The Australian Federal Police's Victim Identification Team is worthy of a lot of praise, but not a lot of people know about it or consider the fact that the work they do is extremely traumatic work done by real people.

Kirsty Clarke and Kate Laidler are both a part of the team, and they talk to 10 News First's Chloe Bouras about this unenviable but vital job.

This episode contains discussion of child sexual abuse. If this causes any issues for you, please contact ReachOut at https://au.reachout.com or Lifeline at https://www.lifeline.org.au or by calling 13 11 14.

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Three-year-old Tharnicaa has been living on Christmas Island for almost two years with her asylum-seeking family. Her recent medical flight to a Perth hospital suffering with undiagnosed pneumonia and sepsis has highlighted the family's treatment in detention and the desperate situation for refugees in offshore centres.

George Newhouse, a human rights lawyer, and CEO of the National Justice Project explains why the Biloela family is still in detention, and the bleak impact of Australia's immigration policy.

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Most of Australia's biggest cities have seen snap COVID-19 lockdowns, but none as frequently or devastatingly as Melbourne. 

Today, the people of the Victorian capital entered their fourth lockdown since the beginning of the pandemic as part of state-wide measures to curb a growing number of cases. 

But why does this keep happening in Melbourne?

Is it the response, the rules, the roll out? 

Melbourne epidemiologist Prof. Nancy Baxter says it's mostly bad luck, and other cities could be next.

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From whipping up his first garment on his mum’s Singer Treadle when he was 10, Aurelio Costarella’s first love was always fashion. For more than 30 years he was one of Australia’s top fashion designers. A regular and popular fixture at Sydney and New York Fashion Weeks, his clothes were favoured by celebrities all over the world, and he was inducted into the prestigious Design Institute of Australia Hall of Fame.

But underneath all the glitz and glamour, it was a very different story. 

Aurelio had always struggled with his mental health but had managed to keep it a secret from everyone for a very long time. His experiences have left him with a drive to change what he says is a flawed mental health system.

If you, or anyone you know, are affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast please don’t go it alone - reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Story by Lee Steele

Written and produced by Ali Aitken

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As a young boy, Professor Graeme Clark's school teacher asked "What do you want to do when you grow up?" 

He replied "I want to fix ears." 

So began his lifelong pursuit to break down the barriers of profound deafness with the invention of the multiple-channel cochlear implant. 

Professor Clark, now 85 years-old, reflects on achieving his childhood dream to give sound and speech recognition to hundreds of thousands of people across the globe.

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When four children are killed in a horrifying car crash in Sydney, the grieving families discover peace in forgiving the driver just hours afterwards.

Their tonic to deep pain and profound loss raises philosophical questions. What is it to forgive? And, if wronged in the most devastating way are all of us capable of forgiving the unforgivable?

Story by Kimberley Pratt

Edited and produced by Sydney Pead

Featuring Assoc. Prof. Luke Russell, University of Sydney,

With thanks to Leila and Daniel Abdallah, Bridget Sakr and Bob Sakr

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Walter Williams was like so many young Aussie blokes when World War 2 broke out: he felt it was his duty to serve. After his training and some time in the regular army, he sailed on the Aquatania into Singapore Harbour in December 1941.

Next came an incredible series of events, all of which showed Walter's amazing fortitude and makes it clearer why we have a sense of what the Anzac spirit is today.

Now 98, Wally talks to Hugh Riminton about his time fighting in the Pacific War.

If you would like to read more about Wal, please go here. https://rsllifecare.org.au/latest-news/our-stories/veteran-stories/hidden-treasures-wal-williams

If you, or someone you know, needs support call Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling on 1800 011 046. It is a national mental health service that provides 24-hour free and confidential counselling, group programs and suicide prevention training for current and ex-serving ADF members, and their families. You can find their website here: https://www.openarms.gov.au

Story by Hugh Riminton

Produced by Jessica Ienco and Stuart Buckland

Lest we forget.

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In 2012, Private Robert Poate, Lance Corporal Stjepan Milosevic and Sapper James Martino were killed at their base at Tarin Kowt in Uruzgan province in a so-called 'green on blue' attack. Hekmatullah, part of the Afghan National Army stationed in the base, opened fire on a group of Aussie soldiers as they were playing cards.

Robert's father Hugh Poate feels betrayed in many ways by the ADF and the government, and he sits down with 10 News First's Hugh Riminton to discuss his disappointment at not only what unfolded after that terrible day but also what took place before it.

In his book "Failures of Command: The Death of Private Robert Poate", Hugh Poate details his experiences trying to get answers regarding the circumstances that led to the death of his son.

If you, or someone you know, needs support call Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling on 1800 011 046. It is a national mental health service that provides 24-hour free and confidential counselling, group programs and suicide prevention training for current and ex-serving ADF members, and their families.

Alternatively, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.