This Week in 1980  – The Family Court Murders, Miracle Babies and Birds, Our Richest Real Estate and the Village People Conquer Australia
Forgotten Australia26 Kesä 2025

This Week in 1980 – The Family Court Murders, Miracle Babies and Birds, Our Richest Real Estate and the Village People Conquer Australia

A judge is gunned down, we welcome our first test tube baby and we try to save the world’s rarest bird. Meanwhile, Sydney sets a record house price and the Village People score bigly Down Under. Plus: Why does President Trump love the YMCA? How did Aussies feel about a Moscow Olympics boycott? Which Hollywood actor’s history with Australia intersected with George Orwell, Oscar Wilde, Sidney Nolan and Port Arthur Gaol? And: the strange story of Sydney Opera House’s strangest solo act!


It’s easy to get a free trial that will give you access to ad-free, early and bonus episodes. Hit either of these links:

Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia

Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia


Want more original Australian true crime and history? Check out my books!

They’ll Never Hold Me:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html

The Murder Squad:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781923046504.html

Hanging Ned Kelly:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html

Australia’s Sweetheart:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html

Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com


Media links:

Candice's Marie Claire article: https://www.marieclaire.com.au/latest-news/candice-thum-australia-first-ivf-baby-birthday/

Debi Marshall's 2014 article ‘The Road To Revenge’ - https://www.smh.com.au/national/road-to-revenge-20140825-3e8yo.html

The Family Court Murders on ABC iView – https://iview.abc.net.au/show/family-court-murders

1984 - Australian touring production: https://shakeandstir.com.au/mainstage/1984

Vincent Price in 2UE's 1955 radio adaptation of 1984: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIDOieVBqdg

Vincent Price narrates 1965 Port Arthur doco: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5V7MV-hLx0&t=32s

Vincent Price as Oscar Wilde in Diversions and Delights: https://www.thesoundofvincentprice.com/diversions-and-delights/


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