We're kicking off Season 2 this International Women's Day with a brand-new host and a stellar all-female lineup. Hosting this Season's Plodcast is Stuart Bateson. Stuart spent close to 34 years in Victoria Police, joining in 1987 and performed a variety of general duty policing roles before he was promoted to detective in 1992. Over the next 22 years Stuart worked in several investigative areas including organised crime, counter terrorism, and homicide.  Later in his career he was promoted through various leadership roles to the rank of Commander.  In 2017 Stuart was awarded the Australian Police Medal for distinguished service to law enforcement. He retired in 2021 and is now enjoying life after policing. Joining Stuart today is Vicki Key (OAM), an esteemed police veteran and former nurse with years of experience as a senior Sergeant across Broadmeadows, Fawkner, Brunswick, Avondale Heights and Moonee Ponds. Vicki then went on to create the Retired Peer Support Officer Program, which would then lead to the creation of PVV itself. Without Vicki, we wouldn't be here! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/police-veterans-vic/message

This week Carla welcomes back clinical counsellor Shannon Hood and PVV's Rebecca Lynch to chat all things post-traumatic growth and continue an important conversation on the mental health of first responders. Shannon specialises in critical incident response and trauma - mainly with Aussie blokes dealing with issues including relationships, parenting, vocation, and addictions. We couldn't think of a better way to close off Season 1 of The Plodcast, and would like to thank you for all your support and praise so far. We have exciting plans for Season 2 and can't wait to share them with you. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/police-veterans-vic/message

This week, Carla sits down to chat with Peter Signorotto (though, most would know him as Siggy), a world-travelled police veteran and VPSO with a wanderlust and a heart of gold.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/police-veterans-vic/message

*Content Warning* - this episode contains a discussion on suicide. Listener discretion is advised.  This week Deputy Commissioner of Victoria Police Neil Paterson sits down with Carla to reflect on his life in policing, the importance of mental health support for police officers and veterans, and where we might be headed in our pursuit for better wellbeing.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/police-veterans-vic/message

'Spackles', the fun-loving PSO described as 'able to make conversation with a pot plant', chats to Carla about all things PSO life and being a woman in policing. Interested in working as a PSO?: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3U1JsQEjQCgyBHEgVYAKwz?si=d131078bcb434395  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/police-veterans-vic/message

This week Carla takes a break from hosting, passing the podcasting baton over to PVV's Rebecca Lynch for an interview with registered counsellor Shannon Hood, breaking down the intricacies of trauma and cumulative trauma. Shannon is clinical counsellor specialising in critical incident response and trauma - mainly with Aussie blokes dealing with issues including relationships, parenting, vocation, and addictions. If there's any Plodcast you should tune into, it's this one. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/police-veterans-vic/message

John Stubbs once said that when Gil King and his team from the Major Crime Squad came crashing through your door at 4am during the seventies and eighties you knew you were in serious trouble. Responsible for the apprehension of some of the most notorious criminals in the district and upsetting the criminal world, Gil quickly became known as 'that bloody Gil King': the copper you really didn't want coming after you. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/police-veterans-vic/message

*Content Warning* - this episode contains a discussion on the Eastern Freeway tragedy of April 22, 2020 as well as general discussion around death. Listener discretion is advised.  To Drew Mellor, every knock at the door to the family of a fallen police officer is an opportunity to give the greatest level of intimacy there is. As a senior Police Chaplain and a former ED nurse, Drew has been at the epicentre of some of Victoria's most harrowing tragedies including the Eastern Freeway tragedy of 2020, which took the lives of four police officers. Drew's message is simple; to listen well, stay true to your values, and, above all, respect the sanctity of a families safe space on the worst day of their lives.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/police-veterans-vic/message

An “unsolvable” case isn’t something in Ken Ashworth’s vocabulary. A  Victoria Police veteran of 39 years and the recipient of the Australian Police Medal, Ken is no stranger to chest-to-chest confrontations with “good” crooks. Having joined the force at 18, he was quickly thrust into Melbourne’s wild-west scenes of the 1980’s, and would make a name for himself for arresting and successfully prosecuting some of Australia’s most notorious criminals including Ray Denning, Russell Cox, and Lex Pierce; just to name a few. Explain that Photo: https://policeveteransvic.org.au/the-plodcasts-explain-that-photo-episode-8/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/police-veterans-vic/message

*Content Warning - depiction and discussion of suicide* Mark Thomas was a ways into his policing career before he was injured with post-traumatic stress. He’d been to scenes of suicides, drug overdoses, and deaths; but it was just one scene in 2003 that would change him forever. In February of 2013, Mark was hospitalised and formally diagnosed with post-traumatic stress. It was this experience at his lowest point that led him to create the Code 9 Foundation: a charitable foundation providing support for current and veteran professional first responders and Triple Zero operators who live with mental health conditions that often result from their service to the community. If you are struggling and have suicidal thoughts, please know you are not alone and help is available. Please contact any one of the following organisations: Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14 This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also chat online with the Lifeline support service, available 24/7. Suicide Crisis Text Line – 0477 13 11 14 For those who feel more comfortable with texting rather than talking to someone. Confidential one-to-one text with a trained Lifeline Crisis Supporter Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636 This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also chat online with the beyondblue support service every day from 3:00 PM until 12:00 AM (AEDST). --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/police-veterans-vic/message