She Served AU

Natasha Hilbers

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She Served AU is a podcast amplifying the voices of Australian women who have served — in uniform and beyond it. Through raw conversations, lived experience and reform-driven dialogue, it shines a light on service, sacrifice, identity and the path forward.

2 DAYS AGO

Veteran Sandbox

She Served AU Podcast – Season 1, Episode 4: Veteran Sandbox ⚠️ Trigger Warning: Suicide & Trauma This episode discusses suicide. Please take care while listening. Pause, step away, or choose not to continue if this topic is not right for you at this time. If you need support, please reach out: Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling: 1800 011 046 (24/7)Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 (24/7)Emergency (if in immediate danger): 000In this deeply personal episode, Natasha Hilbers shares the story behind Veteran Sandbox—a frontline initiative born from grief, service, and an unwavering commitment to saving lives. Following the loss of a close friend and fellow veteran she called the "Viking", Natasha reflects on the realities many in the veteran community face when seeking help—particularly in high-stimulation environments like Emergency Departments. Bright lights, noise, and long wait times can become overwhelming, especially for those already in crisis. Veteran Sandbox is a simple yet powerful response. Designed to support sensory regulation and emotional safety, it includes tools such as noise-cancelling headphones, wraparound glasses, eye masks, and weighted blankets—providing immediate, practical care when it’s needed most. Now successfully trialled at Bunbury Regional Hospital, this initiative is already making a difference. Natasha shares her vision for a national rollout, ensuring veterans across Australia have access to trauma-informed support the moment they walk through the doors of an ED. This episode also introduces Vue2E, a communication tool designed to help veterans express their needs clearly during moments of escalation—supporting both the individual and the medical teams caring for them. This is a conversation about loss, resilience, and purpose. It’s about recognising that frontline support saves lives—and that even one life is enough. If you’re struggling, please know: you are not alone. Support is there, and your life matters. Listen with care. Share with intention. She Served AU – Voice for the Silent. Support the show Listener Care Notice: Trigger Warning This episode discusses military service, trauma, and related experiences that may be confronting for some listeners. Please use personal discretion while listening. If any of the topics raised are triggering or bring up difficult emotions, support is available through Athena Project Australia. Website: https://athenaproject.org.au Phone: 1800 943 539 You are not alone, and reaching out is a sign of strength.

9 min
4 DAYS AGO

Dexters Policy - Hold My Coffee

Episode 2: Hold My Coffee – Dexter’s Policy What happens when something doesn’t sit right… and you decide to do something about it? In this episode, Natasha Hilbers shares the story behind Dexter’s Policy—an initiative sparked by a moment of clarity in 2025, after discovering that Australia’s military working dogs are not formally recognised as veterans. That didn’t sit right. Taking this forward, Natasha raised the issue directly in a personal meeting with the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs at the end of 2025—challenging the gap in recognition and support for these service animals who have deployed, served, and sacrificed alongside Australian personnel. From there, the work began. In January 2026, with feasibility, concept design, and preliminary costings in place, Dexter’s Policy was formally submitted via correspondence to the Minister—clearly outlining the intent and will for a national rollout. The proposal calls for a Purple Card system within the existing DVA framework, ensuring military working dogs are recognised as veterans and supported accordingly post-service. The ambition is clear: National implementation by Anzac Day 2026. This episode unpacks why that matters. It’s about dignity. It’s about recognition. It’s about honouring a silent service that has always shown up. And at the heart of it all is a simple phrase—hold my coffee—a quiet but powerful signal that when something isn’t right, it’s time to step in and do the work to make it right. Because this isn’t just an idea. It’s a line in the sand. And the hope is that by Anzac Day, the coffee won’t be cold— it’ll be raised in recognition of a policy that finally honours those who served without a voice. Support the show Listener Care Notice: Trigger Warning This episode discusses military service, trauma, and related experiences that may be confronting for some listeners. Please use personal discretion while listening. If any of the topics raised are triggering or bring up difficult emotions, support is available through Athena Project Australia. Website: https://athenaproject.org.au Phone: 1800 943 539 You are not alone, and reaching out is a sign of strength.

6 min
13 MAR

She Spoke in Silence with Guest Melisa Western

In this episode of the She Served AU Podcast, I am honoured to introduce our very first guest, the extraordinary Melisa Western — artist, trauma-informed coach, and a woman doing deeply meaningful work in the space of healing through creative practice. Melisa’s work focuses on supporting survivors of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and sexual violence (SV) through art. Her approach is thoughtful, compassionate, and grounded in the belief that creativity can open doors to healing when words alone are not enough. For many survivors, art becomes a language of its own — a way to process experiences, reclaim voice, and reconnect with self. During this conversation we talk about the power of creative expression, the importance of safe spaces for veterans and survivors, and why trauma-informed art practice matters. Melisa shares insights into her process, the people she works with, and the impact that creative healing can have for those navigating life after trauma. I am incredibly proud that Melisa has joined She Served AU as our Artist in Residence for the She Spoke in Silence project — an initiative designed to create supportive art-based spaces for women who served. Her work is already making waves, and she is absolutely a name to watch in this field. This episode is also a heartfelt thank you to Melisa for being the very first voice to step into the She Served AU podcast space. Her generosity, wisdom, and commitment to helping others shine through every part of this conversation. If you would like to learn more about Melisa and her work, you can visit her website: www.melisawesterndesign.art Thank you for listening and for supporting the stories, voices, and creative healing journeys of those who served. Support the show Listener Care Notice: Trigger Warning This episode discusses military service, trauma, and related experiences that may be confronting for some listeners. Please use personal discretion while listening. If any of the topics raised are triggering or bring up difficult emotions, support is available through Athena Project Australia. Website: https://athenaproject.org.au Phone: 1800 943 539 You are not alone, and reaching out is a sign of strength.

13 min
12 MAR

She Served AU Scarf Initiative

In this episode of the She Served AU Podcast, Natasha Hilbers introduces the concept behind the Australian Female Veteran Scarf Initiative — a simple, visible gesture of recognition for women who have served in the Australian Defence Force. For decades, Australian women served in uniform while often remaining largely unseen in the national narrative of military service. Many carried out their duties quietly, without ceremony, recognition, or representation. The scarf initiative is designed as a respectful acknowledgement of that service. The idea is straightforward: one nationally designed scarf issued once to every verified Australian female veteran - for collection at Australia Post. #NoDataHarvesting Not merchandise. Not a fundraiser. Simply a dignified symbol of service that women can choose to wear, keep, or pass on. The scarf represents the silent service — the women who stood watch, worked in operational roles, supported units across Australia and overseas, and continued serving their families and communities long after they removed the uniform. This episode explores why visibility matters, why recognition can still be meaningful decades later, and how small national gestures can help reshape the way Australia understands who served. Natasha also speaks about the broader mission of She Served AU, a platform dedicated to telling the stories of women veterans and supporting initiatives that bring their experiences into public view. The scarf initiative is not about creating division or special treatment. It is about ensuring that when the story of Australian service is told, women are not left out of the frame. Because she served. And that service deserves to be seen. #NotAFootnote #SilentService Support the show Listener Care Notice: Trigger Warning This episode discusses military service, trauma, and related experiences that may be confronting for some listeners. Please use personal discretion while listening. If any of the topics raised are triggering or bring up difficult emotions, support is available through Athena Project Australia. Website: https://athenaproject.org.au Phone: 1800 943 539 You are not alone, and reaching out is a sign of strength.

4 min
27 FEB

Purple Paws, Silent Service

In the first episode of She Served AU, we honour the military working dogs who served beside our people in uniform — loyal, instinctive, brave and often unseen. “Purple Paws, Silent Service” reflects on the bond between handler and dog, the trust built in high-risk environments, and the lasting impact that partnership leaves behind. These dogs detected explosives, tracked threats and stood steady in chaos. They did not choose the battlefield, yet they served with unwavering commitment. This episode also marks the release of two songs this week — Bravery and Betrayal of Dexter and Ode to HerService — musical tributes that give voice to sacrifice, loyalty and the strength of women who served. Through story and song, we acknowledge both pride and pain, and the responsibility to do better by those who carried the load quietly. Looking ahead, my mission for 2026 is clear: the implementation of Dexter’s Policy, ensuring proper recognition, retirement care and protection for our military working dogs, and advocating for the removal of the one-day service requirement for DVA entitlement for ADF Reservists. Service is service. Commitment is commitment. Purple Paws is about remembrance, reform and respect. Because behind every paw print is a story of courage. Listener Care Notice: Trigger Warning This episode discusses military service, trauma, and related experiences that may be confronting for some listeners. Please use personal discretion while listening. If any of the topics raised are triggering or bring up difficult emotions, support is available through Athena Project Australia. Website: https://athenaproject.org.au Phone: 1800 943 539 You are not alone, and reaching out is a sign of strength.

12 min

5 Episodes

She Served AU is a podcast amplifying the voices of Australian women who have served — in uniform and beyond it. Through raw conversations, lived experience and reform-driven dialogue, it shines a light on service, sacrifice, identity and the path forward.

Creator

Natasha Hilbers
Years Active

2K
Episodes

5
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2026 She Served AU
Show Website

She Served AU