This page gives the current YBCV committee, along with a personal profile for each committee member. Please E-mail Us for more information.
2008 YBCV Committee
Lauren Hayes: President
My name is Lauren Hayes and I am a 23 year old music therapy student in my third year at the University of Melbourne. I am totally blind as a result of Retinopathy of Prematurity, but have a small amount of light perception in one eye. After finishing my course, I would possibly like to work with young people experiencing chronic illnesses or mental health issues, or in the area of palliative care.
I joined YBCV back in 2003, but never really got involved until 2005 when I moved from Ballarat to Melbourne. I wanted to be able to help in giving blind people opportunities to discuss issues that they were concerned with, to learn from each other and to meet socially.
Amy Baillie: Vice President
My name is Amy Baillie and I am a 22 year old Education student. I am functionally blind, meaning that I have some residual sight but have to use mobility aides, jaws and Braille as if I was totally blind. I’m originally from Tasmania but moved up here about two and a half years ago.
My interest in YBCV came about when I started to think about the programs currently offered by different organizations . They really did not have much to offer blind youth at the time. It appeared to me that young blind people do not necessarily avoid attending programs, learning with their peers and investigating new things but were unable to due to the unsuitability of anything offered by the main organizations. In the last few months I have seen that this is beginning to change, I am hoping that YBCV can be part of that change.
Bridget Jolley: Treasurer
Peggy Soo: Secretary
My name is Peggy Soo. I am 22 years old and I am a first year student at RMIT University studying a Bachelor of Applied Science in Disability. I am visually impaired as a result of retinopathy of prematurity. I can see shapes and colours but not much detail such as faces. When I finish my studies, I hope to be able to help young people with a disability access the community to lead a fulfilling life.
I have been involved with YBCV since 2004 and I have been on the committee since 2006. I joined YBCV as I am interested in the issues faced by young blind and visually impaired people. I hope to contribute to YBCV and the wider-community in a positive way.
Anna Briggs: General Member
My name is Anna Briggs and I am 22 years old. I am legally blind as a result of Coloboma, however I have a small amount of sight in one eye and use large print and screen enlargement software as well as mobility aides. I completed my degree in Animal Science and Management in 2007 and am currently doing volunteer work while I seek full-time employment.
I became involved in YBCV because I feel strongly about the need for peer support amongst blind and vision impaired youth. I believe the projects and social activities that YBCV deliver could play an important part in creating opportunities for, and encouraging, young blind people in our community.
Melissa Ryan: General Member
My name is Melissa Ryan and I am 28 years old. I am blind but have some light perception in my left eye and some hand motion in my right eye. I have myself a 5 year old Seeing Eye Dog named Safari and he is a Golden Retriever. I also use Jaws and Braille. I am currently looking for work and do a computer course with Vision Australia.
I got involved with YBCV in 2005 as I want to help the blind and vision impaired youth. I aim to raise some issues that are relevant to blind and vision impaired youth and to make a difference to their lives. As a young blind woman I know how isolated life can get as I have not met many friends since becoming blind and ever since I have joined up YBCV they have made a difference to my life and it gives you a sense of self worth in helping the blind community.
Chris Bertuch: General Member
2007 YBCV Committee
The following lists the committee elected in 2007 for YBCV
- President: Lauren Hayes
- Vice President: Chris Bertuch
- Treasurer: Marina Connelly
- Secretary: Melissa Ryan
- General Members: Amy Baillie, Debbie Yule, Ross de Vent
People Profiles
The following lists some profiles of people who have been a part of the YBCV committee in the recent past.
Debbie Yule: Past committee member and secretary for YBCV
My name is Debbie Yule and I am 26 years old. I finished school a few years ago and am now currently looking for work, preferably administration work though if anything else comes up I might try and give it a go. While I’m waiting to get a job I enjoy getting out with friends, listening to music and playing Swish.
I first begun my involvement with Young Blind Citizens Victoria in 2004. I saw it as an opportunity to add my voice to those of other young blind and vision impaired youth who were working to make a difference in the community. Through working with YBCV I have been able to listen to what young blind and vision impaired people want, voice my own thoughts about their needs and values while getting to know a lot of great people.