31 May 2025

Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
S1 (00:06):
Hi, I'm Tasha Evans, a member of the Perth Wheelcats
and Australian gliders. And you're listening to Leisure Link with
Peter Greco on the Vision Australia radio network.

S2 (00:40):
It's just gone 5:00. I wish you a warm Welcome
to leisure link here on Vision Australia Radio 1190 7 a.m.
in Adelaide, online at radio Radio Digital in Adelaide and
Darwin through the Community Radio Plus app. Look for Vision Australia,
Radio Adelaide. Hello to you if you're listening in 103.9
FM in Western Australia, hello to you through Reading Radio

(01:03):
Network in Tasmania and other parts, and also thanks to
the wonderful support from Disability Media Australia. You can find
out much more about them at Power Media. Media. This
program coming to you from Garner Land, Peter Greco saying
really great to be here. Thank you for making some
time for us. Coming up very shortly, we'll speak to

(01:25):
Tasha Evans from the Perth Wildcats. Their basketball league getting
underway this weekend will talk to Brett Stibners. Brett is
off with the spinners the Australian Under 23 basketball team.
They're off overseas for a championships. Robert Smith from the
International Paralympic Committee will update us on events happening there.
Alison Davies from Alison Davies will talk about engaging with

(01:51):
the audience if you're a performer. Also catch up with
Professor Paul Griffin talking about the flu. It's here. It's
here early. It's here strongly. What can we do to
minimize our chances of getting it. Looks like a catch
up with Cath and carry off to Gold Coast and
also Darwin for a Workability Expo. So if you're in
the market to get employment, or if you're an employer

(02:13):
looking for people with disabilities to work for you and
you're on the Gold Coast in Darwin, stay tuned for that.
We'll have yoga from Reva Bryce and Adjunct Professor Denise
Wood from USC will join us for the latest news
and technology. Google in the spotlight. What's really exciting time
for women's wheelchair basketball, with a new league just being

(02:36):
launched this weekend. Let's chat to one of the stars
from the Perth Wildcats, Tash Ovens. Tash. Lovely to meet you.
Thanks for your time.

S1 (02:43):
Thanks for having me, Peter.

S2 (02:44):
How are you feeling about this? This is kind of
a bit of a brand new world.

S1 (02:47):
Yeah, it definitely is a brand new world of wheelchair basketball.
We've got six teams in a women's league for the
first time ever this year, so we're gonna hopefully get
some good games out and promote women's wheelchair sports.

S2 (03:01):
Motorsports and most of the big cities are represented.

S1 (03:03):
Yeah, we've got Perth, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Victoria now for
the first time. Same with Adelaide and then two Sydney teams.

S2 (03:11):
What about the nickname for the Victorian team? That's a
bit presumptuous, isn't it.

S1 (03:15):
What was it? Victorian wonders. Yeah yeah yeah yeah. They,
they went well into the bank to get it. Yeah.

S2 (03:23):
It's very Victorian if I may say that.

S1 (03:25):
Yes. Yeah.

S2 (03:27):
Well tell us a bit about what you know about
the competition and kind of how it's all come about,
because I guess in a sense it's kind of with
a long range view of Brisbane 2032 in mind.

S1 (03:37):
Yeah, definitely. Um, adding some more teams this year with
the big picture of 2032, hoping to develop some and
get some new players interested and involved to get some
more talent.

S2 (03:49):
That's how you started with, uh, wheelchair basketball, because I believe, um,
something quite serious happened when you were about ten.

S1 (03:55):
Uh, yeah. So when I was ten, I had a
spinal cord stroke during scoliosis surgery. So I went in
and then came out not being able to move my legs, um,
and walk. So since then, I've developed a fair bit
of resilience. Um, learned to walk again some short distances,
but also had some amazing opportunities in representing Australia with

(04:19):
wheelchair basketball.

S2 (04:20):
Was that a fairly unusual occurrence for something like that
to happen?

S1 (04:23):
Yeah, it was a very rare. It wasn't. They didn't
expect it to happen.

S2 (04:28):
What was it like for, you know, for a ten
year old to be told that sort of news? Can
you remember back that far? I thought it was that
long ago because he's still very young.

S1 (04:36):
Um, yeah. So I remember back that far. I wasn't
a good time. Like, uh, the surgery, I guess, was
meant to improve myself and my back, um, and then
wake up to some life changing news and having a rethink,
I guess, what was going to happen. But I've always
had family that have pushed me to be who I am. So, um,

(04:59):
my mom and had was actually pregnant at the time
and had my younger sister Sophie about six months later.
By then, I'd started getting some movement back into my
legs and was, uh, determined to try and walk before
the baby did.

S2 (05:14):
Yeah, that's an interesting competition.

S1 (05:16):
Yeah, yeah, I'm always competitive.

S2 (05:18):
Yeah, well, that's that's taking it to the nth degree,
I like that. And and basketball had you kind of
discover that or did discover you.

S1 (05:26):
Say wheelchair basketball. Um, I was introduced to a girl
at school who was, um, she's actually a place for
the wheelcats to Georgia Inglis. Oh, yeah. She was a
few years ahead of me in school, but she would
leave her basketball chair up at the sports stadium and
was like, oh, if you want to, you know, push
around in it when there's a sport that I wasn't
so good at, like out on the oval and, um, uh,

(05:49):
it was there for me to give it a shot.
And then from there I got introduced to rebound WA,
and they're like junior program and the Wheelcats. From there.

S2 (06:00):
The cool name isn't the Wheelcats. I guess it's a
little bit of play on the Perth Wildcats, but I
think your name is better.

S1 (06:06):
Yeah, yeah, I think so too.

S2 (06:09):
And, uh, you had some success at the under 25,
the Australian team winning a silver medal.

S1 (06:14):
Yeah. So 2019 I went to Thailand for the under
25 World Cup. And yeah, we came back with a
silver medal. Um, lost to um, America, the USA. But um,
had a really good tournament otherwise.

S2 (06:26):
And therefore you were kind of graduate, if you like,
into the gliders team, the, the open age team for Australia.

S1 (06:31):
Yeah. From there I started moving up through the gliders
and then through, I guess Covid and um, some other outcomes.
I ended up on the the squad for Tokyo 2020.

S2 (06:42):
What was that like? I mean, I guess the games
were fairly unique given what was going on or not
going on sort of outside the, uh, the stadiums, etc.
but it must have been it's still an enormous thrill.

S1 (06:52):
Yeah. It was, um, really cool to represent Australia at
that big stage. Um, it was very empty though, being
Covid and 2020. Um, but to be there, um, and
play at that level was incredible.

S2 (07:07):
Yeah. Well, they can't take that away from me. Whatever
happens in the future. You played for Australia, which is fantastic,
and I'm sure there's many more years ahead of you.

S1 (07:14):
Yeah, hopefully. Yeah.

S2 (07:15):
Now you've got an interesting story away from basketball. You've
been into fitness. Are you.

S1 (07:20):
Into fitness? Uh, I've worked in the gym before. I've
done a few things. Um, I'm now working a local government,
a part time to support basketball and myself. Um, but, yeah,
big benefit us. And staying healthy.

S2 (07:35):
How's that happened? Or why has that happened?

S1 (07:36):
My mum's always been into fitness. Same with my dad. Um,
dad's big rugby buff. Mum's just always been netball. Softball
growing up, so. Always been around sports. And then the
way she introduced me to people at, um, the gym
that I worked at for a couple of years. And
then I did a cert three and insert foreign fitness.
And yeah, it was there for a couple of years.

S2 (07:56):
As they work. As far as your own, you know,
basketball guys and your sort of fitness, I guess I've
got to guess you're probably your worst critic or you're
really hard on yourself.

S1 (08:05):
I think. So, yeah. I always want to be better, stronger, faster. Yeah,
I sort of want it all.

S2 (08:11):
Yeah. You're a one pointer.

S1 (08:13):
Yes.

S2 (08:13):
Yeah. Thoughts about that role. And because wheelchair basketball I
guess a lot of sports are very a very kind
of structured in terms of, um, you know, the individual
roles of players. So it's a bit about your role.

S1 (08:24):
Yeah. So at one point the role changes I've been around.
But when the lowest classification you can get. So we're
sort of deemed like the higher disability level. And then
we go up to a 4.5 for the lower lower
sort of disability you can get our roles when I
started were a lot to um, help facilitate I guess
other players in their roles. Um, but now with the

(08:47):
way wheelchair basketball is played, the one point is going
to be just as versatile in being a shooter off
passer and offensive threat.

S2 (08:54):
Was a gift in the old days there. Like you
were sort of the the hard worker and then some
of the other 4 or 5, four and a half
pointers for the guy to show us, weren't they.

S1 (09:03):
Yeah.

S2 (09:03):
4 or 5, four and a half pointers for the
car to show us. Weren't they there.

S1 (09:06):
Yeah. Yeah we made them look good.

S2 (09:08):
Yeah, exactly.

S1 (09:09):
Yeah. Yeah we still do. But we get we get
to have our moment to now.

S2 (09:15):
They've got a pretty cool coach haven't you. In terms
of their, uh, sort of basketball pedigree. Um, but Brad.

S1 (09:21):
Brad, Brad. Yeah. So Brad was my first coach over
at the Institute of Sport. Institute of Sport. He's now
stepped into the role as head coach position. And we're
coached by Jamie. Um, and that's really good to, um,
he's helping us better the program and ourselves with a
growth mindset and keeping each other accountable in a team

(09:43):
which drives us to wanting to be better.

S2 (09:45):
So with the Perth Wheelcats, as you said, kind of
part of the program, if you like, is to get
more players involved as that work? Are there players that
are maybe playing for the first time or, you know,
sort of coming off rookie lists, if I can put
it that way?

S1 (09:57):
Yeah. So we've got two new players this season in
Amy and Maddie. Maddie is her first time playing basketball,
which is really cool to have around. I've known her
in the athletics field before and she does track. And
then Amy, she's been new to basketball for a few
months now, and she'll be making her debut this weekend.

S2 (10:16):
Yeah. Yeah. Now, are you are you captain of the team?

S1 (10:19):
I don't know.

S2 (10:20):
Ah, okay. Okay.

S1 (10:22):
Has not been announced, but.

S2 (10:23):
Alright. Well, you should be. How about.

S1 (10:25):
That? Yeah, yeah, I'll let them know.

S2 (10:27):
Oh don't tell them I said.

S1 (10:29):
Yeah yeah yeah.

S2 (10:31):
Yeah. Fantastic. And of course, I guess, you know, with all, uh,
players sort of getting back to the gliders team is your,
your number one goal and hopefully getting to 2028.

S1 (10:42):
Yeah. Getting to 2028. And we've got a World Cup
next year in Canada. So we've got qualifiers for that
in November in Thailand. So getting into Thailand and qualifying
for Canada is our next big benchmark this year.

S2 (10:54):
Yeah, I know obviously with uh, particularly say the AFL,
the the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles have
to do a lot of travel. I guess that's going
to be the same for the Wildcats.

S1 (11:03):
I think we've got a pretty good schedule this season,
which is really nice. Um, we're traveling this weekend in
Gold Coast, playing them, and then we'll travel the last
weekend to the Victoria, and then we've got three home rounds.

S2 (11:16):
You're a fan of travelling?

S1 (11:17):
Um, I do like it. I, um, I also like
staying home to, uh. It it gets it gets a
lot the travel I feel. And but, yeah, the travel
is really good because you don't get that with many
other things. Like. Yeah, it's just such a cool beverage.

S2 (11:32):
As you said, your dad was a rugby, uh, interested
in rugby? Is that rugby or rugby league?

S1 (11:37):
Uh, I think it's league. I don't know, off the
top of my head either. League rugby. And then I've
got a younger brother that plays on the floor and
two younger brothers that do footy.

S2 (11:48):
AFL.

S1 (11:49):
Yeah.

S2 (11:49):
Aussie rules. Yeah. Because you got a new team coming
into rugby and, uh, couple of years in Perth. The
the bears.

S1 (11:55):
Yes, yes. I, I guess I'll have to get into
it a bit more myself to be able to know
what's going on.

S2 (12:01):
Alright. You, you worry about your basketball. That's more important.

S1 (12:04):
Yeah. Yeah.

S2 (12:05):
Thank you. Great to meet you. Thank you for your time.
Congratulations on your, uh. Well, on the whole, uh, league
getting underway this season, it's going to be interesting. We'll
look like we'll certainly be following it very, very closely
and see how it all pans out. Of course. Uh, with, uh,
you know, bigger, bigger and higher goals in mind. So
it's been great to talk to you. Thanks for spending
some time with us.

S1 (12:24):
Alright. Thanks for having me.

S2 (12:26):
That's, uh. Thanks. Alvin's there. Member of the Perth Wildcats.
As we all gear up for the first round of, uh,
national wheelchair basketball for the women's league, a new competition,
and we'll keep across the details as the season rolls on. Well,

(12:47):
the spirits have just announced their squad. Let's find out
what it's like and what they've got ahead of them
and speak to their coach. Paralympic gold and silver medalist
Brett Stibners. Brett, great to catch up. Thanks for your time.

S3 (12:58):
Well, thanks for having us, Peter.

S2 (12:59):
How's the team shaping up?

S3 (13:01):
Good, good. We, um, we've been together a couple of
times this year, and, um, they had their national championships,
and that's when we finalised the team. And, um, they've
all been training really hard. I've been keeping tabs on
them in their own states. And, um, looking forward to
meeting up next week.

S2 (13:16):
How difficult is that? Because, you know, we are a
very expansive land as far as, uh, the areas we cover.
I guess it's pretty hard to sort of keep up
with it all by getting there. So you've got to
kind of do it remotely.

S3 (13:28):
Absolutely. We're lucky we are a very big country. And yes,
we are a long way away from each other. But, um,
we're lucky within states. You've got, um, the institute. So
the players get to go and train with other players, um,
on a weekly and sometimes daily basis to keep up
their skills and fitness.

S2 (13:46):
What about the squad? Many changes from the previous squad
because the spinners. For those who might be worth another
23 squad. So I guess you're getting them ready hopefully to,
you know, higher honours in the future.

S3 (13:59):
Yeah that's right. So there's a few left over from
last time. Obviously a lot of them aged out. We've
got a very diverse age range with um with this team.
So there's a player who's 22, uh, and our youngest
is 13.

S2 (14:13):
Wow.

S3 (14:14):
Yeah. So we've probably got half a dozen that'll play
next time and then probably two that'll play the time
after that.

S2 (14:20):
And what about the kind of structure for the spinners.
Is it kind of well established I know obviously with
the rollers, the, the um the open age team if
you like, there's the World Championships and Paralympic Games and
other competitions that go on a regular basis. What about
for the other 23? Is it quite as structured as that?

S3 (14:37):
No, no, it's once every four years. And we usually
this is my first time doing it, but usually two
years before the World Cup, you start the process of
starting to select a squad and all that kind of stuff.
So it's not as in-depth as the rollers. And, um,
but it's been an interesting, um, interesting time for me.

S2 (14:58):
Well, how have you found it? From a coaching point
of view.

S3 (15:00):
Good. Good. Um, of course, we don't get together so often,
and they're so young. You see, the massive changes within their, um,
their physical appearance, um, you know, strength, um, their intelligence
as well. So for me, it's just like my kids,
you know? You know, you see him, you'd see him
do something six months ago, and then you see him
do it now, and you go, wow. Like you, even

(15:22):
your coordination is a lot better. And so the, um,
rapid improvement with a lot of these players has been
really big.

S2 (15:29):
Yeah. Well, you won gold in 2008 with the rollers
and then silver in 2012. How much is the the
game changed and how much is more the kind of, um,
ancillary parts of the game changed. I'm thinking in terms
of the the strategies and the the technology that's used,
that sort of thing, the reconnaissance that can go on.

S3 (15:48):
It's much like any other sport, really. Um, you know,
you've got your basic skills which haven't changed. Style of
play has changed a little bit, but not a whole lot. But, um,
the big changes have been off the floor, you know, sports, psych, nutrition,
S and C and all that kind of stuff. Um,
that's probably been the biggest change. And it's kind of
like we're moving into a professional era of the sport,

(16:12):
but just without the pay.

S2 (16:15):
Yeah, well, I think there'd be a lot of, uh, people,
particularly in, uh, Paralympic sports, that can identify with that.
Hopefully it's changing a little bit. I see over the
last few months, Brett, we've caught up with, um, a
number of the states and their, um, institutes at home,
if you like, uh, you know, a bit more, um,
prepared to help. As far as the not so much
the financial stuff goes, but the preparation side of it goes.

(16:37):
So maybe we're moving the right direction and you're probably thinking.
Born too early for you, brat.

S3 (16:42):
No, I had my fun. So we're lucky with our
sport because you can actually go to Europe and play professionally. Yeah,
we're not talking soccer money, but you're talking enough money
to travel around and have a good time and all
that kind of stuff. So we're very fortunate in that, um,
in that sense. And even when I was back there
in 2005, which is obviously 20 years ago, you know,
I got pretty good money playing wheelchair basketball in Spain.

S2 (17:06):
Okay.

S3 (17:06):
So yeah, so it has there are opportunities and even with, um,
going to college in the US, um, if you're good enough,
you can get a full ride, you know. So there
are opportunities with our sport or within our sport to, um,
see the world and get an education.

S2 (17:20):
Well, I guess it's not just playing basketball, is it? Like,
as you say, there's a lot of, uh, kind of
fringe benefits that go with it. And. Okay, the money
might not be quite as good, but I guess the,
the life experiences and, you know, getting to know different cultures, etc.,
that that would be something in a sense you can't
put a price on.

S3 (17:36):
Oh, absolutely. And then you talk about, um, within Australia
with our institutes. They're fantastic organisations that do help us
with everything else. And the education with that as well
is really good. So, you know, they're invaluable with what,
you know, what we want to do with within our sport.

S2 (17:53):
Where's the team off to and what's ahead of you.

S3 (17:56):
So next Wednesday we all come into Essendon. Um, in
Victoria we have a three day camp and then uh,
we're off on Saturday and Sunday. We split the group
up and we're off to Sao Paulo in Brazil.

S2 (18:08):
Okay, that sounds like a tough gig.

S3 (18:09):
Yeah, it's a long way away. It would have been, um,
would have been better, you know, somewhere in Australia or,
you know, somewhere closer. But went to the Rio Paralympics
and the Brazilian people, they really supported and got behind
the Paralympics there. So hoping for much the same thing. And, um,
it's going to be a very, uh, interesting trip for
us because like I said, we've got some young kids

(18:31):
and I think there's some of them have never actually
travelled out of Australia. So.

S2 (18:34):
Yeah. Yeah.

S3 (18:35):
You know, why not go to Brazil and start off
in the an exotic place.

S2 (18:39):
Uh, keep away from that Copacabana beach. I believe it
can be a little bit treacherous if, uh, you, uh,
go to the wrong areas, if you know what I mean. But, uh,
maybe we'll leave that for another time. Hey, what about
in terms of, uh, who might be toughest to beat?

S3 (18:51):
Oh, there's a few teams. So you got, um, Germany
and GB. GB are probably the favorites to win. Yeah,
they play very much like their senior team, and they're
all very good. And they're in um, again, because they're
got a smaller country. They're together a lot more than
we are. And they can go and play in Spain, Italy, France, Turkey, um,

(19:12):
and get that professional, um, game as well. So, um,
they're very fortunate with where they are located in the world.
The USA are very good. Um, and I'd say that
they'd probably be in the top three. When you're looking
at it before the tournament and again with the US,
they've got colleges. So they have programs within their colleges.
And so they're doing it two times a day, 5

(19:32):
or 6 days a week, and together. So they're very
fortunate again because of what they have there. And uh,
and I'd say, you know, with a bit of luck
and if we play well, um, you know, we could,
we could, um, get to that back end of the
tournament and push for a medal as well. And that's
what we're hoping for.

S2 (19:47):
Okay. Well, we certainly follow the progress. What about for you, Brett?
What sort of coach are you? I mean, you played, uh,
are you a different person in 2025 than you were
in 2008? Well, of course you are.

S3 (19:56):
Oh, absolutely. Um, I was fiery as a player. Yeah. No,
I try I try not to be as a coach.
I try and just push the players in the direction
that the team needs to go in, you know, in
the most calm way possible. And then those moments when
you need to really rip into the team, then, you know,

(20:18):
it kind of it helps more when you do it
little than yelling all the time. Uh, I found that
as a player. So so I had a coach where
he was constantly yelling, berating, and you're so scared of
making a mistake that eventually you did and you know,
it didn't help. And then I had the calm coach
that just pointed out things that were happening in the

(20:38):
floor on the court and gave me confidence in making mistakes,
if that makes sense. And trying things and, um, just
trying to make you the best version of you. And
that for me, was much better, much more pleasant.

S2 (20:51):
Who's helped you through that part of it? Who's kind
of been your your who's who's been the coach's coach?

S3 (20:56):
I don't know with that one. Um, I've had many.
You mean like with, um, who's coached me and who
I found?

S2 (21:01):
Well, yeah, I mean, who who who you kind of
go to if you, you know, think, oh, you know,
you know, um, how do I, how do I handle this? Or,
you know, I need some help handling this.

S3 (21:10):
Yeah. No, I've got plenty of people in my life
for that. Um, Brendan Dowler, who was my coach for
a long time at the Roller Hawks. Current coach of
the rollers, Brad Ness, who, you know, he's good to
talk to. Good guy to talk to. Um, uh, Grant
Morrison's in Sydney. I really respect his opinion. And, um,
he's always honest. And they all are open and honest, and, um,
they never pushy, which is good, too, because in the end,

(21:31):
you want to make your own decision, but you just
want to be guarded a little bit at times.

S2 (21:34):
Great. Great to catch up. We wish you well. We'll
hopefully catch up one of the players when they get
back and get a bit of an idea of what
it's like. I'm sure it'll be a great experience life
wise and hopefully basketball wise as well. And who knows,
if we get a couple of good results, that'll be
very satisfying. And I guess it's a bit of a
launching pad because, um, well, we've got, uh, of course, uh,
2028 and I guess some of these guys will be

(21:55):
looking very closely at 2032, wouldn't they, without getting too
far ahead of themselves.

S3 (21:59):
Yeah. Even a couple with 28. So we're lucky we've
got a couple of Paralympians in our team, Jaylen and Ethan. Um,
and they're both young um, but have a lot of experience.
And they both just played in Italy professionally as well.
So they should be fit and raring to go. So
I think maybe 8 to 10 of these kids will
eventually play for the rollers in a major tournament like

(22:19):
the the that sort of good at this age. So
hopefully they fall in love with the sport and progress,
you know, to um, the rollers squad and then team
and um, I think they can do really well internationally.

S2 (22:30):
Great to catch up with you, Brett. Thanks, Peter. That's
a stupid thing. Brett is the coach of the spinners,
the Australian spinners, the under 23 wheelchair basketball team as
they well get ready to go to Brazil. We wish
them well and we'll certainly follow their progress and catch
up with them when they return.

S4 (22:47):
Hi, it's Doctor Andrew Rochford and you're listening to leisure
link with Peter Greco on the Vision Australia radio network.

S2 (22:56):
It's great catching up with Robert Smith. I am one
of the best administrators of sport in Australia. Robin's on
the line. Robin. Great to catch up.

S5 (23:03):
Hi, Peter. You're too kind. Yeah. Great to talk to
you too.

S2 (23:06):
Now, you've been very busy and you've been doing a
fair bit of travelling.

S5 (23:09):
I have, it's been a very busy couple of months.
I start to the year really, and we're nearly halfway through.
So you strike while you can and there's a lot
of interest out there and people asking or countries asking
for assistance. So very keen to do that. And from
a sport inclusion Australia perspective, um, we've been doing quite

(23:30):
a bit of state work as well. So it's balancing
the overseas travel with with state trips.

S2 (23:35):
What's been the sort of overriding message, particularly from overseas?

S5 (23:39):
I think uh, obviously we have um, the World Athletics Championships, uh,
the World Athletics Championships in Brisbane in October. Um, and
so whilst I'm always committed to improving the lives of
people with an intellectual impairment around the world through sport,
we actually have a catalyst and an event that we
can use to promote that. So countries are asking for

(24:03):
information about the event. They're asking for classification information, uh,
general information on what the event is, how they can
get involved and so doing that. But there's also countries
we've been successful with a few Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade grants. Um, we were successful with Australia China grant.

(24:25):
That's to work with China in the next two years.
Is Macau, Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei to build opportunities
between each other. Collaboration also used that opportunity to help
people in the Oceana area access Sport and then Nicola
one so the Council of Australia and Latin America relations.

(24:47):
So we're doing a series of four workshops in Peru, Colombia,
El Salvador and Mexico. And then I'm just tripping over
to Grenada in Caribbean, where we're just again giving them
information on Australia, the area of what we're doing in Australia.
But the grants largely around women in sport. So learning

(25:09):
what they're doing in their country, talking about what we're
doing and then hopefully bringing them to our international summit
on the 8th of October to get them to talk
about what it is in their country to be female,
to be a leader, to be an administrator, to be
an athlete. And so Australian audiences here understand what some

(25:31):
other countries have to go through. So I think we're
all richer by understanding what what others are facing.

S2 (25:37):
They all got the Robin Smith enthusiasm and passion do
you think? Are they more out there in some of
those countries?

S5 (25:43):
Look, it's actually lovely. It's lovely to meet UN women,
and they're so delighted that you you're prepared to travel there. And, uh,
we're all rich of that, that international engagement. The minute
you meet someone from another country, often any perception or
barrier that you think may exist is broken down because

(26:03):
you meet the person firsthand. So I like to think
there's a lot of enthusiasm. I'm I'm thrilled to think
that so many of them are interested in enhancing people
with a disability through sport. That's wonderful. So, yeah, I
think we're going to be leaving when I retire. I
think we're going to be leaving in a better place.

S2 (26:22):
Oh, it's a long way away, I guess. On a
serious note, night though. Yeah, you talked about three four,
but I guess three sport, their lives in general might
improve as well, do you think? I mean, it can
be a bit of a a route to a better
lifestyle for people with disabilities as well.

S5 (26:36):
Oh, absolutely. Peter, we we were at the Festival of
Sport in South Australia on Thursday and Friday, and I'm
sad I didn't get to see you, but we had
some athletes speak about, uh, what sport meant to them.
And in this particular situation, three athletes with an intellectual
impairment talked about how their school was really difficult. They

(26:56):
were bullied, they struggled to make friends. They eventually found sport.
And now they have friends. They have social networks. They
have a reason for being there. They're involved in their clubs.
Some of them go back to be volunteers and administrators
and officials in their club, and they look fantastic because
they've been training for something. Um, and they just find

(27:18):
their connection point, like we all need our comfort zone
somewhere that we can connect to, to society, and I
believe strongly that sport does that. And and then we
were followed by, um, the two Emily and Jed that
are both been appointed to Saac as part of the
Paralympic uplift programme. Superstars. Uh, Paralympic gold medalists. And they

(27:40):
talk about their particular circumstances. When Jed had his accident
and lost his leg and Emily was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
And it's very powerful because they're overcoming those particular circumstances.
And then by getting in sport and then obviously being
so successful, it gives them a meaning and a purpose.
And now look at them. Now they're going back to

(28:02):
be leaders in sassy to create more opportunities for more
people with disability in sport. So I absolutely think that
once you're connected through sport and it doesn't matter whether
you have a disability or not, it certainly teaches you
a whole lot of life lessons.

S2 (28:17):
And it's such a powerful message to other athletes or
other people with disabilities, whether they be similar or different,
but also to the general public. I mean, it's kind of,
you know, a great opportunity to put it a bit crudely.

S5 (28:28):
Well, even that maybe, but I actually say that any
sporting club that becomes inclusive and diverse and is looking
at gender equity and is looking at including people in
a meaningful way with a disability, that club's actually a
better club. And of course, the people with the disability
do more for that club than the club does for

(28:48):
the people with the disability. So once, once the clubs
are fully, they realise the benefits and the power of
having a inclusive society. And I think, you know, a
lot of the volunteers we have in sport, um, I
know they gravitate back towards this area because they really
feel they're making a difference. And I think that goes
for people, volunteers and people in clubs and at all levels,

(29:10):
because our clubs are often run by volunteers, once they
know they're doing something really meaningful and making a difference
in a person's life, and they haven't got someone being
backchatting them and being a bit rude, which our cohort
hardly ever do. They feel they feel a real purpose,
and I think I absolutely believe and would confirm in

(29:31):
so many cases where the club's better off.

S2 (29:33):
Probably we'd never have enough time. But how's October looking
for the for the games then? In terms of numbers
and countries represented?

S5 (29:40):
Well, we're really getting close to being the biggest world
athletics event ever.

S2 (29:45):
That's fabulous.

S5 (29:45):
So that's incredibly exciting. And uh, and probably in excess
of 30 countries at the moment. But we're frantically in
the Oceania region to have a few more countries involved
and able to access these opportunities.

S2 (29:59):
That's fantastic. And, uh, just quickly, because one of the
things that you talked about, uh, preconceptions, uh, over the
last few weeks, we've spoken to the basketballs and tennis
players that are either going to or have been to
Kazakhstan and, you know, hand up. I thought, well, Kazakhstan,
that's a bit of a unique place for events like
this to be held. Can you kind of educate me
on that?

S5 (30:19):
Oh, it's a I don't know how long you've got,
but a woman contacted me before our Oceania Asia games in, um,
the end of 22 and said she wanted to come
to Australia, and I said it was a bit late. Uh,
she came back to the Australian Open and watched all.
She's a tennis player. She's moved into the intellectual disability area,
and she, uh, came to the tennis. She saw the
inclusion tennis. Adriana and Petrarca know well, um, and some

(30:44):
other key players and then went home, formed an organisation. Uh,
has not only taken her athletes to Australia, uh, France
to compete and uh, and now she's hosting events. So
she's hosted the tennis just this month. Uh, and basketball
is leaving a week. Um, so she's got the, the
men's and women's world basketball championships. So Dina is, uh,

(31:08):
I can't say her last name, but it's t e
m e n g I l she's an absolute ripper.
And just as a young woman going places. So it's
very exciting.

S2 (31:17):
That's spine tingling. That is amazing. And like, in three years.
That's incredible.

S5 (31:21):
It is. And she's just so committed to making a difference.
And she's, you know, occasionally you meet someone like that
that just won't let it go. Uh, and I fear
that the the way that it was done, the tennis
looked amazing. She had every government official known there. And
of course, that just six foot or so. So that's.

S6 (31:38):
Yeah. Yeah.

S5 (31:39):
Success when.

S6 (31:40):
Absolutely.

S5 (31:41):
When they see it and they see the top tennis
players in the world in Kazakhstan and uh, they are
top tennis players and they just happen to have a disability,
then it just breeds it breeds further engagement and further success.

S2 (31:52):
Robin, after I speak to you, I feel like I'm
walking on air. I'm feeling like that now. Thank you so,
so much. And as I say, we never enough time.
We must catch up again soon and find out how
Brisbane's going. But we have to leave that for another day.

S5 (32:03):
Absolutely. Peter, it's so delightful to speak to you and
thank you for continuing to advocate so important.

S2 (32:08):
Ah, you're very kind. That's the Robert Smith I am
talking about. Lots of things happening in the world of sport,
particularly for people with intellectual disabilities, both nationally and internationally. Very,
very exciting. You're in elite company listening to Leslie here
on Vision Australia Radio, VA radio, digital VA radio, org

(32:30):
and through the TuneIn radio app. With the person that
lights up the airwaves every month and we love hearing

(32:52):
from her. Alison Davies from Alison Davies. Com.au you light
up our lives. Ali, how are you going?

S7 (32:58):
I'm great. Thanks, Peter. Thanks for having me again.

S2 (33:01):
It's a pleasure. Now, a few weeks ago, I spoke to, uh,
Ben Rowe, who's an artist living in Perth, who's blind,
and he was performing with a band and the band
members that said, hey, look, Ben, the crowd's really digging
what you're doing. Yeah. Keep going. And he made the
point to me during the interview, he said, yeah, when
I'm on stage, I can't see them at all, so
I don't know what their reaction is. So I thought,

(33:21):
what about the topic of the performer interacting with the
crowd rather than the other way around, which you've talked
about in the past?

S5 (33:27):
Oh great question, great topic.

S7 (33:29):
You know, actually, this makes me think immediately of a
documentary I watched when I was doing my Bachelor of Music,
and it was about Pink Floyd and the album The Wall. Yeah,
they built a wall out of bricks when they when
they performed this concert, they built a wall out of

(33:49):
bricks so that they wouldn't have to see the audience
because they were so sick of performing and being objectified
and having an audience in front of them, that they
built a wall specifically so they could play their show
without having to see anyone.

S2 (34:04):
I know Pink Floyd and I know The Wall, but
I didn't know the story behind it.

S7 (34:08):
So that happened. And then so they do the entire
show with the audience not being able to see them
at all, and without them being able to see the audience.
And then at the very end, they smash down the wall.
As a theatrical part of it, obviously no one in
that situation was blind. I mean, there might have been
people in the audience who were.

S2 (34:25):
Sure in more ways than one.

S7 (34:28):
Yeah.

S6 (34:29):
Exactly.

S7 (34:30):
But you know that that's the first thing that comes
through when you when you tell me about this. But look,
this is where I think music transcends all barriers. So
music impacts us in so many different ways. I would
imagine that even if he can't see the audience, he
can sense them, feel them, hear them. And this is

(34:54):
the difference. There's a big difference when you're on stage
as a performer, between a crowd who sort of sits
there and doesn't make a peep, and a crowd that's
really active and laughs at your jokes and oohs and ahs,
and you can hear their breath changing when you do
something musical. That's amazing. And, you know, I, I think

(35:14):
it's really, really important for crowds to actively engage with
the performer because like what he said about not being
able to see them. That's really significant and not something
that we think of often as a crowd member.

S2 (35:28):
Do you reckon the performer, do you reckon the performer
has kind of, um, an innate sense of performing to
the crowd, if you know what I mean? And they've
probably been like, you know, when they were really little,
they probably performed in front of their mums and dads
or their their grandparents or their aunties and uncles. So
they kind of get the fact that they've got a
kind of appeal to the audience.

S7 (35:46):
Oh, absolutely. And one of the things that I've experienced
as a performer on stage is that often you look
at how the audience is responding as a cue to
what you want to deliver on stage. So I can
sense by looking at a crowd if they are enjoying themselves,

(36:08):
and then I relax into just doing the thing I
know how to do. But also, if I look out
at a crowd and this happens a lot now as
a public speaker as well if I look out.

S6 (36:17):
Good point.

S7 (36:18):
Shaking their heads. If I say something that they don't
agree with, then I know that. Okay, I might need
to give a bit more information on this because I
haven't won them over.

S2 (36:27):
Yeah, yeah. So you're kind of almost reading collective body language.
I mean, we often hear about, you know, when you're
in a meeting one on one or if you're in
a small meeting, you know, if you're in an interview situation, uh,
you know, the people that are asking you questions, etc.,
read their body language and vice versa. But you're almost
having to do that on a, a multi-scale basis because
depending on how many people in the crowd.

S7 (36:49):
Yeah. And then sometimes I do that unfortunate thing where
everyone looks like they're just having the best time really
into everything I'm saying. And one person's looking bored. And
then I all I think about is the bored person.

S6 (37:00):
Oh, really? Yeah.

S7 (37:01):
So there could be benefit to not seeing them. So
I would be interested to know if this performer actually,
even though he couldn't see them, if he could sense
that they were into it, regardless of the other guy saying, hey,
the crowd's really into it. I wonder if he could
sense that already. And I also wonder if not being
able to see the crowd makes it less of a

(37:23):
performance that he is like. I wonder if it makes
it more of an internalized experience where he's standing on
that stage and expressing himself musically without that added element
of this is for someone else that I have to acknowledge.
I don't know. I mean, I want to talk to
this guy myself.

S2 (37:42):
All right. Well, we'll see if we can arrange that,
because it was interesting. I spoke to a few artists
who are blind over the years, and of course, a
lot of them were. A number of them have appeared
on The Voice, which of course is a television show.
And I guess you got a camera. You have got
a live audience as well, but that kind of point
about not being able to see them has never really
been raised. I mean, I've never asked them. They've never

(38:03):
kind of mentioned it really, as, as Ben did the
other day.

S7 (38:06):
Yeah, and I can't speak to it with any real
authority because my vision is fine. I see everything and, well,
my eyes are getting old. I'm starting not to. However,
I imagine that there would be different experiences. I imagine
that some people would really feel empowered by not having

(38:28):
that sort of extra element, of having to sit and
perform to them and just be able to be really
strong in their own performance. And I imagine there'd be
times where, you know, there's a real sense of, because
seeing the audience's face is a very beautiful thing as well.
Like to be able to see what they're receiving and

(38:50):
how they're enjoying it. I would say that there's a
sense of of missing that as well.

S2 (38:57):
Definitely. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I think you can kind of, uh,
you know, person with low vision might kind of, um,
convince themselves or kind of say, oh, look, you know,
I can still sense it. I can still feel it.
That maybe means well, but I think, you know, at
the end of the day, if you can't see it,
then you can't see it. And I guess you got
to adjust that. But I would think it would be

(39:17):
something really important to, to, uh, to feel like you
were missing out on as well. So it kind of
acknowledge it, acknowledge the fact that. Yeah.

S7 (39:25):
Yeah, yeah. And and especially if, if you're doing something
like outrageous, like performing at the opera house or, or
in a, you know, just somewhere where the whole environment
that you're in as well as the crowd actually amps
you up and gives you more power to perform, because
sometimes the energy that we have to put into our

(39:48):
performance comes from seeing it in the crowd, and then
it feeds into us, and we can then express it
again in how we're performing. So to not have that,
I imagine that he would be seeking sensations from the
audience to sit mood, to feel their enjoyment through the

(40:08):
way they, they, um, express themselves cheering or even like,
even when you can't see a crowd, which I've done
a lot of, um, musical theater. So this the, the
crowd is there's no lights on in the crowd. So
it's just a dark.

S6 (40:26):
Um.

S7 (40:27):
Big expanse. And, you know, they're out there, but you
can't see them, but you can feed off the way
they go when something exciting happens, or they cheer at
the end, or they clap. And you can tell by the, the,
the pace at which they're clapping and, and expressing themselves
that they're excited. And so there's lots of cues that

(40:48):
you pick up on that then feeds back into your
knowing you're being appreciated and connecting with the audience. So
there's still a lot there without needing to see them.

S2 (40:59):
That's very insightful because as you say, you know, if
you're in that sort of environment, performing it in the
theatre like that. You can sense the crowd, but you
can't actually see them, as you can say, in a
concert or in a venue where it's kind of lit
up and the crowd is, you know, sort of more
part of it. If I can put it that way.

S7 (41:16):
Absolutely. Especially when you're on stage, not only is the
crowd in the musical theatre, not only is the crowd
in the dark, but you have lights shining, right?

S6 (41:26):
Yeah.

S7 (41:26):
So you just can't see a thing? Yeah, definitely not
the same as being blind. I know that for sure. But, like,
you know, there's an element there of not being able
to see and just having to feel it and sense it.
And that's why an audience that's engaged is such a blessing,
because some audiences just sit there quietly and you have
no idea what they're thinking.

S6 (41:46):
Yeah.

S2 (41:46):
And that would kind of almost be a bit scary,
isn't it? Are they so into it that they don't
want to move or they say bored that they're falling asleep?

S6 (41:53):
I know, but.

S7 (41:55):
Another interesting thing is that audiences usually feed off each
other as well. So you either have a really engaged
audience where the whole audience is, like engaged and excited together.
Or you have a really quiet audience that doesn't move
much and you can't read them, but it's it's usually
an all or nothing thing. So I think that they
feed off each other's energy and it certainly impacts the performer.

(42:17):
It's so enjoyable to perform to an audience that you
can sense is really excited and loving what they're hearing.

S2 (42:27):
Well, I guess that's the reason you're there in a sense. And, well,
it's almost like an exam, isn't it? You're being marked
by the way they're reacting. They're responding to how you're performing.

S7 (42:36):
Yeah, exactly.

S2 (42:38):
Yeah. All right. Well, you get an A plus for
the interview. Ali.

S7 (42:41):
Oh, great. Thank you.

S2 (42:43):
Now people can find out more about you and the
fabulous things you do. Alison davis.com. You're on all the
social media channels. Great to catch up. You do light
up our afternoons when we have you on. Thank you
for that. Or depending on when people listen to the podcast.
We'll catch up again next month.

S7 (42:59):
Thanks, Peter. I look forward to it.

S2 (43:01):
Alison Davies, the Alison Davies. Com check out the website
or lots of the other social media channels.

S8 (43:07):
Hi Alexa, play Vision Australia, Radio Adelaide.

S9 (43:11):
Vision Australia, Radio Adelaide from TuneIn.

S8 (43:15):
Listen to Vision Australia Radio Adelaide via TuneIn on your
favourite internet device.

S2 (43:21):
Well, winter is almost officially here. Maybe it is, depending
on when you listen to this podcast, let's chat about
the flu in particular with the director for Infectious Diseases
at Mater Health Services, Professor Paul Griffin. Paul, thanks for
your time and welcome.

S10 (43:35):
Thanks so much for having me.

S2 (43:36):
Now the flu is here, even though we may not
be ready for it.

S10 (43:39):
Oh, exactly. Right. So normally during summer we see very
few cases. This year has been different. We've seen quite
a high number of cases even over January, February and March,
about one and a half to two times what we
might expect. So that means we've seen a large number
of cases, around 90,000 already across the country this year.
And if we don't do more to try and address that,
it that. It could mean we're in for a really

(43:59):
bad peak season coming up in winter.

S2 (44:01):
Any ideas why this is the case this year?

S10 (44:03):
Look, it's always hard to know why we see the
numbers that we see with the flu. There's a number
of factors that impact the other side of the world.
Had a pretty bad season. A lot of people traveling.
But what's clear and the thing we can do something
about is that vaccination rates are very low. And so
that's certainly going to be giving it a bit of
a free ride, as well as the fact I think
we're not doing anywhere near enough to limit transmission, which

(44:25):
also is meaning it's able to spread freely. So they're
the things we need to try and change.

S2 (44:30):
Do you think we kind of are celebrated in quite
for the fact that Covid was over, and now we
haven't been as vigilant as we might, may be or
should be?

S10 (44:38):
Oh, absolutely. I think, you know, with the focus on
Covid almost solely for such a long time, I think
people have lost sight of how significant other viruses like
the flu can be. I think there's also an element
of fatigue. I think a lot of people are just
sick of talking about infections and infectious diseases and vaccines
and things, so, so really have switched off a little
bit from discussions around the flu and some other infections.

(45:00):
And I also think that we were doing measures to
reduce the spread of these things pretty well for a
few years, but now we've stopped doing a lot of that.
So things like hand hygiene, mask wearing, staying home if
you're sick. We did that really well during the early
stages of Covid, but I think now people have given
up on a lot of those and that also is contributing.

S2 (45:18):
I guess it kind of shows how effective that was because,
I mean, you know, with all due deference to the
bad things that happened during Covid, Australia didn't fare too
badly because of those restrictions and those sort of protective
measures that people took. I guess that shows how effective
it is. And maybe to lose that vigilance can be
a bit of a dangerous thing.

S10 (45:37):
Oh, absolutely. And we try and remind people of that, that,
you know, during the Covid times, we saw 700 or
thereabouts flu cases in a in a whole year. We're
now getting that essentially every day at the moment with
around 90,000 cases this year already. So those measures are
clearly effective. But all of the respiratory infections, including influenza.
Of course, we're not suggesting going back to, you know,

(45:59):
the harsher things like border restrictions and lockdowns, but just
simple hygiene practices that we've recommended every flu season forever.
And now I think we're doing to perhaps the lowest
degree in a very long time.

S2 (46:09):
And Paul, the usual kind of people more at risk,
if you like. You know, the elderly, perhaps those with
compromised immune systems, the very young.

S10 (46:16):
Oh, absolutely. So we know with the flu, those at
greatest risk are young children less than five older adults,
over 65 pregnant women is a very significant risk group
as well. And then those people with medical problems or
whose immune systems don't work are definitely at higher risk.
But the important thing to point out is that doesn't
mean more significant disease occurs exclusively in those groups. We unfortunately,

(46:38):
every year see people with no medical problems who are
young and previously fit and well, who get severe influenza
and suffer the consequences. So that's why it's a broad
recommendation that basically everyone gets a flu vaccine every year.

S2 (46:51):
And for those people that do sort of I suffer
badly from it. Is that just bad luck? I mean,
you know, sometimes it just happens.

S11 (46:59):
Yeah. Look, there's a number.

S10 (47:00):
Of factors that contribute. Certainly being unvaccinated is the biggest
risk factor and the one we can most easily modify.
Medical problems play a role, but there is also, um,
people's immune status and and luck to a degree as well.
So we can't predict reliably who's going to get more
severe disease. And that's why our recommendations are basically universal
in terms of vaccinating and also doing those other things

(47:21):
like staying home when you're sick and getting tested and
getting antivirals if you're eligible.

S2 (47:25):
And we go around Australia on the Vision Australia radio
Network and the Radio Network. Is there any state more
at risk than another? I mean, there's the climate make
much difference.

S10 (47:35):
We do see a slight change in the seasonality and
the patterns we see based on where people are. But
given we're already seeing high numbers fairly much across the country,
it's not that we can sort of limit this risk geographically. And,
you know, that's why we do need people to to
heed the warning and make sure they do all those
simple things to try and address it.

S2 (47:53):
Well, what about the role of testing? Of course, that
was huge during Covid. Uh, you know, uh, it was, uh,
sort of prolific in a sense, uh, those testing stations
and the big lineups, etc.. How important is testing?

S11 (48:05):
And I think this.

S10 (48:05):
Is something that a lot of people outside of testing
is vital, to be honest. So not only do we
find out what people have, we can give them specific
recommendations about limiting onward transmission and how to manage them.
We have antivirals for for two of the the three
main viruses that are going around, particularly Covid and influenza. And,
you know, now there's even home tests that we can
find out if it's Covid, flu or RSV at home.

(48:28):
And if you test positive, get on to your GP
and get the antivirals. The single biggest determinant of how
well they work is how quickly they're started. But testing
at home and finding out quickly can make a massive difference,
but also means people are going to hopefully isolate in
accordance with recommendations and and do all the right things
as a result of knowing what they've got as well.
So yeah, I can't emphasize strongly enough how important testing

(48:50):
really is.

S2 (48:51):
Testing is the same sort of processes as Covid. Uh,
you know, the the thing up your nose.

S10 (48:55):
Yeah. That's right. I mean, you know, with the home test,
there are a few different options and recommend people conduct
those tests in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. But usually
it's a nose swab. It usually has to go in
fairly far to to get the right sample. So, um,
I kind of joke that if your eyes don't water,
you probably haven't gone in far enough. And then obviously
make sure you follow the process, uh, in accordance with

(49:16):
those instructions. And, and certainly make sure you don't use
one that's expired. That's been an issue. We've seen pop
up recently as well.

S2 (49:22):
And in terms of the, uh, the, the spectrum of, uh,
viruses that can cover that's improved as well, that the swab.

S10 (49:29):
Yeah, absolutely. So early on we just really had, um,
Covid in terms of those rapid antigen tests, but we're
really lucky to, um, have expanded access to the tests
that can test for a number of different viruses like Covid, flu,
and RSV. And they're the three moments. They're the main
ones in terms of severity and number at the moment. So,
you know, that's a really great combination test to know

(49:50):
what people have.

S2 (49:51):
Well, how does that work? Uh, you can test for
all three. So how do you know which one you have?
How does that kind of play out?

S10 (49:57):
Yeah. Good question. They have really good instructions. So they're
actually quite user friendly. They're designed to be used by
people at home. They basically have lines for each of
those infections and their control lines. So if your control
line works that means it's a valid test. And then
if you get a line next to one of those infections,
that's the one that you have. So it's a really quick,
easy and effective way of knowing which infection you have.

(50:18):
And then we can progress down making sure you get
the right management.

S2 (50:21):
And how accurate are the sort of diagnosis or the results.

S10 (50:25):
Look, they're very reliable. I mean, we do know that
sometimes they can miss particularly early on or when there's
not as much virus around. And so, you know, if
people have compatible symptoms, especially when there's lots around, we'd
recommend going ahead and getting a laboratory based test if
their at home test is negative. But the at home
ones are very reliable. And obviously the benefit there is

(50:45):
just how much quicker and easier they are. And you
don't always need to see your GP first to get
a request. So, you know, it's a great thing to
have at home. And what I've actually been recommending is
people consider being prepared ahead of time. So get those
for home. Any other medications you may need, and a
plan from your GP as to how you could get
the antivirals if you test positive. And that way you
can get on them as quick as possible. And that's

(51:06):
going to give the best chance of them working well.

S2 (51:08):
The test kits are available just from your convention or
your local chemist.

S10 (51:12):
Yeah that's right. So most pharmacies will will stock them. Um,
if they don't have them, they can probably get them in.
Or you might need to do a little bit of
shopping around. But to be honest, they're they're very readily available,
easily accessible. The days of supply issues and and fighting
for them like early in Covid are well and truly gone.
So that you're easy to get. And it's something I'd
certainly recommend having at home.

S2 (51:31):
And Paul, I don't want to overhype things, but I've
spoken to, well, one person in particular a week or
so ago that, uh, was, uh, tested at home, came
up positive. They contacted their doctor, uh, telehealth, got the antiviral.
And literally within a couple of days, they that were
that were pretty, pretty well. So those antivirals can make
a lot of difference as well.

S10 (51:51):
Well, absolutely. And that's very clear. And you know, some
of the mixed messaging around the antivirals is really related
to the people starting them too late. We know that
really after day three they're going to be much less
likely to be effective. And now that's where at home
testing really gives you the opportunity to, you know, even
get those the first day you have symptoms if you,
you know, have that test at home already or quickly
get it from the pharmacy, do that, test positive, get

(52:12):
hold of a GP via telehealth, get those antivirals, they're
going to make a difference. Unquestionably. And you know that's
going to go a very long way to to meeting
those people are less likely to need to go to
see their GP subsequently or end up in hospital or worse.
So the benefits on the healthcare system as a whole
are very significant too.

S2 (52:29):
Great message also about kind of having that relationship with
your GP that, look, if this happens, uh, can you
be in a position to, to prescribe the antiviral?

S10 (52:38):
Yeah, exactly. I mean, it's all about preparation and planning ahead.
And the unfortunate reality is when we see a significant
wave of whether it be you know, flu or Covid.
Often our GPS are swamped and it's hard to get
in and those sorts of things. So if you take
that opportunity and, you know, basically now, um, have a plan,
know how to manage your medical problems and know how
to get antivirals, know how to escalate if things don't

(53:00):
go well, it just means that, you know, when you
do get one of these infections, if you do, then
we can manage it really well and reduce the chance
of a bad outcome.

S2 (53:07):
If people want to find out more, you get a
couple of very good tips. Is there a website we
can go to?

S10 (53:12):
I mean, I guess the main resource I'd recommend is
your GP and pharmacist. Um, then, you know, the state
and federal departments of health have lots of really good
resources on managing the winter season and the infection specifically.
So I'd recommend you have a look there as well.

S2 (53:25):
Well, great to catch up. Really appreciate it. It's been
very interesting.

S10 (53:28):
It's a pleasure. Thanks very much.

S2 (53:29):
The professor, Paul Griffin, who's the director for infectious diseases
at the Mater Health Services, talk about being ready for
the flu and maybe not even getting. Well. It's always
great to talk about opportunities for employment and the workability.

(53:49):
The Workability Expo is certainly such an event. It's coming up.
There's two coming up, one of the Gold Coast and
also one in Darwin from Impact Institute. Let's chat to
Catherine Carey. Catherine, good to catch up again.

S12 (54:01):
I think, you know, it's back to you now.

S2 (54:04):
Well, we spoke a little while ago. You'd just been
to Adelaide and you're off to the Hunter. How did
all that go?

S12 (54:09):
Yeah, look, it went it went fabulously. We're really excited.
We had lots of open employers with us, as well
as disability employment service providers and other organisations who can
help people with disability on their employment journey. So it
was it was great fun.

S2 (54:25):
Now the hunt is that the area that's been hit
by the floods in more recent days.

S12 (54:30):
Oh look, most of that flooding is just a little
bit north. But yes, Newcastle did did cop the sort
of the southern end of it. But yes, we were
there just maybe two weeks before before all that flooding
came through. So hopefully everyone up there is okay. Because yeah,
it's a it's a fantastic city and we really enjoy
going up there.

S2 (54:49):
All right. Well certainly a big shout out to all
those involved, particularly with the cleaning up. I don't envy
their task. You're going a little bit further north now
though aren't you.

S12 (54:57):
Yeah. We're going up to Darwin um, next month, which
is very exciting. It's the first time we'll be in Darwin,
but yeah, we'll be in Darwin in June on the
17th of June.

S2 (55:05):
That's about this, then, is the first time you've been
to Darwin in this sort of, uh, situation?

S12 (55:10):
Yeah. Look, it is it is our first time in Darwin. Uh,
and we are bringing our workability Expo to Darwin, which
is a very, uh, specific event for people with disability
who are looking for employment. It's a one of a kind.
There are no other expos like this up in Darwin.
There are, of course, people, you know, other other events

(55:30):
for people with disability looking for other services. But this
expo is really unique because it really hones down and
brings just the people with the expertise in employment into
the one room at the one time.

S2 (55:43):
Now, often, of course, we hear about, you know, Sydney
and Melbourne, the big cities. I guess it's really important
because there are people with disabilities, there are opportunities for
employment in a place like Darwin. So it's good to
kind of highlight it. And, and, you know, give it
a bit of a shine, a bit of a light
on it.

S12 (55:59):
Yeah, absolutely. It's um, you know, the the challenge is
the same across the country, which is that, uh, people
with disability are employed at a much lower rate than
people who don't have a disability. And so, unfortunately, uh,
that challenge is universal, um, and certainly applies right across Australia.
And part of our, our remit is to get out

(56:20):
into many, as many regional areas as we can. Um,
so we're going to Darwin. We've been in Newcastle and
also Geelong earlier this year. So we're not only hitting
the big cities, but um, trying to get to some
of the, the smaller places as well.

S2 (56:33):
Now we're down on the 17th, our first of all,
where is it? It's a rather interesting sounding venue if
you like it. And also, how specific will it be
to the kind of Darwin area?

S12 (56:42):
Yeah. Look, it's it's right in the heart of Darwin.
It is, um, in a venue called the territory. Uh,
I think it's called the Territory Netball Stadium. I got
that right because there's a.

S2 (56:51):
Couple of.

S12 (56:52):
Venues up.

S5 (56:52):
There.

S12 (56:53):
Uh, but yes, the Territory Netball Stadium. No netball will
be being done, but, uh, yeah, we've got use of
the facility for the day. There will be not only booths,
so not only organisations up there that can you can
talk to, but we're bringing our um, presentations, um, webinar
seminars type arrangements. So we're bringing our, um, you know, expertise.

(57:15):
People can sit down and listen to, uh, people who
are in the industry and get information as well as
then go around and see the organisations who are on
the booths.

S2 (57:25):
They've done a bit of kind of reconnaissance as to
sort of what is there, what isn't there, what people
are looking for, kind of make it specific to to
the Darwin area.

S12 (57:33):
Yeah. Look, absolutely. We have been working with the Workforce
Australia local partner in Darwin. Um, they are completely connected
into the industry up there. They are locals. Uh, so
we've been working very, very closely, closely with them on
trying to identify, um, all of the organizations who should
be be there. Um, and we've got quite a, quite

(57:56):
a number coming along, which is fantastic.

S2 (57:59):
So I guess you could kind of well, I could
kind of describe it as a bit of a conduit
between the employer and employee. So, uh, sort of something
for everyone as far as that, uh, sort of connection goes.

S12 (58:10):
Yeah. Look. Absolutely. That's really what it's about. So it's
all of the support services that are usually in this space.
So there's a lot of organisations who are involved with
trying to connect people with disability and employers, and sometimes
those employers are quite specifically, you know, organisations who only

(58:30):
employ people with disability. Uh, but we're really trying to
branch out and talk to organisations Organizations who either employ directly.
So you sort of open employers or organizations who can
kind of help facilitate that pathway into an open employer.
And that's, you know, that's um, not necessarily an easy

(58:52):
thing to do, but that's the pathway, um, that does exist.
And we really want to encourage people to come along
and talk to the providers about what might be right
for them, because, again, everyone is a little bit different.
Their journey is a little bit different, their needs are different.
So it's really about coming along and finding out the
information that it is going to help you on your

(59:13):
employment journey.

S2 (59:14):
That's the 17th of June now. Are you going to
the Gold Coast next week?

S12 (59:17):
We are trying to escape the cold Sydney. Sydney weather.
Uh very.

S2 (59:22):
Hot. You must know people to organise, uh, you know,
Darwin and Gold Coast in June. Sounds perfect.

S12 (59:27):
Absolutely. Yeah. We don't go to Tasmania in June. We
look at the schedule very closely and choose the warm places, uh,
for the.

S2 (59:35):
Truth about the Gold Coast.

S12 (59:36):
Gold Coast. That expo is a combined expo with our
with our large format disability Expo, but we'll have a
very specific focus on, uh, workability. Um, within within the
two day event, there'll be a bunch of activations and
things happening around workability, including our employer lounge. So we've
got about half a dozen open employers who will be

(59:57):
there who'll be able to talk to you. But again,
just all those support services and organisations that are working
day in, day out to help people, help connect people
with disability into employers that suit them.

S2 (01:00:10):
The days on the Gold Coast, it's, uh, Friday into Saturday.
Is that right?

S12 (01:00:13):
Yeah. That's correct. So next Friday, next Saturday, uh, we
we run over the two days, 9 to 3 both days.
And we're up at the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre. Uh,
so for those of you who know the Gold Coast,
it's up next to Dreamworld. Uh, so come up and
maybe spend, spend a bit of time at Dreamworld, but
then definitely come across to the Expo Centre.

S2 (01:00:32):
Multi-skilling her. Catherine.

S12 (01:00:34):
Absolutely. I should. I hate promoting someone else's business, but
you know where the centre is? Right near Dreamworld. So
for those everyone who lives on the coast knows where
Dreamworld is. So, um, that's where we'll be.

S2 (01:00:44):
Yeah. We'll chat about the fact that you've been to
the Hunter, to Adelaide, also to Geelong. I guess you
kind of got a little bit of a template as
to what works and what doesn't work, kind of, uh,
editing and adding and taking away to, to make sure that, yeah,
the more you do these, the better they turn out
in terms of how they're portrayed.

S12 (01:01:00):
Yeah. Look. Absolutely. Um, we're always continuously improving. So after
each event, we sort of sit down and and sort
of pick, pick the expo apart and figure out not
only what, what worked well, but also what didn't work
so well. And we take feedback. Um, we obviously send
out surveys and those sort of things. We're finding a
lot of employers are really sort of coming around to

(01:01:22):
the idea now, which is, which is really exciting. And
the lounge is it's a it's a bit of a
unique experience in that if you've ever been to an expo,
expos are typically quite hustling and bustling.

S2 (01:01:33):
Indeed.

S12 (01:01:34):
People, you know, crowding around booths. And we've really sort
of gone out on a limb with the lounge and said, no, no, no.
We want the space to feel a little bit more
quiet and a little bit more sort of intimate. It's
possibly not the right word, but a place you can
sit down and have a genuine conversation. So it's not
as not as busy as your sort of typical expo floor,

(01:01:55):
but the conversations that are being had are on a
much deeper level. And when I talk to employers about
their experience, they tell me that, yeah, it's it it
was different to what they've maybe done in other places.
But it's, you know, the results are are much better
for them because they're having genuine conversations with people. The
conversations are more authentic. And, um, you know, it's not

(01:02:17):
just people walking past the booth trying to grab a pen.
It's people who genuinely want to work. And they're genuine conversations,
which are ultimately, we hope, will lead to, in time,
better outcomes for people with disability.

S2 (01:02:30):
I'm glad you made that point. In a sense, you
and I guess those that attend are playing the long game,
aren't you? I mean, it's not going to be. You
turn up on the sixth or seventh in Gold Coast
or the 17th in Darwin, and the next day, Whyalla.
It all happens. It is kind of a long term
view that you're taking as well. You know, all parties.

S12 (01:02:47):
Yeah. Look. Absolutely there's there is no quick fix here. Um,
this is a journey. We're all on the journey together
and it does take time. Um, people, organisations need to
understand what people with disability are looking for, and people
with disability need to understand how they can fit into
those organisations. And it's a conversation. It is a journey. Um,

(01:03:11):
and it's trying to just break down those stereotypes, uh,
that open employers don't take people with disability. They certainly do. Um,
but it's just it's about finding the right fit. And
that's not always easy. And so yeah, it just it
does take it is going to take some time before
we see see the benefits of the program.

S2 (01:03:32):
All right. Well, let's all be patient and let's all persist.
So that's the sixth and seventh of the Gold Coast
and the 17th in Darwin. We'll put those details up
with our show notes, the venues as well. Catherine. Good luck. Uh,
you're very passionate about what you do. May your line continue.
And I'm sure that, uh, well, you have a good time,
but also successful time. And for those that turn up
for both employers and potential employees, uh, everyone will benefit.

S12 (01:03:55):
Great. Thanks so much, Peter. Look forward to talking to
you next time.

S2 (01:03:59):
Sure. Catherine Carey there from the Impact Institute that, uh,
workability exposed plural. So, Gold Coast six and seventh and
Darwin on the 17th of June on the Eastern Australia
Network through your favorite podcast service on 1190 7 a.m.
in Adelaide. You're listening to leisure link. Let's welcome to

(01:04:29):
the program for our regular yoga segment. Thank you for
your company this afternoon. What have you got for us today?

S13 (01:04:36):
We're doing something fairly simple. It's her ankle and knee
bending and is part of the Mukhtasar series. They're a
simple series of movement. Parwan means wind, sometimes called air.
Moctar is released. Asana, of course, is posture and removes

(01:04:58):
excess wind and gases or some say acids from the body.
Simple movements that will influence the different joints, helping to
remove wind and gases from them. Due to incorrect chemical
reactions in the body, rheumatic pain and stiffness occurs. Now remember,
do what you can. Every little bit helps but don't

(01:05:20):
cause pain at all. Do the technique for this. Sit
comfortably in a chair or on the floor with your
legs out straight, arms alongside or slightly backward, palms flat
on the floor, just for balance. Now concentrate on your
toes and just move the toes of both feet slowly

(01:05:40):
backwards and forwards the toes. Try not to move the foot,
keeping the feet still. Repeat ten times or less if
it's too much for you. So there we go on
to what's called ankle bending. So you move both feet
backwards and forwards as much as possible, bending them from

(01:06:00):
their ankle joints. And again that's ten times. Now the
next one is ankle rotation. It's always hard to move
the ankles to rotate them because of the joints the
way the joints are fitted there. So it takes quite
a bit of um concentration. Now separate the legs, keep

(01:06:21):
them straight and keeping the hills. Hills on the floor.
Rotate the right foot clockwise. Around that ankle. The right ankle.
Rotating it ten times. And then you rotate the foot anticlockwise.
And again ten times. Then change to the left foot

(01:06:44):
and repeat. They try not to move the lower leg.
You may get a little bit of movement in there,
but don't move that whole lower leg. Now the next
one is the knees. So we do some knee bending here.
So we bend the right leg at the knee. Clasping
the hands under the knee or the thigh. So you're

(01:07:04):
bringing it back towards your chest when you bend it.
Straighten the right leg out without allowing the heel, allowing
the heel or toes to touch the floor. Now, if
you really care, you're just taking that leg straight out
and you bring it back to the start position again.
And again you repeat that in times and then change

(01:07:25):
the left leg. And you know, that's quite simple doing
that now when finished, if your legs are shake and
at the same time with your arms, and then lay
down and relax for a short time. Now benefits tilt
to release wind and acid, particularly from the joints. Lubricate
the joints, bones, bones the muscles are loosening both tilt

(01:07:49):
blood flow and circulation and has a subtle effect on
the practitioner. Now this last one, we've only done a
little bit of this, but I know from my own class,
when we've gone through some more of these afterwards and
the next week they said to me how different they

(01:08:09):
sort of felt that all their muscles and joints and
everything had had like a release. Everything felt better.

S2 (01:08:18):
Would you like to go through it again?

S13 (01:08:20):
Yes. Okay. Whoo hoo! Um, I think only bending of
knee of getting on the bus. But starting with the
toes first. So again, you should have a chair. If
you're unable to sit on the floor with the legs
straight out. So just just put the chair in in

(01:08:42):
case some people can't sit on the floor. You're sitting
on the floor because have your arms back a little bit.
Not much. Or just alongside arms, her hands flat on
the floor. And we concentrate on the toes first. And
it's both toes. So you need the toes of both
feet slowly backwards and forwards, keeping the feet still and

(01:09:04):
repeat ten times. Then we change to ankle bending. And
now we're moving the feet backwards and forwards as much
as possible, bending them from the ankle joints. And again
ten times. Now the next one is we separate the legs,
ankle rotation, and we keep the legs as straight as

(01:09:27):
we can, keeping the heels on the floor and up
the right foot, rotating it in a clockwise direction first,
then about ten times, and then change to the other
foot and clockwise first, and then rotate back the other
way again. Now if you can't do ten times, just

(01:09:47):
do what you can with this one. If you're rotating
one way ten times and going back the other way,
it might be a bit much for some people so
you can listen to your own time. Knee bending bend
the right leg at the knee, clasping the hands under
the knee or the thigh so it comes back towards
your chest. And then straighten that leg, that right leg

(01:10:10):
straight out without allowing the heel or toes to touch
the floor. And again you bring it back to the
start position. Now, when you're doing that one, take your
breath in and breathe out as you take the leg
forward and you do that ten times and you change
to the left leg doing the same, and again ten times.

(01:10:32):
We'll finish. Give your legs a shake and the same
with your arms, and lay down and relax for a
short time. Then a foot shall go through them again.
Heels release wind and acid, particularly from the joint. It
lubricates the joints, turns the muscles, thus loosening both blood
flow and circulation. And it has a subtle effect on

(01:10:56):
the practitioner. Relaxing effect one. You know that if you
if you lose a funny word, that one. But yes,
everything said a nice little stretch, easy to do, doesn't
take that long. You don't rush it when you're circling
the ankle around or even, you know, just moving those toes.
Don't rush it. Take your time. And the second one,

(01:11:18):
you can even do that one if you're watching Kelly Ripa.

S2 (01:11:23):
That was fantastic. Now, if people want to contact you
for some one on one, how can we find you?

S13 (01:11:28):
Uh, yes. My mobile is.

S2 (01:11:30):
041286096041286096. Riva, thank you so much for that. We'll catch
up again next month.

S14 (01:11:42):
That's all right, Peter. We'll talk again next month.

S2 (01:11:45):
Have a good evening.

S14 (01:11:46):
Bye now.

S2 (01:11:47):
Our yoga expert. Also hashtag Campbelltown Senior Citizen of the year.
If you want to contact Griva for some one on
1041286096 is Riva's number. And as always, if you miss
any of the details, you can always either go to
our show notes or give us a call here at
the radio station.

S15 (01:12:08):
Hi, I'm Melissa Perin, four time Winter Paralympian, bronze medallist
and co-captain, and you're listening to Leisure Link with Peter
Greco on the Vision Australia radio network.

S2 (01:12:28):
We always love hearing from adjunct professor from USC, Denise Wood,
who joins us with interesting technology news every month. Denise
welcome back.

S16 (01:12:36):
Hello, Peter. Good to be here.

S2 (01:12:37):
Now Google is your topic of your topic today. If
you might put it.

S12 (01:12:42):
That's right. Well, we've had a few big, uh, you know,
events at the start of this year. So Google is
definitely not going to be left out on a loops there.

S5 (01:12:51):
So.

S12 (01:12:52):
So it's their big annual developer conference, which this year
was held on May the 20th and 21st.

S13 (01:13:00):
But I guess.

S12 (01:13:01):
What, uh.

S5 (01:13:02):
Probably was.

S12 (01:13:02):
A.

S13 (01:13:03):
Little bit different from.

S12 (01:13:04):
This year for Google was it was.

S13 (01:13:06):
Surprise all.

S12 (01:13:08):
About artificial intelligence, AI, AI and more AI. I. So, uh,
you probably not be surprised to learn that Google search
was becoming a little outdated in.

S5 (01:13:23):
These.

S12 (01:13:23):
Uh, era of ChatGPT and.

S13 (01:13:26):
Other.

S12 (01:13:26):
Uh, AI rivals. So Google, of course, uh, has not
wanted to be left out. I mean, it coined the
term googling, so it's responded with its own AI mode
for search. It's currently being rolled out to everyone in
the US. So I think, uh, we can expect to

(01:13:47):
see that coming our way in the not distant future.
So it's also built a whole lot of new tools
that it hopes will stop us from.

S5 (01:13:56):
Uh.

S12 (01:13:56):
Um, just, uh, becoming advocates for ChatGPT. So it's got
a new deep search mode that.

S13 (01:14:03):
Lets you.

S12 (01:14:04):
Set it working on much more complex, uh, research projects
and a new ticket buying assistance, Uh, which will help you, uh,
get entries to your favorite, uh, events and so forth. Um,
the I overviews is also getting a wider rollout. So
I guess watch the space, because your searches are going

(01:14:27):
to be far more sophisticated in the, uh, time to come. Now,
Google's also made changes for shopping online, so it's aiming
to use AI to streamline your shopping experience. I guess
that means like, uh, Amazon. It'll be even more creepy
because you'll do a search and everything thereafter. Tell you

(01:14:50):
what you need and you don't want. Um, so it will. Now,
the AI mode for search now offers a mode that
will react to shopping based prompts such as. You know,
I'm looking for a bag and serve up products and
images for inspiration and allow you to narrow down, um,
down to specific.

S5 (01:15:11):
Products.

S12 (01:15:12):
And not surprising, it's rolling out in.

S5 (01:15:14):
The US.

S12 (01:15:14):
First.

S5 (01:15:14):
As well.

S12 (01:15:15):
And there'll be a new, uh, shopping experience.

S13 (01:15:19):
Called.

S12 (01:15:19):
Try on mode that lets you upload an image of yourself. Now,
this is worry me knowing from which Google's combination of
its shopping graph and Gemini, which is its AI model,
as you probably know, will enable you to virtually try
on clothes. Um.

S5 (01:15:37):
What?

S12 (01:15:38):
Yes. Uh, um, but you do need to opt in
to the search labs program to give it a go.
That's a bit creepy, I think, but never mind. Once
you have the product in mind, it's agent will check
features to, uh, buy the product on your behalf using
the payment and delivery details that you've stored in Google Pay.

(01:15:59):
If the price meets your approval, then you can track
the cost of an item and have it buy it. Um, yes.
So watch that space. The next item they, uh, talked
about was, uh, video calls. We're all using video calls
these days. That kind of kicked off with, uh, Covid

(01:16:19):
in big time. So. So Google has a new theme
b e a n, and it presents calls in 3D.
It makes it look like you're in the same room
when you're on a call with them. So it will
feel a bit like virtual reality, but you might have
to wear a headset or glasses. It's using cameras, uh,

(01:16:40):
of course mikes, of course, but I uses it to
combine those, create that in-room experience. So it did test
this long time back on a project called Starline, but, uh,
it's around the corner now. So, um, at the moment
you'd have to sit in a custom made booth, but

(01:17:01):
of course, that will change over time. They've also upped
the ante with AI I video generation, so it has
a new Vo. The EO three model, which uses third
generation tools to create video clips, tie them together and
make films. But unlike some of the other tools around it,

(01:17:24):
can generate audio at the same time and sync the
sound and vision together. So. And it can even handle dialogue.
So video, um, creating videos is going to get a
lot easier in Google. They also announced Google Gemini Live.
This is the Google's AI powered voice assistant, which is

(01:17:44):
now available on both Android and iOS. So they have, uh,
opened the gates to broader operating systems. This used to
be a paid for option, but it's now available to users.
So with Gemini Live, you can talk to the generative
AI assistant using natural language as well as your camera

(01:18:08):
to show it things from which it will extract information
to serve up data. So you could share your phone,
screen and camera with other Android users using Gemini Live.
So it's rolling Gemini Live out from free from today. Uh, with, uh,
Apple users being able to access the AI and its

(01:18:29):
screen sharing features in coming weeks or months. So, uh,
look out for Gemini Live. It's going to make the
voice assistant, uh, a lot more sophisticated.

S2 (01:18:40):
All right.

S12 (01:18:41):
So, uh, I think, you know, they're probably, uh, you know,
Gemini is also got artistic abilities for AI image generation.
So we're going to see that, um, grow in sophistication
as well. And a new deep think upgrade to Gemini 2.5.
So yes. Wait and watch this space because everything's going

(01:19:05):
to get a whole lot smarter. And, um, you just
to finish off on the AI theme, you may recall
years ago, Google had its Google Glasses, which never really
took off, but now they're using Android XR to create
the future of what smart glasses is going to look like.

(01:19:26):
Using Gemini. So you'll be able to wear glasses with
this AI Gemini integrated, it will direct you to cafes,
or to shops or to destinations that you put in.
It can perform live translation, answer questions about things that
you can see through the glasses, and it can use

(01:19:46):
Google Maps to transport you all over the world, virtually speaking.
So we're going to see a lot more sophistication in
virtual reality using glasses in the future with the integration
of AI, which will have some really interesting possibilities, I think,
for accessibility. So that's a bit of a wrap up on.

S2 (01:20:08):
Oh, that's.

S5 (01:20:09):
Pretty.

S2 (01:20:09):
Cool.

S12 (01:20:10):
Yes.

S2 (01:20:11):
I wonder if there's going to be an app to
debug or someone's mind because mine's boggling at the moment.

S12 (01:20:16):
That's right. Well, uh, you can expect to see these
things coming to Google in the not too distant.

S17 (01:20:21):
Future, I suppose.

S2 (01:20:23):
You're wonderful. Thank you so, so much. Uh, we'll go
away and think all about, uh, you've talked about maybe
try and digest it and we'll catch up again next month.

S12 (01:20:31):
Sounds good. Thanks, Peter.

S2 (01:20:32):
So, Professor Denise would a marvellous addition to our program.
Denise joins us the last week of each month and, uh,
very much a valued member of this team. I'm very
sad to have to report to you the passing of
Wendy McDougall. Wendy was the producer for Focal Point on

(01:20:53):
a Wednesday night for some 25 plus years. So reliable,
so talented. Such a great person. Love music. Love sport.
Great singer. Great musician love technology, so rest in peace.
Wendy McDougall to Anne and Sandra. Wendy's family or those
that knew Wendy. Our deepest sympathies, but we say Wendy

(01:21:14):
McDougall and speak about Wendy. She had a greeting on
her phone, which always ended with a quote that I'd
like to use today. Wendy would also always end with
live long and prosper. And when you say that, or
when you hear that, when you think that, it brings
a smile to my face knowing that that was how
Wendy signed off her message. Another quote Steven sent went through.

(01:21:39):
I'm not sure if Steven is in the US or
from the US. Uh, he says there's a bumper sticker
in the US going around saying, are we great yet?
I'm just embarrassed. So, Steven, thank you very much for
sending that through a couple of birthdays before we go.
Mitch Gourley having a birthday, that champion winter Paralympian, co-captain

(01:22:00):
of the Australian team. So Mitch, a very big happy
birthday to you and happy birthday to Marlee. Lovell was
a teenage athlete at the Paralympic Games in the sport
of track and field. I'm sure a bigger and brighter
career is ahead. A very big happy birthday to you,
Marlee Lovell. That's it for the program. Sam, Richard, thanks
so much for your help. Pangolin, thanks so much for yours.

(01:22:22):
Reminding you that link is available on that favourite podcast
platform of yours. If you like the show, please tell
some friends we'd like to have more listeners. If you're
listening through 1190 7 a.m. in Adelaide, coming up very soon.
Vicki Cousins is here with Australian Geographic, the program no
one ever misses. Be kind to yourselves, be thoughtful and

(01:22:44):
look out for others all being well. Let's link back
at the same time next week on Vision Australia Radio
and the Reading Radio Network. This is leisure link.

S18 (01:23:18):
Woo hoo! Woo hoo! Woo hoo!

S19 (01:23:56):
Live long and prosper!

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