Convict Australia

Jennifer Twemlow

4.9 (40)
HISTORY
UPDATED TWICE MONTHLY

A podcast about the convicts that were transported to Australia. Each episode offers a glimpse into life as a convict and a broader insight into the convict system. Presented by Jennifer Twemlow, author of 'Convict Sydney: the real-life stories of 32 prisoners'.

5 NOV

S4E4 Sydney in the Firing Line - the Story of The Three Bees

In May 1814, Sydney’s bustling Port Jackson faced terror as the convict ship The Three Bees went up in flames. Loaded with gunpowder and cannons, the burning vessel drifted perilously toward the town, spreading panic and chaos. Discover the explosive story that nearly devastated early Sydney in this unmissable episode! SOURCES 1813-1814 Lloyd's list. Westmead, Gt. Brit.: Gregg International. 14 October, p407., viewed 31 Oct 2024, https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015005785830&seq=407&q1=three+bees 1814 'SYDNEY.', The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), 21 May, p. 2. , viewed 29 Oct 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article628916 Macquarie, Lachlan. Memoranda & Related Papers. 22 December 1808-14 July 1823. Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney. ML Ref: A772 75-77 ff. [Microfilm Reel CY301 Frames #81-83]. Viewed 1 Nov 2024, https://www.mq.edu.au/macquarie-archive/lema/1814/1814may.html#18 Watson, Frederick & Chapman, Peter & Australia. Parliament. Library Committee. 1914, Historical records of Australia Library Committee of the Commonwealth Parliament, Sydney viewed 5 November 2024 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-483306922 ‘Three Bees’, State of New South Wales (Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water). Viewed 5 Nov 2024, https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/maritimeheritageapp/ViewSiteDetail.aspx?siteid=361 LINKS Get your copy of Convict Australia, Extraordinary true stories of shipwrecks, riots, daring escapes and more. https://www.amazon.com.au/Convict-Australia-Extraordinary-stories-shipwrecks/dp/0648946819 Get your copy of Convict Sydney, the real-life stories of 32 prisoners. https://www.amazon.com.au/Convict-Sydney-real-life-stories-prisoners-ebook/dp/B08C22QQMJ Support Convict Australia and receive goodies such as the Convict Australia Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ConvictAustralia⁠⁠⁠ Join the conversation on our Facebook & Instagram pages: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/173850624015866⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/convict_australia/?hl=en⁠⁠ Find Convict Australia on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@convict.australia

10 min
8 OCT

S4E3 Neptune - the Wilful Murder

In this episode, we dive into one of the darkest chapters of convict transportation to Australia: the voyage of the Neptune, the notorious ship of the Second Fleet. This 1790 journey was marked by unprecedented cruelty, neglect, and tragedy, with the highest death toll in the history of convict transportation. We explore the harsh conditions aboard the Neptune, where over 500 convicts were packed into overcrowded, disease-ridden holds, with little food, water, or medical care. SOURCES Collins, D. (1975) An Account of the English Colony in New South Wales, with Remarks on the Dispositions, Customs, Manners, etc., of the Native Inhabitants of that Country. Vol. 1, edited by B.H. Fletcher. Terrey Hills, NSW: A.H. and A.W. Reed, in association with the Royal Australian Historical Society. (Originally published 1798–1802 by T. Cadell & W. Davis, London), p. 366. Edwell, P. (2016) 'Neptune', Dictionary of Sydney. Available at: ttps://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/neptune (Accessed: 31 August 2024). Flynn, M. (1993) The Second Fleet: Britain's Grim Convict Armada of 1790. Sydney: Library of Australian History. Hill, D. (2008) 1788: The Brutal Truth of the First Fleet. Sydney: Random House Australia. State Library of New South Wales (2017) Elizabeth Macarthur: Letter to her mother, 1789-1790. Available at: https://archival-classic.sl.nsw.gov.au/_transcript/2017/D37898/c05322.html (Accessed: 26 September 2024). State Library of New South Wales (2017) Letter from William Hill to Jonathan Wathen, Sydney Cove, Port Jackson, 26 July 1790 (copy made in 1791). Available at: https://archival-classic.sl.nsw.gov.au/_transcript/2017/D00007/a136.html (Accessed: 26 September 2024). LINKS Get your copy of Convict Australia, Extraordinary true stories of shipwrecks, riots, daring escapes and more. https://www.amazon.com.au/Convict-Australia-Extraordinary-stories-shipwrecks/dp/0648946819 Get your copy of Convict Sydney, the real-life stories of 32 prisoners. https://www.amazon.com.au/Convict-Sydney-real-life-stories-prisoners-ebook/dp/B08C22QQMJ Support Convict Australia and receive goodies such as the Convict Australia Newsletter: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ConvictAustralia⁠⁠ Join the conversation on our Facebook & Instagram pages: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/173850624015866⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/convict_australia/?hl=en⁠ Find Convict Australia on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@convict.australia

36 min
21 JULY

S4E2 The Capture of Sorell

In the thrilling second episode of Season 4 of the Convict Australia Podcast, we journey back to 1825 to a stormy night in Tasmania as Matthew Brady and his infamous gang of bushrangers lay siege to the small town of Sorell. As the rain poured and the night deepened, Brady knocked on the door of Robert Bethune’s estate, launching a daring raid that spiralled into a full-scale takeover. Hear the gripping tale of how these outlaws, driven by desperation and cunning, outwitted local authorities and took control of the town. Feel the tension as they ambush unsuspecting soldiers and confront Lieutenant William Gunn, leading to a brutal injury and a race against time. Will Brady's luck hold out, or will justice finally catch up to him? Dive into this gripping tale of audacity, survival, and the relentless pursuit of freedom in the wild heart of Tasmania. SOURCES 1825 'POLICE OFFICE, HOBART TOWN, February 23d, 1825.', Hobart Town Gazette and Van Diemen's Land Advertiser (Tas. : 1821 - 1825), 4 March, p. 1. (Supplement to the Hobart Town Gazette), viewed 05 Jun 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1090576 1825 'THE BUSHRANGERS.', The Hobart Town Gazette (Tas. : 1825 - 1833), 26 November, p. 2. , viewed 05 Jun 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8791594 1825 'THE BUSH-RANGERS.', Colonial Times and Tasmanian Advertiser (Hobart, Tas. : 1825 - 1827), 2 December, p. 3. , viewed 02 Jul 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2446676 1825 'STATE OF THE WEATHER.', The Hobart Town Gazette (Tas. : 1825 - 1833), 3 December, p. 2. , viewed 05 Jun 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8790870 1825 'VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.', The Australian (Sydney, NSW : 1824 - 1848), 29 December, p. 4. , viewed 30 Jun 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37072554 1826 'VAN DIEMEN'S LAND NEWS.', The Australian (Sydney, NSW : 1824 - 1848), 25 March, p. 2. , viewed 19 Jul 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37072668 1826 'SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.', The Hobart Town Gazette (Tas. : 1825 - 1833), 15 April, p. 2. , viewed 19 Jul 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8791180 1826 'The late Bushrangers.&c.', Colonial Times and Tasmanian Advertiser (Hobart, Tas. : 1825 - 1827), 5 May, p. 3. , viewed 03 Jul 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2447678 L. L. Robson, 1966, Brady, Matthew (c. 1799–1826), Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, viewed on 12 June 2024, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/brady-matthew-1822/text2089 LINKS Get your copy of Convict Australia, Extraordinary true stories of shipwrecks, riots, daring escapes and more. https://www.amazon.com.au/Convict-Australia-Extraordinary-stories-shipwrecks/dp/0648946819 Get your copy of Convict Sydney, the real-life stories of 32 prisoners. https://www.amazon.com.au/Convict-Sydney-real-life-stories-prisoners-ebook/dp/B08C22QQMJ Support Convict Australia and receive goodies such as the Convict Australia Newsletter: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/ConvictAustralia⁠ Join the conversation on our Facebook & Instagram pages: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/173850624015866⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/convict_australia/?hl=en Find Convict Australia on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@convict.australia

13 min
23 JUNE

S4E1 Four Convict Castaways

On 21 March 1823, four convict men left Sydney in a 29ft open boat heading for the Five Islands to collect cedar. On the way, they encountered a fierce storm that pushed them out to sea and hundreds of miles north. This is the story of their remarkable fight for survival. LINKS Get your copy of Convict Australia, Extraordinary true stories of shipwrecks, riots, daring escapes and more. https://www.amazon.com.au/Convict-Australia-Extraordinary-stories-shipwrecks/dp/0648946819 Get your copy of Convict Sydney, the real-life stories of 32 prisoners. https://www.amazon.com.au/Convict-Sydney-real-life-stories-prisoners-ebook/dp/B08C22QQMJ Support Convict Australia and receive goodies such as the Convict Australia Newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/ConvictAustralia Join the conversation on our Facebook & Instagram pages: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173850624015866 https://www.instagram.com/convict_australia/?hl=en SOURCES Pamphlet T & Uniacke, J. 1823 Narrative of Thomas Pamphlet, aged thirty-four years, who was with two other men wrecked on the coast of New Holland in April, 1823, and lived among the natives for seven months. Taken down by John Uniacke, Esq. viewed 25 October 2023 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-62201287 1823 MAGISTRATE FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. EDWARD WOLLSTONECRAFT, ESQUIRE., The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), 18 December, p. 2. , viewed 04 Nov 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2182462 1824 CURIOUS CASE OF SHIPWRECK., The Australian (Sydney, NSW : 1824 - 1848), 21 October, p. 2. , viewed 04 Nov 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37072074 1826 REVIEW., The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), 29 March, p. 4. , viewed 22 Oct 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2185549

41 min
13/10/2022

S3E10 The Skinny Dip that started a Rebellion

Ralph Entwhistle, a convict with a life sentence, stripped off for a quick dip in the Macquarie River in 1829. This innocent act got him into a lot of trouble! Join me as I tell the story of how one little swim on a beautiful spring day led to a high-stakes battle in Bathurst, NSW. LINKS Grab a copy of Convict Sydney, the real-life stories of 32 prisoners: www.jennifer-twemlow.com Support Convict Australia and receive goodies such as the Convict Australia Newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/ConvictAustralia Join the conversation on our Facebook & Instagram pages: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173850624015866 https://www.instagram.com/convict_australia/?hl=en Start your search for your convict ancestors: https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100ldych https://www.tkqlhce.com/click-100396961-13671424 SOURCES 1830 'Classified Advertising', The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), 12 October, p. 4. , viewed 24 May 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2196245 1830 'THE BUSHRANGERS AT BATHURST.', The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), 21 October, p. 3. , viewed 03 Oct 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2196308 BATHURST. (1830, October 21). The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), p. 2. Retrieved October 8, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2196311 1830 'Supreme Court.', The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), 11 November, p. 3. , viewed 01 Oct 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2196480 1830 'The Courier.', The Hobart Town Courier (Tas. : 1827 - 1839), 27 November, p. 2. , viewed 07 Oct 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4206106 1830 'The Bathurst Insurgents.', The Australian (Sydney, NSW : 1824 - 1848), 3 December, p. 4. , viewed 08 Oct 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article36866853 1930 'The RIBBON BOYS', The World's News (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 1955), 13 August, p. 9. , viewed 08 Oct 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136306522 1998, “Bushrangers at Abercrombie caves” Abercrombie Caves, by Barry Cubitt, viewed 3 October 2022, http://www.abercrombiecaves.com/bushrangers/ 2019, “The Bathurst Rebellion: Inside Australia’s strangest convict uprising”, M. Adams, NewsComAu, viewed 30 May 2022, https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/true-stories/the-bathurst-rebellion-inside-australias-biggest-convict-uprising/news-story/eaa006a6530a1b66ae128af86ddf7753 THANK YOU Special thanks to Sue Reed. Music by Ahjay Stelino

16 min
22/09/2022

S3E9 Ten Convict Pirates Seize the Frederick

In 1834, ten convicts seized the Frederick and made their daring escape from the penal settlement on Sarah Island in Tasmania to the Port of Valdivia in Chile. The journey took about 7 weeks. They travelled 6 thousand nautical miles with a skeletal mostly inexperienced crew using a leaky boat. This is their incredible story. LINKS Grab a copy of Convict Sydney, the real-life stories of 32 prisoners: www.jennifer-twemlow.com Support Convict Australia and receive goodies such as the Convict Australia Newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/ConvictAustralia Join the conversation on our Facebook & Instagram pages: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173850624015866 https://www.instagram.com/convict_australia/?hl=en Start your search for your convict ancestors: https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100ldych https://www.tkqlhce.com/click-100396961-13671424 SOURCES 1834 'ANOTHER GOVERNMENT VESSEL TAKEN BY HER GOVERNMENT CREW! ANOTHER SPECIMEN OF COLONEL ARTHUR'S PRISON DISCIPLINE.', The Colonist and Van Diemen's Land Commercial and Agricultural Advertiser (Hobart Town, Tas. : 1832 - 1834), 11 February, p. 2. , viewed 11 Sep 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article201158097 1834 'THE CONVICT SYSTEM. DARING ACT OF PIRACY.', The Sydney Herald (NSW : 1831 - 1842), 6 March, p. 2. , viewed 10 Sep 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12848817 1837 'SUPREME COURT.—CRIMINAL SITTINGS.', Colonial Times (Hobart, Tas. : 1828 - 1857), 2 May, p. 5. , viewed 16 Sep 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8650013 2018, ‘The Ship That Never Was.’, by A. Courtenay, Harper Collins Publishers Australia Pty Limited THANK YOU Special thanks to Sue Reed. Music by Ahjay Stelino

29 min
01/09/2022

S3E8 The Sinking of the Guardian

When word reached England that the colony of NSW was in dire need of food King George III immediately dispatched HMS Guardian to come to their rescue. The Guardian was packed with everything the First Fleeters desperately needed, but along the way, the 140ft ship ran into trouble. Join me as I describe its harrowing journey. LINKS Grab a copy of Convict Sydney, the real-life stories of 32 prisoners: www.jennifer-twemlow.com Support Convict Australia and receive goodies such as the Convict Australia Newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/ConvictAustralia Join the conversation on our Facebook & Instagram pages: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173850624015866 https://www.instagram.com/convict_australia/?hl=en Start your search for your convict ancestors: https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100ldych https://www.tkqlhce.com/click-100396961-13671424 SOURCES 1790, ‘Fortunate Escape of the Guardian Man of War, In her Voyage to Botany-Bay’, The Derby Mercury, Thursday, 29 April 1790, viewed 3 January 2022, www.newspapers.com/image/394415900 1790, ‘The Guardian’, The Public Advertiser, London, Friday, 30 April 1790, viewed 3 January 2022, www.newspapers.com/image/34415081 1790, ‘Guardian’, The Public Advertiser, London, Saturday, 1 May 1790, viewed 3 January 2022, www.newspapers.com/image/34415103 1790, Jacksons Oxford Journal, Saturday, 1 May 1790, viewed 3 January 2022, www.newspapers.com/image/396531048 1790, Ipswich Journal (Ipswich, Suffolk, England), Saturday, 1 May 1790, viewed 3 January 2022 www.newspapers.com/image/396394146 & www.newspapers.com/image/396394185 1790, ‘The Guardian’, The Public Advertiser (London, Greater London, England), Friday, 30 April 1790, viewed 3 January 2022, www.newspapers.com/image/34415081 1808, ‘Melancholy Disaster of His Majesty's Ship The Guardian, Bound to Botany Bay with Stores and Convicts’, by Lieut. Riou, Commander, London. 2010 ‘1788: The brutal truth of the First Fleet.’, by David Hill, Random House Australia, North Sydney. THANK YOU Special thanks to Sue Reed. Music by Ahjay Stelino

21 min
11/08/2022

S3E7 Australia's First Bank Robbery

In 1828, 14,000 pounds was stolen from the Bank of Australia – that’s about 20 million dollars by today’s standards AND most of the money has never been found! Join me as I retell this incredible story of a group of convicts who tunnelled their way into the bank and pulled off such a huge heist. LINKS Grab a copy of Convict Sydney, the real-life stories of 32 prisoners: www.jennifer-twemlow.com Support Convict Australia and receive goodies such as the Convict Australia Newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/ConvictAustralia Join the conversation on our Facebook & Instagram pages: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173850624015866 https://www.instagram.com/convict_australia/?hl=en Start your search for your convict ancestors: https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100ldych SOURCES 1828 'Classified Advertising', The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), 17 September, p. 1. , viewed 15 Jul 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2191066 1828 'EXTENSIVE ROBBERY AT THE BANK OF AUSTRALIA.', The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), 17 September, p. 2. , viewed 15 Jul 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2191067 1828 '(Domestic Intelligence continued.)', The Sydney Monitor (NSW : 1828 - 1838), 20 September, p. 4. (AFTERNOON), viewed 16 Jul 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31760702 1828 'Classified Advertising', The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), 22 September, p. 1. , viewed 16 Jul 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2191083 1828 'Classified Advertising', The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), 24 September, p. 3. , viewed 16 Jul 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2191099 1828 'Advertising', The Australian (Sydney, NSW : 1824 - 1848), 24 September, p. 2. , viewed 16 Jul 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article36865088 1828 'No title', The Australian (Sydney, NSW : 1824 - 1848), 26 September, p. 2. , viewed 16 Jul 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article36867843 1831 'Supreme Court.', The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), 14 June, p. 3. , viewed 25 Jul 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2201024 1833 'Government Gazette Notices', New South Wales Government Gazette (Sydney, NSW : 1832 - 1900), 7 August, p. 302. , viewed 27 Jul 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230390571 2017 ‘Robbing the Bank: Australia’s First Bank Robbery’, Radford, Neil, Dictionary of Sydney, http://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/robbing_the_bank_australias_first_bank_robbery, viewed 09 Aug 2022 2008, ‘Breaking the Bank, an extraordinary colonial robbery’, Baxter, Carol, Allen & Unwin Music by Ahjay Stelino

27 min

See All (34)

4.9

out of 5

40 Ratings

I love it.

23 June

Gypsyplant

I so wish I was there to witness these things. Listening to you and a fertile imagination is as good as it can be for me. Every day I think about what the transportees would be doing. I have been so privileged to be able to read and research the beginnings of The AACo at Tahlee, and spend countless hours investigating and imagining their works. One might call it an obsession. Thank you for sharing your passion.
AWESOME

18/12/2022

The Wild Colonial Boy

Great Stuff, REAL Aussie hsitory. Intelligent and riveting. Thank You
Awesome

15/10/2022

cdlhstar

Love it. Smart, interesting, informative a f so well presented. - beautiful speaking voice too. Thank you.
Awesome

11/07/2022

Lady shuki1fan

I loved these episodes there are such a good way to past time

Creator

Jennifer Twemlow
Years Active

2021 - 2024
Episodes

34
Rating

Clean
Show Website

Convict Australia

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Updated 6 days ago
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Convict Australia

S4E4 Sydney in the Firing Line - the Story of The Three Bees

S4E3 Neptune - the Wilful Murder

S4E2 The Capture of Sorell

S4E1 Four Convict Castaways

S3E10 The Skinny Dip that started a Rebellion

S3E9 Ten Convict Pirates Seize the Frederick

S3E8 The Sinking of the Guardian

S3E7 Australia's First Bank Robbery

I love it.

AWESOME

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Convict Australia

Episodes

S4E4 Sydney in the Firing Line - the Story of The Three Bees

S4E3 Neptune - the Wilful Murder

S4E2 The Capture of Sorell

S4E1 Four Convict Castaways

S3E10 The Skinny Dip that started a Rebellion

S3E9 Ten Convict Pirates Seize the Frederick

S3E8 The Sinking of the Guardian

S3E7 Australia's First Bank Robbery

Ratings & Reviews

I love it.

AWESOME

Awesome

Awesome

About

Information

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