The Alice Springs Balloon Disaster & The Ansett Hijacking

Arnhem Land, 1988: The Dennis Rostron Case

In this episode of Territory Famous, we examine the case of Dennis Rostron, one of the Northern Territory's most confronting family homicide cases. In 1988, five members of Rostron's family were killed at an outstation near Maningrida in Arnhem Land. Drawing on Supreme Court records, contemporary newspaper reporting, parole decisions and later interviews, we follow the events leading up to the shootings, the devastating impact on the community, the decades Rostron spent in prison, and the circumstances surrounding his eventual release on parole more than 30 years later. This episode contains discussion of murder, family violence, trauma and death that some listeners may find distressing. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that this episode contains the names of deceased persons and discussion of death. Sources for this episode include Northern Territory Supreme Court judgments, historical newspaper archives, parole board material and contemporary news reporting. Researched and written by: Kellie Arrowsmith Audio editor: Bar Brawl Records https://www.facebook.com/BarBrawlRecords Cover art: http://www.joshbauer.com/ [http://www.joshbauer.com/] "Skimpy' - a Territory memoir: Kellie Arrowsmith Books - Hachette Australia [https://www.hachette.com.au/kellie-arrowsmith/] Follow Territory Famous: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561090053520 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561090053520] Instagram: https://www.intagram.com/territoryfamous/ [https://www.instagram.com/territoryfamous/] Tik Tok: Territory Famous (@territoryfamous) | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@territoryfamous]

The Alice Springs Balloon Disaster & The Ansett Hijacking

This week on Territory Famous we're looking at two extraordinary events that unfolded in the skies above the Northern Territory. First, we revisit the dramatic 1972 hijacking of Ansett Flight 232, a bizarre and tense ordeal that unfolded in Alice Springs and became one of the most unusual aviation incidents in Australian history. Then we travel back to August 1989, when a routine sunrise balloon flight outside Alice Springs ended in tragedy. The disaster claimed 13 lives and remained the deadliest hot air balloon accident in the world for more than two decades. This episode is a little shorter than usual, so thank you for bearing with me. I'm currently deep into research on several much larger stories that will be released over the coming weeks. The Age - Google News Archive Search [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hrMyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SZEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2746%2C5586366] Researched and written by: Kellie Arrowsmith Audio editor: Bar Brawl Records https://www.facebook.com/BarBrawlRecords Cover art: http://www.joshbauer.com/ [http://www.joshbauer.com/] "Skimpy' - a Territory memoir: Kellie Arrowsmith Books - Hachette Australia [https://www.hachette.com.au/kellie-arrowsmith/] Follow Territory Famous: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561090053520 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561090053520] Instagram: https://www.intagram.com/territoryfamous/ [https://www.instagram.com/territoryfamous/] Tik Tok: Territory Famous (@territoryfamous) | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@territoryfamous]

Beyond the Impact: The Nicholas Cassidy Cover-Up

In June 2011, 25-year-old Levi Griffiths was walking home along a dark stretch of road in Darwin’s rural area when his life was tragically cut short. What happened afterwards would shock the Northern Territory. In this episode of Territory Famous, we look into the case of Nicholas “Shonky” Cassidy — from the fatal collision on Girraween Road, to the elaborate cover-up that followed, the legal loophole that sparked outrage across Darwin, and the years of unanswered questions left behind for Levi’s family. Using coronial findings, court evidence, sentencing remarks and media reports, this episode examines one of the NT’s most controversial criminal cases and the investigation that uncovered what happened after Levi’s death. This episode discusses death, grief and distressing events. Listener discretion is advised. Inquest: NTMC04Griffithsinquest.pdf Researched and written by: Kellie Arrowsmith Audio editor: Bar Brawl Records https://www.facebook.com/BarBrawlRecords Cover art: http://www.joshbauer.com/ [http://www.joshbauer.com/] "Skimpy' - a Territory memoir: Kellie Arrowsmith Books - Hachette Australia [https://www.hachette.com.au/kellie-arrowsmith/] Follow Territory Famous: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561090053520 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561090053520] Instagram: https://www.intagram.com/territoryfamous/ [https://www.instagram.com/territoryfamous/] Tik Tok: Territory Famous (@territoryfamous) | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@territoryfamous]

Ben Hoffmann Part 2: The Trial, Courtroom Chaos & Life Sentence

In Part 2 of the Ben Hoffmann case, Territory Famous follows the long and chaotic court process that unfolded after the 2019 Darwin shootings. What began as a murder trial quickly became one of the most bizarre and difficult Supreme Court proceedings the Northern Territory had seen in years. This episode covers: • Hoffmann’s behavior inside the courtroom • His repeated clashes with lawyers and the judge • The dramatic sacking and rehiring of legal teams • Psychiatric evidence and claims of paranoia and delusions • The prosecution’s argument that some symptoms were exaggerated or faked • Guilty pleas entered after six weeks of trial • Justice John Burns’ sentencing remarks • The lasting impact on survivors, victims’ families, and the Darwin community The episode also looks at the way the victims were remembered by loved ones, and the emotional aftermath that continued long after the shootings ended. This episode contains discussions of murder, gun violence, trauma, drug use, mental illness, and court evidence that some listeners may find distressing. Listener discretion is advised. Researched and written by: Kellie Arrowsmith Audio editor: Bar Brawl Records https://www.facebook.com/BarBrawlRecords Cover art: http://www.joshbauer.com/ [http://www.joshbauer.com/] "Skimpy' - a Territory memoir: Kellie Arrowsmith Books - Hachette Australia [https://www.hachette.com.au/kellie-arrowsmith/] Follow Territory Famous: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561090053520 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561090053520] Instagram: https://www.intagram.com/territoryfamous/ [https://www.instagram.com/territoryfamous/] Tik Tok: Territory Famous (@territoryfamous) | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@territoryfamous]

Ben Hoffman (Part One: The Shootings)

In 2019, Ben Hoffman was involved in a drug-fueled shooting rampage that resulted in a serious violent incident and multiple shots being fired. This episode focuses on the events of the shooting itself, including how the situation unfolded and escalated, the actions taken during the incident, and the immediate response from those involved and emergency services. It covers the timeline of the day and the circumstances surrounding the violent behavior that led to criminal charges. Part Two of this series covers: The impact of the shootings on the victims’ families, the court proceedings and trial evidence, and Hoffman’s behavior while in custody, including additional charges related to his conduct while incarcerated. Researched and written by: Kellie Arrowsmith Audio editor: Bar Brawl Records https://www.facebook.com/BarBrawlRecords Cover art: http://www.joshbauer.com/ [http://www.joshbauer.com/] "Skimpy' - a Territory memoir: Kellie Arrowsmith Books - Hachette Australia [https://www.hachette.com.au/kellie-arrowsmith/] Follow Territory Famous: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561090053520 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561090053520] Instagram: https://www.intagram.com/territoryfamous/ [https://www.instagram.com/territoryfamous/] Tik Tok: Territory Famous (@territoryfamous) | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@territoryfamous]