On this special Christmas Edition of Focal Point Peter Greco is joined by Phil Vandepeeer to look back at the highlights of 2024, and recover from a large Christmas Lunch.

On this special Christmas Edition of Focal Point Peter Greco is joined by Phil Vandepeeer to look back at the highlights of 2024, and recover from a large Christmas Lunch.

A weekly program presented by Peter Greco, Focal Point covers services from blindness organisations and other providers, technology, current affairs, breakthroughs in advocacy campaigns about all manner of challenges and promoting activities and events for people who are blind or vision impaired.

A weekly program presented by Peter Greco,&nbsp;Focal Point&nbsp;covers services from blindness organisations and other providers, technology, current affairs, breakthroughs in advocacy campaigns about all manner of challenges and promoting activities and events for people who are blind or vision impaired.

Focal Point on Vison Australia Radio

Visit <a href="http://www.varadio.org">www.varadio.org</a> for more.

Focal Point on Vision Australia Radio

Christmas Day

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/024e8474-4b78-48f0-a2c2-b24a00362b3c/transcript

On FOCAL POINT:
Tony Clark, Mayor of the Hepburn Shire Council, spoke about the challenges; lessons learnt and  achievements to attain this Role as well as a number of portfolio positions Tony holds.
Rachel, from marketing at Beyond Blindness, paid tribute to 4 volunteers recently recognised for over 89 years combiner valued service - other volunteer roles available.
Mona Hemsley, Head of Audiology at Audika, shared research for World Hearing Day that revealed concerning findings showing too many people are neglecting having a hearing test, tell-tale signs to listen - look out for in family and  friends,
John Duncan, Chief Operating Officer for Brake Driver Awareness, spoke about  Australia's first national school-based e-mobility program addressing rising e-scooter accidents, and the positive impact their training may have on pedestrian safety,

Resources:

Beyond Blindness: http://www.beyondblindness.org.a

Audikia: http://www.audika.com.au

Brake Driver Awareness: https://www.brake.org.au

On FOCAL POINT:
<ul>
<li>Tony Clark, Mayor of the Hepburn Shire Council, spoke about the challenges; lessons learnt and&nbsp; achievements to attain this Role as well as a number of portfolio positions Tony holds.</li>
<li>Rachel, from marketing at Beyond Blindness, paid tribute to 4 volunteers recently recognised for over 89 years combiner valued service - other volunteer roles available.</li>
<li>Mona Hemsley, Head of Audiology at Audika, shared research for World Hearing Day that revealed concerning findings showing too many people are neglecting having a hearing test, tell-tale signs to listen - look out for in family and&nbsp; friends,</li>
<li>John Duncan, Chief Operating Officer for Brake Driver Awareness, spoke about&nbsp; Australia's first national school-based e-mobility program addressing rising e-scooter accidents, and the positive impact their training may have on pedestrian safety,</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Resources:
Beyond Blindness: <a href="http://www.beyondblindness.org.a">http://www.beyondblindness.org.a</a>
Audikia: <a href="http://www.audika.com.au">http://www.audika.com.au</a>
Brake Driver Awareness: <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.brake.org.au/__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!BH5Whad_OLRAwDVO-ADOF_2ZE0iW4pko49ILpDTi9BtPORNkYPpJuDFQ-u-m8ds4r7EixU0miT7Dvb4XoPpaI2DmJK5MP648prU$" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">https://www.brake.org.au</a>

18 Mar 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/4025604e-d07e-4f28-8770-b41100527fd7/transcript

On FOCAL POINT:
Dr Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar,
Chairman of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India, gave us an insight into how popular the game is in India for athletes and how well it is supported and the opportunities the game enables, a blind cricket version of IPL?
Rebecca Young, CEO for Access 2 Arts, with information about  Next Level Creative Mentorships (A $3,000 project funding); "The Chronicles" Audio Described Show  - Part of the 2026 Adelaide Festival; The Mill Disability Access Studio - a 6-month studio opportunity in 2026, and more. 
Professor Pete Williams, from the Centre for Eye Research, studying ways to support the cells affected by glaucoma and treatments that support them to say alive - treatments that go beyond lowering eye pressure with drops or stents. 
Maureen O'Reilly, from the Vision Australia Library (What do you think of our new intro music?)  with news about i-Access Library catalogue update; a  chance to meet librarians with a strong focus on new release titles - you may choose to get involved; and  free In Conversations with 3 authors from the Melbourne Writers Festival - these will be live streamed, 


Resournces:

Blind Cricket India: https://blindcricket.in/

Access 2 Arts: http://www.access2arts.org.au

The Mill: Email: visualarts@themilladelaide.com or go to: https://www.themilladelaide.com

Centre for Eye Research: http://www.cera.org.au

Vision Australia Library: www.visionaustraliaorg/library

On FOCAL POINT:
<ul>
<li>Dr Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar, Chairman of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India, gave us an insight into how popular the game is in India for athletes and how well it is supported and the opportunities the game enables, a blind cricket version of IPL?</li>
<li>Rebecca Young, CEO for Access 2 Arts, with information about&nbsp; Next Level Creative Mentorships (A $3,000 project funding); "The Chronicles" Audio Described Show&nbsp; - Part of the 2026 Adelaide Festival; The Mill Disability Access Studio - a 6-month studio opportunity in 2026, and more.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Professor Pete Williams, from the Centre for Eye Research, studying ways to support the cells affected by glaucoma and treatments that support them to say alive - treatments that go beyond lowering eye pressure with drops or stents.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Maureen O'Reilly, from the Vision Australia Library (What do you think of our new intro music?)&nbsp; with news about i-Access Library catalogue update; a&nbsp; chance to meet librarians with a strong focus on new release titles - you may choose to get involved; and&nbsp; free In Conversations with 3 authors from the Melbourne Writers Festival - these will be live streamed,&nbsp; <a href="http://www.visionaustraliaorg/library" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="4"></a></li>
</ul>
<hr>
Resournces:
Blind Cricket India: <a href="https://blindcricket.in/">https://blindcricket.in/</a>
Access 2 Arts: <a href="http://www.access2arts.org.au">http://www.access2arts.org.au</a>
The Mill: Email: <a href="mailto:visualarts@themilladelaide.com">visualarts@themilladelaide.com</a> or go to:&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.themilladelaide.com/__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!Etm4JRV9t5yFXLeb-RFQW3YK2xQ0e3nRiEay5360n7ZNgRK9Hx5wNY-KOwIOOyMrJ0Vq5LwlAZGITJqdKHIQemdH1yIDfcaPRps$" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">https://www.themilladelaide.com</a>
Centre for Eye Research: <a href="http://www.cera.org.au">http://www.cera.org.au</a>
Vision Australia Library: <a href="http://www.visionaustraliaorg/library" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="4">www.visionaustraliaorg/library</a>

11 Mar 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/e7d85770-596c-4087-9af1-b40a0038140f/transcript

  On FOCAL POINT:
Scott Dixon Smith took part in Sydney's Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. Scot was accompanied by his guide dog Pretzel, from Guide Dogs NSW & ACT - Guide with Pride.
Eliza Lovell, Community Arts Project Officer from the City of Campbelltown invited all to a free audio-described Fringe Festival Event, Connection a visual art exhibition that looks at how we relate to each other, to the places we live, and to ourselves. Sunday 8th March 2pm, at the 
Brookside Cellars Community Arts Centre, 17 Moore St, Tranmere SA.  More information email: elovell@campbelltown.sa.gov.au
Kathryn O'Toole, a client of Seeing Eye Dogs and Katie Farrell, SED Mobility Instructor, encouraged all to take part in the Trek for Vision Great Ocean walk, in May
Mia Gardiner, from Crime Stoppers Victoria, spoke about financial abuse; signs to look out for; and ways to keep you and your loved ones safer.

Resources:

Trek for Vision: https://hs.inspiredadventures.com.au/visionaustralia-greatoceanwalk-2026-reg 

Crimestoppers: https://crimestoppers.com.au/ 

&nbsp; On FOCAL POINT:
<ul>
<li>Scott Dixon Smith took part in Sydney's Gay &amp; Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. Scot was accompanied by his guide dog Pretzel, from Guide Dogs NSW &amp; ACT - Guide with Pride.</li>
<li>Eliza Lovell, Community Arts Project Officer from the City of Campbelltown invited all to a free audio-described Fringe Festival Event, Connection a visual art exhibition that looks at how we relate to each other, to the places we live, and to ourselves. Sunday 8th March 2pm, at the&nbsp; Brookside Cellars Community Arts Centre, 17 Moore St, Tranmere SA.&nbsp; More information email: <a href="mailto:elovell@campbelltown.sa.gov.au">elovell@campbelltown.sa.gov.au</a></li>
<li>Kathryn O'Toole, a client of Seeing Eye Dogs and Katie Farrell, SED Mobility Instructor, encouraged all to take part in the Trek for Vision Great Ocean walk, in May</li>
<li>Mia Gardiner, from Crime Stoppers Victoria, spoke about financial abuse; signs to look out for; and ways to keep you and your loved ones safer.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Resources:
Trek for Vision: <a href="https://hs.inspiredadventures.com.au/visionaustralia-greatoceanwalk-2026-reg">https://hs.inspiredadventures.com.au/visionaustralia-greatoceanwalk-2026-reg</a>&nbsp;
Crimestoppers: <a href="https://crimestoppers.com.au/">https://crimestoppers.com.au/</a>&nbsp;

04 Mar 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/18c9e7ab-da27-4e89-9708-b40300493ef2/transcript

Christmas Day

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