News

Introduction: Understanding Deaths in Custody Deaths in custody remain a deeply complex and troubling issue across Australia. Despite decades of inquiries and recommendations, the nation continues to grapple with the failures of its criminal justice system. In this first part of our series, we draw on exclusive insights from Australia's leading criminologist Chris Cuneen, a state prison CEO, and an Assistant Commissioner of Police. Over two years, our team traveled to three Australian states, conducting and editing in-depth interviews that reveal why the implementation of vital recommendations is still lacking—thirty years after the Royal Commission into deaths in custody. What...

Introduction: A Testament to Survival in the Burma Jungle Surviving the terrors of World War 2 demanded more than courage — it called for resourcefulness, quick thinking, and a relentless will to live. In the dense Burma jungle, a remarkable English woman, serving with the Women’s Auxiliary Service Burma (WASBIE), showed the world what true survival means. Through exclusive interviews spread over two insightful days, she recounts her experiences, from the challenges of delivering food rations to British soldiers to a poignant moment with a wounded Sikh soldier aboard a medical evacuation plane. Her survival journey is one of resilience,...

Understanding Fracking: What Is Gas Fracking Mining? Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a relatively new method of extracting gas from deep underground. Since the early 2000s, energy companies found a way to access pockets of gas by 'popping' small gas bubbles trapped in rock layers. This involves drilling deep below the earth and making a sharp turn underground, often passing through or near the water table. For many, fracking sounds like a modern marvel, but experts from think tanks in Canberra warn that it comes with real, significant dangers—many of which go unrecognised by the general public. The Hidden Dangers...

Unveiling the Heart of Koala Audiobooks: The Power of Belief The beginning of every Koala Audiobook isn’t just an introduction—it is a profound testament to belief. For just over a minute and a half, listeners are welcomed by a theme that encapsulates years of passion, perseverance, and the unwavering support of family. Although it may sound simple, this introduction theme took six years to mature, nurture, and finally come to life through the creation of 35 real-life stories. Behind every word and tone lies the pulse of belief—belief in stories, in dreams, and, most of all, in each other. The...

Deaths in Custody: The Wardle Family’s Search for Justice When discussing deaths in custody, it’s crucial to move beyond statistics and reviews—there are real families and real stories behind each tragedy. In this second part of our series, we delve into the heart-wrenching story of the Wardle family, who lost their 19-year-old son, Stephen Wardle, in 1989. The Wardle family’s experience reveals the painful realities many families endure when seeking answers and justice in cases of deaths in custody. Stephen Wardle: More Than Just a Statistic We recently spent time with Mr. and Mrs. Wardle, sharing a meal and discussing...