Blog

The Escape of John McHenry

In September 1869, a prisoner boldly escaped the Geelong Gaol by changing clothes in a water closet and walking straight out past the Governor’s office. John McHenry or James...

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Murder at Cherry Tree Flat

In October 1865, Elijah Dixon alias Charles Alfred Dives took an axe and murdered his wife, Elizabeth and their two small daughters, Julia aged 3 and Elizabeth aged 1. ...

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The Murder of Ginger Tommy

On the afternoon of August 21st, 1918, Norman Violet entered the front door of 28 Cumberland Place where his on again off again paramour Roma Smith lived.  She was...

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Execution at Gallows Flat

In this episode, we look at the first and only public execution in Geelong. Before the passing of the Act for the Execution of Criminals which took executions behind...

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Ride for Life – The Near Execution of John Goldman

In 1853, Trooper John Goldman shot his superior Corporal William Harvey in his tent at Buningyong following an altercation with a local shopkeeper, Edward Adams, over the ownership of...

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Escape of Thompson and Reynolds

In 1865, two prisoners were let out of the cooks cells to make their way to the kitchens to cook for the rest of the prisoners.  But these two...

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