Forgotten Australia Podcast

Michael Adams

402 - A Murder of Note – Part Three: The Villain as Victim

Forgotten Australia is an independent historical podcast that investigates the obscure, dark, and frequently overlooked narratives of the Australian past. Produced and hosted by Michael Adams—a Sydney-based journalist and author of non-fiction works including *The Murder Squad* and *Hanging Ned Kelly*—the program explores a diverse array of subjects ranging from colonial-era crimes and unsolved mysteries to eccentric biographical sketches and major social upheavals.

Launched in late 2018, the series distinguishes itself through a rigorous, research-intensive methodology. Adams primarily utilizes the National Library of Australia’s Trove database to access digitized newspapers, alongside police records, government archives, and primary source documents. This archival approach allows the show to reconstruct historical events with a high degree of granularity, often highlighting the experiences of ordinary citizens or marginalized figures whose stories have faded from public consciousness.

The podcast frequently employs a multi-part miniseries format to provide comprehensive coverage of complex historical cases. Recent investigations have delved into the 1926 "Blue Murder On The Golden Mile" in Western Australia and the personal genealogical mysteries explored in the "Death-Defying Destiny Deciders" series. Other recurring themes include the impact of the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic, the evolution of the criminal justice system, and the lives of forgotten cultural icons.

Adams maintains an objective and narrative-driven tone, focusing on factual accuracy and primary evidence rather than dramatized speculation. The production typically features solo narration supplemented by period-accurate accounts and thematic sound design to immerse the listener in specific historical eras. By focusing on events and personalities that exist outside standard historical curricula, Forgotten Australia provides a detailed counter-history that challenges and expands the broader understanding of the continent's social and legal development. The program is hosted on Acast and is accessible across major podcast platforms, with additional content and early access available to supporters via Patreon and Apple Podcasts.

402 - A Murder of Note – Part Three: The Villain as Victim