Not a metaphor or anything, this episode is literally about the use of koalas for international diplomacy. Follow us on INSTAGRAM @australianarama SOURCES: Wikipedia, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Conversation, Atlas Obscura, The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more

World Expo 1988: Leisure in the Age of Technology. Brisbane promised to ‘show the world’ and what the world saw was a wildly 80s good time. A monorail above Southbank, countries from around the world and alfresco dining up the wazoo- Expo 88 was a pivotal time in reshaping the face of Brisbane. See ya Joh, hello Stefan. Follow us on INSTAGRAM @austfralianarama SOURCES: Celebrate 88, Wikipedia, World Expo 88 Official Souvenir Program, World Expo 88 Brisbane - Australia, ABC, The Cane Toad Times, BIE Paris, Maddie Nixon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more

In 1770, Captain Cook famously landed in Botany Bay, Sydney. He less famously died in Hawaii on February 14th, 1779. Happy Valentines Day! SOURCES: The Guardian, National Archives UK, Article by Noelani Arista - Associate Professor of Hawaiian and American History at the University of Hawai'i-Mānoa (British Library), ABC, Wikipedia, History Skills.com Follow us on INSTAGRAM @australianarama See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more

If you’ve ever looked at a $20 note and thought “who on earth is this stern lady wearing a bonnet?”, then this is the episode for you. Jess goes through a who’s who of all the people on Australian banknotes. Follow us on INSTAGRAM @australianarama SOURCES: Reserve Bank of Australia, Royal Australian Mint, NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, Wikipedia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more

Cast your mind back to 2003. Trucker hats, mini skirts and the mighty ugg boot reigned supreme. The Ugg has come a long way form its humble start in Australia, to an international legal battle of David and Goliath proportions. Follow us on INSTAGRAM @australianarama SOURCES: The ABC, The National Law Review, The New York Times, Wikipedia, CNN Style, Grazia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more

It’s been a big year, so we thought we’d end our first season with a festive film review, and what better film is there than Wiggly Wiggly Christmas, released on VHS by The Wiggles in 1997. Join Maddie and Jess for a very, very silly episode. We’re taking a break over Christmas/New Years, Australianarama Season 2 will return in January! Until then you can follow us on INSTAGRAM & TWITTER @australianarama SOURCES: Wiggly Wiggly Christmas (1997), Wikipedia.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more

Dinosaurs are very cool. And in Australia (or Gondwana) we have LOADS of ‘em. Maddie lists some of her favourite big lizards and the tales of their discovery. SOURCES: Natural History Museum, Australian Museum, The Conversation, Wikipedia, Sci-news, Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum. Follow us on INSTAGRAM & TWITTER @australianarama See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more

Mei Quong Tart was one of the most famous and well-loved people in 19th-century Sydney. Known for his tea rooms, philanthropy, social influence, entertaining personality and bagpipe skills, he was a fascinating man ahead of his time. Follow us on INSTAGRAM & TWITTER @australianarama SOURCES: State Library of NSW, Museum of Chinese Australian History, The Sydney Morning Herald, South China Morning Post, Off Campus, Wikipedia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more

The Min Min Lights are a mysterious light phenomenon, following travellers across the roads of Channel Country in the Queensland Outback. Maddie shares sightings, theories and the history behind the legend. Follow us on INSTAGRAM & TWITTER @australianarama SOURCES: ABC News, Min Min Experience Boulia, Boulia Shire Council, The Grey Nomads at Boulia Caravan Park, Wikipedia, Australian Georgraphic- Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, Boulia Camel Races. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more

Jess reads out quotes from a mixed bag of Aussie politicians. Maddie has to guess who said them, and what they’re on about. Follow us on INSTAGRAM & TWITTER @australianarama SOURCES: SBS, ABC, Sydney Morning Herald, Junkee, Museum of Australian Democracy, The Guardian. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more