Forgotten Oz Podcast

10/01/2025

I'm removing myself and Forgotten Australia from Facebook on 20 January. There are many reasons, from the increased concentration of insultingly irrelevant algorithmic content and the trend towards more AI-generated slop, to the platform's surveillance of users and Mr Zuckerberg's recent decision to be more like Mr Musk in allowing his social media space to become a fact-free free-for-all. For these reasons, and more, Facebook no longer feels like the best place to maintain personal contacts and share interesting information. I'd like to say thanks for your support for - and contributions to - the Forgotten Oz Podcast page. I'll be be contactable via the email in the podcast's show notes. You can also check out my website, which I'll be updating more often. www.forgottenaustralia.com

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03/01/2025

02/01/2025

1 January 1925: the best investment was a bit to chew.
It was the era's Bitcoin, as promoted by the visionary Mr Elon Musk-Stick (pictured). What else was happening in the first week of the New Year a century ago? I've made a podcast episode called Forgotten Australia This Week... in 1925.
It's available now, free, wherever you get your podcasts.

02/01/2025

An essential product, as advertised in January 1925. What else was happening in the first week of the New Year 100 years ago? Check out the very first episode of Forgotten Australia This Week. Available in all the usual places.

21/12/2024

How’s your Saturday night going?
If you’ve watched all of Netflix, or need something to distract as you unload and load the dishwasher, I’ll be chatting with the wonderful Simon Owens (that's him in the hat) on your radio waves tonight from 8:07pm AEDST. You can hear us talk about Forgotten Australia's development, books, research, and film adaptations, along with my blatherings about favourite foods, bands and fictional characters. Please forgive my ummms and aaahs. Listen on Nine network stations 2GB, 3AW, 2GB and 4BC.

05/12/2024

It only took six weeks, but They'll Never Hold Me has finally been listed under True Crime by online booksellers, rather than in Military History – or, in some cases (no joke), Children's Books > Picture Books. 🤣 🥲 So if you're looking for a gift for yourself or a loved one, order now and get a copy or two by Christmas. (And there IS a picture section. You know, for the kids.)

Buy They'll Never Hold Me, The life and crimes of Kevin John Simmonds, Australia's most daring fugitive by Michael Adams from Booktopia. Get a discounted Paperback from Australia's leading online bookstore.

03/12/2024

If you've read or listened to They'll Never Hold Me, I'd love it if you could leave a rating or review at Goodreads. Thanks!

In 1959, Australians thrilled to every move made by a n…

20/11/2024

Simmo has escaped from behind the Daily Mail paywall. This feature – with plenty of photos and even embedded 1959 newsreel footage – is now free to read.

On the wintery morning of the 30 June 1959, one of Australia's most wanted criminals was sauntering down Oxford Street in Sydney...

19/11/2024

Thank you all for enduring my book-signing and shirt-flaunting shenanigans this past week or so. These days it's not enough to just write the books and have them published. If you want them to reach readers, you've got to put yourself and your work 'out there'. I now return myself and you to normal programming.

19/11/2024

This one is the best. I love that I got two stars AND a vom emoji. It's like someone asking: 'How was the restaurant?' and you reply: 'Well, I got food poisoning but the serves were really big!' 🤣

19/11/2024

Another very helpful review, though this whole last month I've been left wondering, well, if I'm 'too woke' then just what is the right amount of woke. I'm guessing 26.5% is closer to acceptable. 🤔😂

19/11/2024

I love hearing from all sorts of listeners with all sorts of perspectives. Reviews that have previously said my delivery wasn't great led me to rethink and try to be more natural, for instance. But this thoughtful commentary is next level and has given me nothing but big smiles and huge laughs. So, thank you, whoever you are! Rest assured, I've taken your analysis on board! I will try to be Oxy Moron Less. 🤣🤣🤣🤔

18/11/2024

A wrap-up of the bookstore visits. I'd love to know what you think of the book.

18/11/2024

Maitland cop who captured Simmo: Revelations told in new book.

17/11/2024

Thanks to Readings in Carlton and Emporium for having me in to sign They'll Never Hold Me. Affirm Press

17/11/2024

Thanks to Lien at Pictures and Pages in Coburg for having me in to sign the book - and for suffering the glow of that shirt. Affirm Press

17/11/2024

Thanks to Jordan and Avenue Bookstore in Albert Park for having me. Get the signed copies before they're gone. Affirm Press