We always enjoy hearing from Annette Leishman, who seems to always be doing some pretty cool things and some very interesting things. And what is coming up is certainly no exception. Annette, great to catch up with. Again, thank you so much for your time.

We always enjoy hearing from Annette Leishman, who seems to always be doing some pretty cool things and some very interesting things. And what is coming up is certainly no exception. Annette, great to catch up with. Again, thank you so much for your time.

Thank you Peter. Great to be on again.

Thank you Peter. Great to be on again.

Five day track.

Five day track.

Yes. So it's in New Zealand. So in the far north of the South Island of New Zealand. We're going to be trekking through the Abel Tasman National Park and having a wonderful time there. Um, quite a few of the other trekkers have got low vision and yeah, it's going to be great time, but it's, um, not just about the trek, it's about raising money for Vision Australia. They're quality living groups.

Yes. So it's in New Zealand. So in the far north of the South Island of New Zealand. We're going to be trekking through the Abel Tasman National Park and having a wonderful time there. Um, quite a few of the other trekkers have got low vision and yeah, it's going to be great time, but it's, um, not just about the trek, it's about raising money for Vision Australia. They're quality living groups.

We'll come to that in a second. What made you decide to do this? Because these have happened before, haven't they? Have you considered them before? And this time you've said yes. Or how did that all play out?

We'll come to that in a second. What made you decide to do this? Because these have happened before, haven't they? Have you considered them before? And this time you've said yes. Or how did that all play out?

Well, I hadn't, uh, ever done a trek like this before. Well, actually, I have never done a trek as such before, but I got a member of Vision Australia. So I got one of their emails and I had a look and I thought, I really love to do that and I'm so glad I signed up for it because it's something different and it will help, not just the people who are actually doing the trek to, uh, have a lovely time and get to meet some other people that are in the same position as themselves, but also to help other people.

Well, I hadn't, uh, ever done a trek like this before. Well, actually, I have never done a trek as such before, but I got a member of Vision Australia. So I got one of their emails and I had a look and I thought, I really love to do that and I'm so glad I signed up for it because it's something different and it will help, not just the people who are actually doing the trek to, uh, have a lovely time and get to meet some other people that are in the same position as themselves, but also to help other people.

That we've spoken to a few times. And you are a very active person and you like the outdoors, so you're going to be in your element and that.

That we've spoken to a few times. And you are a very active person and you like the outdoors, so you're going to be in your element and that.

Oh, absolutely.

Oh, absolutely.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yes.

Yes.

Tell us about what you know about it. I'm thinking that there's probably a few things that you don't know, or that you're going to find out as you go.

Tell us about what you know about it. I'm thinking that there's probably a few things that you don't know, or that you're going to find out as you go.

Uh, well, there's going to be a lot of different landscapes. Um, we'll be, uh, walking through lush beech forest and rata forests, and we'll be going through beaches on some days. There may be an opportunity to do some canoeing to get one from one location to the next. If we feel that we have done enough walking and there'll be, uh, will be picked up each day from the last point of the location and then taken to our accommodation. So it's not going to be really hard. Nice. We're going to have nice accommodation, but the days will be quite an effort because we'll be walking 53km over the five days.

Uh, well, there's going to be a lot of different landscapes. Um, we'll be, uh, walking through lush beech forest and rata forests, and we'll be going through beaches on some days. There may be an opportunity to do some canoeing to get one from one location to the next. If we feel that we have done enough walking and there'll be, uh, will be picked up each day from the last point of the location and then taken to our accommodation. So it's not going to be really hard. Nice. We're going to have nice accommodation, but the days will be quite an effort because we'll be walking 53km over the five days.

Yeah. Now, um, for those that might have missed our chats in the past, tell us a bit about your vision impairment. How much sight have you got? Have you got enough sight to kind of take in some of the, you know, sights that you'll be going through?

Yeah. Now, um, for those that might have missed our chats in the past, tell us a bit about your vision impairment. How much sight have you got? Have you got enough sight to kind of take in some of the, you know, sights that you'll be going through?

Yes, I have I've got retinitis pigmentosa. So my vision is like looking through a pinhole. I've got about 6% of my vision left. Unfortunately, my visual acuity, which is the bit that's left in the middle, is starting to, um, be compromised at the moment. And, uh, so I'm starting to lose my colors a bit, but it's degenerative and for me it's been quite slow, so I'll still be able to take in some of the sides. It just takes a lot of concentration, moving my head around a lot, that kind of thing. But it will be great. It's just the fact about being there and being able to do some of these things that we've often been told that we can't do or we shouldn't do, because it would be too difficult for us. So, uh, it's. Yeah, all of those.

Yes, I have I've got retinitis pigmentosa. So my vision is like looking through a pinhole. I've got about 6% of my vision left. Unfortunately, my visual acuity, which is the bit that's left in the middle, is starting to, um, be compromised at the moment. And, uh, so I'm starting to lose my colors a bit, but it's degenerative and for me it's been quite slow, so I'll still be able to take in some of the sides. It just takes a lot of concentration, moving my head around a lot, that kind of thing. But it will be great. It's just the fact about being there and being able to do some of these things that we've often been told that we can't do or we shouldn't do, because it would be too difficult for us. So, uh, it's. Yeah, all of those.

Great message. Now, I know from our chats in the past you've got very good hearing or you've got very good listening skills, so I'm sure they'll be coming to the fore.

Great message. Now, I know from our chats in the past you've got very good hearing or you've got very good listening skills, so I'm sure they'll be coming to the fore.

Oh, yes. Yes. I'm hoping.

Oh, yes. Yes. I'm hoping.

To.

To.

Be able to hear some birds that I've never heard before. So all that will be really good. I should actually read up on the birds of New Zealand in that particular area, because there may be some species. Well, there will be species that I've never heard of before. So. Yeah, it'd be good to know about those, I'm sure.

Be able to hear some birds that I've never heard before. So all that will be really good. I should actually read up on the birds of New Zealand in that particular area, because there may be some species. Well, there will be species that I've never heard of before. So. Yeah, it'd be good to know about those, I'm sure.

And what are you doing it on your own? Uh, as in, are you doing it? Uh, are you the only one doing it? That kind of, you know. Or are you doing it on a with a group of other people? How does that all work?

And what are you doing it on your own? Uh, as in, are you doing it? Uh, are you the only one doing it? That kind of, you know. Or are you doing it on a with a group of other people? How does that all work?

I am actually the only, I don't know any of the other people that are doing it. I've heard of one other person, but the rest of them I don't know. That's another thing that I'm really looking forward to.

I am actually the only, I don't know any of the other people that are doing it. I've heard of one other person, but the rest of them I don't know. That's another thing that I'm really looking forward to.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Always enjoy meeting more people who have, um, similar or, you know, vision impairments. I really enjoy that because it, uh, it's a, you know, you grow from that. And a lot of the friendships I will make on this trip, I'm hoping that we will be able to continue those friendships, even though we're not all in the same area we've got. We're coming from different parts of Victoria, but, um, we'll all meet together on the 29th of April at Nelson, where we will start the trek. And that that is when I will meet all of the other people for the first time.

Always enjoy meeting more people who have, um, similar or, you know, vision impairments. I really enjoy that because it, uh, it's a, you know, you grow from that. And a lot of the friendships I will make on this trip, I'm hoping that we will be able to continue those friendships, even though we're not all in the same area we've got. We're coming from different parts of Victoria, but, um, we'll all meet together on the 29th of April at Nelson, where we will start the trek. And that that is when I will meet all of the other people for the first time.

Fantastic. What about as far as preparation for it? Have you he been told, or if he had any sort of quote unquote professional advice as to how to prepare, or are you just doing what you think you might need or how do you approach that?

Fantastic. What about as far as preparation for it? Have you he been told, or if he had any sort of quote unquote professional advice as to how to prepare, or are you just doing what you think you might need or how do you approach that?

Well, we've just been advised to just keep active and do as much as we can every day as part of our training regime. So I've been trying to walk at least eight kilometres a day.

Well, we've just been advised to just keep active and do as much as we can every day as part of our training regime. So I've been trying to walk at least eight kilometres a day.

Mhm.

Mhm.

Uh, and just around the area where I live, and there's a three park walk that I do once a week in the Glenora area. They have a lot of parks in the area where I live. And uh, I've also joined the Achilles, uh, walking running club, which is specifically for people who are blind or visually impaired. So I do my weekly run around the town in Melbourne, which I'm really enjoying, and meeting lots of other people through that. But my, um, greatest achievement was to, uh, walk, uh, to the top of Mount Wellington in Hobart. So every year on the last week of November. Last Sunday of November, there is a walk up to the top of Mount Wellington. Some people run. It's supposed to be the world's toughest half marathon, so it's 21.5km to the top. But that's only for people who are running. It's a marathon, but I actually walked it and I was absolutely, uh, very, very pleased with that achievement. This might be my greatest achievement. So after doing that, I've stepped up my training every day. So just to be really fit for this, this try.

Uh, and just around the area where I live, and there's a three park walk that I do once a week in the Glenora area. They have a lot of parks in the area where I live. And uh, I've also joined the Achilles, uh, walking running club, which is specifically for people who are blind or visually impaired. So I do my weekly run around the town in Melbourne, which I'm really enjoying, and meeting lots of other people through that. But my, um, greatest achievement was to, uh, walk, uh, to the top of Mount Wellington in Hobart. So every year on the last week of November. Last Sunday of November, there is a walk up to the top of Mount Wellington. Some people run. It's supposed to be the world's toughest half marathon, so it's 21.5km to the top. But that's only for people who are running. It's a marathon, but I actually walked it and I was absolutely, uh, very, very pleased with that achievement. This might be my greatest achievement. So after doing that, I've stepped up my training every day. So just to be really fit for this, this try.

To do it. After doing that, this New Zealand thing is going to be just a snack. Yeah, yeah, actually I don't talk about myself in it, but I've also been to the top of Mount Wellington. I went in a bus.

To do it. After doing that, this New Zealand thing is going to be just a snack. Yeah, yeah, actually I don't talk about myself in it, but I've also been to the top of Mount Wellington. I went in a bus.

Oh good on you.

Oh good on you.

And we actually we did actually get out and sort of, uh, climb to the top of that particular peak. But, uh, yeah, we went, uh, mainly by bus, but certainly, uh, yeah, it was we went in the middle of summer. It was still quite cold. And so I wouldn't say snow, but a little bit of, uh, kind of, uh, sleet that was coming down, so. Yeah. Yeah.

And we actually we did actually get out and sort of, uh, climb to the top of that particular peak. But, uh, yeah, we went, uh, mainly by bus, but certainly, uh, yeah, it was we went in the middle of summer. It was still quite cold. And so I wouldn't say snow, but a little bit of, uh, kind of, uh, sleet that was coming down, so. Yeah. Yeah.

Oh, fantastic. I'm really happy to hear that. I will be going that way every other time from now on that I go to mount up to the top of Mount Wellington. I will be going in a bus. Someone will be driving me in a car.

Oh, fantastic. I'm really happy to hear that. I will be going that way every other time from now on that I go to mount up to the top of Mount Wellington. I will be going in a bus. Someone will be driving me in a car.

So actually, I do remember on a serious note that, uh, when the way down there was, uh, well, I guess pretty treacherous. And so the weather conditions weren't great. And, you know, the bus driver was, uh, well, I think he was quite pleased that he got us all down quite safely, because, uh, it's got a bit of a reputation. Anyway, enough about, uh, that. Now, you said it's for a great cause. This, uh, five day trek of New Zealand. Tell us a bit about that.

So actually, I do remember on a serious note that, uh, when the way down there was, uh, well, I guess pretty treacherous. And so the weather conditions weren't great. And, you know, the bus driver was, uh, well, I think he was quite pleased that he got us all down quite safely, because, uh, it's got a bit of a reputation. Anyway, enough about, uh, that. Now, you said it's for a great cause. This, uh, five day trek of New Zealand. Tell us a bit about that.

So we're raising money for, uh, quality living groups that are run by Vision Australia. So, as we know, Vision Australia is a not for profit organisation. So we need to raise money to keep the programs afloat. Uh, so each participant on the trek has a goal, a fundraising goal of $3,500. I'm almost there. Some people have raised well over that amount by having different shows and concerts and things like that, to raise the money that I've raised so far. I've got about $100 to go, but I've had, uh, for online trivia's and uh, I've had, um, I've advertised it on social media and I've done a lot of emails and text messages and got some lovely donations, uh, that way. But my, um, last fundraising event, which is coming up on the 15th of April, I'm going to host my own Easter variety show, um, for Trek provision. So if, uh, there are anyone. Yeah. Is anyone listening that knows me and knows the area, you're quite welcome to come. It's on. Uh, I'm doing a bit of advertising now at 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the 15th of April, and. Oh, I'm sorry.

So we're raising money for, uh, quality living groups that are run by Vision Australia. So, as we know, Vision Australia is a not for profit organisation. So we need to raise money to keep the programs afloat. Uh, so each participant on the trek has a goal, a fundraising goal of $3,500. I'm almost there. Some people have raised well over that amount by having different shows and concerts and things like that, to raise the money that I've raised so far. I've got about $100 to go, but I've had, uh, for online trivia's and uh, I've had, um, I've advertised it on social media and I've done a lot of emails and text messages and got some lovely donations, uh, that way. But my, um, last fundraising event, which is coming up on the 15th of April, I'm going to host my own Easter variety show, um, for Trek provision. So if, uh, there are anyone. Yeah. Is anyone listening that knows me and knows the area, you're quite welcome to come. It's on. Uh, I'm doing a bit of advertising now at 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the 15th of April, and. Oh, I'm sorry.

It's a Tuesday.

It's a Tuesday.

Yes, yes. And so, um, people would like to come. It's just a $10 donation to support Vision Australia quality living groups. But if you want to donate more, that will be fantastic. And so I've got a couple of great acts. I've got two people. Am I allowed to mention names? I'm sure I won't, but Janine. Sardou.

Yes, yes. And so, um, people would like to come. It's just a $10 donation to support Vision Australia quality living groups. But if you want to donate more, that will be fantastic. And so I've got a couple of great acts. I've got two people. Am I allowed to mention names? I'm sure I won't, but Janine. Sardou.

Oh, Janine.

Oh, Janine.

Janine is going to be playing.

Janine is going to be playing.

What a.

What a.

Trooper. Sorry.

Trooper. Sorry.

What? She's an absolute trooper, Janine.

What? She's an absolute trooper, Janine.

She is. And I met Janine in 2018 at the Quality Living Group. Okay. That absolutely changed my life. I moved over from Tasmania.

She is. And I met Janine in 2018 at the Quality Living Group. Okay. That absolutely changed my life. I moved over from Tasmania.

Right?

Right?

That was the first thing I did was join the Quality Living group. And, uh, Janine was doing peer support there, and we've been friends ever since. And she's going to play piano and sing at my variety show. And the other person is Alan Bartlett. I don't know if anyone know of Alan, but he's a fantastic musician as well, and he's going to be playing guitar and he's going to be singing Drive by the Cars, and we're going to have a general knowledge trivia. And, uh, I've got a very small harp, so I'm going to share it around in a section that I've called. Everyone can be a musician and we plenty of Easter eggs. I'm going to be buying a couple of thousand Easter eggs.

That was the first thing I did was join the Quality Living group. And, uh, Janine was doing peer support there, and we've been friends ever since. And she's going to play piano and sing at my variety show. And the other person is Alan Bartlett. I don't know if anyone know of Alan, but he's a fantastic musician as well, and he's going to be playing guitar and he's going to be singing Drive by the Cars, and we're going to have a general knowledge trivia. And, uh, I've got a very small harp, so I'm going to share it around in a section that I've called. Everyone can be a musician and we plenty of Easter eggs. I'm going to be buying a couple of thousand Easter eggs.

Oh, good. That's amazing. That's just before Easter, of course. Yeah. Yeah. So, uh, it's it's, uh, online or it's, uh, at a physical place.

Oh, good. That's amazing. That's just before Easter, of course. Yeah. Yeah. So, uh, it's it's, uh, online or it's, uh, at a physical place.

Oh, no, actually, at Vision Australia. Okay. Yeah. Um, so if anyone would like to come, maybe I could share my email address somehow or other, because we'll need to know. Uh, I've hired a room there in Australia, so we will need to know how many chairs to set up and all that sort of thing. But it would be great if we could get some more people there.

Oh, no, actually, at Vision Australia. Okay. Yeah. Um, so if anyone would like to come, maybe I could share my email address somehow or other, because we'll need to know. Uh, I've hired a room there in Australia, so we will need to know how many chairs to set up and all that sort of thing. But it would be great if we could get some more people there.

Yeah. Do you want to give that email address on air or we just put it?

Yeah. Do you want to give that email address on air or we just put it?

Yes. Yes, that'd be great.

Yes. Yes, that'd be great.

Yeah. Go. Yep.

Yeah. Go. Yep.

Nettie n e double TE617 7@gmail.com.

Nettie n e double TE617 7@gmail.com.

All right. We'll also put that up with our show notes. So if people have missed it they can check it out there and always give us a call if they missed it and that good luck. It sounds fantastic. And we had a quick chat before coming to air, and I said it'd be good to catch up with you after the event as well. So probably, I guess the middle of may give you a chance to catch your breath and get your land legs back, as it were. We'd love to catch up and you can tell us how it all goes.

All right. We'll also put that up with our show notes. So if people have missed it they can check it out there and always give us a call if they missed it and that good luck. It sounds fantastic. And we had a quick chat before coming to air, and I said it'd be good to catch up with you after the event as well. So probably, I guess the middle of may give you a chance to catch your breath and get your land legs back, as it were. We'd love to catch up and you can tell us how it all goes.

I would love to do that. Peter, thank you so much.

I would love to do that. Peter, thank you so much.

And you're doing it for a great cause, doing that quality of living and that, I guess, encouraging independence and sharing. Um, yeah. Lived experience is so important. So good luck and we wish you all thanks for speaking to us. Always great to speak to you and that you light up our well, our evening as it is at this station.

And you're doing it for a great cause, doing that quality of living and that, I guess, encouraging independence and sharing. Um, yeah. Lived experience is so important. So good luck and we wish you all thanks for speaking to us. Always great to speak to you and that you light up our well, our evening as it is at this station.

Great. Thank you Peter, I enjoy talking to you too. Thank you so much.

Great. Thank you Peter, I enjoy talking to you too. Thank you so much.

Yeah, that's at least one. That will be fantastic. Well, both the concert on April the 15th and then the, uh, the five day trek, a little bit different, but certainly very, very important as well. Any details? Either go to our show notes or get in touch with us here at the radio station.

Yeah, that's at least one. That will be fantastic. Well, both the concert on April the 15th and then the, uh, the five day trek, a little bit different, but certainly very, very important as well. Any details? Either go to our show notes or get in touch with us here at the radio station.