July 4, 2025 • 7 mins
In this interview highlight, Jason Gipps speak with Grant Wilson from Vision Australia’s Client Services team ahead of his appearance at the In the Driver’s Seat event, copresented by Lions Australia and Vision Australia.
Grant shares how this annual event gets blind or low vision members of the community behind the wheel for laps of Sandown Raceway, boosting confidence and indepenance.
learn more about the event here: Home | In The Driver 1
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
S1 (00:13):
You're listening to Vision Australia Radio. This is Jason Gibbs.
Vision Australia Radio's community engagement coordinator, and I'm here today
with Grant Wilson. Vision Australia regional client lead. Hi, Grant.
S2 (00:23):
Hi, Jason.
S1 (00:23):
Last time I had you in for a chat, I
think I gave you two months to prepare, and now
I've given you about an hour and a half. So
good luck. Very exciting news. This one. Can you start
by giving our listeners an overview of the In the
Driver's Seat event happening this weekend?
S2 (00:38):
Certainly, it's a really exciting event. It's held at Sandown
Racecourse in Melbourne and it's where we have a whole
series of drivers driving instructors. In this particular case, we
have about 130 plus blind and low vision people having
the opportunity to drive around the racetrack with the instructor
(01:00):
in the passenger seat.
S1 (01:02):
Not all at once.
S2 (01:03):
No, there is a very strict there's marshals and there's
a procedure. So hopefully it all goes well. It has
it has for many years so far and I'm sure
that'll be the same this time.
S1 (01:11):
Amazing. Okay, so over 130 people who are blind or
have low vision getting behind the wheels of like a
supercar going around the track at Sandown Racecourse.
S2 (01:21):
No, no, not going a breathtaking speeds. No, these are
people driving a car that you'd use to learn to drive,
like a little Corolla or similar. The under very strict
control of the instructors. So it's very safe, but it's
a lot of fun. And for many people, it's the
first opportunity they've had for many years to drive again.
Or for others, it may have been a dream they
(01:42):
didn't think possible.
S1 (01:43):
That's amazing. I mean, there'd be people that wouldn't have
ever been given the opportunity to get behind the wheel,
perhaps not having the confidence to do it or dearly
missing it.
S2 (01:51):
Both. Yeah, yeah. For many, it's, um, losing their licence
was massive, and this is an opportunity to get back
behind the wheel. And for others, as we said, it
was a dream they never thought possible. And this is
makes it a reality for them.
S1 (02:03):
Grant, the event seems like a real community effort. Can
you tell us about the role of the Lions Club
and some of the other groups supporting on the day?
S2 (02:11):
The Lions Club have been extremely active in bringing this together.
It's a collaboration around all the Victorian Lions Clubs and
they've raised funds, organized the event, put a huge amount
of work in the background to work with the the facility,
the the driving instructors. They've also brought in the Ulysses
Motorcycle Club, who provide laps on the back of their
(02:33):
bikes for interested people. There's also the V8 Classic Car
Club doing very similar things, and there's some incredible cars
they make available for the people to go for a
ride with them around. The tracks.
S1 (02:45):
Are amazing. I mean, for anyone going along to that
event and hoping to get a little bit up close
to the cars, whether it's to take a good look
or just feel your way around those classic cars and
those lovely round edges and everything. Oh, it sounds, you know,
absolutely worth getting along to. Events like this take a
lot of planning and support. How is Vision Australia involved
in making it all happen?
S2 (03:03):
Grant yeah, so like I said it's a Lions event
and they've done a huge amount of work bringing this together.
But Vision Australia has been as supportive as they possibly
can be. Everything from providing some guidance regarding accessibility for
the attendees to making recommendations for ways to support the event.
Even a simple example is having people from the Seeing
(03:25):
Eye Dogs group there to mind the dogs. While people
may be driving or going for rides on the bikes
or other things where the dog can't be there with
them if that's their choice. So we support wherever possible,
and we've also done a lot to promote the event internally,
with obviously our clients being an interested group. And so
we've actively promoted that to our client base.
S1 (03:47):
So does that mean we'll have orientation and mobility experts
down there on the day giving their time?
S2 (03:52):
We'll have we've got some volunteers who are all fully trained.
And I'll also be involved in providing part of the
induction for all attendees to make sure that they understand
some of the requirements and the do's and don'ts, and
a little bit of very basic etiquette around supporting people
who are blind or have low vision.
S1 (04:09):
Yeah, right. It's not just about the cars, Grant, is it?
There's also food, music and giveaways. What exactly can people
expect on the day aside from the driving experiences?
S2 (04:20):
It's a big day. So when they when they arrive,
they go to the registration desk and they get registered.
Registered obviously and confirm their drive time. They get given
a Vision Australia show bag and we have a bit
of fun with that. We've got stress balls in case
they need that before they go for a drive, and
they've got a signature guy and a few other bits
and pieces in there as well, and all and pens
(04:40):
and things just to help them with the day. Then
there's barbecue and drinks and that's all provided free. It's
all as because due to fundraising from the Lions Club.
And then we have, um, John Clough, who's one of these,
the staff here at Vision Australia. John will be there
with his band.
S1 (04:56):
Oh wow.
S2 (04:57):
Doing two big sets. So we're really looking forward to
having him there on the day. It's the first time
he's been there, but he's very excited and so are we.
S1 (05:04):
Fantastic. It's like our own little version of A day
on the green. Why do you think events like this
are so important for the blind and Low Vision community grant?
S2 (05:10):
It's also a collaboration. It's like the Lions Club love
doing it. The vision impaired and blind community love coming
together and catching up with each other and at the
same time having a lot of fun in a very
supportive and understanding environment. So it's a it's really empowering
and fun. And if you ask anyone that works there
on the day or there on the day. You see,
(05:32):
the very trepidatious people arrive and these huge smiles when
they leave. It's just one of those days. It's very,
very special.
S1 (05:38):
So that community engagement, that social element, but also probably
changing some perceptions in the wider community about what the
blind community can do. Right?
S2 (05:45):
Absolutely. Most people think you couldn't possibly do it. But
speaking to instructors in the past, they tell me 17
year old boy is far more stressful than the driver's seat,
than one of our blind or low vision people.
S1 (05:56):
Yeah, I think my mum could back you up on
that one. Grant. The day I first got behind the
wheel with a family in the car at 16 and said,
which one's the brake? And she said, I'm getting out,
I'm getting out. I'm not doing this. Take me home.
I mean, I knew I'd been at Time Zone for
a very long time playing those rally car games, you know?
But just to be sure, just wanted to make sure
I was hitting the right one. Oh, boy. Um. Look, Grant. Finally.
(06:18):
Where can people. Oh, no. I was going to ask you, uh,
if there are any ways that members of the public
can go along, show their support, get involved. Um, on
this weekend or perhaps future events like it?
S2 (06:28):
Yeah. Look, these, um, as I said, it's a Lions
Club event. And so a lot of fundraising goes on
behind the day to make it possible. So joining a
Lions Club is one part and supporting it there you
come along to the day. There's no problems about that. Um,
with the barbecues and the drinks, they welcome a gold
coin donation or some sort of donation. So that's extremely helpful.
(06:51):
And um look, with with sponsorship going forward, I'm sure
we can look at ways to support that as well.
So I'm totally open to suggestions from people around who
would like to get involved.
S1 (07:00):
Excellent. All right. And finally, Grant, where can people go
if they'd like to learn more about the event or,
you know, Vision Australia's services in general?
S2 (07:08):
Yeah. So look, there's two places obviously if you, um,
do a search for in the driver's seat Sandown and
then the year involved, you should be fine to be
able to find most things there. And for Vision Australia
services I encourage people to look at Vision Australia. Org
as the website.
S1 (07:26):
Thanks, Grant. Appreciate you coming in uh impromptu having a
chat about the weekend's events and I hope you have
a really good time.
S2 (07:32):
I'm very excited about the day, so looking forward to it. Thanks, Jason.
S1 (07:36):
Thank you.
You're listening to Vision Australia Radio. This is Jason Gibbs.
Vision Australia Radio's community engagement coordinator, and I'm here today
with Grant Wilson. Vision Australia regional client lead. Hi, Grant.
S2 (00:23):
Hi, Jason.
S1 (00:23):
Last time I had you in for a chat, I
think I gave you two months to prepare, and now
I've given you about an hour and a half. So
good luck. Very exciting news. This one. Can you start
by giving our listeners an overview of the In the
Driver's Seat event happening this weekend?
S2 (00:38):
Certainly, it's a really exciting event. It's held at Sandown
Racecourse in Melbourne and it's where we have a whole
series of drivers driving instructors. In this particular case, we
have about 130 plus blind and low vision people having
the opportunity to drive around the racetrack with the instructor
(01:00):
in the passenger seat.
S1 (01:02):
Not all at once.
S2 (01:03):
No, there is a very strict there's marshals and there's
a procedure. So hopefully it all goes well. It has
it has for many years so far and I'm sure
that'll be the same this time.
S1 (01:11):
Amazing. Okay, so over 130 people who are blind or
have low vision getting behind the wheels of like a
supercar going around the track at Sandown Racecourse.
S2 (01:21):
No, no, not going a breathtaking speeds. No, these are
people driving a car that you'd use to learn to drive,
like a little Corolla or similar. The under very strict
control of the instructors. So it's very safe, but it's
a lot of fun. And for many people, it's the
first opportunity they've had for many years to drive again.
Or for others, it may have been a dream they
(01:42):
didn't think possible.
S1 (01:43):
That's amazing. I mean, there'd be people that wouldn't have
ever been given the opportunity to get behind the wheel,
perhaps not having the confidence to do it or dearly
missing it.
S2 (01:51):
Both. Yeah, yeah. For many, it's, um, losing their licence
was massive, and this is an opportunity to get back
behind the wheel. And for others, as we said, it
was a dream they never thought possible. And this is
makes it a reality for them.
S1 (02:03):
Grant, the event seems like a real community effort. Can
you tell us about the role of the Lions Club
and some of the other groups supporting on the day?
S2 (02:11):
The Lions Club have been extremely active in bringing this together.
It's a collaboration around all the Victorian Lions Clubs and
they've raised funds, organized the event, put a huge amount
of work in the background to work with the the facility,
the the driving instructors. They've also brought in the Ulysses
Motorcycle Club, who provide laps on the back of their
(02:33):
bikes for interested people. There's also the V8 Classic Car
Club doing very similar things, and there's some incredible cars
they make available for the people to go for a
ride with them around. The tracks.
S1 (02:45):
Are amazing. I mean, for anyone going along to that
event and hoping to get a little bit up close
to the cars, whether it's to take a good look
or just feel your way around those classic cars and
those lovely round edges and everything. Oh, it sounds, you know,
absolutely worth getting along to. Events like this take a
lot of planning and support. How is Vision Australia involved
in making it all happen?
S2 (03:03):
Grant yeah, so like I said it's a Lions event
and they've done a huge amount of work bringing this together.
But Vision Australia has been as supportive as they possibly
can be. Everything from providing some guidance regarding accessibility for
the attendees to making recommendations for ways to support the event.
Even a simple example is having people from the Seeing
(03:25):
Eye Dogs group there to mind the dogs. While people
may be driving or going for rides on the bikes
or other things where the dog can't be there with
them if that's their choice. So we support wherever possible,
and we've also done a lot to promote the event internally,
with obviously our clients being an interested group. And so
we've actively promoted that to our client base.
S1 (03:47):
So does that mean we'll have orientation and mobility experts
down there on the day giving their time?
S2 (03:52):
We'll have we've got some volunteers who are all fully trained.
And I'll also be involved in providing part of the
induction for all attendees to make sure that they understand
some of the requirements and the do's and don'ts, and
a little bit of very basic etiquette around supporting people
who are blind or have low vision.
S1 (04:09):
Yeah, right. It's not just about the cars, Grant, is it?
There's also food, music and giveaways. What exactly can people
expect on the day aside from the driving experiences?
S2 (04:20):
It's a big day. So when they when they arrive,
they go to the registration desk and they get registered.
Registered obviously and confirm their drive time. They get given
a Vision Australia show bag and we have a bit
of fun with that. We've got stress balls in case
they need that before they go for a drive, and
they've got a signature guy and a few other bits
and pieces in there as well, and all and pens
(04:40):
and things just to help them with the day. Then
there's barbecue and drinks and that's all provided free. It's
all as because due to fundraising from the Lions Club.
And then we have, um, John Clough, who's one of these,
the staff here at Vision Australia. John will be there
with his band.
S1 (04:56):
Oh wow.
S2 (04:57):
Doing two big sets. So we're really looking forward to
having him there on the day. It's the first time
he's been there, but he's very excited and so are we.
S1 (05:04):
Fantastic. It's like our own little version of A day
on the green. Why do you think events like this
are so important for the blind and Low Vision community grant?
S2 (05:10):
It's also a collaboration. It's like the Lions Club love
doing it. The vision impaired and blind community love coming
together and catching up with each other and at the
same time having a lot of fun in a very
supportive and understanding environment. So it's a it's really empowering
and fun. And if you ask anyone that works there
on the day or there on the day. You see,
(05:32):
the very trepidatious people arrive and these huge smiles when
they leave. It's just one of those days. It's very,
very special.
S1 (05:38):
So that community engagement, that social element, but also probably
changing some perceptions in the wider community about what the
blind community can do. Right?
S2 (05:45):
Absolutely. Most people think you couldn't possibly do it. But
speaking to instructors in the past, they tell me 17
year old boy is far more stressful than the driver's seat,
than one of our blind or low vision people.
S1 (05:56):
Yeah, I think my mum could back you up on
that one. Grant. The day I first got behind the
wheel with a family in the car at 16 and said,
which one's the brake? And she said, I'm getting out,
I'm getting out. I'm not doing this. Take me home.
I mean, I knew I'd been at Time Zone for
a very long time playing those rally car games, you know?
But just to be sure, just wanted to make sure
I was hitting the right one. Oh, boy. Um. Look, Grant. Finally.
(06:18):
Where can people. Oh, no. I was going to ask you, uh,
if there are any ways that members of the public
can go along, show their support, get involved. Um, on
this weekend or perhaps future events like it?
S2 (06:28):
Yeah. Look, these, um, as I said, it's a Lions
Club event. And so a lot of fundraising goes on
behind the day to make it possible. So joining a
Lions Club is one part and supporting it there you
come along to the day. There's no problems about that. Um,
with the barbecues and the drinks, they welcome a gold
coin donation or some sort of donation. So that's extremely helpful.
(06:51):
And um look, with with sponsorship going forward, I'm sure
we can look at ways to support that as well.
So I'm totally open to suggestions from people around who
would like to get involved.
S1 (07:00):
Excellent. All right. And finally, Grant, where can people go
if they'd like to learn more about the event or,
you know, Vision Australia's services in general?
S2 (07:08):
Yeah. So look, there's two places obviously if you, um,
do a search for in the driver's seat Sandown and
then the year involved, you should be fine to be
able to find most things there. And for Vision Australia
services I encourage people to look at Vision Australia. Org
as the website.
S1 (07:26):
Thanks, Grant. Appreciate you coming in uh impromptu having a
chat about the weekend's events and I hope you have
a really good time.
S2 (07:32):
I'm very excited about the day, so looking forward to it. Thanks, Jason.
S1 (07:36):
Thank you.
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.