Audio
Abundabiliteez
Studio 1 by
Vision Australia3 seasons
19 March 2025
31 mins
Founder-director of a production company for people with a disability discusses their work.

Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.
On this week’s show, Lizzie and Sam catch up with Hollie Andrew, Founder and Operations Director for Abundabiliteez Productions.
Hollie shares what inspired her to form the company, and her views about arts and people with a disability.
Studio 1 welcomes input from listeners. If you have any experience or thoughts about issues covered in this episode or feel there's something we should be talking about, please email us or comment at our facebook page.
Special thanks to Hollie Andrew.
Check the Abundabiliteez website.
Go to this webpage to book tickets to "Outside In".
Studio 1 gratefully acknowledges the support of the Community Broadcasting Foundation.
00:06 S1
This is Studio 1 on Vision Australia Radio.
00:14 S2
Hello, I'm Sam, hello.
00:15 S3
I'm Lizzie.
00:16 S2
And this is Studio One, your weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view. Here on Vision Australia Radio.
00:21 S3
On this week's show, we chat with Holly Andrew, who is the operational director for a bundle. Abilities.
00:27 S2
Holly shares some of the upcoming performances that her artists have put together.
00:30 S3
As we always say at this point, please do get in touch with the show if you have any experience with the issues covered on this week's episode of Studio One, or if you think there's something we should be talking about. You never know. Your story and insight may help someone who's dealing with something similar.
00:46 S2
You can reach us via email Studio one at Vision Australia. Org. That's studio number one at Vision Australia.
00:51 S3
Org or perhaps you can drop us a comment on our Facebook page by going to facebook.com slash Nova Radio Network.
00:59 S2
Wasn't that just a terrific song that we just used?
01:03 S3
I can't say it was one of my favorites. SIM.
01:06 S2
Oh, but I want to use I want to use this as our theme song. I mean, you know.
01:09 S3
Oh, well. Look, I thought this was a democracy. Do I not get a say in it?
01:14 S2
Well, I just couldn't help it. I was walking to the studio and it followed me here. Can we keep it?
01:20 S3
Oh, no, Sam, we already have a theme song.
01:25 S2
Oh. Well. Anyway. So who are we talking to today?
01:32 S3
Today we are chatting with Holly Andrew, who is the operational director for Abunda Bilities Productions. Their mission is to empower artists with disabilities through a range of different programs and initiatives.
01:46 S2
Well, that sounds good. Maybe we should ask ourselves anyway. Hello and welcome to Studio one.
01:50 S4
Hi guys. Thank you so much for having me here. This is absolutely wonderful. And what a privilege to get straight off a plane from the Gold Coast, from cyclone territory, and to arrive and literally with my suitcases be with you guys. I feel very grateful to be here, so thank you.
02:05 S3
Lovely. So first off, can you tell us about what the inspiration behind a bunch abilities was and how did it get started?
02:13 S4
So I've been professional myself for, gosh, almost 21 years now. I'm actually an Adelaide girl, so I was here and I got my honours degree at Flinders University back in the day and then went to a place called Waapa, which is the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and did music theatre there and then. I've been in the industry ever since. I've done film and TV and musicals, and I always just felt that there was something not missing, but something that was bigger than me that I wanted to be involved in. And I'd always had experience in the disability sector, working with as a nanny, with families, with children who had autism. And so I had a sort of, I guess, an insight into working with families and people in the disability sector. And it was always something that I really enjoyed doing. And then I kind of realized when I moved to the Gold Coast about eight years ago, that I actually it came from me being at the gym and seeing an incredible relationship between a provider and a participant, and I approached the provider and said, hey, do you guys have a film and TV program running for your clients? And they said, no, we've got theater, but no film and TV. So I said, great, let me make you one. So I wrote them a program, and we've been running that now for about four years. And then at the same time that was happening, the industry started to, I guess, open up a little bit more in inclusivity as well. You know, we've seen the gorgeous actress Hannah, who recently got nominated for an actor award. We've seen Dylan Alcott be in Rocky Horror Picture Show. You look on TV at the moment and where once you'd have able bodied or people that didn't identify as having a disability, playing roles and characters who were disabled on our screens. Now that that does not happen, we have actors to facilitate that. And so I saw it all opening up and I thought, let's push into this a little bit more. And some of the actors that I'd been working with at my film and TV program already showed extraordinary talent and, and kind of creative insight into, you know, projects and ideas that they had. And I thought I'd combine all of my skill sets together to be in this unique position, to be able to open a not for profit, which we launched last year called Abandon productions like The Abundance of Abilities, and the idea is yet to platform and promote artists who identify as having a disability to not only share their own stories or stories that they want to bring forward, but to create ownership from the point of collaborating in the initial stages all the way through to the end production. We're also we're not part of the NDIS. So that means that moving forward. You know, when we start to talk about professional productions and opportunities, there's an ownership for all the artists as well. And I think that's a really valid, you know, and kind of a harder step to take in one way. But the payoff is going to be there in the future, which is really exciting. So that's kind of the the overhead of it all.
05:16 S3
Absolutely.
05:17 S4
Done done done.
05:20 S3
Your mission is to empower artists with disabilities. What are some of the key ways that you achieve this?
05:28 S4
Well, I think the first thing is identifying unique creative abilities with each artist. I think that every actor is different and every artist within a band abilities is going to be different. And I think that identifying what makes artists unique and what their great abilities are and what they want to work on and what their stories are, and really individualizing those elements to the projects we're doing and the way to mentor and to help. I think that that's something that is really special to what we do. And then also just the industry connections that I have and are able to sort of push into. I think that, you know, if someone with a disability came to us and wanted to do an art exhibition that, you know, sort of highlighted artists with disability, we would have contacts to go into that space if it was news reading, if whatever the the sort of aspect was that they wanted to explore. I think that we're in a unique position to be able to guide or to offer opportunities to go and explore that.
06:30 S3
How do you define success for the artists that you support?
06:34 S4
I think it's actually interesting in the show that we're actually up here to do, which I know, I'm sure we'll get into in a minute, but Mahdi Ali, director, I mean, our lead actor, who it's a one man show, so it's just him on stage. But one of the things he says that has affected him as a mentor, a thing that I've said to him is when you're giving it a go, you're getting it right. And I think that comes into how to define success as well. I think the success is in the doing. I think just being able to have a position to put work out there and have the opportunity to be seen and heard, I think that's success in itself and everything else is the overflow of that. I mean, you know, I could go on about how big I think the production company is going to be and how how, how far I see the stories traveling in Australia and across the world. But I actually think success is is different. I think it's the success is in the doing the the actual putting it together, putting your word out there. And as a creative artist actually daring to be seen and heard with your unique voice.
07:31 S2
I seem to remember I'm this old. Of course, Deb Mailman was originally cast in The Secret Life of Us, not as a lady of color, but they they liked her so much that they just included her in there. To me, that's the holy grail of disability in the arts is if somebody can turn up to an audition and the producer or the director or whoever goes. You know what? I like that take on the on the part. Bam! Put them in there. Um, do you see a time in the near future where that is going to become more common?
08:03 S4
Yes. I think first of all, I think our, the, the industry's opening up to that. So that's, that's one. And I think people have seen such incredible performances of actors and artists with disability that each time we see that people get a little bit more confident, I guess, and stronger in making big production choices. And then I think that there's there's a little bit to, to be said for training. You know, I mean, if you look at professional actors across the board, I don't know what the percentage would be of artists who are trained versus people that just have this, you know, innate desire to act and go and keep at it and keep at it and get, you know, might do work here or there or luck out and be on a, you know, on a bus stop and get picked up by a producer. But there's a lot of training that goes into some people's crafts as well. And this is where I think if we had a ground level program and more opportunities for artists with disability to be able to train and get skill sets, then I think that would really matter. Going into an audition room, knowing how to do a great screen test, knowing how to feel strong in front of a camera, knowing how to bring out emotions and differentiate, you know, personal emotions with acting choices. So all of these things that make actors great, I think, to be delivered in a way that is really understood by artists, that's curated specifically for artists who have a disability. I think that that's a big that's going to be a big help as well in the future.
09:30 S3
It's interesting you should say that, because that takes me back to my primary and high school days. Um, as we were discussing off air, I studied music and drama, and I tried to do dance that didn't go so well, but I think that I spent just as much time learning how to engage, as I did, actually learning the craft of singing or acting. Because when you're blind, it's hard to look at a specific object, or it's hard to convey an emotional expression unless you've seen that before or you've got some sort of reference, it's hard to know where it is that you should insert that. So I think that training would be really important. I, for one, would be so down with that.
10:18 S4
And, you know, it's so beautiful to talk to you about this, Lizzy and hear this. Because as a director, I then would look at your situation and would work with you and go, great. Well, what are other ways around that? If you don't have a reference, I could put it into another world for you, right? So say I'm working with an actor who doesn't identify as having a disability, and they're 16 and they're needing to do a scene where they're told some really bad news, like a parent has passed or something. Right? So something really, really bad. Yeah. But they've got both their parents and no one close to them has ever passed away. So how do they access those emotions as well. So it's same. Same but different right? So then you have techniques and ways to work out what that would feel like and how to put that into your body, and to then put that out into a way of storytelling that would make sense to you, that would be real and authentic and convey that emotion. And that will be different for I mean, it's different for everyone anyway, but especially people that have disabilities, because as you just said, if you don't know how it looks when you're sad, then how do you know when you're sad? You know.
11:22 S3
And that's the thing. Like, I think the fact that I did have that bit of training, yep, has bled itself into normal life because a lot of blind people have trouble conveying emotions in terms of body language or physical countenance, because we can say in our voices and we can say with our words like, that's really devastating. I'm I'm really sorry to hear that. My condolences, but your face might be as blank as a canvas. Like how? It's. It's funny. Like, I think that the training that I did in those years, in those formative years, actually helped me to be able to convey those emotions in the real world when when dealing with people.
12:06 S4
Yeah. And you know what? Like the amount of times I hear and in my own personal journeys, how life imitating art, imitating life, like, I think acting's a really amazing gift of a career and things to push into, to develop your emotions, to be able to understand psychology, body language, all those sorts of things. So I think that even your little experience of that back in the day has created such a, you know, a kind of a canvas for things that you've done in your future. And I think just on that, you know, I think what really drives me as an actor and part of what I love, and I've made this not for profit and created these opportunities is because I then look at you and I go, great. Tell me more. So if we were to do a scene and put you in front of the camera or in a piece of theater, you know there'd be a trust there. So I could then say to you, hey, this is what we look like. This is what the story looks like. And then that's the trust you have with storytelling. And then I could say things to you, and you could hear feedback of things that, you know, you might not normally get access to because people don't, you know, sort of share things like that on an everyday conversation. Do you know what I mean? But if you're working on something, then we can dig really deep in a trusted way and you can learn things about you, about me. We can learn things about each other. So that's the bit I love. That's the one I love.
13:24 S3
Can you describe the challenges that artists with disabilities commonly face in the creative industry?
13:30 S4
It's been a really big learning curve for me. I've always had, as I said, a kind of a sense of compassion, but really pushing into this space and getting the opportunity to work with the artists that I've worked with through their lived experience, I've gained a lot of knowledge and it's for me there are the fundamentals that I think have been in place that are starting to bust open at the seams now, which is amazing. Things like, you know, would someone with a disability who is in a wheelchair be seen for Jane next door at neighbours, you know, or does it have to be Jane next door neighbours who is someone in a wheelchair before they're seen for the role? And I think that pushing through those moulds is number one, which I think is starting to happen. You know, I think in Breaking Bad, I don't know if you guys have seen that TV show. Yeah. How good is it? Right. Um, and you know, the son in that I can't remember the actor's name now, but he has, uh. And I want to say cerebral palsy. But I could stand corrected there. I'm sure you're going to have avid listeners ringing up and going. No, it wasn't. Um, but he's, you know, his physical disability was written into the show. He was seen as an actor. And then they loved him. So they I'm pretty sure that they then either extended the role to include his specific disability or it was something they sort of, you know, created for him because they fell in love with him as an actor. And I think he was one of the first ones on a really big mainstream TV show to to sort of push the line there. So there's those sorts of challenges to even get in the room and be seen. Right. But then there's the the Littler Things, which is we did an amazing short film a few years ago that we raised money for called zapped. Zombies are people too, which we're still pitching at festivals at the moment, so watch this space for the big premiere of that. That was with the incredible Cameron Zajac. And in that it was interesting because the guys were all the leads. And then we all our support cast were people that didn't identify as having a disability. But as our leads, we had to be mindful and and create an open and honest communication about things like bathroom breaks about, you know, um, being able to do a ten hour day on set, what that means for bodies and minds and, and empowering the artists to stand up for themselves and to know that their voices matter, and to know that you know they're not going to lose the job by being honest. But they need to let people know what their needs are. They're the stars. So start demanding, you know? So I guess they're the sort of two elements of challenges. Um, the other thing I think would just be to add on to that, getting a story out there of lived experience where once, you know, I think the assumption might have been that the audiences weren't there to want to view it. And now I think we are very much seeing that the audiences are there. Just look at love on the spectrum. You know, that show has gone gangbusters all around the world. So I think that experiences of all kinds are starting to be really craved, authentic experiences. And so, yeah, that is that sort of answer.
16:24 S3
Yeah, definitely. And I'm thinking also about, uh, in terms of like the blind and low vision community specifically because that's the community that Sam and I serve. Um, overall. And there has been a big push in the last couple of years to have more audio described content on network television station. So I think that's saying as well that they're blind and low vision people that want to not only engage with content but also feel represented.
16:51 S4
Yeah, yeah, I think that's such a valid point. And I, I would hope that as these other elements of our industry are changing, that your community is seen and spoken up for. And this is something that changes in the future, you know, and I think that part of that unfortunately as well is accessibility. Even putting this show on and wanting to have both an Auslan interpreter and an audio description interpreter, it's you're looking at a small show with a small budget and the costings around, and I'd love to see some more government support that could potentially come in and not just support the shows for getting up in and around. Whether you've got a lived experience in your shows content or not, but supporting communities to be able to come and have an authentic experience at these shows as well. There should be funding grants for that to happen as well. I'm just going to say that right now.
17:39 S3
Of course.
17:39 S2
As you said earlier at the start of the interview, you've just come from the Gold Coast and you're in Adelaide for the the fringe and the Adelaide Festival.
17:46 S4
The Adelaide Fringe.
17:47 S2
So, um, who have you got with you and what can people look forward to?
17:51 S4
Yeah, yeah. So I'm so excited to be back here. Um, as I said, I'm an Adelaide girl at heart, so it's so nice to bring this magical piece of theatre back and to experience the fringe, which was always one of my favorite times of the year. So yeah, we've just dodged the cyclone and we've all come through that. And we have two shows, one on Thursday and one on Friday, 6 to 7 p.m. at Nexus Arts, which is the old Lion Arts Centre or Lion Arts Factory. Um, the show is called Outside In and what? Maddie? So Maddie's our 37 year old actor. He has autism, and he's written the show himself. We've conceptualized it together, and then he wrote the show, and then I've directed it with him and the show. He's opened up his mind and his heart, and he brings the audiences in to see the world through his eyes and the kaleidoscope of how he sees things, how he feels things. And then he's been really inspired by the Pixar film Inside Out, where he they have the characters that describe emotions and have voices and ways to sort of appeal to different emotions. And so he's created five of his emotions that represent joy, sadness and anger and disgust. And so he plays all of those roles as well as himself. He raps, he sings, he dances. He is quite incredible. And I've worked with a lot of really beautiful, outstanding people in my professional career. And I can tell you he is very much at the top of the list. He's unbelievable. So I couldn't be happier and prouder to be bringing this show back. And uh, yeah, we'd love to see as many people there as possible. It's a really beautiful, beautiful story.
19:27 S2
We will, of course, attach the how to book the, uh, to the show, uh, in our podcast notes. Thank you. But I mean, has is there anything else you've got to look forward to? I mean, we don't just broadcast in Adelaide, we broadcast around Australia. So I mean, what's what are some projects that are coming up that you can tell us about?
19:44 S4
Yeah. Well it's interesting because we're just we launched in August last year. So the first sort of minor project that we did was a short film where we worked with an unearthed triple J artist, and we did a film clip for them, and that actually won a short film festival that was Adelaide based to put on a short film festival each year, which is amazing, called sit Down and Sit Down, shut up and watch, I think. And we took that one out. We won one of the big awards with that short film last year. So this is our next project and it's our first big professional project. Doing it outside in. On the back end of that, we'll do a show up on the Gold Coast and probably down in Byron and probably up in Brisbane. We might go to Melbourne and tour there and then we're developing a school tour. So Maddie will take this around to senior schools as well. I think that's a really important space to start working in. On top of that, we have several projects for this year that are there on the pipeline where we do a lot of film and TV. So we've got a couple of short films coming up as well. We've got a documentary that we're making, uh, we've got a big talent quest that hopefully will end up going nationally, got lots of bits and pieces. So you've got to all go to the abundant production website and join and subscribe, and then we can keep you up to date with all of the fun things coming up. And also, we invite people in, all of your listeners to if you're sitting there and you've got a great story, if your story is great, if you want, if you've got I've got this great idea for an alien sci fi musical, I encourage you to reach out to us. We are really wanting to collaborate and work with people and mentor and guide and empower all sorts of stories. So if any listeners are out there and feel like they want to, don't know how, just pick up the phone or somehow get online and get in contact with us. And we would love to hear the stories that you may have.
21:32 S2
And what is the website.
21:33 S4
Abundant Abilities Productions combo. Okay. Yeah. Vulnerabilities is spelt. Oh my gosh. Oh I'm such a bad speller. AB u n d I l I t w e z a band abilities. Did I get it right, didn't I? Yeah. Great. Well done. Great. I've got a lot of things and I can tell you right now, spelling chops is not one of them.
21:54 S3
That's okay. We will have the link in the website.
21:58 S1
This is studio one on Vision Australia Radio.
22:03 S3
Can you share a success story of an artist whose life has been transformed through your platform?
22:09 S4
Yeah, I think look, I think all of the artists that I've worked with have elements of success in what they've done. But I think and it's so great in Maddie's show because he talks about the the man that he was, you know, he couldn't even he really struggled to even say or name his disability until he came to the studio. And now to stand in it and to be honoring himself and owning that. And, you know, little things like he used to have to do travel training and then now he catches Ubers and he's actually looking at getting his driver's license, which was something that again, four years ago, he never thought in his wildest dreams he'd even be considering. So he'd be sort of all of them. Emma, who's the president of the creative board at Urban Abilities? She has spina bifida, and she never thought she'd ever be employed in a way that she'd have a job, that she was able to go and get money for and have a valid say. And she's now been my professional studio assistant at my studio, which I run a studio in the Gold Coast as well called Studio Burley. And she's been my studio assistant now for two years, and we've just not entered her into a big competition to be nominated as a Young artist of the year. And so she's acquired an incredible success story as well.
23:22 S3
Do you collaborate with other organizations or industry professionals to help develop the skills of your current artists?
23:29 S4
Yeah, I think the industry one of the best bits about the creative industry is collaboration. Because you get to each project, you get to work with different people. That's one of the most exciting things that kind of keeps it, you know, new and interesting. We would love like tutti doing beautiful things down here as our restless Dance Theatre. We also, when we did Zombies Our People to Zapped, we worked with a whole production team that were predominantly from Brisbane. Yes, this is the short, the long answer. The short answer is yes. The long answer is come on in and join us.
24:01 S3
Do you think that the public perception of artists with disabilities is changing? And what other steps do you think need to be taken for artists with disabilities to be more widely accepted?
24:15 S4
Yes, definitely. Changing huge amounts. It's changing, but there's also a long way to go, as I sort of mentioned a couple of people before, and I think that when the artists do get a platform, so with the artists with disability, do get a platform and start getting some really high end accolade. I think it's really important to turn around and still be accessible to the communities, which, I mean, I'm seeing that everywhere, but I think that's just a really wonderful thing, so that the disability sector and communities still feel like they're a part of that person's journey, which will then inspire them to step up. Yeah, I think the worlds inclusivity ideas are definitely opening up, but we do have a long way to go. We definitely do.
24:54 S3
So does a band abilities run programs nationally or is it just in the Gold Coast at the moment?
25:00 S4
At the moment, programs just in the Gold Coast. But I did launch. I wrote a program called Industry Training Program for artists with disability that I'm currently in discussions with TAFE about. So when that happens, that'll be a certificate for that will be available on a national scale. So any toe can can run that and that will be a proper diploma qualification. So and that's written specifically for artists with disability. So that'll watch this space for that one. And then of other than that though, you know, I think it would be it's as with a lot of the industry, it becomes a project based environment. So if you know, or if someone from Melbourne reached out to us and went, hey, would you guys be interested in coming down and doing a two week workshop and putting on a show that we take to Edinburgh, we'd be like, yes, we would, and we would get on a flight and come on down. So there's all sorts of national opportunities, but we're still fresh to the table. And I think at this point it's kind of one one step at a time and one project at a time. And we just got to go and and try to sell out outside in now and, you know, have everyone see Matt's story and then take the next step from there.
26:07 S3
Well, I'm hoping we can go because then we'll be able to sort of like review the show and be like.
26:14 S4
Sam and Lizzie, you must come and see the show. I'll be devastated if you don't. Now, guys, you know that. Yeah.
26:19 S3
Sam.
26:21 S4
You guys bring as many people as you can tell everyone. But we've only got the two shows. It's a beautiful place. Nexus Arts is incredible. Nice and easy in the city. Do I need to keep selling? No, no.
26:32 S3
Okay, great. I think we got it.
26:33 S4
Yeah.
26:34 S3
How can listeners get involved? Do you have any social media? Yeah, obviously you have a website. And what steps can listeners take to either sign up for a program or whether they've got experience in the industry, and they think that they can help develop the skills of these artists?
26:52 S4
Yeah, sure. So I think the website being subscribing to our we do a monthly newsletter and that gives the Intel for what we're doing each month and different projects and links to different things. That would be the first step, but we are on Insta and Facebook and all of the above, so come and watch that. And then I guess that's more immediate news. You know, like we'll be posting all week this week. There's behind the scenes clips on that as well. So that's kind of for your more immediate content. And then once you subscribe we've got a an info on the website as well. So yeah, if you if you've got something that you want to to suggest or share. Then reach out on that and we will get back to you and we can take it from there.
27:30 S2
So before we go.
27:32 S4
Yes.
27:33 S2
Has there been any surprises you've encountered? Anything that has sort of any artist that's sort of come across your desk and you've gone, oh my God, I hadn't wouldn't have even thought that was possible.
27:46 S4
Um, I don't know how like, it's not artists per se, but skill sets for sure. So for instance, and again, I'll use Maddie as an example, not only because he's it's his show where, you know, we're here to talk about, but also he's just a brilliant actor. So when we did the short film, he had this monologue where he had to get a bit emotional and because of his autism, his access to his emotions, which may have been problematic in the past. Yeah. As in kind of society. And when he can't control feelings of anger and and his tears as an actor. It's a gift. It's such a gift for him to be able to access this raw, beautiful, authentic place. And I remember the first time and I was co-directing the the short film and my co-director was like, oh, we'll give him a warm up. I'm like, dude, shoot it, shoot it, shoot it! Because I knew that as soon as that camera's on and Matt had it set in his head and it was gold, and we only did one take of it because it was that good. And he was in tears and everyone was crying, and it was this moment. And then for Matt, we then worked out a process to get him out of that as well. So that's the other thing is, is, you know, you go into something we needed a professional process to get out. So we have videos that make him laugh and different bits and pieces. So he comes out of that. But that was one of the most brilliant pieces of acting I've seen. And that was a lot of that was due to the fact that he has these accessible things because of his disability.
29:17 S2
Well, I mean, I asked that because I've.
29:19 S4
Have you got something for me, Sam? What have you.
29:21 S2
Got? I've noticed, for example, a lot of blind people are really good photographers for some reason. Oh, wow. So it is just something that sort of seems to be a random thing.
29:28 S4
Well, yeah.
29:29 S2
Yeah, yeah. There's either two settings. There's either the masterpiece photo or there's the, um, that's somebody's foot.
29:35 S4
But you can pass.
29:36 S3
That off as a masterpiece.
29:37 S4
I mean.
29:38 S3
How many artists draw abstracts and you've got no idea what they are?
29:41 S4
Exactly.
29:41 S2
Thank you for joining us today. It's been a blast. And, uh, we, uh, hopefully we'll, uh, hear from you in the future and maybe next, next fringe. And we can catch up with more of your other talent.
29:52 S4
Yes, yes. Well, next time, I'll definitely aim to bring some of the creative artists in. And I'm sure that they would love to meet you guys and speak about their personal journeys and their stories. But thank you so much both for having me and I look forward to the next time.
30:05 S3
That's a wrap for this week's show. A big thank you to Holly for joining us. And of course, thank you for listening. As usual, you can download the podcast from Apple, Spotify, Google or your favorite podcast platform.
30:19 S2
And you never know, you might actually find some extra content there that is not in the broadcast version. Next week we're going back to school. We talk to a few friends about their experiences in the education system, some of them going back over 50 years.
30:33 S3
But between now and then, please do get in touch with the show. Whether you have experience of any of the issues covered on this week's episode of Studio One, or if you think there's something we should be talking about. You never know. Your story and insight may help someone who's dealing with something similar.
30:49 S2
You can email us at. The email address is studio one Vision Australia. Org. That's studio number one at Vision Australia.
30:55 S3
Org or you can find us on any of the good social media platforms, whether that be Facebook, Instagram or X by searching for VA Radio Network.
31:03 S2
Is it still good? I don't think it is.
31:05 S3
Anyway, we want to hear from you.
31:07 S2
Bye for now.
31:08 S1
Vision Australia Radio gratefully acknowledges the support of the Community Broadcasting Foundation for Studio One.
Continue listening
In the leadup to Blind Australian of the Year Awards, Oct 2023, we hear from 2022 winner Cal Hooley and event organiser Marie Bampton.
Blind Australian of the Year
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
5/10/2023
•34 mins
Audio
We take to the air and ask some friends about their experience travelling around the country and the world.
Up up and away
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
34 mins
Audio
Nancy Miller of Visions US talks of their work in services for blind and low vision people.
Nancy
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
40 mins
Audio
Fresh from Soul II Soul’s triumphant 2023 Australian tour, lead singer Charlotte Kelly speaks with Studio 1.
Charlotte Kelly of Soul II Soul
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
33 mins
Audio
Not all disabilities are visible. People with a vision impairment speak about how they're perceived.
You Don't Look Blind!
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
50 mins
Audio
Studio 1 speaks with Vision Australia’s employment guru Belinda Wilson.
Belinda Wilson, Employment Guru
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
38 mins
Audio
Studio 1, Vision Australia Radio’s look at life from a blind/low vision point of view, features champion cyclist Sarnya Moss.
Sarnya Moss OAM
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
40 mins
Audio
On this week’s show, a panel of experts with experience of living with vision impairment discusses what they'd do if they could see.
If You Could See...
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
26 mins
Audio
Studio 1, looking at life from a low vision and blind point of view, features David Hume - winemaker, broadcaster, ocean yachtsman.
David Hume
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
27 mins
Audio
This week, Studio 1 speaks with "Kent the Dog": 44-year veteran guide dog handler Dave Kent.
Kent The Dog
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
44 mins
Audio
This edition, Deanne Ferris - Communications Officer extraordinaire and Member of the Women’s Australian Blind Cricket Team.
Deanne Ferris
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
30 mins
Audio
Shannon Davis, family man and former PwC partner, went for a routine eye checkup and was told he’d lost 90% of his sight.
Shannon Davis
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
33 mins
Audio
Renee Lyon, Quantum RLV demonstrates the Orcam reader and Blind Shell Classic, specially designed mobile phone.
Renee Lyon from Quantum RLV
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
13 December 2023
•23 mins
Audio
2023 Blind Australian of the Year Lauren Henley speaks of her public advocacy work.
Lauren Henley - Blind Australian of the Year
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
6 December 2023
•28 mins
Audio
Investor Shannon Davis speaks with Studio 1 on finding financial wellness after vision loss.
Shannon Davis - financial literacy
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
28/11/2023
•28 mins
Audio
Features an interview with Anthony Ferraro - blind skateboarder, performer and much more!.
Anthony Ferraro - blind skateboarder
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
28/11/2023
•28 mins
Audio
Special on the parenting experience - what it's like to have kids with a Vision Impairment when you're also VI.
Vision Impaired Parenting
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
28/11/2023
•28 mins
Audio
Studio 1 compares the benefits of the guide dog and the cane for blind mobility.
The Puppy or the Stick?
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
22/11/23
•27 mins
Audio
Two ambassadors for the Melbourne Disability Expo discuss challenge and engagement.
Melbourne Disability Expo
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
15/11/2023
•30 mins
Audio
Aims and projects of Blind Citizens Australia - featuring its President Fiona Woods.
Fiona Woods - Blind Citizens Australia
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
8/11/2023
•28 mins
Audio
Blind/low vision program looks back on 2023 and ahead to 2024.
A Very Studio 1 Christmas
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
20 December 2023
•28 mins
Audio
Report (Part 1) on the World Games of IBSA, the International Blind Sports Federation.
IBSA World Games Part 1
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
23 December 2023
•28 mins
Audio
Part 2 of a report on the World Games of IBSA, the International Blind Sports Federation.
IBSA World Games Part 2
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
23 December 2023
•28 mins
Audio
Presenter Matthew Layton's final program, a retrospective on the show's achievements.
Many Thanks (Matthew's Last Show)
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
27 December 2023
•28 mins
Audio
On World Braille Day, Vision Australia program celebrates Braille, assesses its impact and looks at its future.
Is Braille dead?
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
4 January 2024
•34 mins
Audio
A retrospective of program content that could not be podcast at the time.
Choir of Angels
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
13 January 2024
•28 mins
Audio
A discussion of blind/low vision experiences in the tertiary education system.
Tertiary studies
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
13 January 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Discusses the increasing role of support workers in the lives of blind and low vision people.
Support workers
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
13 January 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Features the White Cane Coffee Company, providing employment opportunities to people with disabilities.
The White Cane Coffee Company
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
16 January 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Expert talks about day-to-day technologies used day-to-day like mobile phones, tablets and computers.
Technology and us
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
17 January 2024
•33 mins
Audio
How to have a safe and enjoyable cooking experience for Blind and Low Vision people.
The Kitchen Show
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
5 February 2024
•39 mins
Audio
Tandem cycling competitors and an ex-coach discuss a great sport for low vision people.
Tandem cycling
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
8 February 2024
•47 mins
Audio
What's the romantic world like when you can't see your potential partner? The team grapples with Valentine's Day questions.
Dating blind
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
14 February 2024
•39 mins
Audio
Features Graeme Innes: Australian disability advocate, human rights lawyer, and much more.
Graeme Innes
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
21 February 2024
•27 mins
Audio
The team explores what's it's like to do jury service when you're blind or have low vision.
Jury Duty
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
28 February 2024
•36 mins
Audio
A special edition featuring inspiring women who are blind or vision-impaired.
Sisters are doin' it for themselves
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
6 March 2024
•34 mins
Audio
A blind vendor of The Big Issue magazine explains how it changed his life.
Chris and The Big Issue
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
13 March 2024
Audio
Follow-up to Studio 1's Valentine's Day program, more experiences of romance when you're blind or low vision.
Dating Blind 2
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
20 March 2024
•28 mins
Audio
An expert discusses Artificial Intelligence and how it can help blind-low vision people.
AI
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
3 April 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Topics covered in part 3 include: marriage, advocacy, dating apps, and tele-link groups.
Dating Blind 3
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
27 March 2024
•31 mins
Audio
The Vision Australia Library for Blind/Low Vision people - its services and how to access them.
The VA Library
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
10 April 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Guests discuss two accessible public transport apps for people with blindness or low vision.
Hailo, See Me?
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
17 April 2024
Audio
Efforts nationwide in Vision Australia's First to 100k fundraising drive for its radio stations.
I would walk/ride/run a 100k
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
24 April 2024
•29 mins
Audio
An innovative Australian businesswoman discusses how to make beauty products more PwD-accessible.
Sisterwould - accessible hair products
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
1 May 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Public advocate Karan Nigrani speaks of the intersectional challenges of being blind, gay and of colour.
Karan
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
8 May 2024
•30 mins
Audio
Athletics for the vision-impaired - the opportunities are discussed with a two-time Paralympian.
Phillip Deveraux
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
15 May 2024
•35 mins
Audio
Radio volunteers from Vision Australia and a former ABC announcer talk about the national week.
National Volunteer Week
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
22 May 2024
•28 mins
Audio
A low-vision optometrist answers important questions about eye checks.
Mae Chong - optometrist
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
29 May 2024
Audio
A musician speaks about how glaucoma has affected his work and life.
Roy Lucian Baza
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
5 June 2024
•29 mins
Audio
A street dancer talks of his career and how he's responded to losing his sight.
Geoffrey Lim
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
12 June 2024
•33 mins
Audio
People with blindness or low vision discuss Australia's NDIS, its services and what could be done better.
NDIS: "No Doubt It Stinks?"
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
19 June 2024
•36 mins
Audio
Vision-impaired people share experiences of trying to find work.
Get a Job
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
26 June 2024
•41 mins
Audio
Highlights from recent episodes of this program for people with blindness and low vision.
What is Studio 1?
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
28 June 2024
•10 mins
Audio
Students and teachers at the National Braille Music Camp discuss the annual event.
National Braille Music Camp
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
3 July 2024
•37 mins
Audio
Remastered interviews from earlier in the series about love and romance.
Dating Blind - a special podcast presentation
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
5 July 2024
•1 hr 03 mins
Audio
Experiences of a blind Aboriginal man in Central Australia and the supportive work of specialist services.
NAIDOC Week: Derryn Ross
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
10 July 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Experiences of a vision impaired walker of the Camino Pilgrimage in Portugal/Spain.
Lily and the Camino Pilgrimage
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
31 July 2024
•37 mins
Audio
People with blindness or low vision compare the merits of getting about with a seeing eye dog or a cane.
Out and about
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
7 August 2024
•32 mins
Audio
Blind surf champion Matt Formston shares big-wave experiences... plus paralympic selection issues.
The Blind Sea
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
14 August 2024
•34 mins
Audio
Some Dos and Don'ts of applying for a job for a person with a disability.
Who'd hire these guys?
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
21 August 2024
•33 mins
Audio
Discussion of controversy about Mattel's new Blind Barbie doll - is it inclusion or tokenism?
Blind Barbie
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
28 August 2024
•29 mins
Audio
Two former Paralympians discuss their lives before, during and after the event.
Jodi & Shayne
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
4 September 2024
•30 mins
Audio
Perils of the road, entertainment tips - and why travel if you can't see?
On the Road Again - travel
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
11/9/2024
•31 mins
Audio
This program asks: can people with a disability have a say in the accessibility of retail?
Knowable Me
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
18 September 2024
•28 mins
Audio
First part of an interview with someone who has experienced rapid loss of vision.
Melissa - rapid vision loss (part 1)
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
25 September 2024
•35 mins
Audio
Four people who have gone from fully sighted to blind share experiences and insights.
Vision loss - 1 hour special
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
9 October 2024
•1 hr 00 mins
Audio
Lived experiences about sport are shared by people with blindness and low vision.
This Sporting Life
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
16 October 2024
•37 mins
Audio
Discussion of the NDIS and connected issues, including some positive experiences.
When I'm 65
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
23 October 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Former uni students discuss campus life, challenges and solutions to studying with blindness or low vision.
Uni Daze
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
30 October 2024
•32 mins
Audio
Interview with the founder of a travel company for blind and low vision people, about his life and work.
Amar Latif - founder of Traveleyes
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
6 November 2024
•36 mins
Audio
Teaching vision-impaired people how to use adaptive tech, and some products on offer.
Blind teaching the blind
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
27 November 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Australian author and originator discuss their new picture book about life with seeing eye dogs.
Molly and Maple
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
4 December 2024
•28 mins
Audio
Achilles International's role in the sport of running for people with disabilities.
Born to run
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
17 December 2025
•28 mins
Audio
The first of two holiday specials looks back at 2024 with memorable bloopers and talk of Yuletide.
Christmas 2024
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
25 December 2024
•28 mins
Audio
A World Braille Day 2025 program discussing its contribution over 200 years.
World Braille Day
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
4 January 2025
•28 mins
Audio
Cooking and serving food - from a range of blind and low vision perspectives.
Serving it up
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
15 January 2025
•37 mins
Audio
A champion Paralympic swimmer talks of his retirement, self-help books and advocacy.
Matt Levy - leadership and inclusion
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
22 January 2025
•28 mins
Audio
Vision impaired users of taxis and RideShare talk of their experiences, impacts and insights.
Taxi!
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
29 January 2025
•36 mins
Audio
A leading European advocate for people with vision impairment shares his thoughts and experiences.
Lars Bosselmann - European Blind Union
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
5 February 2025
•34 mins
Audio
A Valentine's Day special of freewheeling chat about love and dating from a vision impaired standpoint.
I Only Have Eyes for You
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
12 February 2025
•28 mins
Audio
Malaysian-Canadian Instagrammer spreads awareness of brands accessible to vision impaired people.
Anne Mok
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
19 February 2025
•28 mins
Audio
Lively discussion of issues around assistance and consent in the low vision community.
The Boy Scout Syndrome
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
26 February 2025
•35 mins
Audio
International Women's Day special featuring two women working for women's rights and disability access.
Women's Day
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
5 March 2025
•28 mins
Audio
Participants and organisers in Vision Australia's "100k Your Way" fundraising run in April share their experiences.
100k
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
12 March 2025
•31 mins
Audio
Vision-impaired students at Australian schools from the 1960s to 1980s share experiences and perspectives.
Back to school
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
26 March 2025
•32 mins
Audio
An Australian businessman talks of his work creating unique opportunities for people with vision impairment.
Peter Archer - Beyond Vision
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
2 April 2025
•36 mins
Audio
Discussion of fashion from a vision-impaired viewpoint - how important is it, and how do we deal with it?
Fashion
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
9 April 2025
•28 mins
Audio
Discussion of the role of faith and spirituality in the lives of people with vision impairment.
Blind Faith
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
16 April 2025
•28 mins
Audio
Blind and vision impaired people imagine their lives if they could see or had full vision. What would change?
All I need is a miracle
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
23 April 2025
•31 mins
Audio
Special program asking what seeing eye dogs would say if they could speak human language.
International Guide Dog Day
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
30 April 2025
•36 mins
Audio
SBS experts talk about their work in audio description of TV programs and how to set it up.
Francois and Victoria - Audio Description
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
7 May 2025
•28 mins
Audio
A mother with vision impairment shares experiences and tips.
Mother's Day
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
14 May 2025
•32 mins
Audio
Volunteer community radio broadcasters talk about their experiences.
Volunteer radio
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
21 May 2025
•28 mins
Audio
Vision Australia Radio’s Studio 1 takes a look at life in Australia from a low vision and blind point of view.
A little Support?
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
A little support?
•33 mins
Audio
Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.
You don't look Blind!
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
You don't look Blind!
•28 mins
Audio
Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.
Storm Menzies - ByStorm Beauty
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
Storm Menzies - ByStorm Beauty
•28 mins
Audio
Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.
Into the Mailbag
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
Into the Mailbag
•28 mins
Audio
Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.
Is Ignorance Bliss?
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
Is Ignorance Bliss?
•35 mins
Audio
Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.
Taxi II: Another Ride?
Studio 1 by Vision Australia
Taxi II: Another Ride?
•34 mins
Audio