Australian True Crime

This is the second part of a two part series with our guest, Arthur Bolkas.   In his late teens and early twenties, Arthur was pulling double duty as a promising young law student and an armed robber.   We discovered at the end of part one that Arthur was eventually captured after a very dramatic car chase through the streets of a busy inner Melbourne suburb.   We now pick up our conversation with Arthurs memories and reflections from his sentencing, incarceration and life after prison.   Arthur has now worked for many years as a Criminologist, activist and public speaker. He can best be contacted here on his Facebook page.   For Support:    Lifeline  on 13 11 14   13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)   1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732   CREDITS: Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram  Guest: Arthur Bolkas Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard   GET IN TOUCH:  

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed.    We're going back to the "stick ups" this week with Arthur Bolkas.   He's a Criminologist, actor, public speaker and proud father of two.   However, before he was all of these things, he was a very promising young law student, and a flamboyant armed robber.   Part two of this two part series will be released later on this week.   For Support:    Lifeline  on 13 11 14   13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)   1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732   CREDITS: Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram  Guest: Arthur Bolkas Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard   GET IN TOUCH:   Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook    Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au   Build your pro podcas

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed.    We're going back to the "stick ups" this week with Arthur Bolkas.   He's a Criminologist, actor, public speaker and proud father of two.   However, before he was all of these things, he was a very promising young law student, and a flamboyant armed robber.   Part two of this two part series will be released later on this week.   For Support:    Lifeline  on 13 11 14   13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)   1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732   CREDITS: Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram  Guest: Arthur Bolkas Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard   GET IN TOUCH:   Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook    Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au   Build your pro podcas

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed.    Over the past eight months, more than 30 tobacco stores in Victoria have fallen victim to a series of fire bombings due to a burgeoning turf war.   Marta Pascual Juanola is a crime reporter for The Age, and has written a series of stories on Victoria's illegal tobacco industry.   She joins us on this episode of Australian True Crime to talk about the increasing violence in this industry, and the surprisingly big players involved.   For Support:    Lifeline  on 13 11 14   13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)   1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732   CREDITS: Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram  Guest: Marta Pascual Juanola Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard This episode contains audio grabs from Channel 9 News.  

Over the past eight months, more than 30 tobacco stores in Victoria have fallen victim to a series of fire bombings due to a burgeoning turf war.   Marta Pascual Juanola is a crime reporter for The Age, and has written a series of stories on Victoria's illegal tobacco industry.   She joins us on this episode of Australian True Crime to talk about the increasing violence in this industry, and the surprisingly big players involved.   For Support:    Lifeline  on 13 11 14   13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)   1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732   CREDITS: Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram  Guest: Marta Pascual Juanola Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard This episode contains audio grabs from Channel 9 News.   GET IN TOUCH:   Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook    Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed.    Ashleigh (not her real name) is a kind of woman we've all heard about many times, but don't often get to hear from.   A couple of years ago, Ashleigh received a letter from an inmate who is serving a life imprisonment conviction for his involvement in a double murder. They soon fell in love with each other.   Ashleigh joins us today to talk about their relationship, about the realities of courtship under the ever-present eye of corrections, and about her hopes for the future.   For Support:    Lifeline  on 13 11 14   13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)   1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732   CREDITS: Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram  Guest: Ashleigh (not her real name) Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard   GET IN TOUC

Ashleigh (not her real name) is a kind of woman we've all heard about many times, but don't often get to hear from.   A couple of years ago, Ashleigh received a letter from an inmate who is serving a life imprisonment conviction for his involvement in a double murder. They soon fell in love with each other.   Ashleigh joins us today to talk about their relationship, about the realities of courtship under the ever-present eye of corrections, and about her hopes for the future.   For Support:    Lifeline  on 13 11 14   13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)   1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732   CREDITS: Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram  Guest: Ashleigh (not her real name) Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard   GET IN TOUCH:   Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook    Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed.    In 2011, A young indigenous man by the name of Zak Grieve was sentenced to life in prison for a murder he didn't commit.   The murder of Ray Niceforo was commissioned by his former partner Bronwyn Malyschko, and carried out by her son Chris Malyschko and accomplice Darren Halfpenny.   Grieve was originally supposed to be an accomplice to the murder too, but changed his mind on the night.   Despite this, due to Northern Territory's mandatory minimum sentencing laws, Grieve was sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 20 years (eventually reduced to 12 years following a mercy plea).   Journalist Dan Box has been reporting on crime for decades and was unexpectedly drawn into this story and family on a very personal level.   He joins us to tell us about his new book "The Man Who Wasn't There" and the extraordinary ma

In 2011, A young indigenous man by the name of Zak Grieve was sentenced to life in prison for a murder he didn't commit.   The murder of Ray Niceforo was commissioned by his former partner Bronwyn Malyschko, and carried out by her son Chris Malyschko and accomplice Darren Halfpenny.   Grieve was originally supposed to be an accomplice to the murder too, but changed his mind on the night.   Despite this, due to Northern Territory's mandatory minimum sentencing laws, Grieve was sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 20 years (eventually reduced to 12 years following a mercy plea).   Journalist Dan Box has been reporting on crime for decades and was unexpectedly drawn into this story and family on a very personal level.   He joins us to tell us about his new book "The Man Who Wasn't There" and the extraordinary man who emerged in Zak Grieve.   Dan Box's "The Man Who Wasn't There" is available to purchase now.   For Support:    Lifeline  on 13 11

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed.    Australia tops almost every other country when it comes to our consumption of meth, with billions of dollars of it arriving at our shores each year.   Investigative journalist Conor Woodman joins us on this episode to detail exactly where all of this methamphetamine is coming from, the destructive path it takes to get into Australia, and the steps we can take for harm minimisation.    Conor Woodman’s book “Meth Road” is available now, and can be purchased here.   For Support:    Lifeline  on 13 11 14   13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)   1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732   CREDITS: Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram  Guest: Conor Woodman Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard   GET IN TOUCH: &nbs

Australia tops almost every other country when it comes to our consumption of meth, with billions of dollars of it arriving at our shores each year.   Investigative journalist Conor Woodman joins us on this episode to detail exactly where all of this methamphetamine is coming from, the destructive path it takes to get into Australia, and the steps we can take for harm minimisation.    Conor Woodman’s book “Meth Road” is available now, and can be purchased here.   For Support:    Lifeline  on 13 11 14   13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)   1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732   CREDITS: Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram  Guest: Conor Woodman Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard   GET IN TOUCH:   Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook    Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au

November 2023 marks the 34th anniversary of the brutal murder of Toowoomba teenager, Annette Mason.   For today's episode, we revisit one of our earliest episodes of Australian True Crime which featured an interview with Annette's sister, Linda Mason.   For Support:    Lifeline  on 13 11 14   13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)   1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732   GET IN TOUCH:   Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook    Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed.    Even though Biannca Edmunds didn't pull the trigger, Victorian homicide detectives pursued her for years with the belief that she was responsible for the death of her ex partner, Michael Caposiena.   In 2016, Caposiena was murdered by Edmunds' then-husband, Glen Cassidy. Cassidy himself died that night, due to the self-defence efforts of Caposiena.   Court Reporter for ABC News Melbourne, Kristian Silva, joins us this on episode to break down this bizarre and tragic assassination attempt.   For Support:    Lifeline  on 13 11 14   13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)   1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732   CREDITS: Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram  Guest: Kristian Silva Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard   GET IN TOUCH

Even though Biannca Edmunds didn't pull the trigger, Victorian homicide detectives pursued her for years with the belief that she was responsible for the death of her ex partner, Michael Caposiena.   In 2016, Caposiena was murdered by Edmunds' then-husband, Glen Cassidy. Cassidy himself died that night, due to the self-defence efforts of Caposiena.   Court Reporter for ABC News Melbourne, Kristian Silva, joins us this on episode to break down this bizarre and tragic assassination attempt.   For Support:    Lifeline  on 13 11 14   13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)   1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732   CREDITS: Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram  Guest: Kristian Silva Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard   GET IN TOUCH:   Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook    Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed.    Gwenda McCallum was young, single and determined to squeeze every drop out of life when she arrived in Sydney in 1949.   Mere weeks later, she found herself in the company of some extremely unsuitable men.   After one night of partying, Gwenda awoke on board an ocean liner. 24 hours later, she vanished.   Our guest today, Gideon Haigh, puts an inspiring amount of work and care into seeking the truth for long forgotten women into his books. His recent book, "The Girl in Cabin 350" is no different.   "The Girl in Cabin 350", can be purchased directly from Gideon here.   For Support:    Lifeline  on 13 11 14   13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)   1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732   CREDITS: Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram&n

Gwenda McCallum was young, single and determined to squeeze every drop out of life when she arrived in Sydney in 1949.   Mere weeks later, she found herself in the company of some extremely unsuitable men.   After one night of partying, Gwenda awoke on board an ocean liner. 24 hours later, she vanished.   Our guest today, Gideon Haigh, puts an inspiring amount of work and care into seeking the truth for long forgotten women into his books. His recent book, "The Girl in Cabin 350" is no different.   "The Girl in Cabin 350", can be purchased directly from Gideon here.   For Support:    Lifeline  on 13 11 14   13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)   1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732   CREDITS: Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram  Guest: Gideon Haigh Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard   GET IN TOUCH:   Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Fac

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed.    The current rise of Antisemitism and “White Power” groups in Australia is not unprecedented.   In fact, as recently as 1992, Russell Crowe’s career was launched by his role as a brutal skinhead in the seminal Australian film Romper Stomper.   Andrew Kirby is one of the men that movie was about and he joins us to talk about Neo Nazism in Australia, and his subsequent internal journey to reform.   For Support:    Lifeline  on 13 11 14   13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)   1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732   CREDITS: Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram  Guest: Andrew Martin Kirby Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard   John Clifford White's Romper Stomper theme appears at the beginning of this episode. &

The current rise of Antisemitism and “White Power” groups in Australia is not unprecedented.   In fact, as recently as 1992, Russell Crowe’s career was launched by his role as a brutal skinhead in the seminal Australian film Romper Stomper.   Andrew Kirby is one of the men that movie was about and he joins us to talk about Neo Nazism in Australia, and his subsequent internal journey to reform.   For Support:    Lifeline  on 13 11 14   13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)   1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732   CREDITS: Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram  Guest: Andrew Martin Kirby Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard   John Clifford White's Romper Stomper theme appears at the beginning of this episode.   GET IN TOUCH:   Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook    Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed.    Lauren Humby brings a perspective on the criminal justice system that many of us may struggle with.   However, she is anything but misinformed. Not only is Lauren an academic with decades of research in the field, she is also victim of several sexual assaults dating back to her early childhood.   Today, Lauren is a lecturer of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of South Queensland.   For Support:    Lifeline  on 13 11 14   13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)   1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732   CREDITS: Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram  Guest: Dr Lauren Humby Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard   GET IN TOUCH:   Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook   

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed.    Lauren Humby brings a perspective on the criminal justice system that many of us may struggle with.   However, she is anything but misinformed. Not only is Lauren an academic with decades of research in the field, she is also victim of several sexual assaults dating back to her early childhood.   Today, Lauren is a lecturer of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of South Queensland.   For Support:    Lifeline  on 13 11 14   13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)   1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732   CREDITS: Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram  Guest: Dr Lauren Humby Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard   GET IN TOUCH:   Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook