On Saturday 19 March 1932 Captain Francis Edward de Groot, dressed in full military uniform, raced up on horseback, drew his ceremonial sword, and cut the ribbon declaring the Sydney Harbour Bridge open and proclaiming he was doing so "in the name of the decent and respectable people of New South Wales.”

Here is a YouTube clip that shows some of the footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19R0d1VCGxM

Email me at: jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

Music courtesy of Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post-production and Emmie the AWP Wonder Dog for security.

Warning to Indigenous Australians -this episode may refer to people who have passed away.

On Australia Day 1972, four young Aboriginal men erected a beach umbrella on the lawns outside Parliament House in Canberra and put up a sign, which read 'Aboriginal Embassy'.

Check out a short youtube documentary about this important political protest site (but ignore some of the stupid racist comments in the comments section):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlBS4GO-xJE

Kenny Dampier, Executive Producer, is down with a bug. So apologies for the low production quality. But thanks to Emmie, the wonder dog, for helping with the recording. 

Sixty years ago Melbourne hosted the Olympics. In this episode we look at two events– one in the lead up to the Olympic games and the other during the games. The first is the Olympic Torch Hoax and the second is the ‘blood in the water’ water polo match between the Soviet Union and Hungary.

Here’s a few YouTube videos of the water polo match, including one from a movie made about it all:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ca8P65IUkM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLoA5yLZ4l4

Executive Producer Kenny Dampier is still on other projects. So apologies for lower production quality than usual.  

Email me at: jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!

On the 7th of July 1986, Australians Kevin Barlow and Brian Chambers were hanged in Malaysia for possession of 141.9 grams of heroin. They were the first ‘Westerners’ to be executed under new and tougher drug laws introduced in Malaysia in 1983.

Production quality is a little lower for this episode. But Ken Dampier, Executive Producer is busy on other projects.

Email me at: jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

Music courtesy of Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post-production.

In this episode we review the cycling career of one of the greats of Australian cycling – Phil Anderson. Anderson was the first Australian to wear the maillot jueune, or the yellow leader’s jersey, at the Tour de France.

Vive la France, Vive le Tour!!!

Email me at: jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

Music courtesy of Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

Thanks to Ken Dampier, Executive Producer, for post production.

In this episode we are going to look at four bushrangers you might never have heard of - John Cesar, Sam Poo, Mary Ann Bugg, and John Gilbert. John Cesar was our first bushranger, Sam Poo our only Chinese bushranger. and Mary Anne Bugg our first Indigenous female bushranger.

Some sources:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/First-bushrangers-trace-back-to-African-roots/2005/01/26/1106415665901.html

http://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/2866513/australias-only-chinese-bushranger-remembered-150-years-on/

http://www.thunderboltbushranger.com.au/mary-ann-bugg.html

http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/gilbert-john-johnny-3609

The entire Dampier family has been ill with a really nasty virus. So apologies for taking this long to get this episode out.

You may never have heard of Howard Florey. But chances are you owe this Australian your life or the life of someone close to you. His work on the development of the first penicillin-based antibiotic medicines in the 1940s has probably saved millions of people worldwide.

We also revisit the Hilton Bombing. A new book by Rachel Landers called ‘Who Bombed the Hilton’ puts forward the case that it was actually the Ananda Marga that carried out the bombing. It seems I may have been wrong!!

In this episode we are looking at some strange Australian history that show just how weird a place Australia is. This includes: the Great Emu Wars, when female convicts mooned the Lieutenant-Governor of Tasmania, the woman on the $20 note, our Prime Minister who held a Guinness World record for beer drinking and how the Western Australian town of Esperance tried to fine NASA for littering when Skylab crashed.

Here’s a YouTube video on The Great Emu War, very funny:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9G6WCsfoow'

A picture of the $20 note featuring Mary Reibey:

http://www.polymernotes.com/australia20.html

Bob Hawke sculling a schooner in 10 seconds:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5mBShX9fdU

Email me at: jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

Music courtesy of Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post-production, and for his ever lasting knowledge

It’s the ANZAC Day long weekend. And it's also family history time!!

Find out how my grandfather Company Quartermaster Sergeant Major William Cook was captured in North Africa in November 1942, was made prisoner of war, and escaped via the Vatican. An amazing story and one I did not believe until my family was recently able to retrieve official War Office documents!! I’ll post these documents on the AWP Facebook page.

I know it isn't strictly Australian history, but it is a great story.

At 12,40 am on 13 February 1978, a bomb exploded outside the Hilton Hotel in Sydney. The bomb killed two garbage collectors and a police officer. The Hilton Hotel was the site of the first Commonwealth Heads of Government Regional Meeting.

Two members of the Ananda Marga Hindu religious sect, Tim Anderson and Evan Pederick were convicted of the bombing. Anderson was subsequently acquitted. Controversy and conspiracy theories have surrounded the incident and some have claimed that ASIO was responsible.

Email me at: jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

Music courtesy of Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post-production.

Do you know what the capital city of Australia is? If you live overseas you will probably answer Sydney. Wrong! It’s actually Canberra. Some people say that Canberra is a good sheep station spoiled. In this episode we learn about how Canberra came into being, how it got its name, and why it is located where it is.

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/documentaries/downloads/canberraconf_facts.pdf

https://www.nationalcapital.gov.au/index.php/fact-sheets

Email me at: jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

Music courtesy of Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

Thanks to Ken Dampier, who is currently on holidays in Thailand, for post-production.

Maybe you have seen a photo of the medal ceremony for the men's 200 meters at the Mexico City Olympics in 1968. U.S. sprinter and Gold medallist Tommie Smith and his compatriot John Carlos, the Bronze medallist, stand on the dais. They have no shoes on and each is wearing a single black glove on one hand. They are thrusting their fists into the air in a black power salute and their heads are bowed in protest as the Star Spangled Banner is played. It was an act of defiance aimed at protesting against segregation and racism against African Americans back home in the United States.

But let’s take our gaze away from Tommie Smith and John Carlos. You will see a small guy from Australia standing still. It’s Peter Norman. What few people realise is that Peter Norman is the forgotten hero of that medal ceremony.

Sources for this episode include:

http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2012/s3572112.htm

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/world-finally-recognises-littleknown-aussie-hero-in-iconic-photo/news-story/0ddb2750053826e4baf7c2c749ba606a

http://www.andrewleigh.com/3389

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9NsN0ybTec

http://salute.vhx.tv/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D35uvpN3IKk

http://corporate.olympics.com.au/news/peter-norman-not-shunned-by-aoc

 Email me at: jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

 Music courtesy of Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

 Thanks to Ken Dampier for post-production.

On the morning of 19 February 1942, just 10 weeks after the Japanese navy launch its attack on Pearl Harbour, mainland Australia came under attack from the sky. Japanese forces mounted two air raids on Darwin. The raids involved 54 land-based bombers and approximately 188 attack aircraft, which were launched from four Japanese aircraft carriers in the Timor Sea.

For more details visit the Australian War memorial website at: https://www.awm.gov.au/talks-speeches/1942-bombing-of-darwin/

Email me at: jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

Music courtesy of Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post-production.

Juanita Nielsen was an Australian newspaper publisher and conservationist who was leading a campaign against high rise development in Victoria Street, Kings Cross in Sydney. On the 4th of July 1975 she disappeared, never to be seen again.  A coronial inquest found that Nielsen had most likely been murdered. But the case has never been officially solved.

In this episode we are going to look at the criminal underbelly of Sydney in the late 1960s and 1970s. We will try and get to the bottom of just what happened to Juanita Nielsen and why.

Music courtesy of Dano at: www.danosongs.com

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post production.

Email me at jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com and visit the Aussie waves Podcast Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/AussieWavesPodcast

On Christmas Eve 1974 Tropical Cyclone Tracy destroyed the northern Australian city of Darwin. The cyclone took Darwin by completely by surprise and 71 people died. This was before the internet and it took the rest of Australia a while to find out what happened.

Check out the you've video of the song Santa never made it into Darwin by Bill and Boyd at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HYbgLcIz2s

For more images and sounds of Cyclone Tracy visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvyuFmk6s_U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B89wBGydSvs

Finally, take a moment during the Christmas-New Year Break to have a look at Steve Lee's Gremlins Toolbox on Facebook. If you like fantasy fiction I think you will enjoy some of the uploads on this Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GremlinsToolboxAudioLair/?fref=photo

And also take a listen to the talented Mr Lee's podcast, Audiolair. You can download it from iTunes, Google Play or any other podcast App.

Music courtesy of Dano at: www.danosongs.com

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post production.

Email me at jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com and visit the Aussie waves Podcast Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/AussieWavesPodcast

In this episode we will be looking at what happened immediately after the dismissal and how it al played out in the December 1975 election. We will also investigate the ramifications of the 11th November dismissal, including a number of crucial questions about Australian democracy and the Constitution.

Check out Sir John Kerr's letter dismissing Whitlam as Prime Minister: http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/snapshots/dismissal/dismissal-letter.aspx

Music courtesy of Dano at: www.danosongs.com

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post production.

Email me at jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com and visit the Aussie waves Podcast Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/AussieWavesPodcast

At 1.15 pm on the 11th of November 1975, 40 years ago, Edward Gough Whitlam, the 21st Prime Minister of Australia, was dismissed by the Governor-General Sir John Kerr. The Dismissal of Whitlam and his Government was one of the most dramatic and controversial political events in Australian history. And this is the 40th anniversary of that event.

Checkout the excellent Tandberg cartoon on the dismissal at: http://whitlamdismissal.com/images/tandberg-large.jpg

Music courtesy of Dano at: www.danosongs.com

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post production.

Email me at jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com and visit the Aussie waves Podcast Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/AussieWavesPodcast

Remember The Seekers? Only if you are over 50 years old, probably. The Seekers was one of the first Aussie Pop Groups to make it big overseas. I used to think their music was way too lame. But maybe I did them a disservice. The angelic voice of Judith Durham took them to the top of the charts in Australia, the UK and the US. For this episode listen to a few of their hit songs at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ga9Bs4fzSY&list=RD4Ga9Bs4fzSY#t=0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5pvpIvz5YQ&list=RD4Ga9Bs4fzSY&index=3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nze8B39OB0k&index=4&list=RD4Ga9Bs4fzSY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSVfLNCW4Fs&index=2&list=RD4Ga9Bs4fzSY

Very 1960s wholesome music.

On the 21 October 1978, 20 year old frederick Valentich dissappeared while on a training flight over Bass Strait.  Some say he was taken by a UFO. 

On 22^nd August 1966, Vincent Lingiari, led a walk-off of 200 Aboriginal stockmen, domestic servants, and their families from the Wave Hill cattle station in the Northern Territory. The protest was about the poor work and pay conditions on the cattle station. But it was much more than that. It was also a struggle for Indigenous land rights and it changed Australia forever. Let’s see how ‘from little things big things grow’.

Check out the YouTube video of the Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody song ‘From Little Things Big Things Grow’. The didgeridoo solo at the end is pretty darned cool:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_ndC07C2qw 

Also check out the original petition from the Gurindji people to the Governor-General Lord Casey:

http://indigenousrights.net.au/land_rights/wave_hill_walk_off,_1966-75/a_petition_to_the_governor-general

Over the course of two days –the 28th and 29th of April 1996, Martin Bryant killed 35 people at and near the historic Port Arthur convict prison site some 100 kilometres north east of Hobart.

This tragic event had significant implications for Australia. It enabled the introduction of tighter national gun control laws to ensure that an event like this never happened in Australia again.

In its aftermath conspiracy theories have arisen that challenge whether Martin Bryant was the killer. We take a quick look at some of these conspiracy theories. For a concise debunking of these conspiracy theories visit Brian Dunning’s Skeptoid podcast at: http://skeptoid.com/episodes/4253

Music courtesy of Dano at: www.danosongs.com

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post production.

Email me at jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com and visit the Aussie waves Podcast Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/AussieWavesPodcast 

It’s Tour de France time and this gives us an opportunity to remember a man who many consider was Australia’s best ever, competitive professional cyclist, Sir Hubert Opperman, or as he is more commonly, and affectionately known, Oppy.

Then we look at the life of Margaret McLachlan. McLachlan was a female cyclist who in the 1960s tried to enter the world of competitive cycling. But back in those days the cycling establishment was not a welcoming place for women. She was banned from competitive cycling despite the protestation from other cyclists. Margaret McLachlan with the support of her husband John then went on to set long distance records. Hers is an inspiring story of overcoming the odds despite discrimination against women.

Check out an article on Margaret McLachlan at: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/51771035?searchTerm=Margaret%20McLachlan%20AND%20%22race%22%20AND%20(cycling)&searchLimits=exactPhrase=race%7C%7C%7CanyWords=cycling%7C%7C%7CnotWords%7C%7C%7Cl-textSearchScope=*ignore*%7C*ignore*%7C%7C%7Cfromdd%7C%7C%7Cfrommm%7C%7C%7Cfromyyyy%7C%7C%7Ctodd%7C%7C%7Ctomm%7C%7C%7Ctoyyyy%7C%7C%7Cl-word=*ignore*%7C*ignore*%7C%7C%7Csortby

In this episode we are in the Philipines - the birthplace of my gorgeous wife Nilda. We are visiting close friends and relatives in Kalibo on the island of Panay and in the province of Aklan. We also visit the beautiful island of Boracay. I had hoped to record some interviews but it didn't quite work out. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy this overview of Filipino history.  I know it ain't Aussie history - but I do make some tenuous links to Australia in the episode.

Check out the photos on the AWP Facebook page.

Email me at: jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com 

On the night of 31 May 1942 – some 73 years ago - World War II came to Sydney when the Japanese navy launched a daring attack on Sydney Harbour. That night three Japanese midget submarines entered Sydney Harbour to destroy Allied naval and merchant shipping. While the attack inflicted minimal damage on shipping, 27 people died, including all of the crew of the Japanese submarines.

At the time of the attacks many Australians were outraged that the Japanese submariners were given a funeral with full military honours. But over time Australians have come to respect the courage and bravery that these men displayed.

Music courtesy of Dano at: www.danosongs.com

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post production.

Email me at jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com and visit the Aussie waves Podcast Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/AussieWavesPodcast

The Ode of Remembrance is recited every ANZAC Day to to commemorate those Australian women and men who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Ode Of Remembrance

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old.

Age Shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,

We will remember them.

Lest we forget.

On  25 April every year, Australians commemorate ANZAC Day. ANZAC Day commemorates the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 during World War 1. This is the 100^th anniversary of those landings.

Visit the amazing Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABCs) Gallipoli interactive website: http://www.abc.net.au/innovation/gallipoli/gallipoli2.htm#

And watch Channel 9’s Gallipoli series at: http://www.9jumpin.com.au/show/gallipoli/

Email me at jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com and visit the Aussie waves Podcast Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/AussieWavesPodcast

Enter the AWP coffee mug giveaway by emailing me. Entries close on 31 May 2015. Unfortunately it is only open to Australian listeners.

In this episode we examine the aftermath of the Rum Rebellion. There were a series of trials and court martials after the coup and these had profound effects on the major players – particularly Bligh, Macarthur and Johnston. 

Enter the AWP coffee mug competition. Entries close on 31 May 2015. It’s easy to enter – just email me. Unfortunately this completion is only open to Australian listeners. The cost of postage to international destinations is just too high.

Music courtesy of Dano at: www.danosongs.com

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post production.

Email me at jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com and visit the Aussie waves Podcast Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/AussieWavesPodcast 

As a schoolboy growing up in the Macarthur region on the outskirts of Sydney, John Macarthur and George Johnston were considered heroes who had deposed the cruel, villainous and cowardly tyrant William Bligh. But was it really like this? Were Johnston and Macarthur right to overthrow Bligh or have we got it completely wrong? Maybe Bligh should be seen as the man who stood up to the wealthy and powerful Macarthur?

In this episode we are going on a journey to the moment Major George Johnston and the NSW Corps entered Government House in Sydney and ousted William Bligh from office on 26 January 1808. This was the only military coup d’état ever to occur in Australia.

Enter the AWP coffee mug competition.  Three coffee mugs are on offer.  Entries close on Sunday 31 May 2015 - not 30 April which is what i say in the podcast.  To enter email me at jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

Unfortunately this competition is only open to Australian listeners – the cost of postage to international destinations is just too high.

Music courtesy of Dano at: www.danosongs.com

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post production.

Email me at jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com and visit the Aussie waves Podcast Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/AussieWavesPodcast

On 26^th January 1808, exactly 20 years to the day after the arrival of the first Fleet, Governor William Bligh (of the Mutiny on the Bounty infamy) was deposed in a coup d’etat by the New South Wales Corps - under the command of Major George Johnston and with the backing of John Macarthur.

The history we learned at school was that Macarthur and Johnston were the heroes of the day. Bligh was a villainous and cruel tyrant.  The real story is far more complex.  The Rum Rebellion was really about political and economic control of the colony of New South Wales.

Music courtesy of Dano at: www.danosongs.com

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post production.

Email me at jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com and visit the Aussie waves Podcast Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/AussieWavesPodcast

In this episode we reflect on the First Fleet and come to some conclusions about it all. Then we look at two men – Pemulwuy and Bennelong. Both were Aboriginal men who played important roles in the early years of the colony of New South Wales.

Check out the YouTube video of Mirusia Louwerse singing the old Aussie folk song Bound for Botany Bay. It’s a song about a convict being transported to Australia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQCIUKgHc5k

Email me at jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com and visit the Aussie Waves Podcast Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/AussieWavesPodcast

Music courtesy of Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post-production.

On the morning of 13May 1787 the First Fleet weighed anchor and set sail from Portsmouth, England.  On 26 January 1788 the First Fleet arrived in Sydney Harbour. In this episode we relive the journey out to New South Wales and see what it was like for the colonists in the first few years of the new colony. Needless to say, it was pretty hard going. There was a constant threat of starvation and there were skirmishes with the local Aboriginal people – the Eora. 

For this episode check out the Sydney Museum website. There is an exhibition on the First Fleet ships at: http://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/museum-of-sydney

Email me at jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com and visit the Aussie waves Podcast Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/AussieWavesPodcast

In this episode we are embarking on a voyage to Botany Bay with the First Fleet.  On 13 May 1787 eleven ships commanded by Captain Arthur Phillip set sail  from Portsmouth, England and headed for Botany Bay. On board were 1420 people of which 755 were convicts. Eight months later they arrived in Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) to found the penal colony of New South Wales.

For this episode I recommend Robert Hughes’ book The Fatal Shore.  This can be downloaded as an e-book from Amazon and can be purchased in bookstores in Australia. Check out a YouTube video of the Australian folk song 'Bound for Botany Bay' at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEYseM_R6Hk

And since it's the Australia Day Long Weekend also have a look at a song called 'We Are Australian" written by Bruce Woodley of The Seekers fame and Dobe Newton from The Bushwackers and sung by Australian Soprano Marusia Louwerse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtpBUQoVups

Email me at: jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

Music courtesy of the talented Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post-production.

In this episode we remember Gough Whitlam’s visits to China – the People’s Republic of China - in 1971 and 1973. The 1971 visit, when Whitlam was Opposition Leader, paved the way for the diplomatic recognition of China and sowed the seeds for a thriving cultural and economic relationship. In 1973 Whitlam became the first Australian Prime Minister to travel to China.

Visit the Whitlam Institute website – where much of the material for this episode was sourced: http://www.whitlam.org/

Also check out the It’s Time TV commercial from the 1972 election campaign. Whitlam shakes hands with Premier Zhou at around the 1 minute 15 second mark:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqMCZBjvmD4

Music courtesy of Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post-production.

In the late 1800s Indian labourers were sent to work in Fiji in the sugar cane farms as indentured workers. Following the 1987 military coup and the coups that followed many have moved to Australia. According to the 2011 Census 57,000 Fijian born people live in Australia and of this 36,000 are Indian.

For this episode I recommend: www.girmitunited.org  – a website dedicated to preserving the history of the Indian Fijians.

You can always email me at jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

Music courtesy of Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post-production.

For more than 20,000 years the Snowy region was home to the Ngarigo people and a number of other Aboriginal peoples.  White settlement meant that in the 1800s the Ngarigo people were forced from their lands.

Up until the mid 20^th century the Snowy was the province of farmers and high country horsemen as immortalised on Banjo Patterson’s poem The Man from Snowy River.

But after WWII, it was populate or perish and in this environment the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electricity Scheme was built.  Over 100,000 people from over thirty countries came to the mountains to work on the Scheme.

For this episode I recommend you read or listen to The Man from Snowy River:

http://www.poetrylibrary.edu.au/poets/paterson-a-b-banjo/the-man-from-snowy-river-0001004

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs_-DKUimeo

 Email me at: jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

 Music courtesy of Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

 Thanks to Ken Dampier for post-production.

We continue our two part series on how Australia’s system of Government works. In this episode we cover:

·      how the House of Representatives and the Senate work;

·      how a new law is created and passed by the Parliament; and

·      how do we keep the Government honest?

Then we take a brief look at one of the founders of Australian democracy and the federal Australian Labor Party, King O’Malley

For this episode I recommend you watch Question Time from the House of Representatives at:  http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/House_of_Representatives

 Email me at: jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

Music courtesy of Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post-production.

This is Part 1 of a two part series on Australia’s system of Government. After white settlement the colony of New South Wales was divided up into the six colonies of Australia. Each of these colonies formed their own Governments and reported directly back to Britain.

From the 1850s, however, there became a view that the colonies of Australia should federate to form a new nation of Australia. On 1 January 1901 Australia did federate to form the Commonwealth of Australia.  Australia adopted a hybrid model taking bits from the British Westminster and American Federal systems.

For this episode visit the Australian Parliament House website at: http://www.aph.gov.au

Email me at: jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

Music courtesy of Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post-production.

The first German people arrived in Australia on the First Fleet in 1788.  Despite this, when World War I was declared around 4500 German-Australians found themselves interned in camps for the duration of the war.

For more information check out the Migration Heritage of New South Wales website at www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au  and the National Archives of Australia website at: http://naa.gov.au/collection/snapshots/internment-camps/index.aspx

Email me at: jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

Music courtesy of Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post-production.

The first Jewish people to come to Australia arrived on the First Fleet on 26 January 1788. Among the 827 convicts on the English First Fleet were at least 8 and possibly up to 14 or 15 British convicts who were Jewish.

On board was Esther Abrahams. Esther would go on to become the First Lady of the Colony of New South Wales and an important landholder and farmer in her own right.

Over the past few hundred years there have been several waves of Jewish migration to Australia.  More recently after the Second World War Australia accepted significant numbers of Jewish refugees from war ravaged Europe. 

For this episode I recommend the excellent Australian history podcast Last Stop to Nowhere hosted by Michael Sloan and Kyle Sherer. You can download it from ITunes.

Check out the Sydney Jewish Museum’s website: www.sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au 

Also have a listen to Renee Geyer singing Heading in the Right Direction – such a beautiful voice:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjYfkswK_yssp

Finally, read the Australian Geographic article on the discovery of an 18^th Century Chinese coin found on Elcho Island off the coast of Arnhem Land, Northern Territory:

http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/news/2014/08/18th-century-chinese-coin-found-in-arnhem-land

Email me at: jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

Music courtesy of Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post-production.

In this episode we explore the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples before the arrival of white European settlers. We also look at first contact with Europeans – the Dutch explorers and finally the British. I use the Aussie rock band Goanna’s song Solid Rock to tie the episode together.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should execise caution if listening to this episode as it may contain the names of people who have passed away.

Check out a YouTube clip of Goanna performing Solid Rock on Countdown (an Australian TV music show of the 1970s and 1980s):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t94RBuiOgsA

Another great Aussie Song is Christine Anu’s version of My Island Home. The video is from the closing ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDyc-T2AYt4

Email me at: jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

Music courtesy of Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post-production.

In this episode we consider ten sometimes strange but true facts about Australia. These are:

• Australia really is populated by extremely dangerous animals that can and will kill you
• Australia was established as a penal colony
• The Prime Minister is missing
• Our strange ‘population’
• Giving women the vote
• How much can a koala bear?
• Australians love a good fence
• We eat our coat of arms
• We have a Queen - Australia is a Monarchy

For this episode I recommend thee movie Rabbit Proof Fence and also check out the Northern Territory News – it’s bound to have a croc story. Check out their web page at: http://www.ntnews.com.au/

Email me at: jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

Music courtesy of Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post-production.

AWP-07-Sugar Slaves and the Eurovision Song Contest

This deplorable part of Australian history is not widely known about. Between 1863 and 1904, some 62,000 South Sea Islanders were brought to Australia as indentured labour, and some say as slaves, to work on the cane fields in Queensland. It was on their backs that the Queensland sugar industry was built.

Despite the hardships, many Australians of South Sea Islander heritage have achieved a high profile in the community as civil rights activists, in politics and sport. We focus on one of the great Rugby League players of all time Mal Meninga.

Then we turn our attention to the Eurovision Cong Contest. Every year, around a million Australians tune into Eurovision. This year was special as Australian singer Jessica Mauboy was given the honour of performing at Eurovision as a guest artist.

Check out:

‘Sugar Slaves’ by Imelda Miller (2010) http://www.qhatlas.com.au/content/sugar-slaves

George Negus Tonight interview first broadcast on 13/09/2004. Transcript at: http://www.abc.net.au/gnt/history/Transcripts/s1197807.htm

The ABC article ‘A Form of Slavery’:

http://www.abc.net.au/federation/fedstory/ep2/ep2_people.htm

Jessica Mauboy’s appearance at Eurovision:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUsJi8nKsj0

Email me at: jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

Music courtesy of Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post-production.

AWP-06-Famous Chinese-Australians

In this episode we take a peak at four remarkable Chinese-Australians. These are:Billy Sing the decorated WWI war hero; Helene Chung the journalist and author; Dr Victor Chang the path breaking heart surgeon, whose life was so tragically cut short; and Penny Wong the Australian politician and former Government Minister.

For this episode I recommend Helene Chung’s book Ching Chong China Girl – from fruit shop to foreign correspondent. You can buy a copy by following the links from Helene Chung’s website: http://www.helenechung.com

Music by Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post-production and Mr Laszlo Montgomery for continued encouragement and advice.

Email me at jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

AWP-05-The Chinese and the Gold Rush

Ni Hao!

The Gold Rushes of the 1850s bought the first large numbers of Chinese settlers to Australia.  Before 1850 fewer than 50 or so Chinese migrants had come to Australia, but by the early 1860s this number had risen to 40,000. Many came out as bonded labourers having to work long hours mining for gold to pay off their fare.

The Chinese have had a great influence on Australian culture and of course cuisine. On the goldfields, however, they faced discrimination and violence. Two of the most infamous cases were the Lambing Flat Riots and the Buckland Riot.

This month’s recommendation is The Rise and Fall of China by the late Professor Richard Baum. The audio book may be downloaded from: http://www.audible.com/

Also check out:

• Bill Richardson’s article on Gavin Menzies’ claims at: http://www.1421exposed.com/html/imaginography.html

• Laszlo Montgomery’s China Histroy Podcast on the remarkable life of Admiral Zheng He at: http://www.1421exposed.com/html/imaginography.html

 Music by Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

AWP Episode 4 - The Dunera Boys

On 10 July 1940, 2,542 detainees, all classified as ‘enemy aliens’, were placed on the HMT Dunera in Liverpool the United Kingdom and 57 days later they docked at Sydney Harbour.  On board were over 2,000 male Jewish refugees who had fled Nazi Germany. Conditions on board were appalling and during the voyage these men were badly mistreated by their guards with many beaten.

Despite this, a large number of the ‘Dunera Boys’ remained in Australia, made a life for themselves and alos contributed greatly to Australian science, academia and culture. 

One of the Sources used for this episode: Ken Inglis “From Berlin to the Bush” Monthly, August 2010.  http://www.themonthly.com.au/monthly-essays-ken-inglis-berlin-bush--2638

The recommendation for this month is “A Bridge Too Far” by Cornelius Ryan.

Music by Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

Thanks to Ken Dampier, jet engine extraordinaire for post-production.

 Email me at: jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

Aussie Waves Podcast Episode 3:The Afghan Cameleers

This episode tells the story of the Cameleers who with their camels played a critical role in opening up inland Australia from the 1860s until the early 1900s.  Their story is one of hardship and discrimination. 

The invention of the internal combustion engine eventually secured the end of the Cameleer era. By the late 1920s there were almost no cameleers left plying the inland.

For more information on the cameleers go to http://www.cameleers.net/

Music by Dan-O at: http://www.danosongs.com/

Thanks to Ken Dampier for post production.

Episode 2 of the Aussie Waves Podcast with James Dampier.  In this episode we look at 'Ten Pound Poms'. 

After World War II around a million people migrated to Australia from the British Isles under an assisted migration scheme. Thr cost of the boat trip out to Australia was ten pound sterling. Hence the term 'Ten Pound Poms'. These people made a great contribution to Australia and their children continue to do so. While many made a great life for themsleves, it wasn't all beer and skittles. 

This month's recommendation is the History of England Podcast by David Crowther. You can download from iTunes or at:  http://historyofengland.typepad.com/

If you want to email me I can be contacted at jamesdampier.awp@gmail.com

Music by Dan-O at: danosongs.com 

Welcome to The Aussie Waves Podcast by James Dampier.  The Aussie Waves Podcast tells Australian history though the lens of all those peoples who have made the journey from other lands to call Australia home.  Episode 1 is a short introductory episode.

Each week I will make a recommendation. This week's it is Laszlo Mongometry's China Histroy Podcast.  Visit the CHP webssite at: http://chinahistorypodcast.com