About I Was Only Doing My Job: Australia's Military History
"I Was Only Doing My Job" is a monthly Australian Military History podcast hosted by Ross Manuel. Instead of focusing on maps and dates, each episode is devoted to chronicling Australia's Military History through the individual stories of those who served; where they grew up, what they did, and invariably what happened to them.
21 Hearts: Interview with Theatre180 Artistic Director Stuart Halusz
CW: Sexual Assault- This episode contains a discussion of the murder of women and allegations of sexual assault in war.
16 February 1942. While serving as a Staff Nurse with the 2/13th Australian General Hospital, Second Australian Imperial Force, Sister Vivian Bullwinkel became the sole survivor of the Bangka Island Massacre at the hands of the Imperial Japanese Army. She would endure three and a half years as a prisoner of war, yet never surrender her courage, compassion, or resolve.
That period of captivity forms the emotional and historical centre of 21 Hearts: Vivian Bullwinkel and the Nurses of the Vyner Brooke, Theatre180’s powerful new production.
In this episode, I sit down with Theatre180’s Artistic Director, Stuart Halusz, to explore the legacy of the nurses of the Vyner Brooke, the responsibility of bringing such a profound Australian story to the national stage, and how 'Bully's Legacy is still relevant 84 years after the event.
21 Hearts National Tour
This episode features discussion of 21 Hearts: Vivian Bullwinkel and the Nurses of the Vyner Brooke. For national tour dates and ticket purchases, visit:
https://theatre180.com.au/ (https://theatre180.com.au/)
Support Ross in the March On Challenge
This year I am again taking part in the March On Challenge, raising funds to support veterans and their families. If you would like to support my 312km challenge and contribute to this important cause, you can do so here:
https://www.marchonchallenge.org.au/fundraisers/rossmanuel/virtual26 (https://www.marchonchallenge.org.au/fundraisers/rossmanuel/virtual26)
Support the Podcast
Buy the podcast a Ko-Fi:
https://ko-fi.com/iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast (https://ko-fi.com/iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast)
Join the Armoured Emu Brigade on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/IWODMJ (https://www.patreon.com/IWODMJ)
Show Notes & Resources
For show notes, transcripts, references, and photos, visit the I Was Only Doing My Job website:
https://www.thedocnetwork.net/ (https://www.thedocnetwork.net/)
Join the Community
Discord:
https://discord.gg/XR3tRznAGM (https://discord.gg/XR3tRznAGM)
Follow the Podcast:
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/IWODMJ/) |Twitter/X (https://twitter.com/iwodmj/) |Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/iwodmj/) |Mastodon (https://mastodonbooks.net/@IWODMJ/) |YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqSibhtovM96eBi0Fcg5BRA/)
29 Dec 2025
Driver William Henry Morcombe MM
CW: Suicide
2-November-1917: While serving as a Driver within 14 Field Artillery Brigade, Australian Imperial Force, Driver William Henry Morcombe MM was subjected to one of the terror weapons of the Great War, Gas. Morcombe survived the war, but unfortunately not the peace that followed it.
If you or anyone you know needs help: Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
Headspace on 1800 650 890 ReachOut at au.reachout.com
Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN) on 1800 008 774
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Open Arms (current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families can seek this free and confidential support) – 1800 011 046
ADF Mental Health All-hours Support Line (for current serving ADF personnel and their families) – 1800 628 036.
Safe Zone Support (for current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families) – 1800 142 072.
Support the Podcast
Buy the Podcast a Ko-Fi:https://ko-fi.com/iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast (https://ko-fi.com/iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast)
Join our Community: https://www.patreon.com/IWODMJ (https://www.patreon.com/IWODMJ)
For Show Notes, transcripts, and photos, check out the I Was Only Doing My Job Website at https://www.thedocnetwork.net/ (https://www.thedocnetwork.net/).
Join our Discord https://discord.gg/XR3tRznAGM (https://discord.gg/XR3tRznAGM)
Find the Podcast onFacebook (https://www.facebook.com/IWODMJ/),Twitter (https://twitter.com/iwodmj/),Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/iwodmj/),Mastodon (https://mastodonbooks.net/@IWODMJ/),YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqSibhtovM96eBi0Fcg5BRA/).
18 Jul 2025
Battle of Second El Alamein: Interview with Author Tom Gilling
In 1942, while Australian troops were battling for survival along the Kokoda Track, thousands of others were fighting a very different kind of war—across the world in the deserts of North Africa. In this episode, I speak with author Tom Gilling about his new book, Start Digging You Bastards!, which vividly brings the ANZAC experience at the Second Battle of El Alamein to life.
We discuss the overlooked role of the 9th Division, the brutal conditions of desert warfare, and how El Alamein became a turning point not just for the Allies but for the soldiers who fought it.
Start Diggin,g you Bastards! It is available at all good book retailers
Support the Podcast
Buy the Podcast a Ko-Fi:https://ko-fi.com/iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast (https://ko-fi.com/iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast)
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IWODMJ (https://www.patreon.com/IWODMJ)
For Show Notes, transcripts, and photos, check out the I Was Only Doing My Job Website athttps://www.thedocnetwork.net/ (https://www.thedocnetwork.net/).
Access to the Discord Server: https://discord.gg/XR3tRznAGM (https://discord.gg/XR3tRznAGM)
Find the Podcast onFacebook (https://www.facebook.com/IWODMJ/),Twitter (https://twitter.com/iwodmj/),Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/iwodmj/),Mastodon (https://mastodonbooks.net/@IWODMJ/),YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqSibhtovM96eBi0Fcg5BRA/).
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
54,826
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
17 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 67 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
50
Social presence
91
YouTube
76
Engagement
85
Contact I Was Only Doing My Job: Australia's Military History
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of I Was Only Doing My Job: Australia's Military History?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
