In this episode of Beyond The Uniform : The Untold Stories, we sit down with one of our biggest supporters, Sam Harris, CEO of Veteran Gaming Australia (VGA).

Sam shares the incredible story behind VGA and how it is using gaming and shared 'geek' culture interests to foster connection, belonging, and purpose for Veterans and their families. From social gaming nights and e-sports teams to care packages and in-hospital gaming hubs, VGA is redefining support for the veteran community in powerful, practical ways.

Tune in as we explore how passion-led initiatives are building bridges between service and civilian life—one game at a time.

🎮 Veterans are our Mission. Gaming is our Passion.

Legacy & Heritage with Ray Rosendale

What does it mean to carry the weight of two legacies — one of ancient Indigenous culture and another forged through decades of military service?

Meet Ray Rosendale, a proud Kuku Yalanji man, Navy veteran, and the first-ever Navy Strategic Advisor on Indigenous Cultural Affairs.

From serving in the Gulf War to mentoring Indigenous youth… From earning First Class Honours in Social Work to leading national wellbeing programs for Movember…

Ray’s story is one of service, resilience, and deep cultural pride — and in this episode, he opens up like never before.

Service, Sacrifice & Self – A Veteran’s Journey Beyond the Uniform

In this powerful episode, Emma Donaldson shares her deeply personal journey of service, identity, and resilience—beyond her role as the partner of VC recipient Mark Donaldson.

After enlisting into the Army straight out of high school, Emma served as a Signaller across multiple postings around Australia. She met Mark in 2004 and supported him through seven overseas deployments and countless training cycles. But her story is so much more than life beside a decorated soldier.

Emma opens up about the emotional toll of military life—balancing motherhood, IVF, miscarriage, and postnatal depression—while also managing the long stretches of separation and uncertainty. And when it came time to transition out of the military, Emma faced a whole new challenge: rediscovering her identity and purpose as a civilian.

As Emma shares with raw honesty: “the whole family serves.”

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who’s lived the military experience—whether in uniform or beside it—and especially for those navigating life after service.