Ever Wonder About Down Under?

By Caitlin Booth

Don’t worry; this isn’t an article about you privates. It’s an exploration of some of the best podcasts your Aussie mates have on offer. If you think life Down Under is all creepy crawlies, crocs and political chaos, you’re right. But there’s a lot more to sink your teeth into than just another shrimp on the barbie. Get your ears around these bad boys…

All Aussie Mystery Hour

Not strictly a true-crime podcast, but one that sits at the same table, these hour-long episodes delve into infamous Australian mysteries and unsolved cases. Delightful hosts, Melissa Mason and Josie Rozenberg-Clarke, take turns researching each episode and present it to the counterpart, complete with gory details and hypothesis on who/what dunnit.  This is the podcast for you if you want to get to know a little bit about Australia’s mythical big-foot equivalent, the Yowie, or hear a ‘Wild Tale About How a Murdered Man’s Arm Wound Up Inside a Shark’. Not for you if you don’t like hilarious banter in the beautiful Aussie accent.

The Teacher’s Pet

This podcast most definitely falls into the True Crime category, sitting at the head of the table and hosted by Australian journalist, Hedley Thomas. A fantastic example of investigative journalism, The Teacher’s Pet puts the microscope on the failings of the Australian Police to properly investigate the disappearance of young Sydney mother, Lynette Dawson in the early 80s. Painting a vivid picture of police corruption, misuse of power by high school teachers and the unfathomable disappearance of a well-loved young woman, this fourteen-episode season throws new light onto a nearly forty-year case. This podcast is for you if you like gripping and unbelievable true-crime, told with exceptional skill. Not for you if you’re after something uplifting…

Awaye

Available in two different listening options (whole podcast episodes of 50 minutes or individual stories of 5–50 minutes), Awaye is a beautiful Aboriginal arts and cultural production. Some tales have a ‘setting the scene’ introduction followed by narration, other episodes include interviews with people who all share the same tale or who have their own stories to tell about one certain place. Sprinkled between these incredible stories from Indigenous Australians are ‘Word Up’ episodes, which teach the listener a word from an Aboriginal language and the meaning behind it. This is the podcast for you if you’re after beautiful sporadic listening and insight into Australia’s rich Indigenous culture. Not for you if you’re after an overarching plot to sink your teeth into.