Grave Tales Australia: the series

Mr Eternity - the man, his chalk, his message

This is the story of the down-and-outer from a rough childhood who found redemption and why he spent his life writing the word ‘Eternity’ on Sydney streets.

Lost to the sea - Jack and the wreck of La Bella

It was only his second sea journey, and a sailor's life is meant to be an exciting one on the ocean’s waves – adventure, mateship and the mysteries of far off places… but not for Jack.

The Pyjama Girl

Who really lies in a humble grave marked with a white cross in a Melbourne cemetery? Is it the woman they call the ‘Pyjama Girl’, Linda Agostini… or does the evidence suggest it’s not her at all?

Death by sister or a mister? The Schippan Sisters

The newspaper declared ‘startling disclosures’ would be revealed at the trial of Martha, 24, charged with killing her sister, Bertha, 14. Was it a jealous rage, or was a male intruder responsible?

The ute that went to church

A farmer’s wife inspired the design of the Australian ute, and its designer, Lewis Bandt, would take his last breath in it.

The Brownout Strangler: the soldier who wanted women's voices

Overpaid, oversexed and over here – US soldiers during World War II. This is the story of one GI who killed innocent Australian women to possess their voices.

Serial killer confesses to the hangman

Was Robert Francis Burns our first serial killer? Using the solitude of the bush, Burns hid his victims’ bodies, but when found guilty of one murder, he told the hangman about some more!

Tea and sympathy: poisoner, Martha Needle

The inexplicable story of a mother who murdered her husband, her three young girls and her new fiancé’s brother with poison… and how one final cup of tea would seal her fate.

Death comes to Gracie's store

The three ladies, Grace, Rose and Meta, retired for the night on 22 March 1964 in the residence at the back of their little shop. After midnight, the residents of Coorparoo, Brisbane, were woken by the sounds of emergency vehicles heading to the Wood’s premises. But the fire brigade found much more than they bargained for – this was not a house fire, it was the scene of a murder … and the fire was lit to hide evidence.

Almost not famous: Charles Brownlow

His namesake is famous in AFL circles… yet Charles Brownlow played much of his footy for Geelong under an assumed name. This is the curious story of why the name ‘Brownlow’ almost wasn’t famous at all.