Ashton Foley wasn’t her real name, but she was such a convincing con artist that she was made chief executive of the largest hospital south of Perth’s metropolitan area – Peel Health Campus. The pursuit of her true identity, and the phone call from the Reporter that made her flee, was like something out of a movie plot.

Ashton Foley wasn’t her real name, but she was such a convincing con artist that she was made chief executive of the largest hospital south of Perth’s metropolitan area – Peel Health Campus. The pursuit of her true identity, and the phone call from the Reporter that made her flee, was like something out of a movie plot.

"The Reporter: True Stories" is a new podcast series hosted by veteran journalist Gary Adshead.

With a career spanning four decades, Adshead has stood on the frontlines of journalism, tackling a vast array of Western Australia's most notorious stories, from murder investigations and national espionage to heroic rescues and missing person cases.

In this gripping new series, Adshead and fellow newshound Michael Thomson bring listeners behind the headlines, offering a unique glimpse into the life of a reporter, unpacking the challenges, triumphs, and complicated realities of pursuing the truth. This podcast underscores what it takes to get the story.

"The Reporter: True Stories" is a new podcast series hosted by veteran journalist Gary Adshead.
With a career spanning four decades, Adshead has stood on the frontlines of journalism, tackling a vast array of Western Australia's most notorious stories, from murder investigations and national espionage to heroic rescues and missing person cases.
In this gripping new series, Adshead and fellow newshound Michael Thomson bring listeners behind the headlines, offering a unique glimpse into the life of a reporter, unpacking the challenges, triumphs, and complicated realities of pursuing the truth. This podcast underscores what it takes to get the story.

The Reporter: True Stories

Simon Beaumont will keep you up to date with all the latest breaking stories and issues in Perth.

Simon Beaumont will keep you up to date with all the latest breaking stories and issues in Perth.

Mornings with Simon Beaumont

The Reporter

Blowing the Whistle on the Whistleblower

When someone questioned the legitimacy of police and military service medals worn by WA MP Barry Urban, the Reporter began weeks and months of investigation. The twists and turns finally found that Barry Urban became a politician based on a web of lies - Urban myths - ending up with him being sent to prison.

When someone questioned the legitimacy of police and military service medals worn by WA MP Barry Urban, the Reporter began weeks and months of investigation. The twists and turns finally found that Barry Urban became a politician based on a web of lies - Urban myths - ending up with him being sent to prison.

Fake Medals, Urban Myths

WA has one of the most secret spy bases in the world, operating 35km east of Geraldton. It was called Echelon, a listening station for satellite communications from across the globe. It was something the Reporter saw for himself - and that small visit led to some very interesting interactions afterward. 

WA has one of the most secret spy bases in the world, operating 35km east of Geraldton. It was called Echelon, a listening station for satellite communications from across the globe. It was something the Reporter saw for himself - and that small visit led to some very interesting interactions afterward.

Spy Base Echelon

It was an extraordinary search. Alaskan firefighter Robert Bogucki had been lost for over 40 days in the Great Sandy Desert - and everyone was desperate to find him. The Reporter tells us the real story of how Nine’s discovery of Bogucki went down, the fallout, the stuff-ups and the tension between the Nine crew, other media personnel, and an American rescue leader by the name of Garrison 'Gunslinger' St Clair.

It was an extraordinary search. Alaskan firefighter Robert Bogucki had been lost for over 40 days in the Great Sandy Desert - and everyone was desperate to find him. The Reporter tells us the real story of how Nine’s discovery of Bogucki went down, the fallout, the stuff-ups and the tension between the Nine crew, other media personnel, and an American rescue leader by the name of Garrison 'Gunslinger' St Clair.

Blowing the Whistle on the Whistleblower

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