Invisible Heroes

If you spend your professional life planning the best ways to protect the community, how heartbreaking would it be when you can't protect the ones you love most.Andrew Fletcher is a unit commander for the NSW SES. During last year’s bushfires, while he worked on the NSW mid north coast coordinating relief efforts in the region, his own son lost his home to bushfire on the south coast. Andrew has served in the armed forces, fought fires, floods, been on the scene at horrific road accidents on our rural highways, and through it all he has remained focussed and caring - in his own words. In his spare time he's fought for recognition for WWI nurses from his hometown of Bathurst, and has dipped his toe into natural heritage with the team at Jenolan Caves. With a life so colourfully lived, his story is one not to be missed. CREDITSGuest: Andrew FletcherHost: Madeleine WestExecutive Producer: Elise CooperEditors: Hannah Bowman and Elise CooperAudio Engineer: David Cooper LINKS Lifeline 13 11 14 or https://www.lifeline.org.au/ Soldier On, help for returned servicemen and women https://soldieron.org.au/connect-hub/ Young Diggers https://youngdiggers.com.au/ Volunteer with your SES NSW https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/volunteer/ QLD https://www.ses.qld.gov.au/volunteer/Pages/default.aspx VIC https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/volunteer SA https://www.ses.sa.gov.au/home/volunteer/ ACT https://esa.act.gov.au/ WA https://dfes.vol.org.au/ NT https://pfes.nt.gov.au/join-us/become-emergency-service-volunteer See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to sex work, people have a lot of assumptions. And more often than not they are of a pretty negative or judgemental nature. But, when you take a closer look at the industry you can see that escorts are care givers in the same way that nurses or occupational therapists are. But they’re working within a field that has long been associated with shame and seen as something to keep behind closed doors. CREDITS Host: Madeleine WestGuests: Ellie & TashExecutive Producer: Elise CooperEditors: Hannah Bowman & Elise CooperSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although many of us may not notice, modern life relies heavily on forest products. Did you recently receive a package in the post? Was it in a cardboard box?  Is there a printed label on the cans of veggies in your pantry?  Yet, when most people hear the word ‘logging’ they’d probably immediately think of deforestation and environment destruction. Ross Hampton and Dean Kearney are two men whose job it is to make sure that the trees in this country that are cut down for everyday products, are done so sustainably. Ross is the CEO of the Australian Forest Products Association and Dean is from Forestry NSW. For this episode of Invisible Heroes Madeleine sat down with Ross and Dean, in the middle of a forest, to find out if there is even such a thing as sustainable forestry.  CREDITS   Host: Madeleine West @madmadswest   Guests: Ross Hampton and Dean Kearney Executive Producer: Elise Cooper @elisejcooper  Assistant Producer: Hannah Bowman @itshannahbowman  Technical Assistance: Odin from North Coast Events northcoastevents.com.au  LINKS   Forestry Corporation - https://bit.ly/2HrshPF  Australian Forest Products Association - https://bit.ly/3dMSJiE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does a Private Investigator actually do? What sort of person hires a PI? In this episode of Invisible Heroes I am speaking with Ken Gamble -  a professional cybercrime investigator and surveillance specialist with 30 years experience in the private sector.   Most recently Ken has also been consulting with the family of missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez. Theo disappeared 18 months ago in far northern NSW in the Byron Bay region. The then 18 year old vanished after leaving a Byron Bay nightclub at around 11pm on May 31st of 2019. Ken has been looking into the case on behalf of Theo’s family – and thinks there’s more to his disappearance than we have been told.  CREDITS   Host: Madeleine West @madmadswest   Guest: Ken Gamble  Executive Producer: Elise Cooper @elisejcooper  Assistant Producer: Hannah Bowman @itshannahbowman  Technical Assistance: Odin from North Coast Events northcoastevents.com.au  LINKS   Ken can be contacted via IFW global at ifwglobal.com    The latest news about Theo Hayez’ disappearance can be found at looking4theo.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are you doing to save the planet? Would you quit your big time job in the city and take up planting rainforests? That sounds like a fantasy, but it’s one that Michael Martin made his reality. Along with Maximo Bottaro the duo founded Reforest Now, an organisation whose mission is to grow and plant trees that will reforest cleared land in subtropical Australia and stand for generations to come. Their vision is to see this region as Australia's largest expanse of subtropical rainforest once again.  Maximo and Michael sit down with Madeleine in the middle of a rainforest to explain why their work is so important, and what everyday people can do to help. CREDITS  Host: Madeleine West @madmadswest Guests: Maximo Bottaro and Michael Martin @reforestnow_australiaExecutive Producer: Elise Cooper @elisejcooperAssistant Producer: Hannah Bowman @itshannahbowmanTechnical Assistance: Odin from North Coast Events northcoastevents.com.au LINKS  Reforest Now https://www.reforestnow.org.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How comfortable are you with your sexuality? What about consent, role-playing, the power of your own body and it’s desires? Kink and fetish play are taboo topics usually spoken about behind closed doors. So in this episode we’re opening that door to talk about it. Roger Butler is someone who has worked in the sexual empowerment space for years, facilitating Curious Creatures sexuality workshops and helping people to become comfortable in their own skin, and with their own desires. They're easily one of Australia's most prolific sexuality workshop facilitators. CREDITS Host: Madeleine West @madmadswestGuest: Roger Butler of Curious CreaturesExecutive Producer: Elise CooperAssistant Producer: Hannah BowmanTechnical Assistance: Odin from North Coast Events northcoastevents.com.au LINKS Curious Creatures and their workshops http://bit.ly/curiouscreatures-roger About Roger and Curious Creatures https://bit.ly/2IRDdqE  Curious Conversations About Sex – the podcast https://bit.ly/2ULvvkh  Curious Creatures on Facebook com/TwoKinkyKids See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian koala population is in serious decline - suffering from the effects of habitat destruction, domestic dog attacks, bushfires and road accidents. The Australian Koala Foundation estimates that there are less than 100,000 Koalas left in the wild, possibly as few as 43,000.  Linda Sparrow is the founder of Bangalow Koalas and spends her days planting trees and creating environments that can best give our beloved koalas a fighting chance. CREDITS Host: Madeleine West @madmadswestGuest: Linda Sparrow bangalowkoalas.com.au Executive Producer: Elise CooperAssistant Producer: Hannah BowmanTechnical Assistance: Odin from North Coast Events northcoastevents.com.au LINKS Bangalow Koalas https://www.bangalowkoalas.com.au/ Koala Clancy Foundation Victoria https://www.koalaclancyfoundation.org.au/ Mornington Peninsula Koala Group https://www.mpkoalas.org.au/ Pine Rivers Koala Rescue – Morton Bay QLD https://www.prkoalacare.com.au/ Lawrence Koalas https://www.facebook.com/LawrenceKoalas/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode contains discussions of assault, murder and sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised. Please contact Lifeline if this raises any issues for you on 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au  Gary Jubelin is a former detective chief inspector who has led some of the most high profile homicide and missing persons cases in Australia’s recent history. William Tyrell, Evelyn Greenup, Colleen Walker, Clinton Speedy-Duroux; These are the names of four of the many, many people that Gary has pursued justice for. It was just last year that Gary felt his hand was forced, and handed in his resignation with the police force. On Friday September 18th a judge will rule on an appeal before the courts; that appeal was lodged by Gary himself, after he was found guilty in April of  2020 of unlawful conduct during the high profile William Tyrrell case. Jubelin speaks candidly about this charge, and the appeal process. And about the ongoing support he receives from the families of the victims whose crimes Gary investigated prior to his resignation. So what is it like, to now be on the other side of the police force. Can you still be a force for good when the police force you’d worked so hard for, for all those years, is now not a welcoming place for you. CREDITS Guest: Gary Jubelin – author of ‘I Catch Killers’Host: Madeleine West @madmadswestExecutive Producer: Elise Cooper @elisejcooperAssistant Producer: Hannah BowmanEditor: Elise Cooper and Hannah BowmanAudio Transfer and Assistance: North Coast Events https://www.northcoastevents.com.au/ LINKS I Catch Killers, a book by Gary Jubelin and Dan Box http://bit.ly/i-catch-killers-book I Catch Killers, the podcast hosted by Gary Jubelin http://bit.ly/jubelin-podcast Bowraville The Documentary (in production) http://bit.ly/bowraville-documentary The Disappearance of William Tyrell http://bit.ly/william-tyrell See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does the word “homeless” mean to you? Tonight in Australia one in 200 people will find themselves sleeping without a roof over their head. Leseera Kai is a woman who has faced immense tragedy in her life. As a 20 year veteran working in community welfare, she has seen it all. Fires, floods, domestic violence, homelessness. And in the last 18 months she has lost both her son and daughter and cares for her grandchildren. Through it all she still finds time to help the homeless, those at risk from their home environment, the hungry, the struggling – all within her own small community in the northern regions of New South Wales. Her own life has been colourful – the good, the bad, and everything in between. Join us as she tells her life story, and how she stays motivated to give back to her local community. CREDITSGuest: Leseera KaiHost: Madeleine West @madmadswestExecutive Producer and Editor: Elise Cooper @elisejcooperAudio Transfer: North Coast Events RESOURCES Donate to the Mullumbimby Neighbourhood Resource Centre https://mdnc.org.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trevor Russell started out his career wanting to be an economist. So how did he end up investigating forced child marriages for the Australian Federal Police?In part two of this exploration of Australia’s victim based crimes, Det Sgt Trevor Russell takes us deep into what it’s like investigating forced child marriage in Australia. Plus how he manages the heavy emotional toll of his work after he clocks off and heads home to his family and friends. Listen to part one with Detective Superintendent Jayne Crossling here http://bit.ly/jayne-crossling CREDITS Guest: Det. Sgt. Trevor Russell Host: Madeleine West @madmadswest Executive Producer and Editor: Elise Cooper @elisejcooper Audio Transfer: North Coast Events https://www.northcoastevents.com.au/  If you are a victim of trafficking or know someone who is contact the AFP on 131AFP (131237) or email AOCC-Client-Liaison@afp.gov.au  RESOURCES • Online form to report human trafficking via the AFP website http://bit.ly/report-trafficking-form • Inquiry into human trafficking and slave-like practices, 2017, http://bit.ly/trafficking-report-2017 • How Human Trafficking Is Happening In Plain Sight http://bit.ly/jayne-crossling See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: this episode contains discussions of self-harm and suicide. If this raises any issues for you please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or at lifeline.org.au Since arriving on our shores 11 years ago, fleeing persecution in Pakistan, Abdul and his wife Lubna have faced inconceivable obstacles and personal tragedy in their efforts to become Australian citizens. With no home, income, means to support themselves or access to medical care, even in the face of breast cancer, Abdul and Lubna have clung to a philosophy of extreme positivity, striving not only to not give up, but give back. Still waiting for residency, Abdul meanwhile created the All Nations Cricket cup which creates communities and connections for societies disenfranchised, while working the equivalent of a 9-5 job rolling together volunteer work. His story continues and is epic in its intensity. CREDITS Guest: Abdul Razzaq Host: Madeleine West Executive Producer and editor: Elise Cooper Audio Support: North Coast Events LINKS - Abdul Razzaq and the ASRC https://www.asrc.org.au/doctors/abdul-razzaq/ - All Nations Cricket Club https://www.facebook.com/allnationssocialcricket - Asylum Seeker Resource Centre Dandenong https://www.asrc.org.au/ish-dandenong/ - Lifeline Crisis Support https://www.lifeline.org.au/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever thought – what is the purpose of my life? Am I really in touch with myself? How does one even “get in touch with themselves”? Samart is a shamaness, a spiritual leader. She dedicates her life to finding peace and contentment within herself, and teaching others how to do the same. She does this through a combination of ritual practices and herbal medicines, including one called Kambo – an Amazonian herbal medicine that comes from a poisonous tree frog. Everything about Samart whispers of enchantment and mysticism. From her lightly accented, soft-spoken singing to her willowy frame and knee-length wavy hair Meanwhile her tween daughter is into hip hop and performs Tik Tok dances in their bedroom, as her partner prepares a vegan risotto in the kitchen. As otherworldly as Samart’s life seems, her practise is steeped in logic, and offers another way to navigate this ever-complicated world – using introspection to see more clearly when you look outward. The practices discussed in this episode should not be partaken of without guidance and prior consultation from a medical professional and in accordance with the laws of your region. DO YOU KNOW AN INVISIBLE HERO? We are lining up guests for season two of Invisible Heroes and would love to hear about the heroes in your life. Just send an email telling us at invisibleheroes@smoothfm.com.au about the Invisible Hero in your life, and why they should be featured in the next season. CREDITS Guest: Samart Host: Madeleine West @madmadswest Executive Producer and editor: Elise Cooper @elisejcooper Audio Transfer: North Coast Events https://www.northcoastevents.com.au  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kon Karapanagiotidis is a lawyer, teacher, OAM, activist, and founder of Australia’s largest independent human rights organisation; the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. Over 19 years Kon has turned the ‘suitcase of hope’ he began with the ASRC into a formidable force of good. Every day he strives to help refugees and those seeking asylum to find hope. Yet beneath the formidable mind and rabble rousing provocateur exterior is the Greek kid from a small country town, dubbed ‘alphabet’, who still questions if he is enough. CREDITS Guest: Kon Karapanagiotidis Host: Madeleine West @madmadswest Executive Producer and Editor: Elise Cooper @elisejcooper Additional Audio Production Support: North Coast Events https://www.northcoastevents.com.au/ LINKS • Asylum Seeker Resource Centre https://www.asrc.org.au/donate/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tony Albert of the Kuku Yalanji people is one of the most lauded and prolific Australian artists you’ve probably never heard of. His work has attracted enormous attention and a slew of major art prizes for his extensive body of work centred on ‘Aboriginalia’; his self-coined descriptor for kitsch, divisive representations of Indigenous culture and characters popular in the 50s and 60s. Tony charges these naive objects and their implied stereotypes with highly political sentiments exploring representations of race and difference. We explore Tony’s lived experience as a young gay man, ambitious and educated, confronted with decades of endemic stereotyping and discrimination. And how it is that despite all the reasons for anarchy, Tony’s art is steeped in themes of unity and forgiveness. CREDITS Guest: Tony Albert @tonyalbert Host: Madeleine West @madmadeswest Executive Producer and Editor: Elise Cooper @elisejcooper Additional Audio Production Support: North Coast Events https://www.northcoastevents.com.au/ LINKS: - Duty Of Care, Glassworks https://bit.ly/3kaBtGK - You Wreck Me https://bit.ly/youwreckme - Hyde Park War Memorial https://bit.ly/hydepark-tonyalbert - We Can Be Heroes https://bit.ly/tonyalbert-heroes - Projecting Our Future – Art Gallery of NSW https://bit.ly/projectingourfuture - Catalogue of previous exhibitions and work available online at https://tonyalbert.com.au/#Exhibitions  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A senior member of the federal police domestic violence task force, Det Supt Crossling identifies an area of significant focus and deep concern currently attracting little to no attention from the wider public: human trafficking in the form of child brides still increasing in Australia’s suburban fringes. We investigate how and why this practise continues unabated and how our forces are striving to stymy it without tearing delicate cultural fabric or sensibilities. CREDITS Guest: Detective Superintendent Jayne Crossling Host: Madeleine West Executive Producer and Editor: Elise Cooper Additional Audio Production Support: North Coast Events RESOURCES - Crime Stoppers https://crimestoppers.com.au/ - Australian Federal Police https://bit.ly/AFP-human-trafficking - My Blue Sky https://bit.ly/my-blue-sky - Red Cross https://bit.ly/red-cross-support - Sky Warp https://bit.ly/skywarp-help - ThinkUKnow https://www.thinkuknow.org.au If you are a victim of trafficking or know someone who is contact the AFP on 131AFP (131237) or email AOCC-Client-Liaison@afp.gov.au   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What would you do if one day you were hit by a bus. Not a metaphorical bus, a literal bus. For actress Madeleine West, in the middle of her soapy drama career acting on TV soap ‘Neighbours’ she found herself laid out on a hospital bed after a freak accident saw her hit in the head by a bus on a busy Sydney street. What followed was a diagnosis of an acquired brain injury, years of therapy, and a long road to recovery. The invisible hero of this episode is a woman Madeleine will probably never see again. A woman who helped her overcome a trauma that had paralysed her for 18 years. CREDITS Host: Madeleine West @madmadswest Executive Producer: Elise Cooper Technical Production Assistance: North Coast Events For more Smooth podcasts visit our website https://www.smooth.com.au/podcast/invisible-heroes/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What makes a hero? Join actress and story-teller Madeleine West as she speaks to extraordinarily ordinary Australians who are making the world a better place.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.