In Black and White

Even before journalist Colin Bednall helped introduce TV to Australia and discovered “The King” Graham Kennedy, it was apparent he was a kid destined for great things.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

His party boy lifestyle and taste for gambling, grog and brothels didn’t stop Charles Standish becoming one of the most powerful men in Victoria as chief of police and head of the Freemasons.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From its beginnings in the gold rush, Calisthenics grew to be a uniquely Australian pastime. Joining Jen this week is the State Library of Victoria's Carolyn Fraser to talk about the sport's earliest trailblazer, Vera Hopton. Subscribe to the Herald Sun. Go to www.heraldsun.com.au/ibaw and click on any article to begin.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With its talking birds, live monkeys, hall of mirrors and live bands, the famous Cole’s Book Arcade in Bourke St was more than a bookshop – it was an event. And EW Cole was the eccentric man behind it.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long Harry Slater was a gang leader, standover man, cop-shooter, house bomber, suspected murderer and gang war adversary to Squizzy Taylor, making him Australia’s most feared criminal until the early 1920s. Subscribe to the Herald Sun.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Claude Taylor lived in the shadow of his famous little brother Leslie. But between stalking the streets of Little Lon, and being at the edge of the Sydney razor wars, he led a colourful life of his own. See photos of Big Squizzy, his friends and foes at heraldsun.com.au/ibaw, where you can also become a Herald Sun subscriber.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malvern ‘Gunner’ Cameron was a standover man with one eye, one arm, and one hell of a temper. He was a cocaine dealer, a drug addict, a hard drinker, a heavy hitter. and one of the most feared gangsters in Melbourne. Read his story, along with the tales of other notorious Melbourne gangsters at: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/ibaw  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lofty Prentice was a veteran of two wars. He was also a thief, a pimp, a street fighter and an international conman. Jen is once again joined by historian Michael Shelford to talk about the soldier-turned-criminal. Subscribe to the Herald Sun. Go to: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/ibaw and cliarticle to begin.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While William Buck may have been the most violent man on Melbourne's streets, Percy Ramage terrorised its prisons. Jen Kelly is joined again by Historian Michael Shelford for another episode on one of Old Melbourne's forgotten gangsters.  Become a Herald Sun subscriber. Go to heraldsun.com.au/IBAW, and click on any article to begin.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

William Buck was perhaps the most violent criminal to ever roam the streets of Melbourne. Jen Kelly talks with historian Michael Shelford about the mad bad man of old Melbourne. Become a Herald Sun subscriber. Go to heraldsun.com.au/IBAW, and click on any article to begin.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.