Fierce Girls
208 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★ - 700 ratingsFrom skaters to singers, mountaineers to Mars mission-leaders. From the deep blue sea to the dark, black skies. Australia is full of girls who dare to do things differently. Adventurous girls. Girls with guts and spirit. Girls who stand-up and say, "watch out world, here I come!". Do you know what they are? They're FIERCE. These are their stories. Join the amazing Amy Shark, Julie Bishop, Yael Stone and more as they tell the inspiring tales of some of Australia's most extraordinary women.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
NAIDOC – Faith Thomas: the girl who became the first indigenous person to play cricket for Australia
June 29, 2022 15:50 - 11 minutes - 15.9 MBFaith Thomas grew up throwing rocks at galahs. She'd only been playing proper cricket for a couple of weeks before she was picked to represent South Australia. Her phenomenal stats made headlines. So, it was no great surprise when Faith got called up to represent Australia against England in Brisbane. When she stepped onto the Gabba cricket ground, she became the first Aboriginal person to play on any Australian team… not just cricket. But cricket was just a game to Faith. So, not long afte...
NAIDOC – Yukultji Napangati: the girl who made her world shimmer
June 29, 2022 15:40 - 15 minutes - 21.7 MBYukultji Napangati grew up with no contact with the outside world. Just her and her family, living on a shimmery salt lake. She learned how to live on Country, how to find food, water, and shelter. She was a particularly great hunter. When she turned 14, everything changed. She saw her first other humans, and saw a car for the first time. She had been brought to live with other people from her mob, and here she found out she was really good at something else too, painting. It used to be men’s...
NAIDOC – Queenie McKenzie: the girl who became a living treasure
June 29, 2022 15:30 - 14 minutes - 20.3 MBQueenie McKenzie grew up on a cattle station, staying away from the grasps of the authorities, who would take Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids like her from their families at will. As she grew up, she solved problems everywhere she saw them. From building schools and teaching kids in her community, to saving a man’s life by repairing his scalp stitch by stitch. But deep down, she wanted to tell the stories of her Country. To preserve their importance. She started painting in her...
NAIDOC – Oodgeroo Noonuccal: the girl who fought for the rights of her people
June 29, 2022 15:20 - 13 minutes - 20.1 MBWhen Kath Ruska's dad told her white people would never recognise Aboriginal culture, she hoped he was wrong. She became a famous poet, using her pen as a weapon to fight for Indigenous rights. Her words took her all the way to Parliament House, where she demanded the Prime Minister do more to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. But she still had an English name, so she changed it to Aboriginal language -Oodgeroo, meaning paper bark, and Noonuccal, the name of her...
NAIDOC – Mary Ann Bugg: the girl who became a fierce bushranger
June 29, 2022 15:00 - 12 minutes - 6.85 MBMary Ann Bugg was an Aboriginal woman who became a savvy bushranger and accomplice to Captain Thunderbolt. She was the bushranger's spy, riding ahead into towns to check for police. She also used her bush skills to gather and hunt food for the group of bushrangers she rode with. Mary Ann used her first-class education and stunning beauty to fool the troopers and avoid being caught. Narrated by singer-songwriter Thelma Plum.
NAIDOC — Molly Kelly: the girl who followed the rabbit-proof fence home
June 29, 2022 14:50 - 8 minutes - 6.85 MBMolly Kelly had a white father and an Aboriginal mother and was just a young girl when she was taken from her home. She was stolen from her family and taken to a settlement where white people hoped to stamp out her Aboriginality. But Molly escaped and walked one thousand miles home to her family, using a rabbit-proof fence as her guide. Written and narrated by twelve-year-old Ruby Macheda. If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, we want to let you know that this episode ...
NAIDOC – Daisy Bindi: the girl who fought for more
June 29, 2022 14:40 - 15 minutes - 22.6 MBDaisy Bindi couldn't understand why her boss paid wages to the white workers, but not to her. She was no different to them. And neither were all the other Aboriginal workers who were being treated like slaves. In 1946 Daisy decided enough was enough. She helped lead a three-year strike which won Aboriginal workers fairer pay and better working conditions. Narrated by singer, actor and radio presenter Christine Anu. Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised tha...
INTRODUCING — Fierce Girls Celebrates NAIDOC Week
June 24, 2022 05:30 - 3 minutes - 4.48 MBFierce Girls is celebrating First Nations women who Get Up! Stand Up and Show Up! As Australia celebrates NAIDOC week in July, we're putting the spotlight on seven fierce Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
Mum Shirl - the girl who became a mum to thousands
April 04, 2022 15:00 - 18 minutes - 17.2 MBColeen Shirley Perry had a heart of gold. So when she went to visit her brother in jail, she saw something that few people saw. Instead of seeing baddies, she saw people who needed compassion, and someone to listen to their problems. Soon she was visiting lots of other prisoners. And every time the prison authorities stopped her, or questioned her, she said the same thing: 'I'm his mum.' She became known as Mum Shirl. Word spread about how she could help, and this prominent Wiradjuri woman b...
Mum Shirl – the girl who became a mum to thousands
April 04, 2022 15:00 - 18 minutes - 15.9 MBColeen Shirley Perry had a heart of gold. So when she went to visit her brother in jail, she saw something that few people saw. Instead of seeing baddies, she saw people who needed compassion, and someone to listen to their problems. Soon she was visiting lots of other prisoners. And every time the prison authorities stopped her, or questioned her, she said the same thing: 'I'm his mum.' She became known as Mum Shirl. Word spread about how she could help, and this prominent Wiradjuri woman b...
Meru Sheel - the girl who is a disease detective
March 28, 2022 14:00 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBIf you saw an infectious disease outbreak, would you run far, far away? Dr Meru Sheel runs towards it. Meru grew up in India, where diseases like polio and tuberculosis made people around her extremely sick. It made her want to help. Meru became a disease detective, a field epidemiologist and now dedicates her life to stopping infectious diseases in their tracks! Her detective work tackles everything from gastro to the COVID-19 pandemic. And the clues she finds helps communities, scientists, ...
Meru Sheel — the girl who is a disease detective
March 28, 2022 14:00 - 14 minutes - 19.5 MBIf you saw an infectious disease outbreak, would you run far, far away? Dr Meru Sheel runs towards it. Meru grew up in India, where diseases like polio and tuberculosis made people around her extremely sick. It made her want to help. Meru became a disease detective, a field epidemiologist and now dedicates her life to stopping infectious diseases in their tracks! Her detective work tackles everything from gastro to the COVID-19 pandemic. And the clues she finds helps communities, scientists, ...
Melanie Perkins — The girl who created a unicorn
March 21, 2022 14:00 - 18 minutes - 25.5 MBEver wanted to change the world? Melanie Perkins did — she just needed the right problem to solve. Then it hit her. She tutored university students in graphic design, and they all had the same complaint: the software was too complicated. Melanie knew there must be an easier way. She thought everyone should be able to make beautiful, professional looking images. So, she cleared a space in her mum's living room and got to work. She perfected her pitch, flew to the other side of the world to Si...
Melanie Perkins - The girl who created a unicorn
March 21, 2022 14:00 - 18 minutes - 17 MBEver wanted to change the world? Melanie Perkins did — she just needed the right problem to solve. Then it hit her. She tutored university students in graphic design, and they all had the same complaint: the software was too complicated. Melanie knew there must be an easier way. She thought everyone should be able to make beautiful, professional looking images. So, she cleared a space in her mum's living room and got to work. She perfected her pitch, flew to the other side of the world to Si...
Daphne Hilton (Ceeney) — the girl who dominated the Paralympics
March 14, 2022 14:00 - 17 minutes - 24.9 MBA terrible horse-riding accident left teenager Daphne Ceeney paraplegic. Doctors told her there was nothing they could do and sent her home with no hope of a normal, happy life. But when Daphne she moved to a rehabilitation centre, her life changed. At the centre, Daphne discovered sport. She trained and practised, practised and trained and was so good she became the first Australian woman to go to the Paralympics. She was the only woman in the team and she brought home a haul of medals from...
Daphne Hilton (Ceeney) - the girl who dominated the Paralympics
March 14, 2022 14:00 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MBA terrible horse-riding accident left teenager Daphne Ceeney paraplegic. Doctors told her there was nothing they could do and sent her home with no hope of a normal, happy life. But when Daphne she moved to a rehabilitation centre, her life changed. At the centre, Daphne discovered sport. She trained and practised, practised and trained and was so good she became the first Australian woman to go to the Paralympics. She was the only woman in the team and she brought home a haul of medals from...
Valerie Taylor - the girl who swam with sharks
March 07, 2022 14:00 - 18 minutes - 16.6 MBWould you willingly put your arm in a shark's mouth? Valerie Taylor did. She was a pioneering shark conservationist who believed sharks are friends, not foes. Valerie thrived in a male dominated world, and even had a brush with Hollywood when she worked on the film Jaws. This fearless, fierce adventurer of the sea had a mission; to change people's attitudes towards sharks. She travelled the world, diving and swimming with sharks and campaigning to protect them. Narrated by Australian champio...
Valerie Taylor — the girl who swam with sharks
March 07, 2022 14:00 - 18 minutes - 24.9 MBWould you willingly put your arm in a shark's mouth? Valerie Taylor did. She was a pioneering shark conservationist who believed sharks are friends, not foes. Valerie thrived in a male dominated world, and even had a brush with Hollywood when she worked on the film Jaws. This fearless, fierce adventurer of the sea had a mission; to change people's attitudes towards sharks. She travelled the world, diving and swimming with sharks and campaigning to protect them. Narrated by Australian champio...
INTRODUCING - Fierce Girls Season 8
March 01, 2022 02:00 - 1 minute - 1.37 MBFrom the underwater adventurers of the past, to the disease experts of the future, Australia is FULL of girls who dare to do things differently. Fierce Girls is back for another season, starting International Women's Day.All new stories, all new narrators. Still totally Fierce.
INTRODUCING — Fierce Girls Season 8
March 01, 2022 02:00 - 1 minute - 2.06 MBFrom the underwater adventurers of the past, to the disease experts of the future, Australia is FULL of girls who dare to do things differently. Fierce Girls is back for another season, starting International Women's Day.All new stories, all new narrators. Still totally Fierce.
Nora Heysen – the girl who never stopped painting
October 10, 2021 13:30 - 13 minutes - 18.7 MBNora Heysen wasn’t the only talented artist in the family. As a young woman, her painting was extraordinary, but she could never get out from the shadow of her dad. She took her talents to London to carve her own identity, but male teachers and critics told her that her work wasn’t very good.
Nora Heysen - the girl who never stopped painting
October 10, 2021 13:30 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBNora Heysen wasn’t the only talented artist in the family. As a young woman, her painting was extraordinary, but she could never get out from the shadow of her dad. She took her talents to London to carve her own identity, but male teachers and critics told her that her work wasn’t very good.
Mirka Mora - the girl who painted the town red
October 10, 2021 13:29 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBAs a child, Mirka Mora narrowly escaped being sent to a death camp just for being Jewish. The faces of the people she left behind would haunt her forever.
Mirka Mora – the girl who painted the town red
October 10, 2021 13:29 - 13 minutes - 19.1 MBAs a child, Mirka Mora narrowly escaped being sent to a death camp just for being Jewish. The faces of the people she left behind would haunt her forever.
Mirka Mora – the girl who painted the town red
October 10, 2021 13:29 - 13 minutes - 19.1 MBAs a child, Mirka Mora narrowly escaped being sent to a death camp just for being Jewish. The faces of the people she left behind would haunt her forever.
Yukultji Napangati - the girl who made her world shimmer
October 10, 2021 13:28 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MBYukultji Napangati grew up with no contact with the outside world. Just her and her family, living on a shimmery salt lake. She learned how to live on Country, how to find food, water, and shelter. She was a particularly great hunter.
Yukultji Napangati – the girl who made her world shimmer
October 10, 2021 13:28 - 15 minutes - 21.7 MBYukultji Napangati grew up with no contact with the outside world. Just her and her family, living on a shimmery salt lake. She learned how to live on Country, how to find food, water, and shelter. She was a particularly great hunter.
Marion Mahony Griffin – the girl who designed her dream city
October 10, 2021 13:27 - 13 minutes - 19 MBMarion Mahony Griffin grew up in the best kind of playground – nature. Her home was a log cabin in the woods, where she was able to run wild, climb trees, and spend time entertaining guests.
Marion Mahony Griffin - the girl who designed her dream city
October 10, 2021 13:27 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBMarion Mahony Griffin grew up in the best kind of playground – nature. Her home was a log cabin in the woods, where she was able to run wild, climb trees, and spend time entertaining guests.
Queenie McKenzie - the girl who became a living treasure
October 10, 2021 13:26 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBQueenie McKenzie grew up on a cattle station, staying away from the grasps of the authorities, who would take Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids like her from their families at will.
Queenie McKenzie – the girl who became a living treasure
October 10, 2021 13:26 - 14 minutes - 20.3 MBQueenie McKenzie grew up on a cattle station, staying away from the grasps of the authorities, who would take Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids like her from their families at will.
INTRODUCING - Fierce Girls Season 7
October 06, 2021 19:00 - 1 minute - 1.5 MBCan you name a famous Australian artist? This season of Fierce Girls, we’re brushing up on some fierce women of the art world! So this International Day Of The Girl Child, October 11, you’ll hear the stories of five extraordinary Australian artists.
INTRODUCING – Fierce Girls Season 7
October 06, 2021 19:00 - 1 minute - 2.25 MBCan you name a famous Australian artist? This season of Fierce Girls, we’re brushing up on some fierce women of the art world! So this International Day Of The Girl Child, October 11, you’ll hear the stories of five extraordinary Australian artists.
Jean Robertson and Kathleen Howell — the girls who drove into the history books
May 09, 2021 15:00 - 16 minutes - 22.4 MBJean Robertson learnt to drive almost as soon as her feet could touch the pedals — and then she taught her bestie Kathleen Howell to do the same. The two friends mastered automobiles at a time that you weren't likely to see a woman behind the wheel. Once they'd nailed that, they crossed the whole of Australia by car and smashed land speed records. Narrated by actor and Australian Survivor winner, Pia Miranda. Extra narration by Peggy Webber.
Jean Robertson and Kathleen Howell - the girls who drove into the history books
May 09, 2021 15:00 - 16 minutes - 15 MBJean Robertson learnt to drive almost as soon as her feet could touch the pedals — and then she taught her bestie Kathleen Howell to do the same. The two friends mastered automobiles at a time that you weren't likely to see a woman behind the wheel. Once they'd nailed that, they crossed the whole of Australia by car and smashed land speed records. Narrated by actor and Australian Survivor winner, Pia Miranda. Extra narration by Peggy Webber.
Julia Gillard — the girl who became Australian Prime Minister
May 02, 2021 15:00 - 2 minutes - 29.8 MBThis year marks 100 years since the first woman was elected in parliament in Australia. To celebrate, we're bringing back some of our favourite Fierce Girls episodes, celebrating trailblazing female politicians. At school Julia Gillard's least favourite subject was Home Economics. The teachers told her she'd need it one day, but Julia wasn't so sure. She had her mind firmly set on a career. First, she was a lawyer, then a politician and later she became Australia's first female Prime Ministe...
Edith Cowan — the girl who changed the rules
April 25, 2021 15:00 - 11 minutes - 15.5 MBThis year marks 100 years since the first woman was elected in parliament in Australia. To celebrate, we're bringing back some of our favourite Fierce Girls episodes, celebrating trailblazing female politicians. When Edith Cowan was a girl, her mum died, and her father was sentenced to death for murder. She knew hardship … and it drove her to get a better deal for women and children who were then treated like second class citizens. She took her fight all the way to Parliament House in Perth w...
Andrea Boyd — the girl who became the voice of space
April 18, 2021 16:00 - 15 minutes - 20.9 MBAndrea Boyd grew up loving the science fiction series Star Trek. And when she wasn't at school, conducting science experiments or staring at the TV, she was staring at the sky. But when the world's best engineers built the International Space Station, Andrea realised science fact was better than science fiction. She worked hard to become their only Aussie flight controller, talking to the astronauts who lived in the space station as it orbited Earth. But Andrea didn't stop there — she wante...
Andrea Boyd - the girl who became the voice of space
April 18, 2021 16:00 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MBAndrea Boyd grew up loving the science fiction series Star Trek. And when she wasn't at school, conducting science experiments or staring at the TV, she was staring at the sky. But when the world's best engineers built the International Space Station, Andrea realised science fact was better than science fiction. She worked hard to become their only Aussie flight controller, talking to the astronauts who lived in the space station as it orbited Earth. But Andrea didn't stop there — she wante...
Caroline Buchanan - the story of the girl who became a world champion BMX bandit
April 11, 2021 15:00 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBCaroline Buchanan rode in her first big international BMX race when she was nine, waving to the crowd, soaring down hills, gliding through the air. It was a feeling too good to give up. Even when her brother broke his neck and two arms. Even when she missed out on medals at the London and Rio Olympics. And even when she ended up in hospital, all of it was worth it. Caroline Buchanan endured to become a world champion in both BMX and mountain biking. And she's not done yet. Narrated by ac...
Caroline Buchanan - The Story Of The Girl Who Became A World Champion BMX Bandit
April 11, 2021 15:00 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBCaroline Buchanan rode in her first big international BMX race when she was nine, waving to the crowd, soaring down hills, gliding through the air.
Caroline Buchanan — the story of the girl who became a world champion BMX bandit
April 11, 2021 15:00 - 14 minutes - 19.7 MBCaroline Buchanan rode in her first big international BMX race when she was nine, waving to the crowd, soaring down hills, gliding through the air. It was a feeling too good to give up. Even when her brother broke his neck and two arms. Even when she missed out on medals at the London and Rio Olympics. And even when she ended up in hospital, all of it was worth it. Caroline Buchanan endured to become a world champion in both BMX and mountain biking. And she's not done yet. Narrated by ac...
Faith Thomas - the girl who became the first Indigenous person to play cricket for Australia
April 04, 2021 16:00 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MBFaith Thomas grew up throwing rocks at galahs. She'd only been playing proper cricket for a couple of weeks before she was picked to represent South Australia. Her phenomenal stats made headlines. So, it was no great surprise when Faith got called up to represent Australia against England in Brisbane. When she stepped onto the Gabba cricket ground, she became the first Aboriginal person to play on any Australian team… not just cricket. But cricket was just a game to Faith. So, not long afte...
Faith Thomas — the girl who became the first Indigenous person to play cricket for Australia
April 04, 2021 16:00 - 11 minutes - 15.9 MBFaith Thomas grew up throwing rocks at galahs. She'd only been playing proper cricket for a couple of weeks before she was picked to represent South Australia. Her phenomenal stats made headlines. So, it was no great surprise when Faith got called up to represent Australia against England in Brisbane. When she stepped onto the Gabba cricket ground, she became the first Aboriginal person to play on any Australian team… not just cricket. But cricket was just a game to Faith. So, not long afte...
Nyadol Nyuon — the girl who gave refugees a voice
March 28, 2021 14:00 - 17 minutes - 23.4 MBNyadol Nyuon's family is from South Sudan, but she was born in a refugee camp. Every night she prayed that her family could move to Australia. And, when she was 18, her prayers were answered. In Australia, Nyadol wanted to be a lawyer, but her teachers didn't think she had the ability. Nyadol had some surprises in store for those doubters. She did become a lawyer and, when the media unfairly targeted African youths in their reports, she found her voice and fought to give refugees a voic...
Nyadol Nyuon - the girl who gave refugees a voice
March 28, 2021 14:00 - 17 minutes - 15.6 MBNyadol Nyuon's family is from South Sudan, but she was born in a refugee camp. Every night she prayed that her family could move to Australia. And, when she was 18, her prayers were answered. In Australia, Nyadol wanted to be a lawyer, but her teachers didn't think she had the ability. Nyadol had some surprises in store for those doubters. She did become a lawyer and, when the media unfairly targeted African youths in their reports, she found her voice and fought to give refugees a voic...
Madeline Stuart — the girl who conquered the modelling world
March 21, 2021 15:00 - 17 minutes - 23.6 MBWhen Madeline Stuart was 17, her mum took her to a fashion parade where most of the models seemed to fit a tall, thin, predictable box. Maddy was born with Down Syndrome, a condition that means she has an extra chromosome. And while she didn't look like the models she saw in magazines, fashionistas thought Maddy was beautiful. They invited her onto the catwalks of New York, London, Paris — every corner of the globe. Maddy always knew she could conquer the world — and now she's showing ever...
Madeline Stuart - the girl who conquered the modelling world
March 21, 2021 15:00 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MBWhen Madeline Stuart was 17, her mum took her to a fashion parade where most of the models seemed to fit a tall, thin, predictable box. Maddy was born with Down Syndrome, a condition that means she has an extra chromosome. And while she didn't look like the models she saw in magazines, fashionistas thought Maddy was beautiful. They invited her onto the catwalks of New York, London, Paris — every corner of the globe. Maddy always knew she could conquer the world — and now she's showing ever...
Celeste Barber - the girl whose photos took the world by storm
March 14, 2021 14:00 - 17 minutes - 16.3 MBEven as a young girl, Celeste Barber always had a funny story that would make everyone laugh out loud. Celeste dreamed of starring in a TV comedy like Friends, but she went on to play a paramedic in a popular medical drama. And when that series flatlined, she used Instagram to take the world by storm, one funny photo at a time. During the devastating bushfires of 2019-20, Celeste knew she couldn't grab a hose and put out the fires herself. So, she launched a fundraising appeal and raised $...
Celeste Barber — the girl whose photos took the world by storm
March 14, 2021 14:00 - 17 minutes - 24.4 MBEven as a young girl, Celeste Barber always had a funny story that would make everyone laugh out loud. Celeste dreamed of starring in a TV comedy like Friends, but she went on to play a paramedic in a popular medical drama. And when that series flatlined, she used Instagram to take the world by storm, one funny photo at a time. During the devastating bushfires of 2019-20, Celeste knew she couldn't grab a hose and put out the fires herself. So, she launched a fundraising appeal and raised $...