Meet the team.
Introducing Sally Boas, Supporter Liaison, Gifts in Wills.
Sally started working for Guide Dogs in October 2023 and has fitted perfectly into the Gifts in Wills team. With a naturally warm and outgoing personality, there is nothing she enjoys more than connecting with supporters to hear their stories and learn about why they decided to give their support. When not on the phone or out on home visits, Sally can often be seen at our Sydney and regional events with a microphone in hand, taking on the important role of MC.
Outside of work, Sally’s life is never dull. She has four children to keep her busy, two of whom are still in high school, a beautiful Kelpie named Shadow, and a handsome husband, Pete. When not baking amazing cakes (see her favourite recipe below!), Sally loves keeping fit and active, with camping, hiking, bike riding, swimming and snorkelling being some of her favourite outdoor activities.
From early childhood, Sally loved animals, regularly bringing home injured wildlife to care for. The dream of having her own dog finally came true the day she brought home a cute and irresistible puppy instead! With her parents finally won over, puppy Holly found her forever home and became a much-loved member of the family for over 16 years.
According to Sally, “Joining Guide Dogs has been like hitting the jackpot, providing a unique opportunity to work amongst wonderful dogs and for an amazing cause.”
Sally’s easy chocolate cupcake recipe!
Ingredients:
80 grams butter
Three-quarters cup sugar
One and one-quarter cups SR flour
Half teaspoon bicarb soda
One-third cup cocoa
Half cup water
One teaspoon vanilla extract
Two eggs
Method:
- Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
- Place 12 cupcake liners in a cupcake tin.
- Beat all ingredients together in a bowl for three minutes.
- Add two eggs and beat for another two minutes.
- Divide the mixture between cupcake liners.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the skewer inserted into a cupcake in the middle of the tray comes out clean.
- Once cool, spread with frosting and decorate!
(Note: in the photo, I’ve carefully sliced the top off each cupcake, added a dollop of fresh whipped cream, then gently pressed a halved strawberry on top. I finished by placing the cupcake top back on and topping with chocolate frosting.)
Chocolate icing:
Beat together one cup icing sugar, one-quarter cup cocoa, 100 grams melted butter, and one teaspoon vanilla extract. Add a little water if needed. Ice the cupcakes as desired.
Client corner.
Introducing Client Connections Specialist, Tony and his Guide Dog, Solo!
Tony lost his sight 16 years ago and has been working in the Client Connections team at Guide Dogs for over 12 months. He and his Guide Dog, Solo, have been kept busy ever since, fostering peer support and connections throughout the community.
Tony’s week is spent meeting Clients all over Greater North Sydney. He and Solo can be found leading lawn bowls in Beecroft, on walks around Narrabeen Lakes or the Botanical Gardens, or enjoying audio-described tours at some of Sydney’s best art exhibitions.
Tony lives with his wife on the Central Coast, so he and Solo spend a lot of time travelling. “Solo is the one that makes all this possible for me. I wouldn’t be able to do it without his help,” Tony says.
But Tony won’t be limited to where he and Solo can travel—he also facilitates groups online, creating social engagement opportunities for people all over NSW and the ACT.
“In Connections, we’re all people with blindness or low vision, so designing things to do for Clients comes easy. If we can do it, we know our Clients can. The joy these activities bring, both online and in person, is unbelievably satisfying for us,” he says.
An update.
What’s been happening?
It’s been a busy six months! Highlights include home visits to supporters to deliver the Guide Dogs calendar and welcoming an amazing group of volunteers from telecoms company TPG to help us put together special festive gift packs. Recently, we kicked off 2025 with over 200 people joining us at Norths Cammeray to celebrate the latest Guide Dog graduates and see them collect their special harnesses.
Community support.
Benjamin’s birthday wish!
The Newcastle office received a surprise visit from one of our much younger supporters. When handing over his birthday donation, Benjamin told the Guide Dogs team;
“I recently turned 11 and I decided to invite my friends to help me celebrate. Because my birthday is close to Christmas, I didn’t really want or need any presents. I asked my friends, instead of a gift, if they wanted to put some money in a card and I would donate it to a charity. I had $100 to donate, and I chose Guide Dogs.
I knew about Guide Dogs because my Nan is a donor. She likes to show me her cards, and each year, she gives me her Guide Dogs calendar. I also knew that Guide Dogs do an amazing job training Labradors to help people who have vision problems.
I went with my Mum and my brother to the new Guide Dogs office in Newcastle to donate the money. I never expected that we would meet a puppy in training. The puppy’s name was Victor. He was very cute and very well behaved, and I could tell that Victor will make a great Guide Dog one day.
The other reason I chose to give the money to Guide Dogs is because I have a Labrador called Kevin. Maybe not as well-trained or well-behaved as Victor, but just as cute and cuddly.
I felt really good to be able to help someone else, even in just this small way. I would encourage other kids to also think about others and help whenever they can.”
Advice column.
Ask Nancy!
Welcome to my very own column! My name is Nancy, and I worked as a Guide Dog for six years travelling all over Australia with my Handler. I retired in 2020 and have been representing Guide Dogs at corporate and community events ever since as an Ambassador Dog.
In this edition, I’m providing some tips on how to keep warm during the cooler months.
What is your favourite season and why?
I do enjoy summer holidays as we all go to the beach. I have my own beach tent and enjoy paddling in the surf, but I think I like the couple of months when it starts to get colder even more. I love being warm and I have a lovely pink tartan coat that I wear when I go on my walks. The only part of winter I don’t enjoy is when it’s really cold and raining.
In the colder months, are there any additional medications or treatments you take to prevent aches and pains?
I’m taking a supplement to help my joints now that I’m 12. It’s a delicious chew, and I have one after my meal, morning and night.
Do you have any special bedding to keep you warm on those cold winter nights?
Well, yes, I do. Last year I was given a pet electric blanket. It’s placed on my bed when we get home from work and taken off before my bedtime. My bed is then lovely and warm, and let me tell you, I sleep so well and very rarely get out of my bed during the night in winter. My dear friend Bill (a retired Guide Dog from the UK) sent me a very special blue tartan blanket, which also stays on my bed during the winter months.
Does your diet change at all during the winter?
Well, since I’m talking to friends and not my vet (who insists I keep my weight under control), on the weekend during winter, when my family has porridge for breakfast, I always get a serving in my bowl—it’s delicious!
Have you ever been to the snow?
No, I haven’t, but I have a pair of pink neoprene booties, just in case I’m ever taken to see the snow. I’m not sure I would enjoy being very cold or having wet feet, though!
Are there any special walks or activities you like doing in autumn or winter, such as rolling around in leaves?
I love going for my walks… just not first thing in the morning (or when it’s raining). My favourite winter activity is finding the best spot right near the heater and spending time with my family. I also love coming into the Guide Dogs St Leonards office—but I enjoy doing that in all seasons!
Be part of our team!
A day in the life of Kennel Attendant, Maddy.
Hi! I’m Maddy, part of the Kennel Attendants team at the Guide Dogs Centre in Glossodia. I’ve worked here for over eight years, and I have a passion for dog welfare and puppy socialisation.
The team take care of all our dogs’ emotional and physical needs while they’re in Guide Dog Training, Therapy Dog Assessment, boarding, in season, or visiting the vet. My job is all about making sure each dog and puppy thrives, whether that’s through creating personalised diets, providing baths and grooming, cleaning their space, conducting daily health checks, assisting the vet team, administering medications, weekly weighing, or monitoring puppy socialisation. In short, I do everything I can to ensure our lovely Labs feel happy, healthy, and loved!
What I love most about the role is the variety. One day, I might be taking puppies for their first play in the enrichment area, observing their behaviour and helping them learn essential skills. The next, I could be scrubbing in to assist the vet team during a caesarean section and rubbing puppies to help them take their first breaths. The work is always interesting, often challenging, and always filled with fun moments.
Building connections with the dogs is truly special. We’re not just Kennel Attendants; we’re their friends, and a home away from home. Creating that bond of trust and understanding is incredibly rewarding, though it does come with bittersweet moments. Like the day a young dog in the pet program meets their forever family and we give them one last cuddle goodbye. Or the moment a puppy is introduced to their Puppy Raiser, and I know I won’t see them again until they’re all grown up.
And of course, there’s always the heartwarming visit when a retired Guide Dog comes back to see us, with a few more grey hairs, reminding us of the incredible journey they’ve had since their first day on the job.
Thank you so much for supporting us in caring for all these wonderful Labradors. It’s because of your kindness that the team and I can give them the best possible care along their Guide Dog journey!
Your stories.
Hear from members of our community.
The work you do is just marvellous and I’m a huge dog lover! – Trish.
My grandfather became blind due to glaucoma later in life. I saw his independence disappear and decided to help give another person the chance to regain theirs. – Kris.
It was through my late friend, Kaye, that I became interested in the Guide Dogs and decided to include a gift in my Will. Kaye had two Guide Dogs, KC and Quaser over two years. I looked after Quaser for four years and seven months after Kaye’s passing. – Margaret.
Supporting Guide Dogs is wonderful and rewarding and to see how they change people’s lives. It makes me so proud! – Bruce.
As I have no family, I want to leave everything to Guide Dogs so you can continue your important work. And most of all because you use Labradors. I have had one for over five years, best dogs! – Jo.
My Mother raised money for Guide Dogs years ago. Sadly, Mum passed away in May this year aged 97. I will be increasing my gift to Guide Dogs to $50,000 when I update my Will very soon. I would like to name a puppy in her memory. – Barbara.
I support Guide Dogs because I believe in the work that the organisation does. A gift which enables a person to join in life’s activities. – Raymond.
Did you know if you have included a gift of $50,000 or more in your Will to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, you can request to name a puppy in your memory?
Please contact Ali Kershaw on 0400 148 038 or email akershaw@guidedogs.com.au for more information.
