About Guide Dogs.

At Guide Dogs, we empower people with low vision or blindness to achieve independence, participation, inclusion and wellbeing.
A person standing in front of a building holding their white cane. The person is smiling at the camera.

Our History

That’s why Guide Dogs has been voted Australia’s Most Trusted Charity on seven occasions.

For more than 60 years, we have enabled a lifetime of independence, participation, inclusion and wellbeing for people with low vision or blindness and their families.

In 2020, we marked 60 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 60 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.

60 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 60 years and beyond.

A black Guide Dog in harness standing next it's handler outside on some grass. The Guide Dog s looking at the camera.

Mission statement

We empower people with low vision or blindness to achieve
independence, participation, inclusion and wellbeing.

A yellow eight week old labrador puppy standing outside on some grass. The puppy is looking to the right of the camera.

How we help

Every day, we empower people to find the solutions that will make the biggest differences to achieve independence, participation, inclusion and wellbeing.

We understand that no two journeys are the same. So, we work side-by-side with clients and their families to help them find their way with services tailored to suit them.

We support people of all ages, with different levels of vision, to achieve freedom and independence.

A Guide Dogs staff member assisting an an older adult with navigating a handrail.

Our Board members

They have a wide range of expertise, especially in the areas of law, economics, property, finance, fundraising and healthcare.

The Guide Dogs Queensland Board is responsible for overseeing our strategic direction, governance and organisational performance.

Guide Dogs Queensland Board President, Richard Anderson OAM, standing outside holding an eight week old caramel labrador puppy. Richard is looking at the camera smiling.

Our Patron

On 1 November 2021, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM was sworn in as the 27th Governor of Queensland and representative of His Majesty King Charles III, Queensland’s Head of State.

Her Excellency and her husband, Professor Graeme Nimmo are proud to serve all Queenslanders.

Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young PSM Governor of Queensland standing next to a side table with a framed photo of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

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