News

Insights Spring 2025

October 22, 2025

Hi, welcome to the Spring Edition of Insights, Guide Dogs SA/NT’s client newsletter. We hope you enjoy keeping up to date on what’s happening at Guide Dogs SA/NT and reading the wonderful stories and tips for our community.

Use the audio player below if you prefer an audio version of this edition of Insights.

In this edition:

Join our Consumer Reference Group
Register: “Try Before You Ride” bus event
World Sight Day: event summary
October School Holiday Sessions highlights
Celebrating International White Cane Day
Register: Social Happy Hour sessions

Expressions of Interest Closing Soon: Join our Consumer Reference Group!

At Guide Dogs, we’re passionate about providing the best possible services to our clients. That’s why we’re inviting you to join our Consumer Reference Group (CRG).

The CRG is a forum where you can provide input on policies, procedures, guidelines, practices, and publications. Your perspective will help Guide Dogs SA/NT serve the community across South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Participation is voluntary, and meetings are held four times a year via Microsoft Teams.

Expressions of interest close soon, and limited spots are available.

Contact Simon Wong, Consumer Liaison Officer, on 1800 757 738 for more information or to register your interest.

No two journeys are the same. We can’t wait to work side by side with you to deliver the best possible services for all!

Try Before You Ride: Build confidence on public buses

Yellow banner with Public Transport Try Before You Ride event details, including date, time, location, and logos for South Australia and Adelaide Metro.

Adelaide Metro is hosting another fantastic Try Before You Ride event on Friday 21 November 2025 at Mawson Interchange.

Staff will guide participants through an Adelaide Metro bus journey on a stationary vehicle. You will learn about safety, ticketing, journey planning and the accessibility features designed to make your journey easier.

Event details:
Date: Friday, 21 November 2025
Time: 10:00am to 2:00pm
Location: Mawson Interchange

This event will be hosted with the support of Guide Dogs SA/NT, Feros Care, Torrens Transit and Keolis Downer Adelaide.

These events are open to everyone and are free to attend. Registration is encouraged but drop-ins are welcome.

View the flyer: https://sant.guidedogs.com.au/trybeforeyouride-flyer/
Register: http://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/about-us/news

World Sight Day 2025: Celebrating independence, accessibility and inclusion

A guide dog wearing an orange vest sits in front of a sign that reads Welcome to World Sight Day.

On Thursday 9 October, Guide Dogs SA/NT and our community came together to celebrate World Sight Day 2025 at Government House, Adelaide. We were delighted to be hosted by our Patron, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, and Mr Rod Bunten.

This year, Adelaide Airport received the Access Advocate Award, while the City of Marion, City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, and Adelaide Oval received commendations for their leadership in accessibility and inclusion.

Seven people, one in a wheelchair, stand in a row outdoors holding certificates. A guide dog wearing an orange vest sits in front of the group.

The morning featured two panel discussions. Clients Melissa, Antony and his mum Christina, Steve, and John shared how Guide Dogs services support their daily lives and goals, while Kelly Vincent from Adelaide Airport and Candice Copley from Adelaide Oval discussed accessibility initiatives such as sensory spaces, inclusive design, and Human Guide Training for staff.

Six people sit on a stage in front of a Guide Dogs backdrop, speaking to an audience at a formal event.

Our Clinical Services Team showcased assistive technology to support independence, and the Dog Services Team brought puppies-in-training Yoshi, Yogi, and Ziggy, along with Ambassadogs Darcy and Merlin.

Watch highlights: https://youtu.be/P5CwcpX8WtA?si=MfcxUt44WyE-euIv

Celebrating International White Cane Day

Two people in outdoor sportswear stand next to a tandem bicycle in a wooded area. One person holds walking poles and wears glasses; both are wearing helmets and gloves.

On 15 October, we celebrated International White Cane Day, recognising the achievements of people with blindness or low vision who use a white cane.

In collaboration with Guide Dogs Australia, Queensland, New South Wales/ACT, and Victoria, we created a series of videos sharing inspiring stories from white cane users.

The hero video features our very own Simon and client Melissa, who also spoke on the Client Panel at World Sight Day! You’ll also meet Mitchell and James, both clients from Queensland.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/2IRyv3mBvPg

October School Holiday Sessions: Highlights

A young man stirs food in a frying pan while two women watch and assist him in a bright kitchen setting.

Each school holidays, Guide Dogs SA/NT runs our popular School Holiday Sessions for young clients under 18. These sessions help children and teenagers living with vision loss build confidence, develop independence, and have fun along the way.

The October sessions were no exception! Older clients, thinking about future part-time jobs, enjoyed hearing from lived-experience speakers such as Rachael Leahcar from Blind Citizens Australia, who shared practical tips on job applications, interviews, managing finances, choosing work outfits, and preparing meals for work.

Our younger clients had a blast at Hijinx Hotel, tackling teamwork challenges, practising public transport navigation, and getting creative with clay-making activities.

A woman and a boy wearing sunglasses sit together in a bumper car at an indoor amusement arcade, both smiling at the camera.

Throughout the sessions, our specialist team worked with each client to set personal goals and practice independent living skills through occupational therapy and orientation and mobility training, all integrated into fun, engaging activities. These sessions also provide a valuable opportunity for social connection, allowing young clients to meet peers with similar experiences.

Social Happy Hour: Upcoming Sessions

If you’re 18 or over, we invite you to join us for our upcoming FREE Social Happy Hour sessions – a relaxed space to connect with others, share experiences, and learn something new.

Exploring Assistive Technology: Tech Talks
Date: Friday 31 October 2025 | Time: 11:00AM – 12:30PM
Location: Guide Dogs SA/NT, 251 Morphett Street, Adelaide
Click here to register: https://sant.guidedogs.com.au/events/exploring-assistive-tech/
Preparing for the Festive Season: Shopping Hacks, Staying Organised and Hosting Meals
Date: Friday 14 November 2025 | Time: 11:00AM – 12:30PM
Location: Guide Dogs SA/NT, 251 Morphett Street, Adelaide
Click here to register: https://sant.guidedogs.com.au/events/tips-for-festive-season-preparation/
Daily Life Hacks
Date: Friday 28 November 2025 | Time: 11:00AM – 12:30PM
Location: Guide Dogs SA/NT, 251 Morphett Street, Adelaide
Click here to register: https://sant.guidedogs.com.au/events/daily-life-hacks-for-independence/