In the shadowy streets of nineteenth-century Melbourne, one name still casts a long shadow – Madame Brussels. Synonymous with the city’s most infamous brothel, her name’s been immortalised in laneways and cocktail menus. But who was the woman behind the scandalous alter ego?

In this tantalising episode of “Past Lives”, we sit down with author Barbara Minchinton to peel back the layers of Caroline Hodgson’s remarkable life. From her humble beginnings in Prussia to her unapologetic rise in the bright lights (and dark corners) of Marvellous Melbourne, we delve deep into the world she conquered, the empire she built, and the scandal that nearly destroyed her. It’s a tale of grit, glamour, and rebellion – Victoria’s history, but not as you know it.

Our latest episode of Past Lives, “Otherwise, Yokahama”, unfolds in a dramatic courtroom scene in 1923 Melbourne, where Mrs. Ah Kim, otherwise known as “Yokahama” or “Nellie Bew”, is accused of dodging taxes linked to illegal gambling. As the narrative progresses, it delves into the life and trials of Nellie Bew — revealing her birth name as Tie Cum Ah Chung —painting a portrait of a woman who navigated the complexities of identity, legality, and survival in the historical and cultural tapestry of Hobart and Melbourne.

Nellie, dressed sharply and wielding a mastery of English that belies her humble beginnings, confronts the accusations with a mix of defiance and charm. The court session, while focused on a seemingly trivial amount of evaded tax, peels back layers of Nellie’s life, from her purported gambling activities to her deeper story of migration and reinvention. The case quickly dissolves, but the echoes of her encounters with the justice system hint at a deeper, ongoing struggle.

The broader theme of the podcast explores the intersection of personal history with urban decay and historical transformation. Nellie’s life is a microcosm of the broader changes that occurred in Melbourne’s underbelly at the turn of the 20th Century, where the past is not merely history but a living, breathing presence in the alleys and buildings of the city. Our host, Sean, positions himself as a “mad archaeologist,” not in search of ancient relics but rather in pursuit of the stories embedded within the city’s architectural and social landscapes.

This saga transcends the personal, touching on themes of identity, resilience, and the often blurry line between legality and survival. It challenges the listener to consider how history is recorded and remembered, and how individuals navigate the spaces between society’s expectations and their realities. The narrative is a vivid exploration of how personal stories and urban histories are interwoven, each shaping the other in the continuous dance of culture and time.

Dive into the dusty corners of history with Sean, your spirited guide to the past’s peculiar pages, as he sits down with the el capi-tan of collections herself, Jillian Hiscock. As the Collections Manager at the Royal Historical Society of Victoria, Jillian is no stranger to the secret lives of artefacts and the historic tales of old manuscripts. In this episode, she unlocks the vault to our 115-year-old treasure trove, revealing everything from arcane maps to bizarre books.

Join us in Jillian's metaphorical Aladdin’s cave as she shares her most exhilarating finds and the oddball oddities that captivate her historian’s heart. From her early days traipsing through the stacks of Melbourne’s grandest libraries to managing the eclectic collections of government departments, Jillian’s journey is as fascinating as the rarities she preserves.

Plus, get a sneak peek into Jillian’s ongoing project—a captivating exploration of Melbourne's libraries and bookshops, past and present. And if that's not enough, mark your calendars for her panel at the Prahran Mechanics Institute Library during Rare Books Week, where the finer points of collecting and preserving literary gems will be laid bare.

Whether you’re a bibliophile, history buff, or just love a good yarn spun from the threads of the past, this episode of the Past Lives Podcast is your ticket to adventures untold. Grab your magnifying glass and note-taking gear—history’s mysteries await!