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Handmade origami ornaments spread Christmas cheer and spirit of community

An extraordinary collaboration between Guide Dogs Victoria (GDV) and Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria (BSRV) brought the magic of Christmas to life this December in a unique and charming way. The two organisations came together over the course of the year to create a stunning origami Christmas tree, adorned with intricate handmade paper ornaments crafted by individuals living with blindness or low vision, as well as their families, friends, and volunteers from both organisations. The decorations were unveiled during a beautiful event titled The Spirit of Christmas in Art and Song on Thursday 5 December, where the community came together to enjoy a festive choir performance and celebrate the creative spirit of all involved.

The origins of the origami initiative

The idea behind the origami Christmas decorations goes back several years and is rooted in a deeply personal story. Rob, a key figure in the origami tree project and longstanding GDV Client, began to lose his sight while working overseas. As he navigated the challenges of his changing vision, he found solace in a gift that would later shape this initiative: a collection of origami cranes made by colleagues from across Asia.

When Rob’s colleagues heard about his vision loss, they came together during their lunch breaks, intricately folding hundreds of paper cranes to show their support. In Japanese, Chinese, and Korean cultures, cranes are symbols of longevity, good fortune, and healing, with the tradition of folding paper cranes particularly significant in Japan. Each fold in the cranes gifted to Rob represented the well-wishes and fond memories of those who had worked alongside him, sharing their favourite memories and stories of him as they worked. The cranes became a symbol of resilience, care, and community for Rob, giving him the emotional strength he needed during the early years of his vision loss.

Inspired by the kindness and thoughtfulness behind those cranes, Rob decided to share this gesture of goodwill with others who might need it more than he did. Over time, he distributed more than 500 origami cranes to people facing their own challenges, such as those undergoing cancer treatments or recovering from surgeries. The act of giving became a powerful way to connect with others, providing both a tangible and emotional reminder of support.

Making origami accessible for all

While origami has often been viewed as a delicate, intricate craft, the team behind this project made a concerted effort to ensure that it was accessible to people with varying degrees of vision loss. With the help of experts from Melbourne Origami Group, the origami units were adapted to suit the needs of blind and low vision participants. The traditional folding techniques were modified, ensuring that each fold was easy to follow through detailed audio instructions, video tutorials, and tactile aids.

For individuals who are fully blind, the videos were accompanied by verbal step-by-step guidance, allowing participants to rely on their sense of touch and hearing. Meanwhile, participants with low vision had the added benefit of visual cues to assist in the learning process. Dedicated volunteers played an integral role in facilitating these workshops, providing hands-on support and fostering an inclusive, welcoming environment for everyone involved.

The community embraced the project with enthusiasm, as participants learned not only the art of folding paper but also the joy of creating something beautiful together. As participants honed their origami skills, the sessions offered a space for social connection, laughter, and shared experiences – a reminder that craft and creativity can be powerful tools for connection and community building.

The unveiling: A tree full of meaning

On Thursday 5 December 2024, the community gathered at GDV’s Kew Campus for an unforgettable event unveiling of the origami Christmas tree. The tree, decorated with hundreds of beautiful ornaments made throughout the year, symbolised the collective efforts of GDV clients, staff, volunteers, and BSRV members. The intricate paper creations, each filled with love and positive energy, transformed the tree into a vibrant symbol of hope, support, and the strength of the low vision and blind community.

Image description: GDV team member, Susannah, stands at a lectern reading a poem on behalf of Rob about his love and gratitude for his Guide Dog, Hamish. Susannah stands in front of a large Christmas tree decorated in origami ornaments made by people with low vision or blindness and the community that serves them.

The event was made even more special by a heartwarming performance from a choir of blind and low vision children, led by a music teacher with low vision and accompanied by a braille music transcriber. The choir sang Christmas carols from Australia and around the world, filling the air with joy and festive cheer and creating a truly magical atmosphere.

Beyond the decorations and performances, the event was a celebration of community, bringing together individuals from different organisations to share in the spirit of Christmas. Participants had the opportunity to enjoy a delicious morning tea, connect with others, and experience firsthand the positive impact of the origami workshops.

Giving and collaboration

The collaboration between GDV and BSRV is a testament to the power of working together to create something meaningful. This project is not just about the art of paper folding – it’s about community, resilience, and the power of giving.

Each of the finished decorations will help decorate trees in various locations while spreading joy and awareness – being shared with other organisations, such as the Eye and Ear Hospital, where GDV and BSRV had previously gifted a Christmas tree.

More than just craft

This project also serves as a reminder that crafting is more than just a creative outlet – it can be a means of therapy, social connection, and empowerment. Through the origami workshops, participants not only developed their physical coordination and mental focus, but they also formed lasting connections within the low vision and blind community. It’s a holistic approach that emphasises emotional wellbeing, mental health, and the importance of supporting one another through shared experiences.

The Spirit of Christmas in Art and Song – an event jam-packed with love, creativity, and community – is proof of the power that art holds and its ability to bring us all closer together, no matter the challenges we face. Whether you were involved in the project or simply witnessed the magic unfold, the story behind these decorations is sure to warm anyone’s heart.