WEBVTT - Talking Vision 698 Week Beginning 16th of October 2023 0:00:41.272 --> 0:00:46.972 From Vision Australia. This is talking vision. And now here's 0:00:46.972 --> 0:00:48.982 your host, Sam Collins. 0:00:51.562 --> 0:00:54.652 Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And 0:00:54.652 --> 0:00:57.652 for the next half hour, we talk matters of blindness 0:00:57.652 --> 0:00:58.702 and low vision. 0:00:58.882 --> 0:01:01.312 We have artists from Nigeria and from all the places, 0:01:01.312 --> 0:01:05.242 and they're really talented people. And for them and to 0:01:05.242 --> 0:01:08.362 see how honored and happy they are to be able 0:01:08.362 --> 0:01:10.702 to be part of it, is just wonderful to see 0:01:11.092 --> 0:01:14.242 that music is really alive, and that people that are 0:01:14.242 --> 0:01:16.792 blind and low vision can have an outlet for their 0:01:16.792 --> 0:01:20.092 music and can get that music heard all over the world. 0:01:20.392 --> 0:01:24.472 Welcome to the program! This week is a celebration of 0:01:24.472 --> 0:01:28.772 White Cane Day, which recently took place on Sunday the 0:01:28.772 --> 0:01:32.632 15th of October. Now, the day is about so much 0:01:32.632 --> 0:01:36.022 more than just the white cane as a mobility aid, 0:01:36.022 --> 0:01:41.542 as it's expanded to represent a day to advocate for 0:01:41.542 --> 0:01:45.442 people within the blind and low vision community and raise 0:01:45.442 --> 0:01:50.122 awareness for issues that the community continues to face, as 0:01:50.122 --> 0:01:53.842 well as celebrating the great work from people who are 0:01:53.842 --> 0:01:57.832 blind or have low vision. Achieving great things. This week 0:01:57.832 --> 0:02:01.132 you'll hear from two individuals who are involved in White 0:02:01.132 --> 0:02:05.392 Stick Fest, an annual concert featuring artists who are blind 0:02:05.392 --> 0:02:08.962 or have low vision from Australia and around the world. 0:02:09.322 --> 0:02:12.772 To start off with, we have Duncan Steward, founder and 0:02:12.772 --> 0:02:17.212 owner of Platinum Creative, the people behind White Stick Fest, 0:02:17.392 --> 0:02:22.072 and Jordan Ashby from Vision Australia has been involved in 0:02:22.222 --> 0:02:25.492 quite a few of the White Cane Day activities at 0:02:25.492 --> 0:02:29.752 Vision Australia over the years, including activities based around the 0:02:29.752 --> 0:02:33.832 White Stick First concert and joining forces with Duncan and 0:02:33.832 --> 0:02:39.112 Platinum to highlight and celebrate the immense talents of performers 0:02:39.112 --> 0:02:42.202 who are blind or have low vision. I hope you'll 0:02:42.202 --> 0:02:46.852 enjoy this week's special White Cane Day episode of Talking Vision. 0:02:51.482 --> 0:02:55.222 Kicking off our celebration of White Cane Day this week. 0:02:55.232 --> 0:02:58.712 Our next guest is a voice long time listeners to 0:02:58.712 --> 0:03:02.792 Talking Vision would be quite familiar with. His name is 0:03:02.792 --> 0:03:07.832 Duncan Steward, and he's the founder and owner of Platinum Creative, 0:03:07.832 --> 0:03:11.462 a music company which aims to develop and promote the 0:03:11.462 --> 0:03:15.722 careers of performing artists and bands who are blind or 0:03:15.722 --> 0:03:20.462 have low vision, including at the recent White Stik Fest, 0:03:20.462 --> 0:03:24.962 which has just gone live on White Stick fest.org. But 0:03:24.962 --> 0:03:28.262 before we chat about that, it's my great pleasure to 0:03:28.262 --> 0:03:32.762 welcome Duncan right now. Duncan, welcome to Talking Vision. Thanks 0:03:32.762 --> 0:03:33.842 so much for your time. 0:03:34.472 --> 0:03:35.462 Thanks for having me. 0:03:35.702 --> 0:03:39.242 Now, firstly, Duncan, of course, we're here to celebrate White 0:03:39.242 --> 0:03:42.482 Cane Day this week. So what does the day mean 0:03:42.482 --> 0:03:44.042 to you in particular? 0:03:44.372 --> 0:03:47.552 Well, I think it's a day to celebrate the white 0:03:47.552 --> 0:03:50.882 cane in terms of I myself don't use one. I 0:03:50.882 --> 0:03:54.512 have a vision impairment, but I don't require a white cane. 0:03:54.512 --> 0:03:57.242 But I know many, many people do require them. And 0:03:57.242 --> 0:04:00.902 often the case it's it's a symbol of independence and 0:04:00.902 --> 0:04:03.932 being able to get out and about and inclusion. And 0:04:03.932 --> 0:04:06.902 I think it's something to celebrate because rather than being 0:04:06.902 --> 0:04:09.242 a negative thing, I think it's a very positive thing. 0:04:09.242 --> 0:04:12.092 When you see people out with with a cane, you know, okay, 0:04:12.092 --> 0:04:14.582 they're out and about. They're enjoying life, they're seeing things 0:04:14.582 --> 0:04:17.492 going places. So I think that's important for people that 0:04:17.492 --> 0:04:20.522 have an impairment with in terms of vision. And I 0:04:20.522 --> 0:04:23.312 see it's a day that we can take on board 0:04:23.312 --> 0:04:26.522 and use it as a symbol of, you know, what 0:04:26.522 --> 0:04:29.102 we have, what we can achieve, not only have achieved 0:04:29.102 --> 0:04:30.662 or can achieve at the same time. 0:04:30.842 --> 0:04:34.412 As you mentioned, just briefly at the end there, it's 0:04:34.412 --> 0:04:37.262 about more than just the white cane. It is about 0:04:37.262 --> 0:04:42.932 awareness and achievement and possibilities for people who are blind 0:04:42.932 --> 0:04:46.532 or have low vision. So what sort of things have 0:04:46.532 --> 0:04:50.912 you observed or experiences you've had yourself in terms of 0:04:50.912 --> 0:04:56.092 awareness around issues related to the blind and low vision community? 0:04:56.102 --> 0:04:59.672 Do you think there's been progress or there's still a 0:04:59.672 --> 0:05:00.782 fair way to go? 0:05:01.442 --> 0:05:03.602 I still think there's a fair way to go. And 0:05:03.602 --> 0:05:05.732 I mean, you know, I, I get out and about 0:05:05.732 --> 0:05:11.672 a lot myself. I'm still really cautious in places that 0:05:11.672 --> 0:05:14.672 I don't know. For example, there are so many steps 0:05:14.672 --> 0:05:18.242 that aren't marked uneven surfaces, all that sort of thing. 0:05:18.242 --> 0:05:21.242 I'm prone to tripping because of my eyesight. I have, 0:05:21.512 --> 0:05:25.982 I have, I'm legally blind. I'm under 50%. But there are, 0:05:25.982 --> 0:05:29.042 you know, often I can trip on stuff because my 0:05:29.042 --> 0:05:31.832 I don't have a full field of view. So it's 0:05:31.832 --> 0:05:33.602 very difficult for me to look at someone and look 0:05:33.602 --> 0:05:35.102 up and down and then make sure that I can 0:05:35.102 --> 0:05:37.952 see where my feet go. But there are very often 0:05:37.952 --> 0:05:41.342 many cases where steps and things like that aren't marked 0:05:41.342 --> 0:05:45.002 very well. So I'm very cautious in near new situations 0:05:45.002 --> 0:05:47.702 to make sure that I can get around. And where 0:05:47.702 --> 0:05:50.372 there are issues, I certainly draw them to people's attention. 0:05:50.372 --> 0:05:53.012 But in terms of me getting around, I embrace the 0:05:53.012 --> 0:05:55.142 fact that I can do that. And it's great that 0:05:55.142 --> 0:05:57.662 when you see people getting out and about, they're doing 0:05:57.662 --> 0:05:58.322 the same thing. 0:05:58.562 --> 0:06:02.552 In your time. Over the years, you've gotten involved with 0:06:02.552 --> 0:06:07.262 quite a few people within the blind and low vision community, 0:06:07.262 --> 0:06:12.482 notably as we'll chat about today in the performing arts space. 0:06:12.482 --> 0:06:16.742 So tell us the story of your organization, Platinum Creative, 0:06:16.742 --> 0:06:19.292 and you know where that all kicked off. 0:06:20.192 --> 0:06:22.862 It's a bit of a bit of a strange story, really. 0:06:22.862 --> 0:06:25.412 It started probably I used to work in it in 0:06:25.412 --> 0:06:28.412 accounting for many years, for 30 or so years. And 0:06:28.412 --> 0:06:31.022 then at the ripe old age of 49, I decided 0:06:31.022 --> 0:06:32.882 that I wanted to go back and do some study 0:06:32.882 --> 0:06:37.862 across music and management, where I'd played piano myself for 0:06:37.862 --> 0:06:40.892 many years, and as a kid I really enjoyed music, 0:06:40.892 --> 0:06:43.982 and I was disconcerted by the fact that a lot 0:06:43.982 --> 0:06:46.442 of people in the music industry got a raw deal. 0:06:46.442 --> 0:06:49.742 And of course, obviously having lived in spirits and worked 0:06:49.742 --> 0:06:53.372 with people with disability for many years, I saw that 0:06:53.372 --> 0:06:56.282 they would be even more affected than people that didn't 0:06:56.282 --> 0:07:00.062 have a disability potentially, or have a vision issue. Anyway, 0:07:00.062 --> 0:07:02.462 as it turned out, I started Platinum Creative back in 0:07:02.462 --> 0:07:06.302 2015 and I started working with some amazing artists, including 0:07:06.452 --> 0:07:10.562 from Adelaide Adelaide's Rachel Urquhart, who of course has and 0:07:10.562 --> 0:07:13.682 very low vision. And I understand the way artists with 0:07:13.682 --> 0:07:16.022 a disability, their day to day life, because I've lived 0:07:16.022 --> 0:07:18.452 it myself, obviously every day of my life, so I'm 0:07:18.452 --> 0:07:21.392 actually able to build a good rapport with people. I 0:07:21.392 --> 0:07:24.062 understand what their requirements are, so then if I can 0:07:24.062 --> 0:07:27.242 help them when they want, when they're performing or in 0:07:27.242 --> 0:07:30.332 a stage situation, they may not be able to see things. 0:07:30.332 --> 0:07:33.272 So we need to make sure that everything is correct 0:07:33.272 --> 0:07:35.072 for them to be able to do that, that the 0:07:35.072 --> 0:07:38.762 steps and support in place for them to be assisted 0:07:38.762 --> 0:07:40.982 to and from stage and many, many other sorts of 0:07:40.982 --> 0:07:43.892 things like that. So I started off working with Rachel 0:07:43.892 --> 0:07:48.902 back in 2017, and Platinum Creative has sort of evolved 0:07:48.902 --> 0:07:53.002 over those years to now we. And manage ten artists 0:07:53.002 --> 0:07:57.232 across Australia with disabilities. We do represent other artists as 0:07:57.232 --> 0:08:00.772 well without disability, but we have about 5 or 6 0:08:00.772 --> 0:08:05.902 that have low vision or are blind across Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, 0:08:05.902 --> 0:08:09.172 far north Queensland and there's actually five inches South Wales, 0:08:09.172 --> 0:08:12.142 so it keeps me really busy and it's great to 0:08:12.292 --> 0:08:16.252 be able to be involved and help people to be 0:08:16.252 --> 0:08:19.192 able to get their music out there for their amazing 0:08:19.192 --> 0:08:23.212 talent to be seen, and so them to actually build 0:08:23.212 --> 0:08:26.032 a music career and have a great team behind them 0:08:26.032 --> 0:08:28.732 that are passionate about what they do and be able 0:08:28.732 --> 0:08:32.052 to help them achieve their own goals and dreams. But 0:08:32.182 --> 0:08:34.912 being part of that is just is just a fantastic feeling. 0:08:35.092 --> 0:08:39.652 And one of those places where they can actually get 0:08:39.652 --> 0:08:42.382 out there and perform. And and this is where it 0:08:42.382 --> 0:08:46.162 sort of ties back into White Cane Day with white 0:08:46.162 --> 0:08:48.982 stick fests. So, you know, how long has that been 0:08:48.982 --> 0:08:52.522 going for and what sort of iterations has it taken 0:08:52.522 --> 0:08:54.262 over the past few years? 0:08:55.162 --> 0:08:58.942 Well, that's very true. Watch. The first is an online concert, 0:08:59.422 --> 0:09:02.992 which is its third year for 2023. It's gone live 0:09:02.992 --> 0:09:06.382 on Sunday at White Stick Fest. Org. It's a concert 0:09:06.382 --> 0:09:10.492 featuring about 20 blind and low vision, and also sighted 0:09:10.492 --> 0:09:13.552 artists from across the globe with five others from Australia. 0:09:13.552 --> 0:09:17.332 And we feature their music. It goes for about one 0:09:17.332 --> 0:09:19.402 and a half to two hours, and they get an 0:09:19.402 --> 0:09:22.732 opportunity to have their music played in an international environment, 0:09:22.732 --> 0:09:25.372 which is fantastic. Have some artists that have come back 0:09:25.372 --> 0:09:27.322 three times. In fact, there's some sort of come back 0:09:27.322 --> 0:09:30.442 four times. So prior to White Stick Fest, we engaged 0:09:30.442 --> 0:09:34.462 in Australia Radio to have a radio broadcast for the 0:09:34.462 --> 0:09:39.172 same scenario. Back in 2019, there was a live event 0:09:39.172 --> 0:09:42.682 where we celebrated White Cane Day. We have one of 0:09:42.682 --> 0:09:46.522 our artists, Lauren Kelly, come along and sing and also 0:09:46.522 --> 0:09:49.942 do some food tasting and do that. So then in 2020, 0:09:49.972 --> 0:09:52.312 of course, we all got hit with Covid and everything 0:09:52.312 --> 0:09:54.922 got shut down. Yeah. So we thought, what can we 0:09:54.922 --> 0:09:58.252 do to keep this all alive and be able to 0:09:58.252 --> 0:10:01.432 provide everyone's, you know, shut up at home? What can 0:10:01.432 --> 0:10:03.832 we do, put a concert together that we can then 0:10:03.832 --> 0:10:07.702 have artists singing from all over the world and celebrate 0:10:07.702 --> 0:10:10.612 White Cane Day through music. So we did that and 0:10:10.612 --> 0:10:12.802 thanks to Vision Australia Radio, we put out a wonderful 0:10:12.802 --> 0:10:17.572 three hour broadcast back in 2020 and it went it 0:10:17.572 --> 0:10:19.792 did really, really well and we had people listening in 0:10:19.792 --> 0:10:23.332 from America and from the UK and across Europe, which 0:10:23.332 --> 0:10:27.082 was absolutely fantastic. And at that point we then decided 0:10:27.082 --> 0:10:31.192 or maybe and for that obviously it was a radio broadcast, 0:10:31.192 --> 0:10:34.852 but we'd actually received videos that we converted to audio. 0:10:34.852 --> 0:10:37.042 So we thought, well, hang on, maybe we can turn 0:10:37.042 --> 0:10:40.852 this into a video experience as well, but make sure 0:10:40.852 --> 0:10:43.642 that we have all the appropriate accessibility and so forth 0:10:43.642 --> 0:10:46.672 associated with it. And then we came up with the 0:10:46.672 --> 0:10:50.392 concept of White Stick Fest in 2021, which is now 0:10:50.392 --> 0:10:53.752 run for three years. And is doing really, really well. 0:10:53.752 --> 0:10:56.122 And we're getting some great recognition for what we're trying 0:10:56.122 --> 0:10:59.122 to do and be able to help artists that might 0:10:59.122 --> 0:11:01.722 be like, we have artists from Nigeria and from all 0:11:01.732 --> 0:11:05.662 the places, and they're really talented people and for them, 0:11:05.662 --> 0:11:08.932 and to see how honoured and happy they are to 0:11:08.932 --> 0:11:10.972 be able to be part of it is just wonderful 0:11:10.972 --> 0:11:14.722 to see that music is really alive, and that people 0:11:14.722 --> 0:11:17.392 that are blind and low vision can have an outlet 0:11:17.392 --> 0:11:20.422 for their music and can get that music heard all 0:11:20.422 --> 0:11:21.052 over the world. 0:11:21.362 --> 0:11:23.872 Mark Colvin and Duncan, I want to drill into that 0:11:24.052 --> 0:11:27.652 recognition point you make there where you know, white stick 0:11:27.652 --> 0:11:31.912 first and indeed Platinum Creative have been a driving force 0:11:31.912 --> 0:11:35.842 in highlighting the talents and strengths of musicians who are 0:11:35.842 --> 0:11:39.502 blind or have low vision over the years. But do 0:11:39.502 --> 0:11:44.002 you feel these artists are getting the mainstream recognition they deserve, 0:11:44.002 --> 0:11:47.032 or what sort of things are you observing that still 0:11:47.032 --> 0:11:48.712 need to happen, do you think? 0:11:49.132 --> 0:11:51.382 Look, I think there's a long way to go, but 0:11:51.382 --> 0:11:56.842 even very, very recently, you may have heard about Dylan Northcott. Yeah. 0:11:57.232 --> 0:12:01.252 His his initiative around the shift 20 initiative, where the 0:12:01.252 --> 0:12:05.572 idea was that obviously 1 in 5 people in Australia 0:12:05.572 --> 0:12:08.992 has a disability. And as far as main media is concerned, 0:12:08.992 --> 0:12:12.052 only 1% of those people is actually shown on television, 0:12:12.052 --> 0:12:16.132 which is 30% is really 30% of the population. So maybe, 0:12:16.342 --> 0:12:19.252 maybe it should be higher, which is what his campaign 0:12:19.252 --> 0:12:22.252 is all about. And we were very lucky to have 0:12:22.252 --> 0:12:25.162 one of our artists approach to be involved. Her name's 0:12:25.162 --> 0:12:28.912 Lara Natalie. She's a blind singer songwriter from Sydney with 0:12:28.912 --> 0:12:32.182 a guide dog and a cane. And one thing led 0:12:32.182 --> 0:12:35.512 to another, and now she is the she's now part 0:12:35.512 --> 0:12:40.192 of the Amy Does campaign on TV. She's also the 0:12:40.192 --> 0:12:44.722 vocals behind the new jingle. And to have that recognition 0:12:44.722 --> 0:12:48.502 of people with a disability. And as Dylan said, he said, gosh, 0:12:48.502 --> 0:12:51.712 is that is that lady singing? Amy Dingle. Ashy blonde. 0:12:52.222 --> 0:12:54.592 Can blind people do that? Of course they can. And 0:12:54.592 --> 0:12:58.072 that's what his argument was, that in due course, we 0:12:58.072 --> 0:13:00.922 want to normalize this and make it not an exception, 0:13:00.922 --> 0:13:04.732 but a case of rule, because there should be no 0:13:04.732 --> 0:13:09.442 difference whether someone is performing or shown on television, has 0:13:09.442 --> 0:13:13.582 a visual issue, has a disability, should be no different 0:13:13.582 --> 0:13:17.152 to someone that doesn't. So I think it's great that 0:13:17.152 --> 0:13:20.272 there are brands getting on board with these sorts of things. 0:13:20.272 --> 0:13:22.942 And we're getting getting people like Dylan being able to 0:13:23.242 --> 0:13:26.722 have an impact and getting people involved in these sorts 0:13:26.722 --> 0:13:31.702 of things is fantastic, because it's only showing that we're 0:13:31.702 --> 0:13:35.212 just getting better representation of the community, that it's being 0:13:35.212 --> 0:13:40.132 reflected across media and in all cases, in every situation. 0:13:40.132 --> 0:13:41.242 So I think it's great. 0:13:41.772 --> 0:13:45.832 It's great, and it's precisely the case that you're absolutely right. 0:13:45.832 --> 0:13:49.132 There is a lot of great work being done out 0:13:49.132 --> 0:13:54.562 there within Platinum Creative and within events like What Stick First, 0:13:54.562 --> 0:13:59.182 which are highlighting and promoting the wonderful talent that is 0:13:59.182 --> 0:14:02.272 out there. As we've said, you know, musicians who are 0:14:02.272 --> 0:14:05.152 not only blind or have low vision, but with other 0:14:05.152 --> 0:14:09.262 disabilities getting their talent out there and really showing people 0:14:09.262 --> 0:14:13.072 what people within the disability community can do. So I've 0:14:13.072 --> 0:14:17.782 been speaking today with Duncan Stewart from Platinum Creative all 0:14:17.782 --> 0:14:21.562 about White Cane Day and in particular, White Stick Fest, 0:14:21.562 --> 0:14:26.182 which is now available to view on what Stick fest.org. 0:14:26.182 --> 0:14:28.582 And if you'd like to find out a bit more 0:14:28.582 --> 0:14:33.082 about White Stick Fest, there's information about the fest as well. 0:14:33.082 --> 0:14:34.192 Is that correct? Duncan? 0:14:34.432 --> 0:14:38.962 It is the the concert is actually live on the website, 0:14:38.962 --> 0:14:41.422 which we also have a YouTube channel. We have all 0:14:41.422 --> 0:14:45.772 our social media. So there's of course Facebook, Instagram and 0:14:45.772 --> 0:14:48.922 X or Twitter if you prefer. But we also have 0:14:48.922 --> 0:14:53.572 some on the website. We've got information about all the 0:14:53.572 --> 0:14:57.292 different artists and some photos and videos, etcetera, from them 0:14:57.292 --> 0:15:00.742 performing their own songs that we may not have shown 0:15:00.742 --> 0:15:04.402 as part of the broadcast. So it's a good way 0:15:04.402 --> 0:15:06.562 to look at some of the other artists that have 0:15:06.562 --> 0:15:09.112 have worked with us, and not only for this year, 0:15:09.112 --> 0:15:10.702 but also for last year as well. There's some more 0:15:10.822 --> 0:15:12.952 there's more information going back to last year, and I 0:15:12.952 --> 0:15:15.262 think there might be a couple of highlight videos on 0:15:15.262 --> 0:15:17.632 there as well. So there's certainly plenty of information there 0:15:17.632 --> 0:15:19.312 if you want to go and have a look. 0:15:19.492 --> 0:15:23.782 Oh, perfect. Lots of info and videos and wonderful music 0:15:23.782 --> 0:15:26.602 in there for sure to have a look at and 0:15:26.602 --> 0:15:29.812 have a listen. Thank you so much for your time today, Duncan. 0:15:29.812 --> 0:15:31.852 It was a pleasure to catch up with you to 0:15:31.852 --> 0:15:35.332 chat about all things white stick first and all the 0:15:35.332 --> 0:15:37.762 best for future iterations. 0:15:38.482 --> 0:15:41.002 Thank you so much and everyone have a great evening! 0:15:48.362 --> 0:15:51.842 I'm Sam Kelly and you're listening to Talking Vision on 0:15:51.842 --> 0:15:57.242 Vision Australia Radio, associated stations of FX and the Community 0:15:57.242 --> 0:16:01.952 Radio Network. I hope you're enjoying today's special White Cane 0:16:01.952 --> 0:16:07.652 Day episode of Talking Vision, including that interview with Duncan Steward, 0:16:07.652 --> 0:16:12.272 the founder and owner of Platinum Creative. If you missed 0:16:12.272 --> 0:16:15.512 any part of that interview with Duncan or you'd love 0:16:15.512 --> 0:16:18.482 to hear it again, you can, of course, catch the 0:16:18.482 --> 0:16:23.942 interview again on your favorite podcast platform or the Vision 0:16:23.942 --> 0:16:28.412 Australia library. And now for the second interview of our 0:16:28.412 --> 0:16:31.982 White Cane Day special today on Talking Vision. It's my 0:16:31.982 --> 0:16:37.052 great pleasure to welcome Jordan Ashby. Jordan is a volunteer 0:16:37.052 --> 0:16:41.072 coordinator at Vision Australia, and he's had a central role 0:16:41.072 --> 0:16:45.122 in quite a few White Cane Day events over the years. 0:16:45.122 --> 0:16:48.872 And he joins me now to chat all about it. Jordan, 0:16:48.872 --> 0:16:51.962 welcome to Talking Vision. Thanks so much for your time. 0:16:52.682 --> 0:16:53.672 I think. So, having me sit. 0:16:53.942 --> 0:16:57.752 Now we're celebrating White Cane Day of course, today. So 0:16:58.112 --> 0:17:00.092 tell us a bit about the day. What is White 0:17:00.092 --> 0:17:01.232 Cane Day all about? 0:17:01.742 --> 0:17:05.822 Well, so International White Cane Day is a day across 0:17:05.822 --> 0:17:10.052 the international community where we recognize, raise awareness and promote 0:17:10.052 --> 0:17:13.232 the use of, I think it's world's most commonly used 0:17:13.232 --> 0:17:15.062 mobility tool, the white cane. 0:17:15.242 --> 0:17:18.122 But it's about so much more than that as well, 0:17:18.122 --> 0:17:22.322 isn't it? It's expanded and branched out to include raising 0:17:22.322 --> 0:17:27.092 awareness and promoting advocacy for issues within the blind and 0:17:27.092 --> 0:17:31.292 low vision community. So what sorts of things have you 0:17:31.292 --> 0:17:35.162 been involved with there from a Vision Australia perspective? 0:17:35.192 --> 0:17:38.552 Yeah, so obviously I think it's a day to be 0:17:38.552 --> 0:17:41.702 celebrated as well. I think it's a day to celebrate 0:17:41.702 --> 0:17:44.282 more than just, you know, obviously the mobility tool, which 0:17:44.282 --> 0:17:48.122 has helped quite a large population of people navigate and 0:17:48.122 --> 0:17:50.612 build their independence. But it's also a day to celebrate 0:17:50.612 --> 0:17:53.402 those who have been trailblazers out, and they're out in 0:17:53.402 --> 0:17:56.612 the blind and low vision community who have shown, you know, 0:17:56.612 --> 0:17:59.222 peer to peer, some of the other people that may 0:17:59.222 --> 0:18:02.342 or may not be early on in their vision loss journey. 0:18:02.342 --> 0:18:04.232 You know what some of the things that you can 0:18:04.232 --> 0:18:07.412 do by gaining that independence that the white cane can 0:18:07.412 --> 0:18:10.112 bring you. So a lot of the events that I've 0:18:10.112 --> 0:18:12.662 sort of run in the past have been very much 0:18:12.662 --> 0:18:17.912 utilizing that. So utilising the use of people that have 0:18:17.912 --> 0:18:21.692 gone out and done some incredible things or even, as 0:18:21.692 --> 0:18:24.392 I said, just be getting around their local community and 0:18:24.392 --> 0:18:27.452 they're strong advocates for other blind and low vision people 0:18:27.452 --> 0:18:29.942 who may be a little bit nervous about using a cane, 0:18:29.942 --> 0:18:33.152 or may think that it's a signal of a handicap 0:18:33.152 --> 0:18:35.972 or something like that, that the white cane is really 0:18:35.972 --> 0:18:39.752 a signal of somebody having their independence and being able 0:18:39.752 --> 0:18:41.672 to go and live the life that they would like. 0:18:41.672 --> 0:18:43.862 And I think the best way to get across that 0:18:43.862 --> 0:18:46.202 is to get people and members from the blind and 0:18:46.202 --> 0:18:49.052 low vision community out there doing really great things to 0:18:49.052 --> 0:18:51.962 come along and show other people that may just want 0:18:51.962 --> 0:18:53.282 to dip their feet and get a bit of a 0:18:53.282 --> 0:18:56.162 feel for what it is to be part of this community. 0:18:56.402 --> 0:18:59.912 How many years have you been involved with White Cane 0:18:59.912 --> 0:19:04.142 Day events at Vision Australia, and what sort of things 0:19:04.142 --> 0:19:06.722 have you been involved with in particular? 0:19:06.962 --> 0:19:11.522 Yeah, so back in 2018, I ran a White Cane 0:19:11.522 --> 0:19:16.292 Day festival on the Gosford waterfront. That was a festival 0:19:16.292 --> 0:19:22.952 that included cooking demonstrations, circus activities, blind sports and some 0:19:22.952 --> 0:19:25.172 messy play as well that we set up for the kids. 0:19:25.472 --> 0:19:28.142 And I had people busing it up from Sydney and 0:19:28.142 --> 0:19:30.992 coming down from Newcastle as well. So we had about 100, 0:19:30.992 --> 0:19:34.172 150 people come down to hang out on Gosford Waterfront 0:19:34.172 --> 0:19:37.052 and make the use of those activities. It was very, 0:19:37.052 --> 0:19:40.922 very successful, brought people together from different community groups as 0:19:40.922 --> 0:19:43.682 well that have never interacted with one another. Gave him 0:19:43.682 --> 0:19:46.832 a day where we fed them. Obviously we showed them 0:19:46.832 --> 0:19:48.992 some skills to cook and we had a bit of 0:19:48.992 --> 0:19:51.842 a bit of a MasterChef cook off between a couple 0:19:51.842 --> 0:19:54.072 of our blind and low vision community as well with 0:19:54.072 --> 0:19:57.872 the judging panel, we had, as I said, people trying 0:19:57.872 --> 0:20:02.312 tight ropes with help from Roundabout Circus. We had blind sports, 0:20:02.312 --> 0:20:05.282 blind cricket and media, and it was open to the 0:20:05.282 --> 0:20:07.262 general public as well. So we had members of the 0:20:07.262 --> 0:20:10.862 general public coming down and trying, walking on tethers with 0:20:10.862 --> 0:20:13.382 Achilles group or trying a bit of blind cricket. So 0:20:13.382 --> 0:20:17.732 it was really successful. 2019 obviously, the pandemic kind of 0:20:17.732 --> 0:20:20.462 put a scupper on any kind of plans to rerun 0:20:20.462 --> 0:20:23.762 that festival that year. So obviously a lot of us 0:20:23.762 --> 0:20:26.432 sitting at home thinking about what it is that we 0:20:26.432 --> 0:20:29.462 were going to be doing during this time, and I 0:20:29.462 --> 0:20:31.502 had a newborn at the time, Sam. So I was 0:20:31.502 --> 0:20:34.442 up really random hours of the evening as well. And 0:20:34.442 --> 0:20:37.592 I got the idea for the White Cane Day concert. 0:20:37.592 --> 0:20:40.952 So I looked up online to see if it had 0:20:40.952 --> 0:20:42.932 been done. I was shocked that it hadn't already been 0:20:42.932 --> 0:20:46.572 done from an international standpoint. So I made a phone 0:20:46.572 --> 0:20:49.902 call to Duncan, who I know you've interviewed. Yes. Who 0:20:49.902 --> 0:20:52.542 manages blind and low vision artists. And that's how the 0:20:52.542 --> 0:20:55.962 first White Cane Day concert started on Vision Australia Radio 0:20:55.962 --> 0:21:00.342 in 2019. And that is led to White Stick Fest 0:21:00.342 --> 0:21:06.792 in 2020, 2021, 2022, and now in its fourth year, 2023. 0:21:06.942 --> 0:21:09.882 That's right. And let's have a bit more of a 0:21:09.882 --> 0:21:14.112 chat about a full replay screening of what stick Fest 0:21:14.112 --> 0:21:19.262 that's happening in just a little while on the 20th 0:21:19.262 --> 0:21:21.942 of October. Tell us a bit about that. 0:21:22.062 --> 0:21:25.512 Yeah. So look, the online concert, which features international artists 0:21:25.512 --> 0:21:28.752 from all around the world that actually went live on Sunday, 0:21:28.752 --> 0:21:31.812 International White Cane Day, the 15th of October, and that's 0:21:31.812 --> 0:21:34.632 still live and it'll be live until August next year. 0:21:34.632 --> 0:21:37.212 So anybody who wants to go and experience that concert, 0:21:37.212 --> 0:21:41.622 it's about an hour and a half, has some fantastic headliners. 0:21:41.622 --> 0:21:44.802 It has blind low vision and also cited in support 0:21:44.802 --> 0:21:48.642 artists from all around the globe, including some Grammy nominees, 0:21:48.642 --> 0:21:52.332 got The Wiggles as well again this year. Plus blind 0:21:52.332 --> 0:21:54.792 low vision artists from all around the globe, some more 0:21:54.792 --> 0:21:57.522 recognizable than others. And I guess the great part about 0:21:57.522 --> 0:21:59.922 this particular concert as well is that it does provide 0:21:59.922 --> 0:22:03.432 an international stage for up and coming artists like some 0:22:03.432 --> 0:22:07.722 of the artists from Australia in particular, and obviously some 0:22:07.722 --> 0:22:10.242 of the ones from international as well, that don't get 0:22:10.242 --> 0:22:14.232 those opportunities to get their music heard by the broader community. 0:22:14.232 --> 0:22:17.802 So that went live on Sunday and it's available on 0:22:19.242 --> 0:22:23.082 White Stick Fest. Org we have our first live viewing 0:22:23.082 --> 0:22:26.832 of the event on the 20th of October, which is 0:22:26.832 --> 0:22:30.942 obviously this Friday. That's going to be at Sydney University 0:22:30.942 --> 0:22:34.152 at the Law Foyer. We've got the blind and low 0:22:34.152 --> 0:22:38.652 vision artists from Australia who are coming along to perform live, 0:22:38.652 --> 0:22:41.022 and then we've got a bit of a sneak peek. Well, 0:22:41.022 --> 0:22:42.762 not really a sneak peek at this point, but a 0:22:42.762 --> 0:22:45.942 bit of a highlights package of the concert, the overall 0:22:45.942 --> 0:22:48.582 concert for people to go and enjoy at a later stage, 0:22:48.582 --> 0:22:52.122 all catered. We have a shuttle bus leaving central to 0:22:52.122 --> 0:22:56.262 take people to the concert over at Sydney Uni. All free. 0:22:56.262 --> 0:22:58.542 Should be a fantastic day. I think we've got about 0:22:58.692 --> 0:23:01.692 and that's open to the general public as well once again, 0:23:01.692 --> 0:23:04.152 because we're wanting to promote that awareness of the white 0:23:04.152 --> 0:23:07.272 cane and also the awareness of the achievements of the 0:23:07.272 --> 0:23:10.272 blind and low vision community as well. So this point 0:23:10.272 --> 0:23:13.482 in time, I think we're catered for 100 and we're 0:23:13.482 --> 0:23:16.062 sitting at around 85 confirmed at the moment. 0:23:16.062 --> 0:23:17.322 All right. Okay. 0:23:17.322 --> 0:23:19.812 There's still a couple of spots for people if they'd 0:23:19.812 --> 0:23:23.652 like to come along. Perfect. It. Just need to email myself. 0:23:23.652 --> 0:23:27.522 Yes at Jordan Ashby at Vision Australia. 0:23:27.792 --> 0:23:33.372 Org okay. And for people who aren't available in Sydney 0:23:33.372 --> 0:23:37.512 to head along on Friday, what sort of other events 0:23:37.512 --> 0:23:41.142 has Vision Australia got in store for people coming up 0:23:41.142 --> 0:23:43.392 in the next few weeks or so? 0:23:43.752 --> 0:23:46.812 Yeah, so obviously if you're not able to come along 0:23:46.812 --> 0:23:49.872 to the concert on Friday, the live viewing of the concert, 0:23:49.872 --> 0:23:52.572 you can still view that online. As I said, until 0:23:52.572 --> 0:23:56.172 August next year, we'll also be taking audio of the 0:23:56.202 --> 0:23:59.682 of the live concert to provide Division Australia Radio via 0:23:59.682 --> 0:24:04.152 a sort of future events. I can't tell you too 0:24:04.152 --> 0:24:06.762 much about it, but on the because I'm still waiting 0:24:06.762 --> 0:24:09.762 to get all of the information through. But on the 0:24:09.762 --> 0:24:15.792 27th of November, there is a blind speed track day 0:24:15.792 --> 0:24:21.342 in planning at the moment at Sydney Motorsport Park. It's 0:24:21.342 --> 0:24:24.582 going to be the 27th and it's going to be 0:24:24.582 --> 0:24:26.052 a night time thing. 0:24:26.322 --> 0:24:28.782 All right? Were always fun. So a bit more. 0:24:28.782 --> 0:24:30.972 Information about that. Obviously I'll share it. 0:24:30.972 --> 0:24:34.062 Well definitely keep our ears out for that one and 0:24:34.062 --> 0:24:37.332 see where that goes. That sounds pretty exciting. So yeah, 0:24:37.332 --> 0:24:41.352 definitely follow up and say what's happening with that one 0:24:41.352 --> 0:24:45.642 for sure. I've been speaking today with Jordan Ashby from 0:24:45.642 --> 0:24:49.812 Vision Australia in celebration of White Cane Day and the 0:24:49.812 --> 0:24:53.922 wide range of talent on display at the annual White 0:24:53.922 --> 0:24:57.912 Stick Fest. Jordan, thanks so much for your time today. 0:24:58.302 --> 0:24:59.322 No problems at all, said. 0:25:06.612 --> 0:25:10.002 And now, just before we wrap up, there's some exciting 0:25:10.002 --> 0:25:14.322 news from Blind Citizens Australia, who, you may be aware, 0:25:14.322 --> 0:25:19.422 has announced a new CEO following the resignation of Sally 0:25:19.722 --> 0:25:25.842 Andrews last month. Following Sally's resignation, the board of BCA 0:25:25.842 --> 0:25:31.092 received several strong applications, and they're pleased to announce that 0:25:31.092 --> 0:25:36.342 the successful candidate is Deb Déchets. Deb's career has featured 0:25:36.342 --> 0:25:42.312 senior management roles with disability service providers, women with Disabilities Victoria, 0:25:42.312 --> 0:25:47.922 Uralla and Vision Australia and most recently, Deb was Bca's 0:25:47.922 --> 0:25:52.842 general manager of projects and engagement. She's owned and operated 0:25:52.842 --> 0:25:57.132 a counselling practice for 11 years. She's initiated and has 0:25:57.132 --> 0:26:01.572 been an active volunteer with Vision Impaired, Swim Victoria and 0:26:01.572 --> 0:26:06.432 the Cataract Support Group, and she's currently on the Victoria 0:26:06.432 --> 0:26:12.132 Police Disability Portfolio Reference Group, providing advice and expertise to 0:26:12.132 --> 0:26:17.862 assist in their engagement with the disability community. Deb has 0:26:17.862 --> 0:26:22.512 also recently completed the Certified Community Directors Course with the 0:26:22.512 --> 0:26:27.402 Institute of Community Directors, and her background in mental health 0:26:27.402 --> 0:26:31.092 and her lived experience equips her well to take up 0:26:31.092 --> 0:26:35.772 the reins of the organisation at BCA. The board is 0:26:35.772 --> 0:26:38.892 delighted that Deb will return to the team and looks 0:26:38.892 --> 0:26:41.862 forward to working with her as she steps up to 0:26:41.862 --> 0:26:46.632 lead BCA in the future. Deb has commenced on Monday, 0:26:46.632 --> 0:26:51.762 the 16th of October 2023, in the role as CEO, 0:26:51.762 --> 0:26:54.612 and we look forward to having a chat with Deb 0:26:54.612 --> 0:26:58.932 in coming months as she settles into the role. And 0:26:58.932 --> 0:27:02.292 that's all we have time for today. You've been listening 0:27:02.322 --> 0:27:06.582 to Talking Vision. Talking vision is a production of Vision 0:27:06.582 --> 0:27:10.452 Australia Radio. Thanks to all involved with putting the show 0:27:10.452 --> 0:27:14.262 together and remember we love your feedback and comments, so 0:27:14.262 --> 0:27:19.602 please do get in touch on Talking Vision at Vision australia.org. 0:27:19.602 --> 0:27:24.942 That's talking vision all one word at Vision australia.org. But 0:27:24.942 --> 0:27:28.452 until next week it's Sam Culley saying bye for now. 0:27:32.082 --> 0:27:36.132 You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during 0:27:36.132 --> 0:27:44.052 business hours on one 308 4746. That's one 380 474 0:27:44.162 --> 0:27:50.292 W6 or by visiting Vision australia.org. That's Vision australia.org.