interview
“Nearly everyone I speak to is happy to pay
that NDIS levy and if they’re not, then I like
to remind them that everyone is a heart beat
away from potentially being a candidate for
the scheme!”
from their family and friends how
excited they were to be on, how their
school friends, work colleagues and
people they know heard them, is
just something that’s priceless and
uplifting.”
Peter, who has lived with
blindness since he was 12, believes
be heard every Saturday afternoon
at 5pm.
“The shows I do are all interview-
based, so for me, it’s talking to job in providing information that
people about themselves, their many people take for granted, such
and Focal Point; programs for people services, what they have been doing, as reading the newspaper.
who are blind or vision impaired, intend doing, and of course trying which go to air on Wednesdays from to get a ‘straight’ answer from a or phone call, sometimes 12 months
7pm (Vision Extra is at 7pm, Focal politician or decision maker can be or more after an interview, with
Point is at 7.15pm). lots of fun, sometimes with a little someone wanting details. Something
frustration,” he said. has happened in their life and their
Peter also presents Vision Extra
He said in some ways, radio has
“It is incredible getting an email
changed a lot over the years, but “When I started I was getting then in other ways, the basics are newsletters on tapes, making phone about it and the contact comes … it’s
“pretty similar to how Mr Marconi calls and just talking to people face incredible how often this happens,
invented it”. to face. Now it’s a lot of emailing and it’s a very powerful affirmation
and websites, but still phone calls for what we do,” he said.
and talking to people … in fact the
The National Disability Insurance
Scheme (NDIS) has been a topic of
people is one of the real fun parts of many interviews for Peter during the
this radio gig.” past seven years.
“It seems some people think it’s
his broadcasting career so far the best thing ever to happen, and
would have to be the Sydney 2000 others seem to struggle to get what
Paralympics, which he covered for the they want – it can be a bit of a lucky
RPH Australia network from Sydney, or unlucky dip,” he said.
filing three reports a day for 12 days.
“It was amazing, unforgettable …
“I think long term it will be a
very good thing, although there are
some of the moments still give me issues for those over 65 that have
goose bumps and move me to tears,” a disability. I also think that the
he said. Medicare levy could have continued
“When I had talked with athletes,
and then when any of them did well,
it was a real buzz.
“On the other hand, it’s also
interview
memory bank triggers they heard
networking and connecting with
Peter said the highlight of
22
Vision Australia Radio does a valuable
for the NDIS and given the scheme a
real ‘bank’ to work with.
“Nearly everyone I speak to is
happy to pay that NDIS levy and if
humbling and a privilege to speak they’re not, then I like to remind them
to people who may have their only that everyone is a heart beat away
opportunity to speak on radio on from potentially being a candidate for
a show like Leisure Link. Hearing the scheme!”
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