Episode notes
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…
Podcast
Through Their Eyes
Australian War Memorial · History · English
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
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S1 · E6 · 26 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
06: The Frontier Wars
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 –…
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S1 · E5 · 13 Aug 2026 · 39 min
05: Unsung heroes
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…
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S1 · E4 · 26 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
04: Beside us
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S1 · E3 · 14 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 15 min
03: Life in the Shadows
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…
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S1 · E2 · 2 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
02: She went to war
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…
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S1 · 17 Jun 2026 · 1 min
Welcome to Through Their Eyes
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.
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