Life on the Line

Alex Lloyd speaks with the Chair of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, Nick Kaldas. On 8 July 2021, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was established by the Governor-General. After years of receiving testimony from veterans and other relevant witnesses, the Commission’s work is nearly over. An Interim Report was delivered in August 2022, and a Final Report is due this September, in 2024. Meanwhile, they have also released a book, Shining a Light: Stories of Trauma & Tragedy, Hope & Healing, a publication to honour the lived experience of serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members and their families.  Nick Kaldas APM is one of the three Royal Commissioners for this inquiry, and is the Chair of the Commissioners. Nick has an extensive background of public service, including with the NSW Police Force and United Nations. The role of the Commissioners was to listen, investigate and recommend actions or changes to address systemic issues contributing to suicide and suicidal behaviours by serving and ex-serving ADF members. To say that Nick’s immersion and exposure to the written and oral testimony of veterans is extensive is an understatement. In this special podcast, Nick Kaldas shared with Alex Lloyd over Zoom some of his insights into what our veterans had to say. To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.

Alex Lloyd interviews SAS veteran Mark Wales for a third time.  Mark Wales is a veteran of the Special Air Service Regiment, and this is the SASR veteran's third appearance on the podcast. Alex Lloyd first interviewed Mark in 2018, Season 2, about his life in the military and life after service. In 2021, Season 5, Mark came back on the show to discuss his memoir, SURVIVOR: LIFE IN THE SAS and share new stories from his time in uniform. Since then, Mark has continued to achieve new goals - from going back on the reality TV show Australian Survivor, and do what he should have done the first time - win - and star in George Miller's epic film FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA. He has also released his debut fiction novel, OUTRIDER, which draws heavily on his time in the SASR, fighting in Afghanistan and more. This interview was recorded in the Pan Macmillan studio. Mark is published by Macmillan, and Alex is his publisher.  To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.

Alex Lloyd interviews SASR and 2nd Commando Regiment veteran Peter Rudland. Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Peter Rudland is a veteran of the Special Air Service Regiment and the Commandos, 4RAR(Commando) and when they became the 2nd Commando Regiment. Over a long career in Special Forces, Peter deployed to Cambodia, Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. He was seriously injured in the June 2010 Black Hawk helicopter crash in Afghanistan. In his post-service life, Peter is heavily involved in the veteran community, as a passionate advocate for physical health to create mental health, he started a company counselling soldiers, he has competed in three Invictus Games and is an ambassador for RSL Australia. Alex Lloyd spoke with Peter over Zoom in February 2024. This episode was edited by Sophie Hu. Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include: #1 Sandy MacGregor #47 Bram Connolly #100 Gary Wilson The Partners - Renee Wilson Life After Service - Gary & Renee Wilson To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.

Tony Park interviews World War II veteran Peter Whitehead. Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Peter Whitehead, born in 1923, is a veteran of World War II. He tried to join the Royal Australian Navy when war broke out but was rejected, instead becoming a ‘rough rider’ with the 2nd Remount Unit based at Holsworthy, in Sydney. After breaking in thousands of horses to support domestic war operations, he managed to join the Royal Australian Air Force, qualifying as a gunner. Peter was sent to one of the first B24 Liberator squadrons, in New Guinea and then flying bombing missions in the Pacific War from Darwin to Morotai. Today, Peter lives in New Zealand, and turned 100 years old on Christmas Day 2023. He co-wrote his memoir, Bwana, There’s a Body in the Bath! with international bestselling Australian author Tony Park. Tony – an army veteran and previous guest on this podcast – interviewed Peter over an international Zoom call for Life on the Line.  This episode was edited by Sophie Hu. Referenced at the end of the podcast include: #4 Guy Griffiths #7 Tom Hughes #11 Andrew Robertson Vol I & Vol II #14 Hugh Kelly #20 Doug Gilling #27 Victor Power #34 Antony Greatrex #40 Rothesay Swan #42 Jack Bell #55 Avis Quarrell #59 Arthur Atkins #71 Bob Semple #81 Tony Park Christmas on the Line Vol III Life After Service - Tony Park #127 Reg Chard (also a video podcast) For School and Country Barney Greatrex Additionally, you can hear Norton Duckmanton, Bevan Harris, Doug Symes Snr from the Life on the Sea miniseries, Holocaust survivor Phillip Maisel, and Alex Lloyd's interviews with two German World War II veterans: Eugen Pichurra and Horst Haase.  To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.