Page 1678 - Week 05 - Thursday, 5 May 2016
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Since 2014 the Royal Society for the Blind and Canberra Blind Society have been working in partnership to provide services here in the territory. The society runs a number of group activities. The Tuesday club, drop-in lunches, and discussion and excursion group provide an opportunity for clients to meet other clients. “Sense-able cooking” helps people with low vision to try new recipes, meet new people and prepare meals with confidence. The society runs classes to teach braille to blind or vision impaired people as well as their parents and carers and professionals who work in the blindness field. The audio book group gives booklovers an opportunity to explore and discuss books with other clients. The society also runs an annual recreational camp.
Like so many other organisations, the Blind Society relies heavily on community generosity to continue its work. Community donations and bequests in people’s wills greatly assist the society. At the beginning of May each year the society’s annual street appeal is an opportunity for volunteers and members of the community to collect donations to give to this very worthy cause.
I would like to commend the Canberra Blind Society board, including the president, Peter Granleese; the vice president, Heath Fitzpatrick; the treasurer, Len Hogg; the secretary, Graham Downie; and committee members Ken Birrer, Sharon Sobey, Scott Grimley, Beaux Guarini, Ray Clark, who is the president of the Royal Society for the Blind, and Andrew Daly, the executive director of the Royal Society for the Blind. I would also like to commend all the staff, including Debra Quinnell, Hanelle Blick, Emma Lea Sheather, Gina Baulderstone, Rebecca Jones; Trish Costantini, and Isla Smith.
As part of this year’s street appeal, Mr Wall and I will be holding a fundraising morning tea tomorrow morning in the reception room. I encourage all members of the Assembly to come along between 10.30 and 11.30, make a donation and enjoy some delicious home-made baked goods. All donations will go directly towards supporting people in Canberra who are blind or vision impaired. For more information about the society I recommend members visit their website at www.canberrablindsociety.org.au.
The Assembly adjourned at 6.36 pm until Tuesday, 7 June 2017, at 10 am.
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