WEBVTT - Talking Vision 736 Week Beginning 8 July 2024 0:00:13.158 --> 0:00:18.948 From Vision Australia. This is talking vision. And now here's 0:00:18.948 --> 0:00:20.928 your host, Sam Coley. 0:00:23.478 --> 0:00:26.658 Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And 0:00:26.658 --> 0:00:29.598 for the next half hour, we talk matters of blindness 0:00:29.598 --> 0:00:30.738 and low vision. 0:00:30.948 --> 0:00:34.668 Well, the library, we're always looking for beautiful First Nations stories, 0:00:34.668 --> 0:00:37.728 own voices that can really tell us about different things 0:00:37.728 --> 0:00:41.448 and different parts and times of Australian history, and really 0:00:41.448 --> 0:00:44.988 acknowledging that First Nations people were the original oral story tellers. 0:00:44.988 --> 0:00:47.568 They were speaking stories to each other long before any 0:00:47.568 --> 0:00:49.578 of us had ever set foot on this part of 0:00:49.578 --> 0:00:52.308 the world. So there's some really beautiful stories that I'm 0:00:52.308 --> 0:00:53.868 very excited to chat about. 0:00:53.868 --> 0:00:57.648 Welcome to the program! This week we catch up with 0:00:57.648 --> 0:01:02.418 manager of the Vision Australia Library, Sarah Bloedorn, who's here 0:01:02.418 --> 0:01:05.808 to tell us about a range of events coming up 0:01:05.808 --> 0:01:09.978 at the library, as well as some First Nations reads 0:01:09.978 --> 0:01:14.598 and stories of First Nations experiences, as we mark Naydock 0:01:14.598 --> 0:01:18.318 week on the program this week. But before you hear 0:01:18.318 --> 0:01:22.458 from Sarah, I catch up with Ben Dew from Tennis 0:01:22.458 --> 0:01:27.828 Australia as the Australian Blind and Low Vision Tennis Championships 0:01:27.828 --> 0:01:32.298 are coming up once again very shortly. So if you'd 0:01:32.298 --> 0:01:35.388 like to find out a little bit more about those, 0:01:35.388 --> 0:01:39.108 make sure to stick around as that interviews coming up 0:01:39.108 --> 0:01:43.638 right now. I hope you'll enjoy this week's episode of 0:01:43.638 --> 0:01:51.988 Talking Vision. It feels like only just yesterday that the 0:01:51.988 --> 0:01:56.818 Australian Blind Tennis Championships were kicking off in Melbourne just 0:01:56.818 --> 0:02:01.498 last year, but it's been 12 months, can you believe it? 0:02:01.498 --> 0:02:05.098 And as we did the same time last year, it's 0:02:05.098 --> 0:02:09.298 my great pleasure to welcome Ben Dew from Tennis Australia 0:02:09.298 --> 0:02:13.318 to tell us all about the upcoming championships and the 0:02:13.318 --> 0:02:18.178 progress of blind tennis over the past 12 months. Ben, 0:02:18.178 --> 0:02:21.688 welcome back to Talking Vision. Great to have you again. 0:02:21.718 --> 0:02:22.408 Thanks for having. 0:02:22.408 --> 0:02:22.978 Me, Sam. 0:02:22.978 --> 0:02:26.758 Now, a while ago, Ben, we were chatting about the 0:02:26.758 --> 0:02:32.818 blind tennis championships going on in Melbourne and they are very, 0:02:32.818 --> 0:02:36.928 very quickly rolling around again. So tell us a little 0:02:36.928 --> 0:02:39.718 bit about the 2024 iteration. 0:02:39.718 --> 0:02:43.048 Yes. Uh, it's exciting times. And uh, this will be 0:02:43.048 --> 0:02:45.718 the third edition of the Australian Blind and Low Vision 0:02:45.718 --> 0:02:48.748 Tennis Championships and once again at the home of tennis 0:02:48.748 --> 0:02:51.988 at Melbourne Park there at the National Tennis Centre. So 0:02:51.988 --> 0:02:55.858 we're pretty excited. Over the last 12 months particularly, we've 0:02:55.858 --> 0:02:59.248 seen this pathway grow exponentially in in a lot of 0:02:59.248 --> 0:03:02.578 areas through all the different sport classes, but also in 0:03:02.578 --> 0:03:06.388 the junior participation numbers through our state tournaments. So, um, 0:03:06.388 --> 0:03:09.298 our pathway for blind and low vision tennis is, is 0:03:09.298 --> 0:03:12.568 certainly growing. And uh, and it's events like these national 0:03:12.568 --> 0:03:16.258 championships where we get to, uh, I suppose, celebrate the 0:03:16.258 --> 0:03:19.258 achievements of a lot of players and also introduce a 0:03:19.258 --> 0:03:21.838 lot of new players to the sport at an event 0:03:21.838 --> 0:03:25.498 like the national championships, which is a pretty cool experience 0:03:25.498 --> 0:03:28.318 on and off the court for these athletes. And then 0:03:28.318 --> 0:03:31.738 it's also an amazing opportunity for the top level and 0:03:31.738 --> 0:03:35.398 the top ranked players in the country who are vying 0:03:35.398 --> 0:03:39.118 for spots and and also some match practice before they 0:03:39.118 --> 0:03:43.768 head overseas to compete at the International Blind Tennis World Championships, 0:03:43.768 --> 0:03:46.918 which are held in September over in Europe later Later 0:03:46.918 --> 0:03:47.518 in the year. 0:03:47.518 --> 0:03:51.478 We'll talk about those world championships. And, you know, the 0:03:51.478 --> 0:03:55.138 amazing progress that blind tennis has made over the past 0:03:55.138 --> 0:03:59.938 12 months in just a little while. But firstly, Ben, 0:03:59.938 --> 0:04:04.138 I think let's get some more details about the blind 0:04:04.138 --> 0:04:09.238 tennis championships happening right here in Melbourne over the next 0:04:09.238 --> 0:04:12.748 couple of weeks. So it is, as you've said, held 0:04:12.748 --> 0:04:17.788 at Melbourne Park. But what is the timeline looking like? 0:04:17.788 --> 0:04:21.298 What days can people expect to go and watch and 0:04:21.298 --> 0:04:24.358 support their family and friends, or just have a first 0:04:24.358 --> 0:04:27.388 watch of some high quality, blind and low vision tennis? 0:04:27.418 --> 0:04:30.058 Yeah, absolutely. There's a lot to see and a lot 0:04:30.058 --> 0:04:33.598 to come and experience and take in. We'll have matches 0:04:33.598 --> 0:04:37.568 and an opening ceremony on the Friday the 19th of July, 0:04:37.568 --> 0:04:41.318 starting off, uh, around mid-morning with the opening ceremony and 0:04:41.318 --> 0:04:45.338 matches starting around about 11:00. And yeah, basically be playing 0:04:45.338 --> 0:04:49.478 across four of the indoor courts at the National Tennis Centre. Uh, 0:04:49.478 --> 0:04:53.078 there's a viewing platform there, and there's also a tournament 0:04:53.078 --> 0:04:56.708 central where we have a large screen TV that has, uh, 0:04:56.708 --> 0:05:00.128 a live stream from the Tennis Australia YouTube channel. So 0:05:00.128 --> 0:05:03.248 there'll be, uh, opportunity to view and to listen to 0:05:03.248 --> 0:05:06.998 commentary as well, both at the venue, but also remotely 0:05:06.998 --> 0:05:09.218 for those who maybe can't make it to Melbourne or 0:05:09.218 --> 0:05:12.128 wish to watch or listen to some of the matches. 0:05:12.188 --> 0:05:15.308 Saturday we got a half day plan. So we've got 0:05:15.308 --> 0:05:19.148 basically matches starting uh, around about midday and going right 0:05:19.148 --> 0:05:22.988 through the afternoon. And depending on entry numbers and the schedule, 0:05:22.988 --> 0:05:26.828 it could be a full afternoon full of matches and 0:05:26.828 --> 0:05:30.098 then again on Sunday. So, um, there'll be matches kicking 0:05:30.098 --> 0:05:32.708 off around 9:00 on the Sunday, and we aim to 0:05:32.708 --> 0:05:37.028 have the presentation ceremony around about 5:00 on Sunday the 0:05:37.028 --> 0:05:38.288 21st of July. 0:05:38.318 --> 0:05:41.408 Tell us a little bit more about that live stream 0:05:41.408 --> 0:05:46.208 in particular. So that's available on YouTube. But what other 0:05:46.208 --> 0:05:50.528 platforms or sites can people head along to and have 0:05:50.528 --> 0:05:51.848 a watch of that? 0:05:51.968 --> 0:05:55.598 They'll definitely, uh, be live streaming of our show court. 0:05:55.628 --> 0:05:58.958 Our court one across all three days. And that's, as 0:05:58.958 --> 0:06:02.438 you said, through the Tennis Australia YouTube channel. Um, so 0:06:02.438 --> 0:06:04.778 you can get on there and, and if you just, uh, 0:06:04.778 --> 0:06:07.628 search blind tennis, you should be able to find that. 0:06:07.628 --> 0:06:10.898 We'll also be sharing the link through Tennis Australia social 0:06:10.898 --> 0:06:14.048 media as well as blind sports, so Blind Sports and 0:06:14.048 --> 0:06:17.108 Recreation Victoria will definitely be promoting the event and the 0:06:17.108 --> 0:06:20.978 live stream. And also we've got Blind Sports, New South 0:06:20.978 --> 0:06:24.098 Wales and Act So Blind, Sports and Recreation New South 0:06:24.098 --> 0:06:26.648 Wales and Act will be there as well. And we're 0:06:26.648 --> 0:06:29.738 looking to hopefully live stream a second court through the 0:06:29.738 --> 0:06:34.988 Blind Sports and Recreation New South Wales and Act Facebook page. 0:06:35.138 --> 0:06:38.378 Is there any sort of audio description along with that 0:06:38.378 --> 0:06:42.428 or commentary that people can listen to? Um, those sort 0:06:42.428 --> 0:06:44.828 of accessibility features? Absolutely. 0:06:44.828 --> 0:06:47.858 That's, uh, one thing that we're really, uh, trying to 0:06:47.858 --> 0:06:50.378 improve on last year, which was was great to have 0:06:50.378 --> 0:06:53.678 a a live stream component, I suppose we have each 0:06:53.678 --> 0:06:57.398 year we've slowly improved the offering and yeah, internally with 0:06:57.398 --> 0:07:00.978 our Tennis Australia production team and through the features of YouTube, 0:07:00.978 --> 0:07:03.378 you can have live captioning on there. But we really 0:07:03.378 --> 0:07:05.118 want to see if we can take it to that 0:07:05.118 --> 0:07:08.688 next level and have commentary and special comments as well as, 0:07:08.688 --> 0:07:12.108 you know, some on court interviews with some players post-match, 0:07:12.108 --> 0:07:14.688 particularly on Sunday as things start to heat up a 0:07:14.688 --> 0:07:17.748 little bit on Sunday with our finals day. So yeah, 0:07:17.748 --> 0:07:20.538 by all means there'll be, uh, some live streams, some 0:07:20.538 --> 0:07:23.118 captioning on that live stream on the YouTube channel, but 0:07:23.118 --> 0:07:27.018 then also some engagement through the commentary, which will be 0:07:27.018 --> 0:07:31.128 that typical kind of radio commentary for our viewers and listeners. 0:07:31.128 --> 0:07:32.958 And yeah, as I said, trying to engage some of 0:07:32.958 --> 0:07:36.438 the players post-match, a little bit like Jim Courier at 0:07:36.438 --> 0:07:39.798 the Australian Open and um, hopefully capture some, you know, 0:07:39.798 --> 0:07:43.668 immediate feelings and insights from some of the players post-match. 0:07:43.668 --> 0:07:48.438 And in terms of what's happening over the next few 0:07:48.438 --> 0:07:53.178 months after people have had their fill with the Australian 0:07:53.178 --> 0:07:57.018 Tennis Championships, what are the events coming up that people 0:07:57.018 --> 0:08:00.468 can look forward to? Following our Australian blind and low 0:08:00.468 --> 0:08:03.888 vision tennis players as they move around the world and 0:08:03.888 --> 0:08:06.708 head off to compete in Europe and such places. 0:08:06.738 --> 0:08:10.608 Yeah, we've got quite a big calendar actually. This year 0:08:10.608 --> 0:08:13.848 it's probably our largest calendar of events for blind and 0:08:13.848 --> 0:08:16.788 low vision tennis ever, which is great. We've actually just 0:08:16.788 --> 0:08:19.848 come off a pilot of a blind and low vision 0:08:19.848 --> 0:08:23.268 tennis league, which is a weekly league happening in Adelaide 0:08:23.268 --> 0:08:26.148 that just finished last week. So we're looking to roll 0:08:26.148 --> 0:08:29.058 out another blind and low vision league, which is, you know, 0:08:29.058 --> 0:08:32.538 a weekly competition for players locally to play more regularly. 0:08:32.538 --> 0:08:34.608 And then we'll probably have some more updates on that 0:08:34.608 --> 0:08:36.798 in the coming weeks. But um, we're hoping to do 0:08:36.798 --> 0:08:39.828 that in some other states. So not just in South Australia. 0:08:39.828 --> 0:08:42.678 And then we've got our Northern Territory blind and low 0:08:42.678 --> 0:08:46.548 vision open. The inaugural NT open, which is coming around 0:08:46.548 --> 0:08:49.638 quickly as well. That's on the 31st of August and 0:08:49.638 --> 0:08:52.518 the 1st of September up in Darwin, which is exciting, 0:08:52.518 --> 0:08:55.398 and we're looking to provide a tour off the back 0:08:55.398 --> 0:08:58.248 of there. So partnering with Cocky Guides to be able 0:08:58.248 --> 0:09:01.398 to provide an off court experience for both players and 0:09:01.398 --> 0:09:03.918 also just spectators who are wanting to go to Darwin 0:09:03.918 --> 0:09:06.378 and see some of the sights. So looking forward to 0:09:06.378 --> 0:09:08.928 that as a bit of a partnership and also something 0:09:08.928 --> 0:09:11.808 that we can look forward to providing in future years. 0:09:11.808 --> 0:09:14.868 For anyone with low vision that would like to see 0:09:14.868 --> 0:09:16.638 some of the country and have a bit of a holiday, 0:09:16.638 --> 0:09:19.698 as well as play some tennis. So, um, that's pretty exciting. 0:09:19.698 --> 0:09:25.068 And then moving into September, we've got the Ibta European Championships, 0:09:25.068 --> 0:09:28.188 which a lot of Australian players will go and compete 0:09:28.188 --> 0:09:31.758 in Poland, and the 15th to the 20th of September. 0:09:31.758 --> 0:09:33.948 And that's a bit of a warm up and leading 0:09:33.948 --> 0:09:37.188 into the Ibta World Championships. So they're going to be 0:09:37.188 --> 0:09:40.128 held in Italy this year, which is super exciting. And 0:09:40.128 --> 0:09:43.698 there from the 25th of September to the 28th of September. 0:09:43.698 --> 0:09:46.728 And that kind of rounds out the international calendar for 0:09:46.728 --> 0:09:49.408 blind tennis. And then a lot of our athletes will 0:09:49.408 --> 0:09:52.378 come back home. And we have two more domestic tournaments 0:09:52.378 --> 0:09:55.918 in the calendar, one over in Perth for the WA open. 0:09:55.918 --> 0:09:59.488 That's in October, the 12th and 13th of October, and 0:09:59.488 --> 0:10:01.678 our final event of the year, which was our biggest 0:10:01.678 --> 0:10:03.958 event last year and I believe one of the biggest 0:10:03.958 --> 0:10:06.448 in the world in terms of a domestic blind and 0:10:06.448 --> 0:10:09.118 low vision tournament, which is the South Australian blind and 0:10:09.118 --> 0:10:11.938 low vision open. So that's on the 29th of November 0:10:11.938 --> 0:10:14.728 and the 1st of December. So we're looking forward to 0:10:14.728 --> 0:10:17.278 rounding out another massive year and seeing as many of 0:10:17.278 --> 0:10:20.458 our players and new players coming along to Adelaide to 0:10:20.458 --> 0:10:21.358 compete there. 0:10:21.538 --> 0:10:26.008 Speaking of new players and the increasing calendar that is 0:10:26.008 --> 0:10:29.068 really promising to hear about that. There's, you know, more 0:10:29.068 --> 0:10:32.998 and more events available for blind and low vision tennis 0:10:32.998 --> 0:10:37.378 athletes across Australia and no doubt across the world. But 0:10:37.378 --> 0:10:40.678 tell us a little bit about the progress that blind 0:10:40.678 --> 0:10:45.298 tennis has made over the past 12 months and potentially 0:10:45.298 --> 0:10:48.358 going into the future down the track. And this is 0:10:48.358 --> 0:10:53.248 a years long conversation, potentially, about getting blind tennis into 0:10:53.248 --> 0:10:56.068 the Paralympics. As you know, Paris is on the mind 0:10:56.068 --> 0:10:59.758 of quite a few people, and hopefully that encourages people 0:10:59.758 --> 0:11:03.028 who watch the tennis at the Olympics and think, oh, 0:11:03.028 --> 0:11:06.358 I'd love to play Paralympic blind tennis one day and, 0:11:06.358 --> 0:11:08.878 you know, get into the sport that way. 0:11:08.878 --> 0:11:11.098 Yeah, it's a great call out in terms of the 0:11:11.098 --> 0:11:14.488 Olympics and Paralympics coming up. It's where a lot of kids, 0:11:14.488 --> 0:11:17.938 you know, and other adults are watching and have eyes 0:11:17.938 --> 0:11:20.638 on sports and, and where we, uh, where a lot 0:11:20.638 --> 0:11:22.888 of us got that inspiration to pick up a racket 0:11:22.888 --> 0:11:25.858 or get into sport. So seeing some of those top 0:11:25.858 --> 0:11:28.798 athletes and seeing them compete on a global stage is 0:11:28.798 --> 0:11:32.308 super important and something that we'll look to engage, particularly 0:11:32.398 --> 0:11:34.918 all of our pathways on. So there'll be a bit 0:11:34.918 --> 0:11:38.248 of a promotional campaign that we're working closely on now 0:11:38.248 --> 0:11:41.248 to try and get people into tennis, and all eyes 0:11:41.278 --> 0:11:44.638 are on on the Olympic Games and Paralympics, so that's 0:11:44.638 --> 0:11:47.638 really exciting for our sport, but probably super exciting for 0:11:47.638 --> 0:11:50.758 all sports in Australia and something that we're looking forward to. 0:11:50.758 --> 0:11:54.058 And yeah, obviously looking at the growth that we've had over, 0:11:54.178 --> 0:11:57.718 it's really over the four years that we've been investing 0:11:57.718 --> 0:12:00.388 into blind tennis and, you know, from the early days 0:12:00.388 --> 0:12:03.688 of running a pilot tournament, which was really just before Covid. 0:12:03.688 --> 0:12:05.998 So it wasn't all that long ago where we had 0:12:05.998 --> 0:12:08.638 just dipped our toe in the waters and seen that 0:12:08.638 --> 0:12:10.948 there was a demand. And, and athletes out there that 0:12:10.948 --> 0:12:14.968 would love more regular and comprehensive pathway for blind tennis. 0:12:14.968 --> 0:12:18.538 And since then, um, yeah, we've got well over 120 0:12:18.538 --> 0:12:23.578 competitive players in our database and playing seven, uh, tournaments 0:12:23.578 --> 0:12:26.518 a year here in Australia. And then now that, uh, 0:12:26.518 --> 0:12:29.218 the international tournaments are back, there's quite a few heading 0:12:29.218 --> 0:12:32.578 overseas as well. So the growth we've seen is amazing, 0:12:32.578 --> 0:12:35.908 particularly in the junior ranks. We're probably, uh, a country 0:12:35.908 --> 0:12:38.258 that's got some of the highest number of junior blind 0:12:38.258 --> 0:12:40.958 and low vision tennis players, and we do work fairly 0:12:40.958 --> 0:12:44.018 closely with some of the other countries on resources and 0:12:44.018 --> 0:12:46.478 pathways and things, and learn a little bit from the 0:12:46.478 --> 0:12:49.028 LTA and what they're doing. And, you know, in terms 0:12:49.028 --> 0:12:52.808 of ranking systems and, and calendar of events. So, um, 0:12:52.808 --> 0:12:56.018 another key area we're looking to grow is the B1 category. 0:12:56.018 --> 0:12:58.838 So the B1 sport class, which is our category with 0:12:58.838 --> 0:13:01.118 the least amount of sight. I know there's quite a 0:13:01.118 --> 0:13:03.668 few countries that have got a lot of players in 0:13:03.698 --> 0:13:06.278 that class. However, we're lagging a little bit and we're 0:13:06.278 --> 0:13:09.338 certainly trying to grow that space a little bit more. 0:13:09.428 --> 0:13:11.408 Another area we've seen a lot of growth is in 0:13:11.408 --> 0:13:15.218 our women players, so female players have skyrocketed across a 0:13:15.218 --> 0:13:19.448 lot of different sport classes. So B2, B3 and B4. 0:13:19.778 --> 0:13:21.878 So it's great to see we're being able to split 0:13:21.878 --> 0:13:25.118 and have, you know, a B2 women's singles competition as 0:13:25.118 --> 0:13:28.968 well as a B2 men's competition. So, um, yeah, it's 0:13:28.968 --> 0:13:31.968 super exciting. Um, it's working a lot with our states 0:13:31.968 --> 0:13:34.578 and our coaches in each state and setting up some 0:13:34.578 --> 0:13:38.838 development hubs for people to play and and learn the sport, 0:13:38.838 --> 0:13:42.108 particularly that skill development side of things and the awareness 0:13:42.108 --> 0:13:44.658 of the tennis court and then to progress through into 0:13:44.658 --> 0:13:47.538 a competitive environment. And that's why I think the leagues, 0:13:47.538 --> 0:13:50.708 the weekly leagues, are really important for that development and 0:13:50.708 --> 0:13:54.518 to engage players on a regular basis more locally, where 0:13:54.518 --> 0:13:56.138 they don't have to travel so much. 0:13:56.168 --> 0:14:00.008 If people out there would love to get involved, perhaps 0:14:00.008 --> 0:14:02.798 find out more, they might be thinking, oh, you know 0:14:02.798 --> 0:14:05.168 what is blind and low vision tennis? I'd love to 0:14:05.168 --> 0:14:08.978 hear more about it. What ways to contact Tennis Australia 0:14:08.978 --> 0:14:12.158 would there be for people to perhaps get in touch 0:14:12.158 --> 0:14:13.388 and find out more? 0:14:13.568 --> 0:14:17.408 There's definitely more information on our Tennis Australia website. Um, 0:14:17.408 --> 0:14:20.948 so if you head to tennis. Com.au uh, and then 0:14:20.948 --> 0:14:23.468 you can see at the top there's a section on 0:14:23.468 --> 0:14:27.098 play and then inclusion and diversity, and you can follow 0:14:27.098 --> 0:14:30.338 the links there to find our blind and low vision page, 0:14:30.338 --> 0:14:35.828 which has everything from information on classification to, uh, some videos. 0:14:35.828 --> 0:14:38.678 It also has some information on our event. So there's 0:14:38.678 --> 0:14:41.348 a whole page there with a calendar of events which 0:14:41.348 --> 0:14:44.378 you can click to each event and enter online there. 0:14:44.378 --> 0:14:47.078 And there's also another tab that shows you how to 0:14:47.078 --> 0:14:49.778 get involved. So some local coaches that might be in 0:14:49.778 --> 0:14:53.408 your state or your area. And if you prefer email 0:14:53.408 --> 0:14:57.248 and any general requirements or specific queries about blind and 0:14:57.248 --> 0:15:00.038 low vision tennis, I encourage people to get in touch 0:15:00.038 --> 0:15:05.558 through our email, which is blind tennis at tennis. Com.au. 0:15:05.588 --> 0:15:07.958 So yeah, there's a couple of ways you can get involved. 0:15:07.958 --> 0:15:12.008 And uh, if not through your local blind sports contact 0:15:12.008 --> 0:15:13.448 in your local, state and territory. 0:15:13.478 --> 0:15:18.098 I've been speaking today with Ben Jew from Tennis Australia 0:15:18.098 --> 0:15:22.028 here to chat to me all about the 2024 Australian 0:15:22.028 --> 0:15:27.228 Blind and Low Vision Tennis Championships coming up very shortly 0:15:27.228 --> 0:15:32.418 in Melbourne over the weekend of the 20th of July. Ben, 0:15:32.418 --> 0:15:35.178 thank you so much for your time today. Great to 0:15:35.178 --> 0:15:37.728 hear from you again and thank you very much for 0:15:37.728 --> 0:15:38.508 your time. 0:15:39.198 --> 0:15:41.988 Thanks for having me, Sam, and I look forward to seeing, uh, 0:15:41.988 --> 0:15:45.108 yourself and others come down and enjoy some of the 0:15:45.108 --> 0:15:46.008 tennis action. 0:15:52.608 --> 0:15:56.178 I'm Sam Corley and you're listening to Talking Vision on 0:15:56.178 --> 0:16:01.218 Vision Australia Radio, Associated Stations of Reading Radio and the 0:16:01.218 --> 0:16:06.138 Community Radio Network. I hope you enjoyed that conversation there 0:16:06.138 --> 0:16:09.468 with Ben Jue. If you missed any part of that 0:16:09.468 --> 0:16:12.168 chat with Ben or you'd love to hear it again. 0:16:12.168 --> 0:16:17.388 Talking vision is available on the Vision Australia Radio website 0:16:17.388 --> 0:16:24.438 at VA radio.org. That's VA radio or one word.org. Or 0:16:24.438 --> 0:16:28.098 you can of course find the program on the podcast 0:16:28.098 --> 0:16:32.178 app of your choice or through the Vision Australia library. 0:16:32.388 --> 0:16:36.918 And speaking of the Vision Australia Library coming up next 0:16:36.918 --> 0:16:41.148 on Talking Vision. We have a long overdue catch up 0:16:41.148 --> 0:16:46.188 with Sarah Bloedorn, the manager of the Vision Australia library, 0:16:46.188 --> 0:16:49.908 who's here to tell us all about the latest events 0:16:49.908 --> 0:16:53.658 coming up over the next couple of months in the library, 0:16:53.658 --> 0:16:57.888 as well as some First Nations reads as we head 0:16:57.888 --> 0:17:03.348 into NAIDOC week this week on Vision Australia Radio. Sarah, 0:17:03.348 --> 0:17:06.258 welcome back to Talking Vision. Great to have you. 0:17:06.288 --> 0:17:07.338 Thanks for having me. 0:17:07.368 --> 0:17:12.348 Now there's quite a few exciting new events coming up 0:17:12.348 --> 0:17:16.128 at the Vision Australia library over the coming months. Tell 0:17:16.128 --> 0:17:17.478 us a little bit about them. 0:17:17.508 --> 0:17:19.608 Yeah, we have so much on I could hardly fit 0:17:19.608 --> 0:17:22.038 it on one page. So the first thing I wanted 0:17:22.038 --> 0:17:24.918 to tell you about is our short story writing with 0:17:24.918 --> 0:17:29.548 Amanda O'Callaghan, which starts beginning of July. So right about now. Um, 0:17:29.548 --> 0:17:32.488 so this is designed for anybody who's wanted to ever 0:17:32.488 --> 0:17:34.468 write a short story, or maybe they have a great 0:17:34.468 --> 0:17:36.958 little idea for a story and they weren't sure how 0:17:36.958 --> 0:17:41.878 to craft it. Uh, registrations are currently open, and we 0:17:41.878 --> 0:17:44.098 often get booked up quite quickly with those. So I'd 0:17:44.098 --> 0:17:46.528 encourage you if you miss out on this round, definitely 0:17:46.528 --> 0:17:49.378 to inquire. And we'll put you on the wait list 0:17:49.378 --> 0:17:52.818 for the next one. Uh, we're also welcoming people to 0:17:52.818 --> 0:17:56.598 our next in conversation on 24th of July. So this 0:17:56.598 --> 0:18:00.198 is with Les Pobjie. Um, we're very happy to have 0:18:00.198 --> 0:18:03.348 him along. Um, he's an amazing writer. He has a 0:18:03.348 --> 0:18:07.548 beautiful book. Um, and we'll also be interviewing his children, 0:18:07.548 --> 0:18:11.478 who are both equally as talented. Ben and Emily Maguire 0:18:11.508 --> 0:18:13.518 are both authors in their own right, so it's going 0:18:13.518 --> 0:18:16.078 to be a really jam packed in conversation. So this 0:18:16.078 --> 0:18:17.938 is a live webinar. So no matter where you are 0:18:17.938 --> 0:18:20.488 in Australia, please feel free to join up and come 0:18:20.488 --> 0:18:23.908 along and listen. That will be a 24th of July 0:18:23.908 --> 0:18:27.448 and you can register online for that. We also have 0:18:27.448 --> 0:18:30.658 our accessible writing tools and technology sessions. So this is 0:18:30.658 --> 0:18:33.238 the first time we've held these and they'll be online. 0:18:33.238 --> 0:18:35.458 But you can also attend in person at any of 0:18:35.458 --> 0:18:39.688 our big flagship sites in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. 0:18:39.688 --> 0:18:42.388 So really this is an opportunity to learn from our 0:18:42.388 --> 0:18:45.568 team of experts in accessible technology on how you can 0:18:45.568 --> 0:18:49.558 keep doing all those important tasks around writing. So in 0:18:49.558 --> 0:18:52.678 person or online, if you attend in person, you'll have 0:18:52.678 --> 0:18:55.738 an opportunity to see some live demonstrations of different tools 0:18:55.738 --> 0:19:00.328 and technologies while chatting to our accessibility specialists. But if 0:19:00.328 --> 0:19:02.488 you're only able to jump on online, no problem. You 0:19:02.488 --> 0:19:04.258 can also have a follow up call with one of 0:19:04.258 --> 0:19:06.748 our specialists later. If there was something in particular that 0:19:06.748 --> 0:19:09.538 interests you. And I've got more. Oh, more. 0:19:09.868 --> 0:19:10.408 Awesome. 0:19:10.618 --> 0:19:13.888 Excellent. On the 19th of August, we begin our Mindful 0:19:13.888 --> 0:19:18.448 Reading Wellbeing Through Stories series. So this is with Doctor 0:19:18.448 --> 0:19:21.748 Susan McLean, who is a bibliotherapist, which is maybe not 0:19:21.748 --> 0:19:23.578 a term a lot of people have heard, but I 0:19:23.578 --> 0:19:25.948 think it's the best job in the world. Susan supports 0:19:25.948 --> 0:19:30.658 people to reach a sense of wellbeing and mindfulness through stories, 0:19:30.838 --> 0:19:32.638 so it's a practice of reading books that could be 0:19:32.638 --> 0:19:36.568 short stories, poetry or non-fiction to support, guide and comfort 0:19:36.568 --> 0:19:39.508 us during challenging times. So this will be a monthly 0:19:39.508 --> 0:19:42.358 online series so you can kind of sit back in 0:19:42.358 --> 0:19:44.698 your own home. You're really encouraged to kind of immerse 0:19:44.698 --> 0:19:48.328 yourself in the session and concentrate and listen and you'll 0:19:48.328 --> 0:19:51.898 really it's very nourishing. They're really beautiful sessions. I'm not 0:19:51.898 --> 0:19:54.988 sure if anybody's come across Doctor Susan before. We have 0:19:54.988 --> 0:19:57.298 done previous sessions with her and she has created a 0:19:57.298 --> 0:20:00.658 podcast for Vision Australia Library. But these sessions are really beautiful. 0:20:00.658 --> 0:20:04.108 I'd encourage anybody that's interested to sign up for those. 0:20:04.168 --> 0:20:05.008 Lots happening. 0:20:05.008 --> 0:20:10.558 Yeah. Lots happening. Okay, well, that sounds fantastic. And I 0:20:10.558 --> 0:20:14.038 think this is the perfect time of year also to 0:20:14.038 --> 0:20:19.618 curl up with a fantastic new book. And um, given 0:20:19.618 --> 0:20:23.638 that we are heading into no dark week, we're celebrating 0:20:23.638 --> 0:20:28.168 NAIDOC week on the program this week. I'd love to 0:20:28.168 --> 0:20:33.508 hear about, um, some First Nations reads from the Vision 0:20:33.508 --> 0:20:39.628 Australia Library. Um, highlighting First Nations authors and lived experiences. 0:20:39.658 --> 0:20:42.368 I'd love to hear more about that. 0:20:42.368 --> 0:20:46.058 Yeah, absolutely. Well, the library, we're always looking for beautiful 0:20:46.058 --> 0:20:49.298 First Nations stories, own voices that can really tell us 0:20:49.298 --> 0:20:53.678 about different things and different parts and times of Australian history, 0:20:53.678 --> 0:20:56.738 and really acknowledging that First Nations people were the original 0:20:56.738 --> 0:20:59.588 oral storytellers. They were speaking stories to each other long 0:20:59.588 --> 0:21:02.198 before any of us had ever set foot on this 0:21:02.198 --> 0:21:04.868 part of the world. So, um, there's some really beautiful 0:21:04.868 --> 0:21:07.358 stories that I'm very excited to chat about. Um, but 0:21:07.358 --> 0:21:09.728 this is not an exhaustive list, so please enquire with 0:21:09.728 --> 0:21:13.088 the library if you would like some more information about any. Uh, 0:21:13.088 --> 0:21:15.278 the first one and you may have well have heard 0:21:15.278 --> 0:21:18.458 us talk about Praiseworthy by Alexis Wright. We hosted Alexis 0:21:18.458 --> 0:21:21.218 earlier in the year, and her book since then has 0:21:21.218 --> 0:21:23.408 gone on to win the stellar prize and is shortlisted 0:21:23.408 --> 0:21:25.778 for the Miles Franklin, which is just wonderful and and 0:21:25.778 --> 0:21:29.588 absolutely needs to be. Um, so it's a huge epic novel. 0:21:29.588 --> 0:21:32.168 I would encourage listening to this one on audio because 0:21:32.168 --> 0:21:34.358 the breadth of this book is so large, but I 0:21:34.358 --> 0:21:37.268 think the audio will make it really accessible. Um, so 0:21:37.268 --> 0:21:39.998 I'll read you the blurb. It's quite, quite crazy and outrageous, 0:21:39.998 --> 0:21:42.968 but just packed full of so many things in a 0:21:42.968 --> 0:21:46.088 small town dominated by a haze cloud, which heralds both 0:21:46.088 --> 0:21:49.898 an ecological catastrophe and a gathering of the ancestors, a 0:21:49.898 --> 0:21:52.928 crazed visionary seeks out donkeys as the solution to the 0:21:52.928 --> 0:21:57.578 global climate crisis and the economic dependency of the Aboriginal people. 0:21:57.608 --> 0:22:00.248 His wife seeks solace from his madness in following the 0:22:00.248 --> 0:22:03.248 dance of butterflies and scouring the internet to find out 0:22:03.248 --> 0:22:06.998 how she can seek repatriation for her Aboriginal Chinese family 0:22:06.998 --> 0:22:10.838 to China. One of their sons, called Aboriginal sovereignty, is 0:22:10.838 --> 0:22:14.288 determined to commit suicide. The other, Tommy Hawk, wishes his 0:22:14.288 --> 0:22:16.388 brother dead so that he can pursue his dream of 0:22:16.388 --> 0:22:19.868 becoming white and powerful. This is a novel which pushes 0:22:19.868 --> 0:22:23.498 allegory and language to its limits, a cry of outrage 0:22:23.498 --> 0:22:26.768 against oppression and disadvantage, and a fable for the end 0:22:26.768 --> 0:22:30.038 of days. I think that kind of captures very, very 0:22:30.038 --> 0:22:32.468 small way that the hugeness of this book. 0:22:32.468 --> 0:22:33.968 Um, certainly does. It's a really. 0:22:33.968 --> 0:22:36.938 Important, uh, book. I would encourage anybody to have a listen. 0:22:36.938 --> 0:22:39.968 Some other ones that are wonderful, uh, women and Children 0:22:39.968 --> 0:22:42.978 by Tony Birch Tony Birch is a very well renowned 0:22:42.978 --> 0:22:47.808 Australian Indigenous writer, so this current book is set in 1965, 0:22:47.808 --> 0:22:50.388 in a working class suburb, and tells the story of 0:22:50.388 --> 0:22:53.928 Marion and her sister Ruby. And really, it's a beautiful 0:22:53.928 --> 0:22:57.678 family story, but it explores so many important themes and 0:22:57.678 --> 0:23:02.208 certainly many of the challenges for First Nations people. Another book, 0:23:02.208 --> 0:23:04.778 which is just doing amazing things is We Come with 0:23:04.778 --> 0:23:08.108 This Place by Debra Dank. So this is a personal 0:23:08.108 --> 0:23:12.488 and profound tribute to her family and just lots about Australia, 0:23:12.488 --> 0:23:15.848 the land and people. And it's really beautiful celebration of 0:23:15.848 --> 0:23:18.548 all of those things. So that's just three books that 0:23:18.548 --> 0:23:20.168 we have that I would encourage you to have a 0:23:20.168 --> 0:23:22.148 listen to, but we have lots more, as I mentioned. 0:23:22.148 --> 0:23:24.878 So please enquire. And on our website we do have 0:23:24.878 --> 0:23:27.878 an area dedicated to books by First Nations authors, if 0:23:27.878 --> 0:23:28.748 you're interested. 0:23:28.748 --> 0:23:35.578 And that website library dot Vision australia.org that's library dot 0:23:35.578 --> 0:23:41.458 Vision Australia all one word.org. To find out more about 0:23:41.458 --> 0:23:46.768 all those first nations reads and much more. And Sarah, 0:23:46.768 --> 0:23:50.548 if people would prefer to perhaps ring the library or 0:23:50.548 --> 0:23:53.928 send them an email, what's the best ways for them 0:23:53.928 --> 0:23:54.678 to do that? 0:23:54.678 --> 0:23:57.228 Yeah, please feel free to give us a call. We're 0:23:57.228 --> 0:24:04.908 at 1300 654 656. I'll give you that one again. 1300 654 656 to 0:24:04.908 --> 0:24:07.458 inquire about anything from the stories that I've spoken about, 0:24:07.458 --> 0:24:09.798 but also if any of the programs interest you or 0:24:09.798 --> 0:24:11.148 you'd like to be put on a wait list for 0:24:11.148 --> 0:24:14.838 upcoming programs, you can also subscribe to our newsletter, where 0:24:14.838 --> 0:24:16.818 you'll hear about all of these things and you'll kind 0:24:16.818 --> 0:24:19.188 of get first or early access to sign up. So 0:24:19.188 --> 0:24:21.498 I would encourage you to receive our newsletter if you 0:24:21.498 --> 0:24:24.438 don't already. Um, and our email address if you'd like 0:24:24.438 --> 0:24:27.348 to get in contact that way is library at Vision Australia. 0:24:27.558 --> 0:24:33.888 Org that's library at Vision australia.org for all general inquiries. 0:24:33.918 --> 0:24:38.658 I've been speaking today with Sarah Bloedorn from the library 0:24:38.658 --> 0:24:44.718 all about some upcoming fantastic events going on at the library, 0:24:44.718 --> 0:24:49.308 as well as some First Nations reads for people to enjoy. 0:24:49.308 --> 0:24:55.818 As we celebrate NAIDOC week this week on Vision Australia Radio. Sarah, 0:24:55.818 --> 0:25:00.468 thank you once again for making an appearance on Talking Vision. 0:25:00.468 --> 0:25:04.068 We always love to have you and get some updates 0:25:04.068 --> 0:25:07.368 from the library, So thank you very much for your time. 0:25:07.368 --> 0:25:08.298 Thanks for having me. 0:25:14.868 --> 0:25:16.908 And finally, on this show this week, we've got a 0:25:16.908 --> 0:25:21.258 bit of information about a Children's Book Week event with 0:25:21.258 --> 0:25:25.338 Sally rippin. It's a free event for children aged 7 0:25:25.338 --> 0:25:28.608 to 12 years. Would you love to spend a day 0:25:28.608 --> 0:25:32.418 with the amazing children's author Sally rippin? Do you want 0:25:32.418 --> 0:25:35.778 to be part of a creative writing workshop hosted by 0:25:35.778 --> 0:25:39.348 the awesome author of the Billy B Brown Hijack and 0:25:39.348 --> 0:25:43.398 School of Monsters series? Come and join Sally in creating 0:25:43.398 --> 0:25:48.018 a book full of fantastical worlds and historical characters who 0:25:48.018 --> 0:25:53.718 venture on awe inspiring adventures. The event is taking place 0:25:53.718 --> 0:25:59.088 on Tuesday, the 20th of August 2024, between 10 a.m. 0:25:59.088 --> 0:26:04.338 and 2:30 p.m. Melbourne time. It takes place in person 0:26:04.338 --> 0:26:09.318 at Vision Australia's office in Kooyong and it's completely free 0:26:09.318 --> 0:26:13.758 and open to Vision Australia members aged 7 to 12 0:26:13.758 --> 0:26:17.788 years old. Children are invited to bring along a sibling 0:26:17.788 --> 0:26:22.318 or friend to participate with them. To register, please head 0:26:22.318 --> 0:26:28.138 to the Vision Australia website at Vision australia.org. That's Vision 0:26:28.138 --> 0:26:33.898 australia.org and search Children's Book Week. And that's all the 0:26:33.898 --> 0:26:38.158 time we have for today. You've been listening to Talking Vision. 0:26:38.158 --> 0:26:42.838 Talking vision is a Vision Australia radio production. Thanks to 0:26:42.838 --> 0:26:46.558 all involved with putting the show together every week. And 0:26:46.558 --> 0:26:49.528 remember we love hearing from you. So please get in 0:26:49.528 --> 0:26:55.438 touch anytime on our email at Talking Vision at Vision australia.org. 0:26:55.468 --> 0:27:00.688 That's talking vision all. One word at Vision australia.org. But 0:27:00.688 --> 0:27:04.198 until next week it's Sam Collins saying bye for now. 0:27:07.678 --> 0:27:11.848 You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during 0:27:11.848 --> 0:27:21.748 business hours on 1300 847 406. That's one (300) 847-4106 or by visiting 0:27:21.748 --> 0:27:26.068 Vision Australia. Org that's Vision australia.org.