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President’s Report
Richard Anderson OAM
Guide Dogs has remained a source of support, dedicated to providing essential services to Queenslanders living with low vision or blindness.
Although the pandemic was isolating for many, our staff, volunteers and wonderful donors were unwavering in their support, empowering people to achieve independence, participation, and inclusion in their communities. In fact, Guide Dogs delivered more hours of support in this period than ever before, keeping the wellbeing of clients and their families at the forefront of all we do.
Our dog programs in Queensland have also grown in quality and efficiency with 122 active Guide Dogs teams now working across the state and an industry leading 40 percent plus success rate from breeding to placement.
This has led to a record low number of clients on the waitlist for a Guide Dog.
We have worked collaboratively with other Guide Dog schools across the country, responding to diverse client needs and evolving new technologies, while closely involving our community, volunteers and staff. Through this wider collaboration we have combined resources to strengthen the Guide Dogs brand and ensure long term financial sustainability.
I’d like to recognise the generosity of Queenslanders, particularly our special supporters that leave legacy gifts in their Wills or generously make significant gifts to further our organisation’s reach and support for the Queensland community. Our investment into new programs and furthering our impact has been made possible through your generosity.
I would like to thank my fellow Directors for their continued support and the time they continue to devote to Guide Dogs. Earlier in the year we also welcomed a new Director, Inma Beaumont, who is passionate for helping organisations in education and not-for-profit sectors to enhance their reputation and pursue diversified funding. I know we will all appreciate Inma’s fresh perspectives and I look forward to her contributions in 2023.
I would also like to thank our staff, volunteers and the thousands of donors and supporters that make what Guide Dogs achieves, possible. It is your support, year on year, that continues to make a real difference in so many peoples’ lives.
There is still so much more work to be done. I am confident that through our strategic financial investments, our investment into our people and programs, and with your continued support, we will be at the forefront of providing life-changing services for these Queenslanders for many years to come.
CEO's Message
Michael Kightley
One of the reasons why Guide Dogs Queensland (GDQ) is so unique in our sector is the ongoing shared commitment of our Board, our staff and our supporters to providing services to clients of all ages, levels of reduced vision, life goals or—most importantly—their access to funding. This is of course only possible because of the strong connections between our incredible supporters and the clients who continue to directly benefit from this support.
We have had and continue to enjoy, a real community of support, in action with a growing demand for vision services across Queensland. Over the past year GDQ has been able to meet the increased demand and reduce waiting times. We have maintained a high success rate for qualifying Guide Dogs and met our target for placement.
These connections have had a huge impact on positively contributing to Queensland communities by improving mental health, increasing community access outside the home, and both increasing participation and promoting inclusion within these local communities.
In fact, 85-90% of our annual service funding comes directly from this community. Over the past four years, these contributions have allowed for ongoing investment in increasing the number of Allied Health and Guide Dog Mobility Specialists at GDQ, expanding the range of services we provided and significantly reducing the waiting times—meaning more people could get the services they needed, when they needed them most.
These initiatives have been a major strategic investment for GDQ that will provide ongoing benefits for many years to come and help us return to a surplus over the next two years.
The Guide Dogs Nursery has been a busy place with 69 Guide Dog pups being born and 5,850 hours of dog training sessions delivered. Despite the ongoing impacts of Covid, our Guide Dog Mobility Specialists placed 18 more people with their life-changing Guide Dog in the past year.
The number of services available to children in schools also expanded this past year, with Psychology, Counselling, and Assistive Technology services being added to our regular Orientation, Mobility and Occupational Therapy services. This meant children had the best possible chance to connect with others in their communities and achieve their goals through tailored services.
I would like to thank the wonderful community of people and organisations that make these connections possible, through your generosity and continued support. I am so grateful to those who left a legacy gift to Guide Dogs in their Will, or who supported us so generously by volunteering their time. It’s thanks to your combined efforts that GDQ will continue to be a strong and connected community of support for those who need us most, well into the future.
Patron's Message
Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM
As Patron of Guide Dogs Queensland, I wish to thank this wonderful organisation for its dedication to improving the lives of Queenslanders living with vision and mobility loss for more than 60 years.
Guide Dogs Queensland holds a place in the hearts of many people in this State, not least because of the endearing images of the playful pups that will one day graduate to become very special canine companions.
Guide Dogs are raised to be trusted and loyal aides and bring a sense of security and independence to people who might otherwise be left feeling isolated in their communities. They are nurtured from an early age by dedicated ‘puppy raisers’ and trainers, who teach them such skills as locating safe road crossing points, stopping at kerbs, guiding their handlers around stationary obstacles, avoiding overhanging branches and other height obstacles, and navigating such challenges as seats and stairs.
And we welcome them into all the places their handlers wish to go, including shops, hotels, restaurants and public transport, in recognition of the handler’s legal right to enter such places. We marvel at their calm composure, and rightly resist the temptation to pat them, as their handler may need them to keep their mind on this most important of jobs.
Guide Dogs Queensland changes lives, it’s that simple. On behalf of all Queenslanders, I commend them on another year of promoting the independence, participation, inclusion and wellbeing of those with low vision and blindness.
Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM
Governor of Queensland
Patron of Guide Dogs Queensland
The impact your support has made
At Guide Dogs, we believe that anyone of any age and at any stage of their journey should have access to support.
Thanks to you, Jenny, Stacey and Brent had a place to turn to for support when they needed it most.
Anyone can experience vision loss at any time. It doesn’t discriminate by age, gender, lifestyle or location. It could be anyone at any point in their life. And for each individual, their journey is unique.
Our incredible supporters
Your support made great things possible.
There’s no place like home
Your generosity provides dedicated support to Gold Coast seniors in their own homes.
Guide Dogs Orientation and Mobility Specialist Natalie Paterson has been working with Gold Coast seniors to help improve their independence.
Lessons beyond the classroom
Kids and schools across Queensland are putting their paws up to raise funds for those living with low vision or blindness.
Brisbane Grammar School Teacher Stella Gardner said taking part in the challenge has been a great hands-on learning experience for her students.
Graduation 2021
Congratulations to all our graduates!
2021 was a year of wonderful stories and personal achievements that we wanted to recognise. So, we chose to celebrate the goals our remarkable clients had accomplished through the year at our 2021 Graduation ceremony, with a theme of “How far we’ve come.”
Our annual graduation event is the culmination of what we do here at Guide Dogs, bringing together the community to celebrate our Clients and their achievements.
This year’s graduates were recognised for completing their training in a range of areas including our Guide Dog, Long Cane or Assistive Technology Device programs.
“I started getting involved with activities run by Guide Dogs such as cooking and the Better Living Program which allowed me to meet other people. This opened my world when thinking about my future by seeing just how amazing and dynamic people can be. There is an old saying that ‘life is not about the destination but about the journey’ and the people that you meet along the way is what makes the journey so rich.” Peter Clifford
“Honnie has been good for my health. I had a big operation last year and I think it’s because of her that I recovered so quickly. My daughter and I are going to get back out on the surfboards next. I’m only 82, I still have a few years of surfing left in me. I owe a lot to Honnie, she’s given me a new lease on life.” Arthur & Honnie
This year’s ceremony was one of our largest yet with nearly 400 people attending. Congratulations again to all the graduates and thank you to the volunteers, guests, current and former Board members and the now retired Queensland Governor, The Honourable Paul De Jersey, who joined us for the celebration.
Meet our team
Meet Jasmine – Queensland’s very first Client Support Dog!
A helping guide and a paw to hold.
Meet Jasmine – Queensland’s very first Client Support Dog!
While Jasmine wasn’t suited to life as a working Guide Dog, she had still learnt important skills during her training and has a loving personality that was perfect for her new career.
Meet our team
A Day in the life of an OT
When you support Guide Dogs, you also help provide state-wide access to our Occupational Therapists (OTs), who provide a highly personalised form of therapy to people of all ages and abilities to get the most out of life.
Occupational Therapists provide a fabulous contribution to the lives of many, using activities, adaptive equipment and therapies to help with
everyday life.
Guide Dogs Australia’s iconic dogs from birth through to retirement.
Born to Lead
An online series that follows the journey of Guide Dogs Australia’s iconic dogs from birth through to retirement.
The series will follow the Guide Dog journey from birth through to retirement, while telling the stories of the dedicated volunteers and professional Trainers who play a special role in each dog’s development.
The series will also explore the stories of the Australians living with low vision or blindness who are matched with these life-changing Guide Dogs.
Your pick of the litter
You named our new Queensland pups.
Featuring names from iconic Queensland locations and personalities, you gave nine special pups unique Queensland names, paying tribute to the Maroon spirit.
Thank you to our incredible volunteers
You’re the inspiration
For Maree, Ron and Jan, their love of volunteering
is inspired by people like you who are committed
to helping change lives.
“My favourite part about volunteering with Guide Dogs is the people I’ve met,” Maree said. “I’ve also loved seeing the growth in the organisation and knowing I’ve been a part of it is incredibly rewarding.”
Maree, Ron and Jan were recently recognised for their 20 years of volunteering as part of National Volunteer Week. They have contributed in many ways from puppy raising, selling merchandise at events or volunteering in the office.
Meet the Board
Our Board Members are hard-working, caring, and passionate about our cause.
They have a wide range of expertise, especially in the areas of law, economics, property, finance, fundraising and healthcare.
The Guide Dogs Board has worked hard to ensure that Guide Dogs stayed on track as we and the rest of the world were faced with the enormous challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.
