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The Greatest Menace cover art

The Greatest Menace

By: Patrick Abboud, Simon Cunich
Narrated by: Patrick Abboud
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  • Summary

  • Best True Crime Podcast, Australian Podcast Awards 2022

    Walkley Award for Best Audio Feature 2022

    The Walkley Foundation’s Media Diversity Australia Award 2022

    Gold, Social Justice category, New York Festivals Radio Award 2022

    Gold, Documentary category, Signal Awards 2023

    Please note: Contains strong language and adult content. 

    Tucked away amongst snow-covered mountains is a tiny Australian town with a dark secret. Journalist Patrick Abboud hears whispers that it was once home to the world’s only 'gay prison'. A prison that specifically incarcerated gay men. His investigation into what happened inside reveals the full story for the first time. This queer true-crime journey takes you from underground nightclubs to hidden sex haunts, to remote parts of New Zealand and England. You’ll find yourself entangled in a police cover up, a case of wrongful conviction and a human experiment that didn’t go to plan. At the centre of it all was a covert government operation to eradicate 'the greatest menace to society': homosexuality. 

    Now with a bonus episode, The Runaway: In the first year since the series' release the producers were flooded with new information. This episode features an extraordinary interview with a prison inmate and looks at how he wants to regain his dignity.

    Researched, written and produced by Patrick Abboud and Simon Cunich. 

    Presented by Patrick Abboud. This Audible Original is produced by Lockdown Productions Pty Ltd. 

    Patrick Abboud was the Jesse Cox Audio Fellow 2020, with support from its founding sponsor Audible, its production partner Unison Sound and its festival partners Third Coast International Audio Festival and Audiocraft Podcast Festival.

    Reporting was also supported by The Walkley Public Fund.  
    ©2022 Lockdown Productions Pty Ltd. (P)2022 Audible Australia Pty Ltd.
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Episodes
  • TRAILER: The Greatest Menace

    TRAILER: The Greatest Menace
    Jan 30 2023

    Winner of The Walkley Foundation’s Media Diversity Australia Award 2022

    Gold winner in the Social Justice Podcast category, and awarded Bronze in the Serialized Podcast and Narrative/Documentary Podcast categories at the 2022 New York Festivals Radio Award

    Please note: Contains strong language and adult content.

    Tucked away amongst snow-covered mountains is a tiny Australian town with a dark secret. Journalist Patrick Abboud hears whispers that it was once home to the world’s only 'gay prison'. A prison that specifically incarcerated gay men. His investigation into what happened inside reveals the full story for the first time. This queer true-crime journey takes you from underground nightclubs to hidden sex haunts, to remote parts of New Zealand and England. You’ll find yourself entangled in a police cover up, a case of wrongful conviction and a human experiment that didn’t go to plan. At the centre of it all was a covert government operation to eradicate 'the greatest menace to society': homosexuality.

    Researched, written and produced by Patrick Abboud and Simon Cunich.

    Presented by Patrick Abboud. This Audible Original is produced by Lockdown Productions Pty Ltd.

    Patrick Abboud was the Jesse Cox Audio Fellow 2020, with support from its founding sponsor Audible, its production partner Unison Sound and its festival partners Third Coast International Audio Festival and Audiocraft Podcast Festival.

    Reporting was also supported by The Walkley Public Fund.
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    2 mins
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  • Ep 1: The Vice Squad

    Ep 1: The Vice Squad
    Feb 9 2023

    A mysterious tip starts Patrick investigating rumours of a gay prison and the police squad that ruthlessly targeted gay men.
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    40 mins
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  • Ep 2: The Queen City of the South

    Ep 2: The Queen City of the South
    Feb 9 2023

    Patrick arrives in a small town with a big secret and starts investigating why the government would create a gay prison.
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    35 mins
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Gay Studies
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What listeners say about The Greatest Menace

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Impressive writing & narration.

Some scandals should be balked at. The researchers deserve awards for exposing the corruption within their own government & those who turned a blind eye to a generation of innocent human beings. The law on homosexuality has been relatively overturned with paltry apologies to this community. A recommended read to all who seek freedom from injustice wherever they find it.

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Fascinating Story

Great research, well narrated and an extraordinary story. Opens a veil on past attitudes and warns us to be vigilant in protecting human rights in the future.

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Profile Image for Londongayle

Fascinating yet shocking listen

I’m shocked to learn about the laws in Australia and the stories of entrapment and that it was going on during my childhood.
A great documentary and my heat goes out to everyone who suffered during this awful times.

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How far we’ve come

An extremely moving podcast that shows how much attitudes have changed in the last 70 years. Beautifully narrated by the researcher, shining a light on a hidden prison and the repercussions of repressive anti-homosexuality laws.

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Profile Image for Rowan Calver

So good!

Everyone should listen to this. Narrated amazingly + so fascinating. So sad to learn about what happened but I hope times have changed for the better.

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Definitely worth listening to

Short but thorough podcast telling the story of author's research for Australian government's report on tests on gay inmates at Cooma's male prison in the 60s and 70s. I was horrified while listening to some of the victims' stories but also happy to learn about the movement leading to the recognition of gay people's rights.

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Flawless

Such an inspiring and well presented piece of work. You have done the LGBTQ+ community proud. Thank you.

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A fascinating story

For all heterosexuals who lived through the 50s and 60s this is required listening.

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Australia

I had no idea that Australia was such an intolerant and hateful society. Such shame.

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Profile Image for TheZee

And the truth wins

I listened to this podcast with bated breath and optimism even though I knew there would be difficult facts to unfold.

This notorious idea of a prison just for gay men is abhorrent and so far from the mind of those who believe in inclusion.

I am glad that this podcast exists so that many shamed people can find solace in their truth for the better.

Patrick and Simon have given the world a gift worth every pain to bring it forth.

Human evolution is slow and yet in our time it's time to accept that different doesn't mean bad. This podcast is proof the truth wins and no laws can control it.

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2 people found this helpful