Hi, I'm Colleen Ashby, gold medallist for Australia at the World Transplant Games in Perth. And you're listening to Leisure Link with Peter Greco for the Vision Australia Radio Network. To.

Hi, I'm Colleen Ashby, gold medallist for Australia at the World Transplant Games in Perth. And you're listening to Leisure Link with Peter Greco for the Vision Australia Radio Network. To.

It's just gone 5:00.

It's just gone 5:00.

As we channel a little bit of Herman's Hermits and all over the world, there's a bit of a hush.

As we channel a little bit of Herman's Hermits and all over the world, there's a bit of a hush.

Because I've got a walking mutilation link here on Vicious Radio Radio 1197 and Adelaide.

Because I've got a walking mutilation link here on Vicious Radio Radio 1197 and Adelaide.

Via radio.org.

Via radio.org.

On the Internet.

On the Internet.

Via Radio Digital in Darwin, Victoria. To our friends at the Top End.

Via Radio Digital in Darwin, Victoria. To our friends at the Top End.

The Radio Digital in Adelaide.

The Radio Digital in Adelaide.

Through the tune in radio app, look for Vision Australia, Radio Adelaide, your favourite podcast or streaming service? Peter Greco saying Great to be with you again. Welcome to the program. Coming up very shortly, we'll speak to Colleen Ashby, who's just taking part in the World Transplant Games, wrapping up in Perth as we speak. Then catch up with Roland Crothers. He's just competed at the Australian Swimming Championships on the Gold Coast. How did Ron go? How will he qualify for the world Championships?

Through the tune in radio app, look for Vision Australia, Radio Adelaide, your favourite podcast or streaming service? Peter Greco saying Great to be with you again. Welcome to the program. Coming up very shortly, we'll speak to Colleen Ashby, who's just taking part in the World Transplant Games, wrapping up in Perth as we speak. Then catch up with Roland Crothers. He's just competed at the Australian Swimming Championships on the Gold Coast. How did Ron go? How will he qualify for the world Championships?

We spoke to Damian Pitts from.

We spoke to Damian Pitts from.

Seed Differently at the RSP about E-vehicles and also E-scooters, an international guide Dog Day. Coming up on Wednesday, we'll also catch up with Adriana Petrakis. She's off to the Global Games. Lots of touring happening at the moment. Adriana performing and competing in the sport of tennis. We speak to Luciana Posa from the Personal Support Service at Vision Australia, where you get 360 pages of your favourite material transcribed into your preferred format. Tanya de Jong will join us from the Driftwood musical. That's coming up very shortly in Melbourne and Sydney. A chance for you to go along. We'll also catch up with Bradley Swain from Crime Stoppers. Victoria. Illicit drugs is Brad's topic, and Michael and Jeremy will join us. He's from Specsavers. He's an optometrist. A lot of people, sadly, are neglecting their eye and ear checkups. We'll find out.

Seed Differently at the RSP about E-vehicles and also E-scooters, an international guide Dog Day. Coming up on Wednesday, we'll also catch up with Adriana Petrakis. She's off to the Global Games. Lots of touring happening at the moment. Adriana performing and competing in the sport of tennis. We speak to Luciana Posa from the Personal Support Service at Vision Australia, where you get 360 pages of your favourite material transcribed into your preferred format. Tanya de Jong will join us from the Driftwood musical. That's coming up very shortly in Melbourne and Sydney. A chance for you to go along. We'll also catch up with Bradley Swain from Crime Stoppers. Victoria. Illicit drugs is Brad's topic, and Michael and Jeremy will join us. He's from Specsavers. He's an optometrist. A lot of people, sadly, are neglecting their eye and ear checkups. We'll find out.

More about that.

More about that.

And our radiothon is on one (300) 847-4061. 308 47466. Anything over $2 is tax deductible. You can ring that number right now. Leave a message. We'll call you back and we'll take your money. Well, a big event has been taking place in.

And our radiothon is on one (300) 847-4061. 308 47466. Anything over $2 is tax deductible. You can ring that number right now. Leave a message. We'll call you back and we'll take your money. Well, a big event has been taking place in.

Perth this week, the World Transplant Games. Let's find out how it's going and speak to Colleen Ashley. Colleen, lovely to meet you. Thank you for your time. Thank you.

Perth this week, the World Transplant Games. Let's find out how it's going and speak to Colleen Ashley. Colleen, lovely to meet you. Thank you for your time. Thank you.

Peter. I'm glad to be here.

Peter. I'm glad to be here.

Has it been is this your first world Transplant Games?

Has it been is this your first world Transplant Games?

Yes, I did the Australian Games five years ago, but this is the first World Games that I've done and it is just amazing here.

Yes, I did the Australian Games five years ago, but this is the first World Games that I've done and it is just amazing here.

They called the world guys. It's a it's been a big deal, I tell you, read up a little bit about it, you know, quite realise how big a deal this is in terms of countries and athletes.

They called the world guys. It's a it's been a big deal, I tell you, read up a little bit about it, you know, quite realise how big a deal this is in terms of countries and athletes.

Yeah. There's 45 countries that have come over and athletes. We've got about 2000 athletes from everywhere around the world. It's amazing.

Yeah. There's 45 countries that have come over and athletes. We've got about 2000 athletes from everywhere around the world. It's amazing.

And what's the atmosphere been like.

And what's the atmosphere been like.

The transplant community? It's hard to describe, but it has. I think everybody is so grateful for having been given that gift of life and grateful that they're alive and everybody has just encourages everybody else is very welcoming, sharing stories. And that's what it's all about, is sharing. Everybody's had a tough time getting here. And just when you're hearing people talk about what they've gone through, it makes you realize that you're just not alone. Yeah. So it's just great. Overwhelmingly. Just beautiful. That's a.

The transplant community? It's hard to describe, but it has. I think everybody is so grateful for having been given that gift of life and grateful that they're alive and everybody has just encourages everybody else is very welcoming, sharing stories. And that's what it's all about, is sharing. Everybody's had a tough time getting here. And just when you're hearing people talk about what they've gone through, it makes you realize that you're just not alone. Yeah. So it's just great. Overwhelmingly. Just beautiful. That's a.

Lovely message. Well, you talked about sharing. Would you like to share your story with us about your transplant?

Lovely message. Well, you talked about sharing. Would you like to share your story with us about your transplant?

Yeah. So I had a heart transplant six years ago now here at Fiona Stanley. And from complications of the heart transplant, I finished up sort of losing my vision, but a small price to pay. And I've got my beautiful seeing eye dog Jan with me. That is that all the games. And so yeah, from my heart transplant I found out about the the games and sort of made that passion to go swimming which with vision I can do that. And so I tend to swim in the games.

Yeah. So I had a heart transplant six years ago now here at Fiona Stanley. And from complications of the heart transplant, I finished up sort of losing my vision, but a small price to pay. And I've got my beautiful seeing eye dog Jan with me. That is that all the games. And so yeah, from my heart transplant I found out about the the games and sort of made that passion to go swimming which with vision I can do that. And so I tend to swim in the games.

And you've done okay?

And you've done okay?

Yes. On day one of the games I got a silver and a bronze. The silver was for the 100 free and the bronze was for the backstroke, 50 meter backstroke. And then on day two I finished up getting a gold for the 100 backstroke. So it was amazing. Yeah, it was good.

Yes. On day one of the games I got a silver and a bronze. The silver was for the 100 free and the bronze was for the backstroke, 50 meter backstroke. And then on day two I finished up getting a gold for the 100 backstroke. So it was amazing. Yeah, it was good.

Yeah. Were you a swimmer before a transplant? Colleen?

Yeah. Were you a swimmer before a transplant? Colleen?

I used to swim when I was much younger, and then I stopped swimming when I was about 30 because of shoulder issues. And so I hadn't actually swum for about 20 years, but. After I had the heart transplant. I don't know if it's from actually physically having my chest cracked open for four days in an ICU while the new heart wasn't starting up and everything just relaxed. I have no idea. Maybe it was like some higher power beyond me. Thought Well, we've given her a new engine, let's give her a chassis that can go with it. But anyway, yeah. By the time I got to the CCU on the hospital, sort of a few weeks later, I could reach my arms up and I thought, Oh, okay, with this, I think I could be able to swim. So that's how I found the pool after 20 years was from the heart transplant. Jerry That's an.

I used to swim when I was much younger, and then I stopped swimming when I was about 30 because of shoulder issues. And so I hadn't actually swum for about 20 years, but. After I had the heart transplant. I don't know if it's from actually physically having my chest cracked open for four days in an ICU while the new heart wasn't starting up and everything just relaxed. I have no idea. Maybe it was like some higher power beyond me. Thought Well, we've given her a new engine, let's give her a chassis that can go with it. But anyway, yeah. By the time I got to the CCU on the hospital, sort of a few weeks later, I could reach my arms up and I thought, Oh, okay, with this, I think I could be able to swim. So that's how I found the pool after 20 years was from the heart transplant. Jerry That's an.

Incredible story, isn't it?

Incredible story, isn't it?

Um, yeah. Yeah, it's it's great. And the other, the other part that's also been a bit of a journey for me is in the last 18 months, I've had my left shoulder replaced twice for trying to get to the games. And they said I'd never be able to do freestyle. But through determination and doing all the right stuff, I'm swimming all strokes in the pool. So even the orthopedics are very happy with me.

Um, yeah. Yeah, it's it's great. And the other, the other part that's also been a bit of a journey for me is in the last 18 months, I've had my left shoulder replaced twice for trying to get to the games. And they said I'd never be able to do freestyle. But through determination and doing all the right stuff, I'm swimming all strokes in the pool. So even the orthopedics are very happy with me.

You're defying medical wisdom.

You're defying medical wisdom.

That's it. That's it. You've got to do that. You can't ever let doctors tell you what you can't do.

That's it. That's it. You've got to do that. You can't ever let doctors tell you what you can't do.

Yeah. Actually, on a serious note, though, after your transplant, in particular with doctors kind of encouraging you to get involved with sport and to to be more active kind of, you know, a healthy lifestyle.

Yeah. Actually, on a serious note, though, after your transplant, in particular with doctors kind of encouraging you to get involved with sport and to to be more active kind of, you know, a healthy lifestyle.

Definitely. That's actually part of what this whole World Games or any of the Australian Games are about, is anybody post-transplant is getting active and leading a healthy life. And so they call it transplant active and they have a lot of programs of like walking, running, meeting together and just trying to get people up because most of them are so sick beforehand that they haven't been able to do things for years. And now to be able to exercise and enjoy life and compete is just, yeah, a sort of something that people had never been able to do. So you find most transplants are all very active.

Definitely. That's actually part of what this whole World Games or any of the Australian Games are about, is anybody post-transplant is getting active and leading a healthy life. And so they call it transplant active and they have a lot of programs of like walking, running, meeting together and just trying to get people up because most of them are so sick beforehand that they haven't been able to do things for years. And now to be able to exercise and enjoy life and compete is just, yeah, a sort of something that people had never been able to do. So you find most transplants are all very active.

Do you know? And I don't expect you to know, but any idea like a max of 2000 athletes, what would be the most common organ recipient?

Do you know? And I don't expect you to know, but any idea like a max of 2000 athletes, what would be the most common organ recipient?

I would say liver and kidneys. Yeah. There's sort of quite a few lungs and few hearts. But liver and kidneys, I think, are the most common transplant. And there's also quite a few bone marrow transplants and stem cell, which I hadn't actually heard about their stories before, but they actually have a real journey as well. Quite a struggle to get to get where they are.

I would say liver and kidneys. Yeah. There's sort of quite a few lungs and few hearts. But liver and kidneys, I think, are the most common transplant. And there's also quite a few bone marrow transplants and stem cell, which I hadn't actually heard about their stories before, but they actually have a real journey as well. Quite a struggle to get to get where they are.

Yeah, of course. You know, part of the challenge is the fact that, you know, you can be sick and sort of qualify, quote unquote, for a transplant, but then it's, you know, the right donor coming along at the right time.

Yeah, of course. You know, part of the challenge is the fact that, you know, you can be sick and sort of qualify, quote unquote, for a transplant, but then it's, you know, the right donor coming along at the right time.

That's right. And that's the other message. What these games are about is the community awareness out there of saying that we haven't got enough donors listed and that there's so many people waiting for transplants. And if they could just if they're thinking about it, to take action and do it, if they just go to the Donate Life app, it's all there. Very easy. Takes one minute to register as a donor and then you can give the biggest gift of life and leave a legacy for yourself or your loved ones.

That's right. And that's the other message. What these games are about is the community awareness out there of saying that we haven't got enough donors listed and that there's so many people waiting for transplants. And if they could just if they're thinking about it, to take action and do it, if they just go to the Donate Life app, it's all there. Very easy. Takes one minute to register as a donor and then you can give the biggest gift of life and leave a legacy for yourself or your loved ones.

2000 athletes in Perth this this week have kind of been demonstrating that, haven't they?

2000 athletes in Perth this this week have kind of been demonstrating that, haven't they?

Exactly. And it's also to show people that people that have been transplanted, they do have a very active and successful life. And, you know, some people have had new hearts livers for like 30 years and of living on to see grandchildren and their kids grow up. And so it's well worth to get on that donor list and, you know, make somebody else have a life when your loved ones are gone, they live on.

Exactly. And it's also to show people that people that have been transplanted, they do have a very active and successful life. And, you know, some people have had new hearts livers for like 30 years and of living on to see grandchildren and their kids grow up. And so it's well worth to get on that donor list and, you know, make somebody else have a life when your loved ones are gone, they live on.

Sure. Colleen, how do you get on now as far as medication, anti-rejection medication, that sort of thing goes that Are you kind of on that for life or how does that work?

Sure. Colleen, how do you get on now as far as medication, anti-rejection medication, that sort of thing goes that Are you kind of on that for life or how does that work?

Yeah. No. So you have to be on that for life because it's still a foreign body within you. And if you take those anti rejection drugs away, yeah, you'll definitely go into rejection. So that's a lifelong commitment. You have to you have to stick with but small price to pay, you know, and it does settle down after a while.

Yeah. No. So you have to be on that for life because it's still a foreign body within you. And if you take those anti rejection drugs away, yeah, you'll definitely go into rejection. So that's a lifelong commitment. You have to you have to stick with but small price to pay, you know, and it does settle down after a while.

I'd love to chat to you another time because I'd like to explore the situation with you losing your sight after the transplant. But we're out of time for this time. But maybe well, I've got your details, so we're starting to get you back to talk more about that. Congratulations on your gold medal and your silver and your bronze. So you've got a full set there, which is a lovely achievement. Enjoy the rest of the time at the games and hopefully we can, as I say, catch up with you the future. We appreciate you spending a bit of time with us this week. Oh, I'd.

I'd love to chat to you another time because I'd like to explore the situation with you losing your sight after the transplant. But we're out of time for this time. But maybe well, I've got your details, so we're starting to get you back to talk more about that. Congratulations on your gold medal and your silver and your bronze. So you've got a full set there, which is a lovely achievement. Enjoy the rest of the time at the games and hopefully we can, as I say, catch up with you the future. We appreciate you spending a bit of time with us this week. Oh, I'd.

Love to, Peter, and thank you very much for having me on your radio.

Love to, Peter, and thank you very much for having me on your radio.

There she goes. That's Colleen Ashby there, a gold medalist, a silver and a bronze at the World Transplant Games held this week in Perth. And, well, congratulations to all those that have taken part. A very positive story and great of Colleen to share her time with us this afternoon.

There she goes. That's Colleen Ashby there, a gold medalist, a silver and a bronze at the World Transplant Games held this week in Perth. And, well, congratulations to all those that have taken part. A very positive story and great of Colleen to share her time with us this afternoon.

You're.

You're.

Listening to Vision Australia Radio in Adelaide on 1190 7 a.m..

Listening to Vision Australia Radio in Adelaide on 1190 7 a.m..

It's always great catching up with Jamie and perhaps the executive director for See Differently at the RSP. Damien, welcome. Good to catch up again.

It's always great catching up with Jamie and perhaps the executive director for See Differently at the RSP. Damien, welcome. Good to catch up again.

Thanks Peter. Great to be here. I mean, we.

Thanks Peter. Great to be here. I mean, we.

Start on a very sad note.

Start on a very sad note.

We do Peter and, and appreciate the opportunity just to highlight the incredible support we received from for many people in the community, in this case, Operation Unity, which is a group of veterans and their supporters and families who have for many years supported, supported us with fundraising, particularly around the PTSD dogs that we do for veterans. And so one of their fundraising activities last week was to do a Kokoda Trek. And unfortunately, one of their members died on that trek in very tragic circumstances. And so we absolutely, absolutely send our sympathy out to his family and his colleagues and the Operation Unity Brotherhood, because Paul Miller was a was a wonderful supporter of Operation Unity and our programs. And he was on the trek with his son when the unfortunate happened. So certainly just wanted to just to highlight what an incredible man he was and the great things he did for the community and for veterans in the community. So we we send our heartfelt condolences out to to his family and to his colleagues.

We do Peter and, and appreciate the opportunity just to highlight the incredible support we received from for many people in the community, in this case, Operation Unity, which is a group of veterans and their supporters and families who have for many years supported, supported us with fundraising, particularly around the PTSD dogs that we do for veterans. And so one of their fundraising activities last week was to do a Kokoda Trek. And unfortunately, one of their members died on that trek in very tragic circumstances. And so we absolutely, absolutely send our sympathy out to his family and his colleagues and the Operation Unity Brotherhood, because Paul Miller was a was a wonderful supporter of Operation Unity and our programs. And he was on the trek with his son when the unfortunate happened. So certainly just wanted to just to highlight what an incredible man he was and the great things he did for the community and for veterans in the community. So we we send our heartfelt condolences out to to his family and to his colleagues.

Send our deepest sympathies to anyone that knew Paul and indeed his family. You must be a very, very tough time at the moment. So our thoughts are very much with them. So thank you for mentioning that as well. Damian Last week we caught up with the Minister, Joe, from the Government, about the fact that they were launching a your say or consultation with E-scooters in mind. I must admit when I first heard that a little bit of chill went up my spine. But it's not about me. So what about at sea differently? What are your thoughts about something like this? Yeah.

Send our deepest sympathies to anyone that knew Paul and indeed his family. You must be a very, very tough time at the moment. So our thoughts are very much with them. So thank you for mentioning that as well. Damian Last week we caught up with the Minister, Joe, from the Government, about the fact that they were launching a your say or consultation with E-scooters in mind. I must admit when I first heard that a little bit of chill went up my spine. But it's not about me. So what about at sea differently? What are your thoughts about something like this? Yeah.

Look, we really welcome the opportunity for consultation. We've been pushing this issue for a number of years, really since the introduction of E-scooters because they have that silent but deadly capacity. And being on footpaths, we we find particularly as we located in the city, that, you know, many of our clients stumble across them. They're not expecting it to be there. They're not in any particular confined space. You know, we've pushed for them to be in sort of scooter parks and things, but that's fallen on deaf ears. And obviously a number of operators over the years who we respect their ability to run a business and have an opportunity. But it's more about, I suppose, the unintended consequences, particularly for the blind vision impaired community, which we're really keen to improve that experience and lessen the impact it's having. The other part is obviously the access on the footpath is designed for the scooter riders safety, but it doesn't necessarily provide for the the blind vision impaired person safety. And that's the bit that we're probably most concerned about is that it's, it just has this unintended consequence of imperiling our constituents. So we're really keen that there'd be a bit more done on that and that it be actually administered rather than just swept aside.

Look, we really welcome the opportunity for consultation. We've been pushing this issue for a number of years, really since the introduction of E-scooters because they have that silent but deadly capacity. And being on footpaths, we we find particularly as we located in the city, that, you know, many of our clients stumble across them. They're not expecting it to be there. They're not in any particular confined space. You know, we've pushed for them to be in sort of scooter parks and things, but that's fallen on deaf ears. And obviously a number of operators over the years who we respect their ability to run a business and have an opportunity. But it's more about, I suppose, the unintended consequences, particularly for the blind vision impaired community, which we're really keen to improve that experience and lessen the impact it's having. The other part is obviously the access on the footpath is designed for the scooter riders safety, but it doesn't necessarily provide for the the blind vision impaired person safety. And that's the bit that we're probably most concerned about is that it's, it just has this unintended consequence of imperiling our constituents. So we're really keen that there'd be a bit more done on that and that it be actually administered rather than just swept aside.

In terms of the consultation, can I assume that the sea definitely will be putting forward a submission?

In terms of the consultation, can I assume that the sea definitely will be putting forward a submission?

We certainly will be, yes. Yes, absolutely. And we're also encouraging all of our clients and supporters and and constituents to also provide submissions, particularly around personal experience, because, you know, I see it quite regularly. And one of our long time employees, Michael Dennis, who's played cricket for Australia over 60 times and, you know, quite an agile, agile man, he still stumbles into them and hits them and falls over them. And so I'm going, well, if Mark, who's who's pretty quick on his feet having trouble, what about everybody else? So we would encourage all of your listeners to to just jump on the on the link and just put some comments in there. We'll have family and friends assist to to put those comments forth because it's quite an annoying issue really. I think for many people.

We certainly will be, yes. Yes, absolutely. And we're also encouraging all of our clients and supporters and and constituents to also provide submissions, particularly around personal experience, because, you know, I see it quite regularly. And one of our long time employees, Michael Dennis, who's played cricket for Australia over 60 times and, you know, quite an agile, agile man, he still stumbles into them and hits them and falls over them. And so I'm going, well, if Mark, who's who's pretty quick on his feet having trouble, what about everybody else? So we would encourage all of your listeners to to just jump on the on the link and just put some comments in there. We'll have family and friends assist to to put those comments forth because it's quite an annoying issue really. I think for many people.

I mean, that is such a great point because they say Michael Young fit to healthy, you know, very agile, well versed in the area of orientation and mobility. But, you know, there are a lot of people that haven't got that either experience or have, you know, at that stage in their life. And, you know, the footpath is fairly unforgiving, unforgiving. Should you hit it?

I mean, that is such a great point because they say Michael Young fit to healthy, you know, very agile, well versed in the area of orientation and mobility. But, you know, there are a lot of people that haven't got that either experience or have, you know, at that stage in their life. And, you know, the footpath is fairly unforgiving, unforgiving. Should you hit it?

Absolutely. And then it creates other issues with breaking things and all that. And look, we spent a lot of time as as many supporters of the community in helping people with mobility, with training, with memorising routes and having access to to technology and and long canes, etcetera, to be more independent and have the ability to explore their domain and do all the things that people want to do. You just don't expect to find a scooter when you come. And so it's just one of those things that, you know, you can deal with trees and and and uneven pavement and all the other things that you've got to deal with. But this is just a moving hazard that has no real rules around it, unfortunately. You can have best of intentions and people can ask. But you know, I regularly walk around the streets and usually when I see when I try to shift it into a place that's going to be less impactful. But they they just get left strewn all across the pavement. And it's just not something that the community can in any way anticipate. And so we're really, you know, just impacting on people's independence and mobility.

Absolutely. And then it creates other issues with breaking things and all that. And look, we spent a lot of time as as many supporters of the community in helping people with mobility, with training, with memorising routes and having access to to technology and and long canes, etcetera, to be more independent and have the ability to explore their domain and do all the things that people want to do. You just don't expect to find a scooter when you come. And so it's just one of those things that, you know, you can deal with trees and and and uneven pavement and all the other things that you've got to deal with. But this is just a moving hazard that has no real rules around it, unfortunately. You can have best of intentions and people can ask. But you know, I regularly walk around the streets and usually when I see when I try to shift it into a place that's going to be less impactful. But they they just get left strewn all across the pavement. And it's just not something that the community can in any way anticipate. And so we're really, you know, just impacting on people's independence and mobility.

You make a really.

You make a really.

Good point about giving personal feedback, if you like, maybe say something about my life. Damian But I often listen particularly to Federal Parliament on the radio and it's interesting when members of Parliament get up and speak about the fact that I heard from my constituent, so on and so and they rely their story, it's very impactful to not great for the see differently organisation to put forward their consultation or their submission on our behalf. But there's nothing like a personal story to really hit home to an MP as we're talking about in this instance.

Good point about giving personal feedback, if you like, maybe say something about my life. Damian But I often listen particularly to Federal Parliament on the radio and it's interesting when members of Parliament get up and speak about the fact that I heard from my constituent, so on and so and they rely their story, it's very impactful to not great for the see differently organisation to put forward their consultation or their submission on our behalf. But there's nothing like a personal story to really hit home to an MP as we're talking about in this instance.

Look 100%, Peter. We encourage and continue to encourage our clients and and supporters and constituents to to, to share their stories. I mean, we've, we do a fair amount of that through our client advisory committee. So that's, that's really good to inform us because that's our touchstone to understand what the kind of vision impaired community needs and what we can do to continue to improve services and things. But in terms of reaching out and it can be as easy. I mean, today, you know, you can you can find your local MPs email quite simply through through the net and draft an email on whatever topic you want. So we encourage people to do that on this particular issue, of course. But at any time, because it is about lived experience is so much more powerful than many, many talking heads coming up with solutions that may or may not be relevant. Well, I think.

Look 100%, Peter. We encourage and continue to encourage our clients and and supporters and constituents to to, to share their stories. I mean, we've, we do a fair amount of that through our client advisory committee. So that's, that's really good to inform us because that's our touchstone to understand what the kind of vision impaired community needs and what we can do to continue to improve services and things. But in terms of reaching out and it can be as easy. I mean, today, you know, you can you can find your local MPs email quite simply through through the net and draft an email on whatever topic you want. So we encourage people to do that on this particular issue, of course. But at any time, because it is about lived experience is so much more powerful than many, many talking heads coming up with solutions that may or may not be relevant. Well, I think.

The in fact, I know the submissions closed on the 21st of May, so people have got a little bit of time either to get on the website, as you say, just contact your local member. I mean, even give them a call. They've got telephone numbers and their staff would, you know, if they're doing their job properly, I'm sure they all do would take your call and go from it. And along those lines, Damian, I know it's more a federal issue, but we've got issues with electric vehicles and of course they're becoming much more common as time goes on. That's another thing that, you know, takes up people's energy and, you know, another another thing to worry about.

The in fact, I know the submissions closed on the 21st of May, so people have got a little bit of time either to get on the website, as you say, just contact your local member. I mean, even give them a call. They've got telephone numbers and their staff would, you know, if they're doing their job properly, I'm sure they all do would take your call and go from it. And along those lines, Damian, I know it's more a federal issue, but we've got issues with electric vehicles and of course they're becoming much more common as time goes on. That's another thing that, you know, takes up people's energy and, you know, another another thing to worry about.

Absolutely. And it's pleasing to see. I think both the state and federal governments have consultations on this at the moment, and they are looking for submissions again. So I do encourage listeners to to reach out. We are again going to take on board all the responses we've received and we're going out through our client advisory committee to ensure we've got some some good feedback as well, so that it's not just our point of view, but clearly the point of view of our of our clients. The interesting part I was reading the other day was that when standards and so forth were designed for these vehicles and particularly offshore, they were actually designed that they would emit a noise from a safety perspective. When the vehicles came to this country, that particular requirement was turned off. And I'm yet to get to the bottom of why that happened or what the rationale behind that was, because it appears that we have made a decision as a nation somewhere that the the design features that have been inbuilt offshore would be treated differently in this country. But I just I read about that and I stood at the bottom of of the facts on that. But we certainly believe that there needs to be some mandatory safety requirements because in fact, curiously enough, my eyesight it's not that flash, but but nothing to to to to worry about. I was crossing the street here down the road the other day and I almost got run over by one. It happened to be coming on the wrong side of the road the other way, but I didn't hear it coming until at all, until I just happened to turn my head out of my peripheral vision and pick something up and he's going scooting along in front of me. And I thought, well, it could happen to anybody. And the fact that this guy was on the wrong side of the road, silently coming down just really reinforced to me that what possible hope can our vision impaired community have to sense or in any way discern that vehicle is approaching at speed?

Absolutely. And it's pleasing to see. I think both the state and federal governments have consultations on this at the moment, and they are looking for submissions again. So I do encourage listeners to to reach out. We are again going to take on board all the responses we've received and we're going out through our client advisory committee to ensure we've got some some good feedback as well, so that it's not just our point of view, but clearly the point of view of our of our clients. The interesting part I was reading the other day was that when standards and so forth were designed for these vehicles and particularly offshore, they were actually designed that they would emit a noise from a safety perspective. When the vehicles came to this country, that particular requirement was turned off. And I'm yet to get to the bottom of why that happened or what the rationale behind that was, because it appears that we have made a decision as a nation somewhere that the the design features that have been inbuilt offshore would be treated differently in this country. But I just I read about that and I stood at the bottom of of the facts on that. But we certainly believe that there needs to be some mandatory safety requirements because in fact, curiously enough, my eyesight it's not that flash, but but nothing to to to to worry about. I was crossing the street here down the road the other day and I almost got run over by one. It happened to be coming on the wrong side of the road the other way, but I didn't hear it coming until at all, until I just happened to turn my head out of my peripheral vision and pick something up and he's going scooting along in front of me. And I thought, well, it could happen to anybody. And the fact that this guy was on the wrong side of the road, silently coming down just really reinforced to me that what possible hope can our vision impaired community have to sense or in any way discern that vehicle is approaching at speed?

That's what's a scary thought, but certainly one that again, is very, very important for for people to speak up and speak up now rather than when the bird is flown, as it were.

That's what's a scary thought, but certainly one that again, is very, very important for for people to speak up and speak up now rather than when the bird is flown, as it were.

Yeah. Yeah. And it is. And it's timely. I think the the more people that can drop a line, it only has to be, you know, 2 or 3 lines on an email just to say this is my view, you know, and or my recommendation or my experience. All of those things are really important because the the consultation. Designed for that. And it doesn't have to be war and peace. It doesn't have to have any particular structure or scientific base. It can just be what is your experience been and what's your view on on electric vehicles? And at the moment, the lack of any particular agreed guidelines as to noises or noise that they should emit or warning signals they should have met.

Yeah. Yeah. And it is. And it's timely. I think the the more people that can drop a line, it only has to be, you know, 2 or 3 lines on an email just to say this is my view, you know, and or my recommendation or my experience. All of those things are really important because the the consultation. Designed for that. And it doesn't have to be war and peace. It doesn't have to have any particular structure or scientific base. It can just be what is your experience been and what's your view on on electric vehicles? And at the moment, the lack of any particular agreed guidelines as to noises or noise that they should emit or warning signals they should have met.

I mean.

I mean.

One of the things that's happened over the last number of years now is International guide Dog Day, the last Wednesday of April, and.

One of the things that's happened over the last number of years now is International guide Dog Day, the last Wednesday of April, and.

It's coming up next week, which we're really excited about. So we we're doing a number of things. It's been fabulous to receive the support of Krsna, who is a large company that runs the trains in South Australia. So we're doing an activation with them down at the Station Adelaide railway station on on Wednesday from 10 to 12 and we'll be having a whole lot of promotions, some giveaways and education and all those sorts of things and they're joining with us on that. So we'll have a whole lot of dogs traveling on trains, volunteers, clients, etcetera to show how the train travel can be conducted safely and and equitably with everybody enjoying the experience, but also just awareness, I think, to the public about how fabulous it is that particularly with the technology and the and the dogs in this case, that the independence can give people to to move around. A little anecdotal story there. We had one of our employees in the manufacturing and packaging factory that we run, and she had been looking to become more independent and was successful in in applying for a guide dog through the through the NDIS. And she has been in training with Dog and see the dog the last three months. And I just caught up with her the other day and I said, Look, how's it going? And she just had this most fabulous smile on her face. She goes, I travelled on the tram the other day to go and visit my son, and I did it all by myself. And I came back and she just had the most fabulous time. And I thought that to me, Peter gets you out of bed every day. It's fabulous to see that providing that resource, that train resource to somebody can just change somebody's life and and they're able to enjoy more independence and do the things that many, many people take for granted. So we're really happy to activate that down the railway station on on Wednesday. We've all got also got the support of SkyCity down there as well. So they're they're going to run a promo through their the Guardsman Cafe down there as well. So just I think a great community opportunity for people that are coming through the station next Wednesday to be a bit participate in some of the activities and also for the the general public to understand a bit more about the support that's available in the community for the line of Vision constituency.

It's coming up next week, which we're really excited about. So we we're doing a number of things. It's been fabulous to receive the support of Krsna, who is a large company that runs the trains in South Australia. So we're doing an activation with them down at the Station Adelaide railway station on on Wednesday from 10 to 12 and we'll be having a whole lot of promotions, some giveaways and education and all those sorts of things and they're joining with us on that. So we'll have a whole lot of dogs traveling on trains, volunteers, clients, etcetera to show how the train travel can be conducted safely and and equitably with everybody enjoying the experience, but also just awareness, I think, to the public about how fabulous it is that particularly with the technology and the and the dogs in this case, that the independence can give people to to move around. A little anecdotal story there. We had one of our employees in the manufacturing and packaging factory that we run, and she had been looking to become more independent and was successful in in applying for a guide dog through the through the NDIS. And she has been in training with Dog and see the dog the last three months. And I just caught up with her the other day and I said, Look, how's it going? And she just had this most fabulous smile on her face. She goes, I travelled on the tram the other day to go and visit my son, and I did it all by myself. And I came back and she just had the most fabulous time. And I thought that to me, Peter gets you out of bed every day. It's fabulous to see that providing that resource, that train resource to somebody can just change somebody's life and and they're able to enjoy more independence and do the things that many, many people take for granted. So we're really happy to activate that down the railway station on on Wednesday. We've all got also got the support of SkyCity down there as well. So they're they're going to run a promo through their the Guardsman Cafe down there as well. So just I think a great community opportunity for people that are coming through the station next Wednesday to be a bit participate in some of the activities and also for the the general public to understand a bit more about the support that's available in the community for the line of Vision constituency.

To catch up the clock on the wall of sweetness again, though we'll catch up again soon.

To catch up the clock on the wall of sweetness again, though we'll catch up again soon.

Peter Thank you.

Peter Thank you.

That's Damian perhaps there the executive director foresee definitely the.

That's Damian perhaps there the executive director foresee definitely the.

RSP with.

RSP with.

Some very interesting topics and yes, great international guide, Dog Day to everyone coming up on Wednesday.

Some very interesting topics and yes, great international guide, Dog Day to everyone coming up on Wednesday.

You're in literally listening to.

You're in literally listening to.

Listening here on vicious radio, radio to a radio, to.

Listening here on vicious radio, radio to a radio, to.

The radiator and through the TuneIn radio app.

The radiator and through the TuneIn radio app.

Well, it's been a big week on the Gold Coast for our swimmers. Let's catch up with Paralympic gold medallist.

Well, it's been a big week on the Gold Coast for our swimmers. Let's catch up with Paralympic gold medallist.

Ron.

Ron.

Crothers. Ron, great to meet you. Thanks for your time.

Crothers. Ron, great to meet you. Thanks for your time.

Yeah, no worries. It's happy to be here.

Yeah, no worries. It's happy to be here.

How's the week been for you?

How's the week been for you?

Yeah, the week's been really good. I spend my qualifying time for the 100 freestyle, which is one of my main events, so that's really exciting. It's been really great to watch the rest of my training partners perform really well. Also, seeing Katya hit all of her qualifying times, as well as Poppy Wilson, who is going to be a rookie on for this year's team. But it's just been a really great week for, I think, Australia, presuming to set ourselves up and get ready for world champs in Manchester later this year.

Yeah, the week's been really good. I spend my qualifying time for the 100 freestyle, which is one of my main events, so that's really exciting. It's been really great to watch the rest of my training partners perform really well. Also, seeing Katya hit all of her qualifying times, as well as Poppy Wilson, who is going to be a rookie on for this year's team. But it's just been a really great week for, I think, Australia, presuming to set ourselves up and get ready for world champs in Manchester later this year.

We'll come to that in a second. It must be kind of.

We'll come to that in a second. It must be kind of.

A bit of a flashback for you.

A bit of a flashback for you.

You first won.

You first won.

For Australia at the age of 13. So when you see the these youngsters.

For Australia at the age of 13. So when you see the these youngsters.

Coming through, you know, debut performances, does it kind of take you back a little bit? Yeah, I think.

Coming through, you know, debut performances, does it kind of take you back a little bit? Yeah, I think.

It's really kind of scary to think that I'm not a junior athlete anymore. I've been on the senior Australian team for a decade now and to think about that is, you know, really scary. But I think it's also really exciting to see this new crop of younger swimmers start to come through, not just now, but also I think in the next nine, ten years time leading into the Brisbane 2032 Paralympics. It's going to be really incredible just to see how much more talent we can really foster and bring up through to being competitive onto the international stage.

It's really kind of scary to think that I'm not a junior athlete anymore. I've been on the senior Australian team for a decade now and to think about that is, you know, really scary. But I think it's also really exciting to see this new crop of younger swimmers start to come through, not just now, but also I think in the next nine, ten years time leading into the Brisbane 2032 Paralympics. It's going to be really incredible just to see how much more talent we can really foster and bring up through to being competitive onto the international stage.

Yes. Certainly, as you say, it's going to be a great carrot for.

Yes. Certainly, as you say, it's going to be a great carrot for.

Future athletes to be aiming for.

Future athletes to be aiming for.

What about for your own career? We'll talk about this week in a second. But do you look back with fondness?

What about for your own career? We'll talk about this week in a second. But do you look back with fondness?

As I said.

As I said.

The first one for Australia, the.

The first one for Australia, the.

Age of 13 went to Rio.

Age of 13 went to Rio.

And then some stunning performances in Tokyo. Do you kind of look back or are you an athlete that kind of always looks forward and looks to the next challenge?

And then some stunning performances in Tokyo. Do you kind of look back or are you an athlete that kind of always looks forward and looks to the next challenge?

I think I used to kind of get caught up in a lot of my results and kind of get lost in future performances and competitions that are coming up. But for the most part, what I've found is my big kind of inspiration to keep going is trying to be that inspiration and that role model to younger athletes. I know for myself, back in 2008, before I started swimming competitively at all, I didn't feel like I had any opportunities or avenues to be successful throughout my life. And then watching Australian Paralympic athletes like Peter Lake, Matt Cowdrey, Ellie Cole racing at Beijing was that eye opener for me that I could be successful at something as well. So one day I said, All right, I'm going to go do this now. Mum and Dad signed me up and I chased that dream as far as I could and I just found so much happiness along the way. So more than anything, what I'm really trying to do to do now is to inspire and motivate those young rowans with disability back home that feel like they can't be successful at anything and try to encourage them to just do whatever makes them happy or passionate, whether that is swimming or sport or whatever else. That thing is my real motivator and that driver to continue doing it. And that's what keeps me loving what I do every day.

I think I used to kind of get caught up in a lot of my results and kind of get lost in future performances and competitions that are coming up. But for the most part, what I've found is my big kind of inspiration to keep going is trying to be that inspiration and that role model to younger athletes. I know for myself, back in 2008, before I started swimming competitively at all, I didn't feel like I had any opportunities or avenues to be successful throughout my life. And then watching Australian Paralympic athletes like Peter Lake, Matt Cowdrey, Ellie Cole racing at Beijing was that eye opener for me that I could be successful at something as well. So one day I said, All right, I'm going to go do this now. Mum and Dad signed me up and I chased that dream as far as I could and I just found so much happiness along the way. So more than anything, what I'm really trying to do to do now is to inspire and motivate those young rowans with disability back home that feel like they can't be successful at anything and try to encourage them to just do whatever makes them happy or passionate, whether that is swimming or sport or whatever else. That thing is my real motivator and that driver to continue doing it. And that's what keeps me loving what I do every day.

It's such a powerful message to tell us about this week. Then, of course, I talk.

It's such a powerful message to tell us about this week. Then, of course, I talk.

About carrots.

About carrots.

A big carrot at the end of it. The championships later on this year, too, to qualify for those. Yeah.

A big carrot at the end of it. The championships later on this year, too, to qualify for those. Yeah.

So this week was really the national trials for the Australian Paralympic team for Worlds. So it was just all about everyone coming together and doing our best to hit the qualifying times to make the team. So the qualifying times were really tough. This year. Australia has a very high standard of what it takes to qualify for an Australian team, which is something that I love. I think in some ways the standard for the Paralympic team is actually higher than the able bodied team. You've got to be about top three to top four in the world to crack it for the Paralympic team, which is pretty cool, but it's that very high standard and just watching everyone lift each other up regardless of what club you swim for, what coach you're training under, to just kind of encourage each other to do our best to get the greatest, fastest Australian team possible come world champs. It's something that I really love, just that camaraderie that we all have with each other.

So this week was really the national trials for the Australian Paralympic team for Worlds. So it was just all about everyone coming together and doing our best to hit the qualifying times to make the team. So the qualifying times were really tough. This year. Australia has a very high standard of what it takes to qualify for an Australian team, which is something that I love. I think in some ways the standard for the Paralympic team is actually higher than the able bodied team. You've got to be about top three to top four in the world to crack it for the Paralympic team, which is pretty cool, but it's that very high standard and just watching everyone lift each other up regardless of what club you swim for, what coach you're training under, to just kind of encourage each other to do our best to get the greatest, fastest Australian team possible come world champs. It's something that I really love, just that camaraderie that we all have with each other.

And how did you go as far as your qualifying time goes? Did you make it comfortably or was it a bit of stress?

And how did you go as far as your qualifying time goes? Did you make it comfortably or was it a bit of stress?

Yeah, so I just missed out on my qualifying time for the 50 freestyle by about 0.07 of a second I think, which is pretty close. But I qualified very comfortably in my 100 freestyle relay. A lot of the work that I've been putting in with training, a lot of my really great sessions have been focused on building my aerobic kind of fitness, as well as doing a lot of technical development and kind of relearning how to swim with a kind of technique that my disability will not struggle with as much. I have cerebral palsy, so a lot of my. Issues in the water actually come down to a lack of coordination and a lack of control with my lower body. So I've been kind of re reteaching myself how to swim in a manner that gives me better control for my hips and throughout my legs. So all of that work has kind of taken priority. And the real fast, high speed kind of sessions that we've done haven't been at the standard where I would personally like them to be, which is no fault of my coach, really. That's just a fault on myself. So in some ways I'm really excited to now have about that 15 week block going into World Champs because I'm making these massive gains in technique. But I've also identified the key areas that I do need to work on that I do need to focus more on developing my top end speed and then come world champs, hopefully we swim nice and fast and then leading on from that. I'm not going to be taking a break this year because I want to see just how far I can push my body leading into the Paris Paralympics to hopefully defend my title. Terrific.

Yeah, so I just missed out on my qualifying time for the 50 freestyle by about 0.07 of a second I think, which is pretty close. But I qualified very comfortably in my 100 freestyle relay. A lot of the work that I've been putting in with training, a lot of my really great sessions have been focused on building my aerobic kind of fitness, as well as doing a lot of technical development and kind of relearning how to swim with a kind of technique that my disability will not struggle with as much. I have cerebral palsy, so a lot of my. Issues in the water actually come down to a lack of coordination and a lack of control with my lower body. So I've been kind of re reteaching myself how to swim in a manner that gives me better control for my hips and throughout my legs. So all of that work has kind of taken priority. And the real fast, high speed kind of sessions that we've done haven't been at the standard where I would personally like them to be, which is no fault of my coach, really. That's just a fault on myself. So in some ways I'm really excited to now have about that 15 week block going into World Champs because I'm making these massive gains in technique. But I've also identified the key areas that I do need to work on that I do need to focus more on developing my top end speed and then come world champs, hopefully we swim nice and fast and then leading on from that. I'm not going to be taking a break this year because I want to see just how far I can push my body leading into the Paris Paralympics to hopefully defend my title. Terrific.

Yes. Well, you won in Tokyo, so that also gained you an O&M, which is fantastic with that kind of emphasis on the changing the technique, if you like. I mean, you're a young man, but, you know, I guess for a long time you've been swimming a certain way. That must be a challenging thing too, to change your approach to that.

Yes. Well, you won in Tokyo, so that also gained you an O&M, which is fantastic with that kind of emphasis on the changing the technique, if you like. I mean, you're a young man, but, you know, I guess for a long time you've been swimming a certain way. That must be a challenging thing too, to change your approach to that.

Yeah, it's very challenging, but we've found that it was one of the areas that we could identify and then work on to create the greatest possible shift in my ability in the water. Ultimately, I could have continued training and racing with the same stroke in the same technique as I had before, and I could still make gains. I could still get faster, but there would only be marginal gains. And we thought instead of just doing that and possibly getting a bit better, even if I'm still ranked one in the world, if we know there's this uncharted territory where I could become so much faster, why not chase that and why not see just how far I really can push my body, but also how far I can push my ability as well, and how much we can really work around my disability and around my brain to see, you know, what is the fastest that I can possibly go. Otherwise I could retire one day and think, Wow, I wish I put all this extra work into my technique and into developing my stroke. Instead of that, I'm a risk taker. So I had to chat with my coaches and a chat with my sports science team at the Queensland County of Sport. And we kind of just said, All right, there's a bit of a risk here, but we're confident that it will pay off in the long run. So we're going to throw everything we can at Reid learning how to swim.

Yeah, it's very challenging, but we've found that it was one of the areas that we could identify and then work on to create the greatest possible shift in my ability in the water. Ultimately, I could have continued training and racing with the same stroke in the same technique as I had before, and I could still make gains. I could still get faster, but there would only be marginal gains. And we thought instead of just doing that and possibly getting a bit better, even if I'm still ranked one in the world, if we know there's this uncharted territory where I could become so much faster, why not chase that and why not see just how far I really can push my body, but also how far I can push my ability as well, and how much we can really work around my disability and around my brain to see, you know, what is the fastest that I can possibly go. Otherwise I could retire one day and think, Wow, I wish I put all this extra work into my technique and into developing my stroke. Instead of that, I'm a risk taker. So I had to chat with my coaches and a chat with my sports science team at the Queensland County of Sport. And we kind of just said, All right, there's a bit of a risk here, but we're confident that it will pay off in the long run. So we're going to throw everything we can at Reid learning how to swim.

So with your qualifying for the 100, not the 50.

So with your qualifying for the 100, not the 50.

Do you still get a chance to swim in the 50th the worlds or not?

Do you still get a chance to swim in the 50th the worlds or not?

Yeah.

Yeah.

So I'll still get a chance to race in the 50 freestyle at World Champs. The way that qualifying works is that you have very high standards for these qualifying times and you typically need to hit one of these to race. And then once you go over, as long as you swim faster than an international minimum qualifying standard, you can typically race in other events as well. So I'm only good at the 50 and 100 freestyle. So those are the two that I'll I'll be racing in over at World Champs. But both of those events are still massive priorities for me, even though I did just miss out and qualifying for that 50. And although the 100 is my true main event, the 50 freestyle is the one that I won in Tokyo and that is a title that I'm actively looking to defend. The thing that's really exciting about that 50 freestyle is to see my Australian squad mate, Tom Gallagher, and see the level of gains that he's made in the past 18 months. He used to be a 400 freestyler and now has shifted to the 50 and he's just had this massive gain in speed to the point where he is a real competitor, not just to me, but to, you know, winning at world championships, winning at the Paralympics in 20 2024. But ultimately, as long as he touches first and I touch second or I touch first and he touches second, Australia's on top, Terrific.

So I'll still get a chance to race in the 50 freestyle at World Champs. The way that qualifying works is that you have very high standards for these qualifying times and you typically need to hit one of these to race. And then once you go over, as long as you swim faster than an international minimum qualifying standard, you can typically race in other events as well. So I'm only good at the 50 and 100 freestyle. So those are the two that I'll I'll be racing in over at World Champs. But both of those events are still massive priorities for me, even though I did just miss out and qualifying for that 50. And although the 100 is my true main event, the 50 freestyle is the one that I won in Tokyo and that is a title that I'm actively looking to defend. The thing that's really exciting about that 50 freestyle is to see my Australian squad mate, Tom Gallagher, and see the level of gains that he's made in the past 18 months. He used to be a 400 freestyler and now has shifted to the 50 and he's just had this massive gain in speed to the point where he is a real competitor, not just to me, but to, you know, winning at world championships, winning at the Paralympics in 20 2024. But ultimately, as long as he touches first and I touch second or I touch first and he touches second, Australia's on top, Terrific.

Well, Australia and Australia, certainly Australian swimming is certainly in very good hands. Ryan, great to catch up. Thanks so much for your time. We wish.

Well, Australia and Australia, certainly Australian swimming is certainly in very good hands. Ryan, great to catch up. Thanks so much for your time. We wish.

You well and we'll be certainly following your.

You well and we'll be certainly following your.

Progress at the world tour coming up, as you say, in about 15 weeks.

Progress at the world tour coming up, as you say, in about 15 weeks.

Thank you very much. Cheers.

Thank you very much. Cheers.

That's Ron Crothers there. Ron Crothers.

That's Ron Crothers there. Ron Crothers.

Oh, I am gold.

Oh, I am gold.

Medals from Tokyo and they're very much on.

Medals from Tokyo and they're very much on.

Track to do very.

Track to do very.

Great things at the World Championships coming up.

Great things at the World Championships coming up.

Later on this year.

Later on this year.

Just speaking to us from the Australian Championships on the Gold Coast.

Just speaking to us from the Australian Championships on the Gold Coast.

Hi, I'm Michael Rodger, Paralympic medallist, marathon athlete and multiple world record holder. And you're listening to Leisurely with Peter Greco on the Vision Australia Radio Network. Oh, wow.

Hi, I'm Michael Rodger, Paralympic medallist, marathon athlete and multiple world record holder. And you're listening to Leisurely with Peter Greco on the Vision Australia Radio Network. Oh, wow.

Spoke to a very excited.

Spoke to a very excited.

Athlete who's about to jet off overseas for a very important competition.

Athlete who's about to jet off overseas for a very important competition.

Adriana Petrarca. Adriana Hey, going.

Adriana Petrarca. Adriana Hey, going.

Hello. I'm great, thank you. How are you, Peter?

Hello. I'm great, thank you. How are you, Peter?

I'm going pretty good too.

I'm going pretty good too.

Maybe not as excited as you are. Tell us where you're going.

Maybe not as excited as you are. Tell us where you're going.

And what you'll be doing.

And what you'll be doing.

On the 1st of June. I'll be going to France for the Global Games and I'll be representing Australia over there.

On the 1st of June. I'll be going to France for the Global Games and I'll be representing Australia over there.

How exciting is that?

How exciting is that?

It's very exciting.

It's very exciting.

Now, last time we spoke to you, you were still at school. I remember that.

Now, last time we spoke to you, you were still at school. I remember that.

That was a little while ago.

That was a little while ago.

Yes, four years ago now.

Yes, four years ago now.

You've always been very good at tennis.

You've always been very good at tennis.

You went overseas last.

You went overseas last.

Year, too, I think, didn't you?

Year, too, I think, didn't you?

Yeah, I went to Poland last year for the European Summer Games.

Yeah, I went to Poland last year for the European Summer Games.

And how did you go?

And how did you go?

I won two bronze medals, one in mixed doubles and another one for winning the women's team event.

I won two bronze medals, one in mixed doubles and another one for winning the women's team event.

How do you feel about that?

How do you feel about that?

I felt very satisfied and humble.

I felt very satisfied and humble.

Terrific. Now, the Global Games, of course, you know, they're on it every four years. So I think the last ones were in Australia.

Terrific. Now, the Global Games, of course, you know, they're on it every four years. So I think the last ones were in Australia.

The last ones were in.

The last ones were in.

Australia, weren't they?

Australia, weren't they?

Yes, it was in Brisbane the last time in 2019.

Yes, it was in Brisbane the last time in 2019.

Now did you go to those or were you not playing at that level at that stage?

Now did you go to those or were you not playing at that level at that stage?

No, I didn't go to the Global Games in Brisbane because I had chickenpox.

No, I didn't go to the Global Games in Brisbane because I had chickenpox.

I remember that now. You mentioned it. Yeah. Yeah, that was that was very, very bad timing. Well, you make sure you, you know, take your vitamins and.

I remember that now. You mentioned it. Yeah. Yeah, that was that was very, very bad timing. Well, you make sure you, you know, take your vitamins and.

Eat healthily.

Eat healthily.

Up until you go away so you keep all those bugs at your.

Up until you go away so you keep all those bugs at your.

System.

System.

What do you know about France and.

What do you know about France and.

What are you looking forward to?

What are you looking forward to?

I'm looking forward to seeing the Eiffel Tower making new friends from different countries and playing tennis on the clay court.

I'm looking forward to seeing the Eiffel Tower making new friends from different countries and playing tennis on the clay court.

So you actually play it till.

So you actually play it till.

After the Global Games? Hopefully I might see the Roland Garros.

After the Global Games? Hopefully I might see the Roland Garros.

Yeah, that'll be amazing isn't it? Because that'll be just after the French Open. I think that's normally on in.

Yeah, that'll be amazing isn't it? Because that'll be just after the French Open. I think that's normally on in.

Late May, so.

Late May, so.

That'll be a great thing.

That'll be a great thing.

Adriana Who will be going with you?

Adriana Who will be going with you?

I'll be gone with my mum.

I'll be gone with my mum.

Who's more excited, you or your mum? Both. She'll be fantastic. How have you been going as far as your preparation goes? What sort of things you've been doing in training? Who have you been training with?

Who's more excited, you or your mum? Both. She'll be fantastic. How have you been going as far as your preparation goes? What sort of things you've been doing in training? Who have you been training with?

I have been doing lots of hitting the tennis balls, creating more angles, powerful serve, volleys, smashes, using my killer forehand and my cool backhand side.

I have been doing lots of hitting the tennis balls, creating more angles, powerful serve, volleys, smashes, using my killer forehand and my cool backhand side.

Have a forehand and a cool backhand that that's almost a complete tennis player.

Have a forehand and a cool backhand that that's almost a complete tennis player.

Yes.

Yes.

Who have you been working with? Who's been kind of coaching or helping you out along those lines?

Who have you been working with? Who's been kind of coaching or helping you out along those lines?

I've a coach name Craig Palfrey nowadays.

I've a coach name Craig Palfrey nowadays.

Where have you been training? Where are you train?

Where have you been training? Where are you train?

I train Woodville around tennis club for where I play at.

I train Woodville around tennis club for where I play at.

Now, as I said.

Now, as I said.

Last time we spoke to you, you were at school. You're no longer at school now, are you?

Last time we spoke to you, you were at school. You're no longer at school now, are you?

No school for me. What are you doing nowadays? I work as a pickleball coach for disability Organization One Culture.

No school for me. What are you doing nowadays? I work as a pickleball coach for disability Organization One Culture.

Fantastic. How much do you enjoy that?

Fantastic. How much do you enjoy that?

I love my coaching job a lot. Thank you.

I love my coaching job a lot. Thank you.

How'd you get that? Because that's a great opportunity. I mean, one of the things for.

How'd you get that? Because that's a great opportunity. I mean, one of the things for.

Anyone, and.

Anyone, and.

Particularly people with disabilities, is getting that opportunity to get into the workforce. How did you go about getting that role in 2021?

Particularly people with disabilities, is getting that opportunity to get into the workforce. How did you go about getting that role in 2021?

I had a contract offer from Tennis Australia named Brenda Turney, and she's the one that found the perfect job opportunity for me.

I had a contract offer from Tennis Australia named Brenda Turney, and she's the one that found the perfect job opportunity for me.

And it must be good because you could be a bit of a role model too, can't you?

And it must be good because you could be a bit of a role model too, can't you?

To the people that you work with to kind of show them what a person with a disability can do? True. So that's that's a very powerful position that you've got both in your coaching role, but also as a sort of a role model.

To the people that you work with to kind of show them what a person with a disability can do? True. So that's that's a very powerful position that you've got both in your coaching role, but also as a sort of a role model.

For other people.

For other people.

And, you know, sort of doing that advocacy work so people can kind of get a bit of an idea of the skills and the contribution that people with disabilities can make.

And, you know, sort of doing that advocacy work so people can kind of get a bit of an idea of the skills and the contribution that people with disabilities can make.

Thank you, Peter.

Thank you, Peter.

Now, what's coming up in the next few weeks before you go away?