Episodes
-
Ever wondered what it's actually like to work inside a flying hospital? Or be responsible for some of a warship's most critical systems?
Through archival recordings and firsthand accounts, this episode takes you inside more than a century of Australian women's military service.
You'll hear stories of split-second decisions, technical challenges, unexpected humour, and life in environments most of us will never experience. From ambulance drivers in the First World War and Australia's first female official war artist, to Vietnam evacuation flights, Navy deployments and helicopter operations in Afghanistan.
These are stories of responsibility, resilience and determination in environments few of us will ever experience. Discover what service felt like through the eyes of the women who lived it.
This episode is brought to you by Leidos Australia.
Timecodes:
00:00-00:53 – Content warning
00:55-03:13 - Vietnam medevac: Nurses in the air
03:13-03:40 – Introduction to women in service
03:40-07:52 – Olive May King: Driving towards the front
07:53-14:34 – Nora Heysen: Painting the war
14:34-32:12 – Felicity Petrie: Life at sea
32:12-40:48 – Patricia Furbank: Bringing the wounded home
40:48-1:01:20- Naomi Shephard: Flying Chinooks in Afghanistan
1:01:20-1:03:17 – Reflections: Over a century of service
Show notes:
Want to go deeper into the stories featured in this episode?
Discover the people, objects, voices and histories behind these accounts, including collection items, photographs and personal records from the Australian War Memorial.
Explore the full episode online:
https://wm.awm.gov.au/podcast/she-went-war
View the RAAF C-130E Hercules aeromedical evacuation aircraft.
If this episode raises difficult feelings, support is available:
· Lifeline (24/7 crisis support): 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au
· Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au
· Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling: 1800 011 046 or openarms.gov.au
· Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 or suicidecallbackservice.org.au
-
What would you hold onto if everything was taken from you?
In this episode, step inside the lives of Australian prisoners of war and experience captivity through the eyes of those who lived it. From the brutal conditions of the Death Railway to hidden diaries, daring escapes and moments of defiance, these are stories that go far beyond survival.
You'll hear how men and women endured hunger, disease and uncertainty, and how they found ways to resist, support each other and stay human in the harshest conditions imaginable.
This is not just a story about war. It is about resilience, courage and the choices people make when pushed to their limits.
Want to go deeper into the stories featured in this episode?
Discover the people, objects, voices and histories behind these accounts, including collection items, photographs and personal records from the Australian War Memorial.
Explore the full episode online:
https://wm.awm.gov.au/listen/If this episode raises difficult feelings, support is available:
Lifeline (24/7 crisis support): 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling: 1800 011 046 or openarms.gov.au Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 or suicidecallbackservice.org.au -
Missing episodes?
-
Behind every object, photograph and record in the Australian War Memorial's collection is a human story.
Some are well known. Others have remained hidden in diaries, letters, personal accounts, and memories.
Through Their Eyes brings these stories to life through conversations with historians, veterans, families, curators and subject matter experts, revealing the people behind the events that shaped our nation.
An official Australian War Memorial podcast. This series is proudly brought to you by Leidos Australia.
