About this episode

The episode explores the life of Luba Shishova, a wild figure in 1950s Sydney, detailing her chaotic experiences and impact on the city.

While 1950s eccentrics Bea Miles and Rosaleen Norton are well remembered, Luba Shishova was twice as wild yet she's all but forgotten. Dubbed ‘Olga from the Volga’ and a ‘one-woman Russian Revolution’, this chaotic beauty cut a swathe through Kings Cross, earning adoring fans among the city’s reporters and outraging the cops and the judges. Now, for the first time, Luba’s story is told in detail – from her background in a war zone and her bikini court sensation to her flesh-ripping assaults and stints in jail and psych hospitals. Forgotten Australia is created and hosted by Michael Adams, author of the acclaimed true crime books The Murder Squad, Hanging Ned Kelly and They'll Never Hold Me. He’s also a regular history commentator on ABC Nightlife and the podcast Australian True Crime. Support Forgotten Australia for a few bucks per month for ad-free early and exclusive bonus episodes and the chance to win prizes. Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com Check out my books! They’ll Never Hold Me: https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html The Murder Squad…

People in this episode

Host: Michael Adams

Topics covered

• true crime
• history
• eccentrics
• Kings Cross
• court cases
• mental health
• biography

Keywords

• Luba Shishova
• true crime
• Sydney
• eccentrics
• Kings Cross
• court sensation
• biography

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Forgotten Australia, ABC Nightlife, Australian True Crime

More episodes of Forgotten Australia

• True Crime Classic Miniseries: Bloody Murder in the Blue Mountains – Part One · July 19, 2026 · 45 min
• The Bunbury Bombing · July 16, 2026 · 1h 1m
• Talking History – White Death: The American Legend Behind Australia’s Best-Worst Movie · July 12, 2026 · 41 min
• A Murder of Note – Part Four: Cursed From Birth · June 29, 2026 · 34 min
• A Murder of Note – Part Three: The Villain as Victim · June 29, 2026 · 34 min
• A Murder of Note – Part Two: Shotgun Marriage · June 28, 2026 · 57 min

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