At today’s Annual General Meeting, the following people were recognised with a Vision Australia Award for their service and support of the blindness and low vision community.
Individual Award to Jessica Gallagher
Jess is the first and only Australian athlete – Olympic or Paralympic – to win both Summer and Winter Game medals. In addition to her sporting prowess, Jess is an accomplished speaker on motivation and overcoming challenges. Jess is a qualified osteopath and is on the Board of Directors at Vision 2020 Australia. She is also an ambassador for Vision Australia and Disabled Wintersport Australia.
Individual Award to Denis Walter
One could argue that Denis Walter is Carols by Candlelight. 2016 will mark Denis’ 32nd consecutive year performing at this iconic event, making him the longest running performer to date, and something of an institution. The generous donation of his time at Carols by Candlelight embodies the true meaning of Christmas and, for many Australians, it wouldn’t be Christmas without Denis Walter and his fabulous baritone.
Individual Award to Cliff Jackson
Cliff, aged 90 is an active volunteer with 20 years of service. Cliff first began volunteering in June 1996 with the Royal Blind Society Enfield, now Vision Australia. He has consistently volunteered since, devoting four days a week to Vision Australia clients and services. This is the second Vision Australia award Cliff has received. In 2006, he was awarded the Client Service Award for his service as a dedicated volunteer and a strong believer in peer support. Ten years on, Cliff’s Vision Impaired Persons Support Group has more than 22 groups and over 500 members. He also gives presentations on Vision Australia’s behalf to businesses and community groups and provides tours of our head office in Sydney.
Individual Award to Dr Kevin Murfitt
In addition to his 12 years of dedicated service on the Vision Australia Board, including ten years as Chair, Kevin has held various roles with the World Blind Union-Asia Pacific, and was a Director on the Disability Services Board of the Victorian State Government. Kevin was conferred his Doctor of Philosophy from Deakin University in 2006, with his research focussing on diversity and employment. Kevin was Vice President of the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind and received a 2002 HREOC Human Rights Award for contributing to the Disability Discrimination Act (1992) Accessible Public Transport Standards. He has had outstanding success as a water skier in the blind skiing category, with 10 world championship titles and two world records.
Individual Award to Jan Lovie-Kitchin
Jan’s contribution to the blind and low vision community has been remarkable both in terms of her contribution via her research and academic career, and her direct involvement with clients with low vision. She is currently Adjunct Professor of Optometry at QUT in Brisbane where she also holds the position of Chairwoman of the University Human Research Ethics Committee. Jan has been continually involved with the blindness and low vision community at all levels through her direct work with clients in the low vision clinics of Vision Australia in both Kooyong and Brisbane.
Individual Award to Nick Carter
Nick has a given a lifetime of volunteer service to the blindness and low vision community. Nick has been active in blindness and low vision organisations since 1992, when he was appointed to the Board of the Singapore Association for the Visually Handicapped. In Brisbane he was Chair of The Royal Blind Foundation Queensland at the time of its amalgamation with Vision Australia in 2006 and subsequently served on the Vision Australia Board for a further nine years. Nick’s expert contribution to property matters, his commitment to advocating for services within Queensland, his support for fundraising initiatives and his broad general management knowledge have all contributed to a remarkable governance career.
Individual Award to Roger Zimmerman
Roger was a co-opted member of the Audit, Finance and Business Risk Committee of the Vision Australia Board and a Director of the Vision Australia Trust over a period of 13 years prior to his retirement in February this year. Roger made a significant contribution to both of these bodies during this time.
Corporate Award to Ernst and Young and the contribution of Stuart Painter
Ernst and Young was appointed as internal auditor soon after the formation of Vision Australia in 2004. The Engagement Partner throughout their work with us has been Stuart Painter.
Stuart and his team of dedicated professionals have provided great support to our Board and management through the years. Ernst and Young were an integral part of the change process through the turnaround from 2010 and the establishment of a world-class finance and controls environment which is the envy of many for profit and not for profit organisations across Australia and beyond. Stuart commands an exceptional knowledge of the NFP space and was appointed as the internal auditor for the NDIA. He has invested his skills and himself personally in the success of Vision Australia and we thank him for his contribution and commitment.