Rusty O’Nhiall

Broadcaster – Paranormalist – Writer – Adventurer

Rusty O’Nhiall is a nationally recognised and respected paranormal researcher with over 20 years experience under his belt.  In addition, Rusty also has formal qualifications and experience in forensic science, criminal and civil investigations, various streams of Metaphysics, psychology and socialology.   Well known for his dedication to establishing formal guidelines and standards in paranormal research, Rusty is also in demand as a speaker and as an advisor for a number of groups, organisations, media and film companies and other researchers.

Rusty has two radio shows which have a growing and loyal fan base both within Australia, and overseas and is soon to appear on a series of DVD’s, doing what he loves best, telling stories and introducing people to haunted locations around Australia, and maybe, even overseas.

Rusty is a passionate Australian.  His stories and love for the land of his birth define the very character that he is.  Part larrikin, part philosopher, part scientist and part romanticist, Rusty never hides his love for the spirit of Australia and her people, his love for the land beyond the cities borders, the myth and legends, some reaching back many thousands of years.

What once started as a desire to seek answers regarding life after death has now become a desire to protect and share, to keep alive the stories that some find frightening, others fascinating but are just as much a part of the history and magic of Australia.

Through his Radio show, Haunted Downunder which airs across the United States, Europe, United Kingdom and of course Australia, and soon through a series of documentaries, Rusty shares these stories, many introduced by the very people who experienced them.  Rusty also talks of the spirit of the land, not a ghostly one, but one that defines Australia and her people.

Rusty is not a Balladeer, a poet, or an accomplished writer (although there are hundreds of fans of his personal blog that may disagree) but he is in part a Bard, a presenter of the stories that sometimes are never heard or lost over time.

A born and bred country lad, Rusty has been researching and documenting the paranormal for over 20 years.  He has travelled the word to investigate reported hauntings and ghostly sightings and in the process has become something of a household name among other researchers.

A regular on many radio shows and TV it is very clear that as much as he likes to ensure his research is above reproach, he also loves the stories and as the years have progressed he is moving away from scientific based research to take a more journalistic approach.  In Rusty’s own words; “There came a time when I realised that no matter how much effort I put into it, the smoking gun as such was proving to be elusive and I found myself enjoying more the tales behind each haunting, I am coming to the conclusion that some things are just not meant to be analysed.  If we found proof of the paranormal or if we found it didn’t exist at all, imagine how much magic would be gone?”

Rusty was up until recently, the Director of the Australian Paranormal Research Group, a self funded research operation managed by the Manning Foundation where he developed specialised procedures for carrying out paranormal research including analysis and presentation of data and evidence.

Rusty now travels around Australia, and overseas, holding seminars and workshops and attending events as a guest speaker or participant.  His show, Haunted Downunder has a huge following both within Australia and throughout the world which gives him the ideal platform from which to do what he loves best, share experiences and let the world know about ethical research efforts underway in Australia.

A bit of a showman, he’s the first to admit that his Larrikin ways and his mischievous sense of humour means he’s in his element and couldn’t think of anything else he would like to do more.  He does however have a very serious side too and is often called upon to help people and organisations who are experiencing or have experienced some sort of encounter.

Although Rusty works hard at pushing the paranormal research field here in Australia he does not have time for, nor will he tolerate scammers, people who deliberately fake evidence or those who act in a manner that only serves to bring disrepute onto his field.

Rusty is available for talks, seminars, events and guidance for new or existing paranormal research groups.