Studio 1

Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look through a different lens.  On this week’s show  “If not me, who else?”  We ask our choir of angels about their experiences of caring for an ill and injured loved one and whether they faced any barriers from the medical or caring profession.  Lizzie also has her own story.  Studio 1 welcomes any input from our listeners. If you have any experience or thoughts about issues covered in this episode or believe there is something we should be talking about.    You may also be interested in joining our choir of angels and telling your story.  EMAIL: studio1@visionaustralia.org or leave comment on the station’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VARadioNetwork  A special thank you to Debbie; Elise; and Lisa-Marie  This program was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at https://cbf.org.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look through a different lens.  On this week’s show  “Olga”  Lizzie and Sam catch up with Olga Mahler, Masseur; Councilor and influencer.  Olga talks about her experience growing up blind in Ukraine and the plight of some of her fellow people with a disability back in her former homeland.  She also talks about how she came to be living in Australia and her observations on living with a disability.    Studio 1 welcomes any input from our listeners. If you have any experience or thoughts about issues covered in this episode or believe there is something we should be talking about.    You may also be interested in joining our choir of angels and telling your story.  EMAIL: studio1@visionaustralia.org or leave comment on the station’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VARadioNetwork  A special thank you to Olga  You can find Olga on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@olgamahlerbornblindtoinspi5380   And on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olga.itsenko   This program was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at https://cbf.org.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look through a different lens.  On this week’s show  “By Ninja”  Sam decides to spend the day at “Home” and leave things to Lizzie for a change.  In the lead up to International Women’s Day Lizzie catches up with Kathleen Casford, the creative overlord of By Ninja about the studio’s work with Wlde by Oscar to create accessible hair care products for women living with Blindness or low vision.    Studio 1 welcomes any input from our listeners. If you have any experience or thoughts about issues covered in this episode or believe there is something we should be talking about.    You may also be interested in joining our choir of angels and telling your story.  EMAIL: studio1@visionaustralia.org or leave comment on the station’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VARadioNetwork  A special thank you to Kathleen and Narelle  You cand find more information here: https://www.byninja.com.au/portfolio/origami/wilde-accessiblehaircare/   This program was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at https://cbf.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look through a different lens.  On this week’s show  "Outside In" Once more we’re joined by Holly Andrew from Abundabiliteez Productions; along with Matt Tripney.   They talk about their upcoming show at the Adelaide Fringe “Outside In”    Studio 1 welcomes any input from our listeners. If you have any experience or thoughts about issues covered in this episode or believe there is something we should be talking about.    You may also be interested in joining our choir of angels and telling your story.  EMAIL: studio1@visionaustralia.org or leave comment on the station’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VARadioNetwork  A special thank you to Holly; Matt; Emma and Ellen.     You can find tickets to Matt’s show here: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/outside-in-af2026   Find Abundabiliteez Productions here: https://abundabiliteezproductions.com.au/   This program was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at https://cbf.org.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look through a different lens.  On this week’s show  "Finding Your Tribe”  We explore the challenges of socialising within the wider community as a person with a disability.  Six individuals with a Vision Impairment talk about their experiences, both positive and negative, getting out into the wider community and give some of their own tips into “Getting Out theere”   Studio 1 welcomes any input from our listeners. If you have any experience or thoughts about issues covered in this episode or believe there is something we should be talking about.    You may also be interested in joining our choir of angels and telling your story.  EMAIL: studio1@visionaustralia.org or leave comment on the station’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VARadioNetwork  A special thank you to Anthony; Daren; Elise; Julie; Kushal and Steven.     This program was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at https://cbf.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look through a different lens.  On this week’s show  "Disability and Desire – With Patrick Rory-John”  Patrick Rory-John is a Psychotherapist and Clinical Counsellor. They talk to us about Disability; sexuality and the importance of the correct pronoun.      Along the way we talk about sexuality and disability; consent and how a lack of understanding can lead to some very serious ramifications; and how people with a disability are often considered to be asexual, or infantilised.    Studio 1 welcomes any input from our listeners. If you have any experience or thoughts about issues covered in this episode or believe there is something we should be talking about.    You may also be interested in joining our choir of angels and telling your story.  EMAIL: studio1@visionaustralia.org or leave comment on the station’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VARadioNetwork  A special thank you to Patrick Rory-John and to Emma Myers for helping to make the interview possible.  You can find out more here: https://northcott.com.au/services/sexuality-and-relationship-education/  This program was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at https://cbf.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look through a different lens.  On this week’s show  "New Puppy”  By an interesting coincidence a number of friends of the Studio 1 Team have recently acquired a new Guide Dog/Seeing Eye Dog – this includes Lizzie.  So it was time to tlk to Shayne, Vicki and Kirsten about the experiences.  Vicki lost her previous dog, Bella, to cancer and had to decide whether it was possible to replace her best friend. Shayne talks about “Second Dog Syndrome” and how experience with one dog does not necessarily prepare you for the next one.  And Kirsten talks about how some dogs are better for particular times of life.  Meanwhile Steven and Lizzie talk what happens to the dog who has been “Retired”  Studio 1 welcomes any input from our listeners. If you have any experience or thoughts about issues covered in this episode or believe there is something we should be talking about.    You may also be interested in joining our choir of angels and telling your story.  EMAIL: studio1@visionaustralia.org or leave comment on the station’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VARadioNetwork  A special thank you to Steven; Kirsten Busby; Shayne Allan and Vicki Cousins  This program was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at https://cbf.org.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look through a different lens.  On this week’s show  "David Williamson”  Sam talks to Vison Australia CEO David Williamson. David was appointed in October; how has he settled in and what lies ahead for Australia's largest agency catering for people with a Vision Impairment of Blindness.  David talks about his background in the disability sector and how those experiences along with lived experience shaped his decision to take on the role of CEO.  Studio 1 welcomes any input from our listeners. If you have any experience or thoughts about issues covered in this episode or believe there is something we should be talking about.    You may also be interested in joining our choir of angels and telling your story.  EMAIL: studio1@visionaustralia.org or leave comment on the station’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VARadioNetwork  A special thank you to David and also Kate (David’s hard-working PA) for helping to set this up.  This program was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at https://cbf.org.au/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look through a different lens.  On this week’s show  “It's Your Call”  Which phone is best for you?  Is the Iphone still superior to Android when it comes to accessibility?  The Operating System “Debate” is explored with some rather surprising results.  Studio 1 welcomes any input from our listeners. If you have any experience or thoughts about issues covered in this episode or believe there is something we should be talking about.    You may also be interested in joining our choir of angels and telling your story.  EMAIL: studio1@visionaustralia.org or leave comment on the station’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VARadioNetwork  A special thank you to: Shayne; Lisa-Marie; Heidi and Connor  This program was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at https://cbf.org.au/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look through a different lens.  On this week’s show  “Elise Lonsdale”  Lizzie catches up with Elise Lonsdale, the founder of DATA Australasia.  They discus access-technology; digital accessibility; and how it impacts education; employment and everyday life. Elise also talks about the role of Toastmasters.  Studio 1 welcomes any input from our listeners. If you have any experience or thoughts about issues covered in this episode or believe there is something we should be talking about.    You may also be interested in joining our choir of angels and telling your story.  EMAIL: studio1@visionaustralia.org or leave comment on the station’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VARadioNetwork  For more information about the topics covered in this show go to: https://dataaustralasia.com.au/   This program was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at https://cbf.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look through a different lens.  On this week’s show  “There's Never Been a Cooler Time to be Blind!”  For International Braille Day (4th January 2026), Lizzie speaks to Aasha Rose about her research.  Aash is doing a PHD into whether Braille literacy leads to higher life satisfaction.    And we ask, friend of the show Shaun Oliver, whether it really is a cool time to be blind?  Studio 1 welcomes any input from our listeners. If you have any experience or thoughts about issues covered in this episode or believe there is something we should be talking about.    You may also be interested in joining our choir of angels and telling your story.  EMAIL: studio1@visionaustralia.org or leave comment on the station’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VARadioNetwork  A special thank you to Aasha Rose and Shaun Oliver.  You can find Aasha's survey here: https://surveys.unisq.edu.au/index.php/147465?lang=en   This program was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at https://cbf.org.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.  On this week’s show  “Sam and Lizzie’s Year in Review”  Our hosts look back at 2025 and give their top 3 episodes for the year.    Lizzie's top 3:  Annette and Valda (Vision Loss): https://omny.fm/shows/studio1/annette-and-valda-vision-loss  Ski for Light: https://omny.fm/shows/studio1/ski-for-light   Camp Abilities Part 1 & 2: https://omny.fm/shows/studio1/camp-abilities-part-1 https://omny.fm/shows/studio1/camp-abilities-part-2   Sam's Top 3:  Eyewear: https://omny.fm/shows/studio1/eyewear  And the Winner is... Sydeny: https://omny.fm/shows/studio1/the-winner-is-sydeny   TAXI! https://omny.fm/shows/studio1/taxi   Honorable Mentions:  Taking Care of Business: https://omny.fm/shows/studio1/taking-care-of-business   Francois and Victoria: Audio Description: https://omny.fm/shows/studio1/francois-and-victoria-audio-description   Studio 1 welcomes any input from our listeners. If you have any experience or thoughts about issues covered in this episode or believe there is something we should be talking about.    You may also be interested in joining our choir of angels and telling your story.  EMAIL: studio1@visionaustralia.org or leave comment on the station’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VARadioNetwork  A special thank you to everyone who has contributed to Studio 1; including our chior of angels; and, of course, thank you to our listeners.    This program was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at https://cbf.org.au/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.  On this week’s show  “Another Very Studio 1 Christmas”  It's Christmas Eve, if you haven't finished your Christmas shopping... well too bad! Sam and Lizzie are joined by a few friends to look back at Christmas Past and how some things have changed.  Studio 1 welcomes any input from our listeners. If you have any experience or thoughts about issues covered in this episode or believe there is something we should be talking about.    You may also be interested in joining our choir of angels and telling your story.  EMAIL: studio1@visionaustralia.org or leave comment on the station’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VARadioNetwork  A special thank you to David Burston; Emma Myers; Shayne Allan; Stephen Eastham and Shaun Oliver.  This program was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at https://cbf.org.au/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.  On this week’s show  “Mr Chips”  Children's Author, David Burston (AKA Mr Chips) talks to Lizzie and Sam about his adventures out at sea and working as an IT adviser at a local school in the mid-1990s – and how these experiences affected his writing.    Studio 1 welcomes any input from our listeners. If you have any experience or thoughts about issues covered in this episode or believe there is something we should be talking about.    You may also be interested in joining our choir of angels and telling your story.  EMAIL: studio1@visionaustralia.org or leave comment on the station’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VARadioNetwork  A special thank you to David, you can hear more from him next week when we bring you “Another Very Studio 1 Christmas”   You can find David’s books on most popular retail sites including Amazon; Andgus and Robinson, and Booktopia.  However David did mention a few other places:  Hemlocks Book and Coffee: https://www.facebook.com/hemlocksbooks/   Evan’s head Infomration Centre: https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/lismore-area/evans-head/visitor-information-centres/evans-head-visitor-information-centre   Balina Book Warehouse: https://bal1.circlepos.com/   This program was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at https://cbf.org.au/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.  On this week’s show  “How Much can you see... Really?”  How often do you get asked “How much can you actually see?” and how do you feel when someone asks you that question?  We asked a few friends this question, with mixed results – mostly positive – it turns out most of us simply want to be understood... even when we don’t really know how to answer the question.  Studio 1 welcomes any input from our listeners. If you have any experience or thoughts about issues covered in this episode or believe there is something we should be talking about.    You may also be interested in joining our choir of angels and telling your story.  EMAIL: studio1@visionaustralia.org or leave comment on the station’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VARadioNetwork  A special thank you to Anthony; Lily; Maddie; Sammie C and Stephen.  This program was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at https://cbf.org.au/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.  On this week’s show  “Changing Track”  It’s unusual we release the podcast of a show before it airs, however we have our reasons...  “In a velodrome on the other side of the world, three Australian cyclists are about to chase a Paralympic dream that they could never have anticipated.”  A new documentary called “Changing Track” premieres in theatres around Australia on the 3rd December.  Sam talks to Emily Petricola, one of the athletes featured; as well as writers and Producers: Timothy and Tristan Kenyon.    We present a preview of what to expect: some insights into the motivation of both the subjects of the film, and indeed the producers of it; and why seeing some films on the big screen is so important.    If you want to see “Changing Track” - at the moment for one night only – go to https://changingtrack.com/tickets/   Studio 1 welcomes any input from our listeners. If you have any experience or thoughts about issues covered in this episode or believe there is something we should be talking about.    You may also be interested in joining our choir of angels and telling your story.  EMAIL: studio1@visionaustralia.org or leave comment on the station’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VARadioNetwork  A special thank you to Emily; Tim and Tristan.    To find out more go to: https://changingtrack.com   This program was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at https://cbf.org.au/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.  On this week’s show  “Annette and Valda”  How can losing sight reshape your identity; relationships; and daily life. We also ask what adaptations people make to rebuild and thrive.    Lizzie talks to two women about how losing their sight changed their lives; how their connections to family and friends enabled them to recover; and how that has affected their lives going forward.    Studio 1 welcomes any input from our listeners. If you have any experience or thoughts about issues covered in this episode or believe there is something we should be talking about.    You may also be interested in joining our choir of angels and telling your story.  EMAIL: studio1@visionaustralia.org or leave comment on the station’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VARadioNetwork  A special thank you to Valda and Annette.    Resources: ​Save Sight Institute:Located at the Sydney eye hospital, 8 Macquarie Street, Sydney.Sydney.edu.auPhone: 02 9382 7300.See Differently Peer Support & counselling.Website: Address https://seedifferently.org.au/news/peer-support-how-pauls-vision-loss-is-empowering-others/Vision Australia: vision loss pageWebsite: https://www.visionaustralia.org/services/helpful-resources/carers/supporting-someone-in-vision-loss   This program was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at https://cbf.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.  On this week’s show  “Public Transport”  Many people take a drivers license for granted, as well as free access to a motor vehicle.  This is not the case for people who are Blind or have Low Vision.  Lizzie and Sam look at the pros and cons of various public transport types, as well as asking the Choir of Angles their experiences.     Studio 1 welcomes any input from our listeners. If you have any experience or thoughts about issues covered in this episode or believe there is something we should be talking about.    You may also be interested in joining our choir of angels and telling your story.  EMAIL: studio1@visionaustralia.org or leave comment on the station’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VARadioNetwork  A special thank you to: Tim; Maddie; Sammy C; Sarnya and Stephen  This program was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at https://cbf.org.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.  On this week’s show  “What NOT to do on the Internet”  Friend of the show Shayne Allen, comes back to talk a little of his day job; and give some advice on what NOT to do when confronted with threats to your online security.  Lizzie and Sam also discuss some of their experiences and look at some of the more worrying aspects of Artificial Intelligence.    Studio 1 welcomes any input from our listeners. If you have any experience or thoughts about issues covered in this episode or believe there is something we should be talking about.    You may also be interested in joining our choir of angels and telling your story.  EMAIL: studio1@visionaustralia.org or leave comment on the station’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VARadioNetwork  This program was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at https://cbf.org.au/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.  On this week’s show  “Taking Care of Business”  Have you ever thought about going out and creating your own business?  Lizzie talks to three people who have done exactly that.  Shianne talks about her motivations for becoming a mentor and taking the next steps into attaining an ABN and creating a business.  Steven Kemp found getting into paid work not just hard, but demoralising – he therefore started his own massage therapy business.    And taking things closer to home: Steven Eastham, Lizzie’s husband, has created his own lawnmowing business.    Studio 1 welcomes any input from our listeners. If you have any experience or thoughts about issues covered in this episode or believe there is something we should be talking about.    You may also be interested in joining our choir of angels and telling your story.  EMAIL: studio1@visionaustralia.org or leave comment on the station’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VARadioNetwork  A special thank you to Shianne; Steven and Steven.  Useful Links: Shianne Durdin Vison Impairment Support Coach: https://shiannedurdin.github.io/Vision-Impairment-Support-Coach/   Steven Kemp Massage: https://www.mymassagekneads.com.au/   Steven Eastham’s Lawn Mowing facebook page (Work in Progress): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583167510553   This program was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at https://cbf.org.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.