WEBVTT - Talking Vision 744 Week Beginning 2nd of September 2024 0:00:13.158 --> 0:00:18.948 From Vision Australia. This is talking vision. And now here's 0:00:18.948 --> 0:00:20.988 your host Sam Colley. 0:00:23.538 --> 0:00:26.658 Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And 0:00:26.658 --> 0:00:29.658 for the next half hour we talk matters of blindness 0:00:29.658 --> 0:00:30.708 and low vision. 0:00:30.708 --> 0:00:33.918 I think it's incredible. You know, we've really created a 0:00:33.918 --> 0:00:37.248 safe and welcoming space. We're giving opportunity to those people 0:00:37.248 --> 0:00:40.338 that may have never been to a festival, never seen 0:00:40.338 --> 0:00:43.638 live music before. And, you know, one of the biggest 0:00:43.638 --> 0:00:47.388 takeaways that I find we go through is every year 0:00:47.388 --> 0:00:50.898 we increase our accessible features that we have on site. 0:00:50.928 --> 0:00:52.668 You know, we don't try and do everything all at 0:00:52.668 --> 0:00:55.158 once in the first year. We build on them year on, 0:00:55.158 --> 0:00:57.378 year on year to make sure that we're getting them 0:00:57.378 --> 0:01:00.798 correct and ensuring that why we're putting them on on 0:01:00.798 --> 0:01:03.108 site is working for those that need it. 0:01:03.138 --> 0:01:07.368 Welcome to the program. This week we catch up with 0:01:07.368 --> 0:01:12.798 Ashley O'Gara, event manager from untitled Group, who's in charge 0:01:12.798 --> 0:01:18.528 of Ability Fest, an inclusive music festival designed to be 0:01:18.528 --> 0:01:25.398 as accessible as possible for both spectators and musicians with disabilities. 0:01:25.428 --> 0:01:29.808 That conversation's coming up very shortly, so make sure to 0:01:29.838 --> 0:01:34.428 stick around. And then after you hear from us, it's 0:01:34.428 --> 0:01:37.608 my great pleasure to welcome back a regular of ours 0:01:37.608 --> 0:01:43.548 on Talking Vision. It's Liz Dalakouras, the editor of Foyer Information, 0:01:43.578 --> 0:01:48.438 otherwise known as FYI. And then to wrap up this week, 0:01:48.438 --> 0:01:53.778 we hear from Frances again. She's back with a reader recommended. 0:01:53.868 --> 0:01:58.098 I hope you enjoyed this week's episode of Talking Vision. 0:02:02.388 --> 0:02:06.518 Over the month of October. Music lovers in Melbourne and 0:02:06.518 --> 0:02:11.648 now Brisbane will be able to head along to Ability Fest, 0:02:11.678 --> 0:02:17.468 Australia's first and only completely inclusive music festival, striving to 0:02:17.498 --> 0:02:23.708 promote inclusivity and highlight the talents of musicians with disabilities. 0:02:23.768 --> 0:02:27.338 Here to chat with me all about Ability Fest. It's 0:02:27.338 --> 0:02:31.298 my great pleasure to be joined by the Event Manager 0:02:31.298 --> 0:02:37.388 of Ability Fest from untitled Group, Ashley O'Gara. Ash, welcome 0:02:37.388 --> 0:02:40.568 to Talking Vision. Thanks so much for your time. 0:02:40.928 --> 0:02:43.058 Thank you so much for having me. I'm excited. 0:02:43.088 --> 0:02:48.368 Today we're here to chat about Ability Fest. So could 0:02:48.368 --> 0:02:51.308 you tell us a little bit about the festival? 0:02:51.338 --> 0:02:54.878 Of course. It's a festival. A music festival like any other. 0:02:55.148 --> 0:02:59.708 We have two stages. Incredible lineup this year. Big, big 0:02:59.708 --> 0:03:03.308 thing for us is that we have more accessibility features 0:03:03.308 --> 0:03:06.368 on the ground than any other festival in the nation. 0:03:06.368 --> 0:03:10.418 We really pride ourselves on having accessibility at the forefront 0:03:10.418 --> 0:03:13.658 of our minds. And yeah, it's a great day out. 0:03:13.658 --> 0:03:17.078 We're creating really safe space for people with all abilities 0:03:17.078 --> 0:03:19.658 to come down. We've opened it up to 16 plus 0:03:19.658 --> 0:03:22.868 this year. Um, so we're really excited to see, you know, 0:03:22.898 --> 0:03:25.928 the next gen come through and really enjoy their day. 0:03:25.928 --> 0:03:29.948 And ash, I believe there's quite an interesting story about 0:03:29.948 --> 0:03:35.798 how Ability Fest was created involving none other than Dylan Alcott. 0:03:35.798 --> 0:03:38.288 So yeah. Could you tell us a bit about how 0:03:38.288 --> 0:03:39.728 that got off the ground? 0:03:39.758 --> 0:03:42.968 Of course. So the lovely Dylan Alcott, he is really 0:03:42.968 --> 0:03:47.918 passionate about music and experiencing it live. He sat down 0:03:47.918 --> 0:03:52.358 with untitled group directors, and they were in complete support 0:03:52.358 --> 0:03:56.198 of his vision for a music festival that raises money 0:03:56.198 --> 0:03:59.288 for the Dylan Alcott Foundation. So it's raising money for 0:03:59.318 --> 0:04:02.498 young Australians with disabilities and making sure that they can 0:04:02.498 --> 0:04:05.798 have the resources and education that they need in order 0:04:05.798 --> 0:04:07.148 to achieve their goals. 0:04:07.178 --> 0:04:10.868 Well, that's a fantastic initiative, ash. I'm very keen to 0:04:10.898 --> 0:04:15.338 get back to that later in the interview. But firstly, 0:04:15.368 --> 0:04:18.398 could you tell us a bit about untitled Group? Our 0:04:18.398 --> 0:04:21.308 listeners might be wondering who are they? What are they 0:04:21.308 --> 0:04:22.328 all about? 0:04:22.988 --> 0:04:26.348 Of course. So we are promoters and we run the 0:04:26.348 --> 0:04:32.768 likes of Beyond the Valley, Wildlands, grapevine. So the group 0:04:32.768 --> 0:04:35.438 started with the four directors, and they have a real 0:04:35.438 --> 0:04:39.248 passion for music and events, and they've grown into an 0:04:39.248 --> 0:04:42.878 incredible company. And we put on some of the best 0:04:42.878 --> 0:04:46.148 events and festivals that Australia has ever seen. 0:04:46.178 --> 0:04:51.278 Okay, cool. Love the confidence there. But in regards to 0:04:51.308 --> 0:04:55.658 the event that we're talking about today, Ability Fest. Tell 0:04:55.688 --> 0:04:58.238 us a bit about the lineup. There's quite a few 0:04:58.258 --> 0:05:02.218 exciting people out there. Quite a few artists and a 0:05:02.218 --> 0:05:06.838 lot of them also with lived experience of disability. So 0:05:06.838 --> 0:05:11.188 that's a fantastic aspect of that. To have all these 0:05:11.188 --> 0:05:14.698 people in one place and highlighting the great work and 0:05:14.698 --> 0:05:17.968 the talents of so many disabled artists out there. 0:05:17.998 --> 0:05:22.168 Absolutely. So we this year we're actually branching out and 0:05:22.378 --> 0:05:25.468 hosting Ability Fest in Melbourne and Brisbane. So that's the 0:05:25.468 --> 0:05:28.408 first time that we've done that. We have incredible lineup 0:05:28.408 --> 0:05:31.498 for both shows. We've got the likes of Ocean Alley, 0:05:31.618 --> 0:05:35.938 Cub Sport, James James, James, Crybaby. We've really tried to 0:05:35.968 --> 0:05:39.208 support our local artists as well. So we do have 0:05:39.208 --> 0:05:42.418 a lineup that differs between Melbourne and Brisbane, but we've 0:05:42.448 --> 0:05:46.438 tried to really highlight our local artists in both states 0:05:46.438 --> 0:05:50.938 and of course backing those that have accessibility requirements as well. 0:05:50.938 --> 0:05:54.058 It's such an incredible day. I definitely vouch for anybody 0:05:54.058 --> 0:05:56.158 to come on down, buy a ticket and come and 0:05:56.158 --> 0:05:58.828 support and really experience live music. 0:05:58.858 --> 0:06:02.518 Now on that topic, ash of people heading along, heading 0:06:02.518 --> 0:06:06.448 down and buying a ticket. Let's get a few details 0:06:06.448 --> 0:06:11.578 about Ability Fest. Now, you've already mentioned that it's over 0:06:11.578 --> 0:06:15.298 two states this year, so it's the first time that 0:06:15.298 --> 0:06:18.718 that's happening. So you know that's quite exciting. So that's 0:06:18.718 --> 0:06:23.488 Melbourne and Brisbane. Let's grab some of the details around 0:06:23.488 --> 0:06:28.378 the dates and times and where exactly in those cities 0:06:28.378 --> 0:06:32.098 the festival will be taking place of course. 0:06:32.098 --> 0:06:35.908 So in Melbourne it's at Alexandra Gardens, smack bang in 0:06:35.908 --> 0:06:39.478 the city. It's on Saturday the 19th of October. Both 0:06:39.478 --> 0:06:42.778 shows will run from midday until 10 p.m. at night 0:06:42.778 --> 0:06:46.888 in Brisbane. It's the following Saturday, so Saturday the 26th 0:06:46.888 --> 0:06:51.838 of October and we're actually hosting at Victoria Park in Herston. 0:06:51.838 --> 0:06:56.728 Both are very close to public transport. We do have 0:06:56.728 --> 0:06:59.548 parking options. They're very central. 0:06:59.578 --> 0:07:03.808 Yeah. Okay. Now, ash, let's have a chat about the 0:07:03.808 --> 0:07:08.218 ticket prices for people to head along, both in Melbourne 0:07:08.218 --> 0:07:13.048 and Brisbane for the entire day. That's $60 across the board. 0:07:13.048 --> 0:07:16.018 Or are there other sort of prices as well that 0:07:16.018 --> 0:07:18.958 people can have a look at? No. 0:07:18.958 --> 0:07:21.388 So this year we wanted to make a really conscious 0:07:21.388 --> 0:07:24.598 decision to ensure that we're not only making the festival 0:07:24.598 --> 0:07:28.468 itself accessible, but we have an inclusive ticket price of $60. 0:07:28.768 --> 0:07:31.858 And last year, for example, our tickets were, I think, 0:07:31.858 --> 0:07:35.158 roughly about $100 more. And but we wanted to have 0:07:35.158 --> 0:07:37.798 a really big focus in building out our budget this 0:07:37.798 --> 0:07:39.598 year and wanted to make it our top priority to 0:07:39.628 --> 0:07:42.628 keep the ticket price as low as we possibly can. Yeah, 0:07:42.628 --> 0:07:45.058 so no tiered pricing. It's just $60. 0:07:45.088 --> 0:07:49.588 Ah that's fantastic. And no doubt included in that ticket price. 0:07:49.588 --> 0:07:53.188 There would be the usual bits and pieces that people 0:07:53.218 --> 0:07:57.078 can expect at a music festival, you know, food and 0:07:57.078 --> 0:08:00.828 drink activations and all that sort of thing, but also 0:08:00.858 --> 0:08:05.448 quite a few accessibility features which made mention of earlier 0:08:05.448 --> 0:08:07.998 in the interview. So tell us a little bit more 0:08:07.998 --> 0:08:08.958 about those. 0:08:08.988 --> 0:08:12.678 Of course. So we are working with commercial partners and 0:08:12.678 --> 0:08:16.338 our sponsors at the moment to create more activations on site. 0:08:16.368 --> 0:08:20.958 So we'll have a glitter station. We'll hopefully have a 0:08:20.958 --> 0:08:25.938 temporary tattoo station, potentially somewhere we can get massages. The 0:08:25.938 --> 0:08:29.778 opportunities are endless at the moment. We obviously have an 0:08:29.778 --> 0:08:34.068 increased amount of accessible features on site, as I mentioned earlier, 0:08:34.068 --> 0:08:40.128 so we'll have changing places, we'll have viewing platforms, flooring. 0:08:40.128 --> 0:08:43.008 We're working on a silent disco at the moment, so 0:08:43.008 --> 0:08:45.618 you can hire from us or get your hands on 0:08:45.618 --> 0:08:48.408 a haptic vest for those that are deaf or hard 0:08:48.438 --> 0:08:50.778 of hearing so they can feel the music, and then 0:08:50.778 --> 0:08:54.468 you'll have headphones as well. We partner with Bindi Maps, 0:08:54.468 --> 0:08:58.338 which is the navigational app, which is an incredible app 0:08:58.368 --> 0:09:00.888 that we have. Yeah, we've got some really exciting things 0:09:00.888 --> 0:09:03.348 this year and I think people will be very surprised, 0:09:03.348 --> 0:09:04.818 which will be very exciting. 0:09:04.848 --> 0:09:08.988 Yeah, sounds super exciting for sure. And just back on 0:09:08.988 --> 0:09:11.808 that ticket before, and I did want to talk about 0:09:11.808 --> 0:09:15.468 this because this is great. 100% of the proceeds are 0:09:15.498 --> 0:09:20.718 donated to the Dylan Alcott Foundation. Now that's a fantastic initiative. 0:09:20.748 --> 0:09:23.928 Has that been the case all the way through, all 0:09:23.958 --> 0:09:27.438 through the iterations of Ability Fest, or is that more 0:09:27.438 --> 0:09:28.548 of a recent thing? 0:09:28.578 --> 0:09:31.398 No, that's always been the goal of Ability Fest. So 0:09:31.398 --> 0:09:34.908 I think we've raised so far about 1.5 million. 0:09:34.908 --> 0:09:35.808 For, oh my God. 0:09:35.838 --> 0:09:38.388 Dylan Alcott Foundation. That's fantastic. 0:09:38.418 --> 0:09:40.038 Yeah, that's a fantastic result. 0:09:40.068 --> 0:09:42.108 Yeah, definitely. We've been going. I think this will be 0:09:42.108 --> 0:09:45.618 our sixth year that we've put on Ability Fest. So yeah, 0:09:45.648 --> 0:09:49.128 all proceeds go towards the young Australians with disabilities. 0:09:49.158 --> 0:09:52.728 Wow. But in order for that sort of thing to 0:09:52.758 --> 0:09:57.138 be possible, the festival has grown no doubt over the 0:09:57.138 --> 0:10:01.368 last six iterations. So what's that been like seeing it 0:10:01.368 --> 0:10:04.158 get off the ground? Those, you know, 6 or 7 0:10:04.158 --> 0:10:07.608 years ago up to the festival it's become now. 0:10:07.638 --> 0:10:11.088 It's incredible to see from the first iteration to where 0:10:11.088 --> 0:10:14.568 we are now. We've really delved in and tried to 0:10:14.598 --> 0:10:18.258 challenge ourselves with the temporary festival sites that we do choose. 0:10:18.288 --> 0:10:20.748 You know, we ensure that we provide a challenge to 0:10:20.778 --> 0:10:23.388 ourselves to make sure that we can show other festivals 0:10:23.388 --> 0:10:25.758 and events how to do it best. You know, we 0:10:25.758 --> 0:10:28.548 push the boundaries on what an inclusive festival site looks 0:10:28.548 --> 0:10:32.238 like and encourages other event organisers that want to come down, 0:10:32.238 --> 0:10:35.178 and they want to learn a little bit more about accessibility. 0:10:35.208 --> 0:10:38.028 We're providing that guidance for them as well. I think 0:10:38.028 --> 0:10:41.088 it's incredible. You know, we've really created a safe and 0:10:41.088 --> 0:10:44.418 welcoming space. We're giving opportunity to those people that may 0:10:44.418 --> 0:10:49.458 have never been to a festival, never seen live music before. And, 0:10:49.508 --> 0:10:51.848 you know, one of the biggest takeaways that I find 0:10:51.878 --> 0:10:56.258 we go through is every year we increase our accessible 0:10:56.258 --> 0:10:58.388 features that we have on site. You know, we don't 0:10:58.418 --> 0:11:00.758 try and do everything all at once in the first year. 0:11:00.758 --> 0:11:02.678 We build on them year on, year on year to 0:11:02.708 --> 0:11:06.098 make sure that we're getting them correct and ensuring that 0:11:06.128 --> 0:11:08.648 why we're putting them on on site is working for 0:11:08.648 --> 0:11:12.368 those that need it. Yeah, so it's definitely been so rewarding. 0:11:12.368 --> 0:11:14.618 It's been a massive learning curve for us over the 0:11:14.618 --> 0:11:17.588 six years, and we've learned so much. We find it 0:11:17.588 --> 0:11:21.038 so important that we take our learnings from ability first 0:11:21.038 --> 0:11:24.098 and incorporate it into our other festival and events that 0:11:24.098 --> 0:11:26.738 untitled Group does, and make sure that we are the 0:11:26.738 --> 0:11:30.698 market leader in accessibility, and definitely proving a point to 0:11:30.728 --> 0:11:33.518 other event organisers to get on board and, you know, 0:11:33.548 --> 0:11:36.428 make an industry standpoint and guide other events on how 0:11:36.428 --> 0:11:38.648 to become more accessible and why they should become more 0:11:38.648 --> 0:11:40.868 accessible as well. It's so important. 0:11:40.898 --> 0:11:45.578 You've mentioned opportunities in there for quite a few festival 0:11:45.608 --> 0:11:49.718 goers to head along and Experience this sort of festival 0:11:49.718 --> 0:11:52.778 in an accessible way, but I want to go to 0:11:52.808 --> 0:11:56.258 the other side of that and have a chat about 0:11:56.258 --> 0:11:59.678 the artists themselves. And, you know, this is such an 0:11:59.678 --> 0:12:05.558 important opportunity for artists out there with disabilities to showcase 0:12:05.558 --> 0:12:08.498 their talents and really show the world what they can do, 0:12:08.528 --> 0:12:11.858 you know? So why are these sort of events like 0:12:11.858 --> 0:12:17.318 Ability Fest so important for the disability community and artists 0:12:17.318 --> 0:12:20.558 out there with lived experience of disability? 0:12:20.588 --> 0:12:25.478 The biggest thing is providing a space. It's giving people 0:12:25.478 --> 0:12:28.988 the opportunity to one, as mentioned, you know, those that 0:12:28.988 --> 0:12:32.108 may have never been or seen live music before, and 0:12:32.108 --> 0:12:36.218 especially those artists that have lived with disability, they potentially 0:12:36.218 --> 0:12:39.458 may never have the opportunity to be on a stage 0:12:39.458 --> 0:12:42.788 and showcase their talents to the world. You know, we're 0:12:42.908 --> 0:12:45.668 we're giving them a platform in order to do that, 0:12:45.668 --> 0:12:48.038 and we're supporting them. We're behind them every step of 0:12:48.038 --> 0:12:48.788 the way. 0:12:48.818 --> 0:12:53.708 Let's get some details about how people can register. How 0:12:53.708 --> 0:12:56.138 can they pick up a ticket? Or maybe they just 0:12:56.138 --> 0:12:59.498 want to find out a little bit more about Ability Fest. 0:12:59.528 --> 0:13:02.528 What's the best way for people to do that? 0:13:03.068 --> 0:13:06.548 Of course, I definitely encourage people to go to either 0:13:06.578 --> 0:13:09.908 ability Fest on their socials, or jump on the internet 0:13:09.908 --> 0:13:13.088 and jump onto our Ability Fest website. We do have 0:13:13.088 --> 0:13:16.028 a Melbourne and a Brisbane toggle that you can go 0:13:16.028 --> 0:13:19.298 and access. There's so much information on there. We're working 0:13:19.298 --> 0:13:21.608 on an accessibility guide at the moment as well, so 0:13:21.608 --> 0:13:24.548 you'll be able to download that. We do have tickets 0:13:24.548 --> 0:13:27.308 still available. Definitely encourage people if you are going to 0:13:27.308 --> 0:13:30.218 get a ticket get them whilst you can. Yeah. All 0:13:30.218 --> 0:13:32.888 the information you'll need is on the website and you 0:13:32.888 --> 0:13:34.568 can have a look at the lineup and check out 0:13:34.568 --> 0:13:38.108 the artists. Any FAQs? They'll be on there as well. 0:13:38.138 --> 0:13:41.798 And ash, let's get that web address in particular for 0:13:41.798 --> 0:13:45.388 people to check out the Ability Fest Test website. 0:13:45.658 --> 0:13:49.348 Yeah. So its ability facecamo. And then yeah you'll toggle 0:13:49.378 --> 0:13:51.748 between Victoria and Queensland wherever you are. 0:13:51.778 --> 0:13:56.488 That website again for people out there. Ability fest all 0:13:56.488 --> 0:14:02.008 one word.com dot a u okay. Well I've been speaking 0:14:02.038 --> 0:14:07.228 today with Ashley O'Gara from untitled Group. Joining me today 0:14:07.228 --> 0:14:11.788 to tell us all about the upcoming Ability Fest, which 0:14:11.788 --> 0:14:16.618 people can enjoy on consecutive weekends in both Melbourne and 0:14:16.618 --> 0:14:21.208 Brisbane over the month of October. Ash, great to catch 0:14:21.208 --> 0:14:23.908 up with you today and have a chat all about 0:14:23.908 --> 0:14:27.208 Ability Fest. All the best and look forward to seeing 0:14:27.208 --> 0:14:28.348 how it all goes. 0:14:28.708 --> 0:14:31.948 Thank you so much! It's been lovely chatting. Speak soon. 0:14:38.548 --> 0:14:42.328 I'm Sam Kelly and you're listening to Talking Vision. On 0:14:42.328 --> 0:14:48.148 Vision Australia Radio associated stations of the Radio Reading Network 0:14:48.148 --> 0:14:52.678 and the Community Radio Network. I hope you enjoyed that 0:14:52.678 --> 0:14:57.568 conversation there with ash O'Gara from untitled Group in the 0:14:57.568 --> 0:15:03.238 lead up to Ability Fest, taking place in October. If 0:15:03.268 --> 0:15:06.808 you missed any part of that conversation with ash or 0:15:06.808 --> 0:15:10.408 you'd love to hear it again, Talking Vision and the 0:15:10.408 --> 0:15:15.688 associated interviews will be available on our podcast feed. Or 0:15:15.688 --> 0:15:19.738 you can access the show through the Vision Australia Radio 0:15:19.768 --> 0:15:26.998 website at RVA radio.org. That's RVA radio.org or through the 0:15:26.998 --> 0:15:31.528 Vision Australia library. Coming up now to celebrate the new 0:15:31.528 --> 0:15:35.428 month as we head into September, it's my great pleasure 0:15:35.428 --> 0:15:39.388 to welcome back a regular of ours on Talking Vision. 0:15:39.388 --> 0:15:44.328 It's Liz Dalakouras, the editor of For Your Information, otherwise 0:15:44.328 --> 0:15:50.268 known as FII vision, Australia's fortnightly newsletter covering all the 0:15:50.268 --> 0:15:54.798 latest news in the blind and low vision community. Liz, 0:15:54.828 --> 0:15:58.578 welcome back to Talking Vision. Thanks so much for being here. 0:15:58.848 --> 0:16:00.468 Thank you for having me back, Sam. 0:16:00.498 --> 0:16:05.538 Now, there's quite a bumper edition of FYI this month 0:16:05.538 --> 0:16:08.418 for people to check out and find out a little 0:16:08.448 --> 0:16:12.468 bit more about what's going on around Australia. So let's 0:16:12.468 --> 0:16:16.668 head up to New South Wales first with some election news. 0:16:16.668 --> 0:16:19.908 Those local elections aren't far away, but there's some good 0:16:19.908 --> 0:16:23.268 news there on the accessibility front for voters who are 0:16:23.268 --> 0:16:24.768 blind or have low vision. 0:16:24.858 --> 0:16:27.858 Yeah, there definitely is. It's quite an addition. You're right. 0:16:27.858 --> 0:16:31.038 It's been announced that there's now telephone assisted voting for 0:16:31.038 --> 0:16:33.768 the New South Wales local government election. So that makes 0:16:33.768 --> 0:16:36.138 voting as someone who is blind or low vision a 0:16:36.138 --> 0:16:39.558 lot easier. You can visit the Elections New South Wales 0:16:39.708 --> 0:16:41.478 Gov website for more information. 0:16:41.478 --> 0:16:45.558 That is really pleasing news to hear. Those phone options 0:16:45.558 --> 0:16:49.188 are available for voters who are blind or have low vision. 0:16:49.188 --> 0:16:52.218 So tell us a little bit about the New South 0:16:52.248 --> 0:16:56.778 Wales local elections and voting by phone in this particular instance, 0:16:56.778 --> 0:16:59.538 and how people can cast their votes that way. 0:16:59.658 --> 0:17:02.598 Yeah. So the New South Wales local government elections are 0:17:02.598 --> 0:17:06.108 being held on Saturday the 14th of September. And for 0:17:06.108 --> 0:17:09.828 these elections, the telephone assisted voting is available for electors 0:17:09.828 --> 0:17:12.558 who are blind or have low vision. It's a two 0:17:12.588 --> 0:17:15.528 step process. So you call the New South Wales Electoral 0:17:15.528 --> 0:17:18.258 Commission to apply, and then you either stay on the 0:17:18.258 --> 0:17:20.778 line or call back to cast your vote, and you'll 0:17:20.808 --> 0:17:25.038 be transferred to the voting operator after applying. Super simple. 0:17:25.128 --> 0:17:28.248 That does sound pretty user friendly, but of course people 0:17:28.248 --> 0:17:31.458 can get in touch with the commission if they do 0:17:31.488 --> 0:17:35.508 encounter any issues. There have been some improvements there, so 0:17:35.508 --> 0:17:38.508 that's quite good to hear, but let's go a bit 0:17:38.508 --> 0:17:42.358 further north, heading up to Queensland. Now, could you tell 0:17:42.388 --> 0:17:46.408 us a bit about a series of accessibility upgrades which 0:17:46.408 --> 0:17:51.208 have been rolled out across the train network up in Brisbane? Um, 0:17:51.208 --> 0:17:54.868 that's fantastic news for passengers who are blind or have 0:17:54.868 --> 0:17:58.408 low vision to get around the network a little bit 0:17:58.408 --> 0:18:00.418 more safely and accessibly. 0:18:00.448 --> 0:18:05.098 Absolutely. It's such an important topic. There has been leads 0:18:05.098 --> 0:18:09.088 and some changes made to the accessibility upgrades on their trains, 0:18:09.088 --> 0:18:12.628 so that's very exciting because now the Queensland train fleet 0:18:12.628 --> 0:18:14.998 is now among the most inclusive in all of Australia, 0:18:14.998 --> 0:18:19.288 with all 75 new generation rolling stock trains fully upgraded 0:18:19.288 --> 0:18:22.978 for accessibility. The trains are now servicing the South East 0:18:22.978 --> 0:18:26.638 Queensland network and coincide with the six month trial of 0:18:26.638 --> 0:18:30.838 50 cent fares. The upgrades were completed by Diana and 0:18:30.838 --> 0:18:35.398 additionally supported 80 local jobs in Maryborough and elsewhere. 0:18:35.398 --> 0:18:39.218 There's been some news with Ben Pettengill. He's been up 0:18:39.218 --> 0:18:41.528 to quite a bit lately. So tell us a bit 0:18:41.558 --> 0:18:42.278 about that. 0:18:42.308 --> 0:18:46.328 We've had who we've spoken to many times ourselves Ben Pettengill. 0:18:46.358 --> 0:18:50.228 He's taken on the challenge to run 3000km to help 0:18:50.228 --> 0:18:53.498 raise funds for a counselling service. So being blind and 0:18:53.498 --> 0:18:57.008 low vision himself and still wanting to help others, it's 0:18:57.008 --> 0:18:58.658 just an amazing story. 0:18:58.718 --> 0:19:02.858 Certainly is. And we love chatting to Ben, as you've mentioned. 0:19:02.858 --> 0:19:05.318 So I think a lot of people will be very 0:19:05.348 --> 0:19:09.518 keen to hear about that one. But there's also quite 0:19:09.548 --> 0:19:13.088 a few things going on closer to home. There's a 0:19:13.088 --> 0:19:15.338 morning tea that's being set up. 0:19:15.368 --> 0:19:19.748 Yeah, absolutely. So the Honourable Lizzie Blandthorn, the Minister for children, 0:19:19.748 --> 0:19:22.658 has invited blind and low vision parents to share their 0:19:22.658 --> 0:19:26.468 experiences on raising children aged less than 12 years old. 0:19:26.468 --> 0:19:30.998 Just head down to the Flemington hub in Flemington, where 0:19:30.998 --> 0:19:33.668 morning tea will be provided. You can bring your kids 0:19:33.668 --> 0:19:36.548 and you get to talk directly to Lizzie on your 0:19:36.548 --> 0:19:40.148 thoughts on education. The service gaps and ways to enhance 0:19:40.148 --> 0:19:43.208 support for your family. It's a great opportunity. 0:19:43.208 --> 0:19:46.688 And Liz, there's quite a lot of stuff happening in 0:19:46.688 --> 0:19:50.198 the world of audio description as usual. But tell us 0:19:50.198 --> 0:19:53.948 a little bit about one of the really exciting premieres 0:19:53.948 --> 0:19:56.048 for people to look forward to. Well, it's. 0:19:56.048 --> 0:19:58.928 Very exciting to say that we have a world premiere 0:19:58.958 --> 0:20:01.538 heading our way in New South Wales. That's right. So 0:20:01.568 --> 0:20:05.468 the Queen. Yeah, the Queen's nanny super well known and 0:20:05.468 --> 0:20:08.588 love story is coming to the Ensemble Theater in Kirribilli 0:20:08.588 --> 0:20:11.558 in New South Wales. So you don't want to miss 0:20:11.558 --> 0:20:13.868 this one. That's being audio described. 0:20:13.868 --> 0:20:18.308 There's quite a few audio description offers out there. So 0:20:18.308 --> 0:20:21.548 if people want to hear a little bit more about 0:20:21.548 --> 0:20:26.858 audio description, there's plenty of info on the Vision Australia website. 0:20:26.858 --> 0:20:32.648 Vision australia.org. That's Vision australia.org. And if you just search 0:20:32.678 --> 0:20:36.368 up audio description you can find out a lot more 0:20:36.368 --> 0:20:41.108 about that and all the other offers, including the Queen's nanny, 0:20:41.138 --> 0:20:45.158 as we've mentioned there. Now, we've talked to Jason about 0:20:45.158 --> 0:20:49.178 our new podcast that's just kicking off Mindful Minutes. Tell 0:20:49.208 --> 0:20:50.498 us a bit about that. 0:20:50.528 --> 0:20:54.818 Basically, it's a wellbeing podcast. It's a seven part series 0:20:54.818 --> 0:20:57.668 designed to support the wellbeing of older Australians who are 0:20:57.668 --> 0:21:01.178 blind or have low vision, and through these episodes we 0:21:01.178 --> 0:21:05.228 explore the emotional impacts of vision loss. We share personal stories, 0:21:05.228 --> 0:21:09.218 highlight the importance of social wellbeing, mindfulness, staying active and 0:21:09.218 --> 0:21:13.718 practicing self-care all guided by experts and those experts we 0:21:13.718 --> 0:21:16.688 have here at Vision Australia. But also we spoke with 0:21:16.688 --> 0:21:20.618 the CEO of Mindspot Australia and the CEO of Grief Australia. 0:21:20.618 --> 0:21:24.578 So there is just some simply amazing information in that 0:21:24.578 --> 0:21:25.628 podcast series. 0:21:25.658 --> 0:21:28.988 Oh yeah, that sounds like it's got something for everyone. 0:21:28.988 --> 0:21:32.318 So we do look forward to hearing from people out 0:21:32.318 --> 0:21:35.128 there when they've had a listen to the podcast and 0:21:35.158 --> 0:21:37.888 you know what? They've gotten out of it and the 0:21:37.918 --> 0:21:40.768 sort of feedback they might have. So yeah, I'm really 0:21:40.768 --> 0:21:45.028 looking forward to seeing how that all goes. Now. Finally, Liz, 0:21:45.028 --> 0:21:48.928 we've got a couple of other exciting things happening in 0:21:48.928 --> 0:21:52.678 the children and young people space. With the opening of 0:21:52.678 --> 0:21:57.478 the Leap programme for 2025, for Expressions of Interest, we 0:21:57.478 --> 0:22:00.508 have a chat about that with, um, Belinda Wilson from 0:22:00.508 --> 0:22:03.838 the Children and Young People team a little while ago 0:22:03.838 --> 0:22:06.688 on Talking Vision a week or two ago, but yeah, 0:22:06.718 --> 0:22:08.218 tell us a bit about that. 0:22:08.248 --> 0:22:11.908 Yeah. So leap it's it's actually a very exciting programme 0:22:11.908 --> 0:22:15.478 because it's tailored for young people who are 14 to 18, 0:22:15.478 --> 0:22:18.058 so about to finish high school or towards the end 0:22:18.058 --> 0:22:21.748 of high school, ready to begin the career. And Leap 0:22:21.748 --> 0:22:24.718 helps to foster essential life skills and confidence with their 0:22:24.718 --> 0:22:27.928 future successes in life. So to be able to empower 0:22:27.928 --> 0:22:31.528 young people with independence and confidence that they need to 0:22:31.618 --> 0:22:35.878 just hit life head on is amazing and the activities 0:22:35.878 --> 0:22:39.448 are driven by the participants themselves. So straight up they're 0:22:39.448 --> 0:22:43.288 learning responsibility both at home and in the real world. 0:22:43.288 --> 0:22:44.758 So it's a great program. 0:22:44.788 --> 0:22:49.288 We've also got some other amazing news that's very exciting 0:22:49.288 --> 0:22:55.228 with the new launch of the foyer Information sign up page. 0:22:55.258 --> 0:22:57.628 Tell us a bit about that exciting news. How can 0:22:57.658 --> 0:22:59.128 people access that? 0:22:59.158 --> 0:23:01.858 Yeah, it's very exciting. It's something that's been in the 0:23:01.858 --> 0:23:05.398 works for a little while. So again, some very exciting 0:23:05.398 --> 0:23:09.688 news you can now subscribe to FYI super simply just 0:23:09.688 --> 0:23:13.348 visit our website Vision Australia. Org and search sign up 0:23:13.348 --> 0:23:16.948 to FYI in the menu bar. Pop in some details 0:23:16.948 --> 0:23:20.428 and every fortnight you'll get this newsletter directly to your inbox. 0:23:20.428 --> 0:23:23.698 There's also another way that you can access all the 0:23:23.698 --> 0:23:32.128 information about FYI. Simply head to Vision FYI that's Vision 0:23:32.158 --> 0:23:39.598 australia.org/fyi to sign up and find out more information about. 0:23:39.598 --> 0:23:44.458 For your information, I've been speaking today with Liz Dalakouras, 0:23:44.488 --> 0:23:49.588 the editor of For Your Information, otherwise known as FYI, 0:23:49.618 --> 0:23:54.088 the fortnightly newsletter from Vision Australia, with all the latest 0:23:54.118 --> 0:24:00.538 news of particular interest to the blind and low vision community. Liz, 0:24:00.568 --> 0:24:03.118 thanks so much for your time today. It's great to 0:24:03.148 --> 0:24:05.998 catch up with you and chat all about FYI. 0:24:06.898 --> 0:24:09.238 Not a problem at all. I agree, I always look 0:24:09.238 --> 0:24:10.558 forward to these chats. 0:24:17.158 --> 0:24:21.178 And now here's Frances Kelland with her radar recommended. 0:24:21.178 --> 0:24:25.018 Thank you Sam. It has been 60 years since Mary 0:24:25.048 --> 0:24:28.108 Poppins first hit our cinemas, so I thought it'd be 0:24:28.108 --> 0:24:31.398 good to have a sample of Julie Andrews book home, 0:24:31.398 --> 0:24:34.998 her memoir. Over the years, Julie Andrews has been much 0:24:34.998 --> 0:24:37.488 interviewed in the press and on television, but she has 0:24:37.488 --> 0:24:40.488 never before revealed the true story of her childhood and 0:24:40.488 --> 0:24:45.078 upbringing in home. She vividly recreates the years before the movies. 0:24:45.078 --> 0:24:48.288 An idyllic early childhood in Surrey was cut short when 0:24:48.288 --> 0:24:52.248 her parents divorced and her mother remarried. The family moved 0:24:52.248 --> 0:24:54.888 to London and there are vivid scenes of life during 0:24:54.888 --> 0:24:58.758 the Blitz. Her mother went into musical theatre with her stepfather, 0:24:58.758 --> 0:25:01.638 who encouraged Julie to have singing lessons, which led to 0:25:01.668 --> 0:25:05.298 the discovery that her voice had phenomenal range and strength 0:25:05.298 --> 0:25:08.268 for someone her age. Before long, she was appearing on 0:25:08.268 --> 0:25:11.268 stage with her parents. She soon realised how much she 0:25:11.268 --> 0:25:14.778 enjoyed looking out into the black auditorium with the spotlights 0:25:14.778 --> 0:25:17.238 on her. By the time she was a teenager, she 0:25:17.238 --> 0:25:20.898 was supporting her whole family with her singing. A London 0:25:20.898 --> 0:25:24.078 Palladium pantomime led to a leading role in The Boyfriend 0:25:24.078 --> 0:25:27.978 on Broadway at 19 parts in My Fair Lady opposite 0:25:27.978 --> 0:25:31.818 Rex Harrison and Camelot with Richard Burton, soon followed, and 0:25:31.818 --> 0:25:35.088 there are wonderful anecdotes about the actors and actresses of 0:25:35.088 --> 0:25:37.638 her day. But this is far more than a collection 0:25:37.638 --> 0:25:41.088 of show stories. Home is an honest, touching and revealing 0:25:41.088 --> 0:25:44.628 memoir of the early life of a true icon. Let's 0:25:44.628 --> 0:25:48.288 hear a sample of Home by Julie Andrews, narrated by 0:25:48.288 --> 0:25:49.638 Julie Andrews. 0:25:49.668 --> 0:25:53.748 I am told that the first comprehensible word I uttered 0:25:53.748 --> 0:25:58.728 as a child was home. My father was driving his 0:25:58.728 --> 0:26:02.568 second hand. Austin seven. My mother was in the passenger 0:26:02.568 --> 0:26:05.688 seat beside him, holding me on her lap as we 0:26:05.688 --> 0:26:09.438 approached our modest house. Dad braked the car to turn 0:26:09.438 --> 0:26:12.528 on to the pocket handkerchiefs, square of concrete by the gate, 0:26:12.528 --> 0:26:18.618 and apparently I quietly, tentatively said the word home. My 0:26:18.618 --> 0:26:21.588 mother told me there was a slight upward inflection in 0:26:21.588 --> 0:26:24.798 my voice, not a question so much as a trying 0:26:24.828 --> 0:26:28.158 of the word on the tongue with perhaps the delicious 0:26:28.158 --> 0:26:33.558 discovery of connection, the word to the place. My parents 0:26:33.588 --> 0:26:36.498 wanted to be sure they had heard me correctly, so 0:26:36.498 --> 0:26:40.128 dad drove around the lanes once again, and as we returned, 0:26:40.128 --> 0:26:43.908 it seems I repeated the word. My mother must have 0:26:43.908 --> 0:26:46.578 said it more than once upon arrival at our house, 0:26:46.578 --> 0:26:51.918 perhaps with satisfaction or relief, or maybe to instill in 0:26:51.918 --> 0:26:55.608 her young daughter a sense of comfort and safety. The 0:26:55.608 --> 0:27:01.518 word has carried enormous resonance for me ever since. Home. 0:27:01.518 --> 0:27:05.208 So that was home by Julie Andrews. If you would 0:27:05.208 --> 0:27:06.828 like to borrow that book, or if you would like 0:27:06.828 --> 0:27:10.248 to find out more about Vision Australia Library, just give 0:27:10.248 --> 0:27:19.158 them a call on 1300 654 656. That's 1300 654 656. Or you can 0:27:19.158 --> 0:27:23.448 email the library at Vision Australia. Org that's library at 0:27:23.448 --> 0:27:25.628 Vision Australia, dawg. 0:27:25.658 --> 0:27:28.838 And that's all the time we have for today. You've 0:27:28.868 --> 0:27:33.068 been listening to Talking Vision. Talking vision is a Vision 0:27:33.098 --> 0:27:37.268 Australia radio production. Thanks to all involved with putting the 0:27:37.268 --> 0:27:41.468 show together every week. And remember, we love hearing from you. 0:27:41.468 --> 0:27:44.768 So please get in touch any time on our email 0:27:44.768 --> 0:27:50.048 at Talking Vision. At Vision australia.org. That's talking vision or 0:27:50.048 --> 0:27:54.848 one word at Vision australia.org. But until next week it's 0:27:54.848 --> 0:27:57.338 Sam Collins saying bye for now. 0:28:00.638 --> 0:28:04.838 You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during 0:28:04.838 --> 0:28:14.198 business hours on 1300 847 406. That's one 308 474106 or by 0:28:14.198 --> 0:28:19.208 visiting Vision australia.org. That's Vision australia.org.