From in Australia, this is talking vision. And now here's your host, Sam Colley.

From in Australia, this is talking vision. And now here's your host, Sam Colley.

Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And for the next half hour, we talk matters of blindness and low vision.

Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And for the next half hour, we talk matters of blindness and low vision.

I feel very, very honored and I was really quite surprised because I'm sure there were so many other people who were nominated for it and who have been the one to be chosen. I really it was a real honor. And I thank them for it.

I feel very, very honored and I was really quite surprised because I'm sure there were so many other people who were nominated for it and who have been the one to be chosen. I really it was a real honor. And I thank them for it.

Welcome to the program. If that voice you just heard sounded familiar, that's right. That was Braille music transcriber, Brown Music Camp founder and former AVR papal music teacher Dorothy Hamilton. They're talking about just what it means to her to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from Vision Australia. Announced at the 2021 Annual General Meeting. You'll hear from Tess and Dorothy later in the program. But first, the awards are coming in from everywhere, as Peter Greco chats with Claire Tollefson, who recently received the 2021 David Blight Award from Blind Citizens Australia for her work to improve the digital literacy of people living with vision and hearing loss. I hope you enjoy this week's episode of Talking Vision. And now his paddock Greco with clientele. I started by asking Claire to tell us a bit more about her time as a teacher.

Welcome to the program. If that voice you just heard sounded familiar, that's right. That was Braille music transcriber, Brown Music Camp founder and former AVR papal music teacher Dorothy Hamilton. They're talking about just what it means to her to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from Vision Australia. Announced at the 2021 Annual General Meeting. You'll hear from Tess and Dorothy later in the program. But first, the awards are coming in from everywhere, as Peter Greco chats with Claire Tollefson, who recently received the 2021 David Blight Award from Blind Citizens Australia for her work to improve the digital literacy of people living with vision and hearing loss. I hope you enjoy this week's episode of Talking Vision. And now his paddock Greco with clientele. I started by asking Claire to tell us a bit more about her time as a teacher.

Yeah, I started out as a school teacher in secondary schools. I was a maths and geography teacher, and I did that for about 10 years. And then I had a little break from teaching and I tried to get all sorts of other jobs. But I ended up getting another job in teaching and that was that. Vision Australia, which was in the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind in St Kilda

Yeah, I started out as a school teacher in secondary schools. I was a maths and geography teacher, and I did that for about 10 years. And then I had a little break from teaching and I tried to get all sorts of other jobs. But I ended up getting another job in teaching and that was that. Vision Australia, which was in the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind in St Kilda

Road, was teaching something that was, you know, often you hear about it almost being a bit of a calling. Was it the same for you back a few years ago?

Road, was teaching something that was, you know, often you hear about it almost being a bit of a calling. Was it the same for you back a few years ago?

Oh, I think so. I grew up in the country and you know, it was either being a nurse or a teacher, and I wasn't very good with with nursing duties. So I always wanted to be a teacher. And I used to think when I had 30 kids or more in a class, I used to think to be like, This should be a lot easier than this, you know? I just dealt with all this crowd control sort of stuff I have to do. I wouldn't mind just one on one teaching that to be good.

Oh, I think so. I grew up in the country and you know, it was either being a nurse or a teacher, and I wasn't very good with with nursing duties. So I always wanted to be a teacher. And I used to think when I had 30 kids or more in a class, I used to think to be like, This should be a lot easier than this, you know? I just dealt with all this crowd control sort of stuff I have to do. I wouldn't mind just one on one teaching that to be good.

So he taught for a while and then ended up at Vision Australia. How did that come about and did you know much about, you know, people with disabilities, people who might be blind to have vision at that time?

So he taught for a while and then ended up at Vision Australia. How did that come about and did you know much about, you know, people with disabilities, people who might be blind to have vision at that time?

No, I didn't have any background at all, actually, but I did go to Monash in the 70s, and there were a number of blind people studying at Monash. And I lived in medic's college and I think there were about three or four blind people living there at the time. So I had a little bit of an instruction to my people from my time at Monash. I think Marian Diamond was there when I was there, and I know a few other celebrities when I was looking around for a job. I really wanted to get into computers and really loved. I was a maths teacher and I and I felt that I would really enjoy working with computers, and I'd done a little bit of work at school sharing in an employment training program. And then obviously, they sold up some land and they were looking specifically to find jobs for blind people in using computers in call centres because we had this vision at that time that there would be a paperless office. And you just have this computer and be able to do we work on it. You know, it hadn't quite happened in that yet, but that was the vision. I don't think the paperless office eventuated, but certainly computers did become a big part of employment, and so they ran a special program. So I worked specifically with the people who were looking for jobs or who were already working and needed to transition into using computers.

No, I didn't have any background at all, actually, but I did go to Monash in the 70s, and there were a number of blind people studying at Monash. And I lived in medic's college and I think there were about three or four blind people living there at the time. So I had a little bit of an instruction to my people from my time at Monash. I think Marian Diamond was there when I was there, and I know a few other celebrities when I was looking around for a job. I really wanted to get into computers and really loved. I was a maths teacher and I and I felt that I would really enjoy working with computers, and I'd done a little bit of work at school sharing in an employment training program. And then obviously, they sold up some land and they were looking specifically to find jobs for blind people in using computers in call centres because we had this vision at that time that there would be a paperless office. And you just have this computer and be able to do we work on it. You know, it hadn't quite happened in that yet, but that was the vision. I don't think the paperless office eventuated, but certainly computers did become a big part of employment, and so they ran a special program. So I worked specifically with the people who were looking for jobs or who were already working and needed to transition into using computers.

I mean, obviously, it's made a big difference. As far as the employment saying goes, the education same goes. And you know, perhaps generally speaking, it's been good for people with disabilities or people blind, visually impaired in terms of access to what computers can do.

I mean, obviously, it's made a big difference. As far as the employment saying goes, the education same goes. And you know, perhaps generally speaking, it's been good for people with disabilities or people blind, visually impaired in terms of access to what computers can do.

Absolutely. It's it's been transformational, and particularly after I left within Australia. I've been working for the last 20 years, specifically in the deaf blind community, and the impact that computers have had on their lives has been just unbelievable.

Absolutely. It's it's been transformational, and particularly after I left within Australia. I've been working for the last 20 years, specifically in the deaf blind community, and the impact that computers have had on their lives has been just unbelievable.

Really, we'll come to that in a second. What about I know in the 1990s, I've seen a number of emails that on different lists that have congratulated you on your award and also reflect a little bit about your time. I know in the 1990s when I someone quite well that you taught computers too. Yeah, I don't want the other, not they'd want their name mentioned. I would do it any way with the ladies, a friend of the show. She's been a great support to this radio station. Meredith.

Really, we'll come to that in a second. What about I know in the 1990s, I've seen a number of emails that on different lists that have congratulated you on your award and also reflect a little bit about your time. I know in the 1990s when I someone quite well that you taught computers too. Yeah, I don't want the other, not they'd want their name mentioned. I would do it any way with the ladies, a friend of the show. She's been a great support to this radio station. Meredith.

Oh yeah. Well, I've worked on, you know, the whole 30 years with experience. I know her really well. Yeah, I think I know I taught so many. I taught so many people. So it's hard to remember. I think I taught her when she first lost her sight and she was quite young, then I don't know. She might have started working at Vision Australia. She might have still been at school. But yes, I taught her a long, long time ago. Yeah, well,

Oh yeah. Well, I've worked on, you know, the whole 30 years with experience. I know her really well. Yeah, I think I know I taught so many. I taught so many people. So it's hard to remember. I think I taught her when she first lost her sight and she was quite young, then I don't know. She might have started working at Vision Australia. She might have still been at school. But yes, I taught her a long, long time ago. Yeah, well,

just about to the work in the deaf blind Erica's. I think one of the things that the pandemic has taught us in the sense know it might be a bit reluctantly is how uncomfortable and how challenging isolation can be. And of course, this is something that a person is deaf blind does. That's fine.

just about to the work in the deaf blind Erica's. I think one of the things that the pandemic has taught us in the sense know it might be a bit reluctantly is how uncomfortable and how challenging isolation can be. And of course, this is something that a person is deaf blind does. That's fine.

Oh, absolutely, yeah. They're profoundly isolated, and computers just opened up their whole, you know, idea they had nothing, actually. When I missed all this, this community that were knocking on the doors of all the service providers to learn about computers. But it was just a bridge too far for a lot of them. I mean, some of them managed it, but for some of them, it was just they just couldn't get started it really. And when they did, you know, their whole world completely changed totally and utterly. You know, they they would sit up half a dozen, you know, incognito email accounts and join lists in the world. And professional black people do this, too. But it was just interesting to see it all firsthand. And I remember when Facebook came, Facebook was a massive game changer for this group because they had a lot of trouble just getting contacts, you know, getting people to give them their email addresses and phone numbers because, you know, they didn't have that. So those social opportunities for that to happen. But with Facebook, they could really reconnect with their school friends and their extended families and. You know, the whole keeping a much broader community than they've been able to manage prior to that. And I remember one guy when he first joined up with Facebook, I think he must have sat there for about three days exploring it. And in the end, Facebook thought he was a robot and then they kicked him out and they thought he was explicitly nearly had a breakdown over.

Oh, absolutely, yeah. They're profoundly isolated, and computers just opened up their whole, you know, idea they had nothing, actually. When I missed all this, this community that were knocking on the doors of all the service providers to learn about computers. But it was just a bridge too far for a lot of them. I mean, some of them managed it, but for some of them, it was just they just couldn't get started it really. And when they did, you know, their whole world completely changed totally and utterly. You know, they they would sit up half a dozen, you know, incognito email accounts and join lists in the world. And professional black people do this, too. But it was just interesting to see it all firsthand. And I remember when Facebook came, Facebook was a massive game changer for this group because they had a lot of trouble just getting contacts, you know, getting people to give them their email addresses and phone numbers because, you know, they didn't have that. So those social opportunities for that to happen. But with Facebook, they could really reconnect with their school friends and their extended families and. You know, the whole keeping a much broader community than they've been able to manage prior to that. And I remember one guy when he first joined up with Facebook, I think he must have sat there for about three days exploring it. And in the end, Facebook thought he was a robot and then they kicked him out and they thought he was explicitly nearly had a breakdown over.

I guess, as you say, it's the social connection that could make such a difference. What drew you to work in that tip on air, having at work, got more specifically with people who bond or had low vision?

I guess, as you say, it's the social connection that could make such a difference. What drew you to work in that tip on air, having at work, got more specifically with people who bond or had low vision?

Oh, I just like a challenge. I think Peter

Oh, I just like a challenge. I think Peter

was certainly working with people who are deaf. Blind can be quite a challenge.

was certainly working with people who are deaf. Blind can be quite a challenge.

Yeah, but you asked me what drew me to working with the community. I think when it when I was the Vision Australia, I started working with a lady who, you know, is sort of like Helen Keller, really. She has no head, no vital hearing. It was Heather Lawson. I think a lot of people do know her and I just found it. It's such an inspiration. And then I started teaching her email and how to use a computer. I think probably at that time was put before email probably decided to teach her how to use a computer. And I, my boss at the time, David Bliss, who's the award who, who was the inspiration behind the award. He allowed a group of us to learn Auslan on the job. And so I started to then be able to talk directly with with the deaf people. And so few of them started coming into Vision Australia at the time, obviously at the time, and I was teaching them and I'd also learned braille, so I had a pretty good skill set for that community. And when the job came, they got that they got a massive grant from the government because the government set aside a whole lot of money for people with disabilities to learn all about the internet because they knew they were transitioning all the services across to the internet. So there was quite a bit of money around and they got a grant and I looked around for someone who could possibly manage the program. And my name came up, so they came and found me and offered me the job.

Yeah, but you asked me what drew me to working with the community. I think when it when I was the Vision Australia, I started working with a lady who, you know, is sort of like Helen Keller, really. She has no head, no vital hearing. It was Heather Lawson. I think a lot of people do know her and I just found it. It's such an inspiration. And then I started teaching her email and how to use a computer. I think probably at that time was put before email probably decided to teach her how to use a computer. And I, my boss at the time, David Bliss, who's the award who, who was the inspiration behind the award. He allowed a group of us to learn Auslan on the job. And so I started to then be able to talk directly with with the deaf people. And so few of them started coming into Vision Australia at the time, obviously at the time, and I was teaching them and I'd also learned braille, so I had a pretty good skill set for that community. And when the job came, they got that they got a massive grant from the government because the government set aside a whole lot of money for people with disabilities to learn all about the internet because they knew they were transitioning all the services across to the internet. So there was quite a bit of money around and they got a grant and I looked around for someone who could possibly manage the program. And my name came up, so they came and found me and offered me the job.

Fantastic. And David Blight, the man that you talked about, Marianne Dortmund being a bit of a a superstar. I mean, David bought it in his own right. And I guess people like that, they do make an impression on your life that they may be feeling a bit shy about it. But you know, it's a lasting impression that I can really leave, isn't it?

Fantastic. And David Blight, the man that you talked about, Marianne Dortmund being a bit of a a superstar. I mean, David bought it in his own right. And I guess people like that, they do make an impression on your life that they may be feeling a bit shy about it. But you know, it's a lasting impression that I can really leave, isn't it?

Absolutely. Yeah. Well, David Plouffe was my boss at the Darwin Day when I was there in the employment training program. And yeah, he was sensational. He just let you run with anything, really, and it was a really exciting time because it was basically the invention of the personal computer. And, you know, and then we had to all transition across to windows. We had so many big. And you know, I mean, I think I started working on this on bulletin boards that were the big thing. So pretty early starters with the technology. But then, you know, it was a great journey transitioning. Although the technology has just been rocketing along and, you know, developing so quickly, it's just been a great ride, really. It's been very exciting.

Absolutely. Yeah. Well, David Plouffe was my boss at the Darwin Day when I was there in the employment training program. And yeah, he was sensational. He just let you run with anything, really, and it was a really exciting time because it was basically the invention of the personal computer. And, you know, and then we had to all transition across to windows. We had so many big. And you know, I mean, I think I started working on this on bulletin boards that were the big thing. So pretty early starters with the technology. But then, you know, it was a great journey transitioning. Although the technology has just been rocketing along and, you know, developing so quickly, it's just been a great ride, really. It's been very exciting.

One of the things that's been really good, too, has been the refresh. We're proud display. So be it. As we've talked about in the past, that can be a fairly expensive piece of equipment that that can make a huge difference as far as communication, especially for people that don't go.

One of the things that's been really good, too, has been the refresh. We're proud display. So be it. As we've talked about in the past, that can be a fairly expensive piece of equipment that that can make a huge difference as far as communication, especially for people that don't go.

Absolutely. And for deaf blind people who have got no remaining vision, it's the only access to information basically is through braille and through their fresh mobile. Like, I think when we started there, the broad space that we had connected to computers were, no, I don't think they were $20000 or something, a huge amount of money. But when I left a couple of years ago, they were down the little braille displays, portable braille displays for an iPhone where about 1500. So they did become very, very affordable and they became a lot simpler to use. Our community really loves these little refresher. Will braille displays that didn't really have any sort of software on board? They were just a piece of hardware. And then they would use their iPhone and use all the the accessibility of the iPhone to drive the braille. And they were very, very well and they love them.

Absolutely. And for deaf blind people who have got no remaining vision, it's the only access to information basically is through braille and through their fresh mobile. Like, I think when we started there, the broad space that we had connected to computers were, no, I don't think they were $20000 or something, a huge amount of money. But when I left a couple of years ago, they were down the little braille displays, portable braille displays for an iPhone where about 1500. So they did become very, very affordable and they became a lot simpler to use. Our community really loves these little refresher. Will braille displays that didn't really have any sort of software on board? They were just a piece of hardware. And then they would use their iPhone and use all the the accessibility of the iPhone to drive the braille. And they were very, very well and they love them.

One of the great things about the brow displays in the sense that it doesn't matter if there's any updates at all because I think like, like I say, sort of a static piece of equipment that day. If you like just the brown display, the the basic ones are so they can sort of keep doing their job sort of forever.

One of the great things about the brow displays in the sense that it doesn't matter if there's any updates at all because I think like, like I say, sort of a static piece of equipment that day. If you like just the brown display, the the basic ones are so they can sort of keep doing their job sort of forever.

They can keep you in a job forever because, you know, you can just constantly upgrade your phone and the operating system within it, and then you're able to then uptake all the new technologies as they emerge. Whereas if you if you if you buy a note, taking is sort of a bit stuck in time with whatever the features are on board. So the braille displays either. However, having said that, they used to go through the motor, Reverend Wright, because I used them so much that they just weren't. The other interesting thing about braille with this group, it was actually really hard to get them to use braille. And I think that there was a group of them that had gone through the original rehab program at IBRD, and they'd learnt braille. Ben Hewitt, if people remember him and they still remember the Pearl and they just jumped straight into the barrel devices and just flew with it all, and they're probably the most literate of the community, the ones who are proficient in braille. But the rest of the community very slow to jump into braille. But I used to just try and I used to teach them braille, basically on a computer and other braille display, and just basically get them using grade one first and just getting familiar because some of them just wanted to send texts. You know, they see mistakes. They didn't really want to read books or do anything too fancy. They just wanted a basic form of communication on their phone that they could manage themselves, either typing in braille and reading braille.

They can keep you in a job forever because, you know, you can just constantly upgrade your phone and the operating system within it, and then you're able to then uptake all the new technologies as they emerge. Whereas if you if you if you buy a note, taking is sort of a bit stuck in time with whatever the features are on board. So the braille displays either. However, having said that, they used to go through the motor, Reverend Wright, because I used them so much that they just weren't. The other interesting thing about braille with this group, it was actually really hard to get them to use braille. And I think that there was a group of them that had gone through the original rehab program at IBRD, and they'd learnt braille. Ben Hewitt, if people remember him and they still remember the Pearl and they just jumped straight into the barrel devices and just flew with it all, and they're probably the most literate of the community, the ones who are proficient in braille. But the rest of the community very slow to jump into braille. But I used to just try and I used to teach them braille, basically on a computer and other braille display, and just basically get them using grade one first and just getting familiar because some of them just wanted to send texts. You know, they see mistakes. They didn't really want to read books or do anything too fancy. They just wanted a basic form of communication on their phone that they could manage themselves, either typing in braille and reading braille.

The juicer doing some work with Telstra.

The juicer doing some work with Telstra.

Yes, I did. I was pretty involved with Telstra all the way through, mainly through the braille to TV. The deaf community used the TV. I would just text to time telephone, and Telstra used to support a braille version of it, and I was always pretty heavily involved in the development of that in the maintaining of that device. And then in 2013, they came to me and said that they wanted to partner with Apple Australia and run a big digital literacy program for the deaf like community and as part of the work that they were doing in the disability sector. So that was for for a year, and it was pretty fantastic. It was three days a week. The project.

Yes, I did. I was pretty involved with Telstra all the way through, mainly through the braille to TV. The deaf community used the TV. I would just text to time telephone, and Telstra used to support a braille version of it, and I was always pretty heavily involved in the development of that in the maintaining of that device. And then in 2013, they came to me and said that they wanted to partner with Apple Australia and run a big digital literacy program for the deaf like community and as part of the work that they were doing in the disability sector. So that was for for a year, and it was pretty fantastic. It was three days a week. The project.

Well, I guess it's quite appropriate that a community and telecommunications company be involved with something like that. We're out of time, which is a shame, but maybe we can check your again in the future. But congratulations. Just the 10 or 12 minutes that we spent with you. I think we can get a real appreciation of why plants in Australia have recognised you. Perhaps are your star is rising as as time goes on because you've done a lot of the hard yards in a sense that it's nice when a number of those years now all your work is being recognised. So thank you for spending just a little bit of time this this evening. Good luck in the future, since there's still plenty left in you as far as helping others go. So again, congratulations and thanks for speaking to us.

Well, I guess it's quite appropriate that a community and telecommunications company be involved with something like that. We're out of time, which is a shame, but maybe we can check your again in the future. But congratulations. Just the 10 or 12 minutes that we spent with you. I think we can get a real appreciation of why plants in Australia have recognised you. Perhaps are your star is rising as as time goes on because you've done a lot of the hard yards in a sense that it's nice when a number of those years now all your work is being recognised. So thank you for spending just a little bit of time this this evening. Good luck in the future, since there's still plenty left in you as far as helping others go. So again, congratulations and thanks for speaking to us.

Thanks a lot, Peter. I've enjoyed it.

Thanks a lot, Peter. I've enjoyed it.

And that was 2021. David Blight award winner Claire Telefone, they're chatting with Vision Extras, Peter Greco on Sam Kelly and Joe listening to Talking Vision on a Vision Australia radio associated stations of our pitch and the community radio network. If you'd like to find out more about the program, like where to find your local radio frequency or listen to past programs, you can find all this and find more on the Talking Vision web page. Just time talking vision into your search engine, or you can find the program on the podcast app of your choice or through the Vision Australia Library. Now here's Tess Herper with Dorothy Hamilton. Tess started by asking Dorothy about her lifelong love of music and where it originated.

And that was 2021. David Blight award winner Claire Telefone, they're chatting with Vision Extras, Peter Greco on Sam Kelly and Joe listening to Talking Vision on a Vision Australia radio associated stations of our pitch and the community radio network. If you'd like to find out more about the program, like where to find your local radio frequency or listen to past programs, you can find all this and find more on the Talking Vision web page. Just time talking vision into your search engine, or you can find the program on the podcast app of your choice or through the Vision Australia Library. Now here's Tess Herper with Dorothy Hamilton. Tess started by asking Dorothy about her lifelong love of music and where it originated.

Well, my mother has told me that as a baby, if I if there was any music on, I would turn my head toward it. And then I remember her also telling me that at the age of 14 months at the local show, I could sing the first three notes, not the words, but just the tune of perhaps the words. I don't know. But anyway, there was a song called The Prisoner's Song, and people used to sing it, and I could sing it 14 months. The first three notes which would. Then after that, at the age of six I came to the B.o.B school is a border from rainbow and was a border there for nine years. And now, interestingly enough, every child had to learn the piano. Whether you wanted to or not, that was it was not an option. And of course, that meant everybody had to practice at least half an hour a day and there were about 40 children there, so the piano was never silent. You can just imagine what that was like. We had several pianos so so that coped with that situation. Because of that, I really heard a lot of music, lots of piano pieces, and there was one boy in particular, Arthur Mackay, who was an extremely good pianist. And I used to stand outside the door of where he was practicing just to listen to what he was playing. And I was inspired very much and said, I will have to learn how to play that. I've got to play that one day. Well, we had excellent blind music teachers and that inspired me and encouraged me in my love and wish to teach. But I only wanted to teach sighted children. I didn't want to be bothered. Teaching blind children was only sighted children. I thought I wanted to do so. Eventually, after I did sixth grade piano, Sir Bernard Hawkins, who was the director of the Melbourne University Conservatorium, was my examiner and he gave me such a good report and and encouraging report encouraged me and suggesting that I should continue my studies and piano studies. And he tied that year with a sighted girl for the highest marks in the state. So from there, the superintendent from the vibe, Stan Hedger, said, We've got to encourage you to go as far as you possibly can. So that's when it started. So from there on, I had learnt from a there was a first of all, the teachers at the vibe, whom I said were blind teachers were Dave Palmer, George Finley and Hugh Geoffrey. And they were so inspirational to me and really showed me what I could do if I really wanted to. So I proceeded to be going to Melbourne University Conservatorium, and for three years I did single study, which meant I learned from a teacher from the at the Conservatorium. They know after having matriculated or what you would say to Dave had obtained my easy. I started my diploma course, which took three years, and then I finished up with doing two more years to obtain my Bachelor of Music, and therefore then became the first blind woman in the southern hemisphere to get that degree. Now, my aim was I wanted to teach in a sighted school. That's all I wanted to do. However, that wasn't. An easy job to find a school that would even take me the education department certainly wouldn't. So I've tried in many private schools that before all of that. Mr. Hedger had offered me the position after having graduated. He offered me the position to teach the sighted children of any blind employee so that I thought, Well, that's a great idea. At least I'll get some experience. So I did that for three years, but in the meantime was also looking for opportunity to get into a school. Sometimes the I go for an interview and the headmaster would be pleased to have me, but the music mistress wouldn't or the other way round. However, at last, our great teacher, George Finley, said to me one day, Look, we've never tried Corowa, which is Church of England Girls Grammar School here in Glen Iris. So he said, I'll speak to the headmistress. So he spoke to the headmistress, and she said, I'd love to be involved in all this. He said she said I've got a vacancy for six months in that position. So I went ahead and view, and she gave me the position for six months. It was teaching piano and class music class work and which was, of course, singing and talking about music and so forth, and playing for assemblies and playing for the church services on the pipe organ. And after the six months, she said to me, now the girl that you are replacing doesn't want to come back till the end of the year. So she gave me that position till the end of the year, and then she had offered the position back to the original girl. And she said, but she was worried that I she didn't want to let me go, she said. So I said, Well, I'll teach you as much piano as you would like me to teach. So she said, alright, but you'll miss out on your pay or go down because you won't be here Wednesday. So I said, Well, I'll see if I can find anything else to do. And just as I was walking out the door to find something else in the school of the Abbey, she rang me and said the other girl didn't want to come back and would I take the position? So I did, and I was there for five years teaching piano theory recorder, taping the junior choir and music classes. So that was my introduced introduction to being able to teach sighted children in a sighted school, and that's all I wanted to do. And I after that, when I finished Akaroa, when I married in 1957, I didn't do any teaching really worthwhile until my youngest daughter went to school. And then I started a private music teaching practice. And I had about that were I. There were a few blind children came along, but they were mainly sighted children and adults, and I would have had to practice sometimes of about 30 to 40 students a week, which was a mighty job.

Well, my mother has told me that as a baby, if I if there was any music on, I would turn my head toward it. And then I remember her also telling me that at the age of 14 months at the local show, I could sing the first three notes, not the words, but just the tune of perhaps the words. I don't know. But anyway, there was a song called The Prisoner's Song, and people used to sing it, and I could sing it 14 months. The first three notes which would. Then after that, at the age of six I came to the B.o.B school is a border from rainbow and was a border there for nine years. And now, interestingly enough, every child had to learn the piano. Whether you wanted to or not, that was it was not an option. And of course, that meant everybody had to practice at least half an hour a day and there were about 40 children there, so the piano was never silent. You can just imagine what that was like. We had several pianos so so that coped with that situation. Because of that, I really heard a lot of music, lots of piano pieces, and there was one boy in particular, Arthur Mackay, who was an extremely good pianist. And I used to stand outside the door of where he was practicing just to listen to what he was playing. And I was inspired very much and said, I will have to learn how to play that. I've got to play that one day. Well, we had excellent blind music teachers and that inspired me and encouraged me in my love and wish to teach. But I only wanted to teach sighted children. I didn't want to be bothered. Teaching blind children was only sighted children. I thought I wanted to do so. Eventually, after I did sixth grade piano, Sir Bernard Hawkins, who was the director of the Melbourne University Conservatorium, was my examiner and he gave me such a good report and and encouraging report encouraged me and suggesting that I should continue my studies and piano studies. And he tied that year with a sighted girl for the highest marks in the state. So from there, the superintendent from the vibe, Stan Hedger, said, We've got to encourage you to go as far as you possibly can. So that's when it started. So from there on, I had learnt from a there was a first of all, the teachers at the vibe, whom I said were blind teachers were Dave Palmer, George Finley and Hugh Geoffrey. And they were so inspirational to me and really showed me what I could do if I really wanted to. So I proceeded to be going to Melbourne University Conservatorium, and for three years I did single study, which meant I learned from a teacher from the at the Conservatorium. They know after having matriculated or what you would say to Dave had obtained my easy. I started my diploma course, which took three years, and then I finished up with doing two more years to obtain my Bachelor of Music, and therefore then became the first blind woman in the southern hemisphere to get that degree. Now, my aim was I wanted to teach in a sighted school. That's all I wanted to do. However, that wasn't. An easy job to find a school that would even take me the education department certainly wouldn't. So I've tried in many private schools that before all of that. Mr. Hedger had offered me the position after having graduated. He offered me the position to teach the sighted children of any blind employee so that I thought, Well, that's a great idea. At least I'll get some experience. So I did that for three years, but in the meantime was also looking for opportunity to get into a school. Sometimes the I go for an interview and the headmaster would be pleased to have me, but the music mistress wouldn't or the other way round. However, at last, our great teacher, George Finley, said to me one day, Look, we've never tried Corowa, which is Church of England Girls Grammar School here in Glen Iris. So he said, I'll speak to the headmistress. So he spoke to the headmistress, and she said, I'd love to be involved in all this. He said she said I've got a vacancy for six months in that position. So I went ahead and view, and she gave me the position for six months. It was teaching piano and class music class work and which was, of course, singing and talking about music and so forth, and playing for assemblies and playing for the church services on the pipe organ. And after the six months, she said to me, now the girl that you are replacing doesn't want to come back till the end of the year. So she gave me that position till the end of the year, and then she had offered the position back to the original girl. And she said, but she was worried that I she didn't want to let me go, she said. So I said, Well, I'll teach you as much piano as you would like me to teach. So she said, alright, but you'll miss out on your pay or go down because you won't be here Wednesday. So I said, Well, I'll see if I can find anything else to do. And just as I was walking out the door to find something else in the school of the Abbey, she rang me and said the other girl didn't want to come back and would I take the position? So I did, and I was there for five years teaching piano theory recorder, taping the junior choir and music classes. So that was my introduced introduction to being able to teach sighted children in a sighted school, and that's all I wanted to do. And I after that, when I finished Akaroa, when I married in 1957, I didn't do any teaching really worthwhile until my youngest daughter went to school. And then I started a private music teaching practice. And I had about that were I. There were a few blind children came along, but they were mainly sighted children and adults, and I would have had to practice sometimes of about 30 to 40 students a week, which was a mighty job.

So, I mean, tell me about my own music. How did you how did you go about setting that up?

So, I mean, tell me about my own music. How did you how did you go about setting that up?

That's a very interesting story, actually in the very, very early eighties where blind musicians and I might add that here in Melbourne, from the available school they came, they became about 10 bachelors of music that went through the Melbourne University Conservatorium. And I think that is really amazing and needs really documenting. It was because of all the influence we had with those blind teachers. Yes, now. So one day we thought. Well, let's all get together and make music. Let's have a weekend of making music, so we did we we stayed at the Burwood school when the children were on holidays for a weekend and we had lots of fun, made lots of music, a lot of things and we decided, could this? We've never really strayed from Israel. Perhaps we should do that. So we did. And oh dear we were. We were too good, I can tell you. But we had a little cry as we battled on. We thought we're not too bad by the time we finished, but we thought we did that for about two years. And then we thought, Look, we can't keep this, this wonderful. This is really wonderful. We can't keep this to ourselves. We must. Involves the children and pass it on to them. So in 1994, there was a conflict, there's a teachers of the blind in Adelaide, and so we said, Well, we're going to go there too, and we'll show them what music can do for blind children because perhaps they don't even know because integration just started. And we said, now that this integration coming into it, the children will be into closer to other schools. We must. What can we do? So Ian Cooper and Roma said, Let's have a camp here at Princeton. This was a French, was a school, is a school up in New South Wales and Mittagong. And I said, Well, we'll be able to get you would have told it to French. So in 19, so we proceeded to work on that idea. And in 1996, we started with the first camp. And from there on, it's gone from every year right up to now. I think the last two years it hasn't. So because of the COVID, but after then every year with it and it's grown and grown and grown.

That's a very interesting story, actually in the very, very early eighties where blind musicians and I might add that here in Melbourne, from the available school they came, they became about 10 bachelors of music that went through the Melbourne University Conservatorium. And I think that is really amazing and needs really documenting. It was because of all the influence we had with those blind teachers. Yes, now. So one day we thought. Well, let's all get together and make music. Let's have a weekend of making music, so we did we we stayed at the Burwood school when the children were on holidays for a weekend and we had lots of fun, made lots of music, a lot of things and we decided, could this? We've never really strayed from Israel. Perhaps we should do that. So we did. And oh dear we were. We were too good, I can tell you. But we had a little cry as we battled on. We thought we're not too bad by the time we finished, but we thought we did that for about two years. And then we thought, Look, we can't keep this, this wonderful. This is really wonderful. We can't keep this to ourselves. We must. Involves the children and pass it on to them. So in 1994, there was a conflict, there's a teachers of the blind in Adelaide, and so we said, Well, we're going to go there too, and we'll show them what music can do for blind children because perhaps they don't even know because integration just started. And we said, now that this integration coming into it, the children will be into closer to other schools. We must. What can we do? So Ian Cooper and Roma said, Let's have a camp here at Princeton. This was a French, was a school, is a school up in New South Wales and Mittagong. And I said, Well, we'll be able to get you would have told it to French. So in 19, so we proceeded to work on that idea. And in 1996, we started with the first camp. And from there on, it's gone from every year right up to now. I think the last two years it hasn't. So because of the COVID, but after then every year with it and it's grown and grown and grown.

But you, you know, you didn't just inspire people at Sprout Music Camp, you also did at the Ivy and Vision Australia, and now you're getting an award this year. How does that feel?

But you, you know, you didn't just inspire people at Sprout Music Camp, you also did at the Ivy and Vision Australia, and now you're getting an award this year. How does that feel?

Well, I feel very, very honoured, and I was really quite surprised because I'm sure there were so many other people who were nominated for it and to have been the one to be chosen. I really am. It was. It was a real honour. And I thank them for it.

Well, I feel very, very honoured, and I was really quite surprised because I'm sure there were so many other people who were nominated for it and to have been the one to be chosen. I really am. It was. It was a real honour. And I thank them for it.

Well, I think we've I think, you know, I think we've had the honor as blind children of being taught by you, my my colleagues, Sam. He's doing the panel because they have experience as well involving eBay and and you know, we you know, you taught so many students over the years and inspired so many people to learn ground music. You're a very worthy award recipients, and it's just been wonderful chatting to you today and hearing the story. Thank you so much, Dorothy.

Well, I think we've I think, you know, I think we've had the honor as blind children of being taught by you, my my colleagues, Sam. He's doing the panel because they have experience as well involving eBay and and you know, we you know, you taught so many students over the years and inspired so many people to learn ground music. You're a very worthy award recipients, and it's just been wonderful chatting to you today and hearing the story. Thank you so much, Dorothy.

I haven't mentioned the fact that in 1977, George Finley had up until then had been transcribing music for her for many, many years. And he always used to say, You know, when I give up. You're the one that needs to take over. You're the right person. So he said, but I'm not ready yet. However, Nancy said 1977, who became quite ill and he's he asked the authorities what they were going to do because he and he had months to live and they didn't make up their mind what they were going to do. So he made up their mind for them, and they trained me for six weeks, two hours, twice a week. And my friend Gwenda, who was a former student of mine to read to me. And he said, Now we've done that, we'll send them the bill. They paid the bill and I've been there ever since since the 8th of August 1977.

I haven't mentioned the fact that in 1977, George Finley had up until then had been transcribing music for her for many, many years. And he always used to say, You know, when I give up. You're the one that needs to take over. You're the right person. So he said, but I'm not ready yet. However, Nancy said 1977, who became quite ill and he's he asked the authorities what they were going to do because he and he had months to live and they didn't make up their mind what they were going to do. So he made up their mind for them, and they trained me for six weeks, two hours, twice a week. And my friend Gwenda, who was a former student of mine to read to me. And he said, Now we've done that, we'll send them the bill. They paid the bill and I've been there ever since since the 8th of August 1977.

Well, after all those years at AbbVie, eBay and Virgin Australia, it transcribing and teaching music, it's wonderful to see you receive this award. It's a fantastic achievement among with all your other achievements, and it's been fantastic chatting to you today, Dorothy. Thank you so much for being here.

Well, after all those years at AbbVie, eBay and Virgin Australia, it transcribing and teaching music, it's wonderful to see you receive this award. It's a fantastic achievement among with all your other achievements, and it's been fantastic chatting to you today, Dorothy. Thank you so much for being here.

Thank you. Test.

Thank you. Test.

And that's all we have time for today. You've been listening to talking vision, talking vision is the production of Vision Australia radio. Thanks to all involved with putting the program together. And remember, we love your feedback and comments. You can contact us at Talking Vision at Vision Australia dot org. That's talking Vision All one word Vision Australia dot org. But until next week, it's by Senate.

And that's all we have time for today. You've been listening to talking vision, talking vision is the production of Vision Australia radio. Thanks to all involved with putting the program together. And remember, we love your feedback and comments. You can contact us at Talking Vision at Vision Australia dot org. That's talking Vision All one word Vision Australia dot org. But until next week, it's by Senate.

You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during business hours on 103000 eight four seven four six. That's one 300 eight four seven four double six or by visiting Vision Australia dot org. That's Vision Australia dot all.

You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during business hours on 103000 eight four seven four six. That's one 300 eight four seven four double six or by visiting Vision Australia dot org. That's Vision Australia dot all.