Ready to continue?

Seems like you have filled this form earlier. Let’s pick up where you left off.

I need help
Logo - Guide Dogs
Together, our lived and learned experiences give us the confidence required to see what’s ahead.

Annual report FY21

Scroll to read more
A woman crouches next to a black Labrador.
A sixteen week old yellow labrador puppy sitting outside on a footpath. The puppy is looking at the camera with its head tilted to the right.

Our vision and mission

To be the first choice provider of services for people with blindness or low vision that enables a lifetime of independence.

Our purpose

We see beyond sight loss. We find ways to support independence. We look for solutions to make big differences. We create connected communities.

Key messages.

A message from our CEO

A message from our Chair

A man smiling at the camera wearing a suit.

A message from our Patron

Headshot of Governor of VIC.

Our Clients.

21,727

hours of Client Services delivered including 6,933 hours for regional Clients.

3,188

Client programs delivered.

10,429

lives positively impacted through our services, including Clients and their support networks.

Services breakdown by type.

  • Orientation and Mobility Training (adults and children) — 31%
  • Guide Dog Mobility Training — 28%
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Support Coordination — 13%
  • Occupational Therapy — 11%
  • Assistive Technology — 8%
  • Orthoptists — 8%
  • Early Childhood Services — 1%

Guide Dogs helped me in my darkest hour. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Guide Dogs.

Kadek Guide Dogs Client, VIC
Quote by Kadek

Other programs.

13

Access Consulting.

15

Young Adult Programs.

Our dogs.

6,343

hours of dog training sessions.

140

puppies born at Cute HQ.

101

working Therapy / Assistance Dogs in the community.

243

working Guide Dogs in the community.

We matched 67 dogs with their new Handlers including:

2

Ambassador Dogs.

11

Breeding Stock Dogs.

35

Guide Dogs.

19

Therapy Dogs.

Our people.

John Gosling AM

In 2021, John Gosling AM, was honoured with a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to people who are blind or have low vision in the same week he celebrated 50 years of working with Guide Dogs Victoria.

140

employees, including 25 new starters.

87%

average staff and volunteer engagement.

536

volunteers, including 167 Puppy Raisers.

1.3m+

volunteer hours.

2 yrs

Lost Time Injury free.

Di Hatchley

In April 2021, Di Hatchley made the very sad decision to announce her retirement from Guide Dogs Victoria, after a very long history and association with Guide Dogs.

Our supporters.

$11.1m

raised from 73,897 donations.

189

new Otus Fellowship members.

66

Major Supporters donating more than $5,000.

12

Puppy Sponsors.

Yellow Labrador Puppy

Woolworths Box Hill: $3,415.65

Coles Roxburgh Park: $3,250.10

Coles Dandenong (Princes Highway): $2,819.20

Bendigo Railway Station: $2,771.65

Coles Keysborough: $2,711.85

Coles Epping: $2,674.40

Coles Coburg North: $2,350.15

Coles Taylors Hill: $2,216.20

Coles Richmond (Victoria Gardens): $2,185.35

Coles Prahran: $2,178.05

Special mention – Fortunes Bistro Bendigo: $2,073.80

$2,771

from the Bendigo Railway Station Donation Dog.

1987

was when Twanny’s journey with Guide Dogs began.

We are so fortunate to have the support of a passionate group of National Corporate Partners who assist us through donations, products and services in kind, volunteering, and workplace giving.

We are proud to partner with the following organisations:

  • advance logo
  • boehringer ingelheim logo
  • Coles logo.
  • Greenstone logo.
  • Petstock logo
  • Idexx Laboratories logo.
  • KONG logo
  • Paw by blackmores logo
  • Woolworths logo
  • Dimple logo.
  • AMP Foundation
  • BHP
  • Lion
  • PETstock Assist
  • The Deloitte Foundation
  • Viva Energy Australia
  • Westpac Group

We thank all of our partners.

We thank all of our National Corporate Partners for their ongoing commitment to our important work and their passion for supporting Australians living with low vision or blindness to reach their full potential.

Our reach.

Social media:

47.6m

social media impressions across all Guide Dogs Australia social channels.

A yellow eight week old puppy outside with its front paws perched on a ledge. The puppy is looking straight at the camera.
639.8%

social media increase year-on-year.

Guide Dogs Victoria website:

191,828

sessions.

Two people looking at a laptop screen. One is holding a phone to the laptop screen and the other is watching on.
22.86

percent increase year-on-year.

Media reach:

234m+

Events:

14

virtual event.

17

in-person events.

A yellow labrador Therapy Dog seated outside wearing a Therapy Dog jacket. The dog is looking at the camera.
1,500+

Clients, staff, volunteers and supporters.

A brand new chapter for Guide Dogs

At the start of 2021, we were very excited to introduce our new Guide Dogs brand. Building on our beloved history, our new brand better reflects how we support people living with low vision or blindness today.

At Guide Dogs, we know the power of putting one foot in front of the other to face the world with courage. Our new brand is our way of carrying on with confidence. Our new brand builds on our beloved history, while telling a new story to better reflect how we’ll move forward together.

As one of Australia’s most trusted charities, our organisation draws on more than 60 years’ experience supporting people with low vision or blindness. A lot has changed in those 60 years. Today, we offer so many life-changing supports to all kinds of people in the community. We’ve added so many exciting chapters to our story.

To reflect these changes, we’ve created a new, more accessible Guide Dogs brand that will improve the way we sound and feel through images, colours, the way we talk, and more.

In the past, our brand has also not been as accessible as it should be for our Clients, and many of our supporters, employees and volunteers. In fact, people have told us of their challenges while reading and interacting with our brand in different situations.

Plus, our previous brand didn’t present the Guide Dogs family – which is a collection of state-based organisations – as one unified team offering the same services and supports to people no matter where our Clients live or their financial situation.

By exploring new ways for our brand to sound, look and feel, we can tell a story that better represents Guide Dogs, and ultimately provide better supports for people with low vision or blindness and their support networks.

Our brand launch gained great exposure in the press early on, including in:

In late 2021, the new Guide Dogs websites won gold in the annual global W3 Awards, were shortlisted in the Australian Access Awards*, and Guide Dogs – along with brand transformation partners FutureBrand – was shortlisted in three categories as part of the Transform Awards ANZ* for:

  • Best Creative Strategy
  • Best brand development project to reflect changed mission, values or positioning
  • Best visual identity by a charity, NGO or NFP

*As at the time of publication, winners had not been announced.

Major campaigns

People with low vision or blindness experience access challenges daily.

Video description: Michelle and Broden, a woman and a man, walk into an almost empty cafe but are refused a seat inside and are made to sit in the carpark by the bins. Later, Michelle and Broden are rejected a ride by a driver who refuses Broden access to his car. A new ride arrives and a Handler and her black Guide Dog enter the car. They are the real Michelle and Broden. The car drives off into the distance.

The Future is in Sight

3D render of the new Guide Dogs Victoria campus.

Our Progress

Construction Package and Project Stage Timeframe Percentage of Stage Complete
Package 1:

May ConstructionStages 1a, 1b and 1c:Sunken Carpark and Workshop
March 2020-May 2020 (Completed January 2021) 100%
Package 2:

2ConstructStage 2:Veterinary Clinic and Café
March 2021-February 2022 78%
Demolition:

2ConstructDemolition of Arnold Cook House, rear of Administration Building and Telemarketing Building.
October 2021-October 2021
Package 3:

2Construct

Stage 3:
Administration and Education Centre

Stage 3a:
Corporate Building

Stage 4:
Residential Client Services, Main Entrance, Lobby, Experiential Centre and Early Puppy Development Unit, Dog Training Plaza
November 2021-May 2022

May 2022-September 2022

November 2021-December 2022

Package 4:

Civil contractor

Stage 5:
Completion and construction of all access roads and perimeter carparks
October 2022-February 2023
Package 4:

Landscape contractor

Stage 5:
Landscape all landscaping elements including sensory gardens and
integration of old and new footpaths

October 2022-February 2023

 

For more detailed information, please download the PDF file.

 

Thank you for your generosity. With your support, we will transform the lives of thousands of people living with low vision or blindness and their support networks for decades to come.

  • Alphington Developments Pty Ltd
  • Annie and John Paterson Foundation
  • Aron Ping D’Souza
  • Arthur Fullwood
  • Barbara Bedford
  • BB and A Miller Foundation
  • Bell Charitable Fund
  • Betty Amsden AO DSJ
  • Betty Amsden Foundation
  • Bowness Family Foundation
  • Charles and Cornelia Goode Foundation
  • Charles Thompson
  • Dr John Leaper OAM and Jenny Leaper OAM
  • Eleanor Baillieu
  • Estate of Albert Webster
  • Estate of Jean Stewart
  • Estate of Jillian Broderick
  • Estate of Margaret Olivia Troy
  • Estate of Mavis Irene McArthur
  • Estate of Yolande Elizabeth Reid
  • Federal Government Community Development Grant
  • Federal Government of Australia
  • Gandel Philanthropy
  • Geoff and Alex Kent
  • Hanna and Bob Van Der Toorren
  • Helen and Warwick Rule
  • Iain Edwards
  • Ian Potter Foundation
  • Irena Cheesman
  • Jean Hadges
  • Jeanette Brookes
  • Jennifer Gray
  • John McLeod
  • John T Reid Charitable Trusts
  • Karen Hayes AM DSJ and Graeme Hayes
  • Kel and Rosie Day Foundation
  • L87 Foundation
  • Lady Marigold Southey AC
  • Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation
  • Luca Scribani Rossi
  • Margaret Ross
  • Myer Foundation – Sidney Myer Fund
  • Naomi Ryan
  • Norm and Carol Hastings
  • Pamela Ann Gange
  • Patterson Cheney Group
  • Paula and Joseph Pezzi
  • Pierce Armstrong Foundation
  • Rachel Knight
  • Rose Downer AM and John Downer AM
  • Rotary Club of Kew on Yarra
  • Roy Edwards
  • Russell and Womersley Foundation
  • Russell Walker
  • Sally Lindsay
  • State Government of Victoria
  • Susan and Graeme Houghton
  • Suzanne Pyke
  • Vince and Gabrielle Giuliano
  • Wheelton Foundation

Creating connected communities

Key financials.

Revenue.

Income $’000
Fundraising and Gifts in Wills 11,069
NDIS 2,785
Other income 2,126
Merchandise sales 62
Government grants 1,140
Provision of dogs and Orientation and Mobility Services 499
Finance and investment revenue 493
Total Revenue 18,174

*excluding income towards the redevelopment of our Kew Campus

Percentage of Income (excluding capital*)

  • Fundraising and gifts in Wills  — 61%
  • NDIS — 15%
  • Other Income — 12%
  • Merchandise Sales — 0%
  • Government Grants — 6%
  • Provision of dogs and Orientation and Mobility Services — 3%
  • Finance and Investment Revenue — 3%

Expenses.

Expenditure $’000
Cost of provision of dogs and Orientation and Mobility Services 11,874
Fundraising and gifts in Wills 3,036
Merchandise sales 9
Community information and public education 857
Corporate services 722
Other expenses 404
Total Expenditure 16,902

Percentage of Expenditure

  • Cost of Provision of Dogs and Orientation and Mobility Services — 70%
  • Fundraising and gifts in Wills  — 18%
  • Merchandise Sales — 0%
  • Community Information and Public Education — 5%
  • Corporate Services — 4%
  • Other Expenses — 3%

Gifts in Wills and Major Supporters

Australian Gas Infrastructure Group

AIS Insurance

Bowness Family Foundation

Centorrino Technologies

Debbie Swan

Gerald Pain

John Downer AM

Leneeva Homes

Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund – Eldon and Anne Foote

Nelson Alexander Real Estate Foundation

Ritchies Supermarkets

Wendy Sammells

Three six week old labrador puppies, two yellow and one black, all seated in a row on the ground asleep. They are squashed together.

In memoriam

Donate a ball to our Puppy Ball Pit!

Join the fun and support our cause by donating a ball today.