Q&A: Tim the Yowie Man

Tim the Yowie Man is a member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers who has dedicated the last 15 years to creating an exciting and extraordinary career as a crypto-naturalist studying strange and hidden phenomena and as a mystery investigator, allowing him to become an authority on unusual phenomena and the paranormal in Australia. Alice Stapleton spoke with Tim the Yowie Man, discussing his upcoming National Film & Sound Archive (NFSA) Ghost Tour in Canberra on the 11th of May.

What inspired you to create this event? 

Canberra has a such a rich heritage and lots of people don’t know about it. The NFSA used to house the Institute of Anatomy for over half a century and there are so many stories to tell.

How many people do you anticipate will participate over the three tours? 

The tour has a limit of 20 people per tour. So 60 people (or ‘victims’) as I like to call them…

What makes you believe the NFSA headquarters are haunted? Have you experienced any paranormal activity yourself?

I’ve received dozens of reports over decades. It’s almost in the job description of those who work there that they have to share their workplace with ghosts. Most are friendly…

How will the tours be conducted? 

2.5 hour tour where we set the scene in a theatrette, including playing some rare footage held by the NFSA… and then 1.5 hours snooping into the bowels of the building

Will you be the only tour guide or will there be other guides assisting you?

I will have some ghostly assistants from the NFSA education team including ‘Apparition Anne’ and ‘Jittery Jeremy’

Do you have a favourite part of the tour?

Yes, definitely the visit to the old morgue in the basement. It sends chills up my spine every time I visit.

Do you have plans to create another tour for other haunted locations in Canberra?

Yes I have a range of other tours which explore Canberra’s paranormal and secret side including at Old Parliament House and to Canberra’s spookiest location – the infamous Air Disaster Memorial which is hidden away in a pine forest near Queanbeyan. Very spooky.
For more info about Tim the Yowie Man and upcoming tours, visit his website: www.yowieman.com.au