Bundaberg woman graduates with the UltraCane

Achieving your dreams despite vision loss will be a major theme of an event in Bundaberg on Saturday, 15 October in celebration of International White Cane. 

The Lions Club of North Bundaberg Local will host a lunch for local people who are blind and include a special presentation to local resident Ros Matthews who lost her vision in November last year.

Ms Matthews has two degenerative eye diseases and became legally blind after two operations failed to remedy her fading sight.

The 54-year-old was on the brink of finishing an Environmental Science degree when she underwent surgery and has spent the last 12 months striving to regain her independence.

“At first I didn’t go out unless I had someone with me and I kept thinking my vision will improve but it didn’t. So I contacted Guide Dogs Queensland and had training with a White Cane,” Ms Matthew said.

“It was just fantastic. I was able to get back to being completely independent, it has totally changed my prospects.”

Ms Matthews went on to train with the UltraCane, a cane which uses ‘bat sonar’ technology to find obstacles, and she is now one of around 60 Queenslanders using this advanced mobility aid.

She will receive a medallion marking her graduation in the UltraCane from the Member for Bundaberg Jack Dempsey MP, on behalf of Guide Dogs Queensland.

The luncheon also includes a presentation of the Harry Buchback Award to a local person who is blind or vision impaired, who has displayed great courage and commitment in overcoming the disadvantage and isolation of vision loss.

Mrs Matthews is now planning to return to university and complete her degree in a bid to achieve her goal of finding a job in the field of Environmental Science.

“The cane has brought back my ability to get back out there, I’m walking everywhere, catching buses and travelling intestate, I’m going along really well,” she said.

Guide Dogs Queensland Community Relations Manager Hilary Jones Rowan said International White Cane Day was a chance for the Association to highlight the dramatic impact mobility training can have on people who are blind.

“We are known for our Guide Dogs but the work we do with the White Cane and more advanced electronic aids provides quality of life to thousands of Queenslanders every year.

“Every day we provide services free of charge to hundreds of people in the Wide Bay region and it is only through community support that we can continue offering our range of programs.”

Guide Dogs Queensland relies on donations to fund the vast majority of its White Cane services – and receives no Government support for rural and regional Queensland or to breed, train and place Guide Dogs. It is only through the support of the Wide Bay community that we can help local people in need and change their lives for the better,” she said.

What: UltraCane Graduation and Harry Buchback Award Presentation
Where: Burnett Bowls Club, George St, Bundaberg
When: International White Cane Day – Saturday, 15 October, 11.30am
Who: Jack Demspey MP; Lions Club of North Bundaberg Host Les Reading (4152 0830)
Contact GDQ Community Relations Manager Hilary Jones Rowan on 0447 156 842 or email: h.jonesrowan@guidedogsqld.com.au