Who the Hell is Hamish Episode 3

The Gatsby of the Great Lakes

Before listening to the third episode of Who the Hell is Hamish, divide the class into three groups to research a topic, then share the information with the other groups.

Research

  1. Who is Jay Gatsby?
  2. Who is James Bond?
  3. Who is Mark Twain?

Now listen to Episode 3: The Gatsby of the Great Lakes

“If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.” Mark Twain

After listening to the podcast, discuss with a partner the stories and lies Hamish told and the warnings about him from other people. How does the quote from Mark Twain relate to this? How are the characters Jay Gatsby and James Bond used in reference to Hamish?

Find these locations mentioned in Episode 3.

  • Blueys Beach
  • Hunter Valley
  • Woolloomooloo
  • SoHo, New York

Research these people mentioned in Episode 3 and remember what was said about them in the podcast.

  • Terry Randall
  • Malcolm Irving
  • Brian Price, FEX Group
  • Tom Ford
  • Russell Crowe
  • John Laws

Bec says that Hamish’s image changed while she knew him. Discuss these words with a partner and how they relate to Hamish’s image:

  • surfie
  • triathlons
  • botox
  • hair-dye
  • designer suits
  • paleo diet

Finally search for images of:

  • Hamish McLaren and Bec
  • Hamish with a sticker on his head in New York with the name Hamish McLaughlin

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Who the Hell is Hamish Episode 2

Fashion Crimes

Before listening to the second episode of Who the Hell is Hamish divide the class into three groups to research a topic and discuss vocabulary. Then share the information with the other groups.

 

Group 1

Research topic

Lisa Ho, fashion designer Australia

Vocabulary

  • autism
  • psychiatric
  • fleeced
  • mind-boggling
  • pyramid scheme
  • reverse psychology
  • parasite

Group 2

Research topic

Energetic treatments

Vocabulary

  • superannuation
  • nest egg
  • reneged
  • web of deceit
  • unencumbered
  • naïve
  • savvy

Group 3

Research topic

Musgrave House, Sydney

Vocabulary

  • hard-nosed
  • under the radar
  • empty the coffers
  • loot
  • King Midas
  • squirreled away
  • made good coin

Now listen to Episode 2: Fashion Crimes 

After listening to the second episode discuss these questions with a partner:

  1. Use your knowledge of the Research and Vocabulary from the previous activity to explain what happened in Episode 2.
  2. What countries are mentioned?
  3. List the people mentioned and the amount of money they lost to Hamish.
  4. Use the example of Victim A, Victim B and Victim C to explain how Hamish tricked the people.
  5. How does music and sound effects create mood for the podcast?

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Who the Hell is Hamish?

The Day Max Died

This lesson is based on Episode 1 of the Who the Hell is Hamish podcast from The Australian reported by Greg Bearup. Hamish has stolen millions of dollars from innocent victims and this podcast aims to explain how he did it.

Before listening to the podcast discuss these questions:

  1. Have you ever cheated? Have you found out someone who has cheated?
  2. Do you always tell the truth? Are there any situations when you think it would be acceptable to lie?
  3. If you had money to invest how would you make decisions on what to do with it?

Do you know what these words mean?

  • bankrupt
  • sociopath
  • banter
  • vulnerable
  • algorithms
  • authentic
  • declaration
  • incriminate
  • legit
  • discombobulating
  • cohort

Now listen to Episode 1: The Day Max Died

After listening to Episode 1 use a map to locate these places and discuss what was mentioned about each place:

  1. World Trade Centre
  2. Sydney Opera House
  3. Stewart House, Curl Curl
  4. Bondi Beach
  5. MIT
  6. Harvard
  7. Wallstreet
  8. Circular Quay
  9. Byron Bay
  10. Bronte
  11. Tamarama
  • Summarise what happened in Episode 1.
  • What is your opinion?
  • What do you think will happen in the next episode?

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