S1: From Vision Australia. This is talking vision. And now here's
S1: your host, Sam Coley.
S2: Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And
S2: for the next half hour, we talk matters of blindness
S2: and low vision.
S3: I just really enjoy giving back to the community and
S3: helping with different initiatives that make a difference. And other
S3: than my day job, I'm also a City of Greater
S3: Geelong councillor. And so it's those types of community initiatives
S3: that always spark my interest. So I didn't necessarily have
S3: any exposure to people that have challenges with vision. It
S3: was just that I saw this initiative, my love for running,
S3: and I thought, if I can help those that are
S3: not able to get out and about and have a
S3: run without some assistance, why wouldn't I do that? And
S3: so that's really been my my incentive.
S2: Welcome to the program. This week we've got a bit
S2: of a regional flavor on talking vision, as we feature
S2: a voice familiar to a lot of people in Bendigo.
S2: It's Bruce Lee's as he catches up with Graham Knight.
S2: Now they're both part of the Bendigo Amateur Radio and
S2: Electronics Club or Barak, and they're always looking for new members,
S2: including amateur radio enthusiasts who are blind or have low vision.
S2: So if that sounds like you, stay tuned as that
S2: interviews not very far away at all. Then after we
S2: hear from Bruce and Graham, I catch up with Eddie
S2: Connell from Geelong. Achilles, the new branch of Achilles. Australia,
S2: which is setting up their first event on the 8th
S2: of September at the Geelong Botanical Gardens. And then finally
S2: to wrap up the show this week, I'm joined by
S2: Liz Dalakouras, the editor of Foyer Information, for an FYI update.
S2: I hope you'll enjoy this week's episode of Talking Vision.
S2: And now here's Vision Australia Radio bendigo's very own Bruce Lee's.
S4: Now with me in the studio, I have Graham Knight
S4: who is a radio amateur operator.
S2: Vk3 Grk.
S4: Just for the record, now before we get talking about
S4: radio fests and all these things, what is the difference
S4: between amateur radio and ham radio?
S5: Well, okay, Bruce, thanks for having me in, by the way. Um,
S5: amateur radio and ham radio are basically the same thing.
S5: The term ham radio goes back quite a long way. Uh,
S5: and there's probably a little bit of, um, I guess, um,
S5: controversy about how the word ham came about. But, um,
S5: one theory is that it's all about hamming it up
S5: and actors and that sort of thing. And also, um,
S5: ham radio operators, uh, used Morse code as well. Well,
S5: some do, if they like Morse code. And going back
S5: in the day, there was a terminology called ham fisted.
S5: And so when you use your Morse code key with your,
S5: your hand on the Morse code key, it's a little
S5: bit like a ham fist, ham fisted. So there's probably
S5: a couple of reasons why the term ham radio came about,
S5: but it's actually amateur radio.
S4: Much the same thing. In other words, interchanging.
S5: Yes. Yeah.
S4: All right. So now amateur radio, what do amateur radio
S4: operators do and how do they do it. You've already
S4: mentioned Morse code. Yeah.
S5: Well amateur radio is all about experimenting in the science
S5: of radio, whether that be electronics transmitters, receivers, antennas. It's
S5: different to broadcast radio. What the listeners are listening to
S5: now is broadcast radio. Some amateurs are involved in broadcast
S5: radio as well, but it's all about the technical aspects
S5: of amateur radio and communications communicating overseas, um, and experimenting
S5: with electronics. There's all sorts of modes you can experiment
S5: with Am, FM, sideband, digital modes, digital amateur television, satellites
S5: so amateur radio operators can use from the very oldest technology,
S5: from Morse code and valve radios, right up to the
S5: latest cutting edge technology, and even use satellites and speak
S5: to astronauts on the International Space Station.
S4: Now, this is a self-interested question. I'm going to ask
S4: how how smart do you have to be to be
S4: an amateur radio operator?
S5: Okay, Bruce. Well, there's actually three levels of licensing. Um,
S5: many years ago, it was a lot harder to get
S5: involved with. You needed to have a greater depth of
S5: knowledge as far as electronics these days. There's the foundation license,
S5: which is the basic license. There's the standard license, and
S5: there's the advanced license. Now, the foundation license is the
S5: most basic license and requires a very basic knowledge of
S5: electronics and antenna theory and safety. Safety, of course, is
S5: very important. And radio regulations. So there's not a lot
S5: of maths involved. And there's a book that you can
S5: purchase that makes it a lot easier to study with.
S5: And then you have to go for your assessment, which
S5: is a 25 multiple choice question exam and a practical assessment.
S4: Now, I understand you are indeed an assessor.
S5: Yes, I am an assessor. Bruce.
S4: Yes. What is, uh, what age do we go down to?
S4: For instance, are we talking about high school students?
S5: Uh, there's no, um, minimum age. Uh, so I've actually
S5: put through, taught and assessed, uh, a couple of ten
S5: year olds, uh, a couple of years ago. And they did.
S5: They did very well. So you can be as young
S5: as you like, or you can be as old as
S5: you like. Mhm. Um, so we have a lot of
S5: amateurs that are um, quite young and uh, quite old.
S4: So quite a big spread and not to be put off.
S4: You did give it a very technical description but, but
S4: you can get in on the, the foundation level you
S4: caught it and make, make a start from there. Now
S4: of course, we're on Vision Australia radio here, right through Australia.
S4: People that are visually impaired, I understand, are not only
S4: welcome but assisted in getting amateur radio licenses.
S5: Yes. Well, as far as the assessment goes, Bruce, we
S5: have special assessors that are qualified to provide special assessments for,
S5: for example, uh, visually impaired people. Mhm. Uh, and that
S5: may involve for example, I did one assessment where I
S5: enlarged the assessment paper up to A3 and that was
S5: suitable for this particular person. And she found that quite
S5: quite good. Mhm. Um or it might require the assessor
S5: to read the questions so the, the assessor can adapt
S5: the assessment um in accordance with the requirements.
S4: How does one, assuming that one's studied and passed that
S4: test that way? How does one then operate the equipment?
S4: These these devices can be quite technical can't they.
S5: Well, most radios today a lot of modern radios have is.
S4: The two way radio.
S5: Yes. The amateur radio equipment, the transceiver. We'll have a
S5: particular button that you can press that will verbally announce
S5: the frequency and the mode and tell you all sorts
S5: of things about what the radio is doing, so you
S5: know what frequency you're on. You know where to turn
S5: the dial to. Uh, so the radios are actually equipped
S5: to make it easier for various people.
S4: I've heard that there is a gentleman, certainly one in
S4: South Australia, that is in an aged care home, and
S4: he's probably in his 80s, and he's got a little
S4: walkie talkie that he could talk all over the world with,
S4: and he finds it. Just push the button and go.
S5: Yeah, it's pretty amazing. Um, so that technology is all
S5: about internet linking. So there's certain repeaters or nodes, as
S5: they call it, um, uh, that you can access with
S5: your radio via radio waves to that particular node or repeater.
S5: And in turn, that repeater or node is connected into
S5: an amateur radio network that allows you to connect up
S5: to different repeaters or nodes worldwide. So you can effectively
S5: be there with a small handheld walkie talkie type radio
S5: talking all over the world. So that type of thing
S5: is very good for people in, uh, homes and things like.
S4: That, or requiring a device that's simple to use.
S5: Yes, and it's fairly simple to use and without too
S5: much technical knowledge required.
S4: Now, talking about technical knowledge and interest, let's give the
S4: plug to in. In your case, particularly in Bendigo, the
S4: Bendigo Amateur Radio and Electronics Club, of which you and
S4: I are a member, is holding a radio fest. Yes,
S4: on Radio Fest.
S5: So it's called a radio fest and not just a
S5: ham fest. Uh, because, um, we're wanting to attract people
S5: interested in multiple facets of communication. So a lot of
S5: ham fests are called just that ham fests or amateur
S5: radio fests. Uh, some are called radio fests. And, um,
S5: we're calling it a radio fest to attract people not
S5: only just into amateur radio, but maybe CB radio as well.
S5: And CB radio is also a fun and practical thing
S5: to get into as well.
S4: You don't have to pass a license for that.
S5: You don't need an individual license for CB radio and
S5: CB can also be very practical for communications. And one
S5: thing I like to promote and ask people about is
S5: their communications plan. Because these days we're reliant on mobile
S5: phones and internet and networks and things like that. When
S5: they fail. What can you use? Amateur radio or CB
S5: radio as well can possibly be a practical alternative form
S5: of communications.
S4: So this radio fest is going to be when and where.
S5: So it's going to be on Sunday the 18th of
S5: August at the Bendigo East Hall, 35 Lansell Street at
S5: 10 a.m..
S4: Okay. And I understand it is going to be a
S4: glorified swap meet. Well, yes.
S5: Yes. Also you can call it a swap meet as well. Yeah. Uh,
S5: and some say, you know, some people get rid of
S5: their junk and pass it on to others. But, uh,
S5: it's a swap meet. And also, uh, there'll be a
S5: company called Elite Communications, which will be joining us. They're
S5: relatively new company from Queensland, and they'll actually have quite
S5: a number of tables. And they specialise in amateur radio
S5: and CB radio as well, including. 27MHz and UHF CB radio.
S4: Well, going back to the aspiring amateur, this is a
S4: good way to get into the the hobby, dare I
S4: call it that or interest because you can obtain second
S4: hand gear at things like this very easily.
S5: Yes, that's very popular for obtaining second hand equipment at
S5: these radio fests as well.
S4: Okay. Radio Fest 18th of August, which is a Sunday. Mhm.
S4: All right. That's great. So Graham what would be the
S4: best way maybe online to find out more information about
S4: amateur radio and indeed Bendigo Amateur Radio Club and the
S4: Radio Fest.
S5: Well they could start by looking up our website at
S5: Barrick Neto and Barrick is Barrick. And they could also
S5: Google Wireless Institute of Australia as well. There's a whole
S5: lot of information on their website too.
S4: And that represents all of Australia. Exactly.
S5: Yes.
S4: Graham Vk3 Grk, thank you very much for coming in
S4: and telling us about amateur ham radio and the radio fest,
S4: and indeed how it can be something that people with
S4: visual impairment can be very much involved.
S5: That's okay. Thanks for having me. Bruce Vk3, triple F,
S5: I'll sign off.
S2: On Sam Culley and you're listening to Talking Vision on
S2: Vision Australia Radio, associated Stations of Reading Radio and the
S2: Community Radio Network. I hope you enjoyed that conversation there
S2: between Bruce and Graham about Barak and the upcoming Radio
S2: Fest taking place on the 18th of August. If you
S2: missed any part of that conversation with Bruce and Graham
S2: and you'd love to hear it again, Talking vision is
S2: available on the podcast app of your choice or through
S2: the Vision Australia library. You can also find the latest
S2: episode of Talking Vision as well as past episodes on
S2: the Vision Australia Radio website at VA radio.org that's VA radio.org.
S2: In some exciting news, Achilles Australia will be setting up
S2: its first regional branch in Geelong, where people with disabilities
S2: can enjoy the social, recreational and health benefits of an
S2: active lifestyle. To tell us more about Achilles Geelong and
S2: fill us in with all the details about their first event,
S2: which will be taking place in just a few weeks time,
S2: I'm joined by one of the people who made it
S2: all happen, Eddie Contel. Eddie, welcome to Talking Vision. Thanks
S2: so much for your time.
S3: Thank you Sam. I'm really looking forward to chatting to you.
S2: Now, Eddie, before we jump in for people out there
S2: who may or may not be familiar, what is Achilles?
S3: So Achilles is an organization that commenced in New York
S3: quite some time ago, and it really was established to
S3: assist athletes that have, um, some challenges, whether it be
S3: physical or with vision or other. And it was then
S3: taken up here in Australia and, uh, started um, I
S3: think one of the first ones was Achilles in Melbourne.
S3: And so what that group is doing, and they're doing
S3: a very good job down there, is people that have
S3: challenges with vision but would like to participate in running
S3: or walking in a safe environment. Achilles offers trained, sighted
S3: guides that are able to guide people with those activities,
S3: and they do that in and around the Melbourne Botanical Gardens,
S3: or running tracks that are in proximity to there. So
S3: that's what Achilles does. It really just helps people to
S3: be able to participate in activities where they may need
S3: to have an aid, but predominantly people that have challenges
S3: with vision.
S2: But in some exciting news, Eddie Achilles is also coming
S2: to Geelong. So tell us a bit about that and
S2: how that's all going.
S3: It is exciting. You're hearing it first here, Sam. So yes,
S3: we've been talking about this and working on the concept
S3: of introducing Achilles chapter in Geelong for quite some time,
S3: but got really active about six months ago and through
S3: the good help and support of Achilles Melbourne, we're now
S3: commencing a chapter in Geelong and we're starting with our
S3: first guided walk and running activity on the 8th of September.
S2: Oh wow. That's fantastic. And how did you get involved
S2: with Achilles?
S3: Well, on a really enthusiastic runner. And so any opportunity
S3: that I get to go for a run, I take it.
S3: And because I work in Melbourne, I quite often stay
S3: in Melbourne. And when running around the botanical gardens there,
S3: I couldn't help but notice all of the great Achilles
S3: folk with their bright yellow t shirts, helping people run
S3: around the botanical gardens. So it really, I suppose, attracted
S3: my interest. And so when I found out more about
S3: what they do, I just thought, this is just such
S3: a fantastic initiative because I know just how much I
S3: enjoy running. And if I wasn't able to do that,
S3: how disappointed I would be. And so I imagine there's
S3: many people in the same place as myself, and the
S3: fact that I actually live in Geelong and we're such
S3: a growing community. In fact, as long as one of
S3: the fastest growing regional cities in Australia, I thought there's
S3: a real opportunity for us to introduce something in Geelong.
S3: And so when I introduced myself to the vice president
S3: at Achilles Melbourne, a beautiful lady by the name of
S3: Amanda Kwong, she certainly was very supportive as the whole
S3: team has been there at Achilles Melbourne, and they certainly
S3: encouraged me to to see if we could get something
S3: to happen in Geelong. And that's how it's come about.
S2: We'll get back to that event on the 8th of
S2: September in a little bit, Eddie. But before we do that,
S2: I just want to find out a little bit more
S2: about you. Had you had much exposure to the world
S2: of blindness or low vision before you jumped in and
S2: got involved with Achilles?
S3: No, to be honest, I didn't. I suppose my background is,
S3: is that I just really enjoy giving back to the
S3: community and helping with different initiatives that make a difference.
S3: And other than my day job, I'm also a City
S3: of Greater Geelong councillor. And so it's those types of
S3: community initiatives that always sparked my interest. So I didn't
S3: necessarily have any exposure to people that have challenges with vision.
S3: It was just that I saw this initiative, my love
S3: for running, and I thought, if I can help those
S3: that are not able to get out and about and
S3: have a run without some assistance, why wouldn't I do that?
S3: And so that's really been my my incentive.
S2: Let's, um, get back on to that event on the
S2: 8th of September that's coming up. Tell us a bit
S2: more about that.
S3: Yes. So at this stage we've still got a little
S3: bit more to organise. But at this stage we're looking
S3: to kick off at 9:30 a.m. in the Geelong Botanical Garden.
S3: There's a very well known circuit there that's called the
S3: Eastern Park Circuit, and it really starts at the main
S3: barbecue rotunda area there in the gardens. And so we're
S3: going to have people from Achilles Melbourne down supporting us,
S3: and we're just encouraging as many people as we possibly
S3: can to come down and try and learn more about
S3: what we're doing, and if they need help to do that,
S3: they should reach out to us to see if we
S3: can help them get there. And we'd just love to
S3: be able to share the joys of running and walking
S3: around the beautiful environment of the Geelong Botanical Gardens with
S3: as many people as we can.
S2: What are some future plans for Achilles? What are you
S2: looking forward to and what would you love to see
S2: happen in the future in terms of ideas you might have,
S2: or places you'd like to go or things like that?
S3: That's a great question. Yes. Well, first and foremost, I
S3: really hope we can get enough people interested to participate
S3: in the joys of running and walking so that we
S3: can at least hold regular sessions throughout the month, and
S3: whether that be once a month to start with or
S3: every weekend, depending on what the demand is. That would
S3: be first and foremost. But going forward, some of the
S3: things I'd like to see is for us to participate
S3: in different fund runs. And, you know, we have the
S3: 21 kilometer half marathon here in Geelong. I know that
S3: people from Achilles in different areas of Australia have participated
S3: in that before, and we'd love to be able to
S3: help people out to participate in different fund runs and
S3: whether it be marathons or other. And the other thing
S3: that I'd like to also hope that we might be
S3: able to do is maybe some outings to places like
S3: the You Yangs, where we could do a little bit
S3: of hiking as well. So it's things of that nature
S3: that I think we'll be able to expand into a.
S2: Lot of exciting options there. So let's see how that
S2: all pans out. So we've got our fingers crossed that
S2: there is quite a significant uptake in things just go
S2: from strength to strength. But of course in order for
S2: that to happen, we need people to join up. So
S2: what is the best way for people to sign up
S2: to Achilles to come and have a walk or a
S2: run or a hike with the Geelong crew?
S3: I think at the moment, the best way of going
S3: about that would be either to phone the Achilles number,
S3: which I will give you, or to email us, and
S3: we can certainly provide more information or simply just turn
S3: up at 9:30 a.m. or thereabouts to the Geelong Botanical
S3: Gardens at the big barbecue rotunda area, and you'll be
S3: greeted warmly by all of the support crew that are there,
S3: and we can just kick it off from there.
S2: Let's, um, get those contact details now in case people
S2: would like to sign up or perhaps find out more,
S2: or pass it on to some family or friends they
S2: think would be perfect.
S3: That's fantastic. Well, our phone number is 0474 243 179. So that's 0474 243 179.
S3: And the email address it's a little bit tricky but
S3: it's basically one word and it's Geelong Achilles, which is
S3: ach I double l e s Australia at gmail.com.
S2: Okay. And do you have perhaps some websites or social
S2: media that people could head to?
S3: Yes, we are going to be commencing in the next
S3: week or so. A Facebook page, but also an Achilles
S3: Melbourne has a Facebook page. And so if you go
S3: onto the Achilles Melbourne Facebook page, our information will be
S3: there as well.
S2: Well that all sounds fantastic. Really looking forward to hearing
S2: how that all goes. I've been speaking today with Eddie
S2: Connell from Geelong Achilles, which is just kicking off, so
S2: we wish them all the very best for the future
S2: and all the best for the event on September 8th. Eddie,
S2: thanks so much for your time today. It's great to
S2: catch up with you and hear all about Geelong Achilles.
S3: Thank you Sam. Really look forward to meeting you in
S3: person one day.
S2: August is upon us, so what better time than to
S2: catch up with the editor of Foyer Information, otherwise known
S2: as FYI Liz Dalakouras to get the latest update on
S2: a couple of issues. Yep, that's right, we're covering not
S2: one but two issues of foyer information today. So without
S2: further ado, here's Liz right now. Liz, welcome back to
S2: Talking Vision. Thanks so much for your time.
S6: Thank you for having me, Sam. It's nice to be there.
S2: Now we're covering a couple of issues of FYI this
S2: week there's an issue that recently came out. So what
S2: were the highlights from that one that you'd love to
S2: let our listeners know about?
S6: Um, some really big news that's actually happening in South
S6: Australia is that there's been new changes to e-scooters, and
S6: their footpath regulations, and e-scooters are now allowed to go
S6: on the footpath along with with pedestrians, which is actually
S6: quite dangerous for the blind and low vision community certainly is.
S2: What else can people expect from that issue?
S6: So something else to share is Sister Helen Clifton Marin
S6: has been awarded the medal of the Order of Australia
S6: in the General Division for outstanding contributions to special needs
S6: education and the Catholic Church in Australia. She became blind
S6: as an adult and has championed special needs education, has
S6: been a devoted religious leader and advocate, and is an
S6: overall amazing woman, so the award was very well deserved.
S2: That certainly sounds pretty well deserved. That's a great story
S2: to follow up on. So yeah, that's really cool. Now
S2: what else can people expect from that one?
S6: There's also been an announcement on an update on the
S6: delay of the New Aged Care Act. The Albanese government
S6: has expressed its gratitude to the people involved, who gave
S6: them input into the proposed New Aged Care Act. They
S6: are taking it all into consideration and the bill will
S6: not be introduced until 2025. But there is updates coming soon.
S2: Okay, fantastic news there. And that is those three from
S2: the previous issue of FYI, which just came out to
S2: people's inboxes last week. But there's also an issue coming up, Liz.
S2: So give us a bit of a highlight package of
S2: that one as well.
S6: So the highlights would be something very, very cool. Vision
S6: Australia has worked with Mattel and we have developed Blind
S6: Barbie now available in Australia.
S2: Oh my.
S6: God. Other. Yeah. Some other exciting news is we have
S6: partnered with Telstra. They are going to close their 3G
S6: networks come August 31st. But we do sell the Blind
S6: Shell Classic which works with 4G. Your mobile phone most
S6: likely already supports 4G, but if you are still using
S6: a 3G phone, you will need to upgrade. You can
S6: visit us online for more information.
S2: And finally, Liz, what else is there in store for people?
S6: So it's exciting for us to announce that our Home
S6: Care Packages program is now available in New South Wales.
S2: Wow, that's really cool. Okay. Yeah. And if people would
S2: like to find out more about FII, or perhaps sign
S2: up to get on to the mailing list, that new
S2: sign up process is still in the pipeline. But in
S2: the meantime, you can head to Vision Australia's website at
S2: Vision australia.org. That's Vision australia.org to find out all the
S2: latest about fire information, otherwise known as FYI. But for
S2: all those stories and more, check out for your information
S2: Vision Australia's fortnightly newsletter with all the latest news and
S2: information of interest to the blind and low vision community. Liz,
S2: thanks so much for your time today. Great to catch
S2: up with you again and hear all about the latest
S2: issues of FYI.
S6: Not a problem. Thank you for having me, Sam. A
S6: pleasure as always.
S2: And that's all the time we have for today. You've
S2: been listening to Talking Vision. Talking vision is a Vision
S2: Australia radio production. Thanks to all involved with putting the
S2: show together every week. And remember we love hearing from you.
S2: So please get in touch anytime on our email at
S2: Talking Vision at Vision australia.org. That's talking vision all. One
S2: word at Vision australia.org. But until next week it's Sam
S2: Kerley saying bye for now.
S1: You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during
S1: business hours on 1300 847 406. That's one (300) 847-4106 or by visiting
S1: Vision australia.org. That's Vision australia.org.