Speeches

Thursday, 08 October 2026

Guide Dogs SA/NT Morning Tea in the Grounds

Speech delivered by Administrator of the State, His Excellency Dr Richard Harris SC

I met with Frances Adamson on Tuesday just before she finished up. She was very pleased to hear that I would be here to welcome you to Government House grounds to celebrate World Sight Day. I believe she holds your organisation in very high regard. 

Last week Fiona and I were fortunate enough to be visiting our daughter in London.

We were on the Tube one day, and sitting opposite us was a young man with his guide dog sitting quietly under his seat.

When his stop was announced, he gave the dog a signal and they stood up next to the door ready to disembark.

It occurred to me how amazing this apparently simple act was - how many steps were on both sides of the carriage; standing up, not knowing the size of the gap; going out into the absolute labyrinth that is the London Underground.

I thought of all the complexities of what was happening, all made possible by the presence of this incredible dog - true independence to allow this guy to live his best life.

Of course, Guide Dogs SA/NT is about much more than dogs.

Alongside the guide dogs, more than 7,000 hours of specialised vision services are provided to more than 900 clients.

That is an amazing contribution to our community.

The key to World Sight Day is making eye care accessible, available and affordable for all. It aligns with the global Love Your Eyes campaign – three simple words that encapsulate important messages such as:

  • the gift of sight is precious;

  • that sight connects us to our world;

  • and that when sight changes, there are people and organisations such as Guide Dogs SA/NT who are there to help.

You provide opportunity – and have done so for 69 years. So today on World Sight Day, we have an opportunity to encourage people to consider how to protect their vision.

Individually it might be considering having regular eye checks; or simply looking after our health and eating well. Also to consider voluntary activities like puppy fostering programs.

Collectively it might mean organisations considering how they can make their premises and services safer and more accessible to those with blindness or low vision.

Today, I’d like to congratulate those who have been recognised by Guide Dogs SA/NT through Access Advocate Awards for their contribution to this goal.

I look forward to today’s panel discussions – 'From Puppy to Perfect Match' and 'Kicking Goals with Low Vision and Blindness.' 

I’m excited to hear more about the ways you are helping this community.

To the Guide Dogs staff, volunteers, puppy raisers, supporters, donors and corporate partners: Thank you. 

You all play a role in supporting independence and inclusion.

Happy World Sight Day and thank you for being part of the Guide Dogs SA/NT family.

Coming events