Our History

From its humble beginnings in May 1960, Guide Dogs Queensland has grown to be the premier provider of services to Queensland’s blind and vision impaired community, and one of the state’s most respected charities.

Guide Dogs Queensland had its genesis in the provision of Guide Dogs, however, Queenslanders began undertaking training in the White Cane as early as the mid 1960s. At this time, Orientation and Mobility training was recognised as an essential service that could be offered by the National Council of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (Australia). Queenslanders were able to receive training by travelling to the national centre which moved from Perth to Melbourne.

Over the years the allocation of funds to provide services from a central body became problematic and, in 1993, in a bid to ensure Queenslanders who were blind received equitable services Guide Dogs Queensland broke away from the national body.  Since that date Queensland has gone from strength to strength in establishing itself not only as one of the leading Guide Dog schools in Australia in terms of industry education and training but the world – especially in the fields of Guide Dog breeding; and innovation in Orientation and Mobility programs.

Time Line

• 1950: The first Guide Dog team arrives in Australia from the UK. Dr Arnold Cook and his Guide Dog ‘Dreena’ settle in Perth. 
• 1952: The Association of the Apex Movement of Australia helps to establish the first Guide Dog Training Centre in Belmont, WA. 
• 1957: The National Council of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (Australia) is established. 
• 1958: Queensland resident Mrs L R Arnold undertakes training at Belmont in WA with Guide Dog ‘Wane’. The Apex Club of Brisbane sponsors Mrs Arnold’s journey and training to create Queensland’s first Guide Dog team. 
• 3 May 1960: The Apex Club of Brisbane president Mr Don Junner calls a meeting to form the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association of Queensland and invites the Lord Mayor of Brisbane and Mrs Arnold to be involved. 
• 26 May 1960: The first Committee meeting of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association of Queensland is held with Mrs Arnold appointed President and Mr Junner made Honorary Secretary. 
• Post May 1960: The Rotary Club of Mundingburra asks the newly-fledged association to provide Hubie Morris of Townsville with a Guide Dog. The association’s bank balance is 72 pounds, a Guide Dog costs 400 pounds. After an air pageant and street appeal fail to raise funds, the association accepts a loan from the NSW branch to honour the pledge. Mr Morris undertakes training with Guide Dog ‘Halda’ and is the first Guide Dog user in North Queensland. 
• 1961: Queensland is admitted to the National Council of the Guide Dogs of the Blind Association of Australia as a member state. 
• 1965: Guide Dogs for the Blind Association of Queensland is incorporated in Queensland. 
• Snap Shot from 1974: 3 Queenslanders receive Guide Dogs; 5 receive O&M instruction in Melbourne and 1 receives binaural spectacles. 53 clients receive O&M in Brisbane and 57 people were interviewed and assessed. 
• December 1975: New premises rented at 383 St Paul’s Terrace, Fortitude Valley. For the first time placing GDQ strongly in the public eye. 
• 1 November 1976: New offices occupied at 143 Wharf St Brisbane. 
• 1977: GDQ establishes a Commercial Division – a new concept in income production 
• December 1978: The association seeks to establish the Queensland Mobility Resource Centre in Brisbane when an opportunity to purchase 139 and 143 Wharf St. The aim is to regionalise operations to major centres. An O&M Instructor is appointed to Townsville – the first such appointment in Australia to a provincial centre. 
• 1978: The Collection Dog (Plastic Money Box Dogs) program is introduced in Queensland. 
• 1979: Op Shops open in Bundaberg and Moura; Hubie Morrise receives an Order of Australia medal for fundraising services to GDQ 
• March 1980: ‘Guide Dog Week’ is held of the first time to increase awareness of services. GDQ appoints its first Queensland based Senior O&M Instructor in Brisbane 
• 23 December 1993: GDQ resigns as a member of the Royal Guide Dogs Associations of Australia in order to maximise services to Queenslanders. 
• March 1995: First sod turned on the 14 acres of the new Guide Dog Breeding and Training Centre at Bald Hills. 
• November 1995: First class of Guide Dogs trained at the new facilities. 
• 1995: Offices opened in Toowoomba and on the Gold Coast. First group tuition course for daily living and O&M skills in North Queensland held in Townsville 
• January 1996: Puppy Development Program introduced. 
• 1996: GDQ is accepted as a full member of the International Federation of Guide Dog Schools. 
• 1997: Mobility Training Course commences to train O&Ms and GDMIs and establish GDQ as one of the leading Guide Dog schools in the world. 
• 17 April 1996: Her Excellency The Governor of Queensland Mrs Leneen Forde AC opens the new Guide Dog Breeding and Training Centre Centre at Bald Hills incorporating the Breeding and Training Centre with a Client Residence. 
• December 1998: GDQ achieves a milestone after years of lobbying for years to amend the Guide Dog Act of 1972 include access for puppies in training. Government announces the Guide Dogs Amendment Act 1997.  New Low Vision Clinic established in Mt Isa.
• Snap shot from 2008/2009: 84 Guide Dog Teams in Queensland; 637 clients are assessed and trained in O&M; More than 2300 Queenslanders registered as clients with GDQ. 

2010: Guide Dogs Queensland celebrates its 50 anniversary