Heaps Good History

For over a hundred years, Australia had been a beacon of hope and opportunity for millions of people, so it's hard to imagine why anyone would want to turn their back on it. But 125 years ago, that's exactly what a group of disaffected South Australians did, when they signed up for a daring mission to set up a socialist utopia on the other side of the world. This is the story of the 19th century pioneers who went in search of a "New" Australia. Thanks to Gavin Souter, Dr Ben Stubbs, Bob Byrne, Jillian Attrill and Ben Brennan.

Australia's obsession with Big Things didn't start with Coffs Harbour's Big Banana, Woombye's Big Pineapple or Robertson's Big Potato. It started here in Adelaide with a giant Scotsman that still stands sentinel over one of the city's busiest intersections. Greg caught up with the man who kick-started that obsession, Adelaide artist Paul Kelly.  Thanks this week to Paul and Pam Kelly, Ian Backler and Dr Amy Clarke. 

In this bonus episode, Adelaide Holden historian Don Loffler busts some long-held myths about the 1948 launch of the first model Holden plus Don answers the million dollar question. Where did it all go wrong for Holden?  

In this bonus episode, long-time Holden employee Stewart Underwood tells Greg what it was like working at GMH's Elizabeth factory during the launch of some of the most iconic models in the company's history and explains how he went from factory worker to custodian of the Holden story through his work with the National Motor Museum and History Week walking tours. 

Greg tracks the history of one of Australia's best-loved and most iconic brands from saddler maker to automotive powerhouse, General Motors Holden. With interviews with Holden historian Don Loffler, former product planner Roger Gibbs and long-time Holden employee Stewart Underwood. Look for extended interviews with Don and Stewart in separate episodes of this podcast.    Thanks to: Roger Gibbs, Stewart Underwood, Don Loffler, ABC, Holden, SA Housing Trust/Government of SA All sounds via Freesound.org Crowd sounds Hammering on anvilFactory ambianceFactory ambiance V8 engineHorse and carriageRacing car

Greg speaks to journalist Lainie Anderson about the incredible true story of South Australia's Smith Brothers, who, with their trusty mechanics Wally Shiers and Jim Bennett, became the first Australians to fly from England to Australia in 1919, in a feat global aviation experts have likened to man landing on the moon 50 years later.  Thanks this week to journalist Lainie Anderson, John Fitzgerald, Gordon Poole and Bob Byrne.  Sounds via FreeSound.Org  All sounds used under the various licences of Creative Commons.  Gunshots by Kleeb Vickers Vimy sounds courtesy FlyingMachinesTV.co.uk 

This week, Greg meets Adrienne Peele, daughter of Australia's original Burger King Don Dervan. Dervan was a US businessman who opened his very first Burger King restaurant in Adelaide in 1962 and who accidentally played a leading role in the establishment of one of Australia's most popular fast food brands - Hungry Jack's.  Episode notes "Happy Days" theme written by Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox Sounds via Freesound.org and ZapSplat.com  Airplane Taking off at Beirut airport by Ramston; Car starting by amthomas101; Roller skates by Blastwave FX via ZapSplat; Pop sound by unfa;  Cha Ching by guest . Thanks to Adrienne Peele and Bob Byrne from Adelaide Remember When. 

This week, Greg speaks to Nikki Sullivan from the Migration Museum about The FitzJames, a floating prison that, for 11 years, was home to  South Australia's wayward teens.  Production notes: Thanks to Nikki Sullivan, Migration Museum, Adelaide and Bob Byrne from Adelaide Remember When...  Sounds via FreeSound.Org  All sounds used under the various licences of Creative Commons.  Waves crashing against wall/break water 2  by Ali_6868 Splash by cd272 Wooden boat row water by bulbastre Bunch of flies by Herbert Boland Ship sound request by Hellow Flowers Whip cracks by ArcLegend05 Large wooden ship by Wilhelmus1959 Throwing a bucket of water by eddybennet Walking slow, walking fast and running on sand by Hintringer A shoemaker sharpening a knife with a hone and thong by YleArkisto Cough by goldkelchen Construction hammering nail by 13FPanská_Tolar_David

Greg speaks to Nikki Sullivan from Adelaide's Migration Museum about William Smith, an incredible South Australian who, after losing both arms in a schoolyard accident, taught himself to paint with his mouth.   Production notes:  Host/interview: Greg Barila Thanks to Nikki Sullivan from the Migration Museum in Adelaide.  Sounds via Freesound.org.   All sounds used under Creative Commons.   Paint strokes by Acrober Typewriter by Fellwell5 Children by Blukotek Seagull on beach  by Squashy555 Coins in cloth by Anthousai Theatre chatter by Edhutschek Rowdy men  by FillMatt