Para sports unit, neurodiversity employment toolkit, tennis news and more

00:16 Peter

It's just gone 5:00 as we marked five years yesterday since the late, great Johnny Whiteman passed away. Pattern for Leisure Link for 25 years. And his five words at 5:00, still ringing my ears when he used to say, get on with that guy. Peter Greco, welcome you to Leisure Link here on Australia Radio 1197 AM in Adelaide, online at VA Radio Norfolk, VA, radio Digital in Adelaide and Darwin through the TuneIn radio app. Look for Vision Australia, Radio Adelaide your favourite podcast or streaming service. Our friends listening through 103.9 Hope FM, Esperance in Western Australia. And our tremendous supporters at Disability Media Australia for their support. They make this podcast available on their website. You can find out much more about them at Powerd Media. P o w e r d dot media. This program comes to you from Kaurna Land. 

Coming to you very very shortly: we'll meet Jed Altschwager here. He was an athlete. He's now a coach. We'll find out about that. We'll catch up with Andriana Petrakis, a wonderful tennis player, an incredible year. We'll wrap that up with Adrianna. Also, we'll catch up with Ben Dew proving a big month of tennis coming up, particularly for athletes with disabilities. Grant Leonard will wrap up the AFL inclusion Carnival AFL open that was held in Queensland just a few days ago. Chelsea Marchetti, our resident physiotherapist, will join us. She's got some flipper fun happening in January, a chance maybe, for your kids to get along. 

Assistant Minister for Autism Emily Bourke will be here to wrap up the year. Look to catch up with Julie Johinke from Resthaven. 27 years they've been with us. They've got a big year coming up next year. Julie give us a bit of a sneak preview. And Dr Rebecca Flower joined us from Trobe University. A toolkit has just been launched for employers. This is for employers in Victoria in the public service, but it's also going to be made available to everyone. And that is good news, particularly for people with neurodiversity. 

I vividly recall catching up with Jed Altschwager virtually straight off the plane from Paris with his gold medal. He's got some more news for us. Jed, welcome. Thanks for your time. 

02:36 Jed

No worries Peter, thanks for having me.

02:37 Peter

Big announcement of the week and you're at the forefront of it. Yeah.

02:41 Jed

Absolutely, mate. It's a, you know, a big a big announcement for our great state here in South Australia and across the country. Really. It's a really big push from the from higher from federal funding coming through for for para units nationwide and SASI have, really have. Yeah really taken the lead and been pushing it mate. So yeah first one employed kind of in the in the role and um in talent identification and... development. So yeah, very exciting.

03:09 Peter

So right now you're the boss. You're the only one there.

03:12 Jed

Oh, definitely not the boss, but yeah, it's it's so interesting just how early doors this whole thing is, mate. We just had. I just got off. I got off a phone call with... essentially, all the... SAS's and institutes and Victorian Institute of Sport. Like, we just had a big video call then of just where everyone's at with it and how it's looking and how everyone's rolling it out. And, it's early days. So structures are coming and how are we going to go about it. And I've spent two weeks in the role and had incredible conversations with potential young athletes and their families. And and another one, from my perspective is just to keep get people moving, get people exercising and moving and, and, you know, being a part of community sport and school sport and then, you know, we can go from there and build it from there. 

04:01 Peter

Well, to be at the beginning of anything is exciting. And obviously, you know, this is the very much the ground floor and who knows where this could lead to.

04:07 Jed

Yeah. It's so exciting, mate. Like, the... big push is for us here at SAS is towards 2032, the Brisbane Games obviously. So it's... just putting, you know, systems in place to help, you know, spread the nets. You know I call them that like talent identification nets. And through our school system as I've had some great conversations over the last few days with heads of sport and PE and... organisations like HP and School Sports SA, just on how we can help that environment talent identify and bring it through to us. And then, you know, and then... there's going to be a bunch of different roles employed here at SAS. So there's mine and there's going to be a sort of a hub lead or a unit lead, sorry, that's going to sort of help... logistics and admin sort of stuff. 

And then alongside me, there'll be, you know, wheelchair specialists, basketball coach, full time strength and conditioning and classification and physio. These are these are full time roles. So these are these are really big deals that are basically going to help form a unit here in South Australia to... help guide and give, you know, give these pathways to the to the new new athletes, young and old. You know, I was telling I'd eat at 28. I wasn't a spring chicken. So it's there's, you know, that's it's super exciting. So there's a lot to structure up and a lot to kind of firm up as the year progresses. 

But like, you know, I had a great conversation with Karen Faulkner, our director here at SASI and it's like, we can't wait. It's not you can't just sit and wait. We do need to let's try things. Let's maybe fail. Let's find where the good points are. Let's let's go from there. And so... that starts with communication and conversation from my perspective and figuring out where those touch points are.

05:50 Peter

I'm glad you mentioned Karen, because we've had the opportunity to speak to her a few times as that sort of thing has been developed and she so passionate and very much clued into, you know, what's needed to be good, you know what's needed as far as providing opportunities go and also like the best opportunities or the best conditions, the best facilities.

06:08 Jed

Yeah, she's so on board, mate. Like, you know, her guidance through, you know, she's got a really big, um, you know, I guess tie back to the para Paralympic space and from from her, I guess pathway into, you know, becoming the director here at CAC. And so she, she contacted, you know, and she spoke about this talent identification role and this was, you know, sassy put this role out before this funder federal funding came out. So regardless of of of that sort of funding coming from the top, like she was passionate to drive this sort of... I guess this sort of... this unit, and... just so happens that now we can grow the unit and it's become quite a, it's going to become quite a large thing. 

But it just shows you that her passion and drive from the top is, is really supportive in the power space. She sees the opportunities, you know. She sees the opportunities from a, you know, getting people on national teams. And then she also sees the opportunities of just, you know, getting people active and moving and all of that. So it's amazing to have her, you know, leading her from the top. And it aligns really well.

07:13 Peter

Was there something that appealed to you kind of straight away? Did you have to think about it? Is it something you often thought about doing in the past? How did that all happen?

07:19 Jed

Yeah, I did not have to think about it much better. I was... I knew I was after Paris, and it was more of a question to... Okay, what? What's next? And I thought about, you know, coaching so directly coaching rowing. And, you know, there's we've got great schools here that have great rowing programs. There's there's a pathway there for coaches. There's a pathway, you know, in rowing in clubs there's so there is some pathway for coaching. And I guess though for me it was like I didn't want to be around the sport just as much as an athlete. 

You know I think everyone can get a little bit sort of like, my bucket's full, my amazing bucket is full of rowing and I also being a part of high performance sport. Over the last eight, nine years I've, I've seen the internal roles, the admin roles, managerial roles. I've seen the structure of sassy and all of these things. Like Paralympics Australia, Rowing Australia and I've definitely created an appetite to what's going on in the internal, in the inside. And so when this role came up, honestly, it was like, Oh, that's... if I could write down on paper what, what it is, it's that it's,... very similar. So I was very excited and very happy to... land the role. So yeah.

08:31 Peter

And I mean this with the greatest of respect... but I mean you've got a gold medal that kind of counts for a lot. If I'm a young person maybe wanting to come up, I'd like to be like him and I'm far from that. But that's got to count for for a lot. I mean, yes, you can be the best coach or the best transition coach in the world as far as your, um, your skills go. But a gold medal on your CV kind of means a lot as well. I think just in terms of, I say, impressing but impressing in the right sort of way.

08:58 Jed

Yeah, I think that goes back to even Karen's foresight into how she wants to structure this, this unit. You know, I think my role is really boots on the ground conversations and connection. And when I can come across with a lived experience of what it was like for me from grassroots to, you know, not grass roots, I guess, talent identification development to emerging to podium to winning and all of that. And I can give a really lived experience of that. I think that that's that gives, you know, that can that that counts for so much for trying to connect with that person to, to see if they're interested in going down that pathway. 

And so, yeah, you know, and with a lot of these roles that are coming into play here at SAS, there's a lot of focus on finding the right people, just like any, any role I guess. But, you know, a real focus on trying to find the right people, that connection to para sport, that connection to high performance. And yeah, it's exciting.

09:50 Peter

You'll be checking out the country areas as well, because often we hear about the best sports. People come from the country. You know, all they need is an opportunity.

09:58 Jed

Yeah, absolutely. That was I've had conversations about that already with with Simon Cane here and Karen just around, you know. Okay. What does it look like? You know, I've got a tie down to the southeast. Mount Gambier - Beachport - Millicent area. And just, I was like, What does it look like down there? And there is some some movement down there as far as... I call it, something going on as far as, like, SASI board and sort of... pathway going on. And so it's, you know, it's about, okay, how do we get down there and put some time into the rural areas, head west over to the west coast? 

There's absolutely... because we, that was one of my things is we all know that country areas, you know, usually can produce some really amazing athletes. It's in the culture down in the country there. So, we yeah, we're going to as the year progresses, figure out some systems on how to how to how to, you know, get down there and try and activate that.

10:49 Peter

And maybe also into the indigenous... communities as well.

10:52 Jed

Yeah. Absolutely, mate. You know, I think, what we can, you know, I, our connection to, you know, what the indigenous communities can sort of bring to the whole general wellbeing and connection to country and connection to community is so special and so and the talented athletes... and so, you know, I think, that's definitely an area that we want to... look at as well and foster as well. And I'm going to enjoy that journey. I've got a lot to learn and a lot to, um, you know, people to talk to and people to be around. So, I'm looking forward to all of that for sure.

11:28 Peter

And, Jed, you kind of answered my question, I'm sure, maybe inadvertently. But you are done as far as competing goes or competing at the elite level?

11:36 Jed

Yeah, I am done, mate. I officially announced the retirement last week and it felt good. I, you know, with the help of some friends of talking, my manager, particularly. Yeah. You know, Karen Marsh, we kind of just. I was like, What do I do here? I feel like I want to it feels nice, a cleanness to kind of announce it. Not that I was expecting anyone to listen, but it was more just for me going, I'm done here. And it's a nice, neat way to do it. So, yeah, I like I said, I've grown an appetite for for the other side of the fence and then also is just that family factor. My kids are five and eight and I want to be... in and around them and and and be, you know, all of that sort of stuff. So that's sort of played... a part in the decision making and....

12:23 Peter

Jed, our humblest apologies. Congratulations to you and Nikki on your award at the big night at Pax Australia a few weeks ago. 

12:30 Jed

Yeah. Thank you mate. It was incredible to be recognised, I guess amongst it's always incredible to be recognised for an award... and there was something special about that night, though. It was, you know, it was my first Paralympic Games and and you only really see this community in that entirety, like at the games. And so we got to see not like every athlete was there. But you see representation of most of the sports and athletes that are at the games. And it's just like, hang on. This is a pretty special for every four year event. And to do it with Nike, mate was, is always special and yeah, just another one that we can always. You know, look back on in future years to come and reflect on and say, you know. How bloody good was it that year?

13:12 Peter

Jed, you said during the interview, I don't know who was going to listen to me. I'll listen to you anytime and I'll I'll always prick my ears up. But on a serious note... well, I will listen, but congratulations. Or first of all, thanks for the award. More importantly, on the position of transition coach, I'm sure we'll have many chats in the next eight years. Hopefully we'll hopefully we'll hear then. I'm sure you will be, but we wish you all. It's a wonderful appointment. I've got to know you a little bit over the time. I think you're a perfect fit. And, um, well, we'll judge you in four years time. As to how many gold medalists you bring up.

13:45 Jed

I love him, hold me to it. Hold me account.

13:47 Peter

I will call you to that.

13:49 Jed

Awesome. Thanks, Peter.

13:50 Peter

That's the Paralympic gold medallist and now also the Paris transition coach. And what a wonderful appointment and certainly lots of blue sky look forward to. 

It's always great fun catching up with tennis champion, role model, advocate and a finalist in this year's Young South Australian of the year, Andriana Petrakis. Andriana, hello.

14:15 Andriana

Hello, Peter.

14:17 Peter

How are you going?

14:17 Andriana

I am excellent, thank you. How are you?

14:20 Peter

I'm going, pretty good to see you've had an amazing year, haven't you? Do you think back much on your year, or are you always someone that looks ahead?

14:28 Andriana

I'm not fussed because I am more looking forward ahead and I definitely had an amazing year this year. 

14:39 Peter

We'll talk about some of the things you've done in a in a second attack. We could do it now if you like. As I mentioned, you were a finalist in the Young South Australian of the year award. Did you go to that evening?

14:47 Andriana

Yes, I went to the Australian of the Year Awards ceremony, which I received the [?recipient funless] Award for Young Australian of the year.

15:02 Peter

What was the night like?

15:03 Anriana

The award ceremony was very inspiring and enjoyable. There were lots of people that I met and it was so beautiful that evening.

15:19 Peter

And yeah, for you to be recognised, being a finalist. That's a fantastic achievement. I you know, I think there's there's 1.5 million people in South Australia. And to be through to be one of the finalists in the Young South Australian of the year, that's a mighty, mighty achievement. You should be very, very proud of that. 

15:39 Andriana

Thanks you Peter. I felt very grateful, privileged, honoured, humbled, proud and delighted with myself.

15:52 Peter

What do you get? Do you get something to kind of take away from the night or from the ceremony?

15:56 Andriana

What do you mean by that, Peter? 

15:58 Peter

Do you get a certificate or you get something that you can kind of, you know, kind of mark it.

16:03 Adriana

Yes. I have received the recipient finalist award.

16:09 Peter

Oh, fantastic. And earlier in the year, of course, you were away. You spent some time overseas playing tennis.

16:17 Andriana

Yes. I went to Annecy in France in September this year for the World Tennis Championships.

16:24 Peter

You did more than okay.

16:26 Andriana

I played well. I have experienced tough matches in France. I won two silver medals and one bronze medal.

16:39 Peter

Fantastic. Then, of course, they're going to be having a little holiday in Greece. And you spoke to us from Greece, I remember that.

16:45 Andriana

Yes. It was so fantastic. And I loved Greece.

16:50 Peter

You were born in Australia, were you?

16:52 Andriana

Yes. I was born here in Adelaide, obviously.

16:55 Peter

Yeah. The first time you'd been to Greece?

16:57 Andriana

Yes, it certainly was.

16:59 Peter

What does the family think of you? Did they know how good a tennis player and how wonderful an advocate you are?

17:05 Adriana

Yes. For sure. My family from Greece knows that I'm a very good, talented tennis player and an amazing role model. Everyone loves it.

17:20 Peter

Yeah, well, everyone loves you. And they should for the great work that you did. And actually speaking about that, and we're kind of working backwards through the year. You spoke at an International Women's Day in Venezuela earlier in the year.

17:32 Adriana

Certainly did.

17:33 Peter

Tell us about that.

17:34 Adriana

I had an awesome experience that I spoke about my journey in front of different women and girls from all walks of life in South Australia at the International Women's Day. I spoke about my life, my tennis, my coaching work, living with autism and I also said a lovely, inspirational, positive message to everyone out there.

18:12 Peter

I know it was very, very well received. People were very impressed with that. Now later on in the year, you came back. In fact, you came back from France via Greece and played tennis in Melbourne. And since then you've played some more tennis and done especially well, haven't you?

18:28 Adriana

Yes, I certainly did.

18:30 Peter

Tell us what you've been doing.

18:31 Adriana

In October I went to Melbourne and competed at the Australian Tennis Championships for players with disabilities. Guess what? I won my second singles title against Kelly Rinn from New South Wales, who was not been beaten for over 25 years.

18:56 Peter

Wow, that's an achievement. Kelly ran certainly very well known. So the kind of the dynasty has been changed for sure.

19:05 Adriana

Also on my birthday, which was on the 30th of October, I went to the government House for the Australian Sports Medal ceremony.

19:18 S1

Oh, congratulations. 

Adriana

Thank you. 

Peter

What happened there?

19:22 Adriana

I met Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson in real life for the first time.

19:31 Peter

She seems very nice from afar. Is she nice when you meet her?

19:35 Adriana

Yes. She was kind hearted and a wonderful lady that I met.

19:40 Peter

Pretty nice joint she lives in, isn't it?

19:43 Adriana

For sure.

19:46 Peter

Yeah, I think I could live there. I think both of us probably could. And you've also won some more tennis since then, haven't you? Back in Adelaide.

19:54 Adriana

Last month, in November, I competed at the Peter Smith tournament at the Memorial Drive. I won my singles title and doubles at that tournament.

20:09 Peter

Fantastic. Well, congratulations on that, Peter Smith. Peter Smith, certainly a legend amongst the particularly players with the disability. But any tennis player, he's certainly a legend. And and of course said January is the big month for tennis. So what's planned for you as far as January goes in January 2025?

20:29 Adriana

I'll be watching the matches at the Adelaide International. Yeah. And also I'll be volunteering in the activations area again at the Adelaide International.

20:42 Peter

Might be seeing some big name players.

20:45 Adriana

Yes.

20:46 Peter

Is there anyone in particular you're looking forward to? Maybe seeing and maybe saying hello?

20:50 Adriana

To Emma Navarro, the American tennis player.

20:54 Peter

Okay. She's coming, I think, isn't she?

20:56 Adriana

Yes.

20:57 Peter

Terrific. Are you going to be playing any tennis yourself in January?

21:00 Andriana

Yes, in late January, I'll be competing at the Australian Open in the players with intellectual impairment category.

21:13 Peter

Fantastic. Well, you're in pretty good form at this year's. Anything to go by?

21:17 Andriana

I'll be in an awesome form as usual.

21:21 Peter

Was this a bit last year, the Australian Open where you saw Tsitsipas wasn't it?

21:25 Andriana

Yes. Early this year I met Stefanos Tsitsipas in real life. It was an amazing, incredible experience.

21:37 Peter

Terrific. Well, I'm sure he remembers it, too. And I'm sure he'll be back. He'll probably be back looking for you. Looking to catch up with you again?

21:44 Andriana

Certainly.

21:46 Peter

Andriana, you're wonderful. Thank you for always keeping in touch and letting us know about the wonderful, wonderful things that you're achieving. You should be very proud, particularly of this year, as I say, to be a finalist in the Young South Australian of the Year Award, to be at government House for the Sports Awards as well. You've done some tremendous things. I'm sure you're still only very young. I'm sure there's still many more things that are good that are going to come from you. I look forward to speaking to you many more times in the future. Have a lovely Christmas and all the best for 2025, Andriana.

22:19 Andriana

Thank you Peter. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year for 2025 to you as well. 

22:27 Peter

There she goes. That's the very delightful, and as I said, wonderful advocate, fantastic role model can't be underestimated. The work that Andriana does both for obviously, and also that people see and get a lot from as well. So great to catch up with our guest, Andriana Petrakis.

22:47 Pierre

Hi, I'm Pierre Thomas, CEO of Special Olympics Australia, and you're listening to Leisure Link with Peter Greco and the Vision Australia Radio network.

23:00 Peter

Well, a big summer of tennis coming up. Of course it always does. What about for athletes with disabilities? What's in store? Let's find out from the pathways and events specialist at Tennis Australia Ben Dew. Ben, great to catch up again.

23:13 Ben

Thanks, Peter. It's always always a pleasure.

23:16 Peter

Yeah. Well it is a big month or big month and a bit isn't it. As far as tennis goes in Australia, particularly over the summer period. What about for athletes with disabilities.

23:24 Ben

Yeah, it's it's been a bumper... year really.

23:27 Peter

Actually you're right. Yes. 

23:28 Ben

Yeah, it has been across all of our pathways and, you know, both nationally and internationally, actually for for all of our pathways, which has been great and probably coming to a suitable kind of crescendo, I suppose, with summer and everyone thinks of, as tennis, they think of summer here in Australia anyway. So January is is certainly shaping up to be probably the biggest and best summer we've had... on record in terms of our events and opportunities for people to to come along and see the tennis, whether depending on which state you live in, there's there's a summer of tennis event in nearly every state. So we're pretty lucky in that regard... lots of events, lots of the best players in the world coming out and, and... no different with, with players with disabilities. 

So whether it's the, the wheelchair... tennis, which is obviously quite established in Grand Slam tennis, the Australian Open. And we also run a summer of tennis with a few leading events there for... those, playing in... our wheelchair tennis pathway to get involved. So yeah, looking looking to shape up really, uh, really well this year and and. Yeah, for the first time ever, we'll have a qualifying draw, in the Australian Open wheelchair tennis. So that's actually a first, globally in all the... Grand Slams, they've... never really had a qualifying draw to then get into the main draw. So that's... super exciting and, as well as a junior draw. So it'll be time, yeah. Junior wheelies, who will be featured there at the Australian Open.

25:10 Peter

Because of the numbers.

25:10 Ben

Yeah, a bit of both. Yeah. The ITF have been supporting junior wheelchair wheelchair tennis pathways, um, for, for quite a few years now. And, with the US open earlier this year kind of falling at the same time as the Olympics, um, they, they obviously didn't want or sorry, the Paralympics. A lot of the wheelchair open players, men and women were at the Paralympics. So the US open, they tried for the first time a junior wheelchair tennis draw. And yeah, actually one of our players, Benny Wenzel, actually made it and won the US open in the doubles wheelchair finals. So that's pretty exciting. And now he got into the draw for the Australian Open, junior boys wheelchair. So yeah, we've got a local hope there in Ben Wenzel.

25:57 Peter

But obviously the fact that we're a long way from Europe means that we've got to have a few tournaments that like lead-up and also the Australian Open itself to give players a bit of a reason to come from Europe and the US. And I guess, you know, those from Japan or the Asian regions, maybe not so far to go, but kind of got to make it worth their while as far as tournaments go.

26:17 Ben

Yeah, it's it is a long way and we kind of like that sometimes. But, not so much when you're probably a professional athlete with, you know, trying to, you know, establish yourself on the world stage and access to, you know, world ranking points and opportunities at that top level. You know, obviously quite harder here in... Australia. But while the summer of tennis comes in, we try to offer as many opportunities as possible and yeah, Japanese players and those from Asia and the Pasifika are always, um, always here and obviously find it a little bit easier to... access and, you know, through the European winter, I suppose, over there now, quite a few of them are trying to get out of there. So it kind of works a little bit in their favour. 

And something that we certainly have found with the... Australian Open Intellectual Disability Championships, which are also... featured in the last three days of the Australian Open, um, and also the deaf championships. So they're now in their third year will be next year will be our third time running that though both of those events, and again, nowhere else in the world in Grand Slam history are running tournaments for for players with disability in terms of intellectual disability and deaf and hard of hearing. So yeah, we're we're looking for even stronger draw. I think it would be our strongest draw yet. Just looking at the acceptance lists. 

And we have four of the top five best deaf tennis players in the world coming, which is um, which is pretty amazing. The level that they play is is amazing to watch. And, you know, they'll be featured on those Western courts the same... courts as the pros. And, the last three days of the Australian Open, there'll be plenty to see for for patrons to come along and see players with disability, you know, playing at the highest level.

28:10 Peter

What about at the wheelchair tennis level, if that's well established as far as the circuit goes and particularly the Australian Open? And I guess Dylan Alcott used to get a lot of attention. What about now and what are some of the players we should maybe be looking out for? 

28:24 Ben

Yeah. But there are some other internationally anyway, there's there's plenty of players from Europe and particularly Netherlands and Germany and some of these countries, Japan are super strong and I'm not as close to a lot of their names as others in, in, in Tennis Australia and the organisation. But yeah, listen, it's always a strong field. So we look at trying to, you know, give as many players wild cards as possible and get access to that Grand Slam stage because quite a few obviously travel around and... you know, compete in different tournaments. But to get into a Grand Slam is... another step above. So yeah, looking forward to to that and hopefully some wild cards in the coming days will be announced. But... yeah, some Aussies will definitely be featured. Our top Australian players will definitely be featured - in the men's and... the juniors.

29:16 Peter

The Australian Open gets huge crowds, for people of course, to either make their way to Melbourne or the locals walk up, but it's great when tennis, albeit played a bit differently. Whether you're deaf or whether you have an intellectual disability or indeed a wheelchair. You know when that kind of gets exposure as well and people can't think, oh, it just, it's still it's just playing a little bit differently. Yeah.

29:37 Ben

I think that's one of the great features of... our sport in tennis. It's, it still looks very much the same no matter who's playing it. And, and kind of at what level as well. So whether you're a five year old hotshot, you know, playing in a red ball court with modified rackets and balls and a smaller court, right up until, you know, even seniors tennis, you know, and, and, and those competing at the highest level internationally. So we're pretty lucky that it kind of all looks and feels the same way. And yeah, for... people of all ages and abilities. So it's... a great sport for us to be able to showcase, especially in front of such huge crowds. 

You know, we I think we had over a million In patrons in... the gates this year for '24. So we'll be looking to to break that record. And yeah now we start what's called opening week, which is that first week with qualifying. And you know, patrons can get in the door and and come and see all the all the sights and the, the bars, the restaurants and, yeah, the ballpark is going to be crazy this year. I've seen some of the designs for that. So, and our brand new Top court, which is just on the middle terrace, at Boroughmuir, they're just as you come in from the riverside or from the city side. And that'll be aimed a lot more at the gen Gen X and the teenagers, and you'll be able to get a racket in your hands and play, more than any other AO. 

So there's lots of different spots around the site where, you know, you'll be able to get your hands on a racket and, and also try a complementary formats, you know, things like pop tennis and paddle tennis and pickleball. So there's... opportunities for for everyone.

31:21 Peter

But it's a great idea to have the deaf and intellectual disability athletes playing towards the end of the tournament, because there's kind of less mainstream tennis at that stage. People get knocked out and go, so it kind of obviously the sort of logistically the courts are more available, but it kind of gives them a bit more focus as well, rather than, you know, perhaps being mixed up or sort of squeezed in between the event earlier in the tournament.

31:47 Ben

Yeah. Exactly. Right. A few years ago, probably before we introduced it into, into AO, on the Western courts, there was the intellectual disability tournament was, always ran just on at Albert Reserve.

31:59 Peter

Yeah. Yeah, I remember that.

32:00 Ben

Yeah. So, the Australian Tennis Championships. So that's now, you know, our national championships is held in October, but we what we've done is tried to then just, you know, streamline it a little bit instead of trying to get, you know, hundreds of athletes to compete. You know, really just offer it to the top echelon, you know, and really showcase the best in the world, almost like ATP finals and the WTA finals. So yeah. So to get into the tournament this year, it was the top five on world ranking and then another three wild cards, which, really, you know, show showcases the best in the world but also allows us to offer some of our best Australian players the chance to to go up against the world's best.

32:43 Peter

Ben, good luck. People can find out more information from the Tennis Australia website.

32:47 Ben

Yeah, head to the Australian Open websites probably on our spot. And then there's a there's a Watson page and if you go to week two you'll be able to see some some spots there to click through and see who's playing when and where and come and enjoy it. 

33:01 Peter

All right. Hopefully we'll catch up with one of the two of the players either through the tournament or certainly afterwards to check out how it all goes. Ben, keep up your passion I love it. Okay. We'll keep in touch and thanks for your help throughout the year. It's been a big year, as you say, and all the best for Christmas in 2025, it's going to be huge. It's going to be a big start to 2025.

33:19 Ben

It's going to be massive. And I rest for the weekend. We'll have a little break for Christmas, but yeah, we'll get straight back onto it in January. And then also the year ahead in 2025 is looking just as big as this year's. So looking forward to it mate. And have a good Christmas.

33:35 Peter

That's Ben Dew there. Yeah. What I'll say wicked but certainly very passionate to have Ben Dew, who is the, well, he looks after the pathways and events specialist at Tennis Australia. We'll put those details up with our show notes. But very, very exciting month of tennis. Or even more than a month of tennis coming up. Chance for you to get involved and enjoy it. And we'll have some more interviews as we go through the month of January. 

It's been a big time in Queensland over the last few weeks for AFL, in particular with the AFL and NFL for athletes with integration difficulty. Let's catch up with the South Australian captain of the AFL wheelchair team, Grant Leonard. Right. How you going? 

Grant

Yeah. Good. Peter. Yourself? 

Peter

Pretty good. Yeah. We spoke to some cricketers a little while ago who were up in Queensland, and they had a few matches washed out, I guess with wheelchair AFL. No such worries.

34:24 Grant

No, we were okay. But our inclusive team that we travelled with, they had their first day cancelled due to torrential rain, but yeah, indoor sport makes it a bit easier.

34:34 Peter

What's your sign? Queensland - beautiful one day, perfect the next. Maybe not. So for some sport. Yeah, well, tell us about the South Australian AFL wheelchair team. How did we go?

34:44 Grant

We did pretty well, considering we had a different side to previous years. So we had six new debutant players for our SA team. Overall, we finished fifth out of nine teams, but we made the Division one series and we won our finals. So I think all in all it was a positive result for our team and... it was a great week, a great week that we had.

35:05 Peter

Six new players. I mean, it's not that big a squad, is it? I mean, that's a big change in any sort of AFL lineup. But for wheelchair athletes, so huge turnover of players. 

35:15 Grant

Yeah. So there was two of us from the existing team, Richard Davis and myself. And yeah, obviously new players. So it was good to give them some experience and give them a bit of insight for future years. So they get a spot and know what they're up against. It's definitely, um, the intensity is a step up even on the NFL league that we have. So it's, yeah, a good experience for them.

35:36 Peter

That sort of thing. Too deep. Any reason for the big turnover in players?

35:40 Grant

Probably more so just player availability at this time of the year, I think, some players just couldn't get time off for work. Unfortunately, some were injured, some had retired. So, yeah, multiple reasons. But, a lot of the players, we'd be, you know, chomping to get a spot next year again. Yeah.

35:58 Peter

Well, it's a great thing, isn't it? Because I mean, obviously the... sample competition is fantastic, but to get a chance to represent your state, that's, you know, that's another thing again.

36:07 Grant

Yeah, definitely. So, yeah, it just adds that flair to the to the year. and obviously you want to play well throughout the season for your selectors to see. And again, we still had a great side that went over and I think, you know, considering we're happy with the result.

36:20 Peter

And from an overall perspective, nine teams, that's pretty good in terms of the sport itself and kind of spreading its tentacles across the country.

36:28 Grant

Yeah, every state and territory was represented plus a RSL team. So all teams improved this year. So that was really good to see from, you know last year and the year before. But the intensity is really... went up a notch this year. Uh teams like Tasmania and Queensland, they were, you know, extremely strong. WA was still strong. Victoria, they had two teams, one of them metro and country. Again, it's... it was a really tough championship again this year. So yeah, it is good to see the improvement and all states and territories represented.

37:06 Peter

What about in terms of the AFL support? It seems to have been pretty good. Both. Well, at all levels. I know that it's at the inclusion level. It's it's very good. But I know they support even blind football. So it's, I mean, they couple a lot of criticism that I fell for some of the things they do. But by the same token, at that grassroots level or making it inclusive for people of all abilities, they seem to do a pretty good job.

37:29 Grant

Yeah, they do. And it starts with obviously the grassroots. You've got SANFL who've been fantastic for us. We're supporting us in the Wheelchair League, the Inclusive League. And as you said, they've now got a blind football league which is in the works and getting set up, which flows on through to the AFL. And this year they made the competition called the AFL open, which was a combination of the Wheelchair and Inclusive League. So there was, oh, to be honest, I think 20 odd teams and, you know, so many hundreds of games played across the series. But... the AFL open have made it... more mainstream, which has been good. And obviously it gets a bit more attraction and exposure and, but at the end of the day, we just want to play sport and if we can play it at a higher level, even better.

38:17 Peter

You liked the idea of that sort of open competition or that sort of, you know, almost like a carnival... sort of a set up where, you know, there's more than sort of one type of football being played. 

38:26 Grant

Yeah, it was good... and obviously we got to support our inclusive team, and they did the same with us. So the schedule was more the wheelchair games were in the morning and lunchtime, and then the inclusive team had more a lunchtime in the afternoon. So we all got to support each other and traveling with the inclusive team. It was really good. 

38:45 Peter

Great. You talked about the outdoor team. Is that a kind of a recruiting ground, if I might call it that, for future players? 

38:50 Grant

Well, I suppose so, yeah, it's obviously it's a team that's set up for... members that have been in the RSL and obviously looking at another avenue of some of sport. So yeah, they've definitely improved and their players have got better over the years as well. So it's, yeah, any team to get into is quite hard at the moment.

39:11 Peter

I'm thinking in terms of kind of tapping into a new sort of pool of players to potentially play wheelchair AFL, you know, in different states that return services. The situation could be one to be looked at, I suppose.

39:24 Grant

So, yeah. If the numbers get bigger. It was actually a game that started for... members of the RSL. So that's where the exposure actually come from. So yeah, more players the better. And obviously we have a lot of RSL members playing in our SANFL league as it is now.

39:40 Peter

Well, just having a bit of a perverse thinking, a bit of... stuff, Grant. Back in 1948, the Stoke Mandeville Games were set up for people particularly that had returned from the war to, you know, help them with their rehabilitation. And of course, the Stoke Mandeville Games and the Paralympics kind of in a sense evolved from that. So it's a bit perverse, but, you know, sometimes there could be some sort of good things that come from war. I kind of say that tongue in cheek.

40:06 Grant

Yeah, definitely. I was just going to say that the Paralympics has evolved from the Stoke Mandeville Games and Fespic games. So yeah, obviously, more to participants and, yeah, a bigger exposure of the sport, which is good.

40:19 Peter

And a good NFL season. We spoke about it at the end of the season that that seems to have gone from strength to strength. Do you know much about next year, Grant - still the four teams competing?

40:28 Grant

Yeah as far as I believe still the same four teams, it'll be again - probably a May start, late May exposure. We're still waiting for the fixture to come out, but... all teams have been already heavily recruiting from each other or group. So that's been good. And, for us, my team, Norwood, we made the grand final last year. We lost to Woodville-West Torrens. But I'm hoping that next season we've got a stronger team again and hopefully, do one better.

40:58 Peter

I appreciate your time. You've been great to us over the couple of years we've been speaking to you. Appreciate that. Well done to SA finishing fifth. And I'm sure you want to name any players in particular that stood out for SA. Is that a fair thing to do?

41:10 Grant

Well, yeah, Trevor Jarrett. He was our MVP for the team and he also made the All Australian side. Stuart Webster did really well up forward and my brother playing in the ruck, Rick Leonard... Richard Davis, a co-Norwood player. We had some players from Sturt which was Emily Pakes and Jake Billsborough, and a team favourite would be Siraj from Woodville-West Torrens. He's a great character and... it was just an awesome team to have this year and we all thoroughly enjoyed it.

41:39 Peter

And well led by you, Grant.

41:40 Grant

I appreciate that. Thanks you.

41:41 Peter

Great. Great to catch up. We'll speak again. Thanks for your time.

41:44 Grant

Excellent. Thanks, Peter. See you.

41:45 Peter

That's Grant Leonard, the captain of the South Australian AFL wheelchair team. We'll try and catch up with the inclusion team as well. Having a bit of difficulty getting through to some of those players. But hopefully before the end of the year, we'll do that as well. 

Well, how fabulous has it been throughout the year, catching up with Chelsea Marchetti, our resident physiotherapist from the Flipper Academy? Talk about lots of different things and hopefully more to come next year. We'll ask you about that in a minute. Chelsea, welcome back. How are you?

42:17 Chelsea

I'm good. Thank you. Peter, how are you going?

42:19 Peter

I'm going especially well now. I guess you probably have a little bit of time off in January, but you've got a very cool thing happening.

42:25 Chelsea

We do, we do. So we're having our annual break in between Christmas and New Year just to let everyone kind of settle down. But we are launching our school holiday program in January, which will be so much fun. We're very, very excited. Something before everyone goes back to school.

42:42 Peter

All right. Probably a good time to do it. How did it come about? How did the idea come about? Just because it's kind of, that opportunity is there.

42:50 Chelsea

Well, it was a bit of opportunity. And also we had a lot of parents asking us if there was anything that they could do with their children during the school holidays, most of the school holidays that were going through the year. And I think given that most of the other school holiday periods, we weren't taking any breaks in between the terms and obviously between Christmas and New Year. We were we thought this would be a good little extra thing that the kids could do, given they miss out on a bit of therapy for a few weeks, they could just come and get themselves a bit active and socialise with some other kids before they head back into school and start getting them back into things and into routine.

43:28 Peter

How different is it to what you do during the year then this time in January?

43:32 Chelsea

So we'll we'll shut down between December 20th of December. We'll come back on the 13th of January. So throughout the year we don't ever really close down. Apart from that and the difference between our school holiday program and what we do with our regular services is our school holiday program will have five children in it. We've done it in different, I guess, levels to make sure that we have kids of similar ability in each group. And myself and an allied health assistant will be running the class of five children. And it's a bit more of a flip, a fun group, rather than your targeted therapy sessions that we have with our kids. 

So it's just for the kids to come and touch on a few skills they do in their regular therapy sessions, whilst also socializing with some other kids, and generally just trying to have a bit of fun as well and make some new friendships. So touching on some of those other goals as well as just their physical goals in the school holiday period.

44:29 Peter

It's normally during the year it's a little bit of a smaller class or a smaller group, isn't it, than five?

44:34 Chelsea

Yeah. So during the year when we have our regular sessions, there'll be a max group of two children in a class. And that's because we really want to make sure we're targeting their therapeutic goals. And it is tricky to do that when you've got more than two people, especially when you only have one therapist. Whereas in this program there'll be two of us with five kids. So we have a bit more of a better split, and it is a bit more of a fun group, whilst also trying to incorporate some of those other skills that we know in. Most kids need help with that are on the program.

45:06 Peter

So it's a bit more maybe relaxed in a sense. That's probably a good thing as well.

45:10 Chelsea

Yeah, yeah, I'd say it's a bit more of a relaxed service than what we would give through the year. So something just to have a bit of fun, but also with some purpose.

45:20 Peter

What about in terms of bookings. We know sort of middle of December at the moment. You've got spots available. Are you filling fast?

45:27 Chelsea

We actually don't have any spots.

45:29 Peter

Are you kidding?

45:31 Chelsea

Peter, no, we are completely full as of last week, which is fantastic. We are super, super excited to have seen such a high demand for the program. So we'll definitely be doing another lot of room in the Easter holiday period, and we'll hopefully be opening up a few more slots, because at the moment we've only we're only going to be running two of Friday sessions in January, 17th and the 24th, and will be running one group for each level. So that's what we're doing January. Come Easter period, we'll definitely be expanding that and being so that we can have a few more people enroll into the program and there'll be more opportunities. So super excited about that. And it's really great to see how big the demand was for it. So really, really awesome.

46:22 Peter

I guess from a personal point of view, I mean, without sounding egotistical, it kind of must be reaffirming that you thought there was a bit of a gap in the market, if I can call that for something like this. And... the demand shows that you were right.

46:35 Chelsea

Yeah. It is... really nice to see that there. You saw, you see a gap and you never really sure whether it's just you seeing it or whether it is actually there. So it's nice to have an objective... affirmation of that and see the demand and the level of service that we have are doing and how well that is being reciprocated by the community. And it is also really nice to see our kids develop through that service as well, and see that it actually has some positive outcomes. So yes, that has been a really nice reaffirming thing for me, but it is also just really great to have filled a gap for the community.

47:17 Peter

I guess, go from a group of two to a group of five, maybe you might get some that are a little bit more shy, because all of a sudden they're amongst a bigger group or some people that they don't know. And I guess that's part of the development as well. It's not just the skills in the water or the kind of physiotherapy skills or benefits that might come up from it, but those sort of social skills that you kind of touched on earlier.

47:40 Chelsea

Absolutely. We have so many children on the program that have autism and even children that don't have autism. They still have. We still have some kids that are likely a bit more introverted, and a lot of their goals are around communication. A lot of them see speech pathologists where they need to communicate. A lot of them see occupational therapists where their goals are about interactive play. Because there are a lot of different levels of play that children go through through their development. So we're also trying to use those areas of their development as well as the physical areas, to provide a really holistic service for the children. So they're not just getting one thing out of the service, they're getting multiple things that's supporting multiple parts of their therapy. 

And that is really important, especially when you're doing something like a school holiday program, where the physical stuff might not be able to be as targeted. We can use a bit more of the group environment to develop some of those other skills, which we know that when kids are with other kids, it can help, really. It can help them grow. And a lot of these kids struggle to socialize with other kids, so putting them together just allows them to make friendships and actually like, put those skills into practice that they're learning in their therapy over the summer period, which I think is really, really important.

48:57 Peter

Well, it sounds like a lot of fun now. You've been wonderful to us throughout the year. As I mentioned at the beginning, you've been available for us each month. We've talked about the Flipper Academy. We've also talked about different things relating to physiotherapy such as falls, prevention and all that sort of stuff, which is really, really important. There's a lot of things in the area of physiotherapy, I think. I think we could probably fill another year of having you on once a month. I'm not sure what you think.

49:21 Chelsea

I think that's a great idea. I'd love to come back next year and talk more about physio. I think it's been really great talking to you, Peter, and being able to give more to the community. I think it's great.

49:32 Peter

Well, you've got a very good heart and a very good sense of community, which is very, very important. Now, if people want to find out more of the holiday program is booked out for January, but who knows, maybe for Easter or later on the year if they just want to find out more about the fabulous work you and your team do at the Flipper Academy, how can we get in touch?

49:48 Chelsea

So we can go on the website w w w dot flipper academy dot com dot e d u. You can also send us an email at inquiries at flipper academy dot com dot e d u.

50:00 Peter

Terrific. All of that information up with our show notes. Chelsea, to you and yours, have a wonderful Christmas. All the best for 2025. I know there's going to be lots of good things happening. You're doing a tremendous job in the community and we wish you well. Enjoy the break - you've earned it.

50:13 Chelsea

Thank you so much, Peter. Merry Christmas to you as well. Thank you so much for having me on the show this year. I've really, really enjoyed it.

50:19 Peter

Chelsea Marchetti there from the Flipper Academy. On the Vision Australia Network through your favorite podcast service on 1197 AM in Adelaide, you're listening to Leisure Link. 

Well, it's great to welcome to the program the galaxy's first Assistant Minister for Autism - And a big cheer to Maddie who came up with that title - Emily Bourke. Emily.

50:45 Emily

Hey, Peter. How are you going?

50:46 Peter

Pretty good. It's been a good year. Big year for you, no doubt. 

50:49 Emily

As always, it has been a big year. But a really exciting year. One that we feel like we've been at work together with the community and get a lot of things, not just, um, talked about, but getting on with getting them delivered. So it's been really exciting.

51:01 Peter

All right. We might work backwards if you like. One of the more recent announcements was the talk about parking permits for people with autism. That reflect a fair bit of publicity. I guess it's not so much who deserves it, but are there enough spaces? 

51:14 Emily

Yeah. So this is something that... we're in very early stages of. So it's only just been introduced into the parliament and what we're doing with the act, it hasn't the Motor Vehicle Act hasn't been opened for over 25 years. So it's very outdated. And I guess when we were talking with the community and they were looking at how can we sort of broaden what the term is of a disability, because at the moment it's really only recognising a physical disability, and that's just a bit, you know, that's very outdated... and we have to start thinking how the government can we start making our legislation reflect the community. 

So what we've done is put an amendment up for this section of the Act that hasn't been looked at for 25 years and said that, you know, we were going to the Act needs to listen to what the regulations are calling for. So this isn't, the Act isn't actually putting into place what these regulations will look like. The regulations will now have the ability to change and be a bit more of a live document and update as required as changes happen in the community. So that's where we can go out and have a chat with the with the community about what what do we need to do in this space. So we feel it's a good thing to be doing, you know, everywhere around the country, the federal government specifies what the minimum disability car parking spaces are that are required. 

And then it's a minimum, right. So if a private organisation who they might own Westfield or any other private parking space, they can determine how many car parking spaces they would like to provide, and the demand is there. Then there's an opportunity for us to start looking at how do we go about making that demand met. So yeah, we're really... I think this is a really good step in the right direction. You know, people missing out on participating in the community just because there isn't a space for them to park, just because an act is 25 years outdated... shouldn't be a reason for not participating.

53:12 Peter

So the minimum amount for car parks is a federal issue, is it?

53:16 Emily

Yeah. So it is controlled by the federal government. And the way I can see how that would work is because I guess they want to make sure that each state and territory has an equal representation of how many car parks are available. So, you know, we release these controls when I guess the federal government's there to make sure there's consistency across the whole country.

53:37 Peter

That's an interesting point you make about the 25 years - but also who qualifies, because I don't know how many times I've heard people say on this program, you know, sometimes people say to me, Well, you don't look disabled or you don't look blind or you don't look... I'm not sure what someone who's disabled is necessarily supposed to look like, but I guess it's that we're destroying that stereotypical thing, isn't it? 

53:57 Emily

Yeah. That's right. And we're seeing this with the you know, the government's been investing heavily in the hidden disability lanyard, for example, at our major events because we know that just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there. And that's a big change in understanding as well. But we do have to remember that this disability car parking space will be available for people that do need continuous support for their mobility purposes or for their safety. So it's not, you know, every autistic person or every neurodivergent person will not be able to apply for this. 

And just as not every person with a disability can apply for a disability car park, so you know, there will be requirements that you still need to go through a medical practitioner. You still have to get that application approved by medical experts as well. So yeah, it will still be steps for you to go through in regards to who gets the disability car park.

54:52 Peter

Yeah, that minimum number is an interesting thing. I'm just thinking, you know, obviously with an ageing population, probably more and more people are going to be qualifying. And I mean, you know, people want to go to the shops, you know, that's right. You need it. Or maybe it's part of your outing sort of thing. So that shouldn't be denied either. So that, that's a real world, you know, sort of watching brief, as I like to say.

55:12 Emily

Yeah, absolutely. And I think it's a good opportunity for us to have those conversations with private landowners who have large car parks and shopping centres or complexes, because if the... demand is there and people are missing out, there's an opportunity, right? It's um, this is a good social policy. But for those that want to participate, it could very well be an economic policy as well. So that's... and there's nothing wrong with that as a small business owner. So they or large business owners, they have to be thinking about that as well. 

55:43 Peter

I mean, I didn't put this on my list of things to talk about... you and Nat Cooke made an announcement regarding the Adelaide Oval Test match, which I thought was pretty cool.

55:50 Emily

Oh, yeah. So that's something that we've been working on for quite some time. When I started in this role, the Adelaide Oval reached out to me and said they were keen to build a sensory space, and I guess we went on a learning journey together. You know, they were really excited to to jump on in and get it going. And we said, Look, it's one thing that we've learnt. It comes down to knowledge. And, you know, the Office for Autism is happy to train up your staff and give you knowledge so that you know how to best use this beautiful space, because there's no point building these beautiful spaces if they don't know how to support them. Or security staff don't know why someone might be wanting to use that space. 

Or even, you know, we've seen elsewhere where people say, Oh, do you have a disability? Just because they haven't been trained to realise that a disability can be hidden and may not be obvious. So, really, really grateful to Adelaide Oval because they did commit to that, and they did do the training. And they we did pop up one, so to see how they would work and what needed to be changed. And so it's been almost a year and a half process from the start to where it is today, and it's been absolutely worth that investment of time. 

And... you know, now when you go to the footy, the cricket, your favourite concert, you know, you go through the eastern gate just on the other side, there is a sensory space that's available for adults, for children, for families, and it's quite a large space where people can utilise it in different ways. So, you know, if you're an adult wanting to chill out and have a few minutes there, a bit more private spaces. And there is also, you know, spaces where younger ones can go as well and just jump on a beanbag. But, you know, there's definitely enough space for everyone to be able to use it for the need that they need to use it for.

57:32 Peter

What makes that event much more pleasant for everyone, which is going to be a good thing?

57:37 Emily

Well, that and that's what we were hearing, is people would buy tickets to events, get to the front gate, and it was just too much, and they would end up going home and never going back again. So we hope that people can go either as a group of friends or as a family unit, and know that they can get through the gate, know that if they're watching the game, favorite game and it gets too much that, you know, 1 or 2 of them can go in to the sensory space and then come back and join their group. So that's what we're really excited about.

58:06 Peter

They also made another announcement a little while ago regarding diagnosis and a focus group.

58:11 Emily

Yes. Yeah... I'm very excited about this one. So this is something we've been working on for quite some time because when we... started our strategy consultation, it just came up at every single meeting, every single forum, every person we met is, you know, what is the diagnosis and how does the diagnosis work? And, you know, we had particular workforces thinking that they couldn't participate in an assessment process, but they can. We had people looking for an assessment, being told all these different stories about how to seek an assessment. So it just wasn't making any sense. There wasn't the confidence there from the workforce in being able to provide the assessment. And there was no confidence there from the people seeking assessment. 

So we thought, how can we how can we provide that confidence? And we did a roundtable about a year ago in Parliament House, where we provided an opportunity for all the NGOs and providers to come along and share their experience in this space. And it became apparent then that something had to happen. And that's why we decided, well, we don't want... necessarily NGOs at the table because obviously they have to think about their organisation. What we've done is invited the workforces. So the heads of those workforces, colleges to the table for us to start working through this process. 

What is an autism assessment? If the workforce doesn't feel confident? What can we do? Is there a micro-credential that's required? If there is one, what does that look like? Is it available and then work through the next stage? What happens after an autism assessment? What confidence are we giving to people at that point? Yeah. So we just really want to start working through that. And it's, you know, OTS, speeches, GPS, psychologists, pediatricians, a number of workforces, all at the one table. And we'll be meeting at the end of January for the first time and starting to work through these big questions.

1:00:13 Peter

Okay. Spaces, I like that. That's very, very cool talk, isn't it? So the group hasn't made it to the people have been "selected", in quotes? 

1:00:23 Emily

Yes. That's right. So the committee has been approved and selected. So the representatives were put forward by their individual organizations. And these are people, you know, they're either the president or the chairperson... they have to be, you know, in those leadership roles so they can go back to their entire workforce and say, This is what's been agreed on. But what we're going to do is have people come and appear before the committee so that they can provide their stories and experiences, both from the work side, but also from people seeking an assessment. So we really want people to have the opportunity to participate in this roundtable and also for their stories to be heard.

1:01:07 Peter

So after January, that's not it. And all about it. There's like a sort of a live document, if you like, or this sort of goes on.

1:01:13 Emily

Oh yes, it will go on for a year at least. So, you know, there's a lot to work through. And when we're talking about, you know, what can we be doing to put change into these massive workforces? It's going to take a little bit of time, but we could keep saying it's too hard. We could keep saying, Look, it'll sort itself out, but we would not be doing the job that we should be doing. So this is a big question to tackle. It is a big thing to be doing. No other state is at this point. We're very lucky in South Australia, it was not hard to get these workforces to the table. They also saw that this was something that needed to be addressed and we're very, very grateful... for them making themselves available to do this.

1:01:56 Peter

All right. Well, let's certainly stay tuned for more about that. What about the arrival and anything else that kind of stands out? What about in terms of the NDIS and I guess the tweaks to it? I know last week we were chatting about the fact that music and creative therapy was kind of a bit in limbo, or people use it were a bit in limbo. Do you get much across your desk about stuff like that?

1:02:17 Emily

I do, but... you know, I work closely with Minister Cook on this one because it is she does a good work in this space in advocating for South Australians with the federal government, and we all try and make sure that we just support each other and, you know, have one person going and doing the lobbying. And, you know, I think Mr. Cook does a really good job in that space in making sure that those stories are heard and we are getting changes where required. 

1:02:41 Peter

You played netball...?

1:02:42 Emily

Didn't you know, hockey? Hockey.

1:02:44 Peter

I was going to say that was a very deft pass.

1:02:47 Emily

Deft pass, I don't know about me. Deft.

1:02:50 Peter

Yeah. Very subtle, very subtle, but effective.

1:02:53 Emily

They're like Yeah, right. Look, look that up. So two new words today, speech and deft. So our listeners can't say that out loud from our talk. 

Peter

Absolutely Emily, great to catch up. I've gone over as I normally do. I'm blaming you.

1:03:08 Emily

Oh, that was fine. I'll take the blame.

1:03:09 Peter

Okay. All the best of the festive season and look forward to catching up again next year.

1:03:14 Emily

You too. And thank you for everything you've been doing, Peter. Great work.

1:03:17 Peter

That's Emily Bourke there, the galaxy's first Assistant Minister for Autism - and always great to catch up. And we'll put some of the details if you want to get up or if you want to get in touch with some of the things that are happening in the Office of Autism, we'll put those details up with our show notes.

PROMO

Come on in. We open our doors to people we trust and care about. And for over 85 years, South Australians have been opening their doors to Resthaven. In turn, we've been opening doors to an easier, better life at home. From personal care to help with the shopping and social outings, you'll welcome the care that Resthaven brings.

1:03:58 Peter

Time to catch up with our wonderful friends from Resthaven. And today we're going - oh, almost right to the top of the Christmas tree. We're catching up with the Senior Manager for Marketing and Communications, the person who made all this happen over 27 years - Julie. Julie, great to catch up. You don't come on air very often, but you're always in the background.

1:04:17 Julie

Hello, Peter. And hello, listeners. Yes, the moving and shaking behind the scenes to make these interviews happen.

1:04:25 Peter

The power behind the throne.

1:04:27 Julie

Well, I'm not so sure about that. But anyway, it's been fantastic to have this relationship with Vision Australia Radio, or RPH as it was back in the day for 27 years and, you know, between 2 and 300 interviews over that time. And it's just great. So thank you very much for all that you've made achievable.

1:04:50 Peter

No, well thank you. And it's fabulous awareness raising - I mean we learn so much from your guests and stuff that we kind of think, Oh, we probably should know that, or I'm glad I know that now. And that's such an important message. And radio is such a great way to kind of get that message out there.

1:05:03 Julie

I couldn't agree more. And that's why we consider it a community engagement interview. Like we're we're spreading the word about aged care services, retirement living, wellness services, support for older people and their carers because carer support is something that a lot of people don't... engage with. Because if you care for somebody, you just care for them. You don't think of yourself or I'm a carer. And so that's... certainly one of the support services that people don't often think to tap into because they don't consider themselves a carer. But sometimes carers need so much support themselves. So it's been fantastic to be able to promote support for carers as well as aged care services. So thank you very much.

1:05:55 Peter

Now you've had 89 big years. You've got another big year coming up next year.

1:05:59 Julie

So Resthaven was proudly South Australian and established in 1935, with a specific focus on supporting older people. So that vision still rings true today. And next year, 2025 will be celebrating 90 years. So nine decades of service to older people.

1:06:23 Peter

What can you tell us about what you've got planned to kind of celebrate the event? I guess you've got private functions or things that are happening at various sites, etc.. What sort of things have you got in the planning that you can tell us about?

1:06:35 Julie

So this event has 12 residential aged care homes, and each of those homes will have a specific 90th anniversary celebrating victory event. And some of the community services are having their own event as well. And some are combined with a residential care home and retirement living will. Not quite sure what they're doing, because the ones that are co-located with our residential homes are welcome to join in with that. But given that we've just acquired... 11 new villages, they're just learning about this history of Resthaven at the moment. So we'll see what comes out of that in the next few months. 

But at Resthaven Paradise, for example, they're having a family fair day on the 8th of March, and that's a Saturday and it should be fantastic. They're going to have... activities, barbecue, entertainment. Old MacDonald farm coming. Food trucks, coffee cups. You know, what's a fair day without fairy floss and sausage sizzle? So that sounds like great fun. And, um, I'm sure that would be open to the public as well. Other events, all throughout our regions, including the Limestone Coast and... in the area, they're planning a Resthaven Open Day, where they go from one site to the next, to the next, to the next, and thinking about things that happened in 1935. So all sorts of weird and wonderful events that they've come up with, which is fantastic.

1:08:11 Peter

One of the things about the stuff that you do... when I say stuff that you do, the service that you provide... is you've got offices and locations right throughout the metropolitan area, but also you go out into the country, which is very, very important as well.

1:08:24 Julie

Well, we've been at Resthaven Murray Bridge since 1958, and they're planning a 1930s and Art Deco inspired speakeasy jazz party on the 16th of July. So that's, you know, with... top 20 greatest songs from 1930s, from the 1930s and all sorts of entertainment... and of course, dancing. I'm sure I'll get my fox stole out for that.

1:08:53 Peter

Oh, you'll get your fox out, and people get their cameras out.

1:08:57 Julie

Yeah. I bought it in an op shop when I was about 18. So it gets gets to come out of its box for fancy dresses. And I think that's one of them.

1:09:09 Peter

Yeah. All right. Look forward to more about that. And of course, you know, we touched on before coming to air, I think you might have even mentioned during the interview. But, you know, the the role that carers play is so important, isn't it? And as I carry for the carer so they can do their job longer and better, which obviously helps the person that they're caring for as well.

1:09:28 Julie

Yes, as I said, it's often carers don't... think of themselves - and yet they're running themselves ragged and looking after the person that they care for. And they do need some time out. Absolutely. So all these sorts of events are also good for carers to to relax and have a bit of fun too.

1:09:48 Peter

What about, in your role there, a bit of a question without notice in a sense, but sort of. Aged care often is in the media for the wrong reasons, I guess. You know, in the role of being a senior as far as in charge of communications, that would be, that would keep you on your toes.

1:10:04 Julie

Well, we actually have a strategic objective to promote positive images of ageing. So we actively seek out gems of stories, the fantastic things that are happening every day, each and every day in our services. And no matter what that is, whether it's care at home, people living at home doing interesting things, like we had a client from the Riverland recently jump out of a plane for his 94th birthday.

1:10:36 Peter

Why not?

1:10:37 Julie

Why not indeed. It's a little challenge. He's given himself right through to 107 year old client in in the Adelaide Hills, who still occasionally gets out and drives his tractor. It's amazing. And he's a World War II vet and just an extraordinary story to tell. And then we have a 30 plus year volunteer who's now a resident at Westbourne Park, Helen Dolly, who still is making things and contributing to the community, volunteering her time even as a resident to support kids in need and doing, you know, charitable works even when she's in residential care. 

So, you know, every... and these are just a few examples of the amazing people that we see in each and every day. And so we try and offset the plethora of negative stories by reminding people that actually, as you get older, doesn't mean you stop enjoying life and doing interesting things. You focus might just be a little bit different and your ability might be changed, but life can still be very rewarding. And we also see that in the number of centenarians that we interview each year. And we do try to interview as many as we can. And, you know, the number of people living at home who are now turning 100 is extraordinary. You know, just extraordinary. It's... the number has really increased over the years. 

And that's the thing that I found very interesting because just in the next six months, we've got about 22 or 3 living at home in the community, turning ambulance. So not to mention those in residential care. So, you know, it's a lot, and it's the fastest growing demographic. So we are living longer. And aged care services are going to continue to be a critical element of the support services for people and services change with time, and we just sort of run with that too. Resthaven is still here for older people and we continue to evolve over that time.

1:12:56 Peter

And you make it very holistic, don't you? I mean, there's a number of different allied professionals that get involved as far as making sure that the quality of life is as good as it can be. So it's sort of a one stop shop in a way, but there's a lot of different allied professionals and professionals that kind of get involved with with the with the client.

1:13:15 Julie

Absolutely - so from social workers, podiatrists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, all... as well as registered nurses, enrolled nurses, carers, home support workers. Then in the homes we have hospitality staff that always lots of opportunities for people who might be a bit sick of getting up at... early mornings and then having a split shift and having to go back at night to work in, say, a restaurant. Whereas in aged care they can work regular hours and that sort of thing. That's something that... people don't often think of. 

Also in we have roles for accountants and IT people so that it's it's a huge sector and lots of opportunities within it. It's just not something that a lot of people think of when they're thinking about their career options. So I'd encourage people to consider aged care.

1:14:13 Peter

All right. Well I think the industry is certainly going to be around for a long time to come. So security of employment would be one of those things. Julie, thank you so much for all you've done. I'm sure we'll speak to you many more times in the future, but thank you for making this rare but very impressive appearance. Good luck to everyone for their 90th year, I'm sure as we catch up through guest throughout... 2025, we'll speak to them about some of the activities that are happening. Thank you for all you've done. Enjoy your Christmas holidays at Resthaven. I know you've been wonderful supporters and we appreciate all that you've done. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and certainly all the best for 2025 and your 90th year.

1:14:51 Julie

Thank you so much, Peter, and thank you to all the listeners out there. Best wishes for the Christmas season and beyond into 2025. Thank you so much. 

1:15:02 Peter

Okay. Thank you. The Senior Manager for Communication and Marketing at Resthaven. Resthaven [?Snow] is their website address. We'll put that up with our show notes.

1:15:14 Denise

Hi, I'm Denise Wood from USC - one of Queensland's universities with a strong commitment to accessibility and inclusion. And I enjoy being with you and talking about accessibility in technology - each month on Leisure Link with Peter Greco on Vision Australia Radio.

1:15:34 Peter

For some really exciting news from La Trobe University, let's welcome doctor Rebecca Flower, who's going to tell us about a toolkit that is being rolled out for the public service in Victoria. Rebecca. Rebecca, if I may call you that... thank you for your time.

1:15:48 Rebecca

Absolutely. Thanks so much for having me. I'm so excited to talk about the Neurodiversity Employment Toolkit.

1:15:53 Peter

Just a bit about it. It sounds like a lot of research, a lot of background has gone into this.

1:15:58 Rebecca

Yeah, absolutely. So just for a bit of context, my colleague Ellen Richardson and I were working with the Victorian Public Sector Commission on a broader project aimed at reducing barriers for neurodivergent people entering the Victorian Public service. And during that project, we suggested the development of this toolkit as something likely to be useful to employers. So I work with a lot of employers who want to know more about neurodiversity and how to support neurodivergent employees, and we just thought this toolkit would be a great resource as a starting kind of somewhere that people could go to get some basic information and go from there.

1:16:33 Peter

So in a sense, it's been employer-demanded or employer-driven.

1:16:36 Rebecca

Absolutely, yeah. There's a real need among employers to learn about this information. I've spoken to so many who want to know about about neurodiversity, but there's also a need among the neurodivergent community as well. And I guess just for a bit of context, when I say the word neurodivergent, I'm referring to people who are autistic, who are an ADHD like me. I have ADHD people who have dyslexia or are dyslexic, dyscalculia, dysgraphia and dyspraxia. And I'm just using identity first language there because that's often what's preferred in the neurodivergent community. So there's a real barriers to employment for many neurodivergent people, and we're hoping that this toolkit will benefit both employers and neurodivergent people looking for jobs and in jobs.

1:17:18 Peter

Yeah, it's also kind of a barrier, but also for those who might have employment and kind of want to be a bit more understood, or employers want to understand their employees a bit better as well.

1:17:28 Rebecca

100%. That's a really great question. Yeah, absolutely. So the great thing about the toolkit is we've designed it so that there's some information about neurodiversity in there, some information about talking about neurodiversity in case people are aware that they're neurodivergent in the workplace. And then there's some information about recruitment and job ads, but also information about supporting people on the job as well. So kind of at all stages of that recruitment to employment cycle.

1:17:51 Peter

Yeah, I don't want to go too much off into the weeds, but in a sense like this is maybe something that is happening more in more recent or maybe decades that I guess as we become a bit more enlightened, you know, people can talk about this and not feel like they need to hide it as well.

1:18:08 Rebecca

Yeah, absolutely. I think that there's more awareness. So there are some more people being diagnosed. For example, I was only diagnosed as an ADHD a few years ago, and that was after I got my PhD in psychology. And so some people are starting to be diagnosed more frequently. There's more awareness of what these identities or conditions look like in adulthood. And what's really nice, though, is that people are starting to be aware of of issues and starting to feel more comfortable learning and talking about these issues in the workplace. 

So I see it as a really positive thing that neurodiversity is kind of in the spotlight at the moment, particularly with regard to employment, because it means there's a real willingness to to learn and engage in discussion instead of kind of feeling like we can't talk about it.

1:18:47 Peter

Well, I always kind of scratch my head a bit... back, like during the week we had the unemployment figures released and it was now under four now. And you think, Oh, it's virtually full employment, people are saying - but there's a lot of people with disabilities and not just neurodivergent, but a lot of people with disabilities that want to work but can't get work. So those sort of unemployment numbers are a little bit misleading, aren't they?

1:19:06 Rebecca

Yeah. You're right, the... we don't have a really good sense of the number of neurodivergent people who are employed, but the recent, most recent data, to my knowledge, for at least autistic adults, is only about 27% of autistic adults are employed, which is really low. So we'd love it if this toolkit could somehow, um, improve those numbers. And we hope it will. We hope it it will improve employers ability to advertise jobs and induct people in a way that's more supportive and help people stay in jobs as well.

1:19:33 Peter

And of course, the irony of is that probably a lot of those people are very, very talented and that talent is being missed out on. So it's a lose-lose rather than a win-win, if you like.

1:19:42 Rebecca

Yeah, that's often what happens, because a lot of the challenges that relate to neurodiversity employment are actually often really small... or kind of based in small things like communication, misunderstanding or a lack of clarity around the job. So if... the employment toolkit really talks about really simple things that are often at no cost that employers can do for any employee or for their whole team, that would reduce barriers for neurodivergent people in gaining and maintaining employment, but also probably be useful for everyone as well.

1:20:09 Peter

Well, that's a great point, isn't it? Because I guess it's got to wider applications, which is often the thing with many of these issues when it comes to accessibility or inclusion.

1:20:20 Rebecca

Absolutely.

1:20:21 Peter

Can we open up the toolkit and kind of peep what's in it?

1:20:23 Rebecca

Yeah, sure. Please do. So it's available on the Victorian Public Sector Commission website. It's developed for employers in the Victorian public sector. There's over 300,000 employers and employees in the Victorian public sector, which is awesome, but it's freely available for anyone to use and look at, so it could be effectively used by anyone.

1:20:42 Peter

Yeah, fantastic. Well, obviously very, very important that it's circulated widely. So as many people have access to it as possible, what about in terms of... like kind of being a live document, if I can put it that way, there's kind of always work going into it. I mean, this is the finished product, or is it?

1:20:59 Rebecca

This is the finished product. I guess we could... potentially update it in future, but we did try to develop it in a way that it shouldn't need too much updating. So we've worked really hard over the past few years. We were a neurodiverse team working with the EPSRC, but we also consulted with many neurodivergent people. So people with relevant lived experience, people who were employers of neurodivergent people, HR professionals, organisational psychology professionals, psychologists who work with autistic adults, the academic literature. 

We also went to social media to see what people were talking about. We read books by advocates. We went to conferences and presentations to learn about any unpublished research. So we're hoping that it stays up to date for quite a while. And there's an acknowledgement style on the toolkit, too, so that people can see those who did consent to being acknowledged for their input and their wonderful contributions are listed there too.

1:21:48 Peter

So at the beginning it was well researched, and you've just given us a bit of an idea of how well it was the research. That's fantastic. What about as far as people coming forward to be part of it? Did you find somewhere a little bit reluctant? But once they got involved, they were sort of very much free flowing with, with their input?

1:22:05 Rebecca

Not at all. Actually, I think that... people were really keen to be involved, which is great, but it also, it says something about the passion of people wanting to be involved. And you can probably tell from the way I talk about it, I'm really passionate about this area, and it's not...

1:22:17 Peter

I pick up on that right now...

1:22:20 Rebecca

But it's been a real joy and a privilege to develop this toolkit with the EPSRC, in collaboration with them. But no, we found that people we had a lot, a lot of people willing to provide their time and their input that we were grateful for, and we did. We had no trouble finding people who were willing to be involved.

1:22:36 Peter

So it's kind of out there already. Is that the sort of the situation?

1:22:40 Rebecca

Yeah, absolutely. So it's available on the Victorian Public Sector Commission website. It was released on November the 29th and advertised through the Victorian public sector. But it's awesome that you've asked us to talk about it today so that we can kind of spread the word and get it out there, given... you know, anyone can use it and people might not be aware it's out there now.

1:22:57 Peter

Becky, you might not be aware of this, or maybe you are, that there's more than just Victoria in Australia. There are other states and communities and territories. What about, in all seriousness, other states or... the sort of information being made more freely available and indeed, of course, not just the public sector?

1:23:17 Rebecca

You're right. So that's a that's a great point. So it is available on the Victorian Public Sector Commission website, but it's freely, publicly available for anyone to use. So we would encourage anyone in any state and territory to look at it, to use it. They can all access it and none of it's Victoria specific. There are a couple links in there that will be relevant, perhaps to those in the Victorian public sector, but the resource itself is developed in a way that could be useful for anyone worldwide.

1:23:42 Peter

And what about that... sort of, status of it, if you like, in terms of... other countries, other states, other... potential employees having this sort of information - is this a bit of a first?

1:23:56 Rebecca

Yeah, it's my understanding. It's certainly a first in Australia, if not a first in the world. I've kind of been working in this space for a while, and I've identified a need for this kind of resource, so I'd love to be wrong. I'd love if there were other resources out there, because I think they're needed, but I don't think there are. I think this is certainly an Australian first, if not a world first, which is a real privilege to be part of, but really good to have it out there.

1:24:17 Peter

We're rapidly running out of time, but I have to ask, What was it like being diagnosed kind of after your PhD? Did you kind of think, Well, I wish this had happened before, or It is what it is, and you kind of, you know, life moves on?

1:24:28 Rebecca

I do, in a way, but it's actually been the most useful thing I've ever learned about myself, because it really helps me understand how I work, why I'm so passionate about certain things, why I have trouble with other certain things. It's been very useful for me to understand a bit more about who I am, and I can bring my full self to work, which is great.

1:24:45 Peter

Well, people can get more information. What we might do - we put up a show notes about the program, and we can also, perhaps if you're able to send me a link or send some... in fact, I think I might have that anyway. Send, put put the link up with our show notes so people can go there and access it - because we go around Australia and of course around the world with podcasts, etc., so people can have access to it, which has got to be a good thing. And you said freely available and you mean free as in no cost.

1:25:11 Rebecca

That's right. No cost. Freely available. It's just available on the website. Anyone can access it worldwide and access the whole toolkit. You can download it as a document as well, or you can just use it through the website. Yeah. And hopefully people will see it and see that it's a, you know, really small changes can make such a huge and positive difference. Yeah.

1:25:26 Peter

That's a great note to end on Bec. Well done. What's up your sleeve next?

1:25:30 Rebecca

Oh gosh, that's such a great question Peter. I'm not sure I've had a few big projects this year. I think it's time to kind of... stop and do some planning before I move on to my next project. Well, I...

1:25:41 S1

Rest and then some planning, perhaps.

1:25:42 Rebecca

That's right. Yeah, absolutely. Good call.

1:25:45 Peter

Yeah, but great to talk to you. Thank you so much. And congratulations on the initiative. Let's hope that... well, I'm sure many people have already benefited from it just in the few days it's been out there and many more do. So thank you for spending some time with us.

1:25:56 Rebecca

Thank you so much for helping us spread the word. Gosh, we really appreciate it. Thanks for.

1:25:59 Peter

Thanks for your time. That's Dr Rebecca Flower from La Trobe University with some wonderful news for people who might be neurodivergent and a toolkit being rolled out at this stage. Well, for the public service. But of course, it's freely available to everyone, and we'll put details about that up on our show notes. 

Our usual footnote to the show... just wrapping up the AFL Open that was held in Queensland... just letting you know that Vic Metro won the AFL wheelchair tournament. They beat Tasmania. As far as the inclusion carnival went, well, South Australia made it through to the grand final sadly, or sadly for South Australia. But congratulations to Tasmania for taking that out again. So they are a very powerful team both in AFL wheelchair and also inclusion football. So well done to Tasmania. Let's find out what is going on down there that makes them so successful. We'll chase that up in the new year. 

Also, if you were part of the inclusion team, Jesse Goodman or Luke Goodman, any of the players that would like to have a chat to us on air about it. I've been chasing you all week, haven't be able to get through, so if you can get in touch with us - eight two, three, four, 1197 during the business hours, or I'm sure you will find me somewhere if you try hard enough. I've left a few messages, so hopefully you can get in touch with us and we can talk about South Australia's performance, making it through to the grand final. 

Speak about sport, just a little kind of casual observation regarding Anthony Albanese. Has he taken a leaf out of the Peter Malinauskas playbook during the week, announcing the fact that Papua New Guinea will be a new team to join the NRL? So trying to put maybe sport on the front page, taking politics off it, is that something that we might see more of as we move towards the next federal election? Certainly some interesting times coming up. 

Also some news through from Humanware that the B40 that their Braille display and also the Mantis, the Mantis 4D has now got text to speech audio feedback as well. So that's a breakthrough as far as the update goes. So good news there from Humanware. I guess in a sense they're almost coinciding with Louis Braille Day coming up on the 14th. On the 4th of January, 4th of January, Louis Braille, which is a very big year next year too. So good luck to him. And we're about that. 

A couple of quotes before we go. One comes through from Helene, who says silence is a powerful tool for reflection, connection and calm. So thanks so much to Helene for sending that through. And miraculous that one through. Maria says the only way to follow our passion is to take action. Take action now. So thanks, for your philosophy and you're quite there. 

Some birthdays before we go. Benny Tudhope having a birthday. That fine? Fine. Went to Paralympian. They captured our hearts as a 14 year old a few years ago. Has now grown up, but still doing great things in the area of winter Paralympic sport. Of course that is coming up in 2026, so no doubt chat more about that as it gets closer. Lauren Parker having a birthday this year, is Paralympian of the year that, well, not just a tremendous triathlon but also a cyclist. So happy birthday to you Lauren. Hope life is going well for you and Elise Lehman having a birthday. The unofficial mayor of robe of the southeast. At least having a birthday fine gold baller. Also great masseuse and also a comedian. So Elise Lehman, a happy birthday to you. 

This is it for the program. If you're listening through 1197 AM, stay tuned because Vicki Cousins is here with Australian Geographic, as we like to say, a program not to be missed. Sam, Richard, thanks so much for your help. Sam Greene, thanks so much for yours. Reminding you that Leisure Link is available on that favorite podcast platform. If you like the show, please tell a few friends. Always room for many more listeners. A big thanks again to Disability Media Australia for their support. You can find out much more about them at Powerd Media, p o w e r d dot media. So that is it for the program. We'll be back next week for our last show before Christmas. So in the meantime, be kind to yourselves, be thoughtful and look after others. This is Leisure Link on Vision Australia Radio.