WEBVTT - Talking Vision 711 Week Beginning 15th of January 2024 0:00:13.208 --> 0:00:18.968 From Vision Australia. This is talking vision. And now here's 0:00:18.968 --> 0:00:20.948 your host, Sam Colley. 0:00:23.578 --> 0:00:26.668 Hello everyone. It's great to be here with you. And 0:00:26.668 --> 0:00:29.638 for the next half hour we talk matters of blindness 0:00:29.638 --> 0:00:30.778 and low vision. 0:00:30.868 --> 0:00:34.948 It wouldn't work without the volunteers. We've got, I suppose, 0:00:34.948 --> 0:00:38.488 about 15 to 20 regular volunteers. And then we've got 0:00:38.488 --> 0:00:41.098 a few others that we can call on at short notice. 0:00:41.098 --> 0:00:44.158 But anybody who is listening, please, if you want to 0:00:44.158 --> 0:00:46.828 be a reader, a volunteer, as a reader or a 0:00:46.828 --> 0:00:50.068 panel operator or both, please get in touch with us. 0:00:50.158 --> 0:00:53.398 Welcome to the program. In the lead up to World 0:00:53.398 --> 0:00:57.058 Radio Day on the 13th of February, we're chatting to 0:00:57.058 --> 0:01:01.138 a few people who've been heavily involved in the community 0:01:01.138 --> 0:01:06.538 radio sector, specifically radio for people with a print disability. 0:01:06.538 --> 0:01:10.258 This week we catch up with chairman of the Virgin 0:01:10.258 --> 0:01:15.148 Australia Radio service in Shepparton, Peter Simpson, who's been involved 0:01:15.148 --> 0:01:19.138 at the station for over six years now. You'll hear 0:01:19.138 --> 0:01:22.678 from Peter very shortly, so make sure to stick around. 0:01:22.948 --> 0:01:26.158 And then after you hear from Peter, I catch up 0:01:26.158 --> 0:01:30.148 with Jason Gibbs, who's been heavily involved in setting up 0:01:30.148 --> 0:01:34.258 the Midsummer Carnival Day broadcast, which will be taking place 0:01:34.258 --> 0:01:38.848 on the 21st of January on Virgin Australia Radio between 0:01:38.848 --> 0:01:42.958 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.. And finally on the program 0:01:42.958 --> 0:01:45.598 this week. Sam from the shop is back to tell 0:01:45.598 --> 0:01:48.898 us all about the latest from the vision store, and 0:01:48.898 --> 0:01:52.168 we finish with a little bit of news and information. 0:01:52.528 --> 0:01:56.338 I hope you enjoy this week's episode of Talking Vision. 0:02:00.838 --> 0:02:04.288 I'm here with Peter Simpson today, one of the hard 0:02:04.288 --> 0:02:10.168 working volunteers at the Shepparton station of Vision Australia Radio. Peter, 0:02:10.168 --> 0:02:13.258 welcome to Talking Vision. Thank you very much for your time. 0:02:13.618 --> 0:02:15.838 Oh thank you, Sam, it's great to be with you. 0:02:15.988 --> 0:02:20.038 Now, Peter, firstly, let's go back a bit. How much 0:02:20.038 --> 0:02:23.308 can you tell us about the history of the service 0:02:23.308 --> 0:02:26.818 and the Shepparton station in particular? 0:02:26.848 --> 0:02:32.758 Well, the Shepparton service started in around about 2002 and 0:02:32.758 --> 0:02:36.148 it was set up in the building that was at 0:02:36.148 --> 0:02:39.568 that stage owned by Vision Australia and a lot of 0:02:39.568 --> 0:02:43.888 very keen volunteers and a couple of paid staff spent 0:02:43.888 --> 0:02:48.358 a lot of time setting up the nominated room in 0:02:48.358 --> 0:02:52.048 the building, which is just inside the front door. And 0:02:52.048 --> 0:02:54.778 of course, one of the big projects was to soundproof 0:02:54.778 --> 0:02:58.768 the room, put acoustic tiles up on the walls and 0:02:58.918 --> 0:03:02.458 also set up a mixer and all the appropriate equipment 0:03:02.458 --> 0:03:06.238 for a radio station. So that was around about 2002, 0:03:06.598 --> 0:03:09.088 and that's where we got our kickoff. 0:03:09.298 --> 0:03:13.288 And it's of course extremely important the work we do 0:03:13.288 --> 0:03:18.688 with providing access to local news and information, especially through 0:03:18.688 --> 0:03:22.678 local programs. So tell us a little bit about that 0:03:22.678 --> 0:03:27.418 and the importance of those programs for people from the 0:03:27.418 --> 0:03:28.918 print disabled community. 0:03:29.218 --> 0:03:33.388 Yeah, sure. Well, our number one priority is the Shepparton 0:03:33.508 --> 0:03:38.608 and District newspaper, which is called The Ship News. And 0:03:38.608 --> 0:03:41.228 we put that to air Monday to Friday between 1 0:03:41.228 --> 0:03:45.778 and 2:00. And that's our that's our main program that we, 0:03:45.778 --> 0:03:48.658 we try if we, if we have volunteers that can't 0:03:48.658 --> 0:03:51.148 make it, at the very least we try and get 0:03:51.148 --> 0:03:54.238 that paper to air every day because that's the news 0:03:54.238 --> 0:03:56.968 for all the people in this area. And on top 0:03:56.968 --> 0:04:00.988 of that, we do things like the newspapers from Benalla, 0:04:00.988 --> 0:04:06.058 from Kyabram, from Yarrawonga. So our mainstay is still the 0:04:06.058 --> 0:04:08.058 ship of the news, but we have at least 3 0:04:08.058 --> 0:04:10.828 or 4 other papers that we're putting to air regularly. 0:04:11.188 --> 0:04:16.168 And of course, this wouldn't be possible without the hard 0:04:16.168 --> 0:04:22.108 work and dedication of volunteers throughout the network, especially in 0:04:22.108 --> 0:04:25.618 regional areas where it is, as you've said, so crucially 0:04:25.618 --> 0:04:29.488 important to get that local news out to the community. 0:04:29.518 --> 0:04:32.908 So tell us a little bit about the input and 0:04:32.908 --> 0:04:36.658 the importance of volunteers in delivering the service. 0:04:37.138 --> 0:04:41.098 Well, you're 100% right. I mean, it wouldn't work without 0:04:41.098 --> 0:04:45.778 the volunteers. We've got, I suppose, about 15 to 20 0:04:45.778 --> 0:04:48.718 regular volunteers. And then we've got a few others that 0:04:48.718 --> 0:04:53.018 we can call on at short notice, but. We've got 0:04:53.018 --> 0:04:56.348 a corps of people who I almost don't need to 0:04:56.348 --> 0:04:58.628 put out a roster every week. They they sort of 0:04:58.628 --> 0:05:01.628 know when they're going to be on. They're committed to 0:05:01.628 --> 0:05:03.668 doing it. And a lot of them have been committed 0:05:03.668 --> 0:05:06.338 to doing it for well over ten years. I think 0:05:06.338 --> 0:05:10.208 our longest serving volunteer goes back about 18 years. So 0:05:10.958 --> 0:05:13.868 we've certainly got a great core of people. We're always 0:05:13.868 --> 0:05:17.408 looking for more people, but the ones that we do 0:05:17.408 --> 0:05:21.308 have are very, very reliable and they love doing the job. 0:05:21.428 --> 0:05:23.678 They love the fact that they can get on the air, 0:05:23.678 --> 0:05:27.788 read the papers and know that they're helping people in 0:05:27.788 --> 0:05:32.558 the local community. They're all people who are basically either 0:05:32.558 --> 0:05:39.338 retired or semi-retired and actually being on during the day. 0:05:39.518 --> 0:05:44.648 We we don't get many people who are full time employed, but, um, yeah, 0:05:44.648 --> 0:05:50.108 the volunteers are absolutely fantastic. They they all arrive early. 0:05:50.108 --> 0:05:54.188 They all do their own preparation work. They all create 0:05:54.188 --> 0:05:56.858 a run sheet. They've got very good at working out 0:05:56.858 --> 0:06:00.068 exactly how long an article is going to run for. 0:06:00.308 --> 0:06:03.788 And they've got it down to a fine art. And 0:06:03.788 --> 0:06:05.618 all I need to do is make sure that it 0:06:05.618 --> 0:06:10.688 all happens. And I do the presenting on a Friday 0:06:10.688 --> 0:06:13.538 and also do the panel operating on a Friday. And 0:06:13.538 --> 0:06:16.838 I'm also the go to when other shifts can't be filled. 0:06:17.318 --> 0:06:20.678 I usually nominate myself to go and make sure that 0:06:20.678 --> 0:06:21.548 it all happens. 0:06:21.758 --> 0:06:24.488 Tell us a little bit more about your role in 0:06:24.488 --> 0:06:27.848 supporting the local service. How long have you been involved 0:06:27.848 --> 0:06:30.638 with and what sort of shows have you been involved 0:06:30.638 --> 0:06:32.078 with over that time? 0:06:32.858 --> 0:06:36.368 Okay, well, I started six years ago and when I 0:06:36.368 --> 0:06:39.878 moved to Shepherd, I was involved with Vision Australia Radio 0:06:39.878 --> 0:06:43.598 back in the 80s, and because of employment and because 0:06:43.598 --> 0:06:45.998 I went and did some study, I got out for 0:06:45.998 --> 0:06:51.038 quite a few years. Then in 2017, my wife and 0:06:51.038 --> 0:06:54.128 I moved to Shepparton and I thought, yeah, I'm going 0:06:54.128 --> 0:06:56.678 to get involved with this again. So I went down 0:06:56.678 --> 0:06:59.708 and saw the local people. They said, we'd love to 0:06:59.708 --> 0:07:03.188 have you on board. So I took up a role 0:07:03.188 --> 0:07:06.848 as a panel operator and presenter, and I did that 0:07:06.848 --> 0:07:11.768 for about a year. And then our local volunteer coordinator, 0:07:11.768 --> 0:07:14.828 Pam Power, said to me one day, we've got no 0:07:14.828 --> 0:07:17.408 one to do the rosters. So I said, all right, well, look, 0:07:17.408 --> 0:07:20.468 I'll do the rosters, but only on a temporary basis. 0:07:20.858 --> 0:07:23.678 Five years later, I'm still doing the right thing. Okay. 0:07:24.788 --> 0:07:26.858 I've got very used to it. And every time I 0:07:26.858 --> 0:07:29.558 say to the other volunteers, does anybody want to take 0:07:29.558 --> 0:07:32.468 this over? I get a very blank look and they 0:07:32.468 --> 0:07:34.568 all say, thanks, but no thanks. 0:07:34.568 --> 0:07:35.618 So it looks. 0:07:35.618 --> 0:07:38.288 Like I'm going to be stuck with the rosters. And 0:07:38.288 --> 0:07:40.598 on top of that, on the on the chairman of 0:07:40.598 --> 0:07:45.998 the steering committee for the Vision Australia radio service. And 0:07:45.998 --> 0:07:47.888 all that means is that I'm the sort of the 0:07:47.888 --> 0:07:53.738 go between between, um, the volunteers and the people from 0:07:53.738 --> 0:07:58.238 Virgin Australia Radio who are full time employed, like, uh, 0:07:58.598 --> 0:08:02.588 Conrad Brown and Dale Simpson and Callum Padgett when he 0:08:02.588 --> 0:08:05.708 was with us. So I'm sort of the conduit between 0:08:05.708 --> 0:08:09.308 the volunteers and the official people of Vision Australia. 0:08:09.878 --> 0:08:13.448 Certainly a man of many talents, some great to have 0:08:13.448 --> 0:08:16.328 you on and, you know, really have a chat about 0:08:16.328 --> 0:08:20.048 all the wonderful things that you've been involved with. But 0:08:20.048 --> 0:08:23.708 just finally, Peter, I think, let's just have a chat 0:08:23.708 --> 0:08:27.608 about feedback on the service and the best way for 0:08:27.608 --> 0:08:31.568 people to provide feedback on the service from local listeners 0:08:31.568 --> 0:08:36.368 and I guess, um, promoting some volunteer opportunities as well. 0:08:36.368 --> 0:08:39.188 That's very true, Sam, because this is one of my 0:08:39.308 --> 0:08:43.298 pet things that I'm always pushing for. The volunteers say 0:08:43.298 --> 0:08:45.728 to me, how many people are actually listening? You know, 0:08:45.728 --> 0:08:48.098 we're happy to do the service. We want to know 0:08:48.098 --> 0:08:52.358 how many people are listening. So all I can say is, 0:08:52.358 --> 0:08:55.508 if you hear this interview and you're listening to Vision Australia, 0:08:55.508 --> 0:09:00.818 Radio Shepparton, please, please, please contact us at radio at 0:09:00.818 --> 0:09:06.278 Vision australia.org. Or you can call us on, uh, one 0:09:06.278 --> 0:09:12.338 384 7466 and tell us what you think. We're happy 0:09:12.338 --> 0:09:15.968 to get positive feedback. We're happy to get negative feedback. 0:09:15.968 --> 0:09:18.398 We're happy if you just ring up and say, yes, 0:09:18.398 --> 0:09:21.848 we listen to the service. But at the moment, ratings 0:09:21.848 --> 0:09:24.998 are carried out in the Melbourne suburban areas, of course, 0:09:24.998 --> 0:09:29.168 because they do ratings surveys for the commercial stations as well. 0:09:29.378 --> 0:09:31.598 So it's easy for them to find out how many 0:09:31.598 --> 0:09:34.868 people are listening to community radio station. But in the 0:09:34.868 --> 0:09:37.658 country we don't have that luxury. So we really would 0:09:37.658 --> 0:09:40.748 love to know how many people are listening and how 0:09:40.748 --> 0:09:43.568 many people think that we're doing a good job or 0:09:43.568 --> 0:09:46.718 a bad job. And on top of that, what you 0:09:46.718 --> 0:09:50.108 would like to hear that we can improve. And I mean, 0:09:50.108 --> 0:09:53.298 we're happy to spend. More hours on air in in Shepparton. 0:09:53.448 --> 0:09:57.288 We're happy to run local stories. We're happy to read 0:09:57.288 --> 0:10:00.618 local books, we're happy to talk about local history, but 0:10:00.618 --> 0:10:02.658 we need to find out what it is that our 0:10:02.658 --> 0:10:06.348 listeners want to hear. That's really the important thing. As 0:10:06.348 --> 0:10:08.418 for volunteers, well, look, I've seen a lot of people 0:10:08.418 --> 0:10:13.398 come and go. Unfortunately, in six years some have retired. Sadly, 0:10:13.398 --> 0:10:16.938 a couple of them have passed away. As they've just 0:10:16.938 --> 0:10:20.088 moved on and decided to do other things. But it 0:10:20.088 --> 0:10:22.938 is a continual effort to try and find new people 0:10:22.938 --> 0:10:25.998 who are willing to come along, give it a go, 0:10:25.998 --> 0:10:29.808 and hopefully stay with us and enjoy reading on air 0:10:29.808 --> 0:10:32.748 like so many of us do. So all I can 0:10:32.748 --> 0:10:35.868 say to those people is, please, if you're interested, give 0:10:35.868 --> 0:10:38.298 us a call on those phone numbers that will repeat 0:10:38.298 --> 0:10:42.438 before we we go. Or you can contact our local 0:10:43.158 --> 0:10:46.848 regional coordinator, Pam Power, who'd be happy to talk to 0:10:46.848 --> 0:10:49.368 you about what it is we do and how you 0:10:49.368 --> 0:10:52.038 can get involved. I guess the important thing is that 0:10:52.038 --> 0:10:54.978 you're happy to read out loud, and you're happy to 0:10:54.978 --> 0:10:59.058 sit in front of a microphone and actually read local newspapers. 0:10:59.388 --> 0:11:02.238 The one thing, Sam, that I always struggle for is 0:11:02.238 --> 0:11:05.478 getting enough people to be panel operators. I don't know 0:11:05.478 --> 0:11:10.128 why they seem to shy away. As soon as you say, look, 0:11:10.128 --> 0:11:12.228 you're a fantastic reader, but how about you do some 0:11:12.228 --> 0:11:16.098 panel operating as well? Oh no, no, I'm not. I'm 0:11:16.098 --> 0:11:19.518 not technical savvy. You know, I really don't want to 0:11:19.518 --> 0:11:22.848 touch the panels, though, and I'd sooner or not. But 0:11:22.848 --> 0:11:25.368 in actual fact, as you know, and I know there's 0:11:25.368 --> 0:11:28.098 nothing frightening about it. It's only a bunch of faders 0:11:28.098 --> 0:11:31.158 and a few buttons. That's very true. Not really. It's 0:11:31.158 --> 0:11:35.568 not really that hard, though. Anybody who's listening, please, if 0:11:35.568 --> 0:11:37.728 you want to be a reader, a volunteer, as a 0:11:37.728 --> 0:11:41.028 reader or a panel operator or both, please get in 0:11:41.028 --> 0:11:41.868 touch with us. 0:11:42.408 --> 0:11:45.078 That's it. I remember I did have a bit of 0:11:45.078 --> 0:11:49.218 trepidation at first before I knew what it sort of entailed, 0:11:49.218 --> 0:11:52.728 but as soon as you get shown through the panel, 0:11:52.728 --> 0:11:56.688 you're like, wow, this is amazing. It's so user friendly 0:11:56.688 --> 0:12:01.728 and definitely encourage everybody out there to get behind the panel. 0:12:01.728 --> 0:12:05.868 And it's absolutely fantastic. And it does open up a 0:12:05.868 --> 0:12:11.298 lot of opportunities for being involved with some fantastic programs. 0:12:11.298 --> 0:12:15.048 So definitely for all people out there, give it a shot. 0:12:15.048 --> 0:12:19.608 You'll never know what could happen. Now those contact details again. 0:12:19.608 --> 0:12:24.588 So that email that paid as mentioned that's Radio Navigation Australia. 0:12:24.918 --> 0:12:29.808 Org Radio Navigation Australia. Org to get in touch. Or 0:12:29.808 --> 0:12:33.078 of course you can give us a ring on one 0:12:33.078 --> 0:12:43.428 384 746. That's 1300 847 466. I've been speaking today with Peter 0:12:43.428 --> 0:12:48.588 Simpson from the Virgin Australia Radio service in Shepparton, catching 0:12:48.588 --> 0:12:51.618 up with me today to chat all about the service 0:12:51.618 --> 0:12:55.788 and the work that the volunteers in Shepparton have been 0:12:55.788 --> 0:13:00.648 doing for the past over, for over the past two decades. 0:13:01.218 --> 0:13:04.068 That's it, that's it. Thank you very much, Peter. It 0:13:04.068 --> 0:13:06.498 was an absolute pleasure to chat with you. 0:13:06.828 --> 0:13:09.318 Absolutely. You too. Can I just add one more thing? 0:13:09.318 --> 0:13:14.718 I thought earlier that if local people want to get involved, uh, 0:13:14.718 --> 0:13:18.318 you can also phone our local coordinate. And she's more 0:13:18.318 --> 0:13:27.198 than happy to talk to people. And her number is 0456 980 149. 0:13:27.378 --> 0:13:31.938 And she's the regional coordinator for volunteers and at Vision Australia. 0:13:32.208 --> 0:13:35.928 She handles radio and also the various other activities that 0:13:36.048 --> 0:13:39.738 regional Australia do in this area. So please get in touch. 0:13:40.218 --> 0:13:43.368 No worries. And that's some that's Pam there that you 0:13:43.368 --> 0:13:44.388 can get in touch with. 0:13:44.388 --> 0:13:46.278 So yeah Pam Pam Power. 0:13:46.458 --> 0:13:50.508 Absolutely get in touch with Pam. Peter, thank you very much. 0:13:50.928 --> 0:13:53.328 Okay then. Sam, it's a pleasure to talk with you 0:13:53.328 --> 0:13:55.188 and hope it all goes well. 0:14:02.338 --> 0:14:05.758 I'm Sam Culley and you're listening to Talking Vision on 0:14:05.758 --> 0:14:11.098 Vision Australia. Radio associated stations of RPI and the Community 0:14:11.098 --> 0:14:15.898 Radio Network. I hope you enjoyed that conversation there with 0:14:15.898 --> 0:14:20.008 Peter Simpson from Shepparton. If you missed any part of 0:14:20.008 --> 0:14:23.038 that conversation with Peter or you'd love to listen to 0:14:23.038 --> 0:14:27.178 it again. Talking vision is available on the Vision Australia 0:14:27.178 --> 0:14:33.838 Radio website at npr.org. That's via radio.org. You can also 0:14:33.838 --> 0:14:37.108 find the program on the podcast app of your choice 0:14:37.108 --> 0:14:41.998 or through the Vision Australia library. And now please enjoy 0:14:41.998 --> 0:14:46.468 my conversation with Jason. I'm here today with the lovely 0:14:46.468 --> 0:14:49.978 Jason Gibbs, who's here to chat all about the upcoming 0:14:49.978 --> 0:14:56.758 Midsummer Festival broadcast happening on Sunday the 21st of January. Jason, 0:14:56.758 --> 0:14:59.968 welcome to Talking Vision. Thanks so much for your time. Thanks, Sam. 0:14:59.998 --> 0:15:02.068 I always love coming in to have a chat with you. 0:15:02.098 --> 0:15:05.098 Now, firstly, Jason, let's get to the heart of things. 0:15:05.098 --> 0:15:06.808 What is Midsummer Festival? 0:15:06.838 --> 0:15:11.038 Yeah, well, Midsummer Festival is described by many as Melbourne's 0:15:11.038 --> 0:15:14.698 premier queer arts and culture festival. It's been going for many, 0:15:14.698 --> 0:15:17.158 many years, over a few decades. And it's really the 0:15:17.158 --> 0:15:21.418 place that, uh, Australia's, um, well, mostly Melbourne and Victoria's 0:15:21.418 --> 0:15:26.188 lgbtiq+ community come together to celebrate community and have a 0:15:26.188 --> 0:15:27.748 great time. Cool. 0:15:27.748 --> 0:15:31.468 And how is Virgin Australia Radio getting involved? Jason. 0:15:31.468 --> 0:15:33.748 Very excited. Sam. This has been something about nine months 0:15:33.748 --> 0:15:36.388 in the making. We had an idea to support the 0:15:36.388 --> 0:15:40.948 festival as a Access and inclusion partner and thankfully Mid-Summer 0:15:40.948 --> 0:15:45.478 welcomed us with opening arms. So, uh, really the objective 0:15:45.478 --> 0:15:48.688 is to make the festival more accessible to our blind 0:15:48.688 --> 0:15:52.738 and low vision listeners and community, but also support the 0:15:52.738 --> 0:15:55.018 festival in being more accessible. 0:15:55.168 --> 0:15:59.038 Okay, now we've covered the how, Jason, but let's go 0:15:59.038 --> 0:16:02.818 into the why. Why is vision Australia Radio getting involved? 0:16:02.848 --> 0:16:05.998 Yeah, quite similar, I guess, Sam, to what I guess, uh, other, uh, 0:16:05.998 --> 0:16:09.598 not for profits and uh, and corporates are thinking it's 0:16:09.598 --> 0:16:12.658 really just a very good, uh, festival to support, um, 0:16:12.658 --> 0:16:15.388 people from a diversity and inclusion perspective. We want to 0:16:15.388 --> 0:16:18.418 make sure that we're supporting our listeners. Our listeners are 0:16:18.418 --> 0:16:21.118 a broad church. We are diverse. We are very, very 0:16:21.118 --> 0:16:23.128 different from one another. But we all are similar in 0:16:23.128 --> 0:16:26.188 other ways. Um, and, uh, and this festival is a 0:16:26.188 --> 0:16:29.458 great opportunity for people to come together to experience what 0:16:29.458 --> 0:16:32.848 the Lgbtq+ community is all about and just to have 0:16:32.848 --> 0:16:35.368 a great time. The other thing worth noting is we 0:16:35.368 --> 0:16:37.888 do get data on what our listeners are, um, who 0:16:37.918 --> 0:16:40.678 they are and what they do, how they identify. And 0:16:40.678 --> 0:16:44.848 quite interestingly, uh, our most recent data shared that around 27% 0:16:44.848 --> 0:16:49.438 of our audience, uh, identify as being part of this community. Okay. 0:16:49.438 --> 0:16:53.518 And tell us about the carnival day in particular. Jason. 0:16:53.548 --> 0:16:55.858 Carnival is such a fun day, Sam. Um, it's usually 0:16:55.858 --> 0:17:00.928 the first day on the midsummer festival calendar, and you can, uh, 0:17:00.928 --> 0:17:05.188 be as adventurous or as conservative as you want from 0:17:05.188 --> 0:17:07.618 that day. Some people go along just to put the 0:17:07.618 --> 0:17:10.918 picnic blanket down and bring some cheese and drinks with 0:17:10.918 --> 0:17:13.678 their friends. Other people just take full advantage of what's 0:17:13.678 --> 0:17:19.318 happening on the various stages where there's, um, arts, cabaret music, music, uh, 0:17:19.318 --> 0:17:23.218 musical performances, uh, comedy. Sometimes just it's it's such a 0:17:23.218 --> 0:17:28.228 great event. There's also a community stall around about 100 organizations, 0:17:28.228 --> 0:17:32.338 corporates services come together to showcase the supports that they 0:17:32.338 --> 0:17:36.118 have for the Lgbtq+ community, their friends and their allies. 0:17:36.118 --> 0:17:41.398 And just, um, finally, Jason, let's, um, tell our listeners about, um, 0:17:41.398 --> 0:17:44.968 what we've got in store for people out there on 0:17:44.968 --> 0:17:48.118 the 21st of January on the day. 0:17:48.118 --> 0:17:50.428 I keep saying, we're excited about this. We're excited about that. 0:17:50.428 --> 0:17:53.038 But this is the thing we're most excited about. We 0:17:53.038 --> 0:17:56.398 will be broadcasting live from the community space. So if 0:17:56.398 --> 0:17:58.898 you do come along to Midsummer Carnival Day on the 0:17:58.898 --> 0:18:02.248 21st of January from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., uh, 0:18:02.248 --> 0:18:04.738 we will be broadcasting live for the first time from 0:18:04.738 --> 0:18:07.918 the space, interviewing a range of people within the community, um, 0:18:07.918 --> 0:18:10.918 supporters of the community, and learning about the great services 0:18:10.918 --> 0:18:13.678 that are out there for folk. But the main objective 0:18:13.678 --> 0:18:17.338 for our broadcast is really to focus the attention on 0:18:17.338 --> 0:18:21.298 the intersection of queerness and disability. We know a lot 0:18:21.298 --> 0:18:24.718 of people who live with disability, who do identify as 0:18:24.718 --> 0:18:28.558 being part of the queer community, are often seen in 0:18:28.558 --> 0:18:30.628 one box, you know, put in one box or the other, 0:18:30.628 --> 0:18:33.748 and vice versa. So it's really a celebration of that 0:18:33.748 --> 0:18:37.588 connection where people are, they identify as living with disability 0:18:37.588 --> 0:18:41.278 and a part of the LGBTQ plus community. And this 0:18:41.278 --> 0:18:43.858 is really a day to celebrate these people and, and, 0:18:43.858 --> 0:18:48.478 you know, share, share stories, uh, share experiences, uh, across 0:18:48.478 --> 0:18:51.238 that three hours and, and celebrate who these people are 0:18:51.238 --> 0:18:53.218 and how we can support them. 0:18:53.818 --> 0:18:58.618 And how can people enjoy the midsummer broadcast? Both, um, 0:18:58.618 --> 0:19:01.578 people hearing this this way. In the lead up, but 0:19:01.578 --> 0:19:05.388 also for people who might be hearing this after Sunday. 0:19:05.388 --> 0:19:07.698 Yeah. So if you do have a chance to tune in, 0:19:07.698 --> 0:19:11.398 are Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time from 10 a.m. to 0:19:11.398 --> 0:19:15.948 1 p.m. this Sunday, January 21st. You can listen across 0:19:15.948 --> 0:19:20.898 Virgin Australia Radio Services Victoria wide in Melbourne on VA digital. 0:19:21.018 --> 0:19:24.168 Now that's not to be confused with V Iris, who is, uh, 0:19:24.168 --> 0:19:28.218 where we're simulcasting the Australian Open. Uh, so very busy 0:19:28.218 --> 0:19:30.828 time for Virgin Australia Radio. Or you can listen to 0:19:30.828 --> 0:19:34.968 our Melbourne stream at VA radio. Org. If you do 0:19:34.968 --> 0:19:37.068 miss that broadcast or you're hearing this a little bit later, 0:19:37.068 --> 0:19:40.098 because the program does go into repeat, you'll be able 0:19:40.098 --> 0:19:43.668 to follow us on Facebook. Just look for VA Radio Network, 0:19:43.668 --> 0:19:45.648 and we'll have all the details there about how you 0:19:45.648 --> 0:19:48.918 can listen to the podcast and Sam Collins recap show 0:19:48.918 --> 0:19:49.398 next week. 0:19:49.428 --> 0:19:53.088 That's absolutely right. Okay, so a lot of things for 0:19:53.088 --> 0:19:56.268 you to look forward to out there. And, Jason, what 0:19:56.268 --> 0:19:59.628 else will be, um, happening at the Virgin Australia stall 0:19:59.628 --> 0:20:01.698 on the day for people to look forward to? 0:20:01.938 --> 0:20:04.248 Yeah. Well, of course, during the broadcast, uh, you can 0:20:04.248 --> 0:20:06.288 come along and watch what we do. Might even get 0:20:06.288 --> 0:20:08.208 you on the mic and share your thoughts about why 0:20:08.208 --> 0:20:11.568 you're there for the day. And a couple shout outs, maybe. Yes. 0:20:11.568 --> 0:20:14.898 After our broadcast at 1:00, we'll have, uh, most notably 0:20:14.898 --> 0:20:18.198 the retail team featuring at our stall, sharing a bunch 0:20:18.198 --> 0:20:21.558 of assistive technology. And the thing I really like about this, Sam, is, um, 0:20:21.558 --> 0:20:23.688 for people that aren't connected to the blind and low 0:20:23.688 --> 0:20:27.708 vision community, it's really often the assistive technology that gets 0:20:27.708 --> 0:20:30.768 people thinking about the needs of the community that we represent. 0:20:30.768 --> 0:20:33.138 So it'll be an opportunity for people to come down, 0:20:33.138 --> 0:20:35.778 have a look at this technology, talk to our team, 0:20:35.778 --> 0:20:37.608 learn a little bit about our services and a little 0:20:37.608 --> 0:20:40.368 bit more about Vision Australia Radio. Whether you might like 0:20:40.368 --> 0:20:44.178 to volunteer, sponsored, donate. Uh, we might even have some 0:20:44.178 --> 0:20:47.508 giveaways and some, uh, and a raffle too. Oh, okay. 0:20:47.508 --> 0:20:49.278 Lots to look forward to. And that's right. 0:20:49.278 --> 0:20:50.628 Through till 5:00. Yep. 0:20:50.628 --> 0:20:53.478 So make sure to head down. I've been speaking today 0:20:53.478 --> 0:20:57.828 with Jason Gipps, one of the chief organisers of this 0:20:57.828 --> 0:21:02.908 fantastic midsummer Festival show, which will be happening on the 0:21:02.908 --> 0:21:06.228 21st of January. Jason, thank you very much for your 0:21:06.228 --> 0:21:08.928 time today and looking forward to getting involved. 0:21:08.958 --> 0:21:09.648 Thank you Sam. 0:21:13.198 --> 0:21:16.288 I'm here today with Sam from the shop, who's here 0:21:16.288 --> 0:21:19.738 to tell us all about some exciting new deals at 0:21:19.738 --> 0:21:23.788 the Vision Australia store. Sam, welcome back to Talking Vision. 0:21:23.788 --> 0:21:24.748 Happy new year. 0:21:24.778 --> 0:21:26.608 Happy New Year to you as well, Sam. Thank you 0:21:26.608 --> 0:21:27.448 for having me. 0:21:27.478 --> 0:21:31.108 Now, firstly, Sam, there's a clearance sale, as I understand 0:21:31.108 --> 0:21:33.058 it going on at the shop. Tell us a bit 0:21:33.058 --> 0:21:33.778 about that. 0:21:33.778 --> 0:21:36.778 That's correct. So for our end of life products, we 0:21:36.778 --> 0:21:39.538 are running a clearance sale which has started from the 0:21:39.538 --> 0:21:44.308 new year. It will last until basically stocks last. Um, 0:21:44.308 --> 0:21:47.848 some products are up to 70% off. So make sure 0:21:47.848 --> 0:21:51.268 you get in quick because it's things like magnifiers and 0:21:51.268 --> 0:21:52.888 other daily living aids. 0:21:53.398 --> 0:21:56.698 Okay. And um, we're going with a bit of a 0:21:56.698 --> 0:21:59.998 phone related theme today in regards to things that are 0:21:59.998 --> 0:22:03.628 out now but also upcoming. So tell us about that. 0:22:03.658 --> 0:22:06.028 Yeah. So I thought today I could talk about some 0:22:06.028 --> 0:22:09.208 phones that we currently sell and then something that's coming 0:22:09.208 --> 0:22:12.058 out maybe later in the year. So at the moment 0:22:12.058 --> 0:22:15.118 we have a phone called the Oli Tech. Easy flip. 0:22:15.118 --> 0:22:18.358 Now it's an easy to use mobile phone with large 0:22:18.358 --> 0:22:22.198 buttons and voice guidance. So it's perfect for an elderly 0:22:22.198 --> 0:22:27.118 relative who may be struggles with knowing which buttons are where. Um, 0:22:27.118 --> 0:22:30.658 some of the features it has include a photo dial 0:22:30.658 --> 0:22:33.718 option so you can save the picture of a family 0:22:33.718 --> 0:22:36.838 member to a certain number, and then have them just 0:22:36.838 --> 0:22:39.478 press that number and it would call them straight away. 0:22:39.478 --> 0:22:43.168 And another great feature it has is flip to answer, 0:22:43.168 --> 0:22:47.218 which is essentially when somebody rings the phone without pressing 0:22:47.218 --> 0:22:50.638 any buttons. As you flip it, it will answer the call. 0:22:50.638 --> 0:22:53.248 And then as you close the lid, it hangs up. 0:22:53.248 --> 0:22:55.978 So it makes it a lot easier for people, rather 0:22:55.978 --> 0:22:59.638 than navigating buttons to just simply flip the phone open. 0:22:59.668 --> 0:23:03.448 Okay, those are certainly some cool little features for sure. 0:23:03.448 --> 0:23:07.318 But Sam, what's upcoming for people to look forward to 0:23:07.318 --> 0:23:08.068 later in the year? 0:23:08.098 --> 0:23:11.128 Yeah, so we've got a big button phone with a 0:23:11.128 --> 0:23:15.118 cordless handset. So this is essentially a hybrid phone where 0:23:15.118 --> 0:23:19.378 you have two units. One is the actual landline phone, 0:23:19.378 --> 0:23:22.858 which is a corded phone, and the other part is 0:23:22.858 --> 0:23:26.758 the cordless phone. So the benefit of this is that 0:23:26.758 --> 0:23:30.718 you have the sort of traditional style phone with large 0:23:30.718 --> 0:23:34.048 buttons for a person to use as the main station. 0:23:34.048 --> 0:23:36.508 They can keep this maybe in the kitchen or the 0:23:36.508 --> 0:23:39.898 lounge room, and it has an additional station which you 0:23:39.898 --> 0:23:43.438 can keep in maybe a bedroom. The side unit is 0:23:43.438 --> 0:23:47.338 a cordless phone with large buttons, meaning that you don't 0:23:47.338 --> 0:23:49.408 have to sort of stay in the one spot you 0:23:49.408 --> 0:23:52.198 can move around while you you're on the phone. 0:23:52.588 --> 0:23:56.668 Okay, a lot of options there for both mobile and 0:23:56.668 --> 0:23:59.338 landline based and all those sort of things with the 0:23:59.338 --> 0:24:02.698 large buttons and large print for people who have very 0:24:02.698 --> 0:24:05.968 low vision to be able to use. And those also 0:24:05.968 --> 0:24:09.718 come with um, Braille on the, um, the tactile buttons, 0:24:09.718 --> 0:24:10.558 is that right? 0:24:10.558 --> 0:24:14.878 Yeah. So most of the buttons will have some form of, um, 0:24:14.878 --> 0:24:18.298 braille or something to acknowledge which button is where. 0:24:18.478 --> 0:24:23.128 Oh, perfect. Okay. And for people who are interested in 0:24:23.128 --> 0:24:26.848 having a look at what the store is offering right now, 0:24:26.848 --> 0:24:30.538 what's the best way for them to get in contact 0:24:30.538 --> 0:24:32.458 and have a look on the website? 0:24:32.458 --> 0:24:35.608 Of course. So as you open our website, the first 0:24:35.608 --> 0:24:38.338 link you should see is the clearance sale. So it's 0:24:38.338 --> 0:24:41.218 it pops right up when you're on the home page. 0:24:41.218 --> 0:24:44.728 And we also in the actual store itself, have a 0:24:44.728 --> 0:24:47.878 nice table set up with all the clearance sale items 0:24:47.878 --> 0:24:49.738 so you can come down and check it out. 0:24:49.828 --> 0:24:55.198 Okay. Perfect. And that website Shopper Vision australia.org that's shop 0:24:55.378 --> 0:24:59.878 Vision australia.org. And does the shop have a number in 0:24:59.878 --> 0:25:01.918 particular Sam that people can ring. 0:25:02.578 --> 0:25:04.588 I would say the best way to get in contact 0:25:04.588 --> 0:25:08.188 with us would be to ring the General Vision Australia number, 0:25:08.428 --> 0:25:11.308 and then be asked to put through to a specific shop. 0:25:11.308 --> 0:25:20.548 Perfect. So that's 1300 847 461 308 47466. And ask all about 0:25:20.548 --> 0:25:24.658 the shop. I've been speaking today with Sam Dry, otherwise 0:25:24.658 --> 0:25:27.958 known as Sam from the shop, all about the latest 0:25:27.958 --> 0:25:33.838 offerings and upcoming offers from the Virgin Australia store. Sam, 0:25:33.838 --> 0:25:35.758 thanks so much for your time today. It was a 0:25:35.758 --> 0:25:37.528 pleasure to catch up with you again. 0:25:37.528 --> 0:25:39.298 Thanks so much for having me, Sam. 0:25:46.448 --> 0:25:49.328 And now, before we wrap up a little bit of 0:25:49.328 --> 0:25:54.438 news and information. Monash University is seeking people aged between 0:25:54.438 --> 0:25:58.328 18 and 30 with low vision or blindness who are 0:25:58.328 --> 0:26:02.978 interested in learning dance, to join a research workshop. The 0:26:02.978 --> 0:26:08.018 research will involve brainstorming technology driven ideas with the guidance 0:26:08.018 --> 0:26:12.218 of dance teachers to improve accessible education, and will be 0:26:12.218 --> 0:26:17.408 conducted in Melbourne. All participants will receive an electronic gift 0:26:17.408 --> 0:26:21.968 card valued at $50 per hour spent on the workshop, 0:26:21.968 --> 0:26:26.918 and a $50 gift card for any optional interviews afterwards. 0:26:27.278 --> 0:26:32.708 Travel costs for the designated workshop location will also be reimbursed. 0:26:33.008 --> 0:26:38.138 For more information and to access the explanatory statement, contact 0:26:38.138 --> 0:26:43.688 student researcher Maduka DaSilva by email at Madhukar da Silva 0:26:43.688 --> 0:26:54.338 at Monash Edu. That's mid air UK. Dot da silva@monash.edu 0:26:54.338 --> 0:27:05.978 or call 0452 373 585. That's 0452 373 585. And that's all we have 0:27:05.978 --> 0:27:10.748 time for today. You've been listening to Talking Vision. Talking 0:27:10.748 --> 0:27:14.888 vision is a production of Vision Australia Radio. Thanks to 0:27:14.888 --> 0:27:18.488 all involved with putting the show together. And remember we 0:27:18.488 --> 0:27:21.488 love your feedback and comments. So please do get in 0:27:21.488 --> 0:27:27.608 touch on Talking Vision at Vision australia.org. That's talking vision all. 0:27:27.608 --> 0:27:32.498 One word at Vision australia.org. But until next week it's 0:27:32.498 --> 0:27:34.628 Sam Culley saying bye for now. 0:27:38.198 --> 0:27:42.218 You can contact Virgin Australia by phoning us anytime during 0:27:42.218 --> 0:27:51.098 business hours on one 308 4746. That's one 384 746 0:27:51.098 --> 0:27:56.348 or by visiting Vision australia.org that's Vision Australia call.