Lord Mayor visits Guide Dogs Queensland - September 2009

Guide Dogs Queensland welcomed the Lord Mayor Campbell Newman and Bracken Ridge ward Councillor Amanda Cooper for a tour of the Bald Hills Breeding and Training Centre, this morning.

As well as a good chance to enjoy a cuddle with one of our Guide Dog puppies, the Lord Mayor and Cr Cooper were visiting to further discuss support received through grants for recruitment and Open Day, earlier this year.

In April, the Lord Mayor’s Suburban Initiative Fund provided almost $12,000 to cover the costs of a recruitment stand at the National Careers and Employment Expo; and in June the fund, through the Bracken Ridge Ward, provided $14,000 to help cover costs associated with our annual Open Day.

CEO Chris Laine thanked the Lord Mayor and Cr Cooper, saying the generous support of grants was just one facet of the positive relationship we have with Brisbane City Council.

“The grants provided through the Lord Mayor’s fund provided vital support in our ongoing recruitment efforts and in raising awareness about our services,” Ms Laine said.

“We also enjoy a valuable working relationship, through the council’s Disability Access offices and employees who work with our staff at developing safe and practical aids such as audio and tactile pedestrian crossings, improved footpaths and clear and accessible signage such as the Queen St Braille Trail.

“We hope the tour of our Breeding and Training Centre further demonstrated the importance of the council’s support in helping us deliver services that allow Queenslanders, who are blind and vision impaired, achieve independence, mobility and freedom.”