December 16, 2021 • 29 mins
Join Talking Vision's Sam Colley as he counts down to this year's Vision Australia Carols by Candlelight made possible by AAMI and the audio described radio simulcast of the Carols on Vision Australia Radio, sponsored by Belong.
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S1 (00:00):
Vision Australia Radio's audio describes simulcast of Vision Australia's Carols
by candlelight is back in 2021. Tune in from 7pm
Christmas Eve for a behind the scenes peek at everyone's
favourite Christmas event, followed by our audio descried presentation of
the TV broadcast you know and love made possible by
Vision Australia radio sponsor long carbon neutral mobile and internet,
(00:23):
proudly behind audio description for Aussies with a print disability.
It feels good to belong.
S2 (00:30):
Hello and welcome to Vision Australia wide as countdown to Carols.
I'm Sam Kelly. As you heard seconds ago, we are
proud to welcome back Bennelong as our major presentation partner
of our audio described carols by candlelight simulcast belong and
known for being the carbon neutral mobile and internet provider.
And they are proudly behind Aussies with a print disability
(00:53):
by supporting our simulcast. Thanks for being back with us
in 2021 Balloon and thank you listeners for tuning in
to the program as we count down to the Carols
Vision Australia radio as a not for profit community radio
network dedicated to providing accessible information to people with a
print disability. Producing and presenting local content across the nation
(01:17):
comes at a price, so we are truly grateful for
the support of our sponsors, donors and, of course, our listeners.
But for now, we're here to talk up the carols
and celebrate an annual event that is loved by Australians
far and wide. Each year, around 20000 people make their
way to Melbourne's botanical gardens on the 23rd and 24th
(01:40):
of December to celebrate the magic of Christmas. Last year,
Vision Australia made the tough decision to host the show
without a physical crowd to ensure a COVID safe event. Thankfully,
audiences are welcomed back into the Sydney Myer Music Bowl
and even cinemas where the carols can be enjoyed via
a livestream of the Channel nine broadcast. To get things started,
(02:04):
I spoke with Vision Australia CEO Ron Hooton to learn
more about this year's event. Ron, welcome to Talking Vision.
Thank you very much for being with us today.
S3 (02:14):
Hi, Sam. Thanks very much.
S2 (02:16):
Now, firstly, Ron, let's go to the heart of things
in a sense. How important would you say the carols
are for Vision Australia from your perspective?
S3 (02:24):
Well, carols by candlelight is our biggest fundraiser every year.
It's been going for many, many years, and us app-solutely
is the heart of so many Victorians and so many
people right across Australia. So it puts our name out
there and also the cause of people who are living
with blindness and low vision out to so many Australians.
(02:44):
So it's absolutely vital for us. We, you know, we
really hope that we have a great night, not just
from a fundraising perspective, but also everybody absolutely loves the
show and enjoys themselves. And there's some big, big things
happening this year.
S2 (02:59):
Big things. That sounds exciting. What sort of big things
can people expect alongside the old favourites that people have
grown to know and love?
S3 (03:08):
Oh look, there's always the Fab Four from carols. There's
David Hobson, Denis Walter, Sally Palladino, Marina Project. They are
such wonderful people. But this year we've got David Campbell
back and Ellie Langdon. They're from Sydney. They're on the
Today Show and they're just fabulous presenters for this program
and just wonderful people so committed to the Vision Australia,
(03:30):
of course. But there's a really, really big thing coming
up this year. Vision Australia, through a low vision songwriter,
has its own carol. It's going to be really exciting.
I'm not going to give any more details about it yet,
S2 (03:46):
keep it under wraps.
S3 (03:48):
Keep it under wraps, except to say that there's a
great performer for it. And and Donald Dyson, who is
a former songwriter of the year and a client of
Vision Australia and a person with low vision, has written
this carol for us. And I think that this is
going to be a tradition for carols for for years
and years to come.
S2 (04:07):
Yes. Here's hoping it does add to the long list
of carols traditions over the years. That's something that's very exciting,
so I look forward to that. But also one 2021
has certainly throw out a few logistical challenges over the time.
So what are some of the ways the global pandemic
has impacted our popular carols event this year?
S3 (04:29):
Well, I suppose the first thing is that it's going
to be a vaccination only event. Now, I know that
for some, that might be controversial, but we do have
to make sure that everybody's safe. So before coming to
the event, people will have to be vaccinated. It doesn't
mean you have to be vaccinated at home to watch,
of course, but that would be crazy. But also, we're
putting in all the usual social distancing things. But the
(04:53):
show will be absolutely fabulous this year. It'll be back
to a crowd. The crowd will be around about 10000 people.
All of the usual performers will be there, have a
Fab Four will be there and a whole lot of
new performers as well. So we're really looking to this
year put the pandemic behind us, get people along to
(05:14):
the show, get people along to rehearse all night, have
people watch on television and just have a fabulous start
to Christmas.
S2 (05:21):
Absolutely. And Ron, it's easy to get caught up in
the entertainment of the night, but it's also naturally very
important to remember the cause behind. So can you remind
us who benefits most from the funds raised at the carols?
S3 (05:37):
It's children who are blind or have low vision, and
it's children of all ages. So we we look upon
our services for children and young adults as as being
from age zero through to around about age 25. Now,
the little ones have really, really particular needs and they're
very family centric. So a family who has a child
(05:59):
who is blind, has low vision, has a lot of
coping to do. They have a few challenges that are
greater than for normal parents. So we put a lot
of effort into those those early years. First of all,
dealing with the emotional wellbeing of the family, but but
also the the development of the child. When they get
(06:20):
to tender age, we help them integrate into kinder. When
they get to school, we help them integrate into school.
From then on, there's all of those services that children older,
all of those things that children need to develop. You know,
how to how to have manners at the table, how
to eat properly with a knife and fork. Bits and
pieces of cooking. A whole range of things when when
(06:44):
the children become young adults, we start to focus on employment,
not just what job you're going to do for life,
but but actually getting a job at McDonald's or Burger
King or somewhere like that, like every other kid in
Australia does. We want all of our children to experience
those early employment experiences, and we've got great programs around that.
(07:07):
Then we help them get into university through our Leap program,
and then there's the potential of the graduate program. There's
just such a wide range of things that we're able
to do with the proceeds of carols by candlelight is
just fabulous.
S2 (07:19):
It is absolutely fabulous, and it makes an impact on
so many lives and really changes our lives for the better.
So it is an absolutely fantastic cause. And Ron, what's
the best way for listeners to get involved and feel
a part of the event? For instance, where can listeners
get a hold of a ticket and head along to
the bowl
S3 (07:38):
so tickets are available there on Ticketek right now? Get
in fast because they're selling fast. We are around about
halfway through selling the the main event in a similar
place with the rehearsal night tickets. But there are lots
of other ways for people to get involved as well.
Of course, as listening on the night or on Virgin
(07:59):
Australia Radio or those watching it on Channel nine, Channel
nine are a great bunch of people to work with.
We love working with them and we've got Amy along
this year as as partners and then the social media
get involved with Carol, the Carols Club, you know, participate
in the social media because really, really this year is
(08:20):
going to be a fantastic event. The songbird is going
to be out soon in the Herald Sun for people
who are in Victoria. Look out for that. Buy a
copy on and on said day when you see that
come through. There are so many ways for our community
to participate in carols by candlelight.
S2 (08:34):
Okay, so absolutely be on the lookout for those. And
for more information on Vision Australia's Carols By. And a lot,
please visit Vision Australia dot org, that's Vision Australia or
one word dot org and keep listening to Vision Australia
radio for news on our audio describe simulcast of the
event on Christmas Eve. Ron, thank you very much again
(08:57):
for joining me today. It was wonderful to hear from
UU (08:59):
you and maybe just keep us safe
S4 (09:04):
under the tree
UU (09:06):
falling off so we will
S4 (09:13):
hurry down the chimney tonight. Since Baby 154 converted. Nights later, fine.
(09:34):
So maybe we don't
UU (09:37):
need to now. Think of all the fun. I mean.
I haven't. You're right, Kevin, just as good.
S4 (10:00):
Check out my Christmas list. Santa baby, I want to yacht,
and really, that's Matt Bennett Angel a baby, so hurry
down the chimney. They sent Honey. One little thing, I
(10:32):
really need a great deal
UU (10:36):
to apply to a baby, so hurry down the.
S4 (10:48):
Who seemed to care to
UU (10:51):
fill my stocking with a duplex and checks. Sign your
ex on sea to Kutty and hurry down the chimney to.
(11:12):
Trim my Christmas
S4 (11:14):
tree.
UU (11:18):
She's going to. I really do believe in. Let's see
S4 (11:28):
if you believe
UU (11:30):
in me. So maybe you forgot to mention one thing.
S4 (11:41):
And lean on for the big hurry down the chimney
to now. Down the chimney, too, now, hurry up to now.
S2 (12:00):
You're listening to our countdown to Carol's program on Vision
Australia radio. I'm Sam Kelly and that was clearly with
Santa Baby, a Christmas classic. I'm here with singer guitarist
and songwriter Jason Resch, part of four member country music
outfit Darlinghurst with Pagan Newman, Kasey Leopold and Matt Davida
(12:25):
are performing at this year's Vision Australia Carols by Candlelight. Jason,
thanks very much for being here today.
S5 (12:32):
Oh, thanks, and thanks for having me.
S2 (12:33):
It's pleasure. Now, firstly, Jason, tell us about your songwriting
and I understand you've been quite prolific and involved with some,
you know, really big names over the years.
S5 (12:45):
Yes, I am. Since I was 17, I was living
Adina in England, working for a songwriting induction team codes
in Albania. So I was there for quite a few years.
And yeah, we wrote quite a few hits and some
big records, so I've been pretty fortunate to be a
part of a lot of great teams. Read my sort
(13:06):
of my career, to be honest. So in the end,
then this is the stuff that's happening with Darling. This is, yeah,
it's been going wonderful so far. So yeah, it's songwriting.
Things sort of been happening since quite a young age,
I guess.
S2 (13:18):
Mm-Hmm. And how did you sort of get into music?
Where did the what did the bug bite you and
how did that sort of come about?
S5 (13:26):
I don't know, it's one of those sort of things
where there was like apparently from what my mom was saying,
there's always like a toy piano that was always hanging around.
The house was really young and I used to bash
on it all the time. And for some reason I
was just, I guess, drawn to to that sort of thing,
I guess. But I can remember this when I first
saw Elvis Presley and video of him when he was
(13:48):
singing in Hawaii and when I saw that, that sort
of kind of
S2 (13:52):
resonated with it now. Yeah. And you've dedicated your a
large portion of your life so far to your love
of country living and working in Nashville for years. But
I understand you've recently made the move back to where
it all started for you in Melbourne. What brought about
the decision to make the move back home?
S5 (14:14):
I think it was based on I can't I can't
get a gut feeling sort of sort of sense of
things when I was in Nashville, when I was there
for a few years. And yeah, it just sort of
coming up to the third or fourth EOC does something
inside of me really sort of tell me too. I
think it's time to get back home. So I sort
of just kind of trust that that feeling and end
(14:35):
and went back home. So I sort of that that's
sort of what initially sort of brought me back along
was the plane as well as this.
S2 (14:44):
And how did the pandemic impact on your writing when
you were back in Melbourne?
S5 (14:49):
Yeah, it was. I got back to Melbourne. I think
it was like 2015, so as well. Oh, there you go. Yeah.
And the pandemic thing of recent, it's been yeah, it's
been challenging on this. And I'm assuming if everybody, not
just in the music industry and all that, but it's some,
it's just sort of really it's been it's been challenging
for everybody. But I think it's just like with any situation,
(15:12):
you just try and make the best of the situation
and try and get is, yeah, try and keep positive.
And and yes, is is it just as busy as
you can really say it was telling times it. Yeah.
S2 (15:25):
And did you find your creative output increase in that
way where you had that time to kill and you're like, Oh,
I think this is the perfect time to, you know,
sit down with the guitar and, you know, put some
songs together or sort of went the other way with
the lockdown made you think, Oh no, this is a
bit much and just I need a bit of a
(15:45):
break from music.
S5 (15:47):
I was, I think the experience in the band it
was it was trying to. I think it was using
the time to write the songs because we couldn't stop
in lockdown and leave anyway. So I think it was
just there of just trying to keep the mind busy.
It was just, yeah, we we just you just continually
wrote songs every day. That was just, yeah, so we
(16:10):
had a time and also just to keep focused on
things so we don't lose any. And yeah, just I mean,
I just try to keep a bit of a schedule or,
you know, that sort of thing going because I mean,
was very important to get through the months that we
were gay and then not being able to do anything really. So,
but yeah, you definitely have your moments where you were, you,
(16:32):
you know? Yeah, that's that's opening your mind about things
because it does get very challenging, especially in this sort
of situation. And yeah, you know, it's just trying to
keep as positive as possible. I think with with on
in those situations.
S2 (16:50):
Thought, Yeah, I'm keeping that routine so important, especially when
the sort of the days blur together, as they did
during lockdown. But speaking of the band there. Could you
tell us the story behind Darlinghurst? How did the project
come about with you? Cassie Pagan and Matt Yeah.
S5 (17:09):
So we we all kind of met through Jason called
Pete Days, and so he knew us through previous projects.
And I was with Pete at the time already, and
I guess he had a sort of you kind of
got the feeling that all of this was sort of
looking for an original project to work on. So when
(17:30):
he sort of found out for myself and everyone else,
I think he called hate to say, Look, you know,
pagan myself looking for a to do some original sort
of stuff. And then he sort of kind of got
a feeling for that and put it kind of got
us to meet in a room just to see, I guess,
what how we would react together along with Matt. So
(17:54):
that's how it sort of happened. And we all got
together really, really well. And yeah, and that's that's literally
had sort of started. And the band name Cassie. Yeah,
she was writing a movie script called Darlinghurst and was
looking for a name for months trying to find her.
And when she mentioned that just in time, just in conversation,
we all sort of jumped at all. Anything we can
(18:16):
use that is as a band name. So we, yeah,
we convinced that we can we can do that. And yeah,
so that's how the name came about. And hopefully we're
in the movie as well there. Oh, wow, okay.
S2 (18:27):
And this year, Darlinghurst will be performing at Vision Australia's
Carols by candlelight. So has that feel to be involved
with such an event?
S5 (18:37):
It's an absolute honour. I think just, you know, it's
such a yeah, it's it's been going on for such
a long time, and it's it's a very important time for,
you know, Christmas, of course. And yeah, it's quite a
staple of the Christmas time in Australia at the time
was by candlelight, so not absolute an honour to be
invited to play. Yeah.
S2 (18:56):
And what motivated you to put your hands up to
be involved with this year's carols? Had you or the
band had any experience with family or friends who are
blind or had low vision themselves? Maybe.
S5 (19:08):
Yeah. So like obviously when we we got the call,
the invitation to play and yeah, all of us. We've
been watching it since we were kids in, and we
were just starting to for the invite and the chance
to fly, and it meant a lot to consider. She
was she was just the scientist was in complete with
doing this. But I think also on the series side
(19:30):
there too. Yes, we have. We do have some things
that relate to the thing I guess has got a
nursing background and also works as an optometrist. So the
things that she's had to deal with at night, with
with people, in their situations, with their vision and all
(19:51):
that sort of stuff, it's them. I think those that
is just as motivating as, you know, the chance that
it's all going to be flying at the counseling zone.
Yet there's there's a bit of both of that going
on in there so that it's yeah, it's always a
good thing to bring bring is bring joy and togetherness.
I guess they sort of times, especially after all the
(20:15):
Cobra pandemics that we've all gone through.
S2 (20:18):
Absolutely. Now, some it's a very important time and very
good to have everybody back on board after after last
year where we had to do everything remotely. So it's
great to have people back in the bowl and performing
in front of an audience because I know as a
jazz musician that's really kind of surreal and empty when
(20:40):
you're sort of playing on stage and you're looking out
and there's no one there and it's all virtual. So
it's it's great to be able to feed off that
audience as well as an A..
S5 (20:51):
Oh, absolutely. You know, it's one thing to say. This
is a fantastic thing that you can you can connect
with people and you know, you can do the virtual thing,
but nothing beats being in the same room or same
arena or same place with people, you know? I think
that's the thing that is the most important and I
is the musicians that we, you know, we love playing
(21:13):
in front of live audiences. So I think it's going
to be just the it's going to be. Yes, it's
going to be wonderful time to get them together again.
And yeah.
S2 (21:25):
Yeah, for sure. Absolutely. Looking forward to seeing what Darlinghurst
has to offer at the carols this year. So yeah,
very exciting times ahead. That was Jason Rush there, singer,
guitarist and songwriter from Darlinghurst four piece country outfit performing
at the carols by candlelight this year. Jason, thank you
(21:48):
so much for your time today. It was an absolute
pleasure having a chat with
S5 (21:52):
you and likewise saying Thank you so much for your
time and you and very merry Christmas to you too.
S4 (21:58):
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Jack Frost, if they
get your nerve. Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
(22:20):
and folks dressed up like Eskimos, everybody knows a turkey
and some it's so tough. Well, how to make the
seas bright. Tiny tots with their eyes, all the clue
(22:49):
will find it hard to sleep to die. They know
that her is when he's loaded lots of toys and
goodies on a his. And everybody's child is going to.
(23:15):
Sixty four day. Really know how to fly. And so
I'm offering this simple phrase to kids from what today to.
(23:41):
Although it's been said many times. Many ways Maverick responds to.
S2 (23:52):
You got Sebastian there with the Christmas song. This is
Vision Australia Radio's Countdown to Carols, sponsored by Balong, proudly
behind Aussies with a print disability, as I suggested earlier.
It's easy to get caught up in the performers, the
glitz and the glamour of the carols, but it's also
good to remember why we do it. Here's Peter Greco
(24:14):
having a chat with a family who benefit from the
many children's services that Vision Australia provide and that you
support when you donate to the carols on Christmas Eve.
S6 (24:25):
Rebecca Bradley, thank you. Good to catch up to you.
Thank you for your time. That's OK. So you've got
three boys, you know, you've got a couple of the
lads that have got visual impairments or other conditions. That's right.
So we have a son who's now 10 and then
we've got eight year old twins. And that is Chris
and Sam ASEM, the 10 year old and Sam, the
one of the eight year olds, and the first got
(24:46):
ocular cutaneous albinism. And then they've got a couple of
secondary old, even third and fourth different things going on,
which is all impacting, of course, their eyesight. What about
their diagnosis? So what sort of age that come about?
I guess they're both different ages. So Ethan was a
couple of months old, and when his eyes were tracking
from side to side, we thought something needed to be
(25:08):
looked at. And when we went to the ophthalmologist straight
away looking at the the white hair and quite pale
skin and the other looking in the back of Ethan's eyes,
that diagnosis was pretty much made straight away in regards
to that light sensitivity and that involuntary eye movement that
nystagmus was the secondary condition was one in four chance.
(25:32):
Both my husband, Simon and I carry the genes that
we had no idea until Nathan was born, of course.
And then now we've got a one in four chance
for every child to have albinism. And so we ended
up with the two out of three. So he beat
the odds. And of course, it's kind of interesting that
you have twins and one of them has it, but
not the other. Yeah, exactly. So we knew quite early on,
(25:54):
of course, that one twin was going to have albinism
and the other one. What about as far as Vision Australia,
that where did that come into the picture? That's probably,
I suppose, the game changer in a lot of things.
ASEM was only episode about a couple of months old
men diagnosed, and you have sort of a diagnosis from
a doctor, but it doesn't really give you much in
a practical sense. It's got all these questions to be
(26:16):
around in your mind of what? What does it mean
for my child? And Vision Australia came to us about
the first week after diagnosis, which is really quite early,
but we needed it. We needed the quick response because
we really wanted to know so many things about what
that meant day to day living. Yeah, sort of. As
I said before, that practical sense of how our children
(26:38):
will cope in the real world vision Australia's more we
always joke around being a one stop shop. They're just amazing.
If you have a sort of an issue that's happening
or a way of not knowing what's best or how
your child can achieve something, because let's face it, sometimes
it has to be a little different in regards to
achieving something, whether that use equipment or a different way
(27:00):
of doing things. And Vision Australia are just amazing when
they come out and they make suggestions that you've never
thought about. So it's nice to know that we know
what we're dealing with, and that's sort of not going
to change just their experience. Those will change along the way. Terrific. Well,
thank you for sharing your time on this. I know
there's so much more we could have covered, but obviously
you're very, very pleased and satisfied with the support that
(27:23):
Vision Australia gave you a long may that continue because
I guess that the age of eight and 10, there's
still many more years ahead of them and on obese Australia,
we'll be with them every step of the way because
there's plenty, even when they get to older age, which
is something we don't want to think about so much.
But I guess it's something that will take place. So
carers on the Christmas Eve as it normally is, and
of course, to decide this year is fantastic news that
(27:45):
there will be a crowd there and of course, people
could book right now. Carol Scott, Vision Australia dot org.
It's going to be a fantastic time to you and
your family back. Thank Brisbane. It's obvious that we ask
you some personal questions and we appreciate you sharing some
of that with us. Merry Christmas, I Typekit. It's a
great time and again. Thank you for spending some time
with us. No for. That's Rebecca Bradley. Mum of three
(28:07):
lets two of them have eye conditions which have been
supported by Vision Australia. And Kara is coming up on
the Christmas, even if you want to catch on television.
But more importantly, you can listen to it here on
this trolley radio with audio description.
S2 (28:20):
And that's it for our first countdown to Carol's program
by listening around the same time next week. For more
on Vision Australia's carols by candlelight and follow us on
Facebook and Twitter for more. Interview highlights with the event organisers,
performers and the families who benefit from your donations on
Christmas Eve. I'm Sam Colley. Wishing you a Merry Christmas
(28:42):
and Happy New Year!
S1 (28:44):
Vision Australia Radio's audio describe simulcast of Vision Australia's carols
by candlelight is sponsored by BELONG. Been neutral mobile and
internet proudly behind audio description for Aussies with a print disability.
It feels good to belong.
Vision Australia Radio's audio describes simulcast of Vision Australia's Carols
by candlelight is back in 2021. Tune in from 7pm
Christmas Eve for a behind the scenes peek at everyone's
favourite Christmas event, followed by our audio descried presentation of
the TV broadcast you know and love made possible by
Vision Australia radio sponsor long carbon neutral mobile and internet,
(00:23):
proudly behind audio description for Aussies with a print disability.
It feels good to belong.
S2 (00:30):
Hello and welcome to Vision Australia wide as countdown to Carols.
I'm Sam Kelly. As you heard seconds ago, we are
proud to welcome back Bennelong as our major presentation partner
of our audio described carols by candlelight simulcast belong and
known for being the carbon neutral mobile and internet provider.
And they are proudly behind Aussies with a print disability
(00:53):
by supporting our simulcast. Thanks for being back with us
in 2021 Balloon and thank you listeners for tuning in
to the program as we count down to the Carols
Vision Australia radio as a not for profit community radio
network dedicated to providing accessible information to people with a
print disability. Producing and presenting local content across the nation
(01:17):
comes at a price, so we are truly grateful for
the support of our sponsors, donors and, of course, our listeners.
But for now, we're here to talk up the carols
and celebrate an annual event that is loved by Australians
far and wide. Each year, around 20000 people make their
way to Melbourne's botanical gardens on the 23rd and 24th
(01:40):
of December to celebrate the magic of Christmas. Last year,
Vision Australia made the tough decision to host the show
without a physical crowd to ensure a COVID safe event. Thankfully,
audiences are welcomed back into the Sydney Myer Music Bowl
and even cinemas where the carols can be enjoyed via
a livestream of the Channel nine broadcast. To get things started,
(02:04):
I spoke with Vision Australia CEO Ron Hooton to learn
more about this year's event. Ron, welcome to Talking Vision.
Thank you very much for being with us today.
S3 (02:14):
Hi, Sam. Thanks very much.
S2 (02:16):
Now, firstly, Ron, let's go to the heart of things
in a sense. How important would you say the carols
are for Vision Australia from your perspective?
S3 (02:24):
Well, carols by candlelight is our biggest fundraiser every year.
It's been going for many, many years, and us app-solutely
is the heart of so many Victorians and so many
people right across Australia. So it puts our name out
there and also the cause of people who are living
with blindness and low vision out to so many Australians.
(02:44):
So it's absolutely vital for us. We, you know, we
really hope that we have a great night, not just
from a fundraising perspective, but also everybody absolutely loves the
show and enjoys themselves. And there's some big, big things
happening this year.
S2 (02:59):
Big things. That sounds exciting. What sort of big things
can people expect alongside the old favourites that people have
grown to know and love?
S3 (03:08):
Oh look, there's always the Fab Four from carols. There's
David Hobson, Denis Walter, Sally Palladino, Marina Project. They are
such wonderful people. But this year we've got David Campbell
back and Ellie Langdon. They're from Sydney. They're on the
Today Show and they're just fabulous presenters for this program
and just wonderful people so committed to the Vision Australia,
(03:30):
of course. But there's a really, really big thing coming
up this year. Vision Australia, through a low vision songwriter,
has its own carol. It's going to be really exciting.
I'm not going to give any more details about it yet,
S2 (03:46):
keep it under wraps.
S3 (03:48):
Keep it under wraps, except to say that there's a
great performer for it. And and Donald Dyson, who is
a former songwriter of the year and a client of
Vision Australia and a person with low vision, has written
this carol for us. And I think that this is
going to be a tradition for carols for for years
and years to come.
S2 (04:07):
Yes. Here's hoping it does add to the long list
of carols traditions over the years. That's something that's very exciting,
so I look forward to that. But also one 2021
has certainly throw out a few logistical challenges over the time.
So what are some of the ways the global pandemic
has impacted our popular carols event this year?
S3 (04:29):
Well, I suppose the first thing is that it's going
to be a vaccination only event. Now, I know that
for some, that might be controversial, but we do have
to make sure that everybody's safe. So before coming to
the event, people will have to be vaccinated. It doesn't
mean you have to be vaccinated at home to watch,
of course, but that would be crazy. But also, we're
putting in all the usual social distancing things. But the
(04:53):
show will be absolutely fabulous this year. It'll be back
to a crowd. The crowd will be around about 10000 people.
All of the usual performers will be there, have a
Fab Four will be there and a whole lot of
new performers as well. So we're really looking to this
year put the pandemic behind us, get people along to
(05:14):
the show, get people along to rehearse all night, have
people watch on television and just have a fabulous start
to Christmas.
S2 (05:21):
Absolutely. And Ron, it's easy to get caught up in
the entertainment of the night, but it's also naturally very
important to remember the cause behind. So can you remind
us who benefits most from the funds raised at the carols?
S3 (05:37):
It's children who are blind or have low vision, and
it's children of all ages. So we we look upon
our services for children and young adults as as being
from age zero through to around about age 25. Now,
the little ones have really, really particular needs and they're
very family centric. So a family who has a child
(05:59):
who is blind, has low vision, has a lot of
coping to do. They have a few challenges that are
greater than for normal parents. So we put a lot
of effort into those those early years. First of all,
dealing with the emotional wellbeing of the family, but but
also the the development of the child. When they get
(06:20):
to tender age, we help them integrate into kinder. When
they get to school, we help them integrate into school.
From then on, there's all of those services that children older,
all of those things that children need to develop. You know,
how to how to have manners at the table, how
to eat properly with a knife and fork. Bits and
pieces of cooking. A whole range of things when when
(06:44):
the children become young adults, we start to focus on employment,
not just what job you're going to do for life,
but but actually getting a job at McDonald's or Burger
King or somewhere like that, like every other kid in
Australia does. We want all of our children to experience
those early employment experiences, and we've got great programs around that.
(07:07):
Then we help them get into university through our Leap program,
and then there's the potential of the graduate program. There's
just such a wide range of things that we're able
to do with the proceeds of carols by candlelight is
just fabulous.
S2 (07:19):
It is absolutely fabulous, and it makes an impact on
so many lives and really changes our lives for the better.
So it is an absolutely fantastic cause. And Ron, what's
the best way for listeners to get involved and feel
a part of the event? For instance, where can listeners
get a hold of a ticket and head along to
the bowl
S3 (07:38):
so tickets are available there on Ticketek right now? Get
in fast because they're selling fast. We are around about
halfway through selling the the main event in a similar
place with the rehearsal night tickets. But there are lots
of other ways for people to get involved as well.
Of course, as listening on the night or on Virgin
(07:59):
Australia Radio or those watching it on Channel nine, Channel
nine are a great bunch of people to work with.
We love working with them and we've got Amy along
this year as as partners and then the social media
get involved with Carol, the Carols Club, you know, participate
in the social media because really, really this year is
(08:20):
going to be a fantastic event. The songbird is going
to be out soon in the Herald Sun for people
who are in Victoria. Look out for that. Buy a
copy on and on said day when you see that
come through. There are so many ways for our community
to participate in carols by candlelight.
S2 (08:34):
Okay, so absolutely be on the lookout for those. And
for more information on Vision Australia's Carols By. And a lot,
please visit Vision Australia dot org, that's Vision Australia or
one word dot org and keep listening to Vision Australia
radio for news on our audio describe simulcast of the
event on Christmas Eve. Ron, thank you very much again
(08:57):
for joining me today. It was wonderful to hear from
UU (08:59):
you and maybe just keep us safe
S4 (09:04):
under the tree
UU (09:06):
falling off so we will
S4 (09:13):
hurry down the chimney tonight. Since Baby 154 converted. Nights later, fine.
(09:34):
So maybe we don't
UU (09:37):
need to now. Think of all the fun. I mean.
I haven't. You're right, Kevin, just as good.
S4 (10:00):
Check out my Christmas list. Santa baby, I want to yacht,
and really, that's Matt Bennett Angel a baby, so hurry
down the chimney. They sent Honey. One little thing, I
(10:32):
really need a great deal
UU (10:36):
to apply to a baby, so hurry down the.
S4 (10:48):
Who seemed to care to
UU (10:51):
fill my stocking with a duplex and checks. Sign your
ex on sea to Kutty and hurry down the chimney to.
(11:12):
Trim my Christmas
S4 (11:14):
tree.
UU (11:18):
She's going to. I really do believe in. Let's see
S4 (11:28):
if you believe
UU (11:30):
in me. So maybe you forgot to mention one thing.
S4 (11:41):
And lean on for the big hurry down the chimney
to now. Down the chimney, too, now, hurry up to now.
S2 (12:00):
You're listening to our countdown to Carol's program on Vision
Australia radio. I'm Sam Kelly and that was clearly with
Santa Baby, a Christmas classic. I'm here with singer guitarist
and songwriter Jason Resch, part of four member country music
outfit Darlinghurst with Pagan Newman, Kasey Leopold and Matt Davida
(12:25):
are performing at this year's Vision Australia Carols by Candlelight. Jason,
thanks very much for being here today.
S5 (12:32):
Oh, thanks, and thanks for having me.
S2 (12:33):
It's pleasure. Now, firstly, Jason, tell us about your songwriting
and I understand you've been quite prolific and involved with some,
you know, really big names over the years.
S5 (12:45):
Yes, I am. Since I was 17, I was living
Adina in England, working for a songwriting induction team codes
in Albania. So I was there for quite a few years.
And yeah, we wrote quite a few hits and some
big records, so I've been pretty fortunate to be a
part of a lot of great teams. Read my sort
(13:06):
of my career, to be honest. So in the end,
then this is the stuff that's happening with Darling. This is, yeah,
it's been going wonderful so far. So yeah, it's songwriting.
Things sort of been happening since quite a young age,
I guess.
S2 (13:18):
Mm-Hmm. And how did you sort of get into music?
Where did the what did the bug bite you and
how did that sort of come about?
S5 (13:26):
I don't know, it's one of those sort of things
where there was like apparently from what my mom was saying,
there's always like a toy piano that was always hanging around.
The house was really young and I used to bash
on it all the time. And for some reason I
was just, I guess, drawn to to that sort of thing,
I guess. But I can remember this when I first
saw Elvis Presley and video of him when he was
(13:48):
singing in Hawaii and when I saw that, that sort
of kind of
S2 (13:52):
resonated with it now. Yeah. And you've dedicated your a
large portion of your life so far to your love
of country living and working in Nashville for years. But
I understand you've recently made the move back to where
it all started for you in Melbourne. What brought about
the decision to make the move back home?
S5 (14:14):
I think it was based on I can't I can't
get a gut feeling sort of sort of sense of
things when I was in Nashville, when I was there
for a few years. And yeah, it just sort of
coming up to the third or fourth EOC does something
inside of me really sort of tell me too. I
think it's time to get back home. So I sort
of just kind of trust that that feeling and end
(14:35):
and went back home. So I sort of that that's
sort of what initially sort of brought me back along
was the plane as well as this.
S2 (14:44):
And how did the pandemic impact on your writing when
you were back in Melbourne?
S5 (14:49):
Yeah, it was. I got back to Melbourne. I think
it was like 2015, so as well. Oh, there you go. Yeah.
And the pandemic thing of recent, it's been yeah, it's
been challenging on this. And I'm assuming if everybody, not
just in the music industry and all that, but it's some,
it's just sort of really it's been it's been challenging
for everybody. But I think it's just like with any situation,
(15:12):
you just try and make the best of the situation
and try and get is, yeah, try and keep positive.
And and yes, is is it just as busy as
you can really say it was telling times it. Yeah.
S2 (15:25):
And did you find your creative output increase in that
way where you had that time to kill and you're like, Oh,
I think this is the perfect time to, you know,
sit down with the guitar and, you know, put some
songs together or sort of went the other way with
the lockdown made you think, Oh no, this is a
bit much and just I need a bit of a
(15:45):
break from music.
S5 (15:47):
I was, I think the experience in the band it
was it was trying to. I think it was using
the time to write the songs because we couldn't stop
in lockdown and leave anyway. So I think it was
just there of just trying to keep the mind busy.
It was just, yeah, we we just you just continually
wrote songs every day. That was just, yeah, so we
(16:10):
had a time and also just to keep focused on
things so we don't lose any. And yeah, just I mean,
I just try to keep a bit of a schedule or,
you know, that sort of thing going because I mean,
was very important to get through the months that we
were gay and then not being able to do anything really. So,
but yeah, you definitely have your moments where you were, you,
(16:32):
you know? Yeah, that's that's opening your mind about things
because it does get very challenging, especially in this sort
of situation. And yeah, you know, it's just trying to
keep as positive as possible. I think with with on
in those situations.
S2 (16:50):
Thought, Yeah, I'm keeping that routine so important, especially when
the sort of the days blur together, as they did
during lockdown. But speaking of the band there. Could you
tell us the story behind Darlinghurst? How did the project
come about with you? Cassie Pagan and Matt Yeah.
S5 (17:09):
So we we all kind of met through Jason called
Pete Days, and so he knew us through previous projects.
And I was with Pete at the time already, and
I guess he had a sort of you kind of
got the feeling that all of this was sort of
looking for an original project to work on. So when
(17:30):
he sort of found out for myself and everyone else,
I think he called hate to say, Look, you know,
pagan myself looking for a to do some original sort
of stuff. And then he sort of kind of got
a feeling for that and put it kind of got
us to meet in a room just to see, I guess,
what how we would react together along with Matt. So
(17:54):
that's how it sort of happened. And we all got
together really, really well. And yeah, and that's that's literally
had sort of started. And the band name Cassie. Yeah,
she was writing a movie script called Darlinghurst and was
looking for a name for months trying to find her.
And when she mentioned that just in time, just in conversation,
we all sort of jumped at all. Anything we can
(18:16):
use that is as a band name. So we, yeah,
we convinced that we can we can do that. And yeah,
so that's how the name came about. And hopefully we're
in the movie as well there. Oh, wow, okay.
S2 (18:27):
And this year, Darlinghurst will be performing at Vision Australia's
Carols by candlelight. So has that feel to be involved
with such an event?
S5 (18:37):
It's an absolute honour. I think just, you know, it's
such a yeah, it's it's been going on for such
a long time, and it's it's a very important time for,
you know, Christmas, of course. And yeah, it's quite a
staple of the Christmas time in Australia at the time
was by candlelight, so not absolute an honour to be
invited to play. Yeah.
S2 (18:56):
And what motivated you to put your hands up to
be involved with this year's carols? Had you or the
band had any experience with family or friends who are
blind or had low vision themselves? Maybe.
S5 (19:08):
Yeah. So like obviously when we we got the call,
the invitation to play and yeah, all of us. We've
been watching it since we were kids in, and we
were just starting to for the invite and the chance
to fly, and it meant a lot to consider. She
was she was just the scientist was in complete with
doing this. But I think also on the series side
(19:30):
there too. Yes, we have. We do have some things
that relate to the thing I guess has got a
nursing background and also works as an optometrist. So the
things that she's had to deal with at night, with
with people, in their situations, with their vision and all
(19:51):
that sort of stuff, it's them. I think those that
is just as motivating as, you know, the chance that
it's all going to be flying at the counseling zone.
Yet there's there's a bit of both of that going
on in there so that it's yeah, it's always a
good thing to bring bring is bring joy and togetherness.
I guess they sort of times, especially after all the
(20:15):
Cobra pandemics that we've all gone through.
S2 (20:18):
Absolutely. Now, some it's a very important time and very
good to have everybody back on board after after last
year where we had to do everything remotely. So it's
great to have people back in the bowl and performing
in front of an audience because I know as a
jazz musician that's really kind of surreal and empty when
(20:40):
you're sort of playing on stage and you're looking out
and there's no one there and it's all virtual. So
it's it's great to be able to feed off that
audience as well as an A..
S5 (20:51):
Oh, absolutely. You know, it's one thing to say. This
is a fantastic thing that you can you can connect
with people and you know, you can do the virtual thing,
but nothing beats being in the same room or same
arena or same place with people, you know? I think
that's the thing that is the most important and I
is the musicians that we, you know, we love playing
(21:13):
in front of live audiences. So I think it's going
to be just the it's going to be. Yes, it's
going to be wonderful time to get them together again.
And yeah.
S2 (21:25):
Yeah, for sure. Absolutely. Looking forward to seeing what Darlinghurst
has to offer at the carols this year. So yeah,
very exciting times ahead. That was Jason Rush there, singer,
guitarist and songwriter from Darlinghurst four piece country outfit performing
at the carols by candlelight this year. Jason, thank you
(21:48):
so much for your time today. It was an absolute
pleasure having a chat with
S5 (21:52):
you and likewise saying Thank you so much for your
time and you and very merry Christmas to you too.
S4 (21:58):
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Jack Frost, if they
get your nerve. Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
(22:20):
and folks dressed up like Eskimos, everybody knows a turkey
and some it's so tough. Well, how to make the
seas bright. Tiny tots with their eyes, all the clue
(22:49):
will find it hard to sleep to die. They know
that her is when he's loaded lots of toys and
goodies on a his. And everybody's child is going to.
(23:15):
Sixty four day. Really know how to fly. And so
I'm offering this simple phrase to kids from what today to.
(23:41):
Although it's been said many times. Many ways Maverick responds to.
S2 (23:52):
You got Sebastian there with the Christmas song. This is
Vision Australia Radio's Countdown to Carols, sponsored by Balong, proudly
behind Aussies with a print disability, as I suggested earlier.
It's easy to get caught up in the performers, the
glitz and the glamour of the carols, but it's also
good to remember why we do it. Here's Peter Greco
(24:14):
having a chat with a family who benefit from the
many children's services that Vision Australia provide and that you
support when you donate to the carols on Christmas Eve.
S6 (24:25):
Rebecca Bradley, thank you. Good to catch up to you.
Thank you for your time. That's OK. So you've got
three boys, you know, you've got a couple of the
lads that have got visual impairments or other conditions. That's right.
So we have a son who's now 10 and then
we've got eight year old twins. And that is Chris
and Sam ASEM, the 10 year old and Sam, the
one of the eight year olds, and the first got
(24:46):
ocular cutaneous albinism. And then they've got a couple of
secondary old, even third and fourth different things going on,
which is all impacting, of course, their eyesight. What about
their diagnosis? So what sort of age that come about?
I guess they're both different ages. So Ethan was a
couple of months old, and when his eyes were tracking
from side to side, we thought something needed to be
(25:08):
looked at. And when we went to the ophthalmologist straight
away looking at the the white hair and quite pale
skin and the other looking in the back of Ethan's eyes,
that diagnosis was pretty much made straight away in regards
to that light sensitivity and that involuntary eye movement that
nystagmus was the secondary condition was one in four chance.
(25:32):
Both my husband, Simon and I carry the genes that
we had no idea until Nathan was born, of course.
And then now we've got a one in four chance
for every child to have albinism. And so we ended
up with the two out of three. So he beat
the odds. And of course, it's kind of interesting that
you have twins and one of them has it, but
not the other. Yeah, exactly. So we knew quite early on,
(25:54):
of course, that one twin was going to have albinism
and the other one. What about as far as Vision Australia,
that where did that come into the picture? That's probably,
I suppose, the game changer in a lot of things.
ASEM was only episode about a couple of months old
men diagnosed, and you have sort of a diagnosis from
a doctor, but it doesn't really give you much in
a practical sense. It's got all these questions to be
(26:16):
around in your mind of what? What does it mean
for my child? And Vision Australia came to us about
the first week after diagnosis, which is really quite early,
but we needed it. We needed the quick response because
we really wanted to know so many things about what
that meant day to day living. Yeah, sort of. As
I said before, that practical sense of how our children
(26:38):
will cope in the real world vision Australia's more we
always joke around being a one stop shop. They're just amazing.
If you have a sort of an issue that's happening
or a way of not knowing what's best or how
your child can achieve something, because let's face it, sometimes
it has to be a little different in regards to
achieving something, whether that use equipment or a different way
(27:00):
of doing things. And Vision Australia are just amazing when
they come out and they make suggestions that you've never
thought about. So it's nice to know that we know
what we're dealing with, and that's sort of not going
to change just their experience. Those will change along the way. Terrific. Well,
thank you for sharing your time on this. I know
there's so much more we could have covered, but obviously
you're very, very pleased and satisfied with the support that
(27:23):
Vision Australia gave you a long may that continue because
I guess that the age of eight and 10, there's
still many more years ahead of them and on obese Australia,
we'll be with them every step of the way because
there's plenty, even when they get to older age, which
is something we don't want to think about so much.
But I guess it's something that will take place. So
carers on the Christmas Eve as it normally is, and
of course, to decide this year is fantastic news that
(27:45):
there will be a crowd there and of course, people
could book right now. Carol Scott, Vision Australia dot org.
It's going to be a fantastic time to you and
your family back. Thank Brisbane. It's obvious that we ask
you some personal questions and we appreciate you sharing some
of that with us. Merry Christmas, I Typekit. It's a
great time and again. Thank you for spending some time
with us. No for. That's Rebecca Bradley. Mum of three
(28:07):
lets two of them have eye conditions which have been
supported by Vision Australia. And Kara is coming up on
the Christmas, even if you want to catch on television.
But more importantly, you can listen to it here on
this trolley radio with audio description.
S2 (28:20):
And that's it for our first countdown to Carol's program
by listening around the same time next week. For more
on Vision Australia's carols by candlelight and follow us on
Facebook and Twitter for more. Interview highlights with the event organisers,
performers and the families who benefit from your donations on
Christmas Eve. I'm Sam Colley. Wishing you a Merry Christmas
(28:42):
and Happy New Year!
S1 (28:44):
Vision Australia Radio's audio describe simulcast of Vision Australia's carols
by candlelight is sponsored by BELONG. Been neutral mobile and
internet proudly behind audio description for Aussies with a print disability.
It feels good to belong.
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