This week’s Talking Vision focusses on two very different topics, with discussions about mental health and wellbeing as well as Carols By Candlelight.
First up on this week’s show is Peter Casey, National Boys Choir Artistic Director, who discusses the choir’s long involvement in Carols By Candlelight.
“It has become a long-term tradition,” Peter reflects.
“We’re very lucky to consider ourselves part of the carols family.”
The National Boys Choir has performed at some of the biggest events both nationally and internationally, but Peter says performing each year at Carols is one of their most iconic experiences.
“Certainly in terms of Australia event Carols is an absolutely iconic family event,” says Peter.
“It’s right up the top of our list of the most iconic things we’re involved with”
Peter also discusses the recent Vision Australia Award the choir received.
Following that, there’s a departure from the usual when regular Talking Vision host Stella Glorie has the tables turned on her and becomes the interviewee, rather than the interviewer.
Jamie Duncan from the Vision Australia Communications Team joins the show and asks Stella about Don’t Eat the Whole Elephant, a podcast focussing on mental health and wellbeing among people who are blind or has low vision she has produced.
“Wellbeing is about your overall health which includes your mental and physical health,” Stella says, explaining the central theme of Don’t Eat the Whole Elephant.
“The series features a range of hosts in conversation with each other about their lived experiences of blindness and low vision.”
“It became apparent to me during the course of ‘Talking Vision’ that when it came to blindness and low vision, especially when people lose their vision, that their wellbeing was often ignored,” Stella explains.
“I wanted to do something about it … I’m not saying that this audio series, this podcast, is going to solve everything but it might give people some insights.”
Stella also talks about the range of hosts and believes the series has something for everyone
“I put the call out to colleagues who are blind and have low vision and said ‘if you know anyone else who would like to get involved get them to get in touch with me’ and we had a meeting and they came up with the subjects they wanted to talk about.”
You can listen to latest Talking Vision here or on the player below: