True Blue Conversations Podcast

Today on True Blue Conversations, I sit down with an extraordinary Royal Australian Navy
veteran whose career spans more than 35 years of service, multiple operational
deployments, and a lifetime of leadership—Fred Campbell OAM.
Fred joined the Royal Australian Navy on 8 January 1982 through the Naval Apprentice
Scheme as an Air Technical Aircraft fitter. From the flight lines at HMAS Albatross to serving
aboard some of Australia's most iconic warships, Fred built an exceptional career supporting
the Fleet Air Arm and mentoring generations of sailors.
His operational service took him to some of the defining conflicts of the modern era,
including Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Kuwait, Afghanistan following the
September 11 attacks, the Solomon Islands, and Iraq in 2004 aboard HMAS Stuart. During
that deployment, Fred was involved in one of the most significant naval incidents of the Iraq
War—the USS Firebolt incident—a dramatic and little-known event that tested leadership,
courage, and decision-making under extreme pressure. In this conversation, Fred takes us
behind the headlines to share what really happened, what he witnessed, and the lessons
that have stayed with him ever since.
Throughout his distinguished career, Fred served as Command Warrant Officer at HMAS
Cerberus, HMAS Creswell, HMAS Melbourne, and HMAS Parramatta, becoming one of the
Navy's most respected senior leaders. 
His outstanding service was recognised with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in
the 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours, along with numerous Australian and international
operational medals and commendations.
But service didn't end when Fred hung up the uniform in 2017.
Today, he continues to fight for those who have served as the President of the Keith Payne
VC AM Veterans Benefit Group, working alongside Australia's only living Victoria Cross
recipient from the Vietnam War to support veterans and their families. His commitment to the
veteran community, advocacy, and ensuring no veteran is left behind has become his new
mission.
Beyond service, Fred is a proud husband to a fellow Navy veteran, a father, grandfather,
rugby tragic, Harley rider, knife maker, guitarist, barbecue enthusiast, and someone who
believes in giving back to the mateship that shaped his life.
This is a conversation about leadership, combat, resilience, transition, and continuing to
serve long after the uniform comes off.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Fred Campbell OAM
Editor: Kyle Watkins

G'day, and welcome back to True Blue Conversations.
Today's guest is Lucas Atkins, a former Australian Federal Police Close Protection Officer whose 12-year career placed him at the very centre of some of Australia's most significant security operations. Lucas began his policing career protecting high-profile dignitaries, including the
United States and Israeli Ambassadors, as well as international VIPs such as the Dalai Lama. His professionalism and dedication soon earned him a position within one of the AFP's most elite close protection teams, where he became responsible for the full-time security of Australian Prime Ministers Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd. Lucas was on the ground during the dramatic events of Australia Day 2012, when protests marking the 40th anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy escalated into a major security incident. As the threat rapidly intensified, Lucas played a key role in the emergency evacuation of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition from a Canberra venue surrounded by hostile protesters.
After leaving the Australian Federal Police, Lucas continued working in close personal protection operations across the globe, protecting clients in some of the world's most demanding environments. Today, he has taken that wealth of experience and founded his own business.
But this conversation goes far beyond protective operations and high-profile missions. It's a raw and honest discussion about identity, purpose, and the challenges that so many veterans and first responders face when the uniform comes off. We talk about transition, rebuilding life after service, and finding a new mission beyond the job.
This is an episode filled with stories from behind the security cordon, lessons forged under pressure, and a powerful reminder that the toughest battles often begin after the career ends.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is the True-Blue Conversations of former Australian Federal Police Close Protection Officer, Lucas Atkins.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Lucas Atkins
Editor: Kyle Watkins

G'day, and welcome back to True Blue Conversations. Today's guest is a man who has lived a life of service, resilience, and excellence.
Ryan Wilson began his military career in the Australian Army Reserve before taking on one of the toughest challenges in the world—Special Air Service Regiment selection. After successfully earning his place in the SASR, Ryan went on to serve on multiple operational deployments around the globe as a specialist dog handler, operating alongside some of Australia's most elite soldiers.
But this conversation goes far beyond medals and missions. Ryan opens up about the reality of life inside Special Forces—the relentless
standards, the pressure of operating at the highest level, the unbreakable bonds forged between teammates, and the devastating pain of losing mates along the way. It's a raw, honest, and deeply personal insight into a world very few Australians ever get to see. 
Today, Ryan has taken that same commitment and discipline into business as the owner of Whipper Snap Distillery, proving that the values forged in military service can continue to shape success long after the uniform comes off. This is an episode about sacrifice, mateship, resilience, purpose, and what it truly means to serve.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is Ryan Wilson.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Ryan Wilson
Editor: Kyle Watkins

Today on True Blue Conversations, we sit down with an extraordinary woman whose story is
built on resilience, service, family, and an unbreakable mindset.
Eva Clarke is a former Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force Physical Training
Instructor, a mother, a wife to a serving military member, and one of Australia's most
accomplished fitness endurance athletes. A multiple Guinness World Record holder, Eva has
built a reputation for achieving what many would consider impossible through grit,
determination, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Throughout her military career, Eva dedicated herself to helping others achieve their best, but
it was her own battles with injury, adversity, and personal hardship that forged the resilience
that would define the next chapter of her life.
From serving in uniform to breaking world records in push-ups, burpees, pull-ups, endurance
events, and fitness challenges across the globe, Eva has continually redefined what is
possible. Despite battling serious wrist injuries and significant medical setbacks, she refused
to let limitations dictate her future, instead turning obstacles into fuel and proving that the
human spirit is capable of far more than most people imagine.
As a mother, military spouse, veteran, educator, coach, and elite athlete, Eva's story is not
simply about physical strength. It is about discipline, sacrifice, perseverance, and finding
purpose through challenge. Her achievements have inspired countless people around the
world and helped raise significant funds for charitable causes through her record-breaking
efforts.
This is a conversation about service, family, resilience, mental toughness, and what it truly
means to keep moving forward when life throws everything it has at you.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is the remarkable story of Eva Clarke.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Eva Clarke
Editor: Kyle Watkins

On this special episode of True Blue Conversations, we sit down with Australian
Army Combat Medic veteran and Distinguished Service Medal recipient Damien
Silva. This man has faced some of the most confronting moments of Australia's war
in Afghanistan.From the chaos of the battlefield to the split-second decisions that mean life or
death, Damien opens up about serving as a combat medic alongside some of
Australia's elite soldiers. He reflects on the night in 2009 when he fought to save
Mason Edwards from the 2nd Commando Regiment after he was critically wounded
in an MRE pre-deployment in Cultana, South Australia — a moment that would stay
with him forever.
Damien also takes us inside one of the darkest chapters of the Afghanistan war: the
2010 Black Hawk helicopter crash that claimed the lives of three Australian soldiers
and seriously injured many others. He speaks candidly about treating the fallen, the
emotional toll carried by medics, and the burden of being the person trying to hold
everything together when tragedy strikes.
This is a raw and powerful conversation about service, sacrifice, trauma, mateship,
and what happens after the battlefield goes quiet. It's the story of a man who stood
shoulder to shoulder with Australia's finest in their darkest hours — and carried those
memories home and found purpose long after the dust settles from the battlefields.
This is raw; it's in your face and a must-listen for all veterans and first responders.
This is True Blue Conversations, honouring those who serve and remembering those
who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, LEST WE FORGET.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Damien Silva
Editor: Kyle Watkins