From creating a sense of purpose to reclaiming lost camaraderie, finding meaningful employment can be a lifesaver for veterans as they transition from the Australian Defence Force into the civilian world.

In this episode, we will be exploring what meaningful employment means and its importance, as told by three different guests, all prominent figures from the Prime Minister’s Veteran’s Employer of the Year, BAE Systems Australia.

If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

CREDITS:

Host: Hugh Riminton

Guest/s: Mat Jones, Gus Campbell and Nancy Friend

Producer: Ryan Banks & Matthew Tankard

Editing, music & mixing: Matthew Tankard

Special thanks to ArtSound FM in Canberra

This podcast is a Smart Fella Media production

You can learn more about Soldier On at www.soldieron.org.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s episode is a conversation between two Australian comedians, Anthony Lehmann, otherwise known as Lehmo, and Adam Rozenback, otherwise known as Rozie.

Every so often, Australia sends over some of our biggest names in entertainment across the world to entertain our troops out on deployment. This is a gig that both Lehmo and Rozie are very familiar with, and both hold with great reverence.

If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

CREDITS:

Host: Hugh Riminton

Guest/s: Lehmo & Rozie

Producer: Ryan Banks & Matthew Tankard

Editing, music & mixing: Matthew Tankard

Special thanks to ArtSound FM in Canberra

This podcast is a Smart Fella Media production

You can learn more about Soldier On at www.soldieron.org.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is not just military personnel that serve, with thousands of civilians having been embedded in the Australian Defence Force on operations at home and overseas.

One such was David Savage AM, who was Australia’s first civilian casualty of the Afghanistan war, when in 2012, he was almost killed by a child suicide bomber.

David, formerly a member of the Australian Federal Police, was serving as an AusAID Stabilisation Advisor in Afghanistan at the time. He was accompanied by 16 members of the US National Guard working as his security detachment when a child wearing an explosive device as a vest, was able to walk close enough towards David and detonate the device. 

The explosion left David critically injured and fighting for his life.  

David’s story is one of outstanding resilience and hope. Years after the attack, David was made a member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his work in international relations, peacekeeping and human rights investigations, and was an ACT finalist in the 2015 Australian of the Year awards. He is also a Soldier On ambassador.

If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

CREDITS:

Host: Hugh Riminton

Guest/s: David Savage AM

Producer: Ryan Banks & Matthew Tankard

Editing, music & mixing: Matthew Tankard

Special thanks to ArtSound FM in Canberra

This podcast is a Smart Fella Media production

You can learn more about Soldier On at www.soldieron.org.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2010, just 10 days before the end of his deployment in Afghanistan, Gary Wilson was on board a black hawk helicopter crossing over Northern Kandahar. Due to extreme low visibility, when attempting to land, the black hawk crashed into the rugged Afghan terrain, claiming four lives and leaving 11 others severely wounded. 

At first, Gary was given a 4% chance of survival. He sustained multiple breaks, fractures and burns, as well as extensive brain injuries that saw him fall into a coma. 

Three months passed and Gary awoke to a different life in which he had to relearn everything from walking to talking. Beginning a journey towards regaining his independence.

Gary beat those 4% odds in part due to the love and support of his wife partner Renee. His recovery has been nothing short of remarkable, continually defying the odds stacked against him.

Today, Gary Wilson is a Solder On ambassador, a multi-Invictus Games competitor, Personal Trainer and Army Veteran of 20 years. He, and his wife Renee Wilson, are our guests for today’s episode.

If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

CREDITS:

Host: Hugh Riminton

Guest/s: Gary & Renee Wilson

Producer: Ryan Banks & Matthew Tankard

Editing, music & mixing: Matthew Tankard

Special thanks to ArtSound FM in Canberra

This podcast is a Smart Fella Media production

You can learn more about Soldier On at www.soldieron.org.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s episode follows the story of Emily Frizell, a female veteran entrepreneur that has set out and established AeroPM , a multi-award winning consultancy company that currently has a veteran employment rate of 80%.

Her story of entrepreneurship in a male dominated industry is phenomenal.

In 2020, Emily was recognised within the Defence Industry as the

Female Defence Leader of the Year, and in 2019 she was shortlisted for the

ACT Telstra Business Women's Award.

In this episode of The Soldier On Podcast, we’ll follow her experience of transitioning from Defence, the decision for her to start her own company, the obstacles she faced, and what advice she has for other entrepreneurs.

If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

CREDITS:

Host: Hugh Riminton

Guest/s: Emily Frizell

Producer: Ryan Banks & Matthew Tankard

Editing, music & mixing: Matthew Tankard

Special thanks to ArtSound FM in Canberra

This podcast is a Smart Fella Media production

You can learn more about Soldier On at www.soldieron.org.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leadership, what it means to lead and what it takes to be a leader is a subject very familiar to our guests for today’s episode. 

Today, we hear from former chief of army and lieutenant general, and current Soldier On chairman, Peter Leahy (AC), as well as the principal psychologist and executive leadership coach of the Australian Army senior leadership team, Dr Rebecca Jackson, who will speak to their insights into the role of leadership not only in a military setting, but for out in civilian life too.

If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

CREDITS:

Host: Hugh Riminton

Guest/s: Peter Leahy (AC) and Dr Rebecca Jackson

Producer: Ryan Banks & Matthew Tankard

Editing, music & mixing: Matthew Tankard

Special thanks to ArtSound FM in Canberra

This podcast is a Smart Fella Media production

You can learn more about Soldier On at www.soldieron.org.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode will explore the inspiring story of veteran and Soldier On Ambassador, Ben Farinazzo.

Ben was one of 5,500 Australians that were deployed as part of the Australian-led multi-national peacemaking task force, the International Force East Timor (INTERFET), established to restore order and provide humanitarian aid following extreme violence in the country.

The experience would prove to be a very rewarding one, but would ultimately lead Ben to unanticipated mental health challenges.

Years after returning home, Ben suffered physical injuries from a mountain bike accident that nearly left him as a quadriplegic or dead, which forced him to face his own mortality and mental health issues.

This episode is an important human-story, that offers a perspective of resilience and self-reflection.

If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

CREDITS:

Host: Hugh Riminton

Guests: Ben Farinazzo

Producer: Ryan Banks & Matthew Tankard

Editing, music & mixing: Matthew Tankard

Special thanks to ArtSound FM in Canberra

This podcast is a Smart Fella Media production

You can learn more about Soldier On at www.soldieron.org.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Soldier On podcast is a series dedicated to highlighting, celebrating and connecting our veteran community. Each episode, you’ll hear a first-hand account of a life touched by involvement in the Defence industry. Reminding us that through every victory and adversity, our veterans, their families, and those that serve our nation, are heard, seen, and united as one.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.