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Wednesday 11th March 2026

Update from the CEO

Dear Members,

It’s time to say a big thank you to Rachael Johinke for her great work as our Eye to the Future Project Coordinator. While we will miss having her on the team, we are delighted to share that Rachael is heading off on maternity leave. We wish her all the very best as she prepares for the arrival of her baby!

At the same time, I’m pleased to welcome Stephanie Peebles, who will be taking over the Eye to the Future Project Coordinator role. Stephanie joins us with more than 15 years’ experience in HR and workforce strategy across the NSW Government and the not-for-profit sector, including positions with Vision Australia and the NSW Department of Communities and Justice. Her background in Diversity and Inclusion, together with her lived experience of vision impairment, makes her well placed to lead this important work.

Stephanie also brings a set of formal qualifications, including a Bachelor of Arts (Communications & Psychology), a Certificate IV in Marketing and Communication, a Certificate IV in Disability and recognition as a Certified Disability Confident Recruiter. She is passionate about building strong support bridges and creating inclusive workplaces. Please join the BCA team in giving Stephanie a very warm welcome as she begins with us.

In other news, I’m excited to announce the recipients of this year’s BCA Hugh Jeffrey Scholarship program. Our 2026 recipients are Eric Seery, Kateryn O’Toole, Maria Siddiquee and Will Short. Congratulations to each of the successful applicants and thank you to everyone who took the time to apply. We wish our recipients every success with their studies and look forward to the valuable contributions they will make to the broader community.

Finally, a reminder that the BCA office will be closed on Thursday, 12th March and Friday, 13th March while staff and the Board come together for strategic planning and staff development. These sessions are an important opportunity for us to reflect on our progress, strengthen our priorities and plan the next stage of BCA’s work.

– Deb Deshayes, BCA CEO.

A reminder, you can also read this update on BCA’s website.

More from BCA

Employment Opportunity – Business Manager

Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) is seeking a skilled and driven Business Manager to oversee our operations and strengthen the systems that support our national advocacy work for Australians who are blind or vision impaired.

This part-time position (30 hours per week) is a remote, work-from-home role offered under the SCHADS Award – Level 7. The contract is fixed term through to March 2028. The position reports to the CEO and has direct reports, including the Information and Administration Officer, Communications Coordinator and Fundraising Manager.

As Business Manager, you will provide high-level oversight and hands on leadership across finance, human resources, governance, risk, IT systems and operational reporting. You will ensure our “back-of-office” functions run efficiently and effectively, supporting BCA’s strategic goals and national impact.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Financial Oversight: In consultation with the CEO, Treasurer and Finance Service Partner, oversee all accounting activities and payroll.
  • Human Resources: Oversee all HR functions including recruitment, induction, performance review documentation, and compliance with the SCHADS Award and Fair Work legislation.
  • Governance & Company Secretary: Act as a Co-Company Secretary to ensure BCA is compliant with ACNC and ASIC requirements, annual financial audits, and AGM procedures.
  • Risk & Policy Framework: Lead the implementation of BCA’s risk management framework, maintain the Risk Register and ensure all organisational policies (WHS, Privacy, etc.) are fit for purpose.
  • Systems & IT: In consultation with IT support, act as the Product Owner for the CRM to optimise data use and cybersecurity.
  • People Leadership: Provide mentorship and support to direct reports, ensuring activities are integrated and aligned with BCA’s strategic operational plan.
  • Board Support: In consultation with the CEO, Chair of the Finance, Audit, and Risk Committee, prepare briefing papers and budgets.

Your lived experience with blindness or vision impairment is a highly valued asset, and we encourage you to apply.

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

To apply, please submit your resume and a response to the selection criteria in Word format to recruitment@bca.org.au using “Business Manager” in the subject line.

To ensure accessibility for the recruitment team, applications must be submitted in Word format. Applications close Sunday, 15th March 2026.

Policy, Advocacy & Representation

Policy Update – Melanie Chatfield

BCA works collaboratively with key stakeholders and partner organisations to advocate on matters of shared interest. By contributing to, endorsing and supporting the submissions, policy positions and campaigns of other organisations, BCA ensures the voices of people who are blind or vision impaired are heard, represented and influential, while harnessing the greater strength and impact of collective advocacy.

BCA has recently supported:

  • pre-budget submissions by AFDO and Vision2020
  • Vision 2020’s submission to the Senate’s Aged Care Committee Inquiry
  • ATSA’s Joint statement on protecting consumer choice in Assistive Technology Under the Support at Home Program
  • Guide Dogs NSW and AFDO’s submissions to review of the Commonwealth Individual Advocacy Program.

Working collectively amplifies lived experience, strengthens influence with decision-makers, and leads to more effective, sustainable systemic policy outcomes for our members.

BCA Events

Plan ahead using our monthly calendar – the events calendar for March 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, 14th March at 8:00pm AEDT.

Are you interested in expanding your general knowledge in an easy-going and fun atmosphere? If so, join this week’s trivia 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. If we are full, or you don’t make it before 8:00pm, you are still very welcome to stay and listen on mute.

Peer Connect Groups

The Peer Connect groups meeting in the next week are listed below. You can also find out more about all our peer connect groups, including session times and other details on the BCA Website.

Art Appreciation Group

Friday, 13th March at 11:00am AEDT.

Do you enjoy discussing different styles of art, exploring critiques of art, reading writings from curators, and sharing online resources to expand your understanding of art? Then join the Art Appreciation Peer Connect Group – a space to connect, exchange ideas, and deepen your appreciation for arts in an inclusive and engaging way.

Assistive Technology Group

Monday, 16th March at 8:00pm AEDT.

Assistive Technology is useful and increasingly necessary in our daily lives. However, not everything is easy to navigate, and new technologies develop every day. Join Adam and others to learn more about assistive technology and how to get the best from it.

Around the Branches

Casino / Richmond Valley Branch

On Tuesday, 14th April – Lindsay Waddington at Lismore Heights Bowling club from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Cost is $35.

RSVP to Denise before Tuesday, 7th April 2026.

Phone Denise on 0448 014 682 or email deniseg.vip@outlook.com

News From Outside BCA

National

Applications now open for Women Deliver 2026 Scholarships

Applications are now open for women and gender diverse people with disabilities to apply for a scholarship to attend the Women Deliver 2026 conference in Melbourne, from Monday, 27th April to Wednesday, 29th April.

Women Deliver (WD2026) is an international event that is expected to bring more than 6,500 advocates, decision-makers, community leaders and grassroots activists from more than 170 countries to Melbourne. The event provides a space for feminist and youth leaders to come together, and strengthen collective action for gender equality, decolonisation and climate justice.

WDV will also support successful applicants to navigate the WD2026 conference accessibility processes and program, to ensure you get the most out of the event.

You can find more information about the conference at the Women Deliver 2026 website.

Find out more information about WDV’s scholarships. 

You can apply for a scholarship to attend WD2026 any of these three ways:

Applications are open until close of business on Friday, 20th March 2026.

For any questions or support completing your application, please contact the project lead Olivia at Olivia.franklin@wdv.org.au or on 0433 691 548.

Webinar on Getting the services you need: Support at Home – Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN)

Tuesday, 31st March at 1:00pm AEDT.

Understanding what to expect from aged care services enables you to stay informed, maintain your independence and make decisions that reflect your needs and preferences. In this OPAN webinar, we will cover what you need to know about service agreements, how fee waivers and the financial hardship application process work, and the role of care management. We’ll also explore the steps you can take if your services aren’t meeting your needs.

You are encouraged to submit questions in advance, during registration. We will answer as many as we can. If we don’t get to your question, or if your question relates to a specific issue or complaint, you can call an advocate on our Aged Care Advocacy Line 1800 700 600.

To register visit the OPAN website.

New South Wales

Fairfield City Council Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) 2026 – 2030

We’re creating a new Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) to turn your ideas into actions!

This plan will guide how Council improves access, inclusion and participation so that people with disability, families, carers and the wider community can take part in all aspects of life.

We want the DIAP to reflect YOUR lived experience – what works, what doesn’t, and what would really help across Fairfield’s diverse communities.

We’re reviewing the previous DIAP and shaping the next one with you. Your lived experiences, ideas and priorities will be translated into clear, practical actions in the new plan.

To make it easy to participate, we’re offering accessible and inclusive ways to have your say including:

  • online and printed surveys
  • accessible workshops
  • small group conversations
  • one-on-one interviews

Every contribution helps us build a Fairfield that is more accessible for you.

To learn more on how to get involved visit the Fairfield City website.

To be involved, please email us at scd@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au

Audio Described Event at the Sydney Opera House: Julius Ceaser

Saturday, 28th March at 1:00pm AEDT.

Bell Shakespeare, Julius Ceaser – Betrayal and chaos rock the republic as Rome teeters on the brink of collapse. Don’t miss Peter Evans’ thrilling new production of Shakespeare’s political masterpiece.

Make a booking.

Or you can call the Box Office on 1300 764 849 or email bookings@sydneyoperahouse.com

Queensland

Learn Tactile Jiu Jitsu

Tactile Jiu Jitsu is a new Brisbane based service offering private Brazilian jiu jitsu sessions for blind or vision impaired individuals. Jiu jitsu is a grappling martial art closely related to judo – no striking, done entirely by feel.

Founded by Ben Dewar, a brown belt and legally blind for 20 years. Sessions are tailored to all experience levels. Trial sessions are available for $75 (60 min). Contact tactilejiujitsu@icloud.com or visit @tactile.jiujitsu on Instagram.

For more information, you can contact Ben on 0488289806.

South Australia

Free Workshop on A.I. as an Access Tool – Access2Arts

Join us for the Access2Arts AI as an Access Tool Workshop!

A free workshop designed exclusively for artists with a disability. Learn practical ways to use AI as an effective and ethical access tool. This hands-on session will cover simple ideas, useful tools, and best practice tips to support artists.

When: Tuesday, 24 March, 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Where: Inparrila Boardroom, 161 Frome Street, Adelaide

Please arrive 5 minutes early.

To register visit the Access2Arts website.

Support our work

By donating to BCA, you contribute to important programs and services that empower our community. Every dollar goes a long way in helping us achieve our purpose and enhancing the lives of those we serve.

Donate to BCA

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 will be considered for publishing in the Wednesday update.

Blind Citizens Australia

Email: bca@bca.org.au

Website: www.bca.org.au

ABN: 90 006 985 226

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