True Blue Conversations Podcast

Matt Williams' career as an Australian Army soldier was abruptly altered when he was diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of 22. Instead of allowing this diagnosis to define him, Matt has inspired others through his attitude and passion to raise awareness and funds for this disease. Awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2020 for his efforts, Matt shares his story and passion for life.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Matt Williams OAM

Editor: Kyle Watkins

Academic Adviser: Margaret Strike

Image: Supplied by Matt Williams OAM

While assisting historian Dr Will Davies for The Forgotten: Chinese Labour Corps and the Chinese Anzacs in the Great War, Albert became 'obsessed' about researching the story of the Chinese Labour Corps. In the second of two episodes about The Forgotten, Albert shares his insights about the service of men of Chinese heritage in the AIF and the Chinese Labour Corps.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Albert Wong

Editor: Kyle Watkins

Academic Adviser: Margaret Strike

Researcher: Justin Guion

Image: AWM EO4658

The service of Australian soldiers of Chinese heritage has been largely overlooked. Historian Dr Will Davies', The Forgotten: Chinese Labour Corps and the Chinese Anzacs in the Great War, seeks to correct that oversight. In the first of two episodes, Dr Davies talks about Australia's Chinese Anzacs and the Chinese Labour Corps in which approximately 150,000 to 200,000 Chinese nationals supported the Allied effort on the Western Front.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Dr Will Davies

Editor: Kyle Watkins

Academic Adviser: Margaret Strike

Researcher: Justin Guion

Image: AWM HO9494

Unlike World War 1 which was fought on distant shores, for the first time, World War 2 brought global conflict to Australian shores. Fearing a potential invasion by the Japanese Imperial Army, the Australian home front rallied in a variety of ways to meet this challenge. Historians Dr Karl James and Dr Aaron Pegram from the Australian War Memorial, discuss how the Australian home front responded during World War 2.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guests: Dr Karl James & Dr Aaron Pegram

Editor: Kyle Watkins

Academic Adviser: Margaret Strike

Casey Nixon enlisted in the Australian Army at the age of eighteen and served in 1 Combat Signals Regiment in Darwin. Following her military career, Casey is passionate about using her talents and experience to encourage and promote the work of veterans' support groups. Casey is an Honorary Ambassador for the charitable organisation, Wounded Heroes. Casey is dedicated to raising public awareness of mental health not only for veterans but also the general community. Casey shares what Wounded Heroes is and how it provides support for veterans and their families.

If you are struggling, please don't hesitate to call Wounded Heroes on 1300 853 080 or visit their website at https://www.woundedheroes.org.au/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Woundedoz for assistance.

Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Casey Nixon Editor: Kyle Watkins Academic Adviser: Margaret Strike Researcher: Justin Guion

Group (Ret.) Captain Wendy Horder began her career in the Royal Australian Air Force as an air traffic controller in 1979. During her military career, she has been deployed to East Timor, Bougainville, and the Solomon Islands and represented Australia in a variety of multi-agency teams in Africa, Europe, the United States, and the Pacific. More recently, GC Horder was involved with the 60th anniversary of the RAAF at Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth while posted as a Defence Adviser to the Australian High Commission in Malaysia. Reflecting upon her experiences, GC Horder shares her insights and perspectives about her career in the RAAF.

Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Group Captain Wendy Horder Editor: Kyle Watkins Academic Adviser: Margaret Strike Researcher: Justin Guion

The Official History of Australian Operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and East Timor is an exciting project sponsored by the Australian War Memorial. The project commenced in 2016 with funding from the Australian government. Dr. Rhys Crawley is one of the project's team of seven esteemed historians. Dr. Crawley discusses the project, the challenges associated with writing an official history, and the project's importance for future generations. In this episode, Dr. Crawley focuses on the role of Australian Defence Force personnel in Afghanistan.

Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Dr. Rhys Crawley Editor: Kyle Watkins Academic Adviser: Margaret Strike Researcher: Justin Guion

A special podcast shared with True Blue History by Fallen Diggers Incorporated. Dennis Frank talks with former Rat of Tobruk, Private Don Simpson, about his experiences in the 2/32nd Australian Infantry Battalion during the siege of Tobruk during the Western Desert Campaign and his service throughout the Second World War.

Thank you to Fallen Diggers Incorporated for their generosity in sharing Don's story with our audience.

Editor: Kyle Watkins Interviewer: Dennis Frank Guest: Don Simpson

Former Australian Army Major General Jim Molan AO, DSC, now serves his country as a Senator for New South Wales. During his military career, Major General Molan was the Chief of Operations Coalition Forces in Iraq between 2004-2005, where he commanded a force of 300,000 troops. The Coalition force included 155,000 American troops. Following his retirement from the Army and return to civilian life, Jim has been active in public life. Since 2017, Senator Molan has served in the Australian Senate. Senator Molan shares his unique insights into aspects of his distinguished military and political service and the challenges they have presented.

Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Senator Jim Molan AO, DSC Editor: Kyle Watkins Academic Adviser: Margaret Strike Researcher: Justin Guion

World War 2 veteran Corporal David Trist (Ret.) was eighteen years old when he enlisted in the Army in 1943. During his service, David was deployed to New Guinea and Bougainville and assisted with the collection of Japanese Prisoners of War after the end of the war. Now aged 95, David shares his fascinating memories of his service both at home and abroad in a war that pushed nations to their limits.

Presenter: Adam Blum Guests: Cpl David Trist (Ret.) Editor: Kyle Watkins Academic Adviser: Margaret Strike Researcher: Justin Guion