WEBVTT - Talking Vision 695 Week Beginning 25th of September 2023 0:00:49.529 --> 0:00:55.139 From Vision Australia. This is talking vision. And now here's 0:00:55.139 --> 0:00:57.119 your host, Sam Colley. 0:00:59.659 --> 0:01:02.749 Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And 0:01:02.749 --> 0:01:05.749 for the next half hour, we talk matters of blindness 0:01:05.749 --> 0:01:06.769 and low vision. 0:01:06.889 --> 0:01:09.799 So the Blind Australian of the Year Awards demonstrate the 0:01:09.799 --> 0:01:14.059 capacity of people living with blindness to contribute powerfully to 0:01:14.059 --> 0:01:19.009 society and still live really purposeful, meaningful lives, even in 0:01:19.009 --> 0:01:23.869 our vision centric society. You know, anybody who experiences difference 0:01:23.869 --> 0:01:28.669 in a social context gets to have that narrative shifted. 0:01:28.669 --> 0:01:32.689 So that's really what this blind Australian of the Year 0:01:32.689 --> 0:01:34.999 awards seeks to disrupt. 0:01:35.269 --> 0:01:38.389 Welcome to the program. As we draw closer to the 0:01:38.389 --> 0:01:41.539 end of the year with October just around the corner, 0:01:41.629 --> 0:01:44.869 that means the Blind Australian of the Year awards are 0:01:44.869 --> 0:01:48.739 almost upon us and this year they are hosted in 0:01:48.739 --> 0:01:53.419 Brisbane on the 28th of October. And to have a 0:01:53.419 --> 0:01:56.539 chat with me today about the awards, it's my great 0:01:56.539 --> 0:02:01.429 pleasure to welcome Mary Bampton who you'll hear from very shortly. 0:02:01.429 --> 0:02:04.459 So make sure to stick around to hear that interview. 0:02:04.759 --> 0:02:07.399 And then later on in the show, after you hear 0:02:07.399 --> 0:02:12.349 from Mary Frances, Kaitlyn joins the program with a reader recommended. 0:02:12.799 --> 0:02:16.699 I hope you enjoy this week's episode of Talking Vision. 0:02:21.469 --> 0:02:25.009 In late October, Brisbane will be host to one of 0:02:25.009 --> 0:02:28.579 the Knights of the Blind and Low Vision calendar, the 0:02:28.579 --> 0:02:32.929 Blind Australian of the Year Awards, hosted by Link Vision 0:02:32.929 --> 0:02:36.169 and to have a chat with me all about the awards. 0:02:36.199 --> 0:02:40.639 It's my great pleasure to welcome Engagement and Inclusion Manager 0:02:40.639 --> 0:02:45.349 from Link Vision Murray Bampton. Murray, welcome to Talking Vision. 0:02:45.349 --> 0:02:47.359 Thanks so much for your time today. 0:02:47.989 --> 0:02:49.729 Thanks so much for having me, Sam. 0:02:49.939 --> 0:02:53.119 Now firstly, Murray, what are the Blind Australian of the 0:02:53.119 --> 0:02:54.259 Year Awards? 0:02:54.829 --> 0:02:57.529 Well, the Blind Australian of the Year Awards are an 0:02:57.529 --> 0:03:01.699 annual awards program, and they actually consist of two different 0:03:01.699 --> 0:03:04.609 kinds of awards. So one is the Blind Australian of 0:03:04.609 --> 0:03:08.599 the Year award that is conferred on an individual. And 0:03:08.599 --> 0:03:11.899 the second one is the Employer of Choice Award, and 0:03:11.899 --> 0:03:17.539 that's conferred on a workplace educational, social environment who employs 0:03:17.539 --> 0:03:20.509 people living with low vision and blindness and and other 0:03:20.509 --> 0:03:25.609 disabilities and demonstrates the attributes of an inclusive workplace. 0:03:25.849 --> 0:03:29.449 Okay. And Murray, what are the Blind Australian of the 0:03:29.449 --> 0:03:32.389 Year awards all about? What's the purpose there? 0:03:32.689 --> 0:03:36.289 Yeah, great question, Sam. So the Blind Australian of the 0:03:36.289 --> 0:03:40.369 Year awards were designed to highlight what is possible in 0:03:40.369 --> 0:03:44.989 life using blindness as the conduit. They're about challenging limiting 0:03:44.989 --> 0:03:49.789 beliefs about disability and creating opportunities for people living with blindness, 0:03:49.789 --> 0:03:54.289 low vision and other disabilities. So the Blind Australian of 0:03:54.289 --> 0:03:57.579 the Year awards actively promote the contribution that over half 0:03:57.579 --> 0:04:00.319 a million people who live with low vision and blindness 0:04:00.319 --> 0:04:04.039 make to Australian society. And they do that through business, government, 0:04:04.039 --> 0:04:08.629 corporate health, education and the community sectors. So they capture 0:04:08.629 --> 0:04:13.489 the spirit of innovation, resilience and enterprise required to perform 0:04:13.489 --> 0:04:16.249 in a vision centric world. And I think anyone living 0:04:16.249 --> 0:04:20.689 with low vision or blindness really appreciates how vision centric 0:04:20.689 --> 0:04:21.319 we are. 0:04:21.529 --> 0:04:24.589 And you know, following on from that point you make 0:04:24.589 --> 0:04:30.349 there about society being quite vision centric, why centre blindness 0:04:30.349 --> 0:04:34.939 over various other disabilities? What sort of things are the 0:04:34.939 --> 0:04:38.059 awards looking to achieve from that side of things? 0:04:39.019 --> 0:04:42.739 Yeah, it's a really great point, Sam. So look, singling 0:04:42.739 --> 0:04:46.969 out blindness over any other disability, there really is, at 0:04:46.969 --> 0:04:51.229 least in a felt experience, I suppose a hierarchy of 0:04:51.229 --> 0:04:54.999 disabilities and at the top of that hierarchy sets blindness. 0:04:55.009 --> 0:04:58.729 This is a quite uncomfortable conversation for people to have 0:04:58.729 --> 0:05:02.239 at times, but this is what's been confirmed by research 0:05:02.239 --> 0:05:05.779 that blindness is recognised as the most feared of all 0:05:05.779 --> 0:05:11.449 conditions by many people in the community, even above terminal 0:05:11.449 --> 0:05:16.509 cancer and other like really, really challenging conditions to deal with. 0:05:16.519 --> 0:05:19.699 So the Blind Australian of the Year awards demonstrate the 0:05:19.699 --> 0:05:23.929 capacity of people living with blindness to contribute powerfully to 0:05:23.929 --> 0:05:28.909 society and still live really purposeful, meaningful lives, even in 0:05:28.909 --> 0:05:33.919 our vision centric society. So by highlighting innovation and the 0:05:33.919 --> 0:05:37.699 achievements of individuals living with low and no vision, we 0:05:37.699 --> 0:05:41.359 provide evidence of the capacity and contribution that all people 0:05:41.359 --> 0:05:45.669 with disability possess and demonstrate. And so that somebody with 0:05:45.699 --> 0:05:50.059 the know, quote unquote worst disability imaginable still has the 0:05:50.059 --> 0:05:53.869 capacity equal to that of able bodied persons. So we're 0:05:53.869 --> 0:05:58.639 really changing the narratives about disability because those narratives are 0:05:58.639 --> 0:06:02.569 mainly based in fear, ignorance and a lack of imagination. 0:06:02.569 --> 0:06:06.139 To be blunt about what's possible for people with really 0:06:06.139 --> 0:06:10.489 diverse life experiences and conditions. And so that is way 0:06:10.489 --> 0:06:14.629 beyond just the lived experience of low and no vision. 0:06:14.629 --> 0:06:19.189 That's even beyond the lived experience of disability. You know, 0:06:19.189 --> 0:06:24.469 anybody who experiences difference in a social context gets to 0:06:24.469 --> 0:06:29.209 have that narrative shifted. So that's really what this blind 0:06:29.209 --> 0:06:32.869 Australian of the Year awards seeks to disrupt. 0:06:32.989 --> 0:06:36.979 Yeah. Okay. No, there's a lot of important messages in 0:06:36.979 --> 0:06:40.039 there for sure, Murray because a lot of people do 0:06:40.039 --> 0:06:44.329 get quite scared if they feel they are experiencing vision 0:06:44.329 --> 0:06:47.929 loss or they're not really sure where to turn next. 0:06:47.929 --> 0:06:51.769 There are a lot of messages out there around that 0:06:51.769 --> 0:06:54.649 fear and ignorance and all that sort of thing, and 0:06:54.649 --> 0:06:59.179 people perhaps feel their lives are over if they no 0:06:59.179 --> 0:07:02.749 longer have the vision that they once did. But, you know, 0:07:02.749 --> 0:07:05.689 this is why these sort of things are so important 0:07:05.689 --> 0:07:09.949 to dispel those myths and really, you know, say to people, 0:07:09.949 --> 0:07:14.239 you can do something, you do matter. You're still so 0:07:14.239 --> 0:07:19.369 capable and can adapt and do amazing things. And so 0:07:19.369 --> 0:07:23.989 these awards really. Do a fantastic job there. Now, moving 0:07:23.989 --> 0:07:27.529 on from that, let's have a chat about the criteria 0:07:27.529 --> 0:07:32.269 for nomination for both the awards. So that's Blind Australian 0:07:32.269 --> 0:07:36.019 of the Year, which is the individual award, plus the 0:07:36.019 --> 0:07:41.269 employer of Choice Awards. So that's corporate or business or organisation. 0:07:41.269 --> 0:07:44.299 What are they sort of looking at from that side 0:07:44.299 --> 0:07:45.139 of things? 0:07:45.559 --> 0:07:49.999 No problems. So, you know, they're obviously quite distinct awards. 0:07:49.999 --> 0:07:54.619 So the Blind Australian of the Year, the individual award, 0:07:54.619 --> 0:07:57.739 you need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident 0:07:57.739 --> 0:08:01.759 currently living in Australia to be eligible for nomination. The 0:08:01.759 --> 0:08:06.799 criteria are around the demonstration of the impact that that 0:08:06.799 --> 0:08:10.909 person is having in their environment. So the person needs 0:08:10.909 --> 0:08:14.779 to demonstrate excellence and high achievement in their chosen field 0:08:14.779 --> 0:08:18.709 and that can be really diverse. They might demonstrate a 0:08:18.709 --> 0:08:23.569 real contribution to community and the contribution, the impact of 0:08:23.569 --> 0:08:27.889 that contribution either has made or will continue to make 0:08:27.889 --> 0:08:31.909 a significant impact for their community. They're a person who 0:08:31.909 --> 0:08:35.209 embodies the values of the Blind Australian of the Year awards, 0:08:35.209 --> 0:08:43.789 which are many and varied, but some examples might be excellence, innovation, creativity, perseverance, courage, 0:08:43.789 --> 0:08:49.189 self determination. They're someone who demonstrates achievements that align with 0:08:49.189 --> 0:08:52.549 the blind Australian of the Year Awards mission, which is 0:08:52.549 --> 0:08:57.889 of community impact and improving inclusion within Australian workplaces and society. 0:08:58.219 --> 0:09:01.459 And they possess personal attributes that would make them an 0:09:01.459 --> 0:09:05.419 excellent ambassador of these awards. So we're really looking at 0:09:05.419 --> 0:09:11.989 character there. It's broad, purposefully, somewhat loose if you like, 0:09:11.989 --> 0:09:16.549 because we don't want to conscript nominations to fit a 0:09:16.549 --> 0:09:22.369 particular viewpoint or aspect. We've had nominations for people who 0:09:22.369 --> 0:09:29.899 have achieved incredible things academically. We've had nominations for artists, music, 0:09:29.899 --> 0:09:35.719 fine arts, we've had nominations for people who are chefs 0:09:35.719 --> 0:09:42.469 or fashion designers. So these are unusual pursuits for somebody 0:09:42.469 --> 0:09:46.489 with low or no vision. Like somebody was nominated last 0:09:46.489 --> 0:09:52.249 year from Tasmania who's extraordinary, creates beautiful furniture, you know, 0:09:52.249 --> 0:09:56.209 So there's a whole range as well as people that 0:09:56.209 --> 0:10:01.009 are out there doing amazing advocacy work, particularly in digital mediums. 0:10:01.009 --> 0:10:05.299 So yeah, community engagement, there's a whole raft of areas 0:10:05.299 --> 0:10:08.209 of life that people can excel in and and we 0:10:08.209 --> 0:10:10.579 would frankly love to hear about them all. 0:10:10.579 --> 0:10:14.359 Yes. Now, you know, there's a lot of amazing categories 0:10:14.359 --> 0:10:18.619 in there and a lot of really incredible criteria for 0:10:18.619 --> 0:10:23.119 people to really get excited around, you know, perhaps nominating 0:10:23.119 --> 0:10:26.629 someone that they do know who would be perfect and, 0:10:26.629 --> 0:10:30.829 you know, really deserving of such an award like this. 0:10:30.829 --> 0:10:35.719 So how can people nominate, for example, an individual for 0:10:35.719 --> 0:10:38.749 Blind Australian of the Year? Or perhaps I want to 0:10:38.749 --> 0:10:43.249 nominate someone for employer of choice. What's the best way 0:10:43.249 --> 0:10:44.529 for them to do that? 0:10:44.539 --> 0:10:46.579 Well, so I'm the best way is actually to go 0:10:46.579 --> 0:10:49.789 to the Blind Australian of the Year website, which is 0:10:49.789 --> 0:10:56.329 W-w-what Blind Australian of the Year comma you and click 0:10:56.329 --> 0:10:59.899 on the Nominate tab. It's a simple online form that's 0:10:59.899 --> 0:11:03.829 available for both the individual and the employer of Choice Awards. 0:11:03.829 --> 0:11:07.699 We recommend that people draft up their nomination pitch in 0:11:07.699 --> 0:11:11.029 a word document, for example, or something similar, and then 0:11:11.029 --> 0:11:14.299 cut and paste the pitch into the online form so 0:11:14.299 --> 0:11:17.929 that way you can massage, you know, your words, make 0:11:17.929 --> 0:11:21.889 sure it's the correct length of around 750 words. Edit 0:11:21.889 --> 0:11:25.159 Where necessary. Workshop it, if you like, with the nominee, 0:11:25.159 --> 0:11:27.919 the person that you're wanting to nominate. These are all 0:11:27.919 --> 0:11:32.089 really great strategies for creating an excellent nomination because the 0:11:32.089 --> 0:11:35.569 reality is that the panel members that will be judging 0:11:35.569 --> 0:11:38.959 all of our nominations received and they look at every 0:11:38.959 --> 0:11:43.039 single nomination received, they have to go on only what 0:11:43.039 --> 0:11:47.029 is written in that nomination. So it needs to be 0:11:47.029 --> 0:11:52.489 as comprehensive and as descriptive as possible to introduce the 0:11:52.489 --> 0:11:56.209 panel to this phenomenal person so that they can have 0:11:56.209 --> 0:12:00.919 an understanding of what this person is about, what they've achieved, 0:12:00.919 --> 0:12:04.819 what they are looking to achieve and to consider. How 0:12:04.819 --> 0:12:08.749 would receiving the Blind Australian of the Year award help 0:12:08.749 --> 0:12:12.229 them to create even more impact? Like we really want 0:12:12.229 --> 0:12:15.199 to see that their receipt of the award will make 0:12:15.199 --> 0:12:17.539 a difference for their life in the future. So we'd 0:12:17.539 --> 0:12:19.759 really like to hear that. So those are all the 0:12:19.759 --> 0:12:24.279 things that we'd love. See included in the nomination. So 0:12:24.279 --> 0:12:26.919 it really does require quite a bit of work. And 0:12:26.919 --> 0:12:31.449 we really acknowledge our nominators for the effort that's required 0:12:31.449 --> 0:12:33.309 to put in a really good nomination. 0:12:33.459 --> 0:12:38.409 And nominations do close quite soon. Marie So people should 0:12:38.409 --> 0:12:41.949 absolutely get around it sooner rather than later if they 0:12:41.949 --> 0:12:45.339 haven't done so already. So what day and time in 0:12:45.339 --> 0:12:49.119 particular do those nominations closed for people out there? 0:12:49.329 --> 0:12:53.739 Awesome, Sam. So the nominations closed at 11:59 p.m. so 0:12:53.739 --> 0:12:57.639 nearly midnight on Sunday, the 1st of October. So that's 0:12:57.639 --> 0:13:00.909 next Sunday. I'm aware that it's a really big weekend 0:13:00.909 --> 0:13:04.779 for footy fans and it's also a long weekend. So 0:13:04.779 --> 0:13:07.359 we really implore people to, you know, take a little 0:13:07.359 --> 0:13:09.759 bit of time and get those nominations in. 0:13:16.829 --> 0:13:20.129 I'm Sam Kelly and you're listening to Talking Vision on 0:13:20.129 --> 0:13:25.319 Vision Australia Radio, Associated Stations of Air and the Community 0:13:25.319 --> 0:13:29.039 Radio Network. I hope you enjoyed the first half of 0:13:29.069 --> 0:13:33.299 that interview with Murray Bampton from Linc Vision talking to 0:13:33.299 --> 0:13:37.199 me all about the upcoming Blind Australian of the Year 0:13:37.199 --> 0:13:42.359 awards taking place in Brisbane. Now please enjoy the second 0:13:42.359 --> 0:13:46.169 half of my interview with Murray as we chat about 0:13:46.169 --> 0:13:49.649 the Employer of Choice Award. So we've had a chat 0:13:49.649 --> 0:13:54.749 about the criteria and the nomination process for the individual award, 0:13:54.749 --> 0:13:59.129 The Blind Australian of the Year. But what about the 0:13:59.129 --> 0:14:03.629 Employer of Choice Award? What some the nomination process and 0:14:03.629 --> 0:14:05.369 the criteria around that one. 0:14:05.549 --> 0:14:08.879 Nomination process is exactly the same. You just go to 0:14:08.879 --> 0:14:11.519 the same spot and you just pick the link that 0:14:11.519 --> 0:14:15.059 works for you. Like if you want, it'll say employer 0:14:15.149 --> 0:14:18.929 of choice or blind Australian of the Year individual. Okay, 0:14:18.929 --> 0:14:22.319 so you go into the same tab on our website. 0:14:22.799 --> 0:14:23.549 Perfect. 0:14:23.819 --> 0:14:27.989 And in terms of employers of choice, these can be 0:14:27.989 --> 0:14:35.579 any Australian businesses, corporations, government departments, education facilities or community 0:14:35.579 --> 0:14:39.779 organisations that employ people with low or no vision. An 0:14:39.779 --> 0:14:44.759 organisation who demonstrates leadership as an inclusive employer might be 0:14:44.759 --> 0:14:48.179 one that has these following attributes. So they have a 0:14:48.179 --> 0:14:52.589 diverse workforce, including current employees with low or no vision. 0:14:52.589 --> 0:14:56.369 They provide tools and resources that accommodate the person's particular 0:14:56.369 --> 0:14:59.549 needs in relation to their disability. They have created a 0:14:59.549 --> 0:15:04.259 culture of teamwork and valuing every person's contribution they value 0:15:04.259 --> 0:15:09.299 and promote collaboration, innovation and flexibility. They provide a voice 0:15:09.299 --> 0:15:12.329 for all members of their workforce, including those with a 0:15:12.329 --> 0:15:16.589 lived experience of disability. And they foster engagement between all 0:15:16.589 --> 0:15:20.339 members of their workforce, including between management and workers. They 0:15:20.339 --> 0:15:24.209 provide a purposeful pathway for growth and advancement of all employees, 0:15:24.209 --> 0:15:27.239 including those with the lived experience of disability, which is 0:15:27.239 --> 0:15:30.719 really important because what we do know about employment of 0:15:30.719 --> 0:15:33.389 people with disability is that often they're at the lowest 0:15:33.389 --> 0:15:37.619 levels with very little career progression opportunities. So we're really 0:15:37.619 --> 0:15:42.449 wanting to disrupt that pattern. So the organisation or employer 0:15:42.449 --> 0:15:45.689 provides a positive workplace. It's a place where people actually 0:15:45.689 --> 0:15:46.829 want to go to work. 0:15:46.829 --> 0:15:51.989 Yeah, no, we had absolutely no, we've had somebody on 0:15:51.989 --> 0:15:55.409 the show, I think you've mentioned very briefly made reference 0:15:55.409 --> 0:15:59.579 to Craig Shanahan, the blind chef who was also star 0:15:59.579 --> 0:16:02.969 of one of the Big Visions books and, you know, 0:16:02.969 --> 0:16:07.109 doing an amazing job there and getting a really incredible 0:16:07.109 --> 0:16:10.949 message across to kids across the country who are blind 0:16:10.949 --> 0:16:15.149 or have low vision. So great to have some involvement there. 0:16:15.149 --> 0:16:18.539 And and he was absolutely over the moon to receive 0:16:18.539 --> 0:16:21.749 that Employer of choice award when that did come across 0:16:21.749 --> 0:16:22.559 at the time. 0:16:22.739 --> 0:16:28.139 Absolutely. Absolutely. And he's been just an amazing champion for 0:16:28.139 --> 0:16:34.529 inclusive employment and for letting both organisations and individuals see 0:16:34.529 --> 0:16:39.029 what is possible. So it's one thing to like know or, 0:16:39.029 --> 0:16:42.779 you know, like have some sort of cognitive understanding, like, 0:16:42.779 --> 0:16:45.419 you know, like there's all this research that says if 0:16:45.419 --> 0:16:48.869 you have a diverse workforce and by diversity we mean 0:16:48.869 --> 0:16:52.499 inclusive of people with the lived experience of disability, that 0:16:52.499 --> 0:16:56.519 there's better business outcomes. It affects the bottom line. They 0:16:56.519 --> 0:16:59.459 make more money. This is a good thing in business. 0:16:59.459 --> 0:17:00.809 Yes, certainly. 0:17:00.809 --> 0:17:05.309 Is. So Craig has been an extraordinary champion of what's possible, 0:17:05.309 --> 0:17:05.939 you know. 0:17:06.089 --> 0:17:10.469 I'm sure has been. Now, how can people access tickets 0:17:10.469 --> 0:17:14.399 to the Blind Australian of the Year Awards gala dinner, 0:17:14.399 --> 0:17:19.649 which is taking place on Saturday, the 28th of October 0:17:19.649 --> 0:17:24.029 at the Pullman Hotel at King George Square in Brisbane. 0:17:24.029 --> 0:17:26.849 People might be listening to this and thinking, Wow, this 0:17:26.849 --> 0:17:29.909 sounds incredible. I'd love to head along. How can they 0:17:29.909 --> 0:17:30.539 do that? 0:17:31.139 --> 0:17:33.209 Oh, we would love them to head along. It'll be 0:17:33.209 --> 0:17:37.319 a night to remember. So the tickets are available from 0:17:37.319 --> 0:17:40.169 the Blind Australian of the Year website. There is a 0:17:40.169 --> 0:17:44.039 tickets tab. If you click there, it'll take you through 0:17:44.039 --> 0:17:47.339 to a shopping cart. Now there is a drop down 0:17:47.339 --> 0:17:50.159 menu in the shopping cart and all of this is 0:17:50.159 --> 0:17:54.179 accessible and if there's any challenges with using any of 0:17:54.179 --> 0:17:58.109 the technology, people are free to ring me or email 0:17:58.109 --> 0:18:00.959 me direct. That's no problem as well. But in the 0:18:00.959 --> 0:18:04.799 shopping cart, there are a range of specific ticket types 0:18:04.799 --> 0:18:08.549 that can be accessed from a dropdown menu. So guests 0:18:08.549 --> 0:18:11.819 who live with low or no vision and their companions, 0:18:11.819 --> 0:18:14.669 should they choose to bring someone, have their ticket prices. 0:18:14.919 --> 0:18:19.029 Sad eyes. So they're about half price. So be sure 0:18:19.029 --> 0:18:22.599 to choose the correct ticket type is is the first thing. Yes. 0:18:22.779 --> 0:18:26.439 There's also early bird prices that are currently available for 0:18:26.439 --> 0:18:30.429 general entry tickets. So it's going to be a great night. 0:18:30.429 --> 0:18:35.109 We've got award winning artist Blind Ambition and Steve Sparrow 0:18:35.109 --> 0:18:39.319 playing like providing the entertainment for the evening along with 0:18:39.339 --> 0:18:42.489 a three course dinner, drinks and other forms of entertainment 0:18:42.489 --> 0:18:46.299 for everyone. So it's a fully inclusive event and it's 0:18:46.299 --> 0:18:49.209 an evening gala like no other. So there may be 0:18:49.209 --> 0:18:50.859 a few surprises for people. 0:18:50.859 --> 0:18:55.539 Yes, super exciting. And something else that's quite exciting is 0:18:55.539 --> 0:19:00.509 the Community Inclusion Expo, which is going on from 3 0:19:00.509 --> 0:19:05.379 to 6 p.m. on the same day at the same location. 0:19:05.379 --> 0:19:08.559 So tell us a bit about that finally before we 0:19:08.559 --> 0:19:09.159 wrap up. 0:19:09.279 --> 0:19:12.459 Thanks, Sam. Yeah, I'd love to. So this is the 0:19:12.459 --> 0:19:16.179 first year that we've incorporated a fully fledged expo as 0:19:16.179 --> 0:19:18.969 part of the Blind Australian of the Year program. So 0:19:18.969 --> 0:19:21.249 we dipped our toe in the water last year and 0:19:21.249 --> 0:19:25.299 it was really well received. So the purpose of the Expo, 0:19:25.299 --> 0:19:29.079 there's three key reasons for doing it. The first is 0:19:29.079 --> 0:19:32.229 to provide opportunities for people living with blindness and low 0:19:32.229 --> 0:19:36.939 vision to access new information, products and resources to find 0:19:36.939 --> 0:19:40.389 out about services and expand their capacity to live really 0:19:40.389 --> 0:19:45.489 full lives through engagement with the trade exhibitors. And we've 0:19:45.489 --> 0:19:50.109 got a really broad, really diverse range of exhibitors, so 0:19:50.109 --> 0:19:55.269 we've got warmly nourished. So Pat is a chef and 0:19:55.269 --> 0:19:59.319 specialises in working with people who are losing their sight 0:19:59.319 --> 0:20:02.679 or who are blind to be safe and competent in 0:20:02.679 --> 0:20:06.849 the kitchen and to prepare their own nourishing meals. She'll 0:20:06.849 --> 0:20:12.009 be there. We'll have personal trainers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists will 0:20:12.009 --> 0:20:17.019 have people who can demonstrate the latest in assistive technologies. 0:20:17.019 --> 0:20:20.139 So there's going to be such an incredibly broad range 0:20:20.139 --> 0:20:24.249 of people there that can support people living with low 0:20:24.249 --> 0:20:28.569 and low vision and other disabilities to live really full 0:20:28.569 --> 0:20:32.769 and healthy lives. So the second point is that we're 0:20:32.769 --> 0:20:38.049 there to educate interested community members, health and education professionals 0:20:38.049 --> 0:20:41.349 and trainees by exposing them to a range of resources 0:20:41.349 --> 0:20:45.189 and professional networking opportunities. So this equips them to work 0:20:45.189 --> 0:20:48.429 more effectively with people living with blindness and low vision. 0:20:48.429 --> 0:20:50.889 And the flow on effect of that, of course, is 0:20:50.889 --> 0:20:53.889 that they'll be more effective at working with all people, 0:20:53.889 --> 0:20:57.279 presenting with a whole range of conditions. As a former nurse, 0:20:57.279 --> 0:21:01.749 you know, I think things like this are phenomenally valuable 0:21:01.749 --> 0:21:06.699 and we're really wanting to engage, particularly our undergrads. So 0:21:06.699 --> 0:21:10.449 I'll be engaging with the TAFEs and universities in the 0:21:10.449 --> 0:21:15.609 surrounding areas to make this opportunity available for undergrad teachers 0:21:15.609 --> 0:21:19.929 and nurses and other allied health professionals. So that's the 0:21:19.929 --> 0:21:22.869 second purpose of the Expo. And the third is to 0:21:22.869 --> 0:21:30.399 enable cross-sectoral connections. So resource sharing, collaboration between our trade exhibitors. 0:21:30.399 --> 0:21:34.209 So you could consider that sort of business to business interactions, 0:21:34.209 --> 0:21:38.709 because all of us, it's really unbelievably valuable to know 0:21:38.709 --> 0:21:41.919 what others are doing and looking at ways in which 0:21:41.919 --> 0:21:46.119 we can collaborate or refer so that we're making it 0:21:46.119 --> 0:21:50.139 easier for people who are accessing our services to get 0:21:50.139 --> 0:21:52.599 everything that they need. So that's the point of the 0:21:52.599 --> 0:21:56.919 Community Inclusion Expo, and we'd love to see the expo 0:21:56.919 --> 0:21:57.999 well attended. 0:21:58.179 --> 0:22:00.639 Oh well, no, it sounds like there's going to be 0:22:00.639 --> 0:22:05.289 some incredible things going on on the 28th of October 0:22:05.289 --> 0:22:09.009 up in Brisbane. So a lot of exciting things for 0:22:09.009 --> 0:22:12.699 people to head along and check out for sure. Thank 0:22:12.699 --> 0:22:17.259 you so much, Murray. I've been speaking today with Murray Bampton, 0:22:17.259 --> 0:22:23.049 engagement and Inclusion Manager from Link Vision, the organisation which 0:22:23.049 --> 0:22:28.929 is hosting the Blind Australian of the Year Awards in 2023. Murray, 0:22:28.929 --> 0:22:31.569 thank you so much for your time today and all 0:22:31.569 --> 0:22:33.759 the best for the upcoming awards. 0:22:34.299 --> 0:22:36.789 Thank you so much, Sam, and we look forward to 0:22:36.789 --> 0:22:41.409 seeing lots of beautiful people there at the Expo and 0:22:41.409 --> 0:22:44.979 at the gala and I really look forward to being 0:22:44.979 --> 0:22:49.209 flooded with an influx of nominations this week. So thank 0:22:49.209 --> 0:22:50.199 you so much. 0:22:57.209 --> 0:23:00.809 And now here's Francis Kelland with a reader recommended. 0:23:00.959 --> 0:23:04.739 This is Before I Forget, and it's by Christine Bryden. 0:23:04.919 --> 0:23:09.179 When she was just 46, Christine Bryden, science adviser to 0:23:09.179 --> 0:23:12.239 the prime minister and a single mother of three daughters, 0:23:12.239 --> 0:23:16.949 was diagnosed with younger onset dementia. Doctors told her to 0:23:16.949 --> 0:23:19.109 get her affairs in order as she would soon be 0:23:19.109 --> 0:23:23.219 incapable of doing so. 20 years later, she is still thriving, 0:23:23.219 --> 0:23:26.609 still working hard to rewire her brain even as it 0:23:26.609 --> 0:23:31.289 loses its function. The unusually slow progress of her condition 0:23:31.289 --> 0:23:34.619 puts Christine in a unique position to describe the lived 0:23:34.619 --> 0:23:38.399 experience of dementia, a condition affecting tens of millions of 0:23:38.399 --> 0:23:42.689 people worldwide. In this revealing memoir, she looks back on 0:23:42.689 --> 0:23:45.719 her life in an effort to understand how her brain, 0:23:45.719 --> 0:23:50.279 once her greatest asset, now her greatest challenge, works now. 0:23:50.369 --> 0:23:53.279 She shares what it's like to start grasping for words 0:23:53.279 --> 0:23:56.579 that used to come easily to be exhausted from visiting 0:23:56.579 --> 0:23:59.519 a new place, to suddenly realize you don't remember how 0:23:59.519 --> 0:24:03.239 to drive, to challenge every day the stereotype of the 0:24:03.239 --> 0:24:07.799 empty shell. Brave and inspiring. This is Christine's legacy for 0:24:07.799 --> 0:24:11.609 people with dementia and those who care about them. Let's 0:24:11.609 --> 0:24:15.299 hear a sample of Before I Forget by Christine Bryden 0:24:15.299 --> 0:24:19.739 with Sarah Minns. It's narrated by Jackie Halliday. 0:24:20.339 --> 0:24:23.519 There's a clear dichotomy to my adult life, and it 0:24:23.519 --> 0:24:26.699 is divided by the moment. Doctor told me I had dementia. 0:24:27.089 --> 0:24:31.019 Before that day, I was a whip smart, multitasking scientist 0:24:31.019 --> 0:24:34.799 on a clear career trajectory that seemed sky high. I 0:24:34.799 --> 0:24:37.709 was also a dedicated mother, aware of all that was 0:24:37.709 --> 0:24:40.649 going on in my children's lives, spending all my spare 0:24:40.649 --> 0:24:44.549 time with them, talking, reading, sitting with them. As soon 0:24:44.549 --> 0:24:46.949 as I was told that my brain had a degenerative, 0:24:46.949 --> 0:24:50.999 incurable disease, I felt exiled from my former self in life. 0:24:51.599 --> 0:24:55.229 In 1995. My divorce from a long, unhappy marriage has 0:24:55.229 --> 0:24:59.489 just been finalized. My two youngest daughters, then aged 14 0:24:59.489 --> 0:25:02.189 and nine, and I had spent the weekend moving into 0:25:02.189 --> 0:25:05.579 our new home, a house in Canberra we had just bought. 0:25:05.879 --> 0:25:10.529 My eldest daughter, aged 20, was in Sydney University. I 0:25:10.529 --> 0:25:12.869 was finally out of a marriage that had caused me 0:25:12.869 --> 0:25:17.309 a great deal of pain, humiliation and self-doubt over many years. 0:25:17.729 --> 0:25:21.029 I held a senior job in the public service. I 0:25:21.029 --> 0:25:23.819 was the first Assistant Secretary in the department of the 0:25:23.819 --> 0:25:27.599 Prime Minister and Cabinet, heading up a division and advising 0:25:27.599 --> 0:25:31.439 the Prime Minister on science and technology. I could hold 0:25:31.439 --> 0:25:33.809 so much in my head. At the same time I 0:25:33.809 --> 0:25:37.529 could juggle multiple tasks. I was highly organized and you 0:25:37.529 --> 0:25:39.899 only had to tell me something once and I'd hold 0:25:39.899 --> 0:25:43.679 on to that piece of information forever. I was also, 0:25:43.679 --> 0:25:46.769 it should be noted, a little bit dismissive of people 0:25:46.769 --> 0:25:49.559 who weren't as capable as me. I had no idea 0:25:49.559 --> 0:25:53.699 that fast thinking creativity and super memory were not usual. 0:25:53.819 --> 0:25:57.869 It's strange, but I barely recognise the woman I'm writing about. 0:25:57.899 --> 0:26:00.719 It certainly doesn't feel like me. I feel as though 0:26:00.719 --> 0:26:03.329 I'm talking about someone I used to know. A long 0:26:03.329 --> 0:26:05.879 lost sister or friend who used to be a big 0:26:05.879 --> 0:26:08.549 part of my life, but whom I can now only 0:26:08.549 --> 0:26:13.139 vaguely identify with. But for the previous year or so, 0:26:13.139 --> 0:26:17.319 something hadn't been right. I was having trouble coping at work. 0:26:17.339 --> 0:26:20.339 A few things were slipping through my hitherto vice like 0:26:20.339 --> 0:26:23.759 brain and I was suffering from crippling migraines that would 0:26:23.759 --> 0:26:27.059 last for days, sometimes occurring up to once a week. 0:26:27.539 --> 0:26:29.669 I had put it all down to stress and had 0:26:29.669 --> 0:26:32.129 continued to cope with the help of my wonderful personal 0:26:32.129 --> 0:26:34.919 assistant and some strong pain medication. 0:26:35.849 --> 0:26:39.869 That was a sample of Before I Forget by Christine Bryden. 0:26:40.109 --> 0:26:53.369 Christine is Christine. Cristina Brighton is b. R. Y. D. N. B. R. Y. D. E. N. 0:26:53.459 --> 0:26:57.809 Written in conjunction with Sarah Minns. That book goes for 0:26:58.349 --> 0:27:01.139 six hours and 45 minutes. 0:27:01.349 --> 0:27:04.619 And that's all we have time for today. You've been 0:27:04.619 --> 0:27:08.969 listening to Talking Vision. Talking Vision is a production of 0:27:08.969 --> 0:27:12.959 Vision Australia Radio. Thanks to all involved with putting the 0:27:12.959 --> 0:27:16.799 show together. And remember, we love your feedback and comments, 0:27:16.799 --> 0:27:20.429 so please do get in touch on Talking vision at 0:27:20.429 --> 0:27:27.239 Vision australia.org. That's talking vision all one word at Vision australia.org. 0:27:27.239 --> 0:27:31.259 But until next week it's Sam Colley saying bye for now. 0:27:34.949 --> 0:27:38.999 You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during 0:27:38.999 --> 0:27:46.919 business hours on one 308 4746. That's one 308 474 0:27:46.949 --> 0:27:53.159 W6 or by visiting Vision australia.org that's Vision australia.org.