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Past Information Days
Catch up on past events
This event is an opportunity for people in the vision impairment community to connect with each other, share experiences and get up-to-date information.
Resources and content from past events
The 11th Annual Community Information Day featured an engaging programme led by Master of Ceremonies, Mike McGuire.
Participants were serenaded by opera singer Michael Vaiasinni, who also shared his experience living with retinitis pigmentosa. Associate Professor Paul Harpur then discussed disability rights, followed by research updates from Professors John Grigg and Robyn Jamieson, Associate Professor Anai Gonzalez-Cordero, and Dr Elisa Cornish
Youth voices also shone, with Tyler Jarman sharing how he manages vision in the new normal and the Goyal sisters discussing their community youth mentorship initiative plans. Participants also heard from Jason Stubbs (Blind Sports NSW), Dr Dagmar Reinhardt (University of Sydney), Carolyn Bates (Guide Dogs NSW) and Natalie Kaine (Vision Australia).
The event concluded with afternoon tea and breakout sessions, including a touch workshop featuring 3D-printed specimens from the Natural History Museum and an interative session with psychologist Ada McCluskey.
As always, the event was an invaluable opportunity for people in the vision impairment community to connect, learn about the latest research and share their experiences with one another.
2022 saw the return of an in person event for our 10th Annual Community Information Day. Our Master of Ceremonies, Mike McGuire, conducted a wonderful event where we heard from our Keynote speaker Nas Campanella and other experts including: Andrew Downie and Gai Cross on Technology, and also Darlene McLennan, Michelle Campbell, and Fred Rodak about the transition from secondary education to a tertiary level.
We also heard from key researchers at the Save Sight Institute including: Professor Jamieson, Professor John Grigg, Associate Professor Matthew Simunovic, and Dr Anai Gonzalez-Cordero. Rosie Bannerman also provided excellent insight into her journey dealing with Stargardt's and participating in the clinical trials available.
With exhibitors from vision related services handing out information at tables during the breaks, this event was an excellent opportunity for people in the vision impairment community to connect with each other, share experiences and get up-to-date information.
2020 ushered in the inaugural Community Information Webinar. Keynote Speakers Darren Fittler, Murray Elbourn and Amy Ridley delivreed inspiring accounts of their experience living with vision impairments. The array of technology experts, SSI researchers, educators and service providers offered key pieces of information for those living with vision impairment and their parents/carers and educators.
In 2019, we were delighted to welcome inspirational individuals such as Emeritus Professor Ron McCallum, Mia Armsworth, Connor McLeod, Brodie Smith, Dr James Smith and Jenna Jones alongside a host of specialists in the field, who demonstrated that vision loss and blindness need not hold you back from greatness.
In 2018, we had the pleasure of hearing from nutritionist Jan McLeod, paralympic athlete Brodie Smith, musician Lara Nakhle and money commentator and financial literacy campaigner Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon.
- View the event programme (PDF, 1.1 MB).
- Explore video content from the day.
- Listen to the event on SoundCloud.
The 2017 event featured a keynote address from Australian dual-Paralympian blind alpine skier Bart Bunting alongside talks from motivational speaker Nathan Hulls and higher education expert Jessica Buhne.
- View the event programme (PDF, 3.1MB).
- Explore video content from the day.
- Listen to the event on SoundCloud.
2016 featured a host dynamic speakers including Former Human Rights Commissioner, Graeme Innes AM, SSI Youth Ambassadors Harrison Kirkwood and Sacha Thomas, artist and performer Rachael Leahcar, Accessibility Advocate Connor McLeod, Paratriathlete Jonathan Goerlach and technology specialist Greg Alchin.
- View the event programme (PDF, 4.8MB).
- Explore video content of the day.
- Listen to the event on SoundCloud.
2015 featured Former Human Rights Commissioner, Graeme Innes AM, Paralympic triathlete Jonathan Goehrlach and disability advocates, Donna Purcell and Matt O'Kane.
- View the event programme (PDF, 58.5KB).
- Explore video content of the day.
- Listen to the event on SoundCloud.
2015 featured Paralympic triathlete Jonathan Goehrlach, disability advocate Sarah Hirst, a technology presentation from Catherine Corrigan and a host of educational experts.
The inaugural Information Day was presented by some of Australia’s most renowned paediatric ophthalmologists, researchers and service providers. Speakers included Professor Peter McCluskey, Associate Professor John Grigg, Associate Professor Robyn Jamieson and Dr Caroline Catt.