WEBVTT - Talking Vision 720 Week Beginning 18th of March 2024 0:00:13.218 --> 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. 0:00:23.458 --> 0:00:26.578 Hello everyone. It's great to be here with you. And 0:00:26.578 --> 0:00:29.548 for the next half hour we talk matters of blindness 0:00:29.548 --> 0:00:30.658 and low vision. 0:00:30.868 --> 0:00:33.748 The biggest thing, I think, for the blind, low vision 0:00:33.748 --> 0:00:37.228 climate is having a site guide that can read the 0:00:37.228 --> 0:00:39.388 wall for them and guide them up that wall, the 0:00:39.388 --> 0:00:42.358 best and most efficient way possible. And that's where Ben 0:00:42.358 --> 0:00:44.788 comes in, not just as my coach, but also as 0:00:44.788 --> 0:00:48.718 my guide. Who can. We basically develop a strong communication 0:00:48.718 --> 0:00:50.818 bond to help me get the supply off that wall 0:00:50.818 --> 0:00:51.538 as possible. 0:00:51.778 --> 0:00:55.708 Welcome to the program. This week we feature the second 0:00:55.708 --> 0:00:59.878 of our para climbers heading to the AFC Para Climbing 0:00:59.878 --> 0:01:04.048 World Cups later this year, starting in the USA and 0:01:04.048 --> 0:01:08.098 moving over to Austria and then France later in the year. 0:01:08.668 --> 0:01:11.758 His name is Jason Water. You may have heard him 0:01:11.758 --> 0:01:14.938 on the show before. He's joining me today with his 0:01:14.938 --> 0:01:18.928 coach and sighted guide, Ben Dalby. You'll hear from them 0:01:18.928 --> 0:01:22.408 very shortly, so make sure to stick around and then 0:01:22.408 --> 0:01:25.528 after you hear from Jason and Ben Leon from the 0:01:25.528 --> 0:01:28.258 libraries on the show, to tell us a little bit 0:01:28.258 --> 0:01:32.578 about some events coming up in the Vision Australia library. 0:01:32.758 --> 0:01:37.558 And to finish off today, we hear from Jason Gibbs. 0:01:37.558 --> 0:01:40.858 He's telling us all about 100 K your way, a 0:01:40.858 --> 0:01:43.948 way to get fit and active over the month of April, 0:01:43.948 --> 0:01:49.228 while also raising vital funds for Vision Australia. I hope 0:01:49.228 --> 0:01:57.498 you enjoy this week's episode of Talking Vision. Last week 0:01:57.498 --> 0:02:00.888 we heard from Sarah Larkham, who was heading along to 0:02:00.888 --> 0:02:05.238 the FSA World Cups later this year in Salt Lake 0:02:05.238 --> 0:02:09.708 City as part of the Australian para climbing team. Well, 0:02:09.708 --> 0:02:13.848 today we've got a second member of the team. His 0:02:13.848 --> 0:02:17.178 name is Jason Water. He's a name you may be 0:02:17.178 --> 0:02:20.358 familiar with if you're a long term listen to the show. 0:02:20.358 --> 0:02:22.788 He's been on the show a few times. He joins 0:02:22.788 --> 0:02:27.348 me today alongside his sighted guide and coach Ben Dalby, 0:02:27.348 --> 0:02:32.298 to chat about power climbing and how to get involved. Jason. Ben, 0:02:32.298 --> 0:02:35.328 welcome to Talking Vision. Thanks so much for your time. 0:02:35.928 --> 0:02:36.468 Thanks for having us. 0:02:36.858 --> 0:02:38.178 Yeah, thanks. Good to chat. 0:02:38.418 --> 0:02:41.688 Tell us a little bit more about yourselves and involvement 0:02:41.688 --> 0:02:44.418 in para climbing. Jason will come to you first. 0:02:44.688 --> 0:02:49.158 Okay, well, I've only I'm new to the scene of climbing. 0:02:49.158 --> 0:02:53.538 I started training with Ben less than a year ago, 0:02:54.048 --> 0:02:57.408 and I fell into it because I took one of 0:02:57.408 --> 0:03:01.338 my personal training clients to a climbing gym where Ben worked. 0:03:01.818 --> 0:03:05.118 And when I saw my client go up the wall, 0:03:05.118 --> 0:03:07.608 I thought, I'll have a try too. So I did, 0:03:07.608 --> 0:03:14.658 and from there I haven't looked down since. Um, but yeah, it's, um, 0:03:14.658 --> 0:03:17.178 been quite an experience. And then after I've done that, 0:03:17.178 --> 0:03:18.918 I thought, I'm going to look into this to see 0:03:18.918 --> 0:03:22.518 what sporting avenues there were. And so happens that there 0:03:22.518 --> 0:03:25.488 was a para climbing division to it. And there is 0:03:25.488 --> 0:03:28.998 also a blind category for it. So I decided straight 0:03:28.998 --> 0:03:32.718 away then that I have to compete and so reach 0:03:32.718 --> 0:03:35.538 out to Ben. He jumped on board. So yeah, jumped 0:03:35.538 --> 0:03:38.088 on board to help. And here we are now, ready 0:03:38.088 --> 0:03:41.298 to compete in the New South Wales and Act state 0:03:41.298 --> 0:03:44.898 titles and going hopefully on to Innsbruck in Austria. 0:03:45.138 --> 0:03:48.318 Fantastic. And, um, Ben will come to you now. 0:03:48.828 --> 0:03:53.688 So my history with climbing goes back about 11 years. 0:03:53.718 --> 0:03:57.078 I started climbing when I was a teenager, started coaching 0:03:57.078 --> 0:04:01.308 maybe 4 or 5 years ago. I started setting climbs 0:04:01.308 --> 0:04:05.358 2 or 3 years ago. I've started building climbing walls, 0:04:05.358 --> 0:04:09.438 building climbing holds. So I'm very much enmeshed in the 0:04:09.438 --> 0:04:14.478 climbing community. And now I'm also coaching. And Jason, a 0:04:14.478 --> 0:04:18.318 vision impaired climber and planning and coaching, oversees site guidance 0:04:18.348 --> 0:04:21.618 for him. So sort of very much involved in almost 0:04:21.618 --> 0:04:24.138 all aspects of climbing at the moment. And it's very 0:04:24.138 --> 0:04:27.138 exciting to be able to go overseas and sort of 0:04:27.138 --> 0:04:27.858 do what I love. 0:04:28.008 --> 0:04:31.518 Now we've heard a little bit about para climbing itself, 0:04:31.518 --> 0:04:33.918 but Jason, could you tell us a little bit about 0:04:33.918 --> 0:04:38.478 some specifics to para climbing for people who are blind 0:04:38.478 --> 0:04:42.168 or have low vision in particular, people may be wondering 0:04:42.168 --> 0:04:45.048 if there are sort of any differences, what sort of 0:04:45.048 --> 0:04:48.468 adaptations and aspects there are to that. 0:04:48.648 --> 0:04:48.978 Sure. 0:04:48.978 --> 0:04:51.048 Well, as I said, I'm pretty new to the sport, 0:04:51.048 --> 0:04:53.058 so I don't know all that much. But what I 0:04:53.058 --> 0:04:55.368 do know for the blind and low vision, we have 0:04:55.368 --> 0:04:58.008 three categories that we do. Most of the sports. So 0:04:58.008 --> 0:05:00.378 we except for the exception of B4. So there's the 0:05:00.378 --> 0:05:04.368 B1 category, which is those who have the least sight 0:05:04.368 --> 0:05:08.688 and they would generally wear a blindfold whilst climbing. Then 0:05:08.688 --> 0:05:12.408 the B2 division, which is my category and that is 0:05:12.408 --> 0:05:15.318 those with some vision. For me there's no vision, my 0:05:15.318 --> 0:05:17.688 left eye and very, very central vision in my right eye. 0:05:17.688 --> 0:05:20.988 And then you have B3 again. For my understanding, they 0:05:20.988 --> 0:05:25.758 set the climb accordingly to the vision impairment. So for 0:05:25.758 --> 0:05:28.938 B1 the climb might be a lot easier than it 0:05:28.938 --> 0:05:31.758 is for a base rate climber. Again, that's my understanding. 0:05:31.758 --> 0:05:33.828 That could potentially all use the same climb. But the 0:05:33.828 --> 0:05:37.038 biggest thing I think for the blind low vision climbers 0:05:37.038 --> 0:05:40.368 is having a site guide that can read the wall 0:05:40.368 --> 0:05:42.258 for them and guide them up. That will be the 0:05:42.258 --> 0:05:45.198 best and most efficient way possible. And that's where Ben 0:05:45.198 --> 0:05:47.658 comes in, not just as my coach, but also as 0:05:47.658 --> 0:05:50.958 my site guide. Who can. We basically develop a strong 0:05:50.958 --> 0:05:54.408 communication bond to help me get that wall as possible. 0:05:54.828 --> 0:05:57.228 Also for my understanding is the ropes they use is 0:05:57.228 --> 0:05:59.748 quite different. So mainstream climbers will do what they call 0:05:59.748 --> 0:06:01.998 lean climbing, where you've got to clip yourself in at 0:06:01.998 --> 0:06:05.148 intervals up the wall, whereas the para climbing community or 0:06:05.328 --> 0:06:07.608 para climbing teams, they will use a top rope. So 0:06:07.608 --> 0:06:10.098 you're secured from the top so there's no clipping in. 0:06:10.698 --> 0:06:13.968 And Ben, had you done any work with blind or 0:06:13.968 --> 0:06:16.488 low vision athletes before you met Jason? 0:06:16.998 --> 0:06:20.718 No, not really. I had seen a couple low vision 0:06:20.718 --> 0:06:24.348 climbers in the gym before, but never really anything with them. 0:06:24.798 --> 0:06:28.068 I had seen a few other things coming through the 0:06:28.068 --> 0:06:31.758 gym as well. One is got an amputated leg, another 0:06:31.758 --> 0:06:34.878 one who was wheelchair bound but never actively coached them, 0:06:34.878 --> 0:06:38.148 never actively coached anyone with any sort of disability. And 0:06:38.148 --> 0:06:39.348 to Jason, what's. 0:06:39.348 --> 0:06:42.168 The learning curve been like as a sighted guide? What 0:06:42.168 --> 0:06:44.988 sort of been really you've taken like a duck to 0:06:44.988 --> 0:06:48.228 water or what else has been kind of a challenge or, 0:06:48.228 --> 0:06:50.748 you know, what sort of that experience been like for you? 0:06:51.138 --> 0:06:53.448 Yeah, it's been good that I've been climbing for so long, 0:06:53.448 --> 0:06:55.368 and I've been coaching for so long because a lot 0:06:55.368 --> 0:06:58.848 of the skill. Giving good advice on how to climb 0:06:58.848 --> 0:07:01.998 up through the roof, but it has been much harder 0:07:01.998 --> 0:07:05.028 than a normal coach client, because I have to sort 0:07:05.028 --> 0:07:08.958 of adapt to Jason's current knowledge and ability about climbing. 0:07:08.958 --> 0:07:13.728 So if Jason was like a climber before having gone blind, 0:07:13.728 --> 0:07:15.348 I think it would have been a whole lot easier 0:07:15.618 --> 0:07:18.048 because he had already had quite a good intuition for climbing. 0:07:18.258 --> 0:07:21.378 But because Jason's come to it after already lost a 0:07:21.378 --> 0:07:24.078 lot of his vision, we have to sort of start 0:07:24.078 --> 0:07:29.208 from absolute basics and really build up our communication style 0:07:29.208 --> 0:07:33.678 and his knowledge around climbing and sort of add complexities 0:07:33.678 --> 0:07:36.468 to our own language as we're going. So we're both 0:07:36.468 --> 0:07:38.388 sort of learning from each other as we go and 0:07:38.388 --> 0:07:42.138 both adapting our communication style as we go, which is 0:07:42.138 --> 0:07:44.268 quite interesting, but it's quite challenging as well. 0:07:44.268 --> 0:07:47.808 Oh for sure. And Jason, what sort of been the 0:07:47.808 --> 0:07:51.528 process for you that you and Ben have settled upon? 0:07:51.528 --> 0:07:54.738 What sort of the way that you've decided that seems 0:07:54.738 --> 0:07:56.598 to work for you both really? Well? 0:07:56.598 --> 0:07:59.118 Well, I think it's something we're constantly trialling and error 0:07:59.118 --> 0:08:02.328 and basically adapting and adjusting here and there. But I 0:08:02.328 --> 0:08:04.878 think really what was working for us is more of 0:08:04.878 --> 0:08:07.038 the playful side of it where you get we can 0:08:07.038 --> 0:08:10.488 get pretty jocular about things, but I think for us, 0:08:10.488 --> 0:08:14.358 the best way of communication, we've tried to use these 0:08:14.358 --> 0:08:17.058 less as best. So Ben's trying to teach me more 0:08:17.058 --> 0:08:20.178 to climb intuitively and then call when I need it, 0:08:20.178 --> 0:08:23.838 or when he sees me struggling. Um, my biggest issues 0:08:23.838 --> 0:08:25.968 are with my feet because, again, not just with the blindness, 0:08:25.968 --> 0:08:29.118 but with the diabetic neuropathy. I don't have great sensation 0:08:29.118 --> 0:08:32.208 in my feet and arms and legs and hands and stuff, 0:08:32.208 --> 0:08:35.568 so I don't have that proprioception. And if I'm not 0:08:35.568 --> 0:08:38.028 feeling secure, then Ben will remind me that my foothold 0:08:38.028 --> 0:08:41.388 is secure or the grip is secure. Again, just bringing 0:08:41.388 --> 0:08:44.058 on that reassurance. But yeah, again, I think like it's 0:08:44.058 --> 0:08:46.578 always changing the way we are communicating. 0:08:46.968 --> 0:08:48.978 Yeah, I think it's a bit early days to say 0:08:48.978 --> 0:08:51.228 that we have any sort of communication style that's set 0:08:51.228 --> 0:08:55.128 in stone. Um fair enough. Yeah. Constantly sort of revising 0:08:55.128 --> 0:08:56.568 it and adapting it as we go. 0:08:57.288 --> 0:09:01.098 And Jason, how can people get involved in para climbing 0:09:01.098 --> 0:09:04.878 if they're interested in getting active and having a climb? 0:09:05.058 --> 0:09:07.818 Yeah, that's a great question, because I really don't want 0:09:07.818 --> 0:09:09.258 to be the only one in the blind category in 0:09:09.258 --> 0:09:12.258 my division competing against myself the whole time. So there 0:09:12.258 --> 0:09:14.748 are a number of ways you could probably get involved. Um, 0:09:14.748 --> 0:09:17.148 I found out through my local gym who put me 0:09:17.148 --> 0:09:20.478 on to adaptive climbing. Victoria, I do know there's also 0:09:20.478 --> 0:09:23.388 adaptive climbing in New South Wales, and I potentially think 0:09:23.388 --> 0:09:25.788 there's also one out based out in Queensland. But my 0:09:25.788 --> 0:09:29.148 best recommendations for that would be Google search adaptive climbing. 0:09:29.148 --> 0:09:32.238 Also look at para climbing and then talking to your 0:09:32.238 --> 0:09:34.968 local climbing gym. There's bound to be someone there that's 0:09:34.968 --> 0:09:36.168 going to help you out and point you in the 0:09:36.168 --> 0:09:40.098 right direction. And if you look at the Australian Sports 0:09:40.098 --> 0:09:42.858 Climbing website and contact them, they will definitely be able 0:09:42.858 --> 0:09:43.638 to help you out. 0:09:43.848 --> 0:09:46.098 I'm not sure if Jason had any idea when he 0:09:46.098 --> 0:09:48.558 went to Gravity Works, that he'd be able to find 0:09:48.558 --> 0:09:51.198 a coach, and eventually a site guide to help them 0:09:51.198 --> 0:09:54.558 compete overseas, but you'd be surprised by how helpful gym 0:09:54.558 --> 0:09:57.858 staff can be like. The climbing community is amazing. They 0:09:57.858 --> 0:10:00.558 always surprised me with how generous they are going to 0:10:00.558 --> 0:10:02.718 be with their time and their skills. They can just 0:10:02.718 --> 0:10:05.778 be so vast, so it's always worth asking someone. 0:10:05.958 --> 0:10:09.738 Now, Jason, I understand there's a way for people out 0:10:09.738 --> 0:10:13.608 there to support the para climbing team. So tell us 0:10:13.608 --> 0:10:14.988 a little bit about that. 0:10:15.018 --> 0:10:18.168 I'd like to say that you can support the Australian team. 0:10:18.168 --> 0:10:22.038 There is a Sports Foundation in Australia page that you 0:10:22.038 --> 0:10:25.878 can go and provide a small donation and contribute to 0:10:25.878 --> 0:10:29.058 getting the team over to these World Cups and any 0:10:29.058 --> 0:10:32.688 small donation small. I just always encouraged and grateful for. 0:10:33.168 --> 0:10:37.128 And of course, the um, ifSc World Cups are coming 0:10:37.128 --> 0:10:41.178 up shortly and the first one in Salt Lake City. So, Jason, 0:10:41.178 --> 0:10:43.308 what are you looking forward to there, and how do 0:10:43.308 --> 0:10:44.568 you think the team will go? 0:10:44.808 --> 0:10:47.988 Well, I feel that some of our team members are 0:10:47.988 --> 0:10:50.598 going to crush it there. I definitely think, um, Sarah 0:10:50.598 --> 0:10:53.328 Larkin is going to do extremely well. I'm also hoping 0:10:53.328 --> 0:10:55.518 for the others going over there to do pretty good. 0:10:55.518 --> 0:10:57.318 They are pretty adept climbers and they look good on 0:10:57.318 --> 0:11:00.138 the wall. Far better than me, that's for sure. I 0:11:00.138 --> 0:11:03.228 won't be attending Salt Lake City. We had a few 0:11:03.228 --> 0:11:06.558 hurdles when it comes to insurance and all my medical conditions, 0:11:06.558 --> 0:11:09.618 but we will be looking at taking part in Innsbruck, 0:11:09.618 --> 0:11:11.418 which is in Austria, and that will be at the 0:11:11.418 --> 0:11:14.148 end of June, July. So I've got a bit of time, 0:11:14.478 --> 0:11:16.518 and I've also got a chance to see how the 0:11:16.518 --> 0:11:19.278 rest of the Aussie team fare in the World Cup 0:11:19.278 --> 0:11:21.558 in Salt Lake City beforehand, and I will be definitely 0:11:21.558 --> 0:11:24.168 cheering them on from home. Yeah, it's very exciting. 0:11:24.168 --> 0:11:27.378 And Ben, what are you looking forward to over the next? 0:11:27.378 --> 0:11:29.778 You know, a few months with the mates there? 0:11:30.168 --> 0:11:32.658 I am very keen to see the Germans. Brook I 0:11:32.658 --> 0:11:35.658 mean it's it's a massive gym, um, with like the 0:11:35.658 --> 0:11:40.878 best resources around the world. And the competition wall outdoors is, like, 0:11:40.878 --> 0:11:44.778 quite spectacular. So, like, I, I can imagine that it's 0:11:44.778 --> 0:11:47.838 going to look way cooler in person. And then you 0:11:47.838 --> 0:11:50.628 can ever imagine on the screen or online. So I'm 0:11:50.628 --> 0:11:51.798 very much looking forward to. 0:11:51.798 --> 0:11:54.978 That in this book is a fantastic town as well 0:11:55.008 --> 0:11:59.958 to visit and. Obviously super alpine and super mountain oriented. 0:11:59.958 --> 0:12:02.928 So that's absolutely I could be climbing heaven. So that's 0:12:02.928 --> 0:12:05.958 really exciting to head along there and check that out. 0:12:05.988 --> 0:12:10.278 Now Jason, what is the best way for people to 0:12:10.278 --> 0:12:13.608 follow along with the Australian para climbing team as they 0:12:13.608 --> 0:12:16.698 head along to the World Cups? How can people keep 0:12:16.698 --> 0:12:19.488 in touch with and keep tabs on what Tom, you 0:12:19.488 --> 0:12:20.568 and Ben are up to? 0:12:21.348 --> 0:12:23.748 Well, Ben and I are constantly posting on social media 0:12:23.748 --> 0:12:27.078 about our little shenanigans, about what we're doing to lead 0:12:27.078 --> 0:12:29.808 up to it. Best way to follow it, I would say, 0:12:29.808 --> 0:12:33.348 is through social media outlets. So looking up sports climbing 0:12:33.348 --> 0:12:38.478 Australia and sports climbing Victoria also adaptive climbing Victoria will 0:12:38.478 --> 0:12:44.328 have some. And looking at the ifSc website, social media 0:12:44.328 --> 0:12:48.438 pages and YouTube channels, I believe Ben would be more 0:12:48.438 --> 0:12:49.368 in it to look. 0:12:49.368 --> 0:12:53.808 I think probably probably Jason as well. Jason weiter 99 0:12:53.808 --> 0:12:58.908 zero and myself at Druid holds on Instagram. There's yeah. 0:12:59.058 --> 0:13:02.118 Yeah. Now we always like a good Instagram. 0:13:02.118 --> 0:13:04.758 Yeah well we're trying to make it, uh, engaging. Um, 0:13:04.758 --> 0:13:06.678 I'm sure we may offend a few people along the 0:13:06.678 --> 0:13:10.218 way and we do apologize in advance, but anyone who 0:13:10.218 --> 0:13:11.688 knows me knows what to expect. 0:13:12.318 --> 0:13:16.158 Yeah, that's certainly true. Oh, thank you so much to 0:13:16.158 --> 0:13:19.728 you both. I've been speaking today with Jason Water and 0:13:19.728 --> 0:13:24.138 Ben Dalby, chatting to me all about the upcoming para 0:13:24.138 --> 0:13:28.278 climbing World Cups and para climbing in general, and building 0:13:28.278 --> 0:13:32.418 that partnership between climber and sighted guide. That's obviously so 0:13:32.418 --> 0:13:35.838 important for climbers around Australia and the world who are 0:13:35.838 --> 0:13:38.958 blind or have low vision. And of course, we encourage 0:13:38.958 --> 0:13:42.738 everyone out there to get involved in para climbing. So 0:13:42.738 --> 0:13:46.278 definitely keep in touch with them and follow along with 0:13:46.278 --> 0:13:56.668 their journey. I'm Sam Culley and you're listening to Talking 0:13:56.668 --> 0:14:01.918 Vision on Vision Australia Radio, Associated Stations of Reading Radio 0:14:01.918 --> 0:14:06.028 and the Community Radio Network. I hope you enjoyed that 0:14:06.028 --> 0:14:10.888 conversation there with Jason and Ben, talking all about para 0:14:10.888 --> 0:14:15.508 climbing and the upcoming World Cups. If you missed any 0:14:15.508 --> 0:14:18.868 part of that conversation with Jason and Ben, or you'd 0:14:18.868 --> 0:14:22.558 love to listen to it again. Talking vision is available 0:14:22.558 --> 0:14:28.348 on the Vision Style Radio website at RVA radio.org. That's 0:14:28.348 --> 0:14:32.698 VA radio.org. You can also find the program on the 0:14:32.698 --> 0:14:36.928 podcast app of your choice or through the Vision Australia library. 0:14:37.228 --> 0:14:42.868 And now speaking of the Vision Australia Library, here's Leanne. Leanne, 0:14:42.868 --> 0:14:45.658 welcome back to Talking Vision. Thanks so much for your 0:14:45.658 --> 0:14:46.858 time as always. 0:14:47.308 --> 0:14:48.928 Great to be with you, Sam. 0:14:49.198 --> 0:14:53.518 Now let's hear a bit about some upcoming exciting events 0:14:53.518 --> 0:14:57.418 that are happening in the library for the month of 0:14:57.418 --> 0:15:00.538 March and April and beyond. So what sort of things 0:15:00.538 --> 0:15:02.068 can people look forward to? 0:15:02.188 --> 0:15:05.998 Yeah, so we're really looking forward to kicking off our 0:15:05.998 --> 0:15:10.268 In Conversation author series for the year on the 25th 0:15:10.268 --> 0:15:15.358 of March. We are welcoming the brilliant Alexis writes and 0:15:15.358 --> 0:15:20.038 will be in conversation with Astrid Edwards. Alexis, right, is 0:15:20.038 --> 0:15:24.088 one of Australia's really most celebrated authors. So she's a 0:15:24.088 --> 0:15:28.348 First Nations author. She is a Myles Franklin winner and 0:15:28.348 --> 0:15:32.578 a stellar prize winner, and she'll be discussing her most 0:15:32.578 --> 0:15:37.198 recent work, a novel titled praiseworthy, which is in production 0:15:37.198 --> 0:15:40.558 and will hopefully be in the library very soon. But 0:15:40.558 --> 0:15:45.388 praiseworthy has just been longlisted for the 2024 Stella Prize 0:15:45.388 --> 0:15:49.708 and has been really described as quite a groundbreaking novel. 0:15:49.738 --> 0:15:55.528 So yeah, she's a brilliant Australian writer, very important Australian writer, 0:15:55.528 --> 0:15:59.458 telling important stories from a First Nations perspective. 0:15:59.488 --> 0:16:04.048 And what else can people look forward to checking out 0:16:04.048 --> 0:16:05.308 over the next little while? 0:16:05.518 --> 0:16:10.078 Sure. So we are continuing with our regular Treat Yourself 0:16:10.078 --> 0:16:12.838 book chat, which is always a lot of fun. So 0:16:12.838 --> 0:16:16.228 this is a group of library members who get together 0:16:16.228 --> 0:16:21.718 with our librarians to discuss different genres of writing. Last 0:16:21.718 --> 0:16:24.868 month in February, we met on Valentine's Day and we 0:16:24.868 --> 0:16:28.948 spoke about romance writing, which was a delight. But next 0:16:28.948 --> 0:16:32.288 month in April will be getting together on the 15th 0:16:32.288 --> 0:16:35.908 of April to look at science fiction, which can be 0:16:35.908 --> 0:16:38.968 a bit of a polarising genre, probably not the most 0:16:38.968 --> 0:16:42.928 popular genre among our readers generally, but I do know 0:16:42.928 --> 0:16:47.308 we have a few very dedicated sci fi fantasy fiction 0:16:47.308 --> 0:16:50.938 readers in our library, so this one's especially for them, 0:16:50.938 --> 0:16:53.848 but also for any of our members who might be 0:16:53.848 --> 0:16:56.938 interested in expanding their reading lists. 0:16:57.088 --> 0:17:00.988 Okay, and speaking of reading lists, I'm sure there are 0:17:00.988 --> 0:17:05.098 quite a few popular reads over the past year, so 0:17:05.098 --> 0:17:07.318 it's a bit early to kind of have a look 0:17:07.318 --> 0:17:11.788 back over 2024. But of course 2023 has been and gone. 0:17:11.788 --> 0:17:14.788 And what were the most popular things from the Vision 0:17:14.788 --> 0:17:16.678 Australia library over that time? 0:17:16.978 --> 0:17:19.618 Yeah, yeah. So of course we, you know, love to 0:17:19.618 --> 0:17:22.558 put together our stats and see what was popular over 0:17:22.558 --> 0:17:25.228 the years. I can share with you the ten most 0:17:25.228 --> 0:17:30.988 popular downloads from our Daisy audio collection amongst our library members, 0:17:30.988 --> 0:17:34.198 in no particular order, but look in the list was 0:17:34.198 --> 0:17:37.228 probably one of the most borrowed books across all Australian 0:17:37.228 --> 0:17:43.108 public libraries in 2023, and that is Prince Harry's memoir, spare. 0:17:43.408 --> 0:17:46.768 So that was a massive force in publishing last year. 0:17:46.768 --> 0:17:49.468 So that was one of our most downloaded in our 0:17:49.468 --> 0:17:53.758 top ten. We're pretty heavy on kind of crime writing 0:17:53.758 --> 0:17:57.238 in fiction Australia library. So we've got a few James 0:17:57.238 --> 0:18:01.588 Patterson titles. So Mary, Mary and the Big Bad Wolf, 0:18:01.858 --> 0:18:06.568 also a, uh, Sidney Sheldon title morning, Noon and Night. 0:18:06.568 --> 0:18:09.928 Alice Peters is another really popular kind of mystery writer. 0:18:09.928 --> 0:18:13.708 His novel Saint Peter's Fair is in the list. And 0:18:13.708 --> 0:18:16.378 Lee child, who's always kind of a perennial favorite. A 0:18:16.378 --> 0:18:18.598 couple of her novels are in that list as well. 0:18:18.598 --> 0:18:23.098 So we have Persuader and The Midnight Line. I'm also 0:18:23.098 --> 0:18:26.218 nice to see a couple of fantasy novels in there 0:18:26.218 --> 0:18:29.818 from Samantha Shannon. Um, so A Day of Fallen at 0:18:29.818 --> 0:18:32.938 night and also the song rising. 0:18:33.088 --> 0:18:37.438 Okay. Yeah. The, um, the crime and mystery genres are 0:18:37.438 --> 0:18:42.118 always a hit with Virgin Australia library readers. Yeah. So 0:18:42.208 --> 0:18:45.958 it's not surprising in the slightest to hear that they've, um, 0:18:45.958 --> 0:18:49.438 featured right up the top. And I'm sure there'll be 0:18:49.438 --> 0:18:54.378 a lot of huge releases coming. Over the next few months. 0:18:54.378 --> 0:18:57.018 So next time we catch up, we might have to 0:18:57.018 --> 0:19:00.528 hear a little bit more about them. But in the meantime, 0:19:00.528 --> 0:19:04.638 if people are interested in joining the Vision Australia library, 0:19:04.638 --> 0:19:07.128 what's the best way for them to do that? 0:19:07.278 --> 0:19:10.158 So, so you can join online if you head over 0:19:10.158 --> 0:19:16.998 to our website Vision Australia. Org forward slash library and 0:19:16.998 --> 0:19:19.488 follow the links to join the library. We have an 0:19:19.488 --> 0:19:22.968 online form. If you don't have an email address or 0:19:22.968 --> 0:19:25.638 just prefer to talk to someone over the phone, you 0:19:25.638 --> 0:19:28.158 can also give our team a call so you can 0:19:28.158 --> 0:19:34.578 call them on 1300 654 656. There are a really helpful team 0:19:34.578 --> 0:19:37.038 and we'll be able to assist you not just in 0:19:37.038 --> 0:19:39.648 joining up the library, but also chatting to you about 0:19:39.648 --> 0:19:42.228 your different options for how you might like to start 0:19:42.228 --> 0:19:44.028 reading from our collection. 0:19:44.028 --> 0:19:50.538 That number again 1300 654 656 to give the library a call. 0:19:50.688 --> 0:19:55.008 And Leanne with those events, what sort of format are 0:19:55.008 --> 0:19:58.188 they running over and what's the best way to register? 0:19:58.758 --> 0:20:02.118 Sure. So those programs that I mentioned are in Conversation 0:20:02.118 --> 0:20:05.268 and Treat Your Shelf are all running via zoom. So 0:20:05.268 --> 0:20:08.298 you can join us wherever you are across the country. 0:20:08.298 --> 0:20:12.348 If you're interested in registering, head on over to our website. 0:20:12.348 --> 0:20:16.758 So Vision Australia. Org forward slash library. Navigate to the 0:20:16.758 --> 0:20:20.658 What's On section and you'll find the direct event links 0:20:20.658 --> 0:20:22.188 there where you can register. 0:20:23.028 --> 0:20:26.598 I've been speaking today with Leanne from the library, all 0:20:26.598 --> 0:20:30.318 about the latest events and taking a look back over 0:20:30.318 --> 0:20:37.128 the most popular raids from 2023, in the Vision Australia Library. Leanne, 0:20:37.128 --> 0:20:39.228 thank you so much for your time. It was a 0:20:39.228 --> 0:20:42.198 pleasure to catch up once again and chat all about 0:20:42.198 --> 0:20:44.268 the Vision Australia library. 0:20:45.018 --> 0:20:46.698 Always great to be with you Sam. 0:20:50.418 --> 0:20:53.538 Over the whole month of April. That's April 1st to 0:20:53.538 --> 0:20:58.428 April 30th. People around Australia are encouraged to go 100 0:20:58.428 --> 0:21:02.658 K their way in support of Virgin Australia and the 0:21:02.658 --> 0:21:06.888 vital services they provide, such as Virgin Australia right here. 0:21:06.888 --> 0:21:10.668 And that's where our next guest, Jason Gipps, comes into 0:21:10.668 --> 0:21:13.908 the picture. He's one of the key figures in Virgin 0:21:13.908 --> 0:21:17.418 Australia Radio, putting his hand up to go 100 K 0:21:17.448 --> 0:21:20.718 his way, and it's my great pleasure to be chatting 0:21:20.718 --> 0:21:24.708 with him right now. Jason, welcome back to Talking Vision. 0:21:24.708 --> 0:21:26.778 Thanks so much for being on the show. Thanks, Sam. 0:21:26.778 --> 0:21:29.208 I appreciate the red carpet. That was really nice. Good touch. 0:21:29.208 --> 0:21:32.088 No worries. Now, um, Jason, let's get right to the 0:21:32.088 --> 0:21:34.788 heart of things. What is 100 K your way? 0:21:35.088 --> 0:21:37.608 Yeah, it's a great new fundraiser for Vision Australia. First 0:21:37.608 --> 0:21:41.358 year last year, actually. Sam. So, um, Vision Australia launched 0:21:41.358 --> 0:21:45.588 the 100 K Your Way challenge, uh, which is effectively giving, uh, 0:21:45.588 --> 0:21:48.858 individuals that take part in the opportunity to do 100 0:21:48.858 --> 0:21:52.578 KS their way. So that could be doing 100km across 0:21:52.578 --> 0:21:57.738 the month, uh, walking or running? Rolling, swimming, however you 0:21:57.738 --> 0:21:59.058 want to do it and you can do a mix 0:21:59.058 --> 0:22:01.008 of it. So we thought, you know what, we're going 0:22:01.008 --> 0:22:03.168 to get behind this, uh, a little bit more this year, 0:22:03.168 --> 0:22:04.728 and we're going to come up with our own Vision 0:22:04.728 --> 0:22:08.958 Australia radio teams. So your listeners have the opportunity to 0:22:08.958 --> 0:22:11.238 join one of our teams. Okay. 0:22:11.238 --> 0:22:15.198 And how do the listeners join up in question, Jason. Yeah, 0:22:15.228 --> 0:22:16.038 it's really simple. 0:22:16.038 --> 0:22:20.478 Sam. You can go to our website, RVA radio.org, and 0:22:20.478 --> 0:22:23.328 there's a nice big banner there for 100 K your way. 0:22:23.328 --> 0:22:25.728 You can click on that banner and all the details 0:22:25.728 --> 0:22:28.458 are there and effectively are asking if you want to 0:22:28.458 --> 0:22:31.818 get involved, get fit across the month of April, uh, 0:22:31.818 --> 0:22:34.638 do your 100 K your way. You can join one 0:22:34.638 --> 0:22:37.938 of our Vision Australia radio teams. So we will have 0:22:37.938 --> 0:22:41.868 a VA Radio Perth team and Adelaide team, a Melbourne 0:22:41.868 --> 0:22:44.238 team and a regional radio team. And you can join 0:22:44.238 --> 0:22:46.548 whichever one you want. I'm actually based in Melbourne, but 0:22:46.548 --> 0:22:48.618 I've decided to be the team captain for my peeps 0:22:48.618 --> 0:22:49.278 in Perth. 0:22:49.458 --> 0:22:51.918 Let's have a little bit of a chat about the 0:22:51.918 --> 0:22:56.058 importance of the funds that will be raised. 300 K 0:22:56.058 --> 0:22:59.658 your way. What sort of services does this money go towards? 0:22:59.658 --> 0:23:02.658 Yeah, so great question Sam. The 100 K your way 0:23:02.658 --> 0:23:05.748 effectively supports people who are living with blindness or low 0:23:05.748 --> 0:23:08.238 vision to live the life they choose. In the case 0:23:08.238 --> 0:23:11.568 of our Vision Australia radio teams, all funds raised will 0:23:11.568 --> 0:23:14.928 go to support the ongoing daily works of our national 0:23:14.928 --> 0:23:17.568 radio network. So what we're doing right now cost a 0:23:17.568 --> 0:23:19.908 bit of money. Traditionally, we've had a radiothon each year 0:23:19.908 --> 0:23:22.998 to encourage our listeners to support what we do by 0:23:22.998 --> 0:23:25.848 making a tax deductible donation. And this year, we're kind 0:23:25.848 --> 0:23:28.548 of starting with this and giving people the opportunity to 0:23:28.548 --> 0:23:31.068 do a little bit of peer to peer fundraising. So 0:23:31.068 --> 0:23:34.158 any money that you raise by carrying out your 100 0:23:34.158 --> 0:23:36.438 K challenge in the month of April, we'll go to 0:23:36.438 --> 0:23:38.718 the general works of Vision Australia Radio. So it costs 0:23:38.718 --> 0:23:42.138 us a little over $2.2 million annually to keep what 0:23:42.138 --> 0:23:46.098 you're hearing on air, right across our 17 radio services nationwide. 0:23:46.098 --> 0:23:49.188 We already know. You already know, because people like Sam 0:23:49.188 --> 0:23:51.318 do a great job of telling you weekly on talking 0:23:51.318 --> 0:23:54.288 vision of the importance of the service. So it's a 0:23:54.288 --> 0:23:57.678 really great opportunity to get fit and get behind a 0:23:57.678 --> 0:23:59.988 fundraising cause that will support what we do here at 0:23:59.988 --> 0:24:00.798 VA radio. 0:24:00.798 --> 0:24:05.028 In regards to the specifics around the websites that people 0:24:05.028 --> 0:24:07.908 can head to. Just to wrap up, Jason, what are 0:24:07.908 --> 0:24:10.998 the specific locations that people should head to? 0:24:10.998 --> 0:24:13.278 Yeah, so just remember our website because we bang on 0:24:13.278 --> 0:24:15.858 about it all day. VA radio org. It's a nice 0:24:15.858 --> 0:24:18.528 one to remember. You click on the track banner, choose 0:24:18.528 --> 0:24:20.418 which team you'd like to join, and then what you 0:24:20.418 --> 0:24:22.908 do is you set up your own little personal page 0:24:22.908 --> 0:24:25.818 and it's easy as pie. You just follow the prompts. 0:24:25.818 --> 0:24:27.618 It takes us about a minute and a half to 0:24:27.618 --> 0:24:29.658 set it up, and it'll guide you for the rest 0:24:29.658 --> 0:24:31.818 of the way, so you can then ask friends and 0:24:31.818 --> 0:24:34.428 family to support you in your cause, and you'll get 0:24:34.428 --> 0:24:37.458 little emails along that journey thanking you for the money 0:24:37.458 --> 0:24:40.458 you've raised so far. There'll be a chance to win 0:24:40.458 --> 0:24:43.698 some prizes along the way, and you can also encourage 0:24:43.698 --> 0:24:46.878 others to join the team that you've joined as well. 0:24:46.878 --> 0:24:49.698 So you can go your own way and, you know, 0:24:49.698 --> 0:24:52.338 walk each day or, you know, have a few big 0:24:52.338 --> 0:24:54.888 walks across the month and only do it on a 0:24:54.888 --> 0:24:57.618 few occasions. Totally up to you. And if you don't 0:24:57.618 --> 0:24:59.418 want to join a team, but you would like to 0:24:59.418 --> 0:25:02.058 support the cause with a donation, you can do that too. 0:25:02.058 --> 0:25:06.918 Very easy. Oh, wonderful. Okay, so that's 100 K your way. 0:25:06.918 --> 0:25:10.188 Taking place over the month of April, the whole month 0:25:10.188 --> 0:25:14.538 of April, from April 1st to April 30th, raising vital 0:25:14.538 --> 0:25:19.578 funds for Vision Australia Radio and the vital services they provide. 0:25:19.578 --> 0:25:21.348 That's right Sam, and you can sign up at any 0:25:21.348 --> 0:25:23.628 time and you can donate at any time as well. 0:25:23.628 --> 0:25:25.428 So even if you're, you know, leave it a little 0:25:25.428 --> 0:25:27.708 bit late and it's the 5th of April, 10th of April, 0:25:27.708 --> 0:25:28.668 you can sign up. 0:25:28.668 --> 0:25:31.968 Perfect. And every little bit helps. And we look forward 0:25:31.968 --> 0:25:34.728 to hearing all the stories of people out there going 0:25:34.728 --> 0:25:37.848 100 K their way and getting fit and active for 0:25:37.848 --> 0:25:38.598 a great cause. 0:25:38.598 --> 0:25:40.428 Are you gonna do 100 KS? There are. 0:25:40.458 --> 0:25:43.578 Possibly, you know, we'll see how we go. I've been 0:25:43.578 --> 0:25:48.408 speaking today with Jason Gibbs from Virgin Australia Radio, one 0:25:48.408 --> 0:25:52.888 of the key rings. Ladies in going $100 his way 0:25:52.888 --> 0:25:58.468 over the month of April from April 1st to April 30th. Jason, 0:25:58.468 --> 0:26:00.628 thanks so much for your time today and telling us 0:26:00.628 --> 0:26:03.808 all about 100 Koa. Really look forward to hearing all 0:26:03.808 --> 0:26:04.318 the stories. 0:26:04.348 --> 0:26:05.788 Thanks, Sam. Appreciate your time. 0:26:12.578 --> 0:26:15.668 And that's all the time we have for today. You've 0:26:15.668 --> 0:26:19.898 been listening to Talking Vision. Talking vision is a Vision 0:26:19.898 --> 0:26:24.068 Australia radio production. Thanks to all involved with putting the 0:26:24.068 --> 0:26:28.268 show together every week. And remember, we love hearing from you. 0:26:28.268 --> 0:26:31.778 So please get in touch anytime on our email at 0:26:31.778 --> 0:26:37.148 Talking Vision. At Vision australia.org. That's talking vision or one 0:26:37.148 --> 0:26:41.948 word at Vision australia.org. But until next week it's Sam 0:26:41.948 --> 0:26:43.838 Cowley saying bye for now. 0:26:47.588 --> 0:26:51.638 You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during 0:26:51.638 --> 0:27:00.518 business hours on one 308 4746. That's one 384 746 0:27:00.518 --> 0:27:05.768 or by visiting Vision australia.org. That's Vision Australia call.