News

We’re a very busy organisation; as well as delivering our life-changing services to more than 1500 Queenslanders who are blind or vision impaired, we work hard to raise the profile of our organisation and increase awareness about our services and need for community support.

For more information, please contact our Marketing and Communications Department on 07 3261 7555.

• Begin the Year with a Guide Dog Puppy!

  We have begun the New Year in the best possible way with the safe arrival of two healthy litters of future Guide Dog puppies. The 14 adorable Labrador and Golden Retriever pups are the first of 100 we are aiming to breed this year in a bid to me...

• Aspley Teen in Ride For Life

  A 15-year-old school boy from Aspley who is vision impaired has been praised by one of Australia’s cycling greats for completing a grueling 86 km charity ride on his first major outing in the saddle. Connor Perring was part of a team of 10 ri...

• Guide Dogs Queensland's 2012 Calendar

  Have you purchased a 2012 calendar yet? Guide Dogs Queensland's gorgeous 2012 Calendar is available NOW for just $19.95 in our online shop. See the stars of each month in our must-see behind-the-scenes video. A great gift idea for Christmas or...

• We just got social!!

  For an inside look at our cool canines why not join our Facebook for furballs or follow our tail-wagging Tweets? Our social media supporters are the first to hear the latest ne...

• Wine Win

  ‘Stella Bella Wines’ is celebrating a win after its savouring skirmish with industry heavyweight ‘Yalumba’ at the 2011 ‘Battle of the Vineyards’ wine event in Brisbane. The annual tasting tussle pits two of Austr...

• International Guide Dog Day - 27 April 2011

  International Guide Dog Day (IGDD) is recognised on the last Wednesday of April each year around the world by the 72 schools affiliated with the International Guide Dog Federation, to celebrate the unique role a Guide Dog plays in the life of a&nb...

• Guide Dog puppy 'Karl' meets Karl Stefanovic on the Today Show

  It was an exciting morning for 9-month-old Guide Dog Puppy Karl when he met his namesake Karl Stefanovic on the Today Show on 22 April. A large black labrador pup, 'Karl' behaved perfectly for his handler Cheryl Herman and Julie James who represe...

• April Appeal supported by 97.3FM

    HELP US RAISE $30,000! Every April we celebrate 'International Guide Dog Day' - and this year Brisbane Radio 97.3FM has jumped on board with Guide Dogs Queensland to help us raise $30,000. That's enough to breed, train and place another ...

• Buy your 'Entertainment Book' from Guide Dogs

  The 2011/2012 Entertainment Books are now available!   Guide Dogs Queensland is raising funds by selling the 2011/2011 Entertainment Books for Brisbane & SE Qld ($65), Gold Coast ($55) and Far North Queensland ($50).   A portion...

• ‘Flood-puppies’ need new homes - January 2011

  Eight Guide Dog puppies born under dramatic circumstances during the flood now need safe and loving homes to be raised in. The pups – all of whom have names beginning with the letter ‘W’ - were born to their mum ‘Pip’ at...

• Guide Dogs Queensland's Breeding and Training Centre avoids flood threat

  Guide Dogs Queensland's Breeding and Training Centre at Bald Hills remains high and dry despite record-breaking floods descending on Brisbane. The entire centre of staff and Guide Dogs was evacuated around noon on Tuesday, 11 January in...

• Guide Dogs pups delivered by emergency surgery during flood crisis

  A litter of eight healthy Guide Dog puppies was born in the early hours of Wednesday morning on Brisbane’s northside despite the Guide Dog brood being evacuated due to the flood threat. Black Labrador ‘Pip’ (pictured right with ...

• Dog lovers have a ball at OctoberFETCH

  More than 100 dog lovers ignored the rain clouds and headed to Pine Rivers Park on Sunday morning for the inaugural OctoberFETCH Dog-a-thon.

• GDQ's International White Cane Day celebration draws a crowd

  Guide Dogs Queensland celebrated International White Cane Day on Friday, 15 October, with a community awareness event in the Queen Street Mall. Brisbane City Councillor Angela Owen-Taylor and 4BC reporter Tanya Grimward donned blindfolds and joined more than 20 White Cane Users to walk around the mall, raising awareness of the Braille Trail. Both Ms Owen-Taylor and Ms Grimward commented on the difficulty of relying on a White Cane for mobility and the need for pedestrians to give way on the trail.

• Ceremony celebrates UltraCane graduates

  Guide Dogs Queensland celebrated World Sight Day on Thursday, 14 October, with a Graduation Ceremony for six clients who have mastered the UltraCane in the past 12 months. Inspired by the echolocation process used by bats, the UltraCane is a White Cane with a sonar device that sends a signal when it locates obstacles at and above waist height.

• GDQ 2011 Calendars now available

  Guide Dogs Queensland’s 2011 Calendar, featuring engaging images of our puppies and Guide Dogs-in-training, is now available. At only $19.95, these calendars would make an ideal Christmas gift. To purchase Free Call 1800 007 460 or visit our online shop.

• Join us in the mall for International White Cane Day this Friday

  Guide Dogs Queensland is celebrating International White Cane Day by asking the community to 'see' the world through the eyes of of someone who is blind or vision impaired. The association is asking people to be aware of features in the city that help people with low or no vision to move around safely and independently, and to be mindful of their needs. A community awareness event planned to draw attention to the Braille Trail in the Queen Street Mall today has been cancelled due to the unfavourable weather. If the event is rescheduled, updates will be provided via the website.

• Members for Aspley and Hinchinbrook visit GDQ

  On Friday 8 October, Tracy Davis MP – Member for Aspley invited Andrew Cripps MP, Member for Hinchinbrook and Shadow Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs to GDQ to introduce him to the work of Guide Dogs Queensland.

• Coffee lovers support GDQ fundraiser on the Sunshine Coast

  Thanks to all those coffee lovers who dropped in to Raffaele’s Restaurant in Maroochydore for their caffeine fix during Puppy Appeal Week from 6 – 12 September. Raffaele’s Restaurant raised $350 for Guide Dogs Queensland through the sale of Puppycinos and Pupcakes.

• 'Webcke' likely to lead new Queensland team - December 2010

  Guide Dogs Queensland recently honoured rugby league legend Shane Webcke by naming one of its prized puppies after the former Bronco and Australian Test forward. The charity made the gesture after the man once regarded as the best front-rower in the world, committed himself and his family to helping the organisation raise funds. Shane is the new ‘face’ of Guide Dogs Queensland’s Christmas Appeal and features in a personalised letter from its CEO being delivered to post-boxes around the State. Given the widespread popularity of the former Maroon hardman and current Channel Seven presenter, the charity is confident Queenslanders will embrace the Appeal.

• Nathan gets to $1000 with a little help from his friends - December 2010

  8-year-old Nathan Bahr has finally reached his goal of raising $1000 for Guide Dogs Queensland after receiving a bonus cheque from McDonalds at Bracken Ridge. The Elimbah youngster has given up three birthdays and sold cupcakes on weekends ...

• Staff at CBA pass the hat around for Guide Dogs - December 2010

  A $10,000 gift from the staff at the Strathpine Branch of the Commonwealth Bank will help Guide Dogs Queensland provide the latest navigation equipment to children who are blind or vision impaired. The cheque was handed over to GDQ Chief Executive Off...

• Guide Dogs need a holiday too! - November 2010

  Guide Dogs Queensland is looking for people to board trained Guide Dogs and adorable puppies in their homes over the Christmas break.

• Bribie pair to star in Queensland campaign - October 2010

  Bribie Island local Darryl Welding and his Guide Dog ‘Urban’ are the new ‘faces’ of a statewide campaign to raise much needed funds for Guide Dogs Queensland. The story of Mr Welding and ‘Urban’- who was named after Australia’s most famous country music son, Keith Urban, has been featured in a mail campaign which rolls out across Queensland this month.

• QANTAS offers passengers a 'Good Paw'

  Guide Dogs Queensland is celebrating a marketing milestone following news its recently released wine label ‘Good Paw’ has been snapped-up by the nation’s largest carrier, Qantas. Customers travelling on selected Qantas domestic serv...

• Shane Webcke ‘kicking goals’ for Guide Dogs Queensland

  Footy great Shane Webcke is helping to promote Guide Dogs Queensland through his work with local junior rugby league club, the Albany Creek Crushers. Mr Webcke, whose Royal Hotel in Leyburn sponsors the Crushers, asked the club to give GDQ free advertising space on its 2011 jerseys as a way of promoting the vital service that we provide to Queenslanders who are blind or vision impaired. The club has agreed to feature the GDQ logo on its 2011 jerseys at no cost to the association.

• GDQ celebrates at biggest Puppy Progression Party ever!

  Guide Dogs Queensland celebrated the progression of 20 puppies from Puppy Development to formal Guide Dog Training this week. More than 50 people attended the Puppy Progression Party at the GDQ Breeding and Training Centre on Tuesday, 28 September, to recognise the puppies that are about to enter Guide Dog Training and acknowledge the hard work of the volunteers who have raised the pups for the past 10 months.

• Mobility Expo a success

  A large number of current and prospective clients visited our Mobility Expo last Wednesday, as part of Disability Action Week. Held annually, the Expo allows Queenslanders who are vision impaired to learn about the aids, technology and support available from Guide Dogs Queensland and a selection of other agencies.

• GDQ welcomes 20 gorgeous puppies this week

  It has been a busy week in our Breeding Centre, with the birth of three litters. On Monday night, Broods ‘Sabina’ and ‘Lark’ each delivered seven beautiful pups. The next day, ‘Uma’ delivered six.

• Puppies in need of foster homes

  Guide Dogs Queensland's Breeding Centre has welcomed three litters into the world in recent weeks. These gorgeous puppies need homes and volunteers to raise them as members of their family until they are about 12 months old.

• Painting of 'Tilly' to be auctioned

  Sunshine Coast artist Lyn Donald has presented a painting of Guide Dog 'Tilly' to Guide Dogs Queensland for auction. Mrs Donald gave the painting to GDQ CEO Chris Laine, who accepted on behalf of GDQ, at a bequest morning tea at the historic restaurant - Harry's of Buderim on 28 July.

• GDQ and Brisbane City Council blaze a trail

  Our Rehabilitation Services team has been working with the Brisbane City Council to make the city centre more accessible for people who are blind or vision impaired.

• All paws on deck for exciting new partnerships

  In conjunction with their 50th year, Guide Dogs Queensland announces their 50th Anniversary Media Partners. GDQ will work with News Talk 1116 4BC as their Broadcast Partner and Print Partner Quest Community Newspapers to help celebrate their Golden ...

• Celebrating 50 years of service to Queensland

  In 2010, Guide Dogs Queensland commemorates its Golden Anniversary. From its humble beginnings in May 1960 the association has grown to be the premier provider of services to Queensland’s blind and vision impaired community, and one of the state&...

• Entertainment Books Are Available

  Guide Dogs Queensland is raising funds by selling the 2010/2011 Entertainment Book. Selling for $65 (Brisbane) and $55 (Gold Coast), a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Entertainment Books will help provide our range of free services to blind and visually impaired Queenslanders.

• Guide Dogs Queensland welcomes study on safety of hybrid cars

  20 May 2010 Guide Dogs Queensland has welcomed RACQ’s testing of hybrid vehicles in a bid to determine whether they are a threat to the safety of people who are blind or vision impaired. GDQ is providing two volunteers who are blind to take pa...

• Guide Dogs sizzle for 50th Anniversary celebration

  This year marks a significant milestone for Guide Dogs Queensland as the iconic service celebrates 50 years in Queensland. To coincide with its birthday celebrations, Bunning’s Warehouse in Toowoomba is hosting a two-day fundraising event from...

• Magical Powers of Guide Dogs - February 2010

  Master Magician and Illusionist Sam Powers will lend his support to help Guide Dogs Queensland celebrate our 50th Anniversary and raise $30,000 for GDQ services in Cairns. Through philanthropic endeavours, Sam has raised $2million for over 100 chariti...

• Thank you for our best ever Open Day!

  On Sunday 4 July, more than 6000 people visited our Breeding and Training Centre at Bald Hills to enjoy our biggest Open Day to date. Under a glorious winter sun, thousands of families and supporters came from all over South East Queensland to wander through our grounds, watch our demonstrations and learn more about our Guide Dogs and services.