New office helps Guide Dogs lead the way

Blindfold walks and Guide Dog training demonstrations are just two of the interactive activities Guide Dogs Queensland is planning to share with the community when it celebrates the opening of its new office on Saturday, 17 September in Maroochydore.
The Association recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and is reinforcing its presence on the Sunshine Coast, one of its most generous supporters, with its bright new premises at 50 Aerodrome Rd.
GDQ Chief Executive Officer Chris Laine said the opening was an important occasion as the Association took pride in delivering services at a local level and working closely with clients, donors and volunteers.
“We have six Guide Dog clients on the Sunshine Coast and many more who use the White Cane or benefit from counselling, support group networks or electronic travel aid training,” Ms Laine said.
“We also have hundreds of volunteers who raise our pups or lend a hand to raise donations in what has been a challenging year for fundraising.”
Ms Laine said the Association needed to maintain a high profile as it had been hit hard by the cancellation of its major statewide doorknock appeal earlier this year due to the floods.
“The Sunshine Coast is home to some of our strongest supporters with the suburbs of Alexandra Headland and Parrearra ranked in the top ten of our most generous donors.
“We receive no Government funding for our Guide Dogs or to provide services in regional areas such as the Sunshine Coast so it’s the community that supports the work we do for local people with little or no vision.” Continued over…
State Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson MP will officially open the office at 10.30am with a Rotary BBQ, kid’s face painting, Guide Dog-in-training demonstrations and experiential walks under blind fold to follow.
Ms Laine said the opening was a great opportunity for Sunshine Coast residents to get involved with Guide Dog’s work on the Sunshine Coast.
‘We are in desperate need of Puppy Raisers and also boarding homes for our Guide Dogs-in-training so people can talk to us about welcoming a puppy into their home.
“People can also inquire about getting help for low vision or buy our new all natural dog food diet ‘Leading Raw’ which we feed to our own prized colony of Guide Dogs.”
Guide Dogs Queensland’s Sunshine Coast office can be contacted on phone: 5443 8033 or email sunshine@guidedogsqld.com.au

For more information visit www.guidedogsqld.com.au

WHAT: Guide Dogs Queensland Sunshine Coast Office Opening
WHEN: Saturday, 17 September, 10.00am.
WHERE: Units 4&5 Perlan House, 50 Aerodrome Rd, Maroochydore
WHO: Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson MP, GDQ Chief Executive Officer CEO Chris Laine, Guide Dog Trainers and Guide Dogs-in-training, Special Guests.