Events

Congratulations to Friends of Guide Dogs Award winners

Congratulations to local businesses that have been honoured with a Friends of Guide Dogs Award in recognition of their commitment to providing access for Guide Dogs SA/NT clients, dog handlers and puppy raisers.

At a ceremony celebrating International Guide Dog Day on Friday 27 April, the Minister for Human Services the Hon. Michelle Lensink presented the awards to businesses and services that have gone above and beyond the legal access rights for our Guide Dogs, Autism Assistance Dogs and trainee dogs.

Congratulations to: AMF Bowling Centre Woodville, Kmart Noarlunga, Seaside Vet Surgery in Wallaroo, Elly Caf and Verve Bar & Kitchen at Westfield Marion. Thank you also to Burnside Village, Physio Solutions SA at Brighton, Argo on the Parade and Mt Barker Fresh Markets who were unable to join us on the day and have been sent their certificates.

In introducing the awards, the Chairman of Guide Dogs SA/NT John Oliver said access is a mark of an inclusive, mature society.

“It’s not just about ramps, tactile tiles and good lighting,” he said. “It’s about the friendly welcome, making room for a Guide Dog and their handler and interacting with personal respect.”

The Minister echoed this sentiment in her address, saying that “commitment to access and inclusion is good business.”

“The businesses and services that we all use every day can make an important contribution to accessibility and inclusion by the way they work, the way they set up their facilities, the way they speak with people and their attitudes,” she said.

Pictured, left to right: Guide Dogs SA/NT CEO, Mr Aaron Chia; Guide Dogs SA/NT Chairman, Mr John Oliver; Minister for Human Services, the Hon. Michelle Lensink; Governor of SA, His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le; Talia Klaver of Verve Bar & Kitchen; Simon Burgess of Kmart Noarlunga; Neil Cundy, nominator of Seaside Vet Surgery; Helen Russo of AMF Bowling Centre Woodville; and Samir Baraket of Elly Caf.