Rose, let’s talk about your education for a moment. You attended various school in your younger years. Can you take me through them?
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My education started out at Forest Hill State School in Melbourne.
The school is no longer there. It was bulldozed for housing development.
I attended the Caron Bank school in Kew for partially sighted children. I was there for four years from grade 4 to form 2.
It was only a tiny school. I think there were 40 students. I did first form by correspondence, as there was only two of us in the grade.
I could partially see until I was nine years old, when the retina in my right eye detached.
We knew there was something wrong, but back in that era there was not much could be done to fix the problem.
They can fix the problem I had now by laser.
I had no sight in my right eye and I only had 5 per cent vision in my left eye, so I’m legally blind.
With your eyesight problems at school, how did you learn things at Caron Bank?
It was difficult, because there was no such things as computers and photocopiers back then.
People would read the textbooks to you and you just had to learn.
Rose, were you told how the problems with your eyesight occurred?
I was a premature baby and I had too much oxygen, which caused the problems.
It was tough at primary school in my initial years, as other children would make fun of you.
I was often pushed into a flagpole at school by other students.
It was their sort of fun, but I had to remain strong.
I realised from a young age I had to live with my disabilities and just get on with life.
There have been different times over the years when I have asked the question “why me?”.
I suppose it’s a bit like grieving – you’ve just got to try and find positives in the situations that are presented to you.
One of the things I miss being blind is to drive a motor car.
I really would love to have the convenience of having my own car and being able to drive it.
I catch a lot of buses around Warrnambool because I’m involved in various community groups.
I’m fortunate because the bus drivers do wonderful jobs, but I would have just loved to have my own car.
I also travel to Melbourne a lot by train. The staff at V/Line are great.
I have a cane and sometimes I forget to take my cane when I’m going to Melbourne.
That’s a big inconvenience, as people down there are running around at a hundred miles an hour and do seem to care if they knock someone over.
I now wear contact lenses. The lenses sharpens up my vision in my left eye so things are not as blurry.
I have to sit really close to the television to see what is going on.
Rose, when did you move to Warrnambool?
Jim and I moved to Warrnambool in 2004 to be closer to family.
I had been working with the Australian Communication Exchange in Melbourne for 11 years working on the switchboard, and also relaying calls to deaf people.
When we moved to Warrnambool, I continued to work for Australian Communication Exchange two days a week.
I knew when we moved to Warrnambool I had to get involved in as many community groups as possible in volunteer roles.
I was one of the organisers for a blind cricket match a couple of years ago.
The game was to played at the Davidson Oval, but due to heavy rain it was transferred to the old Action Gym building.
Judi Mutsaers from the South West Sports Assembly helped out with the day.
Another of the groups I joined was Vision Australia.
I work there as a volunteer for three Saturdays in the month.
There’s 40 volunteers that put in a great deal of time to offer a wonderful service for people who have varying disabilities to listen to the latest news on 94.5FM.
I’ve loved being involved with radio. I’m a volunteer up at 3WAY FM.
I have an hourly program each fortnight.
I have a panel operator who helps me put my program to air.
Rose, your sporting highlight relates to rowing. How did you get involved in the sport?
A friend of mine from Melbourne who has sight problems suggested to me seven years ago about getting involved with rowing.
I ended up joining the Nestles Rowing Club.
The first day I attended I was made most welcome. It’s a really great family environment at the Nestles Rowing Club.
They teach all people of all ages how to row.
I’m usually at the club three times a week: Monday, Wednesday and Sundays.
I really love rowing – there’s nothing better than going up the Merri River after you’ve had a bad day, just listening to the sounds of nature.
It was very special to get a silver medal in the state para mixed double scull with Aaron Skinner at Lake Wendouree. Aaron has autism. He steered us in the 1000 metre event.
I was really proud to have achieved that with the help and support of Aaron.
I’m also involved with a social cycling group from the Archie Graham Centre.
The group usually cycle down around Lake Pertobe and on the bike trial.
There could be up to 20 of us who cycle on a Friday, and then I’ve got to mention the Heart Foundation walking group.
We walk on Mondays and there may be up to 30 of us in the group sometimes.