The Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing, the Hon Martin Foley, has joined Vision Australia CEO, Ron Hooton and General Manager of Seeing Eye Dogs, Leigh Garwood, in a tour of the SEDA Training and Breeding Centre during the Open Day held in Kensington on Saturday, 14 March.
“We’re very grateful the Minister was able to set aside an hour of his time to join us at this event, which showcases the growing capacity of our flagship Breeding and Training Facility”, said CEO, Ron Hooton.
“As the Minister for Disability and Ageing, as well as for Mental Health, the Minister truly appreciates the services made possible through this facility, which is greatly supported through the generosity of the Victorian people”, he remarked.
The Minister happily strolled amongst the crowds, taking in obstacle course demonstrations and discussing the projected growth in service provision, for over an hour.
“Minister Foley oversees the largest government block grant to Vision Australia, which currently supports an array of services throughout Victoria, where our biggest number of clients reside” commented Leigh Garwood.
“It takes between 18 and 24 months to train a Seeing Eye Dog and costs approximately $50,000. The latest improvements to this facility is the beginning of our journey towards satisfying unmet demand for these specialist working dogs, however, there is still more to be done.
“We have great plans to develop the indoor mobility and safety training facilities to increase the success rate of dogs entering the program, he stated.
The gleaming new breeding facilities, the rehabilitation pool, obstacle course demonstrations and puppies at play in the Puppy Centre, were all crowd favourites. The Minister was also treated to a cuddle with of 5-week old puppy called ‘Unique’, who was impossible to resist.
It’s estimated that well over 2,000 people joined the Minister in attending the event on the sunny Melbourne day. Jenna Rosenow, SEDA Ambassador and Neighbours cast member, was also in attendance.
Throughout the day, demonstrations featured Eadie the Trick Dog, obedience and training performances, obstacle course navigation, health check and grooming presentations. Other key activities included: photos with Sam the Super Seeing Eye Dog mascot; face painting, a colouring-in competition and pin the tail on the puppy for the kids; a raffle, coin roll competitions, and dogs frolicking in the free run area.
“The event was a terrific first engagement with the new Minister. Vision Australia will continue to work closely with his office to ensure that the Victorian Government appropriately supports people who are blind or have low vision”, observed Mr Hooton.
The Open Day was also a successful fundraising event with a figure of just over $17,000 reached; which is almost double the amount raised in the previous year.
“Hearty congratulations go out to all the staff and volunteers involved with another sterling SEDA Open Day!”, he concluded.
“We’re very grateful the Minister was able to set aside an hour of his time to join us at this event, which showcases the growing capacity of our flagship Breeding and Training Facility”, said CEO, Ron Hooton.“As the Minister for Disability and Ageing, as well as for Mental Health, the Minister truly appreciates the services made possible through this facility, which is greatly supported through the generosity of the Victorian people”, he remarked.
The Minister happily strolled amongst the crowds, taking in obstacle course demonstrations and discussing the projected growth in service provision, for over an hour.
“Minister Foley oversees the largest government block grant to Vision Australia, which currently supports an array of services throughout Victoria, where our biggest number of clients reside” commented Leigh Garwood.
“It takes between 18 and 24 months to train a Seeing Eye Dog and costs approximately $50,000. The latest improvements to this facility is the beginning of our journey towards satisfying unmet demand for these specialist working dogs, however, there is still more to be done.
“We have great plans to develop the indoor mobility and safety training facilities to increase the success rate of dogs entering the program, he stated. The gleaming new breeding facilities, the rehabilitation pool, obstacle course demonstrations and puppies at play in the Puppy Centre, were all crowd favourites. The Minister was also treated to a cuddle with of 5-week old puppy called ‘Unique’, who was impossible to resist.
It’s estimated that well over 2,000 people joined the Minister in attending the event on the sunny Melbourne day. Jenna Rosenow, SEDA Ambassador and Neighbours cast member, was also in attendance.
Throughout the day, demonstrations featured Eadie the Trick Dog, obedience and training performances, obstacle course navigation, health check and grooming presentations. Other key activities included: photos with Sam the Super Seeing Eye Dog mascot; face painting, a colouring-in competition and pin the tail on the puppy for the kids; a raffle, coin roll competitions, and dogs frolicking in the free run area.
“The event was a terrific first engagement with the new Minister. Vision Australia will continue to work closely with his office to ensure that the Victorian Government appropriately supports people who are blind or have low vision”, observed Mr Hooton. The Open Day was also a successful fundraising event with a figure of just over $17,000 reached; which is almost double the amount raised in the previous year.
“Hearty congratulations go out to all the staff and volunteers involved with another sterling SEDA Open Day!”, he concluded.