In every conflict, there are countless stories. Some preserved in objects, some buried in archives, and many quietly carried in the memories of those who lived through it.
This podcast brings them to light.
Listen closely as historians, veterans, families, experts, curators and eyewitnesses sha
What would you do if saving someone else meant risking your own life? These are the stories of people who chose to run towards the danger. Meet the ordinary Australians who made impossible choices in extraordinary circumstances: carrying strangers to safety under fire, treating the wounded as bombs fell, surviving a massacre, and continuing to care for others while imprisoned. Some became famous. Others were almost forgotten. None knew how their story would end. So, what makes an ordinary person do something extraordinary? And in the moment that it matters, could any of us be a hero?…
Twenty-five years after 9/11, what has been the lasting impact of Australia's involvement in Afghanistan? Hear from Australian soldiers patrolling the valleys of Afghanistan, a veteran who lost his leg and his mate to an IED explosion, a diplomat who returned as the Taliban took control of Kabul, and an Afghan-Australian woman reflecting on what changed for her country. Together, their stories reveal the human impact of Australia's longest war, and how its effects are still being felt today. Stories: 00:00–00:49 – Content warning 00:49–04:25 – Australia's war in Afghanistan 04:25–17:29 –…
What does it mean to fight for a country that doesn't yet recognise you as an equal? Across generations and conflicts, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians fought, flew, led and broke barriers, building a remarkable legacy of service. Hear the stories of Reg Saunders, Len Waters, John Burns and Aunty Lorraine Hatton OAM as they and their families reflect on courage, identity and belonging in uniform. Discover the barriers they overcame, the opportunities service created, and how their legacy paved the way for generations to follow. Stories: 00:00-00:43 – Content warning…
Australia's Frontier Wars were fought across the continent over land, sovereignty and survival. Their legacy remains deeply personal, raising difficult questions about how we understand our past and what it means for Australia today. Hear former Prime Minister the Hon. Tony Abbott, historian Professor Henry Reynolds and filmmaker Rachel Perkins bring different perspectives to this complex history. What made these conflicts a war? How should they be remembered? And what can understanding this complicated past mean for our shared future? Stories: 00.00-00:45 – Content warning 00:45-03:55 –…
Some acts of courage are remembered for generations. Others quietly fade from history. This episode explores the stories of Australia's unsung heroes. From the brutal fighting at Buna-Gona to a desperate charge against a First World War machine-gun post, and a daughter's search to uncover her father's hidden wartime service, discover the remarkable people whose courage never became part of our national story. Featuring historians, family members and oral histories from the Australian War Memorial's collection, this episode explores why some heroes become legends while others are almost…
Animals have served alongside Australians in every major conflict. They carried soldiers into battle, delivered life-saving messages, detected hidden dangers and offered comfort when it was needed most. But beyond their service lies an extraordinary story of trust, loyalty and companionship. From the Australian Light Horse to military working dogs and even an assistance cat helping a veteran recover from trauma, discover the remarkable bonds between humans and the animals that served alongside them. Featuring military working dog handler and founder of the Australian War Animal Memorial…
Some of the Second World War's greatest victories began with a secret. Join us as we uncover the hidden world of espionage during the Second World War. From occupied France to the jungles of the Pacific, discover the resistance fighters, spies, Coastwatchers and codebreakers whose courage, deception and intelligence helped shape the course of the war. Featuring Nancy Wake, Major Sei Hashida, Michael Veitch's Coastwatchers, and the remarkable women who kept Allied secrets in wartime Canberra, these are the people who fought the war from the shadows. Stories: 00.00-00:51 – Content warning…
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…
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…
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.
About Through Their Eyes
In every conflict, there are countless stories. Some preserved in objects, some buried in archives, and many quietly carried in the memories of those who lived through it.
This podcast brings them to light.
Listen closely as historians, veterans, families, experts, curators and eyewitnesses sha
Through Their Eyes is a English history podcast from Australian War Memorial. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.
The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.
