Our History
At Guide Dogs we have a strong and long-standing reputation for doing what’s right.
That’s why Guide Dogs has been voted Australia’s Most Trusted Charity on seven occasions.
For more than 65 years, we have enabled a lifetime of independence, participation, inclusion and wellbeing for people with low vision or blindness and their families.
In 2025, we marked 65 years since the first Committee meeting of Guide Dogs for the Blind Association of Queensland was officially held.
In 2021, we also officially changed our name from ‘Guide Dogs for the Blind Association of Queensland’ to ‘Guide Dogs Queensland’.
Much has changed in the past 65 years and one thing that has always held importance is our commitment to helping people with low vision or blindness.
Guide Dogs for the Blind Association of Queensland was started when Hubie Morris, of Townsville, became the first person to receive a Guide Dog in 1960. Hubie was matched with Guide Dog ‘Halda’ and he went on to establish the Townsville Auxiliary, which raised money for more Queenslanders to be matched with Guide Dogs.
65 years later, we are honoured to continue to provide vital services for people living with low vision or blindness and we look forward to continuing to do so for another 65 years and beyond.