Consumer Advisory Council

The Consumer Advisory Council (the Council) of Guide Dogs Victoria makes a very positive contribution towards achievement of our mission, namely providing Guide Dog and specialist mobility services of exceptional quality to vision impaired people in the Victorian community.

Its role

Guide Dogs Victoria has always been committed to a policy of transparency, accountability and good communication processes with its clients and stakeholders. The Consumer Advisory Council plays an important role in facilitating the exchange of information between Guide Dogs Victoria, the Board, clients and staff.

The Council:

provides advice and recommendations concerning the training of blind and vision impaired clients and the relationship between Guide Dogs Victoria and its clients
acts as a consultative forum in identifying needs and priorities in service delivery
encourages participation and inclusion by stakeholders in our quality service planning
encourages the community to contribute to the consultative process
strives to make services responsive to individuals' needs
acts as a sounding board for various policy and service proposals
provides support, encouragement and insight into the use of Guide Dogs Victoria services to successful applicants and clients of Guide Dogs Victoria programs
reviews Guide Dogs Victoria facilities and communication practices with regard to accessibility by people with vision impairment and other disabilities
assists in the development of community strategies to address barriers for people with vision impairment

Terms of Reference

The Terms of Reference of the Consumer Advisory Council have been modelled on consumer groups operating successfully in similar agencies. They include the State Disability Advisory Council of the Department of Human Services and the Graduate Advisory Council of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Inc of California. The Council meets a minimum of twice annually and comprises members selected to ensure:

equal representation from each of our five client service groups, namely Guide Dog, Acquired Brain Injury, Children's and Intensive Orientation and Mobility Services and Intensive Occupational Therapy
geographical diversity - with clients from regional Victoria as well as the metropolitan area
a balance of men and women
representation from related fields.

Expressions of Interest

From time to time Guide Dogs Victoria seeks expressions of interest in membership of the Consumer Advisory Council from residents in Victoria. For further information, email cac@guidedogsvictoria.com.au or use the contact form to correspond with us.

Members of the CAC

	GEOFF BELL Joined August 2004 Geoff is a Neurological Physiotherapist with a private practice in Northcote. He has been a consultant to Guide Dogs Victoria since 1993, advising staff and treating clients with orthopaedic and neurological conditions. Geoff also conducts in-service education sessions for staff at Guide Dogs Victoria and lectures at the Orientation and Mobility undergraduate course at La Trobe University.
	MARK BIRKETT Joined January 2009 Mark has been a client of Guide Dogs Victoria since January 2008 after sight loss from stroke. He has spent 30 years working in the electrical contracting industry holding management positions at Kennedy Taylor Electrical, Maxim Electrical and NHP Electrical.
	JENNY BLACK Joined February 2009 Jenny graduated from Victoria College in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts (Disability Studies) majoring in Orientation and Mobility (O&M). She has been employed at Guide Dogs Victoria since 1989 and has worked with vision impaired clients across all disciplines. Jenny currently holds the position of Manager for the Acquired Brain Injury Service, Orientation & Mobility Service and Occupational Therapy Departments and coordinates our in-house client programs at Arnold Cook House.
	CHRIS BOYLE Joined August 2004 Chris was a long cane user from 1996 – 1998, before receiving his first Guide Dog in 1999. Chris volunteers with Vision Australia, specialising in client support for the past 11 years. He has been a Co-ordinator at Heidelberg Support Group for the past 10 years and Chairman Vision Australia – Training, Technical and Employment, Special Interest Group (TTE-SIG) for the past six years. He co-founded the Melbourne Glaucoma Support Group at the request of the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital Founder in 1994.
	CHERIE BRAND Joined August 2004 Cherie is Company Director and Owner of an import/distribution business. She has a marketing background in fast moving consumer goods, industrial products and in the service industry. Cherie’s 22 year old son and father are both vision impaired and clients of Guide Dogs Victoria.
	DOROTHY DOCHERTY Joined August 2005 At 48, Dorothy Docherty suffered an ischemic attack as a result of a rare brain disease. The stroke-like attack saw her endure years of rehabilitation, during which she had to learn to walk and talk again. The attack also left her vision impaired and she now walks with the aid of a long white cane. Dorothy is a member of ‘The Diva’s’ mentoring and support group and Chairperson for Care Connects Consumer Advisory Committee.
	PAM HAIGH Joined April 2006 Pam started to lose her vision around 1998 and received her first Guide Dog two years later. Pam is actively involved in ‘The Diva’s’ client support group, which has given her great inspiration and the opportunity to learn from other women who are facing the same sort of issues when losing their sight later in life. Pam also assists in teaching computer skills to other people with vision impairment. Pam says “my dogs have taken me all over the world and have really given me my life back.”
	RAMONA MANDY Joined August 2004 Ramona is the Senior Blindness Products Consultant for HumanWare Australia. HumanWare is an international company that designs, manufactures and distributes innovative technology for people who are blind or vision impaired or who have learning difficulties. Ramona is blind and has been a Guide Dog handler for over 20 years.
	ANNE RAYNER Joined September 2009 Anne has been a volunteer for Guide Dogs Victoria since 2000. Her husband and six children have helped her raised 10 puppies in that time, each a much loved member of the family. Anne is involved with four other community organisations and is currently on three committees.
	RICHARD STRADWICK Joined August 2004 Richard has volunteered at Guide Dogs Victoria’s Breeding Centre since September 1997. Richard has an executive background, previously holding the position of Group Human Resources Director at Cadbury Schweppes.
	LYN TAYLOR Joined August 2004 Lyn is partially sighted and first received a Guide Dog in 1995. Lyn has four tertiary qualifications (to MSc level) in the fields of Physics, Psychology, Medical Physics, Bio-engineering and Education. Lyn has held positions as a University Lecturer, Government Scientist and Research Assistant and is presently a Technical Writer. With such a wide variety of experience and having lived independently in several different countries, Lyn brings a broad perspective on issues to the CAC.
	ANGELA WILLIAMS Joined August 2004 Angela has been a Guide Dogs Victoria volunteer for 10 years. She and her husband are Guide Dog Puppy Sponsors and are members of the bequest supporters group, ‘The Otus Fellowship’. Angela is also the Director of a company engaged in retailing balloons, party supplies and gifts.
	MARY WYNNE December 2007 Mary is a white cane user and is involved in a number of volunteer activities for her local community and church. Mary returned to study in 2006, graduating with a Diploma in Christian Ministry from Harvest Bible College. She is now considering returning to further study to upgrade her skills.