Wednesday 24th July

Dear Members,

We have exciting news! The date and location of our 50th Anniversary Convention in 2025 is now officially locked in. Please read the CEO Update below to learn more and don’t forget to save the date and mark your calendars for this momentous milestone event, now less than a year away.

A reminder, you can read the Member Update on BCA’s website.

What’s Coming Up at BCA?

Plan ahead using our monthly calendar – the events calendar for July is available on our website, or you can access the calendar via audio by phoning 1800 033 660 and following the prompts.

If you have any questions, or would like more information, please feel free to contact us on events@bca.org.au or call 1800 033 660.

Trivia

Saturday, 27th July at 8:00pm AEST.

Are you interested in expanding your general knowledge in an easy going and fun atmosphere? If so, join this week’s trivia presented by Ramona Mandy for an enjoyable night of team competition.

Please be aware that, to ensure the smooth operation of the game, Trivia will be limited to 25 players. To give everyone an opportunity, the Zoom waiting room will open to admit people who sign in from 7:45pm Sydney time and closes at 8.00pm.

• Join via weblink
• Join with one tap mobile
• Join by phone by dialling 03 7018 2005 using Meeting ID: 870 3284 5474
• Passcode: 422844

BCA Inform – Consultation on future Inform topics

Tuesday, 6th August from 7:30pm to 8:30pm AEST.

At BCA we strive to design Inform sessions that are of great value to you. For August’s edition of BCA Inform, we’re excited to hear from you! We invite you to join us for a consultation where you can share your ideas and suggestions on the topics you’d like our upcoming Inform sessions to focus on.

By participating in this consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to shape the direction of future sessions, making sure they cover focus areas that matter most to you. Whether you have specific topics in mind or broader themes you’d like us to explore, we welcome you to come along and share your thoughts.

In the lead-up to the event, we encourage you to share your ideas with us through a quick survey. This will help us lead the conversation and understand what’s on your mind! Take the survey.

To register for the event please visit Humanitix.

BCA Updates

Update from the CEO

Dear Members,

I am delighted to announce that BCA’s 50th Anniversary Convention will take place at the Novotel Glen Waverley in Melbourne from Friday, 13th June to Sunday, 15th June 2025. This event holds special significance for us as we celebrate five decades of unwavering commitment to supporting Australians who are blind or vision impaired.

The Novotel Glen Waverley has been chosen for its excellent facilities, good location and commitment to accessibility – a crucial factor in ensuring all our members can fully participate in and enjoy the convention. We are confident that this venue will provide the ideal setting for us to come together, reflect on our achievements, and chart the course for our future endeavours.

As we prepare for this landmark event, the Convention Program Committee, Celebrations Committee and Logistics Committee are hard at work planning an engaging program filled with exciting speakers, informative sessions, and opportunities for networking and celebration. I encourage each of you to save the date and start anticipating what promises to be a memorable and impactful convention.

We will be sharing more details in the coming months, including registration information and the finalised program. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out with any questions or suggestions you may have as we continue to plan this momentous occasion.

Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to BCA’s mission. I look forward to celebrating our achievements and embracing the future together at the 50th Anniversary Convention.

I would also like to congratulate Helen Freris, Vice-President, on her successful election to the Australian Disability Development Consortium (ADDC) Executive Committee. Her nomination reflects not only her dedication but also the trust and confidence placed in her expertise and experience. Helen’s election highlights her commitment to fighting for equity for people who are blind or vision impaired, and we wish her and all the newly elected committee members the very best for the important work ahead.

In other news, we sadly announce that Christina Micallef, Executive Assistant, will be leaving us on Friday, 2nd August. Christina has been a valued member of the team over the past two years. We thank Christina for her passion for our purpose, dedication and compassion for others.

Christina has expressed how much she has appreciated the opportunity to be a part of the BCA Team, especially her involvement in the Entrepreneurial Mindset Project in 2022. Christina looks forward to spending more time with her family, including her two gorgeous grandchildren. We wish Christina all the very best with her future endeavours.

And last but not least, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Ron Hooton, who recently announced that after more than a decade he will be stepping down from his role as CEO of Vision Australia. Throughout his tenure, Ron has been a steadfast advocate for the blind and vision impaired community, steering the organisation through pivotal moments such as the NDIS rollout.

His departure leaves a significant void, but his legacy of compassion and vision will undoubtedly endure, guiding us as we continue to champion the rights and opportunities of people who are blind or vision impaired. Thank you, Ron, for your leadership and profound impact on our community. We are immensely grateful for your support of Blind Citizens Australia and we wish you success in all that you do.

Employment Opportunity – Executive Assistant

Blind Citizens Australia is seeking a highly organised and resourceful EA to support our CEO to ensure the smooth operation of BCA and to ensure our CEO can focus on strategic priorities. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional organisational skills, excellent communication abilities with all stakeholders, the ability to prioritise various tasks, and multitask, with a passion for people.

More details available: https://www.bca.org.au/employment/

Applications close Wednesday, 31st July 2024.

For more information contact Deb Deshayes, CEO at recruitment@bca.org.au.

We want to hear about your voting experience – Jackson Reynolds-Ryan

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is seeking assistance in the development of a short video about people living with disability and their experiences voting.

We invite you, or someone you nominate, to be recorded by the AEC (through Microsoft Teams) answering the following questions:

1. What do you want people to know about voting with disability?
2. What positive experiences have you, or the people you represent, had voting?
3. What are some of the challenges faced when voting?
4. What can an AEC staff member at a polling place do to help a people with disability have a positive voting experience?

The AEC will use the footage, spliced together with the responses from other DAC members, to create a video of no more than a few minutes long. The resource will be used to raise awareness and educate AEC staff and may be used in a number of their training programs.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Layal Hage at layal.hage@bca.org.au

The final day to express interest is Thursday, 1st August.

Around the Branches

Tasmania Branch

The Tasmania Branch is organising an on-line information session with Interim Disability Commissioner on Tuesday, 30th July at 7:30pm via Zoom.

The link will be: https://utas.zoom.us/j/81326225980

We have invited, as the primary presenter, Mary Mallett to this meeting who is the Tasmanian Interim Disability Commissioner. She has served in the role since January 2023. She is leading work to establish the new Office of the Disability Commissioner; including to scope the Commissioner’s role and functions, the resources required, legislative framework, and relationship to other statutory offices in Tasmania as well as connections with the disability community and sector. Mary was previously the CEO of Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA) based in Canberra, the national peak body for independent disability advocacy in Australia.

This is a chance to attend and meet Mary and we encourage members to come along and have a conversation about the Commissioners role and raise any points of discussion that members see pertinent for the office of the Commissioner and our community.

Please contact our Branch Secretary if you would like any further information.

Cheryl Allen cheryl.allen5@bigpond.com 0458 210 019.

We look forward to meeting with Mary.

And we hope that you can come along and engage with one of our Leaders in the Tasmanian Disability Sector.

National Women’s Branch

Mobility Workshop

Please join us for our next Women’s Branch 2024 workshop on mobility. As experts in our own experiences, we will explore and share our strategies, hints and tips with each other. All Women’s Branch members are welcome.

Facilitator: Chire Fulford

Date: Tuesday, 30th July 2024

Time: 7:30pm to 9:00pm AEST

RSVP to chirefulford1@gmail.com for the Zoom log in details

New Horizons

This week, we bring you Part II of a presentation given by Dr. Scott Hollier. Again, thank you to the Round Table on Information Access for the use of this material.

Take a listen to the New Horizons podcast or find out how to tune in live.

Do you have any ideas for stories, or feedback about the show? Contact us on new.horizons@bca.org.au.

News From Outside BCA

National

Asia Braille Chess Team Championship 2024 – KL Braille Resources

Date: Wednesday, 11th December to Saturday, 14th December 2024.

Venue: Premiera Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

If you’d like to challenge the winners for 2023, register now to join the ABCTECH 2024 round! A team shall consist of three legally blind chess players together with a suitable number of officers and guides.

Entrance fee of $350 USD per person (to all players, officers and guides).

Early bird offers for those paying before Tuesday, 1st October is $333 USD per person.

What you get:

• Twin sharing room for three nights at Premiera Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
• Breakfast, lunch and two refreshments daily for 3 days.
• Buffet high-tea party.
• License to participate in a prestige international Braille chess tournament.
• License to visit international exhibition and sales of Braille equipment and technologies.
• Free airport transfers.
• Designated liaison officer.

For more information and for enquiries please call (60) 111 128 5764 or email klbr.event@gmail.com

Victoria

Community Wellbeing Expo – Australian College of Applied Professions (ACAP)

Wednesday, 31st July 2024 from 3:00pm to 4:30pm.

Address: Level 3, 222 Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000.

Melbourne based community members and service providers are invited to attend an expo about services that support mental health and other social needs. This is a great opportunity to share information and learn about services and agencies.

The event will build networks and links within the sector and strengthen the response provided to individuals, families, and communities by helping colleagues to build their knowledge and relationships.

Delicious and FREE afternoon tea and lucky door prizes will be provided.

RSVP (essential): clinic@acap.edu.au

For more information email clinic@acap.edu.au

Join Us for a Friendly Meal! – Gippsland All Abilities Social Group

The Gippsland All Abilities Social Group invites you to a delightful lunch at The Traralgon RSL on Thursday, 1st August 2024 at 12:00pm.

This event is open to people of all abilities, and support workers are welcome! Enjoy a meal at your own expense, plus a gold coin donation to help us continue organizing these wonderful events.

Date: Thursday, 1st August 2024.

Time: 12:00pm

Location: The Traralgon RSL

RSVP by Friday, 26 July 2024 to ensure we can book a table for everyone. Contact Phillip Chalker at 0400 603 367 or email all.abilities.social.group@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Applications Now Open for the Victorian Women’s Public Art Program

The Victorian Women’s Public Art Program aims to address the underrepresentation of women and their achievements through enduring public artworks.

The Victorian Women’s Public Art Program works alongside the Victorian Honour Roll of Women. The Honour Roll recognises women who have demonstrated remarkable leadership and excellence in their field or commitment to the community.

Under the $1.2 million program, land-owning organisations such as local councils, arts institutes and private companies are encouraged to partner with artists and community groups to create public artworks, such as sculptures, murals and installations, that honour outstanding Victorian women. This Victorian Government program celebrates women’s stories and achievements and creates a permanent record of the excellence and leadership of women right across the state.

To find out more and to apply visit the Victorian Women’s Public Art Program website.

Applications close at 5:00pm, Friday, 30th August 2024.

Have you got something to contribute?

If you have something you would like included in the Member Update, please send it to memberupdate@bca.org.au or call us on 1800 033 660. Items received by 12:00pm Monday be considered for publishing in the Wednesday update.