Feb 3, 2026
On this week’s podcast, I speak with Talissa Papamau (TJ), an
Afghanistan veteran
and former combat medic who served in the Australian Army.
Her deployment as part of MTF5 spans the highest loss of Australian
life in a 24hr period since the Vietnam War. In this podcast,
TJ talks about trying to save the lives of 7 KIAs and 33 WIA
Australian casualties in addition to scores of local
national Afghani men, women and children.
2nd July 2012 - Sgt Blaine Diddams MG
29th August 2012 - Spr James Martin
Pte Robert Poate, LCPL Ross Milosevic
30th August 2012 - LCPL Mervin McDonald & Pte Nathaniel
Galagher
21st October - CPL Scot Smith
TJ also treated double amputee Curtis McGrath, once he was aero medically evacuated to the resuscitation facility in Tarin Kowt who she met him in 2010 as part of the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program. Due to operational demands, TJ provided advanced life-saving treatment for 170 consecutive days, receiving 1.5 days of respite whilst deployed. TJ later instructed the pilot course to train and qualify medics of the PNG Defence helping to re-establish PNGDF Medical Corps, which she recalls as a career highlight. Since leaving the Australian Defence Force, TJ has worked as a consultant to the federal government in the Defence and Veteran Support Sectors and remains one of the only female former NCOs to be engaged in senior levels of Government. This is a raw and honest chat about the cost of war from the medics who are the forgotten heroes. This is a powerful journey of redemption and finding light at the end of the dark tunnel, and finding purpose again post-military.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Talissa Papamau (TJ),
Editor: Kyle Watkins