Through Their Eyes

What is the purpose of never naming the Unknown Australian Soldier? We all have things we hold onto. An old photograph, a piece of clothing, a song that takes us straight back to a particular moment. But what makes these ordinary things so meaningful?  In this episode, discover the surprising stories behind how Australians remember. From an unknown soldier's entombment in the Hall of Memory, to a...

What does it really take to build and maintain peace?  Since 1947, more than 60,000 Australians have served in peacekeeping operations around the world. From Rwanda to East Timor, Lebanon and beyond, each person has faced unique challenges in their efforts to protect local communities, prevent further violence and help rebuild lives.  In this episode we hear from Australian peacekeepers and those...

What if one idea could save lives, or change the course of innovation? From groundbreaking inventions to everyday problems solved through extraordinary initiative and creativity, discover the Australians who dared to think differently. Some ideas were dismissed. Others changed lives. But behind each was someone determined to challenge the way things were done and ask: Is there a better way? Storie...

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....

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 rev...

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 belon...

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....

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 nat...

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 recov...

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, Micha...

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...

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, diseas...

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 shap...