WEBVTT - Talking Vision 751 Week Beginning 21st of October 2024 0:00:38.453 --> 0:00:44.213 From Vision Australia. This is talking vision. And now here's 0:00:44.213 --> 0:00:46.253 your host, Sam Colley. 0:00:48.593 --> 0:00:51.863 Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And 0:00:51.863 --> 0:00:54.833 for the next half hour, we talk matters of blindness 0:00:54.833 --> 0:00:55.973 and low vision. 0:00:56.003 --> 0:00:59.663 The Santa Fun Run is coming up November 23rd, in 0:00:59.663 --> 0:01:04.403 Melbourne and debuting this year in Sydney on November 30th. 0:01:04.433 --> 0:01:06.713 It's going to be a great time where people can 0:01:06.712 --> 0:01:10.583 come and maybe walk, maybe jog, maybe run, even roll 0:01:10.583 --> 0:01:13.042 if they want to. A wonderful time to get into 0:01:13.043 --> 0:01:15.623 the Christmas spirit for a fantastic cause. 0:01:15.653 --> 0:01:20.122 Well, the secret's out. Welcome to Talking Vision. We've got 0:01:20.123 --> 0:01:23.663 a very special guest coming to you all the way 0:01:23.663 --> 0:01:28.163 from the North Pole. Later in the program, he's joined 0:01:28.163 --> 0:01:32.533 by Hasitha Hashim shame from the Children and Young People 0:01:32.563 --> 0:01:36.432 team at Vision Australia to talk to us all about 0:01:36.433 --> 0:01:41.833 the upcoming Santa's Fun Run, taking place in late November. 0:01:41.863 --> 0:01:46.063 But before you hear from them, I caught up with 0:01:46.093 --> 0:01:51.463 It's No Drama based in Leongatha, talking to me about 0:01:51.463 --> 0:01:56.323 their upcoming theatre production and a series of training programs. 0:01:56.323 --> 0:02:00.553 The company are running to make theatre more accessible for 0:02:00.553 --> 0:02:04.393 performers who are blind or have low vision. But that's 0:02:04.393 --> 0:02:08.173 not all. We wrap up with some news and information, 0:02:08.173 --> 0:02:13.183 and Francis joins the show for a reader recommended. I 0:02:13.213 --> 0:02:22.123 hope you enjoy this week's episode of Talking Vision. Samara 0:02:22.123 --> 0:02:26.953 Cunningham is the artistic director of It's No Drama, a 0:02:26.953 --> 0:02:33.082 South Gippsland based theatre company with a focus on accessibility 0:02:33.083 --> 0:02:38.933 and inclusion for performers of all abilities. She's here to 0:02:38.963 --> 0:02:43.313 chat to me all about melt, an upcoming production that 0:02:43.313 --> 0:02:47.453 it's no drama will be holding in November, as well 0:02:47.453 --> 0:02:51.412 as some training programs that will be run through the 0:02:51.412 --> 0:02:57.082 company over the coming weeks. Samara, welcome to Talking Vision. 0:02:57.113 --> 0:02:59.392 Thanks very much for joining us today. 0:02:59.632 --> 0:03:00.922 Thanks so much for having me. 0:03:00.953 --> 0:03:05.692 Now today, Samara, we're here to talk about it's no drama. 0:03:05.722 --> 0:03:08.573 So could you tell us a little bit about it's 0:03:08.572 --> 0:03:09.442 no drama. 0:03:09.713 --> 0:03:13.852 Yeah, sure. It's no drama is an arts company based 0:03:13.852 --> 0:03:19.612 in South Gippsland, in regional Victoria, and we work across 0:03:19.613 --> 0:03:26.183 multiple creative disciplines. We predominantly perform in stage productions, but 0:03:26.183 --> 0:03:31.663 we also work in Puppetry, visual arts, and we also 0:03:31.692 --> 0:03:36.223 work in dance and circus. So basically we try and 0:03:36.223 --> 0:03:39.223 tailor our creative programme to suit the needs of the 0:03:39.223 --> 0:03:41.202 participants who we work with. 0:03:41.232 --> 0:03:44.353 How long has its no drama been running for now? 0:03:44.413 --> 0:03:50.892 It's No drama started back in 2015 when our founding member, 0:03:50.893 --> 0:03:55.123 Emily Ardley, was advocating to local government for a performing 0:03:55.123 --> 0:03:59.293 arts programme for adults with disabilities. So em herself had 0:03:59.293 --> 0:04:04.753 been travelling to Melbourne to participate in performing arts programs 0:04:04.753 --> 0:04:09.013 with Ignition Theatre, with Movement Theatre, Raucous Theatre Company and 0:04:09.013 --> 0:04:13.993 other such performing arts organisations. But she really wanted something 0:04:13.993 --> 0:04:17.323 in her own regional town and felt that that should 0:04:17.323 --> 0:04:22.393 be accessible. And so she really advocated strongly to local government, 0:04:22.423 --> 0:04:25.843 who had an access and inclusion officer at the time 0:04:25.843 --> 0:04:29.223 by the name of Alicia Gilliland, who really helped M 0:04:29.223 --> 0:04:33.303 champion a program which M called It's No Drama, and 0:04:33.303 --> 0:04:36.423 they were lucky to get some funding support from Regional 0:04:36.423 --> 0:04:39.962 Arts Victoria to get a little eight week project off 0:04:39.963 --> 0:04:44.253 the ground that had a public performance outcome, and we 0:04:44.253 --> 0:04:46.863 could sort of really tell back then that we had 0:04:46.863 --> 0:04:50.673 something special. And after that eight week period, we applied 0:04:50.673 --> 0:04:55.113 for more funding grants, and the local government were really supportive, 0:04:55.113 --> 0:04:59.073 and they were sort of auspices and governing the project. 0:04:59.073 --> 0:05:03.423 And then just after the pandemic, we sort of separated 0:05:03.423 --> 0:05:06.153 from local government and set up as an independent arts 0:05:06.153 --> 0:05:09.633 company so that we could sort of build a profile 0:05:09.633 --> 0:05:13.893 for ourselves as an independent entity. And that's been really amazing, 0:05:13.893 --> 0:05:16.413 because it's meant that we can just take our program 0:05:16.413 --> 0:05:19.833 in all sorts of different directions. But it's largely thanks 0:05:19.833 --> 0:05:23.313 to Emily and her creative vision for the company. 0:05:23.343 --> 0:05:27.113 So you've become this permanent fixture and it's really gone 0:05:27.113 --> 0:05:31.163 from strength to strength. And that's really wonderful to hear 0:05:31.163 --> 0:05:35.603 that that's become a reality. So are you based in 0:05:35.603 --> 0:05:40.163 anywhere particularly, or do you sort of move a bit 0:05:40.163 --> 0:05:43.463 around South Gippsland? You sort of go around, I guess, 0:05:43.493 --> 0:05:47.033 you know, Leongatha and Drouin and Warragul and those sort 0:05:47.063 --> 0:05:49.043 of areas, or do you sort of stay put in 0:05:49.043 --> 0:05:49.913 one place? 0:05:49.943 --> 0:05:52.433 That is a really good question. So we try to 0:05:52.463 --> 0:05:55.883 think of ourselves as being without borders. So we do 0:05:55.883 --> 0:05:59.693 like to cross into other areas. Our regular Friday program 0:05:59.693 --> 0:06:03.383 is based in the Leongatha Memorial Hall, but we're also 0:06:03.413 --> 0:06:06.263 working on a community outreach project called dance of the 0:06:06.263 --> 0:06:10.193 leaves in the Fish Creek Memorial Hall. And we've also 0:06:10.193 --> 0:06:12.923 travelled up to Melbourne to collaborate with Back to Back 0:06:12.953 --> 0:06:17.873 Theatre on one of their rising festival programs. And recently, 0:06:17.903 --> 0:06:21.773 Emily and I were in Colac for a Making Change conference. 0:06:21.773 --> 0:06:24.142 So we try and get out and about as much 0:06:24.143 --> 0:06:26.103 as we can whilst we're trying to sort of build 0:06:26.103 --> 0:06:29.702 our profile, but yeah, we focus mostly on Gippsland, but 0:06:29.733 --> 0:06:33.423 we're happy to sort of explore going out into other 0:06:33.423 --> 0:06:34.623 regions as well. 0:06:34.623 --> 0:06:39.933 And you've got a pretty exciting project coming up in November. 0:06:39.933 --> 0:06:44.523 It's entitled melt. So tell us about melt. That's pretty cool. 0:06:44.553 --> 0:06:49.113 Yeah, melt is actually a stage production that's based on 0:06:49.143 --> 0:06:52.772 a mysterious local story and book by Richard. She is 0:06:52.773 --> 0:06:55.383 called The Lady of the swamp, and we wanted to 0:06:55.383 --> 0:06:59.013 take this story because we thought it might connect with locals. 0:06:59.043 --> 0:07:04.233 It's about basically, um, a woman, Margaret Clement, who had 0:07:04.233 --> 0:07:09.153 great wealth and a very privileged high society lifestyle. And 0:07:09.153 --> 0:07:12.933 then she actually purchased a mansion in Tarwin nearby to 0:07:12.963 --> 0:07:17.373 Fish Creek. And slowly, over time, people tricked her out 0:07:17.373 --> 0:07:20.733 of her wealth. And slowly over time, she lost everything. 0:07:20.733 --> 0:07:23.553 So it's sort of this riches to rags story. And 0:07:23.553 --> 0:07:26.393 so at it's no drama within the creative process. We 0:07:26.423 --> 0:07:30.233 decided to explore, you know, what happens when you have everything, 0:07:30.233 --> 0:07:32.693 and then all of a sudden you have nothing. And 0:07:32.693 --> 0:07:36.773 it sort of has raised ideas around the precariousness of life. 0:07:36.773 --> 0:07:39.383 And so that's sort of been our starting point. And 0:07:39.383 --> 0:07:42.383 we're telling it a little bit like a ghost story, 0:07:42.383 --> 0:07:45.713 because the mystery of Margaret Clement was never solved. They 0:07:45.713 --> 0:07:48.743 don't know what happened to her. She disappeared in 1952 0:07:48.773 --> 0:07:51.743 without a trace. So we want to sort of honor 0:07:51.743 --> 0:07:55.373 her story, but also give it a dramatic flavor to it, 0:07:55.373 --> 0:07:58.733 I suppose. So we've been working in shadow dancing and 0:07:58.733 --> 0:08:03.143 some shadow puppetry, and this time around, our performers really 0:08:03.143 --> 0:08:05.483 wanted to go working with scripts, which often we will 0:08:05.483 --> 0:08:08.243 just use physical theatre to tell the story. So very 0:08:08.243 --> 0:08:11.933 movement based and minimal dialogue. But this time the performers 0:08:11.933 --> 0:08:15.503 really wanted to start having a go at text. So 0:08:15.503 --> 0:08:18.533 I've used a bit of text and we've also collaborated 0:08:18.533 --> 0:08:23.933 with some local professional artists in sound design, film projection. 0:08:23.933 --> 0:08:28.193 We have a wonderful costume designer, Mayumi McPhee, who's sketched 0:08:28.193 --> 0:08:32.783 some really stunning costumes for our cast. And we've actually 0:08:32.783 --> 0:08:36.412 also been able to get Richard Valbray to do our 0:08:36.413 --> 0:08:38.873 lighting design. And he does a lot of work in Melbourne, 0:08:38.872 --> 0:08:41.782 so he has a bit of a Gippsland connection, and 0:08:41.783 --> 0:08:45.293 he's decided to come and plan our lighting design for us, 0:08:45.293 --> 0:08:46.882 which is really exciting. 0:08:47.003 --> 0:08:51.982 It's very exciting. Yeah. And Samara, in regards to when 0:08:52.013 --> 0:08:55.223 and where melt is going on, could you give us 0:08:55.223 --> 0:08:56.183 those details? 0:08:56.213 --> 0:08:59.693 Yeah, sure. We've got two shows of melt and they 0:08:59.693 --> 0:09:03.653 will be at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday 0:09:03.683 --> 0:09:07.313 the 29th of November, and both performances are at the 0:09:07.343 --> 0:09:09.292 Leongatha Memorial Hall. 0:09:09.323 --> 0:09:14.453 I'd love to go into the accessibility and inclusion side 0:09:14.453 --> 0:09:18.172 of it's no drama, just flesh that out a little bit. 0:09:18.173 --> 0:09:21.532 And from that origin that you were talking about, where 0:09:21.533 --> 0:09:26.042 you had that access and Inclusion Foundation. Could you tell 0:09:26.073 --> 0:09:29.673 us a bit more about how it's no. Drama has 0:09:29.673 --> 0:09:35.193 continued to be an accessible and inclusive theatre company for 0:09:35.193 --> 0:09:36.843 people around Gippsland. 0:09:36.872 --> 0:09:42.032 Yeah, so we're really interested in advocating for people from 0:09:42.033 --> 0:09:45.512 diverse lived experiences to be able to be involved in 0:09:45.512 --> 0:09:50.673 professionally supported arts projects. So anybody can be involved in 0:09:50.673 --> 0:09:54.063 our programs. We don't expect anybody to fit into any 0:09:54.063 --> 0:09:58.443 particular mould. And we're really our creative programs are really 0:09:58.443 --> 0:10:01.982 driven by the people who come along. So that's one thing. 0:10:01.982 --> 0:10:05.373 And then the second thing is that we're always trying 0:10:05.402 --> 0:10:09.002 to be as accessible as possible in all of our projects. 0:10:09.002 --> 0:10:12.063 So for melt, this will be the first time that 0:10:12.063 --> 0:10:16.862 we're having tactile tours for a stage production and audio 0:10:16.862 --> 0:10:21.363 description for a stage performance, so we're really lucky to 0:10:21.392 --> 0:10:24.552 be able to get support from Regional Arts Victoria for 0:10:24.553 --> 0:10:27.642 this melt project, and that is supporting us to be 0:10:27.673 --> 0:10:30.043 able to make sure that we've got those elements in 0:10:30.043 --> 0:10:33.373 place so that we can cater to audiences who are 0:10:33.372 --> 0:10:36.163 blind or have low vision. And yeah, it's exciting that 0:10:36.163 --> 0:10:39.402 that's the beginning of something that we can continue doing, 0:10:39.402 --> 0:10:42.703 and we've been able to work with Vita Veritas to 0:10:42.732 --> 0:10:44.862 be able to do the audio description and the tactile 0:10:44.892 --> 0:10:46.963 tours for all of the performances. 0:10:46.992 --> 0:10:50.892 I'll get some details about the audio description and the 0:10:50.892 --> 0:10:56.053 tactile tours at the end. But in the meantime, Samara, 0:10:56.053 --> 0:10:58.362 what I might do is just ask you a bit 0:10:58.362 --> 0:11:02.232 about the training programs that you've got set up that 0:11:02.232 --> 0:11:04.392 are coming up in the next few weeks. Tell us 0:11:04.392 --> 0:11:05.532 a bit about them. 0:11:05.563 --> 0:11:08.892 Yeah, well, we want to be able to offer new 0:11:08.892 --> 0:11:13.783 learning and professional development opportunities, not just for our small team, 0:11:13.783 --> 0:11:16.933 but also for anybody else in the Gippsland area who 0:11:16.933 --> 0:11:22.923 might be running venues for events or galleries or independent artists, 0:11:22.953 --> 0:11:26.732 people who might be, you know, working in performance, managing 0:11:26.762 --> 0:11:30.303 festivals and so on, that they might be able to 0:11:30.333 --> 0:11:33.632 invest some time in doing some training to improve the 0:11:33.632 --> 0:11:37.172 accessibility of their particular events. And so we've got an 0:11:37.173 --> 0:11:40.323 introduction to blind and low vision accessibility in the arts 0:11:40.352 --> 0:11:43.232 online training set up, which is going to be held 0:11:43.232 --> 0:11:47.313 on Thursday the 31st of October. And that training programme 0:11:47.343 --> 0:11:51.063 is going to be co-facilitated by Francois Jacobs and Nilgun 0:11:51.063 --> 0:11:53.072 Guven from Vita Veritas. 0:11:53.102 --> 0:11:56.823 And to find out a little bit more about those 0:11:56.823 --> 0:12:02.882 tactile tours and audio description organised through Vita Veritas, you 0:12:02.882 --> 0:12:07.772 can head to the Vita Veritas website at Vita Veritas. 0:12:07.772 --> 0:12:15.152 Com.au that's Vita e v e r I t a 0:12:15.152 --> 0:12:21.652 s.com dot a u. And um, just to wrap up. Samara, 0:12:21.683 --> 0:12:25.793 I'd love to get some details about how people can 0:12:25.793 --> 0:12:30.292 perhaps get in touch with its snow drama. Or perhaps 0:12:30.293 --> 0:12:33.473 there's a couple of places they can head to to 0:12:33.502 --> 0:12:34.643 find out more. 0:12:34.793 --> 0:12:37.943 If people are interested in finding out about coming along 0:12:37.973 --> 0:12:41.122 to the show, they are welcome to email me at 0:12:41.122 --> 0:12:50.242 Samara at it'sno drama.com or to phone me on 04394743. 0:12:50.392 --> 0:12:55.192 Okay. I've been speaking today with Samara Cunningham from It's 0:12:55.193 --> 0:13:01.133 No Drama, talking to me today about the upcoming productions 0:13:01.223 --> 0:13:06.413 held through its snow drama, including melt, as well as 0:13:06.413 --> 0:13:11.333 some training programs coming up very shortly for people out 0:13:11.333 --> 0:13:15.862 in the Gippsland area. Samara, thank you so much for 0:13:15.862 --> 0:13:18.562 your time today. Great to catch up with you and 0:13:18.563 --> 0:13:20.502 chat all about. It's no drama. 0:13:20.533 --> 0:13:22.663 Thanks for the opportunity, Sam. 0:13:29.323 --> 0:13:32.893 I'm Sam Coley, and you're listening to Talking Vision. On 0:13:32.892 --> 0:13:38.323 Vision Australia radio, associated stations of Reading Radio and the 0:13:38.323 --> 0:13:43.632 Community Radio Network. I hope you enjoyed that conversation there 0:13:43.632 --> 0:13:48.733 with Samara from It's No Drama, talking to us about 0:13:48.732 --> 0:13:52.782 the upcoming things in store for people in the South 0:13:52.813 --> 0:13:57.433 Gippsland region. If you missed any part of that conversation 0:13:57.433 --> 0:14:00.823 with Samara or you'd love to hear it again, Talking 0:14:00.823 --> 0:14:05.323 Vision is available on the podcast platform of your choice 0:14:05.352 --> 0:14:09.703 or through the Vision Australia library. You can also find 0:14:09.703 --> 0:14:15.642 the show on the Vision Australia Radio website at VA radio.org. 0:14:15.642 --> 0:14:21.833 That's VA radio all one word.org in a month's time 0:14:21.833 --> 0:14:25.703 from now, in the lead up to Christmas, Vision Australia 0:14:25.703 --> 0:14:30.413 will be holding the Santa's Fun Run over two cities 0:14:30.413 --> 0:14:36.033 on November the 23rd in Melbourne, followed by the November 0:14:36.033 --> 0:14:41.273 30th event taking place in Sydney. To have a chat 0:14:41.273 --> 0:14:45.413 with us about the Santa's Fun Run to raise vital 0:14:45.413 --> 0:14:49.193 funds for children and young people who are blind or 0:14:49.193 --> 0:14:53.542 have low vision. I'm very pleased to be joined by 0:14:53.573 --> 0:14:59.003 Hasitha Hashim from the Children and Young People team in Melbourne, 0:14:59.003 --> 0:15:03.083 as well as a very special guest joining us all 0:15:03.083 --> 0:15:07.733 the way from the North Pole, Santa Rosita. Welcome to 0:15:07.763 --> 0:15:11.333 Talking Vision. Thank you very much for joining me today. 0:15:11.333 --> 0:15:12.023 Thank you. 0:15:12.533 --> 0:15:13.613 It's good to be here. 0:15:13.643 --> 0:15:16.493 Great to have you both. Now, Santa, I'm going to 0:15:16.493 --> 0:15:19.753 start with you. Tell us a little bit about what 0:15:19.753 --> 0:15:22.692 you'll be up to at the Santa Fun Run coming 0:15:22.693 --> 0:15:23.893 up later this year. 0:15:23.923 --> 0:15:26.832 Well, I'm glad you mention it. The Santa Fun Run 0:15:26.833 --> 0:15:31.483 is coming up November 23rd, in Melbourne and debuting this 0:15:31.483 --> 0:15:34.573 year in Sydney on November 30th. It's going to be 0:15:34.573 --> 0:15:37.932 a great time where people can come and maybe walk, 0:15:37.963 --> 0:15:41.053 maybe jog, maybe run, even roll if they want to. 0:15:41.083 --> 0:15:43.813 A wonderful time to get into the Christmas spirit for 0:15:43.813 --> 0:15:45.792 a fantastic cause, and it's. 0:15:45.793 --> 0:15:49.333 Great to hear all about it. So what is the 0:15:49.333 --> 0:15:51.523 Santa Fun Run all about? 0:15:51.553 --> 0:15:54.282 Well, the Santa Fun Run is a great opportunity raising 0:15:54.283 --> 0:15:58.003 money for blind or low vision young people so they 0:15:58.003 --> 0:15:59.863 can have a wonderful Christmas. 0:15:59.893 --> 0:16:03.613 After the run. I understand the fun doesn't stop, does it, Santa? 0:16:03.643 --> 0:16:07.032 You are right indeed. After the run, there will be 0:16:07.033 --> 0:16:10.123 an event. We're going to set up a Christmas village 0:16:10.123 --> 0:16:13.903 where you can unwind and enjoy the festivities of Christmas. 0:16:13.903 --> 0:16:16.963 There'll be singing, there'll be some sausages to eat. There'll 0:16:17.013 --> 0:16:19.353 be a good time for all. We have a special 0:16:19.353 --> 0:16:23.313 guest joining us this year. Do you know musician Bonnie Anderson? Oh, well, 0:16:23.313 --> 0:16:26.553 she will be there and there'll be an interactive children's 0:16:26.583 --> 0:16:29.733 activity hub. Some delicious food. I know you love that. 0:16:29.763 --> 0:16:34.083 Live festive tunes and the adorable Seeing Eye dogs. And 0:16:34.083 --> 0:16:38.433 I'll be there giving out some wonderful giveaways from our partners, Brooks. 0:16:38.463 --> 0:16:42.063 And if people would love to register for this event 0:16:42.063 --> 0:16:45.662 to head along Santa, what are those dates for people? 0:16:45.663 --> 0:16:48.813 Well, for those early birds who want to get in early, 0:16:48.813 --> 0:16:51.363 if they register by the end of the month, it 0:16:51.363 --> 0:16:53.792 will be great, but you can register any time up 0:16:53.793 --> 0:16:56.073 to the day. It will be great time you come 0:16:56.073 --> 0:17:00.753 and you visit Santa fun run Wargo and you can 0:17:00.753 --> 0:17:01.803 register there. 0:17:01.833 --> 0:17:05.133 Why is taking part in the Santa Fun Run so 0:17:05.133 --> 0:17:06.423 important center? 0:17:06.453 --> 0:17:09.633 It's a great time where you can have fun, get fit, 0:17:09.633 --> 0:17:14.403 but also raising some money for low vision and blind 0:17:14.433 --> 0:17:18.203 children in our community to give them a wonderful Christmas. 0:17:18.233 --> 0:17:22.553 And this is where you come in, because I understand 0:17:22.553 --> 0:17:26.873 the Santa Fun Run is also directly supporting Vision Australia's 0:17:26.873 --> 0:17:30.173 Life Ready program. So how does this sort of thing 0:17:30.173 --> 0:17:32.243 help our services in that way? 0:17:32.243 --> 0:17:35.483 That's right. So the Life Ready program is designed to 0:17:35.513 --> 0:17:38.243 equip children with who are blind or have low vision, 0:17:38.243 --> 0:17:41.423 with the foundation skills, the tools and the resources and 0:17:41.423 --> 0:17:44.303 the confidence they need to thrive. It provides the critical 0:17:44.303 --> 0:17:47.993 support helping these children navigate everyday challenges and building a 0:17:47.993 --> 0:17:49.853 strong foundation for their future. 0:17:49.883 --> 0:17:53.603 And Santa will go back to you. Just to wrap up, 0:17:53.603 --> 0:17:57.473 what are some final messages you have for all the 0:17:57.473 --> 0:18:00.713 kids and all the Christmas lovers out there? 0:18:00.713 --> 0:18:04.403 Well, I would say register now get on the internet 0:18:04.403 --> 0:18:09.443 at Santa Fun Run. Com.au and register now either for 0:18:09.443 --> 0:18:14.333 Melbourne on November the 23rd or for Sydney, November the 30th. 0:18:14.363 --> 0:18:17.503 Come along, it will be a great time. There's opportunities 0:18:17.503 --> 0:18:20.413 to donate and if you want to, you could even 0:18:20.413 --> 0:18:23.713 get a lovely Santa Fun Run t shirt. 0:18:23.743 --> 0:18:28.273 Oh, lovely. Okay. And somebody who's wearing that Santa Fun 0:18:28.273 --> 0:18:29.533 Run t shirt and looks. 0:18:29.533 --> 0:18:30.313 Very good, I must. 0:18:30.313 --> 0:18:35.383 Say, is Harshita from the Children and Young People program. 0:18:35.413 --> 0:18:39.133 Understand the funds raised through the Santa Fun Run will, 0:18:39.163 --> 0:18:42.403 as you've said, make a direct impact by allowing Vision 0:18:42.403 --> 0:18:47.953 Australia to continue offering these essential services. So why are 0:18:47.953 --> 0:18:51.823 those services so essential for children and young people around 0:18:51.823 --> 0:18:54.373 the country who are blind or have low vision? 0:18:54.373 --> 0:18:56.443 So raising a child who is blind and has low 0:18:56.443 --> 0:18:59.623 vision can come with its unique set of challenges. And 0:18:59.623 --> 0:19:04.183 so here at Vision Australia, we provide a provide holistic support, 0:19:04.213 --> 0:19:07.333 not only working with the child who has blindness and 0:19:07.333 --> 0:19:10.063 low vision, but also working with the families, helping them 0:19:10.063 --> 0:19:15.383 to navigate everything from early intervention, independent skills, social skills 0:19:15.563 --> 0:19:20.123 orientation and mobility. Technology skills, Braille skills. So there's a 0:19:20.123 --> 0:19:23.063 whole raft of skills that we we want to try 0:19:23.063 --> 0:19:26.573 and ensure that the children have those foundation skills to 0:19:26.603 --> 0:19:29.723 set them up for, for later life, as well as 0:19:29.723 --> 0:19:32.453 ensuring that they have a emotional well-being. 0:19:32.453 --> 0:19:36.353 And at the Santa Fun Run Hachita, as Santa mentioned, 0:19:36.383 --> 0:19:38.933 there'll be an activity hub. So tell us a bit 0:19:38.933 --> 0:19:39.653 about that. 0:19:39.683 --> 0:19:42.983 Yeah, we'll have some fun for the kids of all ages. 0:19:42.983 --> 0:19:46.103 So there'll be some Christmas decorations. So a bit of 0:19:46.103 --> 0:19:49.463 art and craft with some tactile Christmas decorations that you 0:19:49.463 --> 0:19:51.353 can make, either to take home and put on your 0:19:51.353 --> 0:19:53.363 Christmas tree at home, or there will also be a 0:19:53.363 --> 0:19:57.322 tree at the Tan in Melbourne. And also, I believe 0:19:57.323 --> 0:20:00.773 in Sydney. So you could choose to share your Christmas 0:20:00.773 --> 0:20:04.403 decoration with the tree on the tree. We'll also have 0:20:04.403 --> 0:20:08.723 some opportunities for kids and adults to to do a 0:20:08.723 --> 0:20:12.052 bit of brailling and really have a better understanding of 0:20:12.053 --> 0:20:15.013 what Braille looks like and feels like. And you might 0:20:15.013 --> 0:20:17.383 be able to make yourself a Braille bookmark. 0:20:17.383 --> 0:20:20.233 And also there will be the Seeing eye dogs there 0:20:20.233 --> 0:20:23.053 as puppies. They're not they're not fully trained yet, but 0:20:23.053 --> 0:20:25.063 they will be there. So you can come down and 0:20:25.063 --> 0:20:27.943 have a pat of a seeing eye dog in training. 0:20:27.943 --> 0:20:29.203 It'll be a great time. 0:20:29.203 --> 0:20:33.613 Everyone loves puppies, so that's a surefire way to get 0:20:33.643 --> 0:20:38.083 quite a few people interested and heading along. Of course, 0:20:38.083 --> 0:20:42.733 this event is a fantastic opportunity for families to get 0:20:42.733 --> 0:20:45.883 together and get into the Christmas spirit, isn't it? Yeah, 0:20:45.883 --> 0:20:46.633 it sure is. 0:20:46.693 --> 0:20:50.443 It's a great opportunity for families to meet other families 0:20:50.443 --> 0:20:53.893 who have a child with vision impairment, share, share their experiences, 0:20:53.893 --> 0:20:56.923 and be inspired by the incredible children who are taking part. 0:20:56.953 --> 0:20:58.903 By joining the Santa's Fun Run, you're helping to support 0:20:58.903 --> 0:21:01.903 these children and make a lasting difference in their lives. 0:21:01.903 --> 0:21:03.493 Making friends for life. 0:21:03.523 --> 0:21:04.303 That's right. 0:21:04.633 --> 0:21:07.963 Absolutely. Oh well, thank you very much to you both 0:21:07.963 --> 0:21:11.833 for having a chat with me today and highlighting all 0:21:11.833 --> 0:21:16.263 the fantastic activities in store for people as they head 0:21:16.263 --> 0:21:20.153 along to the Santa's Fun Run in Melbourne on November 0:21:20.153 --> 0:21:24.273 the 23rd, or in Sydney on November the 30th. Thank 0:21:24.303 --> 0:21:24.573 you very. 0:21:24.573 --> 0:21:26.133 Much. Thank you for having us. 0:21:26.163 --> 0:21:29.913 And before we go, we've got a very special quick 0:21:29.913 --> 0:21:33.093 final message from Santa himself. 0:21:33.183 --> 0:21:37.383 Ho ho ho. Merry Christmas. Thank you for helping light 0:21:37.413 --> 0:21:40.293 up the lives of children who are blind or have 0:21:40.293 --> 0:21:43.623 low vision this Christmas. Merry Christmas! 0:21:47.193 --> 0:21:50.553 Over the past few weeks, you've probably heard that Vision 0:21:50.583 --> 0:21:56.343 Australia Radio 2024 listener survey is underway. There's still a 0:21:56.343 --> 0:21:59.553 week to go, so if you'd love to have your 0:21:59.583 --> 0:22:03.033 say and you haven't yet, please feel free to get 0:22:03.033 --> 0:22:06.032 in touch. We want to hear from you. What do 0:22:06.033 --> 0:22:09.093 you love about our service? What can we do better? 0:22:09.093 --> 0:22:12.923 And where are you listening from? your feedback can shape 0:22:12.923 --> 0:22:16.823 our future. Plus, you'll have a chance to win one 0:22:16.823 --> 0:22:21.863 of eight Amazon Echo Pop with Alexa smart devices so 0:22:21.863 --> 0:22:26.273 you can listen to Vision Australia Radio hands free. Terms 0:22:26.273 --> 0:22:31.613 and conditions apply. Visit VA radio.org and click the home 0:22:31.643 --> 0:22:37.733 page link to take part. That's VA radio.org. And in 0:22:37.733 --> 0:22:41.273 other news, we're excited to share that we've won three 0:22:41.303 --> 0:22:48.593 incredible awards at the recent CB Double-A Community Radio Awards night. 0:22:48.803 --> 0:22:53.423 We're thrilled to congratulate Peter Greco from our Adelaide team 0:22:53.453 --> 0:22:58.613 on winning the Outstanding Presenter, News and Current Affairs Award. 0:22:58.643 --> 0:23:02.393 Peter has been a beloved voice on Vision Australia Radio 0:23:02.393 --> 0:23:07.253 for over 33 years, generously volunteering his time and sharing 0:23:07.253 --> 0:23:12.393 his personal experiences as a blind Broadcaster. His passion for 0:23:12.393 --> 0:23:17.523 community broadcasting has touched countless lives across Australia and his 0:23:17.553 --> 0:23:22.143 with his work shining a spotlight on issues that truly matter. 0:23:22.953 --> 0:23:28.113 The second award was for best program talks taken out 0:23:28.113 --> 0:23:33.603 by the Happy Pants team from our Perth studios. The 0:23:33.603 --> 0:23:37.773 team's dedication to supporting the learning and developmental needs of 0:23:37.773 --> 0:23:40.893 children who are blind or have low vision is as 0:23:40.893 --> 0:23:44.793 inspiring as it is important. We couldn't be more grateful 0:23:44.793 --> 0:23:50.163 for their contribution. And finally, in Best Program News and 0:23:50.163 --> 0:23:55.203 Current Affairs, this recognition highlights the importance of ensuring that 0:23:55.203 --> 0:24:00.513 stories about disability and inclusion reach a wider audience. We're 0:24:00.513 --> 0:24:03.933 so proud of the Studio One team of Sam Rickard 0:24:03.933 --> 0:24:07.863 and Lizzie Eastham for their incredible work in bringing their 0:24:07.863 --> 0:24:11.723 lived experience to the program each week to highlight the 0:24:11.723 --> 0:24:17.003 wide range of issues that blind and low vision people experience. 0:24:17.333 --> 0:24:20.453 All three of these award winners speak to the hard 0:24:20.453 --> 0:24:24.593 work and passion of the entire Vision Australia radio team, 0:24:24.593 --> 0:24:29.753 showcasing the quality and consistency of our content. It shows 0:24:29.753 --> 0:24:35.753 our commitment to amplifying voices, representing diverse experiences and ensuring 0:24:35.783 --> 0:24:40.523 accessibility remains at the forefront of everything we do. A 0:24:40.523 --> 0:24:43.433 huge thank you to all of our Vision Australia radio 0:24:43.433 --> 0:24:48.023 teams for their continued excellence, and to the TBWA for 0:24:48.023 --> 0:24:59.573 such an incredible night of recognition. And now here's Frances 0:24:59.603 --> 0:25:01.703 Kelland with her radar recommended. 0:25:01.703 --> 0:25:05.273 Thank you Sam. This week's reader recommended is Come on 0:25:05.273 --> 0:25:11.353 Papa by Ryan Knighton. This book describes Knighton's voyage to 0:25:11.383 --> 0:25:15.103 the first year of fatherhood, made more daunting by his blindness. 0:25:15.133 --> 0:25:18.133 He wonders how he will get to know his pre-verbal 0:25:18.163 --> 0:25:21.013 bundle of coos and burps when he can't see her 0:25:21.013 --> 0:25:24.643 smile or look into her eyes. Tackling these hurdles with 0:25:24.643 --> 0:25:27.643 grace and humour, Ryan is determined to do his part 0:25:27.643 --> 0:25:31.273 as a father despite the pitfalls. Let's hear a sample 0:25:31.273 --> 0:25:35.713 of Come On Papa by Ryan Knighton. It's narrated by 0:25:35.713 --> 0:25:37.123 Bruce Roney. 0:25:37.483 --> 0:25:41.923 Our first home was an eyesore. The kitchen alone was 0:25:41.923 --> 0:25:47.683 a pastel pink, peach yellow and minty green sampler. The 0:25:47.683 --> 0:25:51.313 day we took possession, my wife Tracy shaded her eyes 0:25:51.313 --> 0:25:57.013 and started to paint. I didn't. As with so many situations, 0:25:57.013 --> 0:26:01.753 I stood around and watched. Sort of. By that point 0:26:01.753 --> 0:26:06.343 in our lives, I'd been going blind for reasons unrelated 0:26:06.343 --> 0:26:09.963 to our kitchen's color scheme for more than a decade. 0:26:10.653 --> 0:26:17.313 My condition is called retinitis pigmentosa. Poorly behaved genes programmed 0:26:17.313 --> 0:26:25.023 my retinas to painlessly self-destruct. Very, very slowly. Seems like 0:26:25.023 --> 0:26:29.463 they just bored themselves to death. Sometimes my blindness feels 0:26:29.463 --> 0:26:34.233 that way. Consider that Tracy had to describe hundreds of 0:26:34.233 --> 0:26:37.953 paint chips to me before picking one. I loved her 0:26:37.953 --> 0:26:42.393 for trying to include me and felt blinder for having listened. 0:26:42.393 --> 0:26:46.893 And that was Come On Papa by Ryan Knighton. Just 0:26:46.893 --> 0:26:50.193 one of the many over 40,000 audiobooks that you can 0:26:50.223 --> 0:26:53.943 borrow from the Vision Australia library. To call the library, 0:26:53.943 --> 0:27:03.213 the number is 1300 654 656. That's 1300 654 656. Or email them at 0:27:03.213 --> 0:27:07.933 library at Vision Australia. Org that's library at Vision Australia. 0:27:08.173 --> 0:27:11.563 Org and that's all the time we have for today. 0:27:11.593 --> 0:27:15.913 You've been listening to Talking Vision. Talking vision is a 0:27:15.913 --> 0:27:20.353 Vision Australia radio production. Thanks to all involved with putting 0:27:20.353 --> 0:27:24.223 the show together every week. And remember, we love hearing 0:27:24.223 --> 0:27:27.223 from you. So please get in touch any time on 0:27:27.223 --> 0:27:32.473 our email at Talking Vision. At Vision australia.org. That's talking 0:27:32.473 --> 0:27:37.483 vision all one word at Vision australia.org. But until next 0:27:37.483 --> 0:27:40.483 week it's Sam Kerley saying bye for now. 0:27:43.903 --> 0:27:48.072 You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during 0:27:48.073 --> 0:27:59.923 business hours on 1300 847 406. That's 1300 847 406 or by visiting Vision australia.org. 0:27:59.953 --> 0:28:02.473 That's Vision australia.org.