I Was Actually There

When the gunman responsible for the Port Arthur massacre staged a siege in the final hours of the incident, he was believed to have taken hostages. Craig Harwood led the Police Special Operations team tasked with containing the killer. As the hours wore on, Craig took on the role of sniper. He shares his perspective, from behind the sight.

Alannah and Madeline Foundation

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Rebekah Giles and her boyfriend were enjoying a last-minute Christmas holiday in Thailand when the deadliest tsunami in recorded history struck. Rebekah recounts her remarkable survival, from the moment a torrent of water blew apart her beachfront hut on Phi Phi Island.

If you need someone to talk to, call:

• Lifeline on 13 11 14
• 13Yarn on 13 92 76
• Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
• Headspace on 1800 650 890
• QLife on 1800 184 527

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Former AFL star Gilbert McAdam recalls an incendiary game of footy that was a turning point in the code's history. After the final whistle Gilbert's St Kilda teammate, Nicky Winmar, took a defiant stance — raising his guernsey to proclaim pride in his Aboriginality. The moment was captured in two photographs. Widely published, the images brought the issue of racial abuse in the AFL to the fore. Gilbert reveals his personal story leading up to the incident, and what happened in its aftermath.

If you need someone to talk to, call:

• 13Yarn on 13 92 76
• Lifeline on 13 11 14
• Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
• MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
• Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
• Headspace on 1800 650 890
• QLife on 1800 184 527
• Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800

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The Beatles were the brightest part of John Law's young teenage life. At 14, he became a rebel in stovepipe pants — a true fan who did his bit to bring the band to his city. He recounts 1964's brilliant months of Beatlemania, culminating in seeing his idols perform live at Centennial Hall.

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When face-to-face with asylum seekers pleading for help, possible arrest was the least of Izzy Brown's concerns. Izzy was among a crowd of protesters at the outback detention centre the weekend the razor-wire fences came down and people were aided to flee. She shares what led her to the action, and what happened afterwards.

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Todd Russell spent 14 days trapped one kilometre underground with his co-worker Brant Webb after a mine collapse. Until the last minute, they were never certain they'd survive. Todd tells how an ordinary night shift led to his becoming a household name, thanks to a massive rescue effort. And what it took to withstand those hours deep underground.

If you need someone to talk to, call:

MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978Lifeline on 13 11 14 13Yarn on 13 92 76Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36Headspace on 1800 650 890QLife on 1800 184 527Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800

Stream the TV show on ABC iview.

Gripping stories told by people who witnessed history first-hand.

Hear what it was like to be a police sniper tasked with handling the gunman at the Port Arthur massacre; how it felt to be a teenager seeing The Beatles during their record-breaking 1964 Adelaide visit; and how one man survived being trapped 1km underground for 14 days, after the Beaconsfield mine collapse.

All podcast episodes are available on ABC listen on 9 July 2024.