1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:04,160 Speaker 1: Katie Kelly is one of Australia's most distinguished para triathletes 2 00:00:04,519 --> 00:00:07,240 Speaker 1: and just weeks after she was declared legally blind, she 3 00:00:07,360 --> 00:00:12,039 Speaker 1: made her international debut in para triathlon at the twenty 4 00:00:12,160 --> 00:00:18,520 Speaker 1: fifteen International Triathlon Union. She is an absolutely amazing athlete. 5 00:00:18,560 --> 00:00:22,320 Speaker 1: She completed her second Games in Tokyo back in twenty 6 00:00:22,400 --> 00:00:26,360 Speaker 1: twenty and well she's a legend. But she also lived 7 00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:28,319 Speaker 1: here in the Northern Territory for quite some time. She 8 00:00:28,400 --> 00:00:30,800 Speaker 1: was here in Darwarn earlier in the week and I 9 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:33,239 Speaker 1: was meant to have her in the studio, but unfortunately 10 00:00:33,320 --> 00:00:35,240 Speaker 1: I was sick that Katie Kelly. 11 00:00:35,040 --> 00:00:39,240 Speaker 2: Joins me on the line right now. Hi Katie, Hi Katie. 12 00:00:39,240 --> 00:00:39,720 Speaker 3: How you going? 13 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:41,920 Speaker 2: Yeah? Good, lovely to have you on the show. 14 00:00:42,400 --> 00:00:42,559 Speaker 1: Now. 15 00:00:42,560 --> 00:00:45,320 Speaker 2: Are you still in Darwin or have you gone back home? 16 00:00:46,400 --> 00:00:46,600 Speaker 1: Oh? 17 00:00:46,680 --> 00:00:49,120 Speaker 3: I've come back down to the Gold co So yeah, 18 00:00:49,200 --> 00:00:51,479 Speaker 3: I had the great opportunity to be there over the 19 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:55,680 Speaker 3: weekend and got back to all my old favorite Darleen places, 20 00:00:55,720 --> 00:00:58,320 Speaker 3: including doing the Darwen Park Run and getting to the 21 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:01,840 Speaker 3: ski club and visiting my favorite cafe. So it was 22 00:01:01,880 --> 00:01:03,240 Speaker 3: a really lovely weekend. 23 00:01:03,240 --> 00:01:05,400 Speaker 1: And one of the wonderful things that you did while 24 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:08,520 Speaker 1: you were here. Was went to you went to the 25 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:10,880 Speaker 1: school and how to chat with some of the young 26 00:01:10,920 --> 00:01:13,080 Speaker 1: school students with your dog Guthrie. 27 00:01:14,280 --> 00:01:17,240 Speaker 3: Oh, that was so much fun. So it was such 28 00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:21,319 Speaker 3: a great opportunity to go to Stuart Park Primary School 29 00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:24,399 Speaker 3: and I was joined there by Minister Kate Warden and 30 00:01:24,920 --> 00:01:29,240 Speaker 3: Mark Monaghan's and it was a great opportunity to talk 31 00:01:29,280 --> 00:01:32,480 Speaker 3: to the students about Sport Access Foundation, which is the 32 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:35,160 Speaker 3: foundation I set up to help kids with disability access 33 00:01:35,160 --> 00:01:38,960 Speaker 3: for it. But importantly Katie that message around inclusion and 34 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:43,759 Speaker 3: the power sport and ensuring that we all include everyone 35 00:01:44,480 --> 00:01:49,000 Speaker 3: regardless of their diverse needs or disabilities. And yes, Guthrie, 36 00:01:49,040 --> 00:01:52,960 Speaker 3: my guy dog, was there and he was absolutely mobbed 37 00:01:53,120 --> 00:01:55,360 Speaker 3: and he was the star of the show and the 38 00:01:55,440 --> 00:01:56,440 Speaker 3: kids were fantastic. 39 00:01:57,040 --> 00:01:57,880 Speaker 2: He was a hitch. 40 00:01:57,920 --> 00:01:59,760 Speaker 1: I've been told by some of the kids that he 41 00:01:59,920 --> 00:02:01,600 Speaker 1: was and that he's gorgeous. 42 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:07,880 Speaker 3: He is the black golden as he's a Retriever Labrador. 43 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:10,160 Speaker 3: We've been together now for twelve months and that's the 44 00:02:10,840 --> 00:02:13,920 Speaker 3: consequence of my losing my eyesight, which is sort of 45 00:02:14,200 --> 00:02:18,000 Speaker 3: degenerative over the time and I've been using a white cane, 46 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:22,840 Speaker 3: so Guffrey was through c I Dog Australia and puppy 47 00:02:22,880 --> 00:02:25,160 Speaker 3: trained in Melbourne and he arrived in the Gold Coast 48 00:02:25,280 --> 00:02:28,640 Speaker 3: at my home last November, and so it's his first 49 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:31,679 Speaker 3: trip to the top end. I think he was struggling 50 00:02:31,720 --> 00:02:33,480 Speaker 3: a little bit with the heat and I think he's 51 00:02:33,520 --> 00:02:37,280 Speaker 3: actually lost some weight since him up there, so since 52 00:02:37,280 --> 00:02:39,720 Speaker 3: I've gone home, I've had to give him extra feed. 53 00:02:39,800 --> 00:02:42,320 Speaker 3: But it was just really lovely to talk to the 54 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:45,519 Speaker 3: kids about etiquettes around using a guide dog and a cane, 55 00:02:45,600 --> 00:02:50,080 Speaker 3: and it was a really good educational session as well. Well. 56 00:02:50,080 --> 00:02:53,399 Speaker 1: When you lived in Darwin in twenty thirteen to fourteen, 57 00:02:53,440 --> 00:02:56,600 Speaker 1: that was before the whole Rio journey and your high 58 00:02:56,720 --> 00:02:59,520 Speaker 1: performance career started. I mean you're part of the dar 59 00:02:59,639 --> 00:03:01,800 Speaker 1: and try at the Long Club, the dow and Runners 60 00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:04,480 Speaker 1: and Walkers Club. What are some of your lasting memories 61 00:03:04,480 --> 00:03:04,919 Speaker 1: of Darwin? 62 00:03:06,240 --> 00:03:10,280 Speaker 3: Ah, so many, I guess for me, think Katie, I 63 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:12,440 Speaker 3: just love the heat and the humidity, and I think 64 00:03:13,160 --> 00:03:16,000 Speaker 3: my memories of go and Parkland, right is always getting 65 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:18,680 Speaker 3: up early Saturday morning and you just go there and 66 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:21,280 Speaker 3: you just sweat it out and everyone's just you know, 67 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:23,920 Speaker 3: you just feel so good afterwards. But I guess being 68 00:03:23,960 --> 00:03:27,080 Speaker 3: a member of the Darwen Triathlon Club, you know, such 69 00:03:27,400 --> 00:03:30,680 Speaker 3: a great iconic triathlon club and people in the triathlon 70 00:03:30,760 --> 00:03:33,720 Speaker 3: community know about it, so welcoming. And I did the 71 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:37,000 Speaker 3: dar On Long Course and probably the lasting memory was 72 00:03:37,080 --> 00:03:40,200 Speaker 3: that would be the last time I would do a 73 00:03:40,240 --> 00:03:42,960 Speaker 3: triathlon without the assistance of a guide. So I was 74 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:46,240 Speaker 3: still able to swim, bte run without a guide, but 75 00:03:46,520 --> 00:03:49,240 Speaker 3: as my eyesight's deteriorated, I now have a guide and 76 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:53,720 Speaker 3: I compete in para triathlon. But certainly that will always 77 00:03:53,720 --> 00:03:56,240 Speaker 3: stick in my mind. I've got this beautiful photo of 78 00:03:56,280 --> 00:03:58,760 Speaker 3: that race with the palm trees and blue skies in 79 00:03:58,800 --> 00:04:01,960 Speaker 3: the background and big smile on my face. But of 80 00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:04,440 Speaker 3: course so many other great memories and great friends and 81 00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:05,600 Speaker 3: family still live there. 82 00:04:06,360 --> 00:04:10,760 Speaker 1: How incredible, I mean to have those beautiful memories. But Katie, 83 00:04:10,800 --> 00:04:13,000 Speaker 1: what's it like now? You know, what was it like 84 00:04:13,080 --> 00:04:15,600 Speaker 1: competing then and having to, you know, to have the 85 00:04:15,640 --> 00:04:17,680 Speaker 1: guide with you when you're sort of transitioned. 86 00:04:18,760 --> 00:04:21,520 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's it. I mean, it is, I guess disability. 87 00:04:21,560 --> 00:04:26,440 Speaker 3: Katie teaches you a lot about being adaptable, evolving. You know, 88 00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:29,040 Speaker 3: you have to constantly modify how you do things. So 89 00:04:29,360 --> 00:04:32,239 Speaker 3: in my case, reason my hearing and eyesight. It means 90 00:04:32,279 --> 00:04:34,360 Speaker 3: that you know, you've got to be better at asking 91 00:04:34,440 --> 00:04:38,480 Speaker 3: for support and so with triathlon I now do that 92 00:04:38,640 --> 00:04:40,880 Speaker 3: with a guide and I had mckeley Jones, who won 93 00:04:40,880 --> 00:04:43,880 Speaker 3: Australia's first medal in Sydney Olympics, as my guide for Rio, 94 00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:47,440 Speaker 3: and it's a real partnership, like it's a team unlike 95 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:50,080 Speaker 3: say if you were doing it by yourself, but the 96 00:04:50,120 --> 00:04:52,360 Speaker 3: way we do it, you know, it's a team effort. 97 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:56,000 Speaker 3: There's a lot of communica communication required and we're literally 98 00:04:56,160 --> 00:04:59,440 Speaker 3: tethered together in the swim candem bike. I've got a 99 00:04:59,480 --> 00:05:02,479 Speaker 3: beautiful eighty thousand dollars carbon made tandem bite for RIO 100 00:05:02,760 --> 00:05:05,640 Speaker 3: which was donated by the community, and then we're chevered 101 00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:08,560 Speaker 3: together in the run, so we're competing with other vision 102 00:05:08,560 --> 00:05:12,400 Speaker 3: impaired athletes who are also competing with their guides. And 103 00:05:12,440 --> 00:05:14,320 Speaker 3: it was just such a great honor to go and 104 00:05:14,360 --> 00:05:17,960 Speaker 3: represent Australia at two Paralympics, to win that first gold 105 00:05:17,960 --> 00:05:21,640 Speaker 3: medal in the sport of power triophon for Australia. I'm 106 00:05:21,680 --> 00:05:24,120 Speaker 3: so grateful for it, which is why you know, it's 107 00:05:24,120 --> 00:05:26,800 Speaker 3: just so lovely to come back to Darwin and finally 108 00:05:27,160 --> 00:05:29,120 Speaker 3: and to be able to show that gold medal to 109 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:30,600 Speaker 3: the kids on Mondays. 110 00:05:30,800 --> 00:05:32,400 Speaker 2: Did they love it? Katie? 111 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:36,320 Speaker 3: They did. They were fascinated by the sound of the 112 00:05:36,480 --> 00:05:39,640 Speaker 3: gold medal. I explained if the gold, silver and bonds 113 00:05:39,720 --> 00:05:43,039 Speaker 3: all have a different rattle sound to it, and the 114 00:05:43,080 --> 00:05:46,119 Speaker 3: reason for that is is someone who low has no vision, 115 00:05:46,160 --> 00:05:48,159 Speaker 3: they wouldn't be able to know what's gold or silver 116 00:05:48,240 --> 00:05:50,680 Speaker 3: or bonds by holding it, so they actually have this 117 00:05:50,920 --> 00:05:54,240 Speaker 3: sound within the medal, so it's a very inclusive medal. 118 00:05:54,240 --> 00:05:57,680 Speaker 3: I think the kids were fascinated by that, and just 119 00:05:58,120 --> 00:06:00,440 Speaker 3: I showed them some footies from the Power and pics 120 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:04,279 Speaker 3: of you know, people competing in wheelchairs, prosthetic one legs, 121 00:06:04,920 --> 00:06:07,839 Speaker 3: low visions with guides, and you know, they were just 122 00:06:08,160 --> 00:06:12,800 Speaker 3: I think in awe of just you know, people overcoming 123 00:06:12,839 --> 00:06:15,200 Speaker 3: adversity and doing what they love doing and finding a 124 00:06:15,240 --> 00:06:15,800 Speaker 3: way to do it. 125 00:06:16,760 --> 00:06:18,240 Speaker 2: That's what I absolutely love. 126 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:20,599 Speaker 1: That's what I love about your story is the way 127 00:06:20,600 --> 00:06:22,640 Speaker 1: that you have overcome that adversity. 128 00:06:23,120 --> 00:06:24,839 Speaker 2: Do you think that you know, do you think. 129 00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:27,040 Speaker 1: That we can do more as Australians to really make 130 00:06:27,080 --> 00:06:29,440 Speaker 1: sure that we're getting behind our power athletes? 131 00:06:31,120 --> 00:06:34,720 Speaker 3: Absolutely? I mean do you think about kids with disability? 132 00:06:34,760 --> 00:06:38,799 Speaker 3: Are one third less likely to participate in sports compared 133 00:06:38,839 --> 00:06:42,040 Speaker 3: to children without disability. So I just really encourage everyone 134 00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:45,400 Speaker 3: in the community. And there's so many great examples of it. 135 00:06:45,720 --> 00:06:49,120 Speaker 3: And I know that the NT is very inclusive, but 136 00:06:49,279 --> 00:06:52,159 Speaker 3: always think about who's not included, who's not at the 137 00:06:52,200 --> 00:06:55,320 Speaker 3: table right So who in our community is not sort 138 00:06:55,320 --> 00:06:57,760 Speaker 3: of participating in our sports and ways that we can 139 00:06:57,839 --> 00:07:01,720 Speaker 3: improve that inclusion for with diverse needs or who has 140 00:07:01,720 --> 00:07:04,880 Speaker 3: a disability. And sometimes we don't always get it right 141 00:07:04,920 --> 00:07:06,919 Speaker 3: first a child might come along and they don't feel 142 00:07:06,920 --> 00:07:10,160 Speaker 3: comfortable and they might be neuro diverse, etc. But it's 143 00:07:10,240 --> 00:07:15,160 Speaker 3: ensuring that clubs and the volunteers create a culture that 144 00:07:15,880 --> 00:07:18,400 Speaker 3: is welcoming and it's willing to just sort of go 145 00:07:18,560 --> 00:07:21,800 Speaker 3: that extra mile to ensure that a child who has 146 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:25,400 Speaker 3: additional needs is supported. And in terms of the Paralympics, 147 00:07:25,440 --> 00:07:28,280 Speaker 3: like I think we are the shame Paralympic team is 148 00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:32,160 Speaker 3: one of the most loved Australian teams and that's shown 149 00:07:32,240 --> 00:07:36,000 Speaker 3: by the great ratings that we're getting on broadcasting and 150 00:07:36,120 --> 00:07:40,280 Speaker 3: the investment of commercial sports are sorry commercial organizations. So 151 00:07:41,240 --> 00:07:44,800 Speaker 3: paris twenty fours on next year and you know it's 152 00:07:44,800 --> 00:07:47,000 Speaker 3: just going to be a great showcase of power sports 153 00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:48,080 Speaker 3: at the Paralympics. 154 00:07:48,320 --> 00:07:50,360 Speaker 1: Now, tell me what have you been doing since you're 155 00:07:50,400 --> 00:07:51,720 Speaker 1: retired after Tokyo. 156 00:07:51,760 --> 00:07:52,440 Speaker 2: I know that you do. 157 00:07:52,560 --> 00:07:54,840 Speaker 1: It sounds like you do so much in the community 158 00:07:54,880 --> 00:07:57,640 Speaker 1: and so much to advocate as well, you know for 159 00:07:58,120 --> 00:07:59,040 Speaker 1: power athletes. 160 00:07:59,280 --> 00:08:01,320 Speaker 2: But what have you been doing since you're retired? 161 00:08:03,320 --> 00:08:09,040 Speaker 4: I haven't stopped a bit like you, so like from 162 00:08:09,080 --> 00:08:11,559 Speaker 4: an I guess activity perspective, I did the Gold Coast 163 00:08:11,560 --> 00:08:15,360 Speaker 4: Marathon in July with a local guide Simon, and I'm. 164 00:08:15,160 --> 00:08:19,280 Speaker 3: Doing the Gold Coast fifty kilometer runs December. So I 165 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:21,800 Speaker 3: still love to, you know, give my body a bit 166 00:08:21,840 --> 00:08:25,720 Speaker 3: of a proof of loss. And then in terms of 167 00:08:25,760 --> 00:08:28,680 Speaker 3: my career, I'm really excited by the role that I have, 168 00:08:28,800 --> 00:08:33,160 Speaker 3: which is a diversity inclusion role for a nonprofit organization, 169 00:08:33,280 --> 00:08:36,040 Speaker 3: and it's all about improving the rates of people with 170 00:08:36,080 --> 00:08:40,679 Speaker 3: disability in the workplace and improving culture around disability. So 171 00:08:40,760 --> 00:08:44,440 Speaker 3: it's around like, how can we make our organizations more 172 00:08:44,480 --> 00:08:48,319 Speaker 3: diverse and support people with disability Because Katie, at the 173 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:50,840 Speaker 3: end of the day, disability it doesn't need fixing. It's 174 00:08:50,880 --> 00:08:54,719 Speaker 3: about what are all of us doing to be more inclusive? 175 00:08:54,840 --> 00:08:58,280 Speaker 3: So there is that broader spectrum of our community in 176 00:08:58,320 --> 00:09:02,120 Speaker 3: our every day and then of course Sport Access Foundation. 177 00:09:02,200 --> 00:09:06,199 Speaker 3: I'm a founder and director of that and we're announcing 178 00:09:06,200 --> 00:09:09,240 Speaker 3: our latest twenty three recipients in a couple of weeks time. 179 00:09:09,280 --> 00:09:11,640 Speaker 3: So we're giving away about thirty thousand dollars, so about 180 00:09:11,679 --> 00:09:15,120 Speaker 3: sixteen kids this year. Yeah, So all of that is 181 00:09:15,559 --> 00:09:17,760 Speaker 3: I love it. I love the work, and you know, 182 00:09:17,880 --> 00:09:21,520 Speaker 3: advocating for people's disability across our community, it's a real passion. 183 00:09:21,559 --> 00:09:23,920 Speaker 1: And when you talk about those grants, you know, what 184 00:09:24,040 --> 00:09:27,080 Speaker 1: impact does it have on the young kids that are 185 00:09:27,120 --> 00:09:28,120 Speaker 1: on the receiving end. 186 00:09:29,320 --> 00:09:33,120 Speaker 3: It's a massive impact. So if you can imagine, you know, 187 00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:37,120 Speaker 3: a young boy in a remote or regional areas of 188 00:09:37,440 --> 00:09:41,120 Speaker 3: NT who might have mobility issues such as being in 189 00:09:41,160 --> 00:09:44,280 Speaker 3: a chair. So not only do they need a chair 190 00:09:44,360 --> 00:09:46,320 Speaker 3: to be able to race around the track right because 191 00:09:46,320 --> 00:09:49,440 Speaker 3: you can't use your daychare, they need support getting to 192 00:09:49,520 --> 00:09:53,400 Speaker 3: that venue and some access to a coach that specializes 193 00:09:53,440 --> 00:09:58,000 Speaker 3: in wheelchair sport. So those sorts of things aren't available everywhere. 194 00:09:58,040 --> 00:10:00,480 Speaker 3: Like a child without a who's not a a wheelchair 195 00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:02,320 Speaker 3: that might just want to join a local soccer club 196 00:10:02,400 --> 00:10:07,480 Speaker 3: right sore, those additional barriers that prevent their participation. So 197 00:10:07,520 --> 00:10:11,240 Speaker 3: we ensure we provide funding so that they can get 198 00:10:11,280 --> 00:10:14,839 Speaker 3: to and travel to a program or a venue or 199 00:10:14,840 --> 00:10:18,480 Speaker 3: a location that does have inclusive accessible sports that they 200 00:10:18,559 --> 00:10:21,600 Speaker 3: participate in. And if I can give you an example quickly, 201 00:10:21,640 --> 00:10:24,000 Speaker 3: we had one of our recipients. She lived three hundred 202 00:10:24,040 --> 00:10:26,840 Speaker 3: kilometers outside of Sydney in a country town called Duney 203 00:10:26,840 --> 00:10:30,040 Speaker 3: Doo inn a motorized chair and the only sport for 204 00:10:30,080 --> 00:10:32,920 Speaker 3: her was boxing out, which was available in Sydney right, 205 00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:34,920 Speaker 3: so she had to travel to Sydney to access that. 206 00:10:35,520 --> 00:10:37,400 Speaker 3: We gave him some money to help her with that, 207 00:10:37,480 --> 00:10:41,120 Speaker 3: and she's gone on to represent Australia now at two Paralympics. 208 00:10:41,160 --> 00:10:42,240 Speaker 3: So that's kind of the impact. 209 00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:44,040 Speaker 2: Wonderful. That is wonderful. 210 00:10:44,080 --> 00:10:47,360 Speaker 1: I love I love that, you know, it's no secret 211 00:10:47,360 --> 00:10:49,400 Speaker 1: that I absolutely love sport. I love you know, I 212 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:52,040 Speaker 1: love seeing kids get involved in sport. And then when 213 00:10:52,040 --> 00:10:54,719 Speaker 1: you talk about kids that have got those you know, 214 00:10:54,840 --> 00:10:58,720 Speaker 1: additional additional sort of things, I guess that can maybe 215 00:10:58,760 --> 00:11:01,360 Speaker 1: make it. Yeah, barriers, that's the word I'm looking for. 216 00:11:01,559 --> 00:11:03,360 Speaker 1: That can make it a bit more difficult. If there's 217 00:11:03,400 --> 00:11:05,720 Speaker 1: ways that you can help them to get involved. I 218 00:11:05,800 --> 00:11:09,040 Speaker 1: just think it's an incredible thing to do and it 219 00:11:09,440 --> 00:11:11,760 Speaker 1: just like it does so much for kids no matter 220 00:11:11,760 --> 00:11:15,000 Speaker 1: where you come from. 221 00:11:14,160 --> 00:11:16,440 Speaker 3: Exactly, right, I mean, we all want to feel part 222 00:11:16,440 --> 00:11:18,800 Speaker 3: of a team right and belong and the things group 223 00:11:18,880 --> 00:11:21,400 Speaker 3: kids with disability don't want to be treated any differently, 224 00:11:21,520 --> 00:11:25,760 Speaker 3: and so inclusion is the key. And it's about you know, 225 00:11:25,920 --> 00:11:32,000 Speaker 3: sporting clubs investing, getting involved in inclusive programs such as 226 00:11:32,040 --> 00:11:36,000 Speaker 3: those provided by Disability Sports Australia, Deaf Sports Australia, Blind 227 00:11:36,040 --> 00:11:40,280 Speaker 3: Sports Australia and get educated and find these programs that 228 00:11:40,320 --> 00:11:44,160 Speaker 3: will help them be more inclusive so kids can get involved. 229 00:11:44,559 --> 00:11:47,440 Speaker 1: Now, Katie, we have it's all been so positive this 230 00:11:47,480 --> 00:11:49,880 Speaker 1: morning and I love you know everything that you do. 231 00:11:50,040 --> 00:11:51,400 Speaker 2: Unfortunately, while you. 232 00:11:51,360 --> 00:11:55,320 Speaker 1: Were here though, you and Dull three, your dog, your 233 00:11:55,320 --> 00:11:59,280 Speaker 1: support dog, had some issues in terms of trying to 234 00:11:59,280 --> 00:12:00,000 Speaker 1: get an uber. 235 00:12:01,280 --> 00:12:05,280 Speaker 3: Exactly I mean. And this is not just an MP problem, right, 236 00:12:06,320 --> 00:12:09,120 Speaker 3: this is a problem across Australia. And it's a problem 237 00:12:09,160 --> 00:12:12,120 Speaker 3: that many people in the low vision or who are 238 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:15,760 Speaker 3: blind experienced almost daily who have a guide dog, as 239 00:12:15,760 --> 00:12:19,280 Speaker 3: well as people who use wheelchairs for mobility, and that 240 00:12:19,520 --> 00:12:24,600 Speaker 3: is that in this instance Uber drivers will refuse to 241 00:12:24,679 --> 00:12:27,439 Speaker 3: take us because they don't want to take an animal, 242 00:12:27,920 --> 00:12:32,240 Speaker 3: even though it's legislation that they take. Guide dogs is 243 00:12:32,360 --> 00:12:38,560 Speaker 3: part of the Disability Discrimination Act that service animals and 244 00:12:38,600 --> 00:12:45,920 Speaker 3: guide dogs are are legally allowed to be in services 245 00:12:45,960 --> 00:12:48,920 Speaker 3: such as Uba. So the incident happened over the weekend 246 00:12:48,960 --> 00:12:51,600 Speaker 3: and I was just going to the beautiful perhaps swimming 247 00:12:51,640 --> 00:12:57,040 Speaker 3: pool with my nephew Sam and unfortunately the Uber driver 248 00:12:57,160 --> 00:13:02,520 Speaker 3: pulled up and drove away and refused to So it 249 00:13:02,559 --> 00:13:04,760 Speaker 3: was a matter that I thought I had to make 250 00:13:04,800 --> 00:13:09,280 Speaker 3: more public and so I reported it to the Human 251 00:13:09,360 --> 00:13:13,920 Speaker 3: Rights and TEA and they've since accepted my complaint and 252 00:13:13,920 --> 00:13:14,960 Speaker 3: they're investigating it. 253 00:13:15,440 --> 00:13:18,280 Speaker 1: Well, I think that is absolutely fair thing to do, 254 00:13:18,920 --> 00:13:20,760 Speaker 1: you know. And and the fact that you're there with 255 00:13:20,800 --> 00:13:23,880 Speaker 1: your nephew, You're there with with Guthrie, your guide dog, 256 00:13:24,320 --> 00:13:26,000 Speaker 1: You're trying to go to the para pool. It's a 257 00:13:26,000 --> 00:13:28,720 Speaker 1: pretty ordinary situation to be in and one that you shouldn't 258 00:13:28,720 --> 00:13:29,280 Speaker 1: have to face. 259 00:13:30,640 --> 00:13:34,920 Speaker 3: No, that's right. I mean Uber drivers know UBA say 260 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:37,600 Speaker 3: that they educate their drivers, but unfortunately there are still 261 00:13:37,679 --> 00:13:42,040 Speaker 3: drivers that are refusing to take guide dogs and it 262 00:13:42,120 --> 00:13:45,200 Speaker 3: happens too often. So I just you know, go through 263 00:13:45,240 --> 00:13:49,240 Speaker 3: this process of bringing it to the four through through 264 00:13:49,320 --> 00:13:52,400 Speaker 3: media and great support like yourself, but also through the 265 00:13:52,480 --> 00:13:56,400 Speaker 3: relevant government agencies. I think we need tougher penalties to 266 00:13:56,559 --> 00:14:01,360 Speaker 3: enforce the legislation around guide dogs traveling US and you 267 00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:06,240 Speaker 3: know it just leaves you feeling somewhat distressed, and you 268 00:14:06,240 --> 00:14:08,800 Speaker 3: know you're just trying to go about your every day 269 00:14:08,920 --> 00:14:10,520 Speaker 3: like we all do, or just trying to go to 270 00:14:10,600 --> 00:14:13,360 Speaker 3: pool with my nephew. So it's not good enough and 271 00:14:14,320 --> 00:14:15,679 Speaker 3: UBA really need to step up. 272 00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:16,640 Speaker 2: Yeah. 273 00:14:16,679 --> 00:14:19,440 Speaker 1: I've got a message straight away that said how anybody 274 00:14:19,440 --> 00:14:20,360 Speaker 1: could say no to. 275 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:21,880 Speaker 2: Guthrie is beyond me. 276 00:14:23,680 --> 00:14:26,040 Speaker 1: But then we also I got a message from Billy 277 00:14:26,120 --> 00:14:28,480 Speaker 1: as well, just a moment ago saying, hey, Katie, just 278 00:14:28,480 --> 00:14:30,760 Speaker 1: wanted to give your heads up since you're talking to 279 00:14:30,840 --> 00:14:34,000 Speaker 1: Katie Kelly that the Aussie wheelchair rugby team won the 280 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:35,200 Speaker 1: World Cup last week. 281 00:14:36,080 --> 00:14:40,160 Speaker 3: Ah. Yes, I did see that, and my good mate 282 00:14:41,120 --> 00:14:44,680 Speaker 3: Chris Bond is part of that team and the wheelchair 283 00:14:44,760 --> 00:14:47,520 Speaker 3: rugby guys are legendary. And I can tell you what, Katie. 284 00:14:47,600 --> 00:14:50,400 Speaker 3: I was there when they won against the USA in 285 00:14:50,520 --> 00:14:54,520 Speaker 3: extra time in Rio and afterwards when we all celebrated 286 00:14:55,000 --> 00:14:58,120 Speaker 3: the rugby boys lived up to their reputation and they 287 00:14:58,160 --> 00:15:00,560 Speaker 3: had quite a few beers to celebrate. Really great to 288 00:15:00,560 --> 00:15:03,000 Speaker 3: see the good autum is continuing on and they're in 289 00:15:03,040 --> 00:15:04,480 Speaker 3: good shape of powers next year. 290 00:15:04,720 --> 00:15:05,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, good on them. 291 00:15:06,040 --> 00:15:09,200 Speaker 1: Well, Katie Kelly, it has been an absolute pleasure having 292 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:11,320 Speaker 1: a chat to you this morning. Thank you so much 293 00:15:11,400 --> 00:15:13,280 Speaker 1: for joining us on the show and keep doing what 294 00:15:13,320 --> 00:15:13,560 Speaker 1: you do. 295 00:15:14,960 --> 00:15:18,000 Speaker 3: Thanks Katie. I appreciate it and really look forward to 296 00:15:18,040 --> 00:15:19,600 Speaker 3: catching up with you all Against. 297 00:15:19,320 --> 00:15:21,320 Speaker 2: Sane sounds good. Thank you.