    • 91 EPISODES
    • 1 SEASONS


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    Latest episodes from A History of Australia

    Ep87: The Depression of the 1890s | 1892

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2025 27:12


    This week, we discuss the ongoing depression that is striking the Australian colonies. We also see strikes occur in Broken Hill, political changes galore, and true crime as we talk about the murders of Frederick Bailey Deeming.

    Ep86: The Queensland Shearers' Strike of 1891 | 1891

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025 32:15


    This week, we discuss the Queensland Shearers' Strike of 1891, one of the Great Strikes of the 1890s, and the one credited for transitioning Labour politics from strikes and activism to parliament and elections. In addition, we talk about the National Australasian Convention, where Australia's constitution was first decided upon, and the formation of Labor parties across the colonies. There is even more in this hefty episode, so be sure to listen! 

    Ep85: Responsible Government in Western Australia | 1890

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 18:46


    This week, we delve into Western Australia's struggle for responsible government, 30+ years after Australia's other colonies had achieved such a milestone. 

    Ep84: The Maritime Strike of 1890 | 1890

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2025 23:32


    This week, we discuss the first of the great strikes of the 1890s and the beginning of grand shifts in labour in Australia, the Maritime Strike of 1890. Furthermore, we talk about the first federation conference as well the importation of the Single Tax/Georgism ideology. We also discuss a few important premier changes.

    Ep83: The Origins of the Labor and Liberal Parties | 1889

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 27:51


    This week, we examine the beginnings of both the Liberal Party of Australia and the Australian Labor Party. We also discuss the continued move towards Federation, local colonial politics, and the first ever grand final in Australian Rules Football. We end by noting the fall of the Premier's Permanent Building Association, whose collapse signals the end of the Long Boom and the start of the 1890s Depression.

    Ep82: The Roots of the White Australia Policy | 1887 & 1888

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 29:46


    This week, we discuss the roots of the White Australia policy, as the forebearers of this most infamous policy begin to appear in the late 1880s. We also discuss the 1887 London Colonial Conference, the establishment of the Australian Socialist League, and so much more. Finally, we reflect on the fact that this episode represents 100 years from the start of white colonisation of New South Wales.

    Ep81: The Federal Council of Australasia | 1886

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2025 27:09


    This episode, we discuss the first Federal Council of Australasia, as we examine the year 1886. In addition, we see major political changes in NSW, Victoria, and Tasmania, as well as some significant moment's in Australia's labour history. 

    Ep80: Australian Involvement in the Mahdist/Sudan War | 1884 & 1885

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 27:40


    This week, we examine the NSW colony's involvement in the Mahdist War in Sudan, one of the first times colonial Australians fought in a war outside their continent. We also discuss the naval expansions of many of the colonies this week, in what seems like a very military-focused episode. To round this out, we talk about the case of the Hopeful in the ongoing issue that is Blackbirding in Queensland. And to finish, we discuss both premier changes and strikes around the colonies. 

    Ep79: Queensland's Annexation of New Guinea | 1883

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025 29:44


    This week, we dive into one of the first international moves an Australian colony makes, Queensland's annexation of New Guinea. We also discuss the 1883 Intercolonial Conference and the finalising of the Federal Council of Australasia. Furthermore, we take some time to look over the Kalkadoon wars of Queensland, as well as colonial politics in New South Wales and Victoria. 

    Ep78: The Ashes and Calls for Federation | 1881 & 1882

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 24:58


    This week, we examine the first major inter-colonial conferences to take the idea of federation seriously. Do such ideas succeed? Unlikely! We also discuss the start of Australia's most major cricketing tradition, the Ashes. Finally, we also talk about the beginning of major strikes in the 1880s, a trend that continued over the coming decades.

    Ep77: Ned Kelly Part Three | His Death and Legacy

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 37:59


    The culmination of what is now an audio documentary of Ned Kelly's life (at over 1.5hrs of content), this episode examines the Kelly Gang's last stand at Glenrowan, and the legacy of Ned Kelly.

    Ep76: Ned Kelly Part Two | The Fitzpatrick Incident to the Jerilderie Raid

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2025 38:24


    This week we'll be looking towards the Bushranger's life, as he goes from small-time criminal to well-known highwayman, and discuss what Ned did throughout the years that he was a Bushranger, from 1876 to 1879. 

    Ep75: Ned Kelly Part 1 | The Early Years

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 33:00


    In this episode, the first part of three, we look at the beginning of Ned Kelly's life, and his upbringing as part of the massive Kelly clan. We'll see how he grew up, and his first forays into a life of crime and bushranging, working to understand what led him to be the person he'd become.

    Ep74: The Sydney Riot of 1879 and Captain Moonlite | 1879 & 1880

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 24:25


    This week, we discuss the events of 1879-1880, as they occurred around Ned Kelly. From a riot over cricket which would include Australia's future first prime minister, to another bushranger whose life has been overshadowed by Kelly, this week is incredibly interesting!   Next week, we'll be diving straight into Ned Kelly and his gang!

    australia riot ned kelly captain moonlite
    Ep73: Black Wednesday and Political Chaos | 1877 & 1878

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 21:35


    This week, we examine the Victorian political event known as Black Wednesday, as well as a year of political chaos and strife for New South Wales. In addition, we discuss the first-ever Australian and English test cricket match.

    Ep72: The Catalpa Rescue | 1876

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2025 24:34


    This week, we discuss perhaps Australia's most infamous prison escape, the Catalpa Rescue. In addition, we talk about political changes, the New Zealand to Australia submarine telegraph line, and the death of Truganini.

    Ep71: The Premier and the Bushranger, the Fall of Henry Parkes' First Government | 1874 & 1875

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2024 27:32


    Merry Christmas! In this episode, we discuss the unlikely combo which led to the fall of Henry Parkes' first government. In addition, we talk about the SS Gothenburg wreck, the Running Waters Massacre, and the time SA decided to stray past the Goyder Line, with disastrous results. 

    Ep70: Uluru and Journeys Through the Centre of Australia | 1873

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 28:27


    This week, we discuss three explorers who attempt to make their way from the centre of Australia all the way to the west coast, battling Australia's great deserts along the way. In addition, we discuss the Clunes miner's strike, little Eureka as it were, as well as the Intercolonial conferences which create the groundwork for Federation.

    Ep69: The Australian Overland Telegraph Line | 1870 - 1872

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2024 30:00


    This week, we examine the creation of the Australian Overland Telegraph Line and see how Australia finally connects to the rest of the world. Furthermore, we discuss Mary Mackillop's excommunication, the rise of Henry Parkes to the role of Premier, and recap a bushranger who was missing from last weeks episode!   The Overland Telegraph Line: A Transcultural History | https://otlhistory.sa.gov.au/   A History of Australia @ Bluesky | https://bsky.app/profile/ahistoryofaus.bsky.social 

    Ep68: Billy Lanne, The Last Aboriginal Tasmanian Man of Full-Descent | 1869 & 1870

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2024 25:12


    This episode, we examine the life and death of the last Aboriginal Tasmanian man of full-descent, Billy Lanne. We also discuss prison breaks from Western Australia, gold finds in Victoria, and politics throughout the colonies.

    Ep67: A Royal Assassination Attempt | 1868

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 28:08


    This week, we discuss the first political assassination attempt in Australia's colonial history, as Prince Alfred, second son of Queen Victoria, is shot at a Sydney beachfront. In addition, frontier conflict, politics, and Blackbirding are all on the docket for this episode. Also, the podcast is now on Bluesky! Check it out here: https://bsky.app/profile/ahistoryofaus.bsky.social

    Ep66: WA and the End of Convict Transportation | 1867

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2024 32:36


    This week, we discuss the final, no caveats, end of convict transportation to Western Australia and Australia. In addition, we talk about the Clarke Brothers bushrangers, gold in Queensland, and politics throughout the country, as well the largest ever flood of the Hawkesbury River.

    Ep65: Bread Riots & Australia's First Saint | 1866

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024 23:56


    This week, we discuss Queensland economical crisis of 1866 and the subsequent Blood or Bread Riots. In addition, we also talk about Mary Mackillop, Australia's first and only Roman Catholic Saint. Finally, we look over the 1866 Victorian election as well as a few other political moments.

    Ep64: Bushrangers in 1860s Australia

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024 26:14


    This episode, we take a look at Australia in 1864-5, and discuss the lives and deaths of bushrangers Mad Dan Morgan and Ben Hall. In addition, politics and disaster are on the table, as well as a small cameo from the American Civil War. 

    Ep63: Blackbirding and Slavery in Queensland

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 27:03


    In this episode, we discuss the practice of Blackbirding, coerced and kidnapped slave labour, in the Queensland colony. We also talk about bushrangers, politics, and the hanging of Elizabeth Scott, the first woman to be hung in the Victorian colony. 

    Ep62: The Lambing Flat Riots

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2024 35:34


    This week, we examine the precursor to the White Australian policy in the Lambing Flat Riots. In addition, we discuss land reform in NSWs with the Robertson land acts, and the first ever Melbourne Cup!

    Ep61: The Race to Cross Australia

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2024 34:05


    This week, we look at the three major expeditions attempting to cross Australia in 1860-1861, John McDouall Stuart's fourth and fifth expeditions, and the disastrous Burke and Wills expedition. On top of this, we discuss the topic of land reform as the colonies finally attempt to take down the Squatters.

    Ep60: The Colonisation of Queensland

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2024 21:09


    This week, we look at the separation of Queensland from the NSW colony. We'll discuss both the process leading up to it, and what happened afterwards, to fully understand how Queensland was colonised.

    Ep59: The Year the Rabbits Came

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2024 26:47


    In this episode focusing on the year 1859, we talk about how rabbits first arrived on the continent now known for its infamous rabbit-proof fence. We also discuss the shipwreck of the Admella, the United Confederacy of the Chinese, and the Hospital Creek Massacre. Finally, we discuss two elections in the NSW colony, and one in the Victorian colony.

    Ep58: The First Game of Australian Rules Football

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2024 28:32


    This week, we discuss the first-ever game of Australian Rules Football. We also talk about the expeditions of Augustus Gregory and John McDouall Stuart and the connection of Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales by Telegraph lines. Finally, we talk about issues on the goldfields and in Victorian politics, making for quite a varied year in 1858.

    Ep57: The Buckland Riot and Political Chaos in 1857

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 29:11


    This week, we discuss the rise of anti-Chinese sentiment leading to the Buckland Riot. We also talk about all the political chaos across four different colonies, as well as some frontier wars and disasters. All in all, its a full on episode of Australia's history!

    Ep56: Responsible Colonial Government

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2024 29:01


    This week, we discuss the advent of Responsible Colonial Government, and all the political and electoral strife that brings to the Australian colonies.

    Ep55: Australia after Eureka

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2024 24:21


    In this episode we discuss the political and social changes that occur throughout a colonial Australia after the Eureka Stockade.

    Ep54: The Eureka Stockade Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2024 25:12


    This week, we end our three-parter on the Eureka stockade by looking at its immediate consequences and its long-term legacy throughout Australia's history. Is it the democratic, national revolution many say it is, or is it a more local, self-serving affair?

    Ep53: The Eureka Stockade Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 34:05


    This week, we discuss the Battle for the Stockade itself, and examine the final days leading up to it. 

    Ep52: The Eureka Stockade Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2024 26:29


    This episode, we discuss the immediate causes in the months leading up to the Eureka Stockade. Join us for the first of three parts, discussing the Stockade and its legacy!

    Ep51: 1854 before the Eureka Stockade

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2024 21:39


    This week, we discuss everything that is happening throughout Australia in 1854 before the Eureka Stockade. We'll observe the first telegraphs and trains on the continent, alongside fears of Russian invasions! This episode will serve as an excellent backdrop to understand how the colonies are moving when we get to the stockade itself.

    Ep50: The Bunyip Aristocracy

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2024 35:44


    In this episode, we discuss the year 1853, with its sprees of bushranger crimes, new frontier conflicts, ongoing issues with the gold license system, the final end of convict transportation to Victoria and Van Diemen's Land, and the Bunyip Aristocracy. It's a very packed episode!

    Ep49: Gold and Floods in 1852

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2024 35:40


    This week, we continue our dive into Australia's gold rushes. We also discuss the lingering death of convict transportation to the Eastern colonies, as well as the most deadly flood in Australia's history.

    Ep48: The Goldfields of 1851

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2024 32:51


    This week, we examine the goldfields of mid and late 1851, as well as the reason the gold diggers first began protesting in Victoria. In addition, we also look at the first Black Thursday fires on the continent and the first inter-colonial cricket match, while also taking some time to discuss the anti-transportation sentiment in the colonies of Australia at this time.

    Ep47: EUREKA! The Gold Rush Begins

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2024 37:00


    In this episode, we discuss the beginning of the gold rush in Australia. We also take some time to talk about the possible pre-gold rush gold finds that may or may not have happened through Australia's history, so if you're into gold (and the gold rush), this episode is for you!

    Ep46: Colonial Australia before the Gold Rush

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2024 36:50


    This episode, we overview Colonial Australia just before the Gold Rush in 1851. The episode is packed to the brim with political, social, and economical change, and contains some interesting stories and threads that will continue throughout the next decade. If you're interested in reading about my Trove rabbit-hole when it came to that story regarding Victoria's separation, feel free to check out the post I made on the podcast's website, linked here for easy access: https://ahistoryofaustraliapodcast.wordpress.com/?p=141

    Ep 45: The Disappearance of Ludwig Leichhardt

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2024 25:19


    This week, we discuss the disappearance of Ludwig Leichhardt in the Australia's great desert, while also talking about the issue of convict transportation throughout the colony, and the start of NSW separating with the Port Phillip District and Melbourne.

    Minisode 4: Australia's Involvement in New Zealand's Frontier Wars

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2024 17:56


    This week, we take a break from our chronological retelling of Australia's history to discuss Australia's involvement in our neighbour's colonisation, as well as in their frontier wars. 

    Ep44: The Failures of Governors Gipps and Wilmot

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2024 28:09


    This week, we explore the failures and downfalls of both NSW Governor Gipps and Van Dieman's Land Governor Wilmot. We also discuss the risky exploration undertaken by Ludwig Leichhardt and Charles Sturt, and how they both nearly fell to Australia's wilderness. 

    Ep43: Democracy and Squatters

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2024 30:30


    This week, we look towards the lurching forward of democracy which occurred throughout New South Wales in the early 1840s. We also take the time to discuss Governor Gipps' legislative brawl with the Squatters, and the political strife ongoing in Van Dieman's Land.

    Minisode 03: Norfolk Island and its Many Convict Mutinies

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2024 18:59


    In this minisode, we discuss Norfolk Island and the half a dozen convict mutinies, rebellions, and riots which occurred throughout its second period of colonisation. 

    Ep42: The Great Depression of the 1840s

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2024 36:07


    In this episode, we discuss the ongoings of colonial Australia during the period of 1840-1843, with a specific focus towards the colonies affected by the Depression of the 1840s. These include the downfall of South Australia, the failure of Australind, and the recession of New South Wales, all of which we'll discuss today!

    Ep41: Frontier War in South Australia

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2024 34:12


    This week we examine Frontier warfare in the "free colony" of Australia, and see whether 50 years of experience and knowledge changes frontier warfare for the better or worse. 

    Minisode 02: Elizabeth Macarthur

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2024 19:35


    In this minisode, we overview the life of Elizabeth Macarthur, wife of John Macarthur and perhaps the true pioneer of Australia's wool industry.

    Ep40: The End of NSW's Convict Transportation

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2024 27:18


    We've got a packed episode this week, as we overview Frontier War in Victoria and NSW, the end of two Governors, and the cessation of Convict Transportation to NSW. 

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