Guide Dogs Queensland 2025 Graduation Ceremony

Guide Dogs Queensland President Mr Richard Anderson OAM; Members of the Board; staff; donors; volunteers; graduates and your family and friends; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here today.

What a special occasion it is to gather here this morning to celebrate the 2025 Graduation Ceremony for Guide Dogs Queensland.

And I do hope that today feels just as momentous for our remarkable four-legged graduates, some of whom I am delighted to see here today. I suspect there will be an abundance of well-earned pats, treats, alongside the obvious pride and joy I see.

As Governor and Patron, it is my pleasure to be here and to publicly acknowledge the outstanding work undertaken by Guide Dogs Queensland in supporting those in our state who live with vision loss and blindness.

I deeply admire an organisation that, for 65 years, has transformed lives and communities through compassion, innovation and selfless commitment.

At the heart of your work lies a powerful mission: to empower people with low vision and blindness to achieve independence, participation, inclusion and wellbeing. It is a mission that has endured through decades of growth and change—an inspiring constant in an ever-changing world.

To all who have contributed to this journey—clients, volunteers, trainers, donors, and staff past and present—I offer my warmest congratulations. This milestone belongs to you all.

In marking 65 years of impact, it is only fitting to acknowledge the evolving landscape of services you provide. The expansion of your programs across the state, alongside your efforts to develop a national accreditation framework for Guide Dog Mobility Specialists, reflects an organisation deeply attuned to the importance of growth driven by expertise, strategic forethought, and a profound understanding of your clients' needs.

Every guide dog trained, every partnership forged, speaks to what can be achieved when skill, generosity and love come together in service of others. The bond between a guide dog and their handler is profound. It is a partnership of trust, courage and companionship—one that opens doors to independence, confidence and connection.

These relationships do not come easily. They take time, patience, and a great deal of funding.

That more than 85 per cent of this funding comes from the community speaks volumes about the respect and support Guide Dogs Queensland commands across our state. Your advocacy and community engagement ensure that this essential work can continue.

Today, we celebrate achievement—of individuals, of dogs, and of an organisation that continues to make a lasting difference. A graduation is a milestone, yes—but more than that, it is a promise: a promise of new beginnings and futures made possible.

We are privileged to bear witness to the stories of transformation that have brought us here today—and to hear shortly from our guest speaker, whose lived experience will no doubt resonate deeply with us all.

As we prepare to mark International Guide Dog Day, let us carry these stories with us—as reminders of resilience, partnership and the extraordinary difference that one organisation can make.