‘Bringing His Spirit Home: Private Arthur Thomas Walker, Ngarrindjeri Anzac’ wins at the 2025 MEAA SA State Media Awards!

A powerful story of First Nations military service, truth-telling and spirituality, the seven-part immersive audio podcast made by Megan Spencer won the ‘Best Freelance Journalist’ award, with the following judges’ comments:

“Megan Spencer’s thoughtful, sensitive and impactful podcast series on Ngarrindjeri Anzac, Private Arthur Thomas Walker, reveals a crucial and long-overlooked corner of Australia’s history.

First Nations military service has often been excluded from the ANZAC story, but through meticulous, sustained and empathetic storytelling, Spencer has worked towards correcting the historical record by telling his story, and by putting the voices of his family members at the front and centre. His family members shine as the backbone of the series.

Not only is Private Walker’s story told with heart and nuance, it is also an immersive and pleasurable listen. Congratulations on a very well-rounded effort that reflects months of hard effort”.

Commissioned by the Virtual War Memorial Australia for its Schools Education Program and funded by the South Australia Department for Education, Bringing His Spirit Home was made with the permission and participation of Private Walker’s family.

L-R: Podcast producer Megan Spencer and Elder Uncle John Lochowiak, at the 2025 SA Media Awards, Tarndanya (Adelaide).

The awards ceremony was held in Tarndanya (Adelaide) on Thursday 3 July, 2023.

Private Walker’s great-grandson, Elder Uncle John Lochowiak, a Wadi (initiated man) with ties to Kaurna, Ramindjeri, Ngarrindjeri, Pitjantjatjara and Arrernte peoples, attended the event.

He accepted the award alongside Megan, saying, “Private Arthur Thomas Walker, my great-grandfather, enlisted and went to Gallipoli, and he ended up paying the ultimate price in WWI. I think this award will help to bring his spirit home.”

Produced during COVID and amid a protracted family health crisis, Megan says that the project took 2.5 years to make. “I finished the podcast on my late father’s kitchen table.”

“I’m grateful to the judges, Sharyn Roberts and the team at Virtual War Memorial Australia, Private Walker’s family and to everyone who contributed their voice and creativity to the project – especially co-writer Sophie Quick and Hearing Beings sound artist, Khristos Nizamis.

This is the third time Megan has won an award for her commemorative podcast work at the MEAA South Australian Media Awards.

Cover photo of Uncle John Lochowiak at the podcast launch by Warren Melling.