Guide Dogs Victoria

Ever wondered what it's like to work at Guide Dogs Victoria? Meet some of our staff members and go behind the scenes to explore a day in the life of Guide Dogs!

A friendly reminder that Guide Dogs Victoria will be closed for the festive season from COB Tuesday 24 December 2024 to Sunday 5 January 2025. We'll be back in action from Monday 6 January! Thank you for your ongoing support and generosity as we continue our mission to support people with blindness or low vision to live a life without limits. From all of us at Guide Dogs Victoria, we wish you all a safe and happy holiday, and we look forward to another great year ahead. #GuideDogsVictoria [Image Description: A yellow Labrador lying in the grass between a small Christmas tree and a wooden sleigh. There is red and white tinsel across the grass in front of the Labrador.]

YAP-date! The YAP (Young Adults Program) team ventured out to the Yarra Valley with a guided wine and dine session to celebrate the end of a wonderful year. Yappers indulged in guided wine tastings, created their own chocolate creations, and enjoyed a gourmet selection of tasty foods with breathtaking views of the valley. It was a chance to reflect on another successful year of our YAP program and the opportunities it has created for our Yappers. Throughout the year, Yappers embraced new experiences, developed friendships and built lifelong skills. From attending Melbourne Comedy Festival and joining The Project live audience to a haunted pup walking tour and mixing cocktails - Yappers enjoyed a fun filled year of activities! We are thrilled for what 2025 has in store, with many exciting events already planned. We look forward to welcoming new Yappers to the group and continuing to create unforgettable experiences together. #GuideDogsVictoria [Image Description One: Two Clients walking with their Guide Dogs in the streets on Melbourne CBD.] [Image Description Two: Two Clients sitting at a wooden table as a staff member pours a glass of wine. There are several wine glasses placed on the table.] [Image Description Three: A group of Clients standing on either side of a long rectangular table, their attention focused on the staff member at the head. A variety of lollies and toppings are lined up in the middle of the table.] [Image Description Four: Two Clients holding their chocolate creations in both hands, facing the camera.] [Image Description Five: A group of Clients sitting on either side of a long wooden table with plates of food in front of them. They are pictured in a shaded outdoor area with tables of people seen in the background.]

What are you most proud of? How are you helping others? What work do you find most rewarding?   Questions my partner & I have been reflecting on as our fifteen-month journey with 'Kash' came to an end this week when he headed in for Guide Dogs Victoria assessment.   Although we weren’t prepared for the amount of work required, it has been one of the most rewarding experiences we’ve been able to pay forward to our community by helping Kash prepare for the next chapter of his life as a working dog.   Learning the value Guide Dogs bring to vision-impaired people's lives has been an enriching experience that I wouldn't hesitate recommending to anyone considering volunteering to support Guide Dogs Australia as a puppy raiser. Through the experience, we gained an appreciation of the unknowing privilege most of us have to be healthy, happy and physically able. Our society's physical environment is definitely not designed for those with disabilities, and there is much work to be done to enable people to live an easier life. For me, it has reinforced the importance of having #diversity at the table, so the voices of people from these communities can contribute to the discussions that will impact them.     Where to now... a break for Cliare and I as we reflect on the journey and appreciate the small things that Kash helped us appreciate. • Conversations with strangers in parks/cafes/restaurants/museums about Guide Dog training and the impact they have on our community. • Appreciation of the companionship and purpose Dogs give to people's lives (particularly to a person with disability). • Smiles from people in public watching Kash navigate. • The community network we've created friendships with from GDV.   #GuideDogs #GuideDogsVictoria #Volunteer #CommunityWork Below pictured: Golden Labrador ‘Kash’ in training with handlers, preparing for Guide Dog graduation.

Last Friday, Guide Dogs Victoria were on the phones wishing our supporters a HUGE thank you for their time, effort and generosity over the past 12 months. In addition to making calls, our team also got involved in writing personalised cards to supporters as a way to express our deep appreciation for their ongoing support. It is the kindness and generosity of people like you that helps us – and our beautiful dogs – change the lives of Victorians living with low vision or blindness. Whether you’ve donated, volunteered, worked with or even followed us on social media this year, your support goes a long way. #GuideDogsVictoria [Image Description One: Two Guide Dogs Victoria (GDV) staff members sitting at their desks, both leaning over to each pat a yellow Labrador.] [Image Description Two: A group of GDV staff members sitting at a rectangular table with their heads down writing thank you cards. In the middle of the table are small green balloons, cards and writing instruments.] [Image Description Three: A large group of GDV staff gathered in the Community Hub, sitting at various tables as they face the front of the room of the left.]

We are grateful for the recent generous donation of $10,000 from the Japan Festival. This marks another milestone in our ongoing partnership as the charity partner for the annual Japan Festival, co-hosted by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry Melbourne, the Japanese Society of Melbourne, and the Japan Club of Victoria. The festival, held every May at the Box Hill Town Hall, showcases Japan’s rich culture through authentic food, art, performances, and more. We are proud to continue this collaboration in 2025, supporting a vibrant cultural exchange while making a positive impact in the community. A special thank you to Kazushi Tosa, Keiko Davies, Takako Pattenden, Takeo Shindo, Nicky Long, Evan Gordon and Ambassador Dog Keith for their invaluable contributions towards our continued partnership supporting the vital work we do and towards the festival’s success. We look forward to another impactful year ahead. #GuideDogsVictoria [Image Description One: From L to R: Takako Pattenden (Japan Club of Victoria); Keiko Davies (Japan Melbourne Guided Tours); Nicky Long & Ambassador Dog Keith; Kazushi Tosa (Chief Inter-Group Alliance Officer for Asahi); Evan Gordon; and Takeo Shindo (Managing Director & CEO for Isuzu).] [Image Description Two: Taken in the GDV Nursery, from L to R: Kazushi Tosa (Chief Inter-Group Alliance Officer for Asahi), Takeo Shindo (Managing Director & CEO for Isuzu); Keiko Davies (Japan Melbourne Guided Tours) and Takako Pattenden (Japan Club of Victoria).]

Last week, we were honoured to join the AFLW Grand Final Lunch as their charity partner! From showcasing our Ambassador Dogs and pups in training to Erin Goedhart’s inspiring story – a valued member of our GDV team and one of our Clients – every moment highlighted the transformative impact of our work, as well as the strength and resilience of the people we support. Thank you Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for having us and supporting our work. Our shared values is what makes our collaboration so powerful, and together, we can continue to help those in need. #GuideDogsVictoria [Image Description One: A round table-setting, covered in a white table cloth, surrounded with brown chairs and a bowl of bread in the middle of the table. In the background is a red hanging banner that reads ‘Victorian Chamber. AFLW Grand Final Lunch’ against a black backdrop.] [Image Description Two: In the foreground are two Guide Dogs members in white shirts speaking to a women on the right. A crowd a people are gathered in the background.] [Image Description Three: Erin Goedhart pictured from her far right, standing at a lectern and facing the audience.] [Image Description Four: From L to R: Hannah Priest, Erin GoedHart, Nicky Long, Paul Guerra, Sarah Rowe and Emma Moore standing in a line against a Victorian Chambers branded media wall.] [Image Description Five: A person reading two large 'Gifts that Guide' posters that lean against an easel.] [Image Description Six: Two Guide Dogs staff members in white shirts smiling at two women standing beside them.] [Image Description Seven: A Guide Dogs staff member crouching next to yellow Ambassador Dog Marie wearing a pink vest. Smiling at Marie, the Guide Dogs staff member has their hand under Marie’s head, looking at one another.]

Thank you to Bupa Aged Care for inviting Guide Dogs Victoria to visit your Clayton home today. The team had a wonderful time sharing information about the services we provide to support people living with low vision. It was also wonderful to see that your home is dog-friendly and has a couple of residents dogs. Thank you for your generous donation.

Yesterday we gathered in the Community Hub to celebrate the incredible achievements of our Clients, and to come together in the spirit of Christmas and the festive season ahead. From heartfelt speeches and meaningful conversations, to delicious lunch shared with friends and guided tours of the new facility, the atmosphere was filled with warmth and joy. Clients also had the opportunity to farewell Kerrie Matthews, a beloved and familiar presence in our Guide Dogs community. Kerrie retired earlier this year after 35 years with the organisation, having contributed her expertise in supporting Clients in our training programs and camp activities. We are immensely grateful for Kerrie’s contributions over the years and wish her the best in her next chapter. Thank you to everyone that joined us in celebration and we look forward to seeing you again in the new year! #GuideDogsVictoria [Image Description One: Three people posed together, shoulder to shoulder, smiling at the camera.] [Image Description Two: CEO Nicky Long standing with Kerrie and a Client at the front of the room. In front is a yellow Guide Dog in harness lying at their feet. In the background is a group of people seated at a table.] [Image Description Three: A Client standing with his yellow Guide Dog in harness, giving a speech toward the front of the room.] [Image Description Four: Two Clients speaking to one another with their Guide Dogs by their side. Groups of people standing and seated at the tables can been seen in the background.]

Thank you to everyone that joined us yesterday for our 68th Annual General Meeting (AGM). Gathered at the Betty Amsden Education Centre, we welcomed members of the Guide Dogs Victoria Board, staff and wider community. We heard from our Board Chair, Dr David A Cochrane who shared our highlights and achievements from the year, noting the completion of our fully-accessible sensory Campus, ongoing partnerships and plans to upgrade our dog facilities to complete the vision for our entire Kew Campus. The AGM was also a chance to bid farewell to one of our Board Directors, Bruce Brook. Bruce has been a valuable member of our Board, providing exceptional leadership and insight, we wish him the best in his retirement after six years on the GDV Board. We are also delighted to continue our partnership with Deloitte in the new financial year, ensuring the continued strength of our financial integrity. Our 2024 Financial and Annual Report was accepted and is now available on our website: https://bit.ly/3AXRlto #GuideDogsVictoria [Image Description One: Board Vice Chair, Nick Mescher GAICD and Guide Dogs Victoria CEO, Nicky Long sit at a long table, facing a seated audience. To their left, Board Chair, Dr David Cochrane stands behind a lecturn, presenting to the room.] [Image Description Two: The cover of the Guide Dogs Victoria 2024 Annual Report featuring a yellow Guide Dog in harness.]