Interview Highlights from Vision Australia Radio

Kathryn O'Toole, a client of Seeing Eye Dogs and Katie Farrell, SED Mobility Instructor, chat with Peter Greco about VA Trek for Vision 2026, coming up 8 -10 May. Trek for Vision takes you along the Great Ocean Walk, where every step you take and dollar you raise supports the Seeing Eye Dogs Youth Program. Register here:  VA Trek For Vision See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A look back at a special moment for writers and readers. In 2025, Hear This marked the Brimbank Writers and Readers Festival with a very special broadcast celebrating storytelling, creativity and community. This reflective edition revisits that occasion, when we proudly announced the winners and runners-up of the festival’s 2025 Microfiction Competition, showcasing powerful short works from...

Nicola Ettridge is a highly respected and accomplished advocate. Nicola talks with Peter Greco about losing her hearing at 21 and getting a cochlear implant a few years later. Nicola also reflects on International Women's Day, and her work finding employment opportunities for people of all abilities, especially in non metropolitan Australia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With International Women’s Day (IWD) coming up, Peter Greco hears from Allison Davies, music therapist. Allison, who lives with autism, discusses women’s role with music, the inherent nurturing use of voice and developing platforms in order to create social change through history. More info: Allison Davies See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Henry Brodaty AO, this year's Senior Australian of the year, chats with Peter Greco about his research and practical tips to help keep our brain healthy. More info: Centre for Healthy Brain ageing See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Greco catches up with Kath Duncan, award winning writer and playwright advocate. Kath talks about her season of "Specials", premiering at the Arts House in North Melbourne in March including one of the sessions complete with audio description and a tactile tour. More info: Artshouse - Specials See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Josh Teague, SA Deputy Leader for the Liberal Party and Shadow Attorney-General, chats with Peter Greco on topics such as blind cricket, telephone voting at this year's state election, e-scooters and increasing penalties for discriminating against assistance animals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelly Schultz, Chief Curiosity Officer at Knowable Me, shares research with Peter Greco that 70 of the ASX top 200 listed companies make no public reference to disability, thus raising questions about productivity, workforce participation and organisational risk. More info: Knowable Me See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam catches up with music therapist Emily Shanahan, 12 months after their previous conversation when, at the time, the fate of music therapies on the NDIS was front and centre of political debate. Fortunately thanks to tireless advocacy from music therapists and testimonies from clients both past and present, the role of music therapy in the NDIS has stabilised somewhat, however challenges still r...

As the 2026 South Australian state election is coming up, Mac Bollella, from the Electoral Commission of South Australia, shares news with Peter Greco on what's available for telephone assisted voting. More info: Electoral Commission South Australia or call: 1300 951 579 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Storytelling is about connecting, preserving and sharing and empowering. In the era of ChatGPT, real stories may be more important than ever. This conversation between friends and colleagues, Chemutai Glasheen and Yirga Gelaw Woldeyes offers an opportunity for audiences to gain insight into the significance of the oral storytelling traditions of their respective cultures and how these traditions h...

When Alkira Buti was born in 1993 her parents knew little about cri du chat syndrome other than it was a chromosomal abnormality that would render their daughter ‘disabled’. As they searched to understand more about the syndrome and the likely future for their daughter, they learned more about the social treatment of, and attitudes towards, children with disabilities. Alkira is a story...

David Tredinnick is finishing his time as Co-ordinator for audio production at Vision Australia. David shares stories with Peter Greco on his time VA, how technology has changed and how clients can receive their material in their preferred format.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Greco hears from classically trained pianist, Kip McLachlin, about their unique and very inclusive show, PiaNu-Metal, at the Midsumma Festival, 29-31January. The dialogue, staging and sound design have been crafted with multisensory description and auditory cues in mind, supporting audiences who are blind or have low vision to follow narrative, action and atmosphere. More info: Pianu-Metal S...

Megan Star, from Redfeet wines, chats with Peter Greco about a Taste of the Senses event 21st February. Come along and enjoy wines, food, fabulous company and experiences. Carers can attend at no cost, booking is essential and places are limited. More info: Redfeet Wines See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this high‑energy finale to the 2026 Midsumma Carnival Day broadcast, Vision Australia Radio and JOY 94.9 welcome cabaret powerhouse Justin Clausen for a joyful and music‑filled conversation about his hit show He’s Every Woman . Justin shares how the show pays tribute to some of the world’s greatest divas — Whitney, Cher, Céline, Tina, Kylie, and more — offering in...

In this insightful Carnival Day conversation, Vision Australia Radio and JOY 94.9 speak with Nilgun Guven , founder of Vitae Veritas , an organisation known for its long‑standing work in disability access, guided tactile tours, and inclusive festival experiences . Nilgun joins the broadcast live from the community stalls following her confirmation earlier in the week to take part again in the fest...

In this warm, insightful Carnival Day interview, Vision Australia Radio and JOY 94.9 bring together representatives from two church communities who are reshaping what faith, inclusion, and belonging look like in contemporary Melbourne. Recorded live from the community stalls at Midsumma Carnival, the conversation explores how these congregations are building open, affirming, and LGBTQIA+‑welcoming...

In this powerful pre‑recorded conversation, Vision Australia Radio presenter Jason Gipps speaks with multidisciplinary artist, author, musician and Deaf advocate Asphyxia , whose creative work spans circus, puppetry, visual art, bestselling fiction, and groundbreaking accessibility projects. Recorded especially for the 2026 Midsumma Carnival Day broadcast, the interview explores Asphyxia’s e...

In this candid and high‑energy Carnival Day conversation, Vision Australia Radio and JOY 94.9 sit down with Karan Nagrani — Midsumma Community Ambassador, advocate, keynote speaker, and creator of the sold‑out Midsumma show From Grindr to Blindr . Karan’s work blends razor‑sharp humour with deeply honest storytelling about dating, identity, and disability as a blind, gay person of colo...

In this warm and insightful Carnival Day episode, Vision Australia Radio and JOY 94.9 sit down with  Joss — a JOY presenter, community advocate, and passionate voice within Melbourne’s LGBTIQA+ landscape. Joss reflects on their journey into community radio, their role on JOY’s programs, and the importance of authentic queer storytelling on air. They share perspectives on bal...

In this fabulously entertaining Carnival Day episode, Vision Australia Radio chats with the iconic Dolly Diamond , ahead of her appearance in She Slayed: A Drag Murder Mystery at Midsumma Festival 2026. Known for her razor‑sharp wit, comedic timing, and decades of festival involvement, Dolly brings her signature sparkle to this lively conversation. Dolly shares stories from her many years performi...

In this episode of Interview Highlights from Vision Australia Radio , we speak with Josh Lynzaat , Access Coordinator for Midsumma Festival 2026 , about how accessibility is woven into one of Australia’s largest queer arts festivals. Josh shares insights into his role supporting major Midsumma events , including the development of resources like the 2026 Audio Guide , which provides pronunci...

In this energised Carnival Day episode, Vision Australia Radio sits down with Kip Mac / Piano Punk , one of Midsumma’s Pathways Alumni and a genre‑bending performer known for blending classical piano , grunge , metal , punk , and boylesque into a fierce, theatrical style all their own. Kip chats about their upcoming Midsumma show PiaNu‑Metal , a bold reinterpretation of late‑90s/early‑2000s...

 Go behind the mics of this year’s Midsumma Carnival Day broadcast as Vision Australia Radio and JOY 94.9 team up for a special live collaboration. In this candid conversation, Conrad Browne and Paul Scott‑Williams share how the partnership came together, why amplifying the intersection of queerness and disability matters, and what it takes to deliver an accessible outside broadcast fro...