Atomic Testing

The University of Melbourne's involvement in the testing of atomic bombs in South Australia is not that well known.  Yet it had a massive impact on the Indigenous people living there, with health impacts that were felt for decades. 

University academics were enlisted to ensure the safety nuclear blasts at Maralinga and Emu Field. But how good of a job did they really do? 

Interviewees:

• Karina Lester - Senior Aboriginal Language Worker at The University of Adelaide
• Dr James Waghorne - Senior Research Fellow and University Historian at The University of Melbourne
• Elizabeth Tynan - co-ordinator of the professional development program at the James Cook University Graduate Research School and researcher of the history of British atomic weapons testing in Australia 

Note:  This episode has been updated to reflect further details of Leslie Martin's role in atomic testing. 

Music

Gold Hands – Holly Sweeney

Piano Study – Joel Keith

 

Special mention to the following sources:

Yami: The Autobiography of Yami Lester

Tim Sherrat

The McClelland Royal Commission

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