In August 1993 Peter Greco and Phil Vanderpeer started a Focal Point, a show on Vision Australia that aired every Wednesday and looked at issues relating to the Blind and Vision Impaired community.  To celebrate the show’s 30th year we present a series of interviews from across the show’s history. 

This episode’s guests are:
Janelle Colquhoun
Tim Carter
Charles Gilles
Jacqui O'Connor

Focal Point: from the Vault will be broadcast on Vision Australia Radio during the Christmas/New Year break. We wish you a Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you again in 2024.

In August 1993 Peter Greco and Phil Vanderpeer started a Focal Point, a show on Vision Australia that aired every Wednesday and looked at issues relating to the Blind and Vision Impaired community.  To celebrate the show’s 30th year we present a series of interviews from across the show’s history. 
This episode’s guests are:
<ol>
<li>Janelle Colquhoun</li>
<li>Tim Carter</li>
<li>Charles Gilles</li>
<li>Jacqui O'Connor</li>
</ol>
Focal Point: from the Vault will be broadcast on Vision Australia Radio during the Christmas/New Year break. We wish you a Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you again in 2024.

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

From the Vault: PART 5 - A special Podcast Presentation

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/5fb6e0b8-8fb8-45d6-b03a-b0c9002741ab/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

On FOCAL POINT:
Nicola Ettridge is a highly respected and accomplished advocate. Nicola talked about losing her hearing at 21 and then becoming the advocate; support; role model and leader. Nicole also reflected on International Women's Day, and work finding employment opportunities for people of all abilities, especially in non metropolitan Australia.
Dr Frances Gentle, chatted about the joint ICEVI and WBU global braille literacy campaign launched on World Braille Day 4th January 2026.
Carlie Towns is days away from leaving for Base Camp Everest. Carlie is also fundraising for the Look for Life Foundation.
Phil Vandepeer, co-founder and co-presenter for Focal Point, encouraging people who are blind or have low vision to use telephone voting at the 21st March SA State Election. Phil also offered his thoughts about the election campaign and more. 


Resources:

Inclusive Employment Australia: https://www.dss.gov.au/inclusive-employment-australia 

ICEVI-WBU Global Braille Literacy Campaign: https://icevi.org/icevi-wbu-global-braille-literacy-campaign/ 

Carlie Townes: https://www.instagram.com/true_vision_towns/ 

South Australian State Elections 2026: https://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/ 

On FOCAL POINT:
<ul>
<li>Nicola Ettridge is a highly respected and accomplished advocate. Nicola talked about losing her hearing at 21 and then becoming the advocate; support; role model and leader. Nicole also reflected on International Women's Day, and work finding employment opportunities for people of all abilities, especially in non metropolitan Australia.</li>
<li>Dr Frances Gentle, chatted about the joint ICEVI and WBU global braille literacy campaign launched on World Braille Day 4th January 2026.</li>
<li>Carlie Towns is days away from leaving for Base Camp Everest. Carlie is also fundraising for the Look for Life Foundation.</li>
<li>Phil Vandepeer, co-founder and co-presenter for Focal Point, encouraging people who are blind or have low vision to use telephone voting at the 21st March SA State Election. Phil also offered his thoughts about the election campaign and more.&nbsp; <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au__;!!BW9V2p7J0Kl2QvQ!GqhoVIutoHKc2I0sP7yPrZO38PgEfFvPbYLLckhGQC4bZ2MIdB6el-6LHrPrYaN1CWJbfO9UVuDcoY5jOi4x3Mnrnn-Xk1TKqR0$" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2"></a></li>
</ul>
<hr>
Resources:
Inclusive Employment Australia: <a href="https://www.dss.gov.au/inclusive-employment-australia">https://www.dss.gov.au/inclusive-employment-australia</a>&nbsp;
ICEVI-WBU Global Braille Literacy Campaign: <a href="https://icevi.org/icevi-wbu-global-braille-literacy-campaign/">https://icevi.org/icevi-wbu-global-braille-literacy-campaign/</a>&nbsp;
Carlie Townes: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/true_vision_towns/">https://www.instagram.com/true_vision_towns/</a>&nbsp;
South Australian State Elections 2026: <a href="https://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/">https://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/</a>&nbsp;

25 Feb 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa7924ac-d4fd-4bff-b1b4-ac7f006dda87/clips/41521432-a65f-40cd-8366-b3fc005e0d3b/transcript

From the Vault: PART 5 - A special Podcast Presentation

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