Speeches
Thursday, 09 October 2025
World Sight Day Grounds Event for Guide Dogs SA/NT
Rod and I, as patron, warmly welcome you all to Government House to mark World Sight Day and to celebrate the work of Guide Dogs SA/NT.
The 2025 theme for World Sight Day is 'Love Your Eyes'.
I thank Guide Dogs SA/NT for training dogs to be the eyes for their clients, enabling independence and participation in everyday life.
For nearly 70 years, Guide Dogs SA/NT has been a leader in its field – the first provider of Guide Dogs in South Australia, the creator of Australia's first interactive vision and hearing education centre, and a pioneer in providing Autism Assistance Dogs.
I am impressed by the range of services you offer today, including orientation and mobility support, occupational therapy, assistive technology, neurological vision services, as well as fostering vital social connections that help people of all ages live safely and confidently.
In Rod’s and my interactions with Guide Dogs staff, clients, volunteers and supporters, we have always been struck by your unwavering dedication to making a difference.
I thank the Board members for their governance and strategic vision in guiding this organisation through both opportunities and challenges, including the ongoing cost of living pressures which impact fundraising.
I thank the staff for your professional expertise and patient pursuit of solutions which will have the largest impact on your clients' lives.
I thank the more than 350 volunteers who generously open your homes and hearts to raise puppies, and who donate your time in so many other ways to support this mission.
I thank the donors and supporters whose heartfelt contributions enable Guide Dogs SA/NT to provide life-changing services, including 775 hours of neurological vision services in the past year alone.
I am pleased to see that in the past year, 38 companies have participated in 49 sessions of Human Guide Training, demonstrating a growing commitment to accessibility and inclusion across our community.
Today we also celebrate the 2025 Access Advocate Award recipients – Adelaide Airport, Adelaide Oval, City of Marion, and City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters – for embedding accessibility efforts that create more welcoming environments for all.
I look forward to hearing more about your efforts in this morning’s panel session.
I am also pleased to say that since you were here last year, work has been undertaken at Government House to make the state entrance – our front doo – accessible to all.
Of course, I also thank the Guide Dogs and Assistance Dogs whose remarkable devotion and partnership enable their handlers to achieve their goals and live the lives they want.
The story of Guide Dogs is best told by the clients whose individual stories we will hear shortly, through a second panel discussion with clients John, Antony, Melissa and Steve.
Friends,
As we look to the future, I am encouraged by the recent graduation of six new Guide Dogs, that have ventured out into the world to serve their clients.
May Guide Dogs SA/NT continue to empower people with low vision, blindness or other specialised needs to reach their full potential - and move confidently through the world.