The Soldier On Podcast

Smart Fella Media
The Soldier On Podcast

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. You can learn more about Soldier On at www.soldieron.org.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. 23/03/2023

    David Savage: Australia's First Civilian Casualty of the Afghanistan War

    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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min
  2. 16/03/2023

    Fallen Angel

    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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min
5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

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. You can learn more about Soldier On at www.soldieron.org.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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