In Plain Sight

This week we are revisiting an insightful conversation from last year with prominent author, lawyer and Attorney General of Western Australia Tony Buti. The discussion delves into his personal experience as a father raising a child with Cri-du-chat, and the struggles Tony and his wife Mandy faced along the way.  On the 5th day of the 5th month we recognise 5P or Cri Du Chat Syndrome with an i...

This week on In Plain Sight, Simon Chong and Andrew Williams have a chat with two very special guests. Fabulous passion and dedication alongside a lifelong association with dog guides are some of the motivations behind the great work of Guide Dog Mobility Instructor Katie Crawford. It was wonderful to learn about all that is required to train dogs as guides and trusted companions.  It was a p...

Nothing brings people together like group sports. This week on the show join Simon and Andrew as they have an enlightening conversation with Julie Cavallo, Development Officer for Blind Sports WA. Julie takes us inside her journey with the Australian Women’s Blind Cricket team at the 2025 T20 World Cup in India, revealing the passion, inclusion, and electric atmosphere of blind cricket in on...

This week on In Plain Sight we re-visit Simon and Abby's insightful conversation with Lisa Burnette from last year. Lisa is a passionate advocate, volunteer and double amputee as a result of Meningococcal Disease. She talks about her passion for volunteering in multiple roles and communities, and her personal connection to our recent highlighted topic, Parkinson's Disease, which her Husband Aaron...

This week on the show, join Simon and Andrew as they chat to the CEO of Parkinson's WA, Yasmin Naglazas, about how this disease affects West Australians with Parkinson’s and what they do to make their lives less restricted. With a focus on community through support groups and connections, those effected can find hope and meaning.  This episode is the second in our spotlight during Parki...

This week Simon and Andrew talk with Aaron Burnette about his experience living with Parkinson's Disease as April is Parkinson's Awareness Month. Parkinson's is a progressive, degenerative condition of the central nervous system that has no known causes or cure. The disease is complex, with more than 50 symptoms, and can often be misunderstood.  Aaron tells his story from being diagnosed in 2...

This week on the show join Simon and Andrew as they chat to Joe Teakle about his career as a filmmaker and host of Film Talk on radio DADAA. He recounts his experience making the documentary 'Theatricality' (2024) for SBS and future plans for acting and film making.  His love of movies has expanded to hosting the show Film Talk on the newly launched Radio DADAA every Wednesday from 11am to 12...

On this week's episode join Simon and Andrew as they chat to Cassandra Hughes, the CEO of Down Syndrome WA, about the importance of World Down Syndrome day. The day, this year on the 21st of March, is themed around the phrase 'together against loneliness' meant to combat social isolation and promote inclusion for individuals with Down Syndrome. The campaign highlights that true inclusion requires...

This week on In Plain Sight join your hosts Simon and Andrew as they talk with Gaela Hilditch, the volunteer coordinator for the Perth Glaucoma Support Group. In her twenties Gaela was hit in the eye during a game of squash, which years later she discovered had been a trigger behind her glaucoma diagnosis. Since this discovery she has been a strong advocate for increasing awareness of the disease...

Grinding out  a career as “That Blind Guy”. Karan Nagrani, known online as "That Blind Guy," is a Melbourne-based disability advocate, content creator, and 2025 Midsumma Festival Community Ambassador. Karan shares his story of how he moved from denial to pride: appreciation and awareness for who he is, and his acknowledgement of the complexities of identity and belonging. Karan is...

Due to complications with Type 1 Diabetes Colleen was in need of a heart transplant, and now as a transplant recipient she is fully energised and bright zest for life. She has also taken on board all the knowledge she has acquired through the numerous significant events she has experienced to sharing her story of resilience in the hope it will help, inspire and encourage people to appreciate what...

There's more to Geraldine than meets the eye. This week Simon chats to Geraldine Lane, a dog guide and wheelchair user, and Matt Wood, a Seeing Eye Dog instructor; about the importance of having a service dog and the confidence they bring.  When Geraldine's health was affected by a lung disease she was seriously concerned that her independence and physical activity would be restricted, not ne...

On this week's episode Simon has a chat with Paralympian and project officer at Rebound WA Natalie Alexander. Natalie discusses her wheelchair basketball career from winning silver in the U25 World Championships in 2011 and 2015 to competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.  She uses her passion for sport, community and resilience in her Project Officer role at Rebound WA, a not-for-profit organis...

This week Simon revisits his chat with Louisa Norman, Engagement and Regional Manager at Perth Festival. Perth Festival will light up Perth city for a massive summer of art and culture from 6 February to 1 March (with the Lotterywest Films program already underway). The Festival will activate the city and your imagination across a dazzling array of art forms, with numerous venue locations, there's...

On this episode of In Plain Sight Simon and Andrew interview filmmaker Tony Sarre on his project "Road to Paran" which he made last year with his project partner Lincoln MacKinnon. Paran is a small community that rests at the foothills of the Andes north of Lima, Peru and is known for having high rates of blindness. There, Tony and Lincoln got to know the locals and learn about their daily experie...

This week Simon revisits his chat with Maxine Drake , a powerful voice for inclusion and human rights. As an advocate with Developmental Disability WA, Maxine stands up for students with disabilities and brings passion, heart, and action to the disability movement. In this thought-provoking chat, Simon and Maxine explore advocacy, pride, dignity, and what it really takes to create an accessib...

This week, Simon revisits his chat to William Morgan , who's passionate about singing and sound production. Williams sings in the Perth Pride Choir and the Humdrum Choir, which he also helps organise. William is a caring, vibrant member of the Perth disability community and in this uplifting discussion he shares openly about all that music and the choir communities bring to his life. Find out more...

This week, Simon revisits his chat with Ritchell Lim , a musician, singer, producer and sound engineer, devoted to her art and a natural at her craft. Ritchell is an extremely talented, highly intelligent, bright woman who is just launching herself into to a career as a sound engineer. And, she also happens to be blind. Ritchell grew up playing the piano, and wrote songs every chance she got....

This week, Simon reprises his chats with Kerrie Duff , a Paralympian bronze medalist, and Rayna Lamb , a dynamic disability advocate and passionate dancer Kerrie is a disability advocate who currently works for Team Lab and has her own consulting business. She and Simon discuss mentoring, leadership, and equality. kerrieduffconsulting.com   teamlab.com.au   To connect with the WA Spina B...

This week, Simon revisits the discussions he had earlier this year with  Dr Rita Kleinfeld-Fowell , Deborah Kazich and Linni Oliver . Legally Deaf and blind, Rita has faced - and overcome - immense challenges. Through resilience, strength and determination, she has transformed adversity into advocacy, using her lived experience to support and uplift others. Now Head of Disability Law Practice...

This week Simon catches up with Louisa Norman, Engagement and Regional Manager at Perth Festival. Perth Festival will light up Perth city for a massive summer of art and culture from 6 February to 1 March (with the Lotterywest Films program already underway). The Festival will activate the city and your imagination across a dazzling array of art forms, with numerous venue locations, there's someth...

This week, Tayla Taseff , disability content creator, returns to the program for a positive, interesting chat with Simon. We first heard from this dynamic advocate back in November 2024, and she made such an impact we had to have her in again and find out what she's been up to. We discover that sharing important information about accessibility can be delivered with a smile, from a star. Tayla is n...

From a young age Nihal Iscel has been assisting others and acting as an advocate. This week, Simon had a fascinating conversation with this passionate and strong woman with a vast knowledge gained from a variety of life experiences. International Day of People with Disability is recognised each year on 3 December. Nihal suggests that this year's theme, 'Fostering disability inclusive societies for...

This week on In Plain Sight join Simon as he chats to the ever enthusiastic Tara Le Flohic , a creative film maker using the medium to shine a light on homelessness, especially in women. Tara is now living her best life but it hasn't always been that way. She uses her creative skills and film making to explore and illustrate important and neglected aspects of society. She uses her experience of ho...

This week, Simon speaks with ICONYX , who hails from the East Kimberley from the Kukatja and Pintupi mobs and now lives in Boorloo (Perth) on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja. She is a passionate songwriter, has perfect pitch, plays piano and guitar, loves to sing, and is blind. ICONYX started producing her own music under the mentorship of Boss Arts Creative. Enjoying all music, especially hip hop and pop,...