2016 Guide Dog Team Graduation Ceremony and International White Cane Day Celebrations

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. I am delighted to join you for this special graduation ceremony and celebration.

All graduations are marvellous, both for the achievement they represent and because they mark the beginning of a new journey.

To arrive here today each of our graduates has invested time and patience over many, many hours.

Whether it be mastering the long cane or the electronic travel aid, or working to establish trust with their new canine companion, each of our graduates has achieved something remarkable, and today we congratulate them, and acknowledge the beginning of a journey toward greater independence.

Working alongside them was a network of people dedicated to their success, and here I refer to the volunteers, the instructors and all the dedicated staff at Guide Dogs Queensland.

This year, I have had a small insight into the immense effort that goes into training a guide dog, through our fostering at Government House of ‘Gavel’, a German Shepherd puppy en route to becoming a police dog.

Gavel has burrowed his way into everyone’s heart – especially mine – and we will all be sad when he leaves Fernberg to take up his professional duties.

It isn’t always easy to raise a puppy destined to be a working dog, but it is immensely rewarding, so today I pay tribute to the puppy raisers who play such an essential role in socializing, loving and generally preparing guide dogs for their working lives.

I also thank the Board of Guide Dogs Queensland, the staff, the corporate supporters, the donors, and the many other volunteers whose commitment and contribution has led to today’s celebration.

This Saturday marks International White Cane Day.

The white cane is a practical tool, but it is also a symbol of independence.

On White Cane Day we celebrate the many ways in which independence and self-mobility are restored to the vision-impaired, including through the long cane, the electronic travel aid or through the services of a guide dog.

It is a good occasion to remind Queenslanders of our obligation to provide equitable access to all of society to the vision impaired, and to do all we can to promote independence, acceptance and freedom for those living with blindness or vision impairment.

As we approach White Cane Day it is truly a cause for celebration that so many more Queenslanders with vision impairment will gain greater mobility thanks to their determination, partnered with the training, support and encouragement offered by Guide Dogs Queensland.

I congratulate all our graduates to whom I will shortly present certificates and medallions. I look forward to then hearing from our eminent guest speaker Dr Paul Harpur, and to meeting you all after the ceremony. Thank you.