Crayons in the desert: the breathtaking Birrundudu drawings of 1945, revealed
In 1945, sixteen Aboriginal men working at Birrundudu Station created 810 crayon drawings, commissioned by anthropologists Ronald and Catherine Berndt. Using this unfamiliar medium, the men documented their extensive knowledge of Country, ancestral creation, history, and ceremonies of the region.GUEST: Dr John Carty, Professor of Museum and Curatorial Studies at the University of Adelaide ; Robert McKay, Djaru man, collaborator on the Birrundudu project.
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Bill Wallace: the world’s oldest prisoner, who died at 107 in an asylum in Ararat
In 1925 in Melbourne, two young men were having lunch in a cafe in King Street, Melbourne when one of them lit a cigarette. Another diner confronted them and a brawl ensued outside. The complainer, Bill Wallace, was set upon and bashed. He pulled out a pistol and shot one of the men. With no court appearance, Wallace was incarcerated for the rest of his extraordinarily long life in mental asylums. At 107, Bill made it into the Guiness Book of Records as the oldest prisoner in the world. But his schizophrenia was never treated. Guest: Gideon Haigh, journalist and author of Who is Wallace? The Enigma of the World’s Oldest Prisoner” published by the Archives Liberation Front.Producer: Catherine Zengerer
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Niki Savva on why the 2025 federal election was a political 'earthquake' in Australia
The veteran Canberra journalist Niki Savva dissects the monumental result of the 2025 federal election. Where has it left both the Coalition in opposition, and the Labor party in government? And what does the result says about the political attitudes of modern Australia?Guest: Niki Savva, author of Earthquake: the election that shook Australia, published by Scribe
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Wooden toes, iron hands: the ancient artistry of prosthetics
In ancient times, limb loss was not uncommon, and often deadly. For those that survived - and had money to spend - commissioning a bespoke prosthetic was an opportunity to display one's prestige, valour and stoicism. Guest: Dr Jane Draycott, historian and archaeologist, University of GlasgowProducer: Jack Schmidt
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America's transgender troops take Donald Trump to court
In January, US President Donald Trump passed an executive order that banned transgender troops from serving in the American military. Now, several of those service members are taking their fight to court, arguing that the ban is unconstitutional. Their lawyers say the order discriminates against people who have already proven their commitment and capability in uniform. Advocates warn it could also damage military readiness by pushing out trained personnel. For many of these troops, the legal battle is not just about policy — it’s about their right to serve the country openly and without fear.GUEST: Shannon Minter, Legal Director of the National Centre for LGBTQ Rights in the US.PRODUCER: Ali Benton
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