Narelle Fraser Interviews

Andrew 'Atto' Atkinson never wanted to go on leave, he loved Policing that much. Atto spent 16 of his 28yr career working at the Technical Surveillance Unit, watching & following our most dangerous criminals, creeping into their houses to install listening devices with him & his colleagues risking their lives at every job.

During his career, Atto undertook a number of international secondments with United Nations to East Timor & Iraq. During his East Timor secondment in 2001 Atto was stabbed & in early 2002 he was diagnosed with PTSI. Atto lived in denial & was deployed to Iraq in 2004 & back to East Timor in 2006. Admitting or even thinking about having been diagnosed with a mental illness wasn’t an option & as unwell as Atto was, his panacea was his work – he loved just about every minute of it. He breathed it, cherished it, valued it & couldn’t get enough of it until 2019 when Atto found the courage to face the fact, he was very mentally unwell. Atto has endured some tough times since 2019, including being diagnosed with epilepsy, but then he met Sophie & she has changed his world.

Support Services include:
Police Veterans Victoria e: contact@policeveteransvic.org.au
BeyondBlue: 1300 224 636
Lifeline: 131 114
The Black Dog Institute Clinic 02 9382 2991 or Reception (02) 9382 4530 e: clinic@blackdog.org.au
Mens HelpLine 1300 78 99 78
Crisis Assessment & Treatment Team: 1800 022 222
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WARNING: In today's podcast we discuss issues around paedophilia,
Justin is an expert when it comes to media - he's an author, broadcaster & journalist who works for outlets such as Herald Sun, ABC Radio, Channel 7 & sky news. He is like a dog with a bone when it comes to highlighting problems within our legal system & the number of 'soft' sentences given by our courts.. Justin relates a concerning situation with the CEO of a Basketball Club here in Victoria who managed to keep secret, his serious sex offending & the pathetic response when his offending was discovered. Justin shares his thoughts on other issues including character references, working with children legislation & what needs to be done to keep our children safe from paedophiles. You might need to take a long walk after listening to us!!

Support services include;
BeyondBlue: 1300 224 636
Lifeline: 131 114
The Orange Door (Western Melb: 1800 271 045) Brimbank Melton 1800 271 046)
Mens HelpLine 1300 78 99 78
Victims of Crime Helpline: 1800 819 817 or Text: 0427 767 891
1800 Respect: 1800 737 732
Community Legal Centres: 9652 1501
Victorian Legal Aid: 1300 792 387
Court Network: 1800 571 239
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service: 1800 064 865
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Craig Heslop is Chief Executive Officer & Board Member of Buddy Up Australia, an organisation who's mission is to ensure those who served their country or community are given the respect & support by the people who relied upon them. He was a member of New Zealand Police for many years where he thought outside the square when dealing with youth & organised crime figures & those who fall prey to the often smart & charasmatic 'recruiters'. Craig became frustrated with a legal system which he likened to a fishing trip - catching & releasing offenders, catching them again & releasing them again. His ideas proved successful but ultimately it was decided the money was more relevant elsewhere.

Buddy Up Australia contact details:
1300 030 354
P O Box 611 Hillarys WA 6923
e: info@buddyupaustralia.org

Support services include;
BeyondBlue: 1300 224 636
Lifeline: 131 114
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
Mens HelpLine 1300 78 99 78
Phoenix Australia (assists in Posttraumatic Mental Health) 1800 329 191
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Claire Pasvolsky has a PhD in Media & Communications in Screenwriting & did her thesis on Stalking. Today, Claire takes us through how she went from hearing a true-crime podcast whilst doing the dishes at home, to writing/producing & directing with her husband Steve, a documentary following the 27yr career of a Policewoman (yes folks, that's me!!) who's career ended abruptly after being diagnosed with PTSD. Claire has managed to tell this story with compassion & incredible insight whilst trying to navigate the fine line of how much detail she could reveal & re-tell without traumatising the audience. With a strong background in drama, she's managed to produce a compelling documentary that will take the audience on a rollercoaster of emotions & walk away with a rare insight into the reality of being a first responder.

The Policewoman - World premiere 4th September, Cinefest Oz film festival Bussellton, W.A.
The Policewoman - Victorian premiere 17th October, Echuca Paramount Theatre - further details to follow re times & ticketing
The Policewoman - to be released in cinemas from 5th November 2026
Further Advance Screenings to be announced for Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide & beyond, shortly

Support Services include:
BeyondBlue: 1300 224 636
Lifeline: 131 114
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
Mental Health Line 1800 011 511 (NSW Health's 24/7 statewide FREE service linking people with NSW Health mental health services
Mens HelpLine 1300 78 99 78
Phoenix Australia (assists in Posttraumatic Mental Health) 1800 329 191
Police Veterans Victoria 1300 090 995
Victoria Police Association 9468 2600
QLife - peer support for LGBTQIA+ 1800 184 527 (3pm - 9pm 7 days/week)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melissa had only ever wanted to be a Policewoman & joined virtually the minute she was old enough (18yr 6 months) & loved the fulfilment & satisfaction she gained from her work. And then one day, she recalls "my head broke" & she came crashing down, having no idea how mentally unwell she was. A hospital psych said one time, "You were only injured because you were brave" & it changed her whole mindset because until then, she'd felt she was 'weak' for becoming unwell. Mel's candid honesty about her multiple admissions to a psych hospital are refreshing to hear & how accepted & validated she felt on walking through those doors. An amazing woman...

Mad Mel's Mic - Podcast on Spotify
https://www.madmelsmic.com
Emerge & See (supporting cirrent & former serving paid & volunteer Emergency Service Workers in NSW & ACT Australia)

e: info@emergeandsee.org.au
m: 0491 020 061

Other support services include;
BeyondBlue: 1300 224 636
Lifeline: 131 114
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
Mental Health Line 1800 011 511 (NSW Health's 24/7 statewide FREE service linking people with NSW Health mental health services
Mens HelpLine 1300 78 99 78
Phoenix Australia (assists in Posttraumatic Mental Health) 1800 329 191
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.