True Blue Conversations Podcast

• True Blue Conversations - Beyond The Blankets: The Real Stories of Army Logistics

  Today, we’re honored to introduce Warrant Officer Class One David Smith, a distinguished leader with 35 years of combined full-time and part-time service in the Australian Army. David began his journey on July 12, 1989, and has since built a career defined by dedication, expertise, and global impact. Currently stationed at Headquarters Australian Army as part of the Logistics Advisory Team remote in Newcastle, NSW, David provides critical support and advice to unit commanders at the highest levels. David’s career highlights include pivotal roles in Special Operations Command, supporting the Commando Selection and Training Course, and multiple operational deployments, including Afghanistan with NATO forces. He’s also contributed to peacekeeping missions in Bougainville, East Timor, Timor Leste, and the Solomon Islands—earning an impressive array of honors, including the Australian Active Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and Defence Long Service Medal with four clasps. Outside the Army, David excels in the private sector as a Logistics Manager with Boeing, overseeing transportation, warehousing, and logistics operations. Join us as we uncover the remarkable journey of Warrant Officer Class One David Smith, his insights on leadership, logistics, and service, and the lessons from a lifetime of extraordinary dedication. This is a story of resilience and impact you don’t want to miss!   Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: David Smith Editor: Kyle Watkins

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• True Blue Conversations - Former NSW Police Detective Deborah Locke – “Whistleblower”

  True Blue Conversations is inclusive of all stories, this weeks guest had a controversial policing career not by her choosing. Deborah Locke, a former Detective served 12 years with the NSW police. She began in 1984 as a trainee at the Redfern Police Academy and concluded her service in 1996 when she was discharged from the service and deemed “medically unfit” as a result of workplace victimization and harassment as an internal witness, more commonly referred to as a “whistleblower.” During her time in the NSW Police Force, she was stationed at various commands including the notorious Kings Cross Undercover Drug Unit, the Gaming Squad, Parramatta Detectives, and the Fraud Squad. In 1989 Deborah received a Commissioners Commendation for bravery in relation to her undercover work. As a young city detective in the early 1980s to mid-1990s, she was exposed to the reality of criminal investigation in a major city. That reality was the widespread police corruption which involved detectives freely associating with high-profile members of Sydney’s underworld. The police with whom she was working, were involved with accepting bribes, protection money, drug trafficking, fraud, and the improper use of confidential information, but to name a few. When she presented the senior officers of Internal Affairs and subsequently the highest levels of the Police Force with compelling evidence of what she had observed, she was branded a “whistleblower” and placed her life at risk. Since leaving the police she has been involved in developing and advocating for services for families of people with disabilities, she is the author of WATCHING THE DETECTIVES. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Deborah Locke Editor: Kyle Watkins

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• True Blue Conversations - AUSTRALIAN SPECIAL FORCES 2ND COMMANDO REGIMENT VETERAN Craig Ball

  Welcome back to season 6 of True Blue Conversations podcast: On this week’s podcast, I spoke with former Australian Special Forces 2nd Commando Regiment veteran Craig Ball. Craig passed Commando selection in 2000 as a reservist and went full-time in 2006. He deployed to Afghanistan as a signaller in the 2nd Commando Regiment in 2010 and 2012. Craig spoke about how veterans struggle with transition after service, returning from a warzone, and migrating back into civilian life. Today, Craig is passionate about helping veterans and working in the mental health space he is a speaker and competed in the Invictus games. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Craig Ball Editor: Kyle Watkins

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• True Blue Conversations - NSW Rural Fire Service Area Commander Southwestern Chief Superintendent Kelwyn White

  On this weeks podcast, I speak with NSW Rural Fire Service Area Commander Southwestern Chief Superintendent Kelwyn White. Kelwyn commenced her service with the NSW Rural Fire Service in 2002 and, since then has worked across NSW in District, State, and Area-based roles. Kelwyn has been both a salaried officer and a volunteer during her service. Kelwyn's commitment, especially in Community Risk & Community Engagement, is held in the highest regard by her peers and the community. Kelwyn continues to be a proud advocate for engaged communities, playing a significant leadership and mentoring role in this field to NSW RFS membership and the community. Kelwyn is passionate about sharing her knowledge to help others achieve their desired outcomes, as a keen advocate for training, she gives her time to develop others. When Kelwyn commenced with the RFS, she started in administration and has worked her way through the ranks to be one of the 7 Area Commanders and, currently the only female in this role.  During this time, Kelwyn has been fortunate to see the evolution in the way women are seen and operate within the RFS and is proud to have been a part of that.  Yet knowing that, there is more to come and is proud to be in a position to support, encourage and mentor women to develop into leadership roles, or simply be the best version of themselves they can be within emergency service or their own lives. As the Area Commander for the Southwestern Area, Kelwyn is responsible for the coordinated fire-fighting arrangements across the Area, including mitigation of bushfire risks to the community through strategic organisational programs to reduce risk to the community from bushfire and other emergencies and ensuring communities are engaged, prepared and warned appropriately before and during an emergency. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Kelwyn White Editor: Kyle Watkins Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway

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• True Blue Conversations - Margaret Cunneen SC - “The Boxing Butterfly A Life Of Conviction”

  On this weeks podcast, I spoke with Australian barrister & Public Prosecutor now defence lawyer Margaret Cunneen SC. For over four decades, Margaret Cunneen helped put away some of Australia's worst, as a crown prosecutor and, as her profile grew, so did the media attention, Margaret recalls the headline cases that helped establish her reputation, the controversies she became embroiled in. In 2022 Margaret published her autobiography “ The Boxing Butterfly” A Life Of Conviction is a career chronicle of Margaret Cunneen SC—the boxing butterfly who turned the tables on ICAC, amidst prosecuting murderers, pedophiles and rapists—as she launches into her new chapter as a defence barrister. In her rearview mirror, Cunneen sees her trial successes—her convictions—interspersed with the flak from the ground fire of some colleagues who resented her success and were determined to stop her climb to greater heights. She regrets nothing and is satisfied with what she does. As Madam Crown, she empathised with the victims and their families. Now, as defence counsel, she empathises with the accused she defends. And what stories she tells! Some are gruesome and confronting, such as prosecuting the irreverent Skafs for gang rape, Robert ‘Dolly’ Dunn for pedophilia, the Butcher of Bega for unspeakable medical malpractice and the Charbaji Brothers for an ice- fuelled torture session that ended in murder. Others—especially relating to her defence clients, are filled with humanity.  Margaret is a wife Mother and Grandmother loves her NRL and is a passionate Manly fan, she is deeply faithful we spoke about the many high-profile cases she has been involved with the toll of being in the public sector, and how Margaret dealt with some of the terrible cases she has worked on over the 45 years. This was a ripping chat. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Margaret Cunneen SC Editor: Kyle Watkins Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway

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