Welcome back to The Invisible Service.

Today is a really special episode because we’re talking about an organisation that has been supporting Veteran families and communities for generations — Legacy.

With Legacy Appeals Week kicking off today, we thought there was no better time to shine a light on the work they do, the families they support, and why the Legacy Appeal still matters.

In Episode 9, we’re joined by Michelle, President of Albury Legacy, who gives us an insight into what Legacy actually does within our local community.

We talk about the history and purpose of Legacy, the families behind the organisation, and the many ways Legacy continues to support Veterans’ families today.

And perhaps most importantly, we talk about why community support matters.

Legacy has evolved alongside the Veteran community, and the needs of contemporary Veteran families are changing too. Understanding that connection is something that’s really important to us here at The Invisible Service.

So, as Appeals Week begins, we hope you’ll take a little time to listen, learn and perhaps see Legacy from a different perspective.

Because behind every appeal, every badge and every donation, there are real families — and real stories.

This is The Invisible Service. Let’s get into Episode 9.

In this solo episode, Melissa shares an honest and heartfelt update on life behind the scenes. From juggling family surgeries, work, and navigating anxiety, to learning the importance of reaching out for support, this conversation is a gentle reminder that strength isn't about doing everything alone. Melissa also explores the different ways anxiety can show up, reflects on the kindness of friends who stepped in when it was needed most, and talks about finding balance before burnout. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, this episode is for you.

This week on Invisible Service, Mel and Keresten reflect on their recent Mental Health First Aid training and the powerful lessons it taught them—not about fixing people, but about supporting them.

We talk about the importance of listening without judgment, breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health, and learning that sometimes the most valuable thing we can do is simply be present for someone who is struggling.

We also share how the course challenged our own thinking, helped reduce feelings of self-blame, and reminded us that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.

Plus, we discuss exciting plans for future community wellness initiatives, including school holiday activities, campfires, connection events, and opportunities to bring Veterans and their families together in meaningful ways.

Episode 7 is all about connection, transition, and the conversations that remind us we’re not alone.

After a huge week of showing up, networking, listening, learning, and stepping deeper into the Veteran community space, we’re unpacking what it actually feels like to become part of something bigger than ourselves.

Keresten shares her experience attending a Veteran transition seminar and visiting Defence Shed Wagga and the Pro Patria Centre, while we reflect on the importance of community spaces for Veterans and their families.

We also chat about the newly formed Legacy connections morning, the power of intergenerational support, and the impact of the people we met along the way.

From quiet encouragement to meaningful conversations, this episode explores the moments that stayed with us, the doors that opened, and the reminders of why this work matters so deeply.

We talk honestly about how different it feels being around people who “just get it” without needing long explanations, and why informal spaces built on understanding, connection, and shared lived experience are so important for Veterans, carers, and families.

Episode 6 is a real and honest conversation about resilience, pressure, and finding your footing again. We chat about the recent DVA Women’s Veterans Forum in Queensland, the growing stress many veteran families are feeling with the new budget changes. We also open up about the emotional rollercoaster of heading back to work after years of caring, navigating imposter syndrome, family pressures, and learning to trust yourself again through the uncertainty.

This week’s episode is a real and honest conversation about what happens when multiple stressors collide at once — grief, overwhelm, old trauma responses, triggers, parenting pressures, returning to work, and the emotional weight many Veteran families quietly carry.

We also explore something important: healing doesn’t mean you never struggle again. It means you recognise what’s happening sooner, use the tools you’ve learnt, and move through difficult periods differently than you once did.

We also touch on the importance of reaching out for support when things start to feel too heavy — whether that’s friends, family, professional support, or community connections — because carrying everything alone isn’t sustainable.This episode is about overwhelm, resilience, emotional recovery, and the reality that growth is not perfection — it’s learning how to keep moving forward when everything hits at once.

In this episode of The Invisible Service: She Held The Line, we explore the identity shift that happens when life changes after years of being a Defence partner and you step into the Carer role. It’s about the roles we stepped into without noticing and the moments we realised everything had changed. The grief that comes with losing a version of yourself and how to gently begin again… without pressure.

In this episode we share some of the feedback you’ve been sending through—because this podcast is growing with you—and talk about what’s ahead, including bringing more voices into the conversation.

We also dive into the reality of navigating support services, from Open Arms to DVA and Centrelink, and the importance of finding what actually works for you. Keresten shares her upcoming attendance at the DVA Women’s Forum and calls on our community to help shape what’s being taken to the table.

This is an honest conversation about advocacy, transition, medical discharge, and the lived experience behind it all—the parts that often go unseen.

You’re not alone in this. This is The Invisible Service.

Episode 2 is all about going a little deeper.

In this episode, we move beyond the basics and share more of who we are and how we each came to be connected to the Defence community.

The Invisible Service: She Held the Line was created because these stories matter. Because YOU matter.

Welcome to The Invisible Service: She Held the Line.

A podcast dedicated to the stories that often go unheard. Behind every uniform is a network of partners, families, carers, and children who carry the weight of service in their own way. This podcast shares real, raw, and honest conversations about life on the home front—the love, the challenges, the resilience, and the moments no one talks about. Whether you’re living it, supporting someone who is, or simply want to understand… this space is for you. Because service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off—and no one should have to walk it alone.