Board of Vision Australia convenes a Client Reference Group to gain advice and feedback on specific matters relating to the experience of our clients and direction of the organisation. This Group operates under Vision Australia's Client Reference Group Charter (72KB, Word).
The Client Reference Group was established in October 2015.
The Vision Australia Board appoints members to the Group for a three year term. The Client Reference Group meet in person with Vision Australia’s Board twice a year, and at other times via teleconference.
Expressions of Interest in becoming a member of the Client Reference Group are invited through Vision Australia's website and social media platforms, in the FYI electronic newsletter, throughout the blindness and low vision community, through email lists and our Local Vision Australia Centres. Expressions of Interest are sought as vacancies become available.
The Vision Australia Board has appointed the following members to the Client Reference Group.
Peter Ward
I am a consultant to Galbally & O'Bryan Lawyers. I was a Partner for 24 years. I was an advocate in criminal law, and I am anxious to use those skills to advance the rights of vision-impaired people. In addition, I served as a Director on the Board of Management of RVIB for 20 years.
It is my wish that vision-impaired people live an independent life and that they are afforded the opportunity to live their life with dignity
Email: [email protected]
Phone (m): 0418 395 280
Fiona Demark
Fiona Demark is a passionate advocate, professional speaker and resilience coach who brings lived experience, authenticity and a ‘can do’ attitude to everything she does. Legally blind since birth, Fiona is committed to helping others shift their mindset, embrace their potential and navigate life’s challenges with confidence and clarity.
As a proud member of Vision Australia’s Client Reference Group, Fiona offers valuable insight into the needs and experiences of people who are blind or have low vision. Her contribution is shaped by both personal perspective and over two decades of professional experience in social work, coaching and disability advocacy.
Fiona’s journey from growing up in remote Australia to building a successful career and business in Melbourne is a story of adaptability, determination and courage. She holds qualifications in social work, hypnotherapy and reiki, and is passionate about combining practical support with holistic wellbeing to create meaningful outcomes for her clients.
Through her business, speaking engagements and coaching programs, Fiona works with schools, community organisations, job seekers and corporate audiences to inspire positive change. Her message is simple but powerful: with the right mindset and support, anything is possible.
Outside of work, Fiona leads a full and adventurous life. She’s a mother of two teenage daughters, works full-time at the Department of Transport, and never says no to a new experience – including riding pillion on a motorcycle around Phillip Island at 300km/h! She’s also a self-confessed lover of good food, audio books, sunshine and the smell of freshly printed pages at the local bookstore.
Fiona brings energy, empathy and a fresh perspective to her role on the Client Reference Group – always focused on what can be done, and how to make the future brighter for everyone living with blindness or low vision.
Website: www.fionademark.com.au
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0410 639 212
Dale Pierce
My name is Dale Pierce, and I have been in hospitality as a chef for 30 years. My main focus has always been to improve the industry, which led me to employment and training with Group Training Organisations. I had the opportunity to mentor, train and advocate for many young workers in the hospitality industry. I was also fortunate to be part of a cooks' recognition committee as an industry expert and mentor, which assisted many cooks in gaining their qualifications.
I am about to get back into playing golf with the aid of a support worker, as being part of the community and having independence is crucial for me.
Having recently become legally Blind, I aim to apply my drive and passion for working with others to my role on the Client Reference Group. I am excited to be part of Vision Australia's volunteer team to help them create support and opportunities for low vision and blind people.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (m) 0451 255 584
Dr Katie Butler
Dr Katie Butler is a community development practitioner, disability inclusion specialist and social researcher. Driven to advance equity, opportunity and inclusion, she concurrently focuses on improving organisational policy and practice for inclusivity and working directly within diverse communities to build empowerment and community connectedness. Katie has worked in the human services sector across local government, not-for-profit and higher education since 2012. She currently works at the University of Newcastle as an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator. Katie was born with bilateral Peters Anomaly. She gets about with her wonderful Seeing Eye Dog Quinnie and uses screen reading software and electronic braille to work and research. As a proud blind professional and academic, Katie strongly advocates for and works to enable disabled leadership in research, policy development and service design and delivery.
Sam Byrne
A business analyst by profession, Sam Byrne began his career in customer service. Using his outside the square thinking, interest in puzzles, desire to solve problems and drive to increase efficiency, Sam has become the company subject matter expert for customer statements and letters for one of the big four banks. His intense curiosity to understand the most complicated systems and processes means Sam is often relied upon by his colleagues for his product and technical knowledge.
Sam uses a combination of a braille display, JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver in order to access information and complete tasks across both his busy work and personal life.
In his downtime, Sam enjoys DIY home and garden projects, riding his tandem bike, exploring his local community with his Seeing Eye Dog Tommy in combination with Google Maps, and has recently retired from the Australian goalball team after representing his country for 14 years. Sam also enjoys getting to know the local businesses in his area and rewards with repeat business those who provide great advice, great customer service and a little banter.
Having grown up in country Victoria and overcome countless barriers after becoming totally blind during early childhood, Sam appreciates the opportunity the client reference group offers. He hopes that he can now share his experiences and positive attitude to help address and remove some of these same barriers for future generations.
Tess Wheelan
Kim Kinnear
Neale Huth