Full Transcript for Talking Vision 837 Week Beginning 22nd June 2026

services, as you say, do run at a deficit. You know, Vision Australia radio is running at a significant deficit. What we're keen to do is to reduce that, that cost so that, you know, the organisation and the service can be viable for the longer term. 00:04:07 S3: One of the things that you've done, I guess, to reduce costs is to make a number of staff changes. Some of the staff have been here for a long time. They're loyal. They're skilled. Why would you take a risk of someone new when you've got these experienced people who have gone above and beyond almost as a as a matter of course. You get rid of them and you bring on someone new that might not have the same ethos, or indeed might not even know much about business radio, radio. 00:04:34 S4: Look, you know, I think that any decision where it impacts the workforce is something that is not done lightly. Again, you know, we're having to make some changes for the long term viability of the organization. And, you know, we're very keen to ensure that, you know, the the new structure of the the radio service will continue to support the service into, into the future. You know, will there be some changes and some bumps through that process internally? Maybe. But for the listener, I'm certainly hoping that, it will continue to have the same quality and and hopefully continue to innovate. 00:05:20 S3: We talked about 46% maybe listening on the AM band. I'm thinking some. And who knows what the percentage is. Uh, maybe don't have access to the internet. I know people that choose not to be on the internet. Uh, last week I got an email from Telstra. My internet fees are going up. A month ago I got another email from Telstra. My mobile fees are going up. We all know about the cost of living. People might love what Vision Australia Radio do, but they're just not gonna be able to afford these other options. 00:05:46 S4: Look, I think that, you know, hopefully, um, they're in a, in an area where, uh, Dab+ does work, uh, for them, you know, whilst there is, uh, not very many options that have sort of got purely great accessible radios. You know, what we do know from the, the research and the advice that we've given that most people only listen to three radio stations. And so, you know, there are quite a number of options where you can set a preset button. So, you know, button one will be Vision Australia radio, of course, and button two might be ABC and button three might be some other, you know, radio station they love listening to. And so whilst, you know, we think that even for those people that, you know, have got limited technology skills, you know, we want to work with them to come up with a listening solution that works. Whereas other people that, you know, are maybe a little bit more tech savvy and have the internet, you know, something like an Amazon home device where, you know, you can like when I'm in, in the kitchen at home, I can just say, play Vision Australia radio and the radio will start playing. 00:07:02 S3: That's assuming you're connected to the internet. 00:07:04 S4: It certainly is. And so that's what I'm saying is there's there's different solutions. We know that, you know, not everyone is connected to the internet, but, uh, you know, the majority of people are so lazy. 00:07:16 S3: This is one of the real problems in Australia at the moment. A number of people either living on their own and are lonely or don't get out much because of different circumstances. A number of people are going to be impacted by this. I mean, sure, they'll find other AM radio stations and hope they enjoy that. But you know, the kind of goodwill of a move like this is that kind of, uh, impact upon the board and a decision like this that is made. 00:07:41 S4: Look, you know, I think that the board, the CEO and myself who's got the sort of executive responsibility for radio are passionate to ensure that Vision Australia radio continues. We know that the value it does provide for our blind and low vision listeners. We know the amazing contribution that volunteers like yourself make each week to to keep information flowing to people blind and low vision. 00:08:10 S3: I'm glad you've mentioned volunteers. I think the original email that went out about the changes. I don't think there was any mention of volunteers. I believe that a number of volunteers, having heard the news, and whether it's the fact that the AM is going, or whether it's the fact that the staff changes have actually decided not to continue with volunteering. I've been involved with 34 years. We've had some ups and downs, particularly in Adelaide, and we've had some very hairy moments. As it might be put, I don't think I can ever recall of any volunteer saying because of what we're going through, I'm not going to continue volunteering. Again, you're losing goodwill when you make a decision like this for volunteers who obviously are so passionate about what they do. To say, I don't agree with these changes or I don't like the way this has been handled, I'm not going to continue. That's enormously impactful on your goodwill, isn't it? 00:08:59 S4: Look, I've I have I'm in Adelaide today. I've spent all day, uh, from when I got here first thing in the morning till now, talking through, um, with volunteers about their concerns. You know, I think that when people, uh, have an opportunity to, to express their concerns and understand some of the, you know, how we might go about addressing some of the challenges and what might be some of the open questions. Uh, you know, I think that I would suggest that most of the volunteers, uh, that I've spoken to today have left, you know, obviously with some, uh, concerns about change because change is, is challenging. However, you know, they've, they've got some confidence that the, the, you know, we're here backing them as volunteers to be able to continue to offer the great services that they do. 00:09:57 S3: I'm not one to say, let's put someone down

so we can lift up a bit, but I mean, I've worked it out that I reckon four hours a year of what the ABC's budget is would probably cover our transmission costs. I mean, you worked in government relations before. I'm not sure if you're still in that particular area or if you still wear that hat. I mean, was the relations with government so poor that they couldn't be convinced of the importance of four hours of what the A, B, c get a year to be put into the AM signal continuing in Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth. 00:10:30 S4: Look, we've certainly been in in discussions with government over a number of years to try and do that. The issue you know, we're not the only ones you know, community radio more broadly. We're seeing a number of stations that are, you know, are either in very big difficulty to survive or even a number of stations that have announced they've gone into administration. You know, what we're keen to do is to ensure making some changes that are ensure that, you know, that the radio station doesn't do that. But I think that, you know, if if government want to come and help Support a change that that doesn't mean, um, you know, we can get off. AM I'd be all ears, but yeah, we certainly have been lobbying government. Um, but you know, we're not the only community radio station that is seeking more funding and certainly being working with bodies like the CBA and others to, to, to try and influence that. 00:11:36 S3: DBAA don't like am radio, do they. 00:11:38 S4: No, I don't think that's that's true. I think that um uh, that's not my experience. Um certainly, you know, they obviously um help with, uh, you know, the DAB plus. And so they're supportive of that, but everyone would um, I think deliver am if they could, you know, obviously there's big changes across Australia, you know, there's, there's on am in say in Perth. ABC have just left AM in Perth and gone to, to FM. Uh yeah, there's certainly um a changing landscape of on the AM broadcast network. 00:12:18 S3: Well, along those lines, of course, you know, bushfires, floods, uh, climate change, this is all stuff that's happening probably more and more, uh, you know, if the internet goes down and I think last month in Adelaide, all the community radio stations were knocked out as far as their digital service went. So it's not sort of foolproof. And, you know, if it's an emergency, okay, you might go to the ABC and that's all well and good, but if you want company and all of a sudden your DAB radio doesn't work and the internet doesn't work, again, that loneliness factor comes into play. 00:12:49 S4: Yeah, I don't know. But I think that, you know, DAB plus, you know, is that more vulnerable than the AM transmission if it's getting there. Look, you know, I think that yeah, everything relies on some technology and we've gone through a recent troubles where, you know, where Vision Australia has had to help out with some broadcasting in regional areas in Victoria to support the ABC. 00:13:12 S3: Vision Australia win an award for that? 00:13:15 S4: Yeah we did. And so and so if that happened again in those regions where certainly we'll continue to broadcast, you know, on digital. But we'll also continue to broadcast on FM in those regional areas where we've got that license. You know, we will continue, you know, want to, um, support any, uh, emergency in any way we can. 00:13:39 S3: Is there a white knight? Is there any chance that this could be reversed? Is there any hope, uh, that, uh, the melting ice block might be put back in the freezer? 00:13:50 S4: Look, you know, I think that, um, it's hard to see, to see that, uh, you know, this change won't happen, but if there was a great white knight on there that, um, could, could come in with, you know, um, a significant amount of money or government come with a significant amount of funding each year. So not just once off, you know, that might happen, but the likelihood from the discussions that we've had with a broad number of stakeholders to date, I think it's about the new direction, not so much about worrying about what we're turning off. It's about one, you know, obviously focusing on the change and how we can continue to provide great services to our audiences. 00:14:35 S3: And how long do you reckon that might continue for? I spoke to Peter Butler. I don't know if you know Peter Veteran in radio for over 50 years. He was at the head of Vision Australia Radio not so long ago. In the last decade or so. I spoke to him about six years ago and asked him about the future of radio, and he gave it ten years. So I guess we've got four years and counting. 00:14:54 S4: Look, I, uh, I, I'm, I'm much more optimistic than that. You know, I think that Vision Australia absolutely see this as an important part of our suite of services. These changes are about, you know, looking at long term viability for the service. Yes. Radio. We will see change over, you know, a number of years. But, you know, I think that, you know, in other countries, you know, we're seeing increased rates of of radio, but on Dab+ and other services, you know, Australia is probably a bit, a bit bit slower in taking some of these things up. 00:15:33 S3: Chris, thanks for your time. It hasn't been easy for either of us. I can imagine that. So I appreciate you spending some time with us and well, we'll see what happens. But it certainly sounds like July the 1st is done and dusted, at least for now, and we'll hope that people can find some joy in in radio in the future. 00:15:51 S4: Thanks, Peter. Um, I'm happy to come anytime to, uh, talk through, uh, next steps. 00:15:57 S3: Chris Edwards there. 00:16:03 S2: I'm Sam Kelly and you're listening to Talking Vision on Vision Australia radio associated stations of the Radio Reading Network and the community radio network. I hope you enjoyed that conversation there with Peter Greco and Chris Edwards. If you missed any part of that conversation with Peter and Chris, or you'd

love to hear it again. Talking vision is available on the podcast app of your choice or through the Vision Australia Library. You can also find the program on the Vision Australia Radio website. Simply head to VA radio.org. That's VA radio, all one word.org. Our next guest is here to chat to me all about a new podcast, which is looking to hear from members of the blind and low vision community from culturally and linguistically diverse groups across Australia. The podcast is called Hear Me, See Me as part of the wider Speak My Language project, and I'm here with the coordinator of Hear Me, See Me, Anushka Singh who joins me now. Anushka, welcome to Talking Vision. Thank you very much for your time today. 00:17:19 S5: Well, thank you, Sam, for having me here. 00:17:21 S2: No problem at all. Now Anushka, let's start with just the basics. Tell us a bit about Speak My Language. 00:17:28 S5: Sure. Well, firstly, just to give a bit of background information about myself, my name is Anushka and I work with the radio team and the fundraising team. At this point of time, I am leading a project called Year End See Me, which is in partnership with Ethnic Community Council of New South Wales, which is proudly funded by the Department of Social Services. So what we're doing, Sam, is we are looking for storytellers who do speak Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and they have to be between the age of 18 and 64. Basically, we are looking for fresh stories where they can have a discussion about their migrant journey, who they are, and what this story has been. 00:18:13 S2: How did you become involved in hear me say me, Anoushka. I might be an interesting story. 00:18:19 S5: Of course. Yes. So I was always passionate to work within the radio space. And this project came up with the speak My Language, and that is the reason I'm just heavily involved and very much excited for this project. 00:18:33 S2: What sort of stories are you looking for in particular from people from, you know, cultural and, and linguistically diverse communities that you have mentioned there? 00:18:45 S5: We are celebrating lived experience who have low vision. So we are looking for fresh stories. And again, they do not have to have any broadcast or podcast experience. It is going to be who they are, what their cultural background is, what their migrant journey has been. This is something which we are looking for. 00:19:07 S2: Where will the stories be broadcast in particular? where can people look forward to if they take part? Or a family member or friend would like to listen to them down the track? Where should they head to? 00:19:22 S5: We would be providing more information once the stories are recorded, but at this point of time, we are looking for storytellers who would be interested in this program and who would love to be a part of this again. We do respect a lot of people, perhaps would not be confident just disclosing their name. So, Sam, we have offered an opportunity where

they can use any pseudonym or just be anonymous because we are really looking for such stories, who can just also just help others to gain that confidence and experience. And even if I personally think I have shared my story through this platform, and I feel even if I'm able to encourage one person, it's just worth it. 00:20:07 S2: Absolutely. Anoushka, if people would like to take part, what's the best way to get in touch with you or your team to head along and take part in a recording. 00:20:19 S5: Right, so they can get in touch with Vision Australia on one 308 47466, or they can send us an email at radio at vision australia.org and request to just attention to myself. That's the means where they can get in touch with us. 00:20:41 S2: Anoushka, if people would like to give you a call, what's the best number for them to do that? 00:20:48 S5: Just get in touch with me on my phone number, which is 0474 443 626. 00:20:56 S2: Perfect. Okay. Well, I've been speaking today with Anoushka Singh, who's in charge of the Hear Me See Me project as part of the broader Speak My Language initiative. Looking to hear from people with lived experience of blindness and low vision from culturally and linguistically diverse communities around Australia. Anushka, thank you so much for your time today. It was a pleasure to catch up and hear all about the project. 00:21:28 S5: Well, thank you so much for having me. And yes, I would really encourage the listeners. If they have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with us. And just also wanted to mention that we are rewarding our participants with a gift card. And if you have any questions, just do not hesitate to get in touch. But thank you so much, Sam, for having me. 00:21:51 S2: I'm here today with Maria Markou, a talent coordinator from Vision Australia, who's here to chat to us about the upcoming July Tel Link special Interest series. Maria, thank you so much for your time. Welcome back to Talking Vision. 00:22:06 S5: Thank you Sam. It's great to be back. 00:22:08 S2: Now, Maria, let's jump into a couple of the one off sessions that Tell Link will be offering. Tell us a little bit about those ones. 00:22:16 S5: Sam. This July, we're offering to find out about sessions. So they're both one off sessions. And the aim is to give people the opportunity to find out before they sign up. The first session will be held on Monday, the 6th of July at 2 p.m. for one hour. And it's finding out about the Amazon Alexa smart speaker program that Vision Australia runs. And we will have John Klauer, who is part of the program, to be presenting and answering questions that people may have. And as I said, it is a find out about. So it's a one hour program all through Zoom. The other session that John will run is on Monday, the 13th of July at 2 p.m. again. And this time it's find out about the AI course that Vision Australia runs and that John facilitates himself. And he's there to answer questions around the course and what will be covered. So both very interesting programs and really, really innovative programs. If I may say so. 00:23:18 S2: Yeah. Fantastic. Okay. Now, Maria, tell us a little bit about the other four weekly Tel Links sessions. There's a few that are going on throughout the month of July over the four weeks. 00:23:34 S5: Sam. Yes, we're offering four sessions. So to cover the four weeks. So on the Tuesday at 11 a.m. we have a steps to cyber safety. Another. But this time this is a more intense program. We did offer one last January, which was very popular. So this time around we're offering one session over the four weeks. So a more more opportunity to answer questions and ask questions, covering more specific topics around cyber, keeping people cyber safe. And on Tuesday afternoon at two, we've got a great partnership with CFA Victoria, and we're looking at doing a home fire safety program covering prevention and just an escape plan and just all the things people need to be aware of in their home around fire safety during winter or any time. And that again, it will be over the four weeks in July. On Tuesday at 2 p.m. through Zoom Wednesday morning, we have the Vision Store team doing three weeks for us this July, and they'll be covering off new products, things around daily living, the new technology devices and all sorts of things around that's new in the store. And of course, covering off the meta glasses as well. Very popular. So that's a three week program, this time on Wednesdays at 11 through Zoom. And on Friday we have the library team, Maureen hosting a number of various librarians from Vision Australia Library. And their theme this year is Days we celebrate and Maureen will host a librarian from the library and they will talk. One session will be on Halloween. Another one about Valentine's Day, Anzac Day and the last one skips my mind. But join it to find out. It will be really, really interesting. And all the genres and books and, um, different discussion around books related to those themes around those holidays we celebrate. And that's on a Friday, 11 a.m. through Zoom over the four weeks in July. 00:25:39 S2: Fantastic. Well, we do like a surprise. Maria. So yeah, let's just say let's leave the surprise. Yeah. Leave the surprise. Yeah. You can join. And, um, we've got a bit of a surprise. Yeah. Mystery something up our sleeve to check out. So do head along to find out. Now, if you would like to find out. Speaking of finding out about things, you can head to the Vision Australia website, Vision australia.org. That's Vision Australia or one word.org and search tower link to find all the info on the Vision Australia website, but you can also give Vision Australia a call on 1300 847 466, that's 1300 847 466 and have a bit of a chat about Taylor. Link if you'd like to just find out a bit about the program or if you'd like to join up, you can head to tail link info at vision australia.org. That's Telelink info at vision australia.org. Maria, thank you so much for your time today. It was great to catch up with you again and have a chat about the July Telelink Special program. 00:26:55 S5: Thank you Sam. Pleasure to be back. 00:26:57 S2: That was Maria Marco, their talent coordinator from Vision Australia, having a chat with me about the July Tallink offerings coming up over the next few weeks. And that's all the time we have for today. You've been listening to Talking Vision. Talking vision is a Vision Australia radio production. Thanks to all involved with putting the show together every week. And remember, we love hearing from you, so please get in touch anytime on our email at talking vision@australia.org. That's talking vision all one word at vision australia.org. But until next week, it's Sam Culley saying bye for now. 00:27:49 S1: You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during business hours on 1300 847 466, that's 130847466, or by visiting vision australia.org. That's Vision australia.org.