Meet our cover star Fella.
Cover Star: Fella
In the Autumn 2024 edition of Guide Dog Tales, we introduced you to Ambassador Dog, Fella, and now he’s our cover star!
At Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, we are passionate about ensuring our dogs are correctly matched to their most suitable career based on their individual temperaments. One of the ways we spread the word about the important work we do is through our Ambassador Dogs.
Our Ambassador Dogs are specially selected canines that help us raise awareness about Guide Dogs and the crucial role we play in the lives of people with low vision or blindness. While they are not working dogs, they are still very well-behaved and obedient!
Ambassador Dogs play a vital role, helping us to spread the word about our mission, educate the public about our services, and raise funds to support our programs. We are so grateful for the love and loyalty of our Ambassador Dogs and the joy they bring to our community.
Dogs off duty: Fella
When Fella is not being serious fulfilling his Ambassador duties, he enjoys hanging out with his girlfriend of nearly two years, fellow Ambassador Dog Venus.
Fella loves the beach, and although he might not be the biggest swimmer, he still loves to frolic on the shoreline. His funniest quirk when he’s “off duty” is his 360-degree tornado spins. When Fella sees a dog or person he likes, he might treat them to up to six spins of happiness!
A typical work day for Fella involves a walk to and from the office and getting to sniff all the way home. He then expects his kibble to be served as soon as he walks in the door (he’s a Lab, after all!) Following dinner, Fella likes to play with his toys before settling down for a snuggle after a hard day’s work in the office.
Weekends usually involve visiting friends’ houses, but his favourite place is Grandma’s house, where her dog, Ginny, hides chewy treats around the place and Fella spends the whole day searching for her secret stash!
Community.
An update on our iconic Donation Dogs.
My name is Alex Murphy, and I am the new Donation Dog Specialist here at Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.
Whether you’re at your local shops, café, chemist or supermarket, I’m sure you’ve noticed one of our iconic Donation Dogs. With the help of the community, I ensure each Donation Dog is well fed, groomed and emptied when needed!
Our Donation Dogs have been in the community for over 50 years. In that time, their presence has grown to over 1,000 locations across NSW and the ACT.
It warms my heart to see young children hug these dogs and donate a coin. I’m sure many of us remember making our first donation to Guide Dogs in this way as kids and learning for the first time what the organisation represents.
To this day, Guide Dogs has their host communities to thank for their generous support of its Donation Dogs.
But we don’t want to stop there! We are always looking for new host locations for Donation Dogs in the community. If you are interested in adopting a Donation Dog or know of someone who would, please contact me at DonationDog@guidedogs.com.au or click the link below!
Intro to low vision.
Spotlight on low vision: Empowering independence with SeeWay, a new initiative of Guide dogs NSW/ACT.
Did you know that over 61,000 Australians live with moderate low vision? This number is likely to almost double by 2050 in line with Australia’s aging population. Moderate vision loss falls into the gap between not being severe enough to qualify for government funding, yet still impactful enough to make day-to-day living challenging.
People with low vision often struggle to access vital information, participate in activities they once loved, and maintain their independence. That’s where SeeWay steps in as a groundbreaking initiative that’s helping to smooth this transition by providing specifically curated and tailored information and services that support independence whenever and wherever people need it. With a pilot program already happening, SeeWay will be launching officially in the first half of 2025.
What is SeeWay?
SeeWay is a trusted companion designed to meet the unique needs and aspirations of people with low vision, their families, and carers. With personalised content, practical resources, and links to essential services, SeeWay is about empowering people when they need it most.
At its heart, SeeWay harnesses the power of technology to connect and support individuals, creating a sense of community while driving our donor investment further by reaching as many people as possible.
How does SeeWay make a difference?
SeeWay offers a comprehensive suite of programs tailored to build confidence and independence, including:
- Digital skills training: learn how to navigate technology, stay safe online, and access tools to make life easier.
- Psychosocial support: expert psychologists and mental health social workers, specially trained in understanding low vision, are available to help navigate the emotional and practical challenges of vision loss. SeeWay is designed to ensure no one faces the journey alone.
- Practical living guidance: everyday tips and resources to help people thrive in their homes, workplaces, and communities.
Whether online, in virtual settings, or face-to-face, SeeWay brings people together, ensuring that low vision doesn’t have to limit one’s ability to connect, grow, and achieve.
To learn more about SeeWay visit the link below!
Supporter Spotlight.
Dawn: a lifetime of love and service.
For nearly nine years, Guide Dog Dawn has been more than Client, Karen’s Guide Dog. She’s been her protector and constant companion. Now, as Dawn transitions into well-deserved retirement, Karen reflects on the extraordinary journey they’ve shared.
Dawn was Karen’s first Guide Dog, and though Karen initially felt apprehensive, wondering if she could adapt to life with a dog again after many years, Dawn made it easy. From their first meeting, Dawn’s gentle soul and eager affection reassured Karen that they were meant to be a team. Even Dawn’s trainers said, “She’s your perfect match.”
Their bond only deepened over time. Dawn seamlessly became part of Karen’s family, adapting to every role with grace. Whether guiding Karen to new locations, offering comfort to residents at Karen’s mother’s nursing home, or charming everyone she met with her playful “air kisses,” Dawn has brought joy and confidence to Karen’s life.
Dawn’s service has enabled Karen to embrace adventures she once thought impossible. Together, they’ve flown 28 times, visited every state in Australia, and even navigated a COVID lockdown in New Zealand. Last year, Dawn had the ultimate royal encounter, meeting the King and Queen of England when they visited Sydney!
Karen is grateful to Guide Dogs, not only for Guide Dog training and matching but also for facilitating all of our services. From encouraging calls during lockdown with our Client Connection team to learning new assistive technology that helped her keep in touch with her children interstate, as well as Orientation and Mobility Services to re-familiarise herself with a white cane in the interim of being matched with a new Guide Dog, Guide Dogs has given Karen both freedom and resilience.
“Dawn has given me freedom, joy, and the courage to say, ‘I can do this.’ I’ll forever be grateful for her love and service.”
In memory.
Therapy Dog Doc lives up to his name!
Dr Stuart Bartle met his future wife, Bonnie, in 1960 at the Rex Hotel in Kings Cross. Five years later, they were married and busy pursuing exciting careers; Stuart as a doctor, specialising in psychiatry, and Bonnie putting her fashion sense to work in Sydney’s rag trade. With a love of travel, their stories of the places they visited and the people they met filled the hearts of friends and family.
Bonnie and Stuart were long-time contributors to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT and were passionate about assisting others. Bonnie spent over five years volunteering at Sydney Eye Hospital, with vision loss becoming a cause close to her heart. After 43 years of dedication to the medical service, Stuart sadly passed away in 2012. Having been such loyal and dedicated supporters of Guide Dogs during their years together, Bonnie decided to include a gift in her Will on their behalf.
With Bonnie’s passing in 2022, the couple’s legacy now lives on through Therapy Dog, Doc, who was aptly named by their nieces, Emma and Anthea, the executors of their Will. Doc began his Guide Dogs journey as an enthusiastic and lively pup in the puppy raising program. After 12 months of foundation training, he returned to the Guide Dogs Centre for intensive training and assessment.
With harness sensitivity being an issue for Doc, it became clear that his love of people and his friendly, cuddly temperament made him the perfect candidate for the Therapy Dog Program. He was successfully matched with Client Dona, who experiences severe epilepsy. Dona and Doc have connected in a remarkable way, with Doc living up to his name every day!
Dona says, “Doc is very on with my health and safety. He’s like my tail, literally checking on what I do every day. He sleeps in my room on the chair beside me and checks on me by sniffing me when he thinks I have overslept. He loves his walks, park runs, car rides and his food, of course!
Please send my warmest thank you to his sponsors for their kind hearts helping people with disabilities in this way.”
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.
Meet the team.
Meet Emma, one of our Supporter Engagement Officers.
- How long have you worked at Guide Dogs NSW/ACT?
I have worked at Guide Dogs for almost two and a half years.
- What led you to work for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT?
I was drawn to Guide Dogs as I am passionate about the mission of helping individuals with low vision or blindness gain freedom and independence.
- What does your role entail?
As a Supporter Engagement Officer, I am passionate about creating valuable partnerships with our wonderful donors. I am here to help Supporters with any enquiries they may have and ensure we offer the best experience when they are speaking to us. We want to ensure donating to Guide Dogs is simple and easy, and that is why we are here to help now and when cheques become obsolete in the future.
The team and I would love to help and make the transition from cheques as smooth as possible, so please give us a call if you need any more information.
- What do you love about working for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT?
It is truly so special to witness first-hand the difference Guide Dogs make, such as creating new and exciting assistive technology or through a wonderful Guide Dog. It is also wonderful to be constantly learning new things and how, as a society, we can make our community more accessible for those with low vision or blindness. There is also the added benefit of working with Labradors, which I love! To watch a little puppy grow into a confident dog which assists either as a Guide Dog, Therapy Dog, or Ambassador dog is something I am very grateful for.
- Can you share any career highlights or memorable moments?
To pinpoint just one highlight or memorable moment at Guide Dogs would be quite challenging as there have been far too many. In my role, I get the pleasure of creating meaningful connections with our donors and engaging with their personal stories. I have had supporters personally send letters thanking me for my time on the phone processing their donation. There have been supporters who email adorable photos of their beloved pets (yes, both cats and dogs). There have also been wonderful moments where I get to speak to our donors face-to-face at events such as Graduations or Puppy Pal Picnics.
Cheques are being phased out: here’s how to keep supporting Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.
Cheques have already started to phase out, and all Australian banks will completely discontinue them by 2030. If this change affects how you donate to Guide Dogs, don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with easy alternatives:
- Over the Phone: Call our friendly Support Engagement Team on 1800 436 364 to donate via credit card. We’re available from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
- Online: To make a secure donation through our website, please visit the link below.
- BPAY or Direct Deposit: Contact our Engagement Team for our BPAY or banking details. You can do this by calling 1800 436 364 or send an email to donations@guidedogs.com.au
Your support is vital to our work, and we’re here to help make the transition smooth.
Client Spotlight.
How to chase your big, hairy, audacious goals.
Motivation can be a fickle thing. One day you have it, and the next, you don’t. For 68-year-old Guide Dogs Client Sam Star, the idea of motivation is not as simple as having a goal in mind and working hard; his process is far more nuanced. You might think skiing for the first time in 15 years with low vision would be the peak of his ambition, but Sam is not one to rest on his laurels. He has yet another big, hairy, audacious goal in his sights, and that’s to be marathon-ready by the time he’s 70. But how does he plan on getting there?
Sam begins by asking himself, “Why?” He then continues by focusing on the emotional rewards of his goals rather than just tangible outcomes. For Sam, running offers a “runner’s high” and boosts his mental health. Physical preparation is another cornerstone, aided by an Occupational Therapist during his skiing comeback. However, Sam emphasises the importance of having a clear, actionable plan: knowing what success looks and feels like.
Mental preparation plays a critical role in Sam’s routine. Each day, he writes in a gratitude journal and practices guided meditation. With an impressive streak of 1,312 consecutive days, meditation helps him manage his “monkey mind” and stay relaxed. He complements this with daily yoga and consistent treadmill running, which has built his endurance over time.
Sam credits much of his progress to Achilles International, an organisation empowering people with disabilities to participate in athletics. At the Sydney chapter, Sam participates in guided running, where a sighted volunteer helps navigate using a tether. His first outdoor run with Achilles was both daunting and exhilarating, but the trust in their training eased his fears. Sam emphasises the importance of managing expectations and seeking guidance when trying new challenges.
The camaraderie and freedom Sam experiences with Achilles International have been transformative for his physical and mental well-being. He now trains regularly with the team and has set sights on races like the City2Surf as stepping stones to his marathon goal.
Sam’s journey demonstrates that with preparation, support, and determination, chasing big, hairy, audacious goals is always possible.
Ambassador to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.
Welcome to our new Ambassador: Courtney
We are thrilled to welcome one of our new Ambassadors, Courtney Webeck, to our team, who was also recently awarded Blind Australian of the Year for 2024! Courtney’s achievements in sport, particularly in blind cricket and tennis, have made this a well-deserved win.
Courtney started playing blind and low vision tennis in 2022, and by the end of the year, was ranked number one in both singles and doubles in Australia. Most recently, in 2024, Courtney won the singles and doubles national titles and continues to hold her number one ranking in the world.
Courtney continued her success in sport through blind cricket and has represented Australia and captained the first Australian women’s blind cricket team. Her success in sport has awarded her a Tier 1 scholarship with the 2025 Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship and Mentoring Program. Courtney is also studying for a Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology.
We are so pleased to have Courtney as part of the Guide Dogs NSW/ACT team. We can’t wait to collaborate with her and continue to raise awareness and break barriers for people with low vision or blindness.
Corporate.
Caring for Our Dogs: Prioritising Health and Wellbeing from Day One
Caroline Moeser B.V.SC, Veterinary and Breeding Services Manager at Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, is dedicated to overseeing the health and wellbeing of all our dogs. Along with her team, she supports around 200 new puppies each year as they embark on their journey to becoming life-changing Guide Dogs.
From the moment the puppies are born, our team of caring staff and volunteers takes an active role in their development. Between play and rest, they spend quality time with each pup, helping them become accustomed to regular vet checks they’ll need throughout their lives.
Did you know that every dog in training undergoes a daily body check? This is a critical part of ensuring their health is monitored closely. We look for everything from potential ear infections and skin allergies to checking between their paws for any debris. No bit of fur is left unturned in our quest to maintain their health.
In 2025, we’re excited to announce that Coles is once again supporting Guide Dogs between Wednesday 23 April and Tuesday 20 May by donating five cents from every purchase of dog food and treats sold up to a maximum donation limit of $300,000. “Ensuring that our puppies and dogs in training receive the care they need to become life-changing companions for those with low vision or blindness is essential,” says Caroline. “We’re incredibly grateful to Coles for their ongoing partnership, which spans over four decades, and for joining with the community to raise much-needed funds to support our dogs’ health and wellbeing.”
You can help, too! Spread the word and make sure to shop in-store or at Coles online during this special fundraising period.
Of course, you can also support Guide Dogs year-round at your local Coles by dropping your loose change into one of the Guide Dogs Donation Dogs located in over 800 supermarkets across Australia.
Social Change
Is inclusion on your menu?
Have you ever considered the challenges that people with low vision or blindness face when visiting cafés and restaurants? It’s not just about the food, it’s about accessibility. Research involving people with low vision or blindness revealed that 82% of respondents experience issues accessing cafés and restaurants, with the main challenges being:
Unfortunately, many people with low vision or blindness in the community face these challenges daily when visiting hospitality venues.
But the good news is that from February to April 2025, we’re raising awareness of these accessibility issues by visiting hospitality businesses across the City of Sydney to encourage them to make their venues inclusive for people with low vision or blindness.
Can you spare an hour or two to help us spread the word by visiting hospitality venues across the city? If so, we’d love to hear from you! Send an email to socialchange@guidedogs.com.au.
Want to stay in the loop with the Social Change team’s initiatives? Sign up to become an Inclusion Ally today!