WEBVTT - Talking Vision 702 Week Beginning 13th of November 2023 0:00:13.258 --> 0:00:18.968 From Vision Australia. This is talking vision. And now here's 0:00:18.968 --> 0:00:20.978 your host, Sam Colley. 0:00:23.518 --> 0:00:26.608 Hello everyone. It's great to be here with you. And 0:00:26.608 --> 0:00:29.608 for the next half hour we talk matters of blindness 0:00:29.608 --> 0:00:30.688 and low vision. 0:00:30.868 --> 0:00:33.988 It's been a tremendous effort from many people over the years, 0:00:33.988 --> 0:00:36.148 and it's very gratifying to know that we've now got 0:00:36.148 --> 0:00:39.058 to the stage where we're in a situation where the 0:00:39.058 --> 0:00:42.208 service can really expand a lot, I think, and we'll 0:00:42.208 --> 0:00:46.888 see a big increase in the output from three, and 0:00:46.888 --> 0:00:50.098 perhaps we'll be in a better position to tailor our 0:00:50.098 --> 0:00:52.798 programs to suit the needs of listeners with more time 0:00:52.798 --> 0:00:53.788 on air. ET cetera. 0:00:53.998 --> 0:00:58.348 Hello and welcome to this special 40th anniversary episode of 0:00:58.348 --> 0:01:02.338 Talking Vision, the first in a two part series where 0:01:02.338 --> 0:01:06.178 we take a look back at some historic moments on 0:01:06.178 --> 0:01:10.828 air over the past 40 years of three, or, as 0:01:10.828 --> 0:01:15.988 it's currently known, Vision Australia Radio. You'll also hear interviews 0:01:15.988 --> 0:01:20.128 with people who have been instrumental in the station and 0:01:20.128 --> 0:01:24.028 long term volunteers such as Judy Mays, who I'll be 0:01:24.028 --> 0:01:28.198 speaking with later on in the program. But first, let's 0:01:28.198 --> 0:01:33.028 go back to 1983, the 22nd of September, in fact, 0:01:33.028 --> 0:01:37.378 where Stephen Jolly and both Neville Kerr and Alan Harris 0:01:37.378 --> 0:01:42.208 joined forces for the inaugural evening broadcast from this very 0:01:42.208 --> 0:01:46.198 building in Kerr Young. I hope you enjoy this 40th 0:01:46.198 --> 0:01:56.408 anniversary special episode of Talking Vision. And now let's take 0:01:56.408 --> 0:02:01.008 a trip back 40 years to the 22nd of September 0:02:01.008 --> 0:02:05.648 1983 with Ian Neville, Stephen and Aileen, with their first 0:02:05.648 --> 0:02:09.698 evening broadcast from what was then known as the Foundation 0:02:09.698 --> 0:02:13.208 for the blind, at this very address in Korean. 0:02:21.078 --> 0:02:26.648 We we we we we we. Really, really, really really 0:02:26.648 --> 0:02:29.348 really really really really really really. 0:02:37.038 --> 0:02:41.538 This is three radio for the print handicapped broadcasting from 0:02:41.538 --> 0:02:46.098 our studios in Kooyong, Melbourne. Our service on 1620 nine 0:02:46.098 --> 0:02:49.848 kilohertz is directed to listeners who cannot easily read, handle 0:02:49.848 --> 0:02:53.538 or comprehend the printed word. Our program today is presented 0:02:53.538 --> 0:02:54.558 by Neville Kerr. 0:02:56.538 --> 0:03:00.808 Really really, really really really really really really really really. 0:03:10.268 --> 0:03:12.968 Well, good evening, listeners. And despite Elaine's introduction, this is 0:03:12.968 --> 0:03:15.608 not Neville Kerr. It's correct in the sense that we 0:03:15.608 --> 0:03:19.178 are broadcasting at long last from Kooyong. But this is 0:03:19.178 --> 0:03:22.468 Ian Beith and it is three RPI on 1620 nine 0:03:22.468 --> 0:03:24.578 inches a dial. But frankly, we don't quite know at 0:03:24.578 --> 0:03:27.038 this stage where Neville Kerr is. He seems to have 0:03:27.038 --> 0:03:30.728 disappeared and we're waiting on him any time now. Just 0:03:30.728 --> 0:03:32.228 a second. He may be. I can just hear a 0:03:32.228 --> 0:03:45.148 train coming the have. Well, I'm on board this train 0:03:45.148 --> 0:03:47.578 now for my first broadcast from Kooyong, so I hope 0:03:47.578 --> 0:03:49.708 the train doesn't run late or I'll be in trouble. 0:03:59.408 --> 0:04:01.268 Now where is it? I've got to get off. Kooyong. 0:04:01.268 --> 0:04:03.008 I think it is. Crikey! I hope I can find 0:04:03.008 --> 0:04:25.998 the way. Oh boy, I hope this is cool or 0:04:25.998 --> 0:04:36.668 I'm going to be late for the program. Yeah, it 0:04:36.668 --> 0:04:38.348 looks like I'm going to get off here anyway. Let's 0:04:38.348 --> 0:04:45.428 have a ride. Station. Excuse me. Can you tell me 0:04:45.428 --> 0:04:46.838 how to find three RPI? Yeah. 0:04:47.048 --> 0:04:53.988 Oh, good. Well, yes, it's. It's 1629 on my wireless. No, no, 0:04:53.988 --> 0:04:54.488 I doesn't mean that. 0:04:54.488 --> 0:04:56.738 I mean, whereabouts is it? I want to go there. 0:04:56.828 --> 0:05:00.888 Okay. We're it's in Piran, isn't it? It's somewhere in there. 0:05:00.938 --> 0:05:02.438 And they told me. No, no. 0:05:02.438 --> 0:05:03.698 It used to be there. And I've just been there 0:05:03.698 --> 0:05:05.618 and there's no one there. And somebody said it's hearing 0:05:05.618 --> 0:05:06.638 too young somewhere. 0:05:06.708 --> 0:05:11.188 Okay. Oh, good God, is it in? I'll tell you what. 0:05:11.198 --> 0:05:14.228 Why don't you ask? Never occurred. He seems to know 0:05:14.228 --> 0:05:15.878 all these things about RPI. 0:05:16.298 --> 0:05:19.118 No, no, no. Look, I am naval Colonel. I'm on tonight, 0:05:19.118 --> 0:05:20.618 and I've got to get there in a hurry. 0:05:20.998 --> 0:05:25.478 Oh, well, perhaps I don't want you to find us, then. Oh, 0:05:25.478 --> 0:05:26.788 that's probably that. 0:05:45.218 --> 0:05:46.958 Oh, well, I reckon this might be. This looks like 0:05:46.958 --> 0:05:51.248 plenty of action here. Yeah, this must be it. I'll 0:05:51.248 --> 0:06:05.628 go straight in now. Oh well good evening everybody. Oh, crikey. 0:06:05.638 --> 0:06:08.238 I'm sorry I'm late. Good morning Neville. Oh well, it's 0:06:08.238 --> 0:06:11.658 not quite morning, is it? Goodness. Well, gee, I don't know. 0:06:11.948 --> 0:06:13.818 I tried to keep waiting, and I met this silly 0:06:13.818 --> 0:06:16.238 guy on the station. Give me all these smart aleck answers. 0:06:16.248 --> 0:06:18.498 All I wanted to do was get here. Anyway, it's 0:06:18.498 --> 0:06:19.848 great to be here, but I don't know what I'm 0:06:19.848 --> 0:06:21.558 going to do about a script tonight. I have no 0:06:21.568 --> 0:06:24.018 time to write anything out at all. Well, there's nothing unusual. 0:06:24.018 --> 0:06:26.028 But to help you out anyway, I've written one out 0:06:26.028 --> 0:06:29.088 for you, Neville. You've written one out? Oh, you're writing usually, 0:06:29.088 --> 0:06:32.478 like looks as our flies crawl over the page. How 0:06:32.478 --> 0:06:34.698 am I going to read that? Well, that's not dissimilar 0:06:34.698 --> 0:06:36.498 to yours. It looks like a porcupine rolled over the 0:06:36.498 --> 0:06:39.678 page with yours. Well, thanks very much for that. Well, 0:06:39.678 --> 0:06:42.408 it's great to be here and. Well, I've discovered that 0:06:42.408 --> 0:06:45.888 we've got Stephen Jolly and Elaine Harris in the studio tonight, 0:06:45.888 --> 0:06:49.428 so that's really good. Well, this is our first broadcast 0:06:49.428 --> 0:06:54.378 from our new Kooyong studios. It's quite an event this evening, 0:06:54.378 --> 0:06:57.798 quite an occasion. And it's been a very exciting time 0:06:57.798 --> 0:07:01.668 leading up to this. And we have Stephen Jolly with us. 0:07:01.668 --> 0:07:04.518 Stephen's president of the right after Print handicapped of Victoria 0:07:04.518 --> 0:07:08.208 Cooperative Limited. And, Stephen, it's very pleasing to have you 0:07:08.208 --> 0:07:11.268 along here this evening. First of all, Stephen, could we 0:07:11.268 --> 0:07:13.068 talk for a moment or two about how it is 0:07:13.068 --> 0:07:15.318 that we've come to this stage? 0:07:15.588 --> 0:07:17.958 Yes. Okay then, Neville, firstly, though, I'd like to say 0:07:17.958 --> 0:07:19.908 how great it is to be here this evening. This 0:07:19.908 --> 0:07:22.218 is a night that we're all really going to remember, 0:07:22.218 --> 0:07:26.928 I'm sure. Well, there's quite a history to in Victoria now, 0:07:26.928 --> 0:07:28.968 just to go over it very quickly. It all started 0:07:28.968 --> 0:07:33.378 really back in about 1974, when the ABC announced that 0:07:33.378 --> 0:07:36.348 it was setting up a community access station, and a 0:07:36.348 --> 0:07:39.108 few of us got organised and thought it would be 0:07:39.108 --> 0:07:42.138 quite useful to have a program specifically to satisfy the 0:07:42.138 --> 0:07:46.458 needs of blind people on that station. And we started 0:07:46.938 --> 0:07:50.298 a blind affair in 1975 when three doubles ed started. 0:07:50.598 --> 0:07:53.748 Three doubles Ed was closed down in 1977, but that 0:07:53.748 --> 0:07:55.788 didn't stop us. In the meantime, we had a program 0:07:55.788 --> 0:07:59.238 going on, Community Radio three CR. They've been great friends 0:07:59.238 --> 0:08:03.588 of ours over the years, and we decided then that 0:08:03.588 --> 0:08:08.328 we should try and do something a little more permanent, 0:08:08.448 --> 0:08:14.268 and perhaps a more comprehensive service for blind and other 0:08:14.268 --> 0:08:19.578 people with need of access to printed material. So we 0:08:20.178 --> 0:08:22.578 got in touch with the government and worked very hard 0:08:22.578 --> 0:08:27.798 towards an announcement that the government made in 1978, which 0:08:27.798 --> 0:08:31.788 was that licences would be available for stations in various 0:08:31.788 --> 0:08:34.998 cities around Australia. And one of them, of course, was 0:08:34.998 --> 0:08:37.878 in Melbourne. And that was really the beginning of three. 0:08:38.898 --> 0:08:44.598 The Villa Maria society came onside very strongly at that stage, 0:08:44.598 --> 0:08:48.768 and they made available the premises at seven Donald Street 0:08:48.768 --> 0:08:50.928 in Paran. And we've been very grateful to the Villa 0:08:50.928 --> 0:08:54.318 Maria society for making those available to us. It was 0:08:54.318 --> 0:08:56.118 it has been a tremendous help and we wouldn't have 0:08:56.118 --> 0:08:59.808 got the start without that. As time has gone by, 0:08:59.988 --> 0:09:04.488 the work has got has expanded a lot and we've 0:09:04.488 --> 0:09:08.628 needed more space, we've needed more resources. And the Association 0:09:08.628 --> 0:09:12.168 for the blind have been of great assistance to us, 0:09:12.168 --> 0:09:16.848 and particularly over the last year or two. We started 0:09:16.848 --> 0:09:19.278 talking with the Association for the blind last year about 0:09:19.278 --> 0:09:23.448 an arrangement whereby the radio for the print Handicapped cooperative, 0:09:23.448 --> 0:09:25.848 which was the body formed to to hold the licence 0:09:25.848 --> 0:09:29.478 for three, would continue to hold the licence for the 0:09:29.478 --> 0:09:33.498 station and make the policy decisions, but that the Association 0:09:33.498 --> 0:09:37.788 would make its resources available to help the service. And 0:09:37.788 --> 0:09:41.208 a very concrete instance of that is what we're seeing tonight. 0:09:41.208 --> 0:09:44.898 We're we're now using the facilities of the Association for 0:09:44.898 --> 0:09:49.758 the blind here at the Kooyong complex. And it's very 0:09:49.758 --> 0:09:51.468 good to be here this evening. 0:09:52.218 --> 0:09:55.008 Stephen, I know that there's no way that we can 0:09:55.008 --> 0:09:58.458 possibly think everybody who's been involved in the evolution of 0:09:58.458 --> 0:10:02.118 three H. To me, it seems a long time ago 0:10:02.118 --> 0:10:05.388 now to some of those blind affair programs and right 0:10:05.388 --> 0:10:09.348 after the blind and that many people have worked hard, 0:10:09.498 --> 0:10:12.708 John Machin has spent countless hours and so have a 0:10:12.708 --> 0:10:15.828 great many other people in all sorts of areas. People 0:10:15.828 --> 0:10:18.768 have given us legal advice and all sorts of advice, 0:10:18.768 --> 0:10:21.018 and without the help of all of those people, and 0:10:21.048 --> 0:10:23.718 of course they are too numerous to name, we wouldn't 0:10:23.718 --> 0:10:26.658 have got there. But I would just like personally, on 0:10:26.658 --> 0:10:30.108 behalf of everybody, to say thank you to all of 0:10:30.108 --> 0:10:32.388 those people. And I think there's not much to say, 0:10:32.388 --> 0:10:35.388 but what else can I say? Yes. Well, of course I. 0:10:35.388 --> 0:10:39.438 Strongly support those sentiments, Neville. It's been a tremendous effort 0:10:39.438 --> 0:10:42.678 from many people over the years, and it's very gratifying 0:10:42.708 --> 0:10:45.558 to know that we've now got to the stage where we're. 0:10:46.428 --> 0:10:51.318 In a in a situation where the service can really expand, 0:10:51.328 --> 0:10:54.108 really expand a lot, I think. And we'll see a 0:10:54.108 --> 0:10:59.238 big increase in the output from three, and perhaps we'll 0:10:59.238 --> 0:11:03.258 be in a better position to tailor our programs to 0:11:03.258 --> 0:11:05.658 suit the needs of listeners with more time on air. 0:11:05.658 --> 0:11:06.318 ET cetera. 0:11:07.008 --> 0:11:11.598 Thank you Stephen. And now we'd like to welcome Eli 0:11:11.598 --> 0:11:14.058 and Harris, the real live Eli and Harris. We often 0:11:14.058 --> 0:11:17.388 hear her on introductions and things of that sort, but 0:11:17.388 --> 0:11:19.788 she is here in person this evening in the studio. 0:11:19.788 --> 0:11:22.218 And she, of course, will be very much involved in 0:11:22.218 --> 0:11:25.668 the development of those programs that you just referred to. Steven. 0:11:25.668 --> 0:11:26.778 Good evening, Elaine. 0:11:27.438 --> 0:11:29.478 Good evening. I think it's wonderful that the first time 0:11:29.478 --> 0:11:31.128 that I'm actually here for your program, you're just not 0:11:31.128 --> 0:11:33.738 here to greet me is pretty disgusting. My office first 0:11:33.738 --> 0:11:35.328 thing in the morning, please, Mr. Kerr, it's just not 0:11:35.328 --> 0:11:35.868 good enough. 0:11:36.018 --> 0:11:39.408 I'm sorry about that. So you know the best laid 0:11:39.408 --> 0:11:43.908 plans of men in Moscow, Australia. Elaine, it's very pleasing 0:11:43.908 --> 0:11:47.778 to have you amongst us now. And I was thinking 0:11:47.778 --> 0:11:49.788 of introducing you as the lady who has very few 0:11:49.788 --> 0:11:51.708 hairs in your head. Because I know over the past 0:11:51.708 --> 0:11:54.078 couple of months particularly, you've had a very difficult time 0:11:54.078 --> 0:11:58.728 with the shift and trying to develop and expand our services. 0:11:59.028 --> 0:12:04.758 Could I say on behalf of everybody, we're all grateful 0:12:04.758 --> 0:12:07.008 for your work and wish to support you as much 0:12:07.008 --> 0:12:10.668 as we can. How do you see the future of 0:12:10.668 --> 0:12:13.938 three RPI, and what developments do you expect to occur 0:12:13.938 --> 0:12:15.498 in the foreseeable future? 0:12:16.098 --> 0:12:18.108 I think there'll be quite a number of developments, and 0:12:18.108 --> 0:12:23.178 that change will happen pretty quickly. Within the next two weeks. 0:12:23.178 --> 0:12:27.828 I envisage us repeating evening broadcasts in the morning as well. 0:12:27.918 --> 0:12:30.228 What will happen with Saturday mornings program? I haven't yet 0:12:30.228 --> 0:12:33.618 worked out, but what will happen is that at 10:00, 0:12:33.858 --> 0:12:35.928 say on Thursday mornings you'll be able to hear Neville 0:12:35.928 --> 0:12:39.258 Kerr as well, as well as at 8:00 on Wednesday evening. 0:12:39.258 --> 0:12:41.598 So in fact, you'll get it twice. And no comments 0:12:41.598 --> 0:12:45.708 from Mr. Beith in the corner. Also, I've just set 0:12:45.708 --> 0:12:48.258 on a project worker to start building up banks of 0:12:48.258 --> 0:12:50.928 information for our children's program. It has been in the 0:12:50.928 --> 0:12:54.318 pipeline for several months now that the children's program, instead 0:12:54.318 --> 0:12:55.878 of just being tacked on the end, as it were, 0:12:55.878 --> 0:12:59.238 as an extra to the Saturday morning program. The children's 0:12:59.238 --> 0:13:02.508 program will be an entity in itself, in fact, with 0:13:02.508 --> 0:13:06.678 its own presenter. And we've got actually somebody working on 0:13:06.678 --> 0:13:09.228 that who would another project worker on who's trying to 0:13:09.228 --> 0:13:11.898 get round to all the different counsel she's got as 0:13:11.898 --> 0:13:15.498 far as Da to put us onto their press lists 0:13:15.498 --> 0:13:17.328 and something which I again, I've been trying to do 0:13:17.328 --> 0:13:19.208 for a long time. We just haven't had the the 0:13:19.218 --> 0:13:22.128 time to do it and get them to let us 0:13:22.128 --> 0:13:24.678 know about roadworks and things like that. And in fact, 0:13:24.678 --> 0:13:27.138 as you may well remember, Neville, the Firstrillionoad work notice 0:13:27.138 --> 0:13:30.318 came through last week, so that's starting to happen. Just 0:13:30.318 --> 0:13:33.018 little things like that are an essential part of a service, 0:13:33.018 --> 0:13:36.408 like an air station. And I think it's the sort 0:13:36.408 --> 0:13:37.908 of things that we really need to build on. And 0:13:37.908 --> 0:13:40.428 those small things can help build it into a great 0:13:40.428 --> 0:13:44.598 service and a very useful and very vital information station. 0:13:45.138 --> 0:13:48.168 Thank you very much, Aileen. Well, I'd like to thank 0:13:48.168 --> 0:13:52.518 both you, Elaine, and also Stephen, for coming along this 0:13:52.518 --> 0:13:56.808 evening on this very important occasion. And I hope that 0:13:56.808 --> 0:13:59.118 the good wishes that have been expressed so far this 0:13:59.118 --> 0:14:04.098 evening will continue, and that the service will develop and 0:14:04.098 --> 0:14:07.218 blossom into the full and worthwhile service that I am 0:14:07.218 --> 0:14:09.168 sure we all believe that it can be. 0:14:16.218 --> 0:14:19.608 I'm Sam Culley and you're listening to Talking Vision on 0:14:19.608 --> 0:14:25.038 Vision Australia Radio, associated stations of RPI and the Community 0:14:25.038 --> 0:14:28.728 Radio Network. Thank you very much for joining me today. 0:14:28.728 --> 0:14:31.908 As we take a look back over the last 40 0:14:31.908 --> 0:14:36.588 years of broadcast on three, which, of course, we now 0:14:36.588 --> 0:14:41.238 know as Vision Australia Radio and one person who's been 0:14:41.238 --> 0:14:45.918 involved in Vision Australia Radio over this entire period in 0:14:46.038 --> 0:14:51.228 all of its various iterations, is my next guest, Judy Mayes, 0:14:51.228 --> 0:14:56.118 who I have the absolute pleasure of welcoming right now. Judy, 0:14:56.118 --> 0:14:58.728 welcome to Talking Vision. Thank you so much for your 0:14:58.728 --> 0:14:59.658 time today. 0:14:59.868 --> 0:15:00.668 It's my pleasure. 0:15:00.678 --> 0:15:03.648 Now take us all the way back. Tell us about 0:15:03.648 --> 0:15:06.318 the start of things. Where did everything sort of kick 0:15:06.318 --> 0:15:07.158 off for you? 0:15:07.548 --> 0:15:12.018 Well, it was a long time ago, 1978, long, long 0:15:12.018 --> 0:15:16.818 time ago. And yes, I wanted to do some voluntary work. 0:15:16.818 --> 0:15:18.528 And I came down to what was then the Foundation 0:15:18.528 --> 0:15:21.288 for the Blind in Kooyong. And I was working in 0:15:21.288 --> 0:15:23.598 what we call the day centre, where we had clients 0:15:23.598 --> 0:15:25.818 coming in for all sorts of services. You know, we'd 0:15:25.818 --> 0:15:30.918 have discussion groups, we'd have pedicures, manicures, we'd have lunches, 0:15:30.918 --> 0:15:33.678 lots of different things. And so I was there for 0:15:33.678 --> 0:15:36.348 a few years, and then one day I was working 0:15:36.348 --> 0:15:38.688 full time as well. So one day they asked if 0:15:38.688 --> 0:15:41.748 I would then step in and go and do some 0:15:41.748 --> 0:15:45.228 work with the radio station, which they had just taken 0:15:45.228 --> 0:15:47.508 over from the Institute for the blind, and it was 0:15:47.508 --> 0:15:51.708 down in Donald Street, Paran, and I said, yep, that's fine, 0:15:51.708 --> 0:15:54.288 I'll go anywhere you need me to go, you know? 0:15:54.948 --> 0:15:57.558 So down I went. And I'll never forget walking up 0:15:57.558 --> 0:16:00.708 the flight of stairs into this terrace house there. And 0:16:00.708 --> 0:16:03.048 I was just doing some research on some material for 0:16:03.048 --> 0:16:07.758 radio programs. And then as time progressed, I was still 0:16:07.758 --> 0:16:11.928 working in the day centre, then the the station Vision Australia, 0:16:12.138 --> 0:16:14.988 what is now Vision Australia Radio came across two Talbot 0:16:14.988 --> 0:16:19.518 Street in Kooyong and it was in an old house 0:16:19.518 --> 0:16:23.778 which happened to be my mother's best friend's house that 0:16:23.778 --> 0:16:26.568 she grew up in, ironically, so I actually knew it. 0:16:26.568 --> 0:16:30.438 But the house developed had developed a very weird shape 0:16:30.438 --> 0:16:33.648 because it was a very basic set up. And for 0:16:33.648 --> 0:16:36.978 the soundproofing, we had egg cartons on the wall, and 0:16:36.978 --> 0:16:40.428 it was a time of really actually great excitement because 0:16:40.428 --> 0:16:42.588 we were building a station, you know, and so everyone 0:16:42.588 --> 0:16:45.948 involved was so enthusiastic and happy with it. And it 0:16:45.948 --> 0:16:48.948 was a really, I don't know, just a really happy 0:16:48.948 --> 0:16:51.258 time to be there. And as I say, it was 0:16:51.258 --> 0:16:54.048 quite exciting and it was sort of inspiring to see 0:16:54.048 --> 0:16:57.978 the people who became involved. And with time that then 0:16:58.128 --> 0:17:01.638 I was doing both reading and research, but mostly I 0:17:01.638 --> 0:17:04.848 was doing presenting on air. And then we moved to 0:17:04.848 --> 0:17:07.728 the new studios at that stage, into the building that 0:17:07.728 --> 0:17:11.298 now fronts Glenferrie Road. And we were there for a 0:17:11.298 --> 0:17:14.118 number of years, and then we moved to the current 0:17:14.118 --> 0:17:17.238 studios in Kooyong here, which are in the building behind 0:17:17.238 --> 0:17:20.178 the one I just mentioned. So it's been a long association. 0:17:20.178 --> 0:17:22.218 I've done a lot of different programs, a lot of 0:17:22.608 --> 0:17:27.288 different topics. Yes. It's been actually, I cannot believe it's 0:17:27.288 --> 0:17:28.908 been that long. Yes. 0:17:29.508 --> 0:17:32.988 Now we won't mention years and figures and all those 0:17:32.988 --> 0:17:36.078 sort of, you know, lengths of time and those bits 0:17:36.078 --> 0:17:40.458 and pieces. But there has been quite an extensive involvement 0:17:40.458 --> 0:17:43.698 that you have had and a lengthy involvement. So what 0:17:43.698 --> 0:17:47.208 sort of things can you really look back fondly on as, 0:17:47.208 --> 0:17:50.028 you know, things that really close to your heart and, 0:17:50.028 --> 0:17:52.908 you know, some really amazing sort of memories that you'll 0:17:52.908 --> 0:17:54.798 take with you for the rest of your life. 0:17:55.008 --> 0:17:58.068 Well, we're talking just the radio here. Or are we talking, 0:17:58.068 --> 0:18:00.738 you know, sort of peripheral things around the radio. 0:18:00.848 --> 0:18:04.548 We could talk anything, you know, radio, preferably. But, you know, 0:18:04.548 --> 0:18:06.678 there's so much more than that, obviously. Well. 0:18:06.978 --> 0:18:10.188 You know, I think the programs that I've done, one 0:18:10.188 --> 0:18:12.768 of the ones that's been the most constant, is what's 0:18:12.768 --> 0:18:16.068 now called afternoon live. It used to be our selection 0:18:16.068 --> 0:18:19.578 and that is a program which I have really enjoyed 0:18:19.578 --> 0:18:22.218 doing it over the years. Of course, you know, the 0:18:22.218 --> 0:18:24.558 number of people I've met and the different readers I've 0:18:24.558 --> 0:18:28.098 had on the team for this live to air program, 0:18:28.098 --> 0:18:31.998 it's been it's been really interesting. But I think there's 0:18:31.998 --> 0:18:35.208 a couple of things that I mean, I also did 0:18:35.208 --> 0:18:38.598 talking law with you. Yes, for some time, and I 0:18:38.598 --> 0:18:41.658 really enjoyed that because I did have a legal background. 0:18:41.658 --> 0:18:45.408 So so I enjoyed that because it was very relevant. 0:18:45.528 --> 0:18:48.438 I did travel and I enjoyed doing travel because it 0:18:48.438 --> 0:18:51.498 was just wonderful taking our listeners elsewhere, you know, giving 0:18:51.498 --> 0:18:54.228 them a trip somewhere else, you know, on the program. 0:18:54.398 --> 0:18:57.228 I've done a lot of things, but I suppose one 0:18:57.228 --> 0:19:00.798 thing I should mention is that probably I had just 0:19:00.798 --> 0:19:03.858 had my child, my daughter, and she used to come 0:19:03.858 --> 0:19:06.048 down and she used to sit in the operating room 0:19:06.048 --> 0:19:08.198 with the operator while I was doing a live to 0:19:08.208 --> 0:19:10.998 air program, and so I could see whether she was 0:19:10.998 --> 0:19:13.038 crying or not crying or she was very good, though 0:19:13.038 --> 0:19:15.598 she sat there so you could. Say, my daughter's now 0:19:15.598 --> 0:19:20.248 35 years old, and you could say that she's probably 0:19:20.248 --> 0:19:22.428 been part of the team for a long, long time. 0:19:22.438 --> 0:19:27.838 We used to do the fundraising appeal in June every year, 0:19:27.838 --> 0:19:29.908 and I spent a lot of time doing that with, 0:19:29.938 --> 0:19:32.758 especially with Stephen Jolley. And I could remember one time 0:19:32.758 --> 0:19:35.998 I did an interview with Bud Tingle, and I'm sure 0:19:36.298 --> 0:19:39.868 many people will remember Bud. Absolutely. He was a wonderful man, 0:19:39.868 --> 0:19:41.698 and he did a lot of work down here, and 0:19:41.698 --> 0:19:43.588 my daughter was in the studio with the two of us, 0:19:43.588 --> 0:19:45.658 so it was like a three way conversation, even though 0:19:45.658 --> 0:19:47.638 she was a little girl at the time. And he 0:19:47.638 --> 0:19:50.338 was so delightful. He was just lovely. But the story 0:19:50.338 --> 0:19:53.068 he told, and I've said this to so many people 0:19:53.098 --> 0:19:55.618 in the years, you know, past sort of thing that 0:19:56.308 --> 0:19:58.678 he used to say. He said that the reason he 0:19:58.678 --> 0:20:00.688 came down here was he'd never heard of the station 0:20:00.688 --> 0:20:04.918 until he had an elderly aunt, quite old, who was 0:20:04.918 --> 0:20:07.648 losing her sight. And she was getting really cantankerous and 0:20:07.648 --> 0:20:10.918 frustrated with life because she could no longer read the newspaper. 0:20:10.918 --> 0:20:13.678 She couldn't keep up with things. And Bud said that 0:20:13.678 --> 0:20:16.948 somebody said to her and about, you know, why don't 0:20:16.948 --> 0:20:20.458 you get her to listen to, you know, three or 0:20:20.628 --> 0:20:23.578 in Australia, as a radio as it is now, and 0:20:23.998 --> 0:20:27.028 she can access all the news she wants, not just that, 0:20:27.028 --> 0:20:30.298 but other programs as well on very specialty things. And 0:20:30.298 --> 0:20:32.698 she did. And he said it was the turning point. 0:20:32.698 --> 0:20:36.178 She was that happy person she'd been before because she 0:20:36.178 --> 0:20:39.778 had access to all these things that she couldn't she 0:20:39.778 --> 0:20:42.448 could no longer read. And I've always loved that story. 0:20:42.448 --> 0:20:45.478 And he was so appreciative of what the radio had 0:20:45.478 --> 0:20:48.148 done for this elderly aunt of his, that he came 0:20:48.148 --> 0:20:51.028 down and did a lot of volunteering. And I thought, wow, 0:20:51.028 --> 0:20:53.968 you know, you could never know the different reasons volunteers 0:20:53.968 --> 0:20:58.678 come to this station, to this organization. They're just so 0:20:58.678 --> 0:21:00.868 many and varied. So I always loved that. And I 0:21:00.868 --> 0:21:04.348 think another probably one I remember is going to government 0:21:04.348 --> 0:21:07.888 House with Stephen Jolly, who was then manager of the station, 0:21:07.888 --> 0:21:10.738 and it was a special function. A lot of people 0:21:10.738 --> 0:21:13.078 went and I remember going there and it was a 0:21:13.078 --> 0:21:15.208 really hot day, but it was really special. We got 0:21:15.208 --> 0:21:16.708 to have a look at government House and all that 0:21:16.708 --> 0:21:19.348 sort of thing. So there's a lot of different things, 0:21:19.348 --> 0:21:22.168 you know, that are really exciting and just meeting different 0:21:22.168 --> 0:21:24.238 people through. I think one of the really good things 0:21:24.238 --> 0:21:28.198 is just the variety of people you meet, and it's 0:21:28.198 --> 0:21:31.708 really interesting. It's really good. And hopefully we are providing 0:21:31.708 --> 0:21:33.598 a service that many people will cherish. 0:21:33.838 --> 0:21:35.788 We certainly are. I mean, we've had a lot of 0:21:35.788 --> 0:21:40.648 wonderful feedback from listeners talking about our various shows. And, 0:21:40.948 --> 0:21:45.058 you know, of course we are celebrating 40 years of 0:21:45.058 --> 0:21:50.128 Virgin Australia Radio and its various iterations and formats, as 0:21:50.128 --> 0:21:56.158 we've discussed earlier on. But I've had quite a few conversations, Judy, 0:21:56.158 --> 0:21:58.948 with people over the years who are blind or have 0:21:58.948 --> 0:22:02.668 low vision, and I've told them all about Vision Australia Radio, 0:22:02.668 --> 0:22:06.088 and they've been astonished. They're saying, oh, I've never heard of, 0:22:06.088 --> 0:22:09.328 you know, Vision Australia Radio. What's it all about? Where 0:22:09.328 --> 0:22:12.088 can I listen to it? What's the frequency? I didn't know, 0:22:12.088 --> 0:22:14.188 does it run all day? What's you know, what's all 0:22:14.188 --> 0:22:16.918 this information where you know, where can I go? And 0:22:16.918 --> 0:22:19.828 I point them in the right direction obviously. But it's 0:22:19.828 --> 0:22:23.488 really interesting to hear those conversations and be able to 0:22:23.488 --> 0:22:27.538 spread that awareness that perhaps isn't reaching all corners. But 0:22:27.898 --> 0:22:30.868 what sort of things would you love to mention to 0:22:31.168 --> 0:22:34.768 raise awareness for Virgin Australia Radio and the wonderful services 0:22:34.768 --> 0:22:36.118 that they do provide? 0:22:36.268 --> 0:22:38.878 Well, I think that I found over time when I've 0:22:38.878 --> 0:22:41.488 mentioned this station to other people and people say, what 0:22:41.488 --> 0:22:42.988 do you do? You know, what are you, where is it? 0:22:42.988 --> 0:22:45.508 What is it? And I think for those who have 0:22:45.508 --> 0:22:49.138 heard of it, they're more into the newspaper aspect and 0:22:49.138 --> 0:22:51.688 reading of newspapers, which is a very important thing because, 0:22:51.688 --> 0:22:53.518 you know, to be able to get the news from 0:22:53.518 --> 0:22:56.608 the papers every day, I think is, as I say, 0:22:56.608 --> 0:23:00.778 something that people need to hear, but they don't realise 0:23:00.778 --> 0:23:03.598 we have such a range of programs. We have lots 0:23:03.598 --> 0:23:07.078 of different programs. You know, the specialist programs, there's tech talk, 0:23:07.078 --> 0:23:11.278 you know, there's music programs, there's general interest programs, there's 0:23:11.278 --> 0:23:15.298 religious programs. There are so many. The science programs, there 0:23:15.298 --> 0:23:18.298 are so many programs that are of great interest to 0:23:18.298 --> 0:23:21.778 many people. But I think having said that and having 0:23:21.778 --> 0:23:24.808 told that to people and people are amazed, you know, 0:23:24.808 --> 0:23:26.428 and they say, oh, I thought it was just a 0:23:26.428 --> 0:23:30.148 newspaper reading facility, but it's not. It does provide a 0:23:30.148 --> 0:23:32.338 lot more. But I think that one part of this 0:23:32.338 --> 0:23:35.818 is that we don't want to just provide what we 0:23:35.818 --> 0:23:38.638 think our listeners want. We would love to hear from 0:23:38.638 --> 0:23:41.428 our listeners. We would love to hear from our audience 0:23:41.428 --> 0:23:44.068 out there, to actually hear what you'd like to hear. 0:23:44.068 --> 0:23:47.128 You know what you're interested in, what you may need 0:23:47.128 --> 0:23:49.168 to know. You know you would find it a useful 0:23:49.168 --> 0:23:52.498 service to have some information given to you in this format, 0:23:52.618 --> 0:23:55.378 because we want to be here for you, and we 0:23:55.378 --> 0:23:58.318 want to provide the information for you. And it doesn't 0:23:58.318 --> 0:24:01.258 mean that it's any less interesting in other areas. I mean, 0:24:01.258 --> 0:24:04.018 we still have time to do all these specialist programs, 0:24:04.018 --> 0:24:09.178 which are very interesting and really informative. So I think 0:24:09.178 --> 0:24:12.898 moving forward, certainly, I think for the general public to 0:24:12.898 --> 0:24:16.398 know that they. Are welcome to call us, tell us 0:24:16.398 --> 0:24:18.918 what they're interested in, what they'd like to hear. And 0:24:18.918 --> 0:24:20.688 needless to say, Sam, I don't know where to go 0:24:20.688 --> 0:24:23.298 with this, but if there's something they don't like, you know, 0:24:23.298 --> 0:24:26.628 that's fine to let us know. Yes, we have to know. 0:24:26.628 --> 0:24:29.598 We have to know. So whichever way it goes, brickbats 0:24:29.598 --> 0:24:32.838 or bouquets, as they say, yes, just give us a call. 0:24:32.838 --> 0:24:34.848 And so we would love to do that. But I 0:24:34.848 --> 0:24:38.088 think to, for, for for people who work here and 0:24:38.088 --> 0:24:41.688 there's very few staff, there's a lot of volunteers. I 0:24:41.688 --> 0:24:46.488 think it's a lovely feeling to have that connection with 0:24:46.488 --> 0:24:49.758 our audience as well, to know that you're out there 0:24:49.758 --> 0:24:51.858 and to actually know what you would like, and to 0:24:51.858 --> 0:24:55.308 know that we are providing what you would like to hear. 0:24:55.908 --> 0:24:57.438 So give us a call. 0:24:57.948 --> 0:25:02.298 Absolutely. Get in touch with Vision Australia. You know, give 0:25:02.298 --> 0:25:05.178 us a call, give us an email. Get in touch anytime. 0:25:05.178 --> 0:25:08.898 Because as Judy says, we do love hearing from all 0:25:08.898 --> 0:25:12.108 of you. So very interested to hear the feedback, good 0:25:12.108 --> 0:25:15.618 or bad. And you know, there are always opportunities to improve. 0:25:15.618 --> 0:25:18.168 And we love to, you know, make the service the 0:25:18.168 --> 0:25:20.808 best that it can be. So those bits of feedback 0:25:20.808 --> 0:25:22.128 are very important. 0:25:22.278 --> 0:25:24.678 One thing too, I think that a lot of people 0:25:24.678 --> 0:25:28.908 feel that the station is only for the vision impaired 0:25:28.908 --> 0:25:34.368 and blind, and possibly potentially for an older age group, 0:25:34.368 --> 0:25:39.288 whereas in actual fact it's for everyone. There are things for, 0:25:39.288 --> 0:25:43.938 you know, wide age group. There are things for other people, 0:25:43.938 --> 0:25:46.368 like there might be people say that actually a lot 0:25:46.368 --> 0:25:48.438 of taxi drivers like to listen to us because they 0:25:48.438 --> 0:25:50.828 can't read and they don't have time to read the paper. 0:25:50.838 --> 0:25:53.688 There are people who might have really, seriously bad arthritis 0:25:53.688 --> 0:25:56.298 and can't hold a newspaper to read it. And there 0:25:56.298 --> 0:26:00.048 might be those whose language first language is not English. 0:26:00.048 --> 0:26:04.398 So whilst they can listen and hear it, they can't 0:26:04.398 --> 0:26:06.768 read it as well. And so there's a lot of 0:26:06.768 --> 0:26:10.548 different areas that we actually cover, and we like to 0:26:10.548 --> 0:26:14.268 provide the information and the programs for everybody. So, you know, 0:26:14.268 --> 0:26:15.108 give us a call. 0:26:15.588 --> 0:26:18.768 Judy, thank you very much. I've been speaking today with 0:26:18.768 --> 0:26:23.268 Judy Mayes, one of our absolute stalwarts at Virgin Australia Radio, 0:26:23.268 --> 0:26:27.048 who's devoted so much of her time over the years 0:26:27.048 --> 0:26:31.308 to providing the wonderful services that you can all listen 0:26:31.308 --> 0:26:34.338 to every day. Judy, thank you very much for your 0:26:34.338 --> 0:26:36.708 time today. It was a pleasure to catch up with you. 0:26:36.918 --> 0:26:38.448 Always good to catch up with you, Sam. 0:26:45.418 --> 0:26:48.748 And that's all we have time for today. You've been 0:26:48.748 --> 0:26:53.098 listening to Talking Vision. Talking vision is a production of 0:26:53.098 --> 0:26:57.088 Vision Australia Radio. Thanks to all involved with putting the 0:26:57.088 --> 0:27:00.928 show together. And remember we love your feedback and comments. 0:27:00.928 --> 0:27:04.558 So please do get in touch on Talking Vision at 0:27:04.558 --> 0:27:11.358 Vision australia.org. That's talking vision all. One word at Vision australia.org. 0:27:11.368 --> 0:27:15.418 But until next week it's Sam Colley saying bye for now. 0:27:19.008 --> 0:27:23.028 You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during 0:27:23.028 --> 0:27:30.978 business hours on one 308 4746. That's one 380 474 0:27:30.978 --> 0:27:37.188 W6 or by visiting Vision australia.org. That's Vision australia.org.