Queensland Vision Initiative Inc

“Working together for better vision”

QVI Inc Message

The QVI Management Committee would like to thank everyone for their continued support of the organisation.

QVI Inc Activities

In March 2010, QVI held a Special General Meeting. At the meeting President Kady Brandon and Treasurer Scott Green presented reports, which highlighted the critical financial position of the association. A number of member organisations have now agreed to support QVI in the short-term, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) has pledged $10,000, Guide Dogs Queensland, $5,000 and the Optometrists Association Australia (QLD&NT) $20,000. There was a common determination by sponsors that the QVI had done too much, and come too far, to let the initiative slip away.

Regional Referral Pathway Project

Working Group: Kady Brandon, Greg Johnson, Bashir Ebrahim, Karen Knight, Patricia Stillman, Graeme Ferguson, Beverley Roberts, Russell Cooper, Geoffrey Fitzpatrick, Annette Alchin, Simon Kelly, Brett Whitehill, George Fotinos and Dr Gilda Kert

In April the final report for the Regional Referral Pathway Project was submitted to the Department of Health and Ageing. This report highlighted current referral pathways across the State and identified issues with current eye health services including low vision service provision and peer support and rehabilitation agency activities. Due to completion of the final report for the Department of Health and Ageing, further funding for the Initiative is required – and support is being sought to address issues highlighted in projects already completed, and to promote eye health across QLD.

In total, 276 participants enrolled in the study. Most of these eye and allied health professionals provide services in regional areas of the state (71%); though practitioners in rural (44%) and remote (10%) areas were also represented. Overall these studies indicate that health professionals would like more information on low vision services, community and rehabilitation agencies and peer support groups. In addition, it was found there are greater problems for patients in regional, rural and remote areas compared to metropolitan Brisbane in terms of gaps in service provision and access to services.

A summary of the report findings has been emailed to participants.

QVI Inc Member and Friend Activities

BLIND CITIZENS AUSTRALIA

Queensland State Convention
The 2010 BCA Queensland State Convention is being held on Magnetic Island on the weekend of 16-17 October at the All Seasons Resort.

White Cane Safety Awareness Day
A White Cane Safety Awareness Day will also be held on Friday 15 October at Townsville RSL from 12 noon. A Bundaberg Venue will be announced soon.

CANCER COUNCIL QUEENSLAND

World No Tobacco Day will occur on May 31  An annual initiative of the World Health Organization, World No Tobacco Day aims to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes.

The theme for World No Tobacco Day in 2010 is Gender and Tobacco, with an emphasis on marketing to women.  In Queensland, approximately one in 10 female deaths are smoking related and lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer related death.

To mark World No Tobacco Day, Cancer Council Queensland will urge the government to implement plain cigarette packaging legislation.  Many cigarette packets in Australia are fashionably styled to appeal to young, female smokers, with some cigarette packets specially designed to look like an accessory.  By adopting plain tobacco packaging, the potential for tobacco companies to target women through this type of marketing will decrease. 

Cancer Council Queensland urges all health professionals to get behind World No Tobacco Day by distributing resources to clients or creating awareness displays.  To order resources, visit http://www.cancerqld.org.au/f/OrderBrochures/Medical/ or contact the Cancer Helpline on 13 11 20.  You might also like to talk to clients about their smoking and encourage those wishing to quit to call the Quitline on 13 QUIT (13 7848).

GLAUCOMA AUSTRALIA

Glaucoma Seminar at Southport
Glaucoma Australia kindly invites those with, or who are interested in, glaucoma to their next Queensland Glaucoma Seminar with guest speakers, ophthalmologists Dr Roger Welch and Dr Cathryn Edrich. The seminar will take place:
Date:        Saturday 8 May
Time:        10.30 – 12 noon
Venue:      The Vision Centre
                  91-95 Nerang Street Southport
Cost:         Gold coin entry payable at the door
To book please telephone the Association 1800 500 880 or email mcleod@glaucoma.org.au

National Glaucoma week 15 – 21 August 2010.

National Glaucoma Week seeks to raise awareness of the ‘silent’ eye condition – glaucoma.  It is a major cause of sight loss in Australia. About 3 percent of Australians over age 40 have glaucoma (approx. 300,000) but, because there are generally no warning signs, only about half of them have been diagnosed.  The week will encourage all Australians, once they reach the age of 40, to undertake a comprehensive eye check every two years and not to take their sight for granted.
To order brochures and posters for this upcoming awareness campaign or to seek further information, please contact Glaucoma Australia on 1800 500 880, visit www.glaucoma.org.au or email glaucoma@glaucoma.org.au

GUIDE DOGS QUEENSLAND

International Guide Dog Day (IGDD) -  Wednesday 28 April
Held on the last Wednesday of April, IGDD celebrates the safe and independent travel achieved by people who are blind or vision impaired through the eyes of a Guide Dog.

Brindabella LeadingGOLD TM
Rose Launch – Monday 3 May
Guide Dogs Queensland will launch a rose bush developed by Brindabella Roses of Toowoomba. Sales of the rose will support Guide Dogs in Training. 

Guide Dogs Queensland 50th Anniversary - Monday 26 May 2010
The Governor of Queensland Ms Penelope Wensley AO will host a function to commemorate the inaugural meeting in Brisbane of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association of Queensland on 26 May 1960.

Guide Dogs Queensland Open Day  - Sunday 4 July 10am to 3pm
GDQ opens its gates to the public for a day of learning, activities and demonstrations. Entry by Gold Coin donation, or $5 to park on-site.

For further information on all events please visit guidedogsqld.com.au or call 1800 810 122.

MACULAR DEGENERATION FOUNDATION

Macular Degeneration Seminar
The Macular Degeneration Foundation is holding a macular degeneration seminar on Saturday 8 May in Brisbane, with guest speaker ophthalmologist Dr David Hilford. The event will run from 10.00am – 12 noon at the Hamilton Town Hall, Cnr Racecourse Road & Rossiter Parade, Hamilton. For further information and to reserve your place, please call 1800 111 709.

OPTOMETRISTS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA (QLD & NT)

QUT Graduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics Course
QUT Head of School, A/Professor Peter Hendicott, has advised that applications are now open for QUT's next post-graduate, ocular therapeutics course.
 
As with previous QUT courses this course is likely to fill quite quickly so it would be wise for optometrists to get their applications in early. Applications close 18 June 2010. Application is at www.studentservices.qut.edu.au/pdfs/forms/pg_forms/pg_frm.pdf
 
OAA Employment Expo Soon
Employers interested in talking to QUT School of Optometry students about future vacancies are urged to consider taking a complimentary table at the Tuesday, 18 May “OAA Employment Expo” at the Marriott Brisbane. Alternatively if you can’t make the Expo you are invited to list vacancies which will be incorporated into a document and distributed to students. For either of these matters please email marika@optomsqld.com
 
Employers generally are very welcome to attend. There is no charge for the evening which features a CPD seminar, dinner, refreshments and large trade show. Register at www.optometrists.asn.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=R1R6R%2f6wvJk%3d&tabid=694&mid=2177&language=en-US
 
Optometry House Parking
Members attending QVI meetings at Optometry House are reminded that there is ample car parking at the rear of the building marked “Optometry House Parking”.

ORTHOPTICS AUSTRALIA

New name for OA
Associate Professor Zoran Georgievski President of Orthoptics Australia would like announce a recent name change for the former Orthoptic Association of Australia. The new acronym for the organisation will be OA, and new contact details are: office@orthoptics.org.au.
The Web URL remains www.orthoptics.org.au

PHARMACY GUILD

Pharmacy Women’s Congress
Each year The Pharmacy Guild of Australia hosts the Pharmacy Women’s Congress, a national event which brings together female pharmacists from around Australia to discuss the future of pharmacy. This year the Congress is being held from 20-22 August in Hobart.

The major aim of the Pharmacy Women’s Congress is to inspire women pharmacists to take a more proactive approach to owning or managing their own pharmacy, and to encourage them to take positions on committees which affect the pharmacy industry. This year’s theme – “Reaching new heights: aspiring, achieving, elevating your career in pharmacy” – reflects this aim and sets the scene for an inspiring and motivating educational program, as well as a stimulating social program which will allow plenty of time for networking with delegates.

The congress will feature two and half days of conference sessions, an industry trade exhibition, Welcome Reception, Congress Dinner, optional dine-arounds and optional tours. For further details visit www.pharmacywomenscongress.com.au

QUEENSLAND NARRATING SERVICE

VIP Bookclub
The next VIP Book Club will be held on Tuesday 29 June 2010 from 10am - 12pm. The speaker is Hugh Lunn whose latest book is The Great Fletch. For more information please contact Alison on 07 3895 8555 or email qns@qns.net.au

SPORTING WHEELIES

Goalball
Goalball is a unique team sport for the vision-impaired, played by two teams of three players. All players are blind-folded to enable blind, vision-impaired and sighted athletes to compete together.
If you are interested in playing, or just interested in seeing and having a go at something new, come down and show your support. Some of the best Goalballers in Australia participate in the competition, and they are more than willing to show you how it is done.
Time: 9.00 am – 12 noon
Date: Every Saturday in 2010
Venue: Level 5 Lang Park PCYC, Castlemaine Street, Milton

Watersports
The “Come and Try Watersports Day” provides members with the opportunity to try a range of different watersports all in one day including: waterskiing, tube rides, outrigger canoeing, kayaking, sailing, canoeing and jet skiing. The day also provides on shore activities and a BBQ. A great day out for all the family!
Time: 9.00am – 1.00pm
Date: Saturday 15 May 2010
Venue: South Brisbane Sailing Club, Orleigh Park, Hill End Terrace, West End
Cost: $20 per person
RSVP: Required

4-WD Camping Escape
Enjoy a long weekend camping and 4 wheel driving. Excellent for a weekend with friends or family, there will be plenty of volunteers on hand to make your camping trip as enjoyable as possible. What could be better to bring you all together than camping out, a full day of exploring the countryside behind you and stars over your head?

Time: 8.00 am start
Date: Friday 21-Sunday 23 May 2010
Venue: Brooklyn 4 wheel driving Park
Cost: $260 per person
RSVP: required.

For further information about all of these activities please contact Nathan Damm (Sport and Recreation Officer)
mailbox@sportingwheelies.org.au on 07 3253 3333.

VISION AUSTRALIA

Seeing Eye Dogs Australia: Meet and Greet Day 2010
Why not come along and help SEDA celebrate 50 years of providing independence to people who are blind or have low vision.
• Meet the class of 2010
• See Seeing Eye Dogs in action
• Relax and enjoy a BBQ lunch and live music
• Enter our competition to name a Seeing Eye Dog puppy
• Learn how you can sponsor a Seeing Eye Dog

Meet and Greet Day 2010 will be held:
Date: Saturday 29 May
Time: 11am – 2.00pm
Venue: Coorparoo State School Oval. Enter off Halstead Street
Cost: Gold coin entry to help us train more Seeing Eye Dogs.

For more information visit: www.seda.org.au or call 1300 84 74 66.

Farewell event to be held at Vision Australia’s Woolloongabba site.
In July of 2010, Vision Australia Queensland is moving to a purpose built state of the art facility at Coorparoo.

Before heading over to the new site there will be a farewell event at our existing premises.

Vision Australia’s Woolloongabba centre has a rich history and it holds a special place in the hearts of many members of the Queensland community.

To enable a fitting farewell we are calling on your assistance to help piece together the history of this Kent Street facility.

If you can provide any stories or information or if you’d like to register your interest in attending please email peter.evans@visionaustralia.org

The date and time of this event is yet to be finalised.

Bundaberg VIPs

Bundaberg VIPs Ron, Monica and Allan have been testing out the Omni Bar Code Reader to identify various grocery items. This ID Mate has also been used for storing phone lists and other information, including items of clothing, frozen goods and pantry items.  It is also being used to identify prescription medication at the local Chemist. 

 
Ron and Monica Doyle with the Omni Bar Code Reader

CONTACT INFORMATION
As always, if you have any questions regarding the work of QVI, please do not hesitate to contact Jane Fleming on 07 3391 9134 or jane.fleming@visionaustralia.org