Cover Page
Title: 2011/2012 Annual Report, “See the world through my eyes”
Image: RSB client Sheelagh Daniels smiling and hugging her RSB Guide Dog
Logo: RSB Official Logo
Inside Front Cover
Image: RSB client Penny laughing and cuddling with her baby son
Caption: RSB client Penny Sanchez enjoys time at home with her son, Riley
Page 1
++Vision
To be the primary responsive quality service provider to South Australians who are blind or vision impaired.
++Mission
The RSB is the primary source of assistance giving people with a vision impairment the opportunity to improve the quality and independence of their lives.
++Contents
History 2
Corporate Governance
Patrons
2
3
Board of Directors
Management
President’s Report
Executive Director’s Report
4
5
6
8
12 Community Services
Low Vision Services
RSB Guide Dog Service
RSB Industrial Services
16
20
24
Digital Library and Print Alternatives Services
RSB Human Resources and Volunteer Services
Marketing and Fundraising
My Eye Health Program
Special Thanks
Bequests
In Memory
Treasurer’s Report
28
32
34
40
42
44
45
46
Page 2
++History
It began with a blind man’s vision.

It took the vision of a blind man to truly appreciate the needs of people who were blind in South Australia and understand the plight they faced in the late
19th century.
Andrew Whyte Hendry, who was blinded after a childhood accident, had the conviction and determination to start an industrial training school for the blind in 1884, which has steadily grown and flourished into the multi-faceted Royal
Society for the Blind of the 21st Century.
With the help of Sir Charles Goode, a philanthropist, Andrew’s dream was realised on 21 November 1884 when the Institute for the Blind was formed — the genesis of what would become the Royal Society for the Blind of South
Australia (RSB).
Through 128 years of supporting South Australia’s blind and vision impaired community, the RSB has grown from an ambitious employment and training centre, to be the primary provider of services to more than 12,000 people who are blind or vision impaired.
The RSB holds true today to the vision Andrew Whyte Hendry held in 1884:
The Vision to make a Difference.
++Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance is the process by which the RSB is directed and controlled. The aim is to ensure that the management of the RSB is ethical and acts in accordance with its vision and values.
The RSB is regulated by The Royal Institution for the Blind Act (1934) as amended, and its constitution. These define the rules and processes through which the RSB is managed.
The Board of Directors has responsibility for the governance of the RSB. It sets strategic direction, monitors the affairs of and reviews the RSB’s performance against targets and objectives.
To assist in this process, the Board has created the following RSB subcommittees to provide specialist advice:

Client Advisory Committee

Finance and Audit

Nominations and Governance
All Directors are required to acknowledge and subscribe to the following responsibilities:

To act honestly and in good faith

To use due care and diligence


To act in the best interest of the RSB

To ensure that management is competent

Not to engage in conduct likely to discredit or bring the RSB into disrepute
Page 3
++Patrons
His Excellency, Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AO CSC RANR, Governor of
South Australia
14/8/2007 – present
Her Excellency, Mrs. Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, AC, CVO, MBE
3/11/2001 – 31/7/2007
Sir Eric J. Neal, AC, CVO
22/7/1996
– 3/11/2001
The Honorable Dame Roma Mitchell, AC, DBE, CVO
6/2/1991
– 21/7/1996
Lieutenant General Sir Donald B. Dunstan, AC, KBE, CB
23/4/1982
– 5/2/1991
Sir Keith Seaman, KCVO, OBE
1/9/1977
– 28/3/1982
Sir Douglas R. Nicholls, KCVO, OBE
1/12/1976 – 30/4/1977
Sir Mark Oliphant, AC, KBE
1/12/1971 – 30/11/1976
Major General Sir James W. Harrison, KCMG, CB, CBE
4/12/1968 – 16/9/1971
Lieutenant General Sir Edric M. Bastyan, KCMG, KCVO, KBE, CB
4/4/1961 – 1/6/1968
Air Vice Marshall Sir Robert George, KCMG, KCVO, KBE, CB, MC
23/2/1953 – 7/3/1960
Lieutenant General Sir C. Willoughby Norrie, KCMG, CB, DSO, MC
19/12/1944 – 19/6/1952
Sir C. Malcolm Barclay-Harvey, KCMG
28/7/1934
– 23/2/1939
Major General Sir Winston Dugan KCMG, CB, DSO
28/7/1934
– 23/2/1939

Brigadier General The Honorable Sir Alexander G.A. Hore-Ruthven VC,
KCMB, CB, DSO
14/5/1928
– 26/4/1934
Lieutenant Colonel Sir Tom M. Bridges KCB, KCMG, DSO
4/12/1922
– 4/12/1927
Lieutenant Colonel Sir W.E.G. Archibald Weigall KCMG
9/6/1920 – 30/5/1922
Lieutenant Colonel Sir Henry L. Galway, KCMG, DSO
18/4/1914 – 30/4/1920
Admiral Sir Day Hort Bosanquet, GCVO, KCB
18/2/1909 – 22/3/1914
Sir George R. Le Hunte, KCMG
1/7/1903 – 18/2/1909
Right Honorable Hallam, Lord Tennyson, KCMG
10/4/1899 – 17/7/1902
Sir Thomas F. Buxton Bt, GCMG
29/10/1895
– 29/3/1899
Right Honorable The Earl of Kintore PC, GCMG
11/4/1889
– 10/4/1895
Page 4
++Board of Directors
Ray Clark
JP, AICD, MLBS
President
Board Member since August 1996
Image: Corporate photo of Ray Clark
Rob Richards
Vice President
Cert.App.Sc.
Board Member since November 2010
Image: Corporate photo of Rob Richards
Dr Jim Runciman
MB, CHB, FRACS, FRACO
Secretary
Board Member since July 1996
Image: Corporate photo of Jim Runciman

Barry Clarke
MNIA
Treasurer
Board Member since February 1992
Image: Corporate photo of Barry Clarke
David Coppock
Employee Representative
Board Member since November 1989
Image: Corporate photo of David Coppock
Trevor Basso
BA (ACC), FCA
Board Member since June 1994
Image: Corporate photo of Trevor Basso
Margaret Moxon
BA Grad.Dip.Lib.Stud.
Board Member since June 2003
Image: Corporate photo of Margaret Moxon
Roz Sommariva
N.Path
Board Member since November 2010
Image: Corporate photo of Roz Sommariva
Dr Celia Chen
MBBS, PhD, FRANZCO
Board Member since December 2011
Image: Corporate photo of Dr Celia Chen
George Karzis
LLB, BA (Juris), GCLP
Board Member since 2012
Image: Corporate photo of George Karzis
Pieter Haverhoek
MAICD
Board Member since 2012
Image: Corporate photo of Pieter Haverhoek
Andrew Daly
BEC, ACA, FAIM, JP
RSB Executive Director
Board Member since July 1996
Image: Corporate photo of Andrew Daly

Page 5
++Management
Andrew Daly
Executive Director
Image: Corporate photo of Andrew Daly
Dennis Moir
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Manager, Community Services
Image: Corporate photo of Dennis Moir
Mark Burleigh
Manager, Industrial Services
Image: Corporate photo of Mark Burleigh
Loucia Calder
Manager, Low Vision Services
Image: Corporate photo of Loucia Calder
Sue Jeffreys
Manager, Human Resources
Manager, Volunteer Services
Image: Corporate photo of Sue Jeffreys
Chris Muldoon
Manager, RSB Guide Dog Service
Image: Corporate photo of Chris Muldoon
Keith Smith
Manager, Business Services
Image: Corporate photo of Keith Smith
Diana Swanson
Manager, Marketing and Fundraising
Manager, Information Technology
Manager, Print Alternative Services
Image: Corporate photo of Diana Swanson
Page 6
++ President’s Report
Image: Corporate photo of Ray Clark
I am delighted to present the 2011/12 Royal Society for the Blind (RSB)
Annual Report as President of the RSB.

It has been another exceptional year in the development and delivery of our services to more than 12,000 South Australians who are blind or vision impaired.
Encouraging individuals to be proactive in managing their eye health, the My
Eye Health community education program is now in its second year.
A collaborative initiative of four of South Australia’s leading organisations, the
RSB, the Freemasons Foundation, the Royal Australian and New Zealand
College of Ophthalmologists (SA) and the Sight for All Foundation, the
Program is developing in leaps and bounds as it becomes well-known across
South Australia.
During 2011/12, 190 eye health education presentations were held across
South Australia for allied health staff, residents of aged care facilities and independent living units, high school students and general community groups, reaching almost 4,800 people.
Working closely with the Aboriginal Health Council of SA (AHCSA), MEHP
Community
Educators also continue to look at ways to improve eye health for the
Indigenous community. In 2012, this included the opportunity to present to
Indigenous football players from the APY Lands and Maralinga during the Rio
Tinto Cup.
The RSB remains committed to developing future business leaders of South
Australia with the in-business Young Business Leaders Program.
Last year’s Program saw another fantastic, enthusiastic group of young people participate with their mentors and employers, and almost $93,000 was raised, assisting the co ntinued delivery of the RSB’s quality services and exemplifying the RSB’s motto, “The Vision to make a Difference”.
In a South Australian first, the RSB Guide Dog Service welcomed three
German Shepherd pups to its Puppy Education program in 2012
—Kasey, Lily and Lola.
For 15 years, RSB Guide Dog Service Manager, Chris Muldoon, has been researching the German Shepherd breed and speaking to other guide dog schools around the world about the benefits of training these pups as guide dogs.
Kasey, Lily and Lola join more than 40 other Labrador and Golden Retriever pups in Puppy Education, with the aim to better meet client need and demand.
In 2012, the RSB Guide Dog Service also welcomed Guide Dog Mobility
Instructor, Lindy Hennekam, to assist with the increasing workload.

Page 7
As an accredited member of the International Federation of Guide Dogs, the
RSB would like to acknowledge the on-going support of other guide dog schools worldwide, including Guide Dogs UK, Seeing Eye USA, Guide Dogs for the Blind US, Guiding Eyes USA, Guide Dogs for the Blind San Rafael,
Guide Dogs Norge AS (Norway), Kansai Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
Japan and Guide Dogs Queensland.
As we look at the world through the eyes of our clients in this report, thanks go to the RSB management and staff for their continued hard work, energy, commitment and dedication. Every day, RSB management and staff ensure that RSB services are delivered at the highest standard, helping to improve the lives of so many South Australians.
RSB volunteers also deserve our great gratitude for contributing their time to ensure the consistent delivery of essential RSB services. Without their support, the provision of many of the RSB’s services would not be possible.
Their invaluable efforts in all areas of the RSB are the equivalent of almost 80 full-time employees, which in monetary terms would equate to almost $3 million in salaries.
Special thanks must be bestowed upon our benefactors, donors and sponsors. Essential funds were also provided by The South Australian
Department of Health and Ageing, Department of Families, Housing,
Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, as well as Department of
Education, Employment and Workplace Relations —thank you for helping us make a difference.
I would also lik e to thank and acknowledge the RSB’s Patron, His Excellency
Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce, Governor of South Australia, for his on-going support.
Ray Clark
President
Image: RSB Guide Dog pup sitting with the puppy pack which includes bag of
Royal Canin food, bed, bowl, leash, toys and RSB Guide Dog Service puppy coat.
Page 8
++ Executive Director’s Report
Image: Corporate photo of Andrew Daly
In 2011/12, the RSB has remained at the forefront of providing free, vital services, assisting more than 12,000 South Australians who are blind or vision impaired.

Through on-going endeavour and dedication, the RSB remains true to its commitment in providing the best possible services for people who are blind or vision impaired to ensure independence and a better quality of life.
Recently completing our 16th independent Annual Client Survey of a random selection of clients, the following results were achieved:

Satisfaction with services, a rating of 98% (16 year average 94.4%)

Satisfaction with staff and volunteers 98% (16 year average 95%)

Improvement in quality of life 90% (16 year average 83%)
In this report, I would like to invite you to see the world through the eyes of some our clients, volunteers and supporters.
For each service report, you will have the chance to read about the ways in which the RSB has assisted real clients living in South Australia with real services.
For those of us who live with full vision, it can be difficult at times to truly understand the challenges some of our clients face on a day to day basis. It is my hope that this report will assist readers to see the world through the eyes of our clients, and create increased awareness and understanding about the vital services we provide at the RSB.
In the last 12 months alone, we have expanded the Child and Youth Services program, trained and graduated 12 client and RSB Guide Dog teams and introduced three German Shepherd pups to the RSB Guide Dog Service.
We have received more than 1,750 referrals for RSB Community Services, including counselling, independent living training, mobility services, peer support and recreation and leisure services and we have relocated the RSB
Port Augusta office to new, larger accommodation to improve accessibility and enable the inclusion of more Adaptive Technology and Low Vision products.
To assist with the continued growth of the Recreation and Leisure Program, the RSB has continued its partnership with the Blind Welfare Association
(BWA) and welcomed Blind Sports SA on board to further develop recreation and leisure groups and activities for South Australians who are blind or vision impaired.
The relationship with Blind Sports SA saw the employment of an RSB Sports
Development Officer, who in 2011/12 worked with Charles Campbell
Secondary School and Seaview High School to provide the opportunity for 62 students who are blind or vision impaired to participate in various sporting activities.
Page 9

The RSB Adaptive Technology Centre (ATC) received 268 client referrals and provided almost 4,800 information and advisory services and it still remains the largest display of adaptive technology in Australia.
All of these positive happenings at the RSB are unfortunately shadowed by the increasing problem of vision loss within our community; in Australia, approximately 600,000 people have some form of vision loss and another
150,000 are predicted to develop vision loss within the next 10 years.
During 2011/12, concerns have also grown regarding eligibility and access to services for people who are blind or vision impaired under the new National
Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The RSB has always been very active in advocating for the consideration of issues for our clients, and will continue to represent the rights of South
Australians who are blind or vision impaired to independently participate in our communities and enjoy the benefits of Australian Citizenship on an equal basis to all other Australians.
Concerns remain that many Australians who are blind or vision impaired will not fit into any of the current proposed federal funding schemes, and will fall through the cracks unless the needs of this significant segment of the
Australian population (some 150,000 people) are recognised.
While the RSB supports many of the recommendations, it is important that all
Australians who have a disability, including a loss of vision, are provided essential services.
Image: Vet Ian sitting with RSB Guide Dog Yardley
Caption: Dr Ian McMillan provides veterinary services for RSB Guide Dog
Yardley free of charge. Thank you to the Para Vista Veterinary Clinic.
Page 10
Moving forward into 2012/13, the RSB will continue to lobby for changes to protect the rights and independence of people who are blind or vision impaired, including:

Access to early intervention services, before degenerative conditions lead to legal blindness

The removal of age discriminatory conditions, currently forcing people who acquire vision loss over the age of 65 to be referred to the Aged Care system, where many will not receive services based on current eligibility

The removal of a discriminatory co-payment based solely on the age of acquiring vision impairment (no requirement to pay for access to services currently exists and it only serves to penalise people wishing to remain independent)
My role as Chairman of the Australian Blindness Forum (ABF) and my involvement with the State Committee for National Disability Services has assisted RSB to lobby for these changes.

To ensure on-going awareness of current best practices and to form collaborative links with other like-minded progressive organisations, the RSB maintains strong connections to the wider world.
To assist in the facilitation of this, I serve as one of two elected Australian delegates to the World Blind Union (WBU) and am on the Elderly Blind and
Asia Pacific Employment and Empowerment Committees.
Finally, the continued provision of services to more than 12,000 South
Australians who are blind or vision impaired is only possible through the dedication of almost 200 RSB staff, which includes more than 70 people with vision impairment and/or other disabilities employed at the RSB’s Industrial
Services division.
Also crucial is the input of more than 900 volunteers, stretching from the volunteer Board of Management, to people that generously give their time to help deliver essential services to RSB clients, and through to the wider community of generous supporters and donors.
To all of these people, I extend my heartfelt thanks.
I would also like to formally acknowledge the on-going support of many State and Federal Government funding bodies, including:

Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing

Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

South Australian Department for Families and Communities

Commonwealth Department for Employment, Education and Workplace
Relations
As well as our RSB Ambassadors and our Patron His Excellency, Rear
Admiral Kevin Scarce, Governor of South Australia.
With your support, we look forward to continuing our vision to make a difference in 2013 and beyond.
Andrew Daly
Executive Director
Image: RSB Brood Bitch with her six pups all sitting together
Page 11
Image: Close of picture of RSB purple paw print cupcakes all lined up in a row
Caption: RSB paw print cupcakes are sold at special events to raise much needed funds for the RSB Guide Dog Service.
Page 12
++Community Services
Image: Corporate photo of Dennis Moir

RSB Community Services provides vision rehabilitation services to people who are blind or vision impaired living in South Australia. This vital outreach service is delivered into the homes, workplaces and local communities of people living with vision loss to ensure independence and inclusion.
More than 1,750 referrals were received for RSB Community Services in
2011/12, including counselling, independent living training, mobility services, peer support and recreation and leisure services. This includes referrals from regional areas across South Australia, including Noarlunga, Smithfield, Victor
Harbor, Mt Gambier and Port Augusta where 12 qualified regional staff ensure clients receive the same level of services as metropolitan clients.
In 2012, the RSB Port Augusta office was relocated to new, larger accommodation to improve accessibility and enable the inclusion of more
Adaptive Technology and Low Vision products. Plans to build a new office at
Noarlunga also continue to advance, with the goal to better service RSB clients in the South.
Community Outreach
To raise awareness of RSB services among ophthalmologists, the RSB held its fourth Ophthalmic Registrar Program with the aim to improve the continuum of care for RSB clients between the medical and rehabilitation sectors.
Children aged from birth to six years old were also a focus in 2011/12 and
Early Intervention Training was carried out among Orientation and Mobility
Instructors, Occupational Therapists, Low Vision Centre Staff and
Coordinators across the RSB.
The training resulted from an increase in demand for Child and Youth
Services in 2011/12 and has assisted staff to assess children’s functional vision and use of all senses, accurately identify children’s strengths and current levels of functioning as well as create, coordinate and implement intervention plans for children.
Staff were also trained in how to work collaboratively and in partnership with families and other team members and taught how to access appropriate resources to provide intervention for infants and young children with a vision impairment and their families.
Mobility Services
Professional Orientation and Mobility specialists continue to provide assistance to people who are experiencing difficulties in moving about their homes or workplaces, or travelling due to vision loss. A vital service, in
2011/12 Mobility Services received more than 300 referrals.

In an effort to expand the range of orientation and mobility technology available to clients, the Mobility Services team undertook a comprehensive evaluation of the Kapten GPS in 2011/12 to determine which clients would most benefit from the new technology. Initial training for staff was also completed.
Page 13
A study and trial on the use of the Apple iPad for instruction and communication was also carried out, allowing Orientation and Mobility
Instructors to determine the iPad’s potential as a direct teaching tool for clients in the area of orientation and mobility.
With VoiceOver, zoom capabilities, Speak Auto-text and audible alerts, clients are able to use the iPad effectively for many day-to-day tasks, including the use of mapping Apps and GPS capabilities.
Recreation and Leisure
In 2011/12, more than 1,350 Recreation and Leisure participants had access to 125 groups, a 13 per cent increase on the last financial year.
To assist with the continued growth of the Recreation and Leisure Program, the RSB continued its partnership with the Blind Welfare Association (BWA) in
2011/12 and welcomed Blind Sports SA on board to further develop recreation and leisure groups and activities for South Australians who are blind or vision impaired.
The relationship with Blind Sports SA saw the employment of an RSB Sports
Development Officer, who in 2011/12 worked with Charles Campbell
Secondary School and Seaview High School to provide the opportunity for 62 students who are blind or vision impaired to participate in various sporting activities.
The RSB VIP Theatre Program continued with thanks to a new partnership with the Disability and Arts Transition Team (DATT). From January 2012,
DATT commenced coordination of all Audio Description for the theatre program, providing patrons of the State Theatre Company who are blind or vision impaired with live descriptions of all productions.
This partnership also resulted in the participation of a two day blind photography workshop, Shots in the Dark, for six clients. The workshop concluded with an exhibition titled Rarely Seen at the State Library of South
Australia as part of the South Australia Living Artists (SALA) festival.
To keep clients informed, a new Recreation and Leisure online calendar was implemented on the RSB website, listing all groups and events across South
Australia.
As per previous years, client participation also continues to grow in two major community events the Bupa Community Challenge Tour as part of the Tour

Down Under and the City-
Bay Fun Run, as well as RSB’s annual Dark to Light
Walk.
Dennis Moir
Manager, Community Services
Image: Person standing in front of a blonde RSB Guide Dog pup holding a white cane with the pup looking at the cane.
Page 14
++ “See the world through my eyes”
++Shirley Haynes
Hello, my name is Shirley Haynes and I was diagnosed with Age-Related
Macular Degeneration in 2000 and was legally blind by 2005. As a fit 73 year old, I am always searching for ways to keep active, despite my vision impairment.
With the help of RSB Recreation and Leisure Services and the RSB-Active
Program, I can still play golf with RSB Volunteer Golf Caddie, Lorraine and I still go to yoga and for daily walks with my RSB Guide Dog, Dax.
Without Lorraine and the help of t he RSB, I simply couldn’t play golf anymore.
I used to play golf before my vision loss and I just love it. Lorraine is like a coach to me, she tells me where to stand, what to do and what club to use and I usually get a pretty high score!
Thanks to the RSB and the Recreation and Leisure Program, the world through my eyes has remained fun, fast paced and active, despite my vision loss.
Image: Shirley and Lorraine standing with golf set in a park with RSB Guide
Dog Dax by her side.
Caption: RSB client Shirley Haynes keeps active thanks to the help of RSB volunteers like Lorraine Olson, left, who assists her with golf.
Page 15
Image: RSB Child & Youth Services Coordinator Jarnine walking along the footpath with RSB Child & Youth Services client Nikita who is walking with her white cane.
Caption: RSB client Nikita Grosser navigates the streets of Adelaide with her white cane and RSB Child & Youth Services Coordinator, Jarnine Beltsos.
Page 16
++Low Vision Services
Image: Corporate photo of Loucia Calder

The
RSB’s Low Vision Services at Knapman House deliver vital support to RSB clients across many critical areas including Low Vision Products and Adaptive Technology, Employment Services, Family Support
Sessions, Child and Youth Services and more.
Low Vision Centre (LVC)
Receiving more than 1,000 new referrals annually from eye care professionals across South Australia, the Low Vision Centre (LVC) is often the first point of contact with the RSB for people who have recently been diagnosed with an eye condition and/or who have recently experienced vision loss.
The primary service offered at the LVC is the clinic, which is run three days a week. A counsellor, optometrist and ophthalmologist are all involved in clinic sessions, to provide a vision assessment and general information about a client’s eye condition.
In 2011/12, the LVC continued the provision of support groups to RSB clients, including Low Vision Awareness Sessions and Peer Support Programs, as well as follow up support provided by RSB volunteers.
Low Vision Awareness Sessions were held regularly, providing the opportunity for people who have recently experienced vision loss and their friends and family to speak with Peer Support Volunteers and an RSB Low
Vision Centre optometrist.
The LVC continues to stock the largest range of magnifiers and talking products in Australia and we encourage the public to visit during business hours at 230 Pirie Street, Adelaide, to examine and purchase products and speak with trained LVC staff. These products are also available for purchase on the RSB’s online shop at www.rsb.org.au
The RSB is grateful to the Australian Government Department of Health and
Ageing for on-going funding support of the Low Vision Centre.
Image: An electronic magnifier in use magnifying a document
Page 17
Adaptive Technology Centre
The RSB Adaptive Technology Centre (ATC) is the first of its kind in the
Southern Hemisphere and has the largest display of adaptive technology in
Australia. The main role of the ATC is to provide people who are blind or vision impaired the opportunity to access, trial and train with the latest adaptive technology equipment.
In 2011/12, the ATC received 268 client referrals and provided almost 4,800 information and advisory services.

In May 2012, the ATC’s annual technology expo, Tech Fest, was held with more than 400 people attending during the two day showcase. Two new products were launched in Australia via the expo, the Braille Sense U2 with a
Qwerty keyboard and the DaVinci Electronic Magnifier with built in Optical
Character Recognition software.
Hosting the major suppliers of adaptive technology including Humanware,
Pacific Vision, Quantum RLV, VisiTech Magnifiers, Eschenbach and
Australian Independence Products, Tech Fest will be back on 10 & 11 May
2013 with a range of new technology, talks and presentations.
At the ATC, research into new products is continually undertaken and where possible added to the extensive range of adaptive technology already available. In 2011/12, the Braille Sense U2, Twin-View computer monitor,
DaVinci Electronic Magnifier and upgraded high definition models of existing electronic magnifiers were added to the RSB’s collection for client use, hire and purchase.
Child & Youth Services
RSB Child and Youth Services was expanded and strengthened in 2011/12, with the implementation of a dedicated Child & Youth Services Coordinator, providing specialised and dedicated support to clients from birth to 18 years old and their families.
Offering a variety of support services to children, youth and their families in regards to the functional, developmental, emotional and social aspects of blindness or vision loss, in 2011/12 the RSB provided services to almost 100 children and youth, as well as additional support services to their families.
This included Occupational Therapy, Orientation and Mobility, Adaptive
Technology assistance, Employment Services via the Leaving School
Program, assistance from the RSB Guide Dog Service, counselling and Early
Intervention services.
To assist with funding, in 2011 the RSB became a Better Start Funding service provider. The Better Start Funding through FaHCSIA is available to children with a vision impairment for early intervention services and each eligible child is allocated up to $12,000 (to a maximum of $6,000 per financial year) to spend on early intervention services. The RSB would like to thank
FaCHSIA for its support of children and families through the Better Start
Funding for Disability Early Intervention Service Providers.
Image: Small boy aged 5 wearing glasses standing and smiling holding a folder under his arm.
Page 18
Employment Services

With almost 170 work and education placements in 2011/12, RSB
Employment Services remains one of the most successful employment agencies in Australia for people who are blind or vision impaired.
Continued success through the Jobs in Jeopardy program has seen 66 people who are vision impaired retain their employment in 2011/12. This includes nine clients from interstate and accounts for almost 40 per cent of the people assisted by RSB Employment Services in 2011/12.
In 2011/12, the RSB provided more than $365,000 worth of Adaptive
Technology and workplace modifications assistance to support 109
Employment Services’ clients through the Australian Government’s Job
Access and Employment Assistance Fund.
RSB Employment Services has also been able to offer training and qualification courses to 29 clients, thanks to the successful tender of two
Productivity Places Program (PPP) contracts with Excel Training and Cream of the Crop. The PPP contracts have provided the opportunity for RSB clients to achieve qualifications in Certificate II and Certificate III in retail, office and administration and communications.
The RSB School Leavers Program also grew in 2011/12, with 18 new students joining the service. The RSB is pleased to announce the on-going support of the Student Work Experience Program thanks to the Department of
Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) and the Australian Blindness Forum (ABF).
The RSB acknowledges the invaluable assistance and funding provided by the Australian Government Department of Employment, Education and
Workplace Relations (DEEWR) for the Disability Employment Service
Program to enable RSB to assist those who are blind or vision impaired to find or retain employment in SA. We would also like to thank Job Access, our PPP contractors and FaHCSIA for their continued support.
Loucia Calder
Manager, Low Vision Services
Image: Two RSB clients using adaptive technology computers with the assistance of an RSB staff member
Caption: RSB clients use computers in the RSB Employment Kiosk
Image: RSB client using adaptive technology with help from the Adaptive
Technology Centre Coordinator, Iris.
Caption: Adaptive Technology Centre Coordinator, Iris assist a client with an electronic magnifier.
Page 19
++ “See the world through my eyes”
++Sheelagh Daniels-Mayes

Hi, my name is Sheelagh Daniels-Mayes and I am a Kamilaroi woman. I have Congenital Glaucoma, leaving me with between five and three per cent vision in each eye. This hasn’t stopped me from achieving my career goals, and I am currently a PhD student and tutor at the
University of South Australia.
When I moved to Adelaide in 2011, I needed assistance with employment, a guide dog and adaptive technology —the RSB provided all these things for me and more.
The computer training I undertook with RSB Employment Services was fundamental to me. It has enabled me to do everyday things that many people take for granted, like check an email or prepare a PowerPoint presentation.
As my vision continues to deteriorate, the world through my eyes is changing, but with the RSB’s help, I feel assured I will be able to continue my career.
Image: Sheelagh sits with her RSB Guide Dog chatting to an RSB
Employment Services staff member.
Caption: Sheelagh Daniels-Mayes received assistance from RSB
Employment Services when she relocated to Adelaide in 2011. She describes the computer training she received as fundamental to her career.
Page 20
++RSB Guide Dog Service
Image: Corporate photo of Chris Muldoon
The RSB Guide Dog Service is the RSB’s most recent service development. Established in 2006 by the RSB Guide Dog Service
Manager, Chris Muldoon, the service is proud to have trained 43 RSB
Guide Dog and client working teams as of June 2012.
This vital service enables a full complement of mobility services for RSB clients, providing a significant improvement in mobility and independence for people living with blindness or vision loss in SA.
Breeding Program
To ensure client demand will always be met, a successful breeding program has been established at the RSB Guide Dog Service.
Brood Bitches Kira, Millie, Yolanda, Yuma and Zoe and Studs Rory and Fonz are fundamental to the RSB Guide Dog Service and in 2011/12 we welcomed the
E, F, G, H, I and J pups to the Puppy Education program.
To meet best practice breeding, the RSB Guide Dog Service is currently in negotiation with Guide Dogs UK, Guide Dogs for the Blind San Rafael and the

Kansai Guide Dogs for the Blind Association in Japan for three more brood bitches. If successful, the international brood bitches will create more opportunity to better meet client need and demand and create new breeding lines at the RSB Guide Dog Service.
A breeding advisory group made up of specialist veterinarians continues to provide valuable assistance to produce the finest quality dogs
—an achievement underlined by the 12 RSB Guide Dogs that were matched with
RSB clients in 2011/12.
Puppy Education
With more than 40 pups in the RSB Guide Dog Service’s Puppy Education
Program, the RSB Guide Dog Service welcomed Guide Dog Mobility
Instructor, Lindy Hennekam in April 2012 to assist with the increasing workload.
Lindy has worked with people who are blind or vision impaired across
Australia since 1983 and will work predominantly within the Puppy Education
Department during her time with the RSB Guide Dog Service.
The RSB Guide Dog Service also welcomed Kasey in 2012, the first South
Australian German Shepherd RSB Guide Dog in training.
Historically, the guide dog breed of choice, Kasey’s introduction comes after
15 years of researching the German Shepherd breed and speaking to other guide dog schools around the world about the benefits of training German
Shepherd pups as guide dogs.
For the first time, the RSB Guide Dog Service also introduced regular dog obedience classes to the Puppy Education Program. The classes are based on dog distraction using local neighbourhood pups and dogs and have been labelled an innovative form of training.
Page 21
Importantly, Puppy Education at the RSB Guide Dog Service would not exist without the vital on-going support of RSB volunteer Puppy Educators, Bed and Breakfast Boarders, Emergency Boarders and Brood Bitch Holders and we thank them for their continued efforts and dedication in raising our pups to become RSB Guide Dogs.
Formal Training
The RSB Guide Dog Service is proud to announce the following RSB Guide
Dog graduates for 2011/12. Congratulations to RSB Guide Dogs Doc, Quill,
Quinn, Johnny, Kai, Nancy, Nina, Noah, Paddy, Ruby, Utah and Vince.

The 12 RSB Guide Dog and client teams graduated at ceremonies in August
2011 and May 2012 and are a testament to the hard work of staff, volunteers, veterinarians, sponsors and donors across South Australia and the world.
Each RSB Guide Dog costs in excess of $25,000 to breed, raise and train.
They spend approximately 300 hours in formal training, over a period of five months, with a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor to ensure the highest quality trained RSB Guide Dogs for our clients.
The fifth K94U2C camp was a success, with a further four teens enjoying the experience of working with an RSB Guide Dog in training.
Held annually at Adelaide Shores, West Beach, the camp has seen a total of
18 teens aged 14 to 18 years old attend the camp since its inception, with the aim to provide information that will help them decide whether to consider an
RSB Guide Dog as their preferred mobility aid in the future.
Thank you
As an accredited member of the International Federation of Guide Dogs, the
RSB would like to acknowledge the on-going support of other guide dog schools worldwide, including Guide Dogs UK, Seeing Eye USA, Guide Dogs for the Blind US, Guiding Eyes USA, Guide Dogs for the Blind San Rafael,
Guide Dogs Norge AS (Norway), Kansai Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
Japan and Guide Dogs Queensland.
The RSB Guide Dog Service would not be the world class service it is today without the dedication and commitment of volunteers, veterinarians and valued sponsors, including Royal Canin, PETstock, Novartis, IDEXX
Pathology Services, Channel 9 Adelaide and Fab Cleaning Services.
Image: Channel 9 logo
Image: IDEXX logo
Image: FAB Cleaning logo
Image: Royal Canin logo
Image: PETstock logo
Image: Sentinel logo
The RSB would also like to extend a special thank you to our passionate and dedicated vets, including Dr Mark Reeve (Tea Tree Gully Veterinary Hospital),
Dr Chris Girling (Noah’s Crossing Veterinary Clinic), Dr Andrew Carter (Magill
Veterinary Clinic), Dr Angus Brown (Stephen Terrace Veterinary Clinic), Dr
Tony Read (Veterinary Ophthalmic Services, Plympton) and Dr Roger Lavelle
(Lavelle Diagnostic, Lancefield Victoria).
Chris Muldoon
Manager, RSB Guide Dog Service
Image: Dr Mark Reeve with a blonde RSB Guide Dog pup

Page 33
++ “See the world through my eyes”
++Barry Jarrett
Hi, Barry Jarrett here. Today I’d like to share with you a story about my best friend, my RSB Guide Dog Adam.
Four years ago, the world through my eyes was a dark and difficult place. I was struggling with my eye condition, Retinitis Pigmentosa, and feeling isolated as I am also profoundly deaf.
Daily activities that you might take for granted like working, reading, watching
TV, listening to music or surfing the net are beyond me and I began to wonder how I would get by.
My life changed when I met with Chris Muldoon, the Manager of the RSB
Guide Dog Service, and he introduced me to RSB Guide Dog Adam.
Today, Adam is my best friend —we do everything together. Without him, I would be useless. I would be stuck at home unable to go out, like I was before. I would be miserable. Adam is proof that an RSB Guide Dog can change the life of a person who is blind or vision impaired, like me.
Image: RSB client Barry sitting and patting his RSB Guide Dog Adam
Caption: Barry Jarrett with his best friend, RSB Guide Dog Adam
Page 23
Image: RSB German Shepherd pup Kasey wearing RSB Guide Dog puppy coat sitting on a puppy bed.
Caption: Meet South Australia’s first German Shepherd RSB Guide Dog in training, Kasey.
Page 24
++RSB Industrial Services
Image: Corporate photo of Mark Burleigh
Image: HACCP logo
Image: Quality Assurance logo
Image: Australian Disability Enterprise logo
A busy and successful year enjoyed by RSB Industrial Services stands as a credit to the workforce at the RSB Gilles Plains factory.
With a turnover of approximately $1.2 million, RSB Industrial Services remains competitive in a tough business climate.

RSB Industrial Services provides valuable and meaningful employment for more than 70 South Australians who are blind or vision impaired, and staffing levels are always at a minimum of 90 per cent capacity.
Flexibility and adaptability of work practices continues to enable RSB
Industrial Services to embrace diverse orders from customers.
From bag and carton packaging and sealing, component assembly and packaging, rigid food packaging in snap-lid or hinged PVC containers, point of sale display construction, packaging with folded and heat-seal blisters, shrink film wrapping, die cutting, thermoforming and pressure formed products, RSB
Industrial Services also provides diverse assembly and packaging services.
A strategic business approach has resulted in the development of complete packaging solutions for customers, making RSB products and packaging solutions a very attractive and viable option in the marketplace.
Sales staff attracted many new customers in 2011/12, joining major clients including GM Holden, Nova Concepts, Environmental Water Services,
Philmac and Sarstedt. To our new customers, we look forward to building long lasting partnerships of mutual benefit with you.
During 2011/12, strength in the plastics moulding section was notable, with the capacity to operate moulding machines and high-speed Scope pressure forming machines that allow large scale production from 2,000 to 100,000 moulded plastic parts. The result —a vast array of thermoformed and pressure formed products such as tamper proof food grade containers, trays, blisters and clamshells.
RSB Industrial Services achieve this with safety and quality as a prime consideration, retaining the highest levels of accreditation with ISO 9000
Quality Assurance and HACCP (Hazardous Analysis Critical Control Points)
Certification.
RSB Industrial Services continues to hone its specialist role and has maximised the potential of staff capabilities. Many companies have removed much of their manual labour force, especially to fulfil small-scale orders and short production runs. As a result, to still retain these jobs, their most profitable course of action is to outsource specialised packaging requirements —and this is where RSB Industrial Services capably fills a significant gap in the market.
Page 25
Investing in further capital for long term gain, RSB Industrial Services has begun the manufacturing and supply of sewage tank filters for an Adelaide
Hills based company.
A recent upgrade to one of the machines at RSB Industrial Services allows for the creation of pressure moulded products at varying lengths from 1,500mm to 2,400mm.

By choosing RSB Industrial Services, the Adelaide Hills company has dramatically reduced transport costs by buying locally. The first tank filters rolled off the production line in December 2011 and are now destined for mining developments and communities.
In 2011/12 RSB Industrial Services optimised marketing and advertising opportunities with the introduction of an online catalogue and quarterly
Industrial Services Update newsletter. We also broadened networking opportunity by joining the Defence Training Centre monthly networking forums with other manufacturing and service based organisations.
On a personal note, we said farewell to former RSB Industrial Services employees, Nasir Darwishi and Philip Back and would like to acknowledge their commitment, valued service and friendship.
RSB Industrial Services would also like to recognise the services of Daryl
Thorpe, who sadly passed away earlier this year. Daryl worked in Packing and Assembly and will be remembered fondly as a valuable worker and a true gentleman.
As the Manager of RSB Industrial Services, I would like to express my gratitude to the entire Industrial Services team and I look forward to 2012/13 being another successful and productive year.
Mark Burleigh
Manager, Industrial Services
Image: RSB Industrial Services worker packing bottles into boxes.
Caption: The RSB Industrial Services site is specially equipped to provide assembly and packaging services
Image: RSB Executive Director, Andrew Daly, and RSB Industrial Services
Manager, Mark Burleigh with executives from GM Holden standing in the RSB
Industrial Services factory
Caption: Barry Clarke, Mark Burleigh, Richard Phillips (GM Holden), Ian
Hancock (GM Holden), David Coppock and Andrew Daly tour the RSB
Industrial Services site.
Page 26
++ “See the world through my eyes”
++Simon Mboki
Hello, my name is Simon Mboki. The world through my eyes today is much different than it used to be. Beaten and tortured in Sudan during the Second Sudanese Civil War, I was blinded before I could escape persecution.

In 2004, my wife, four children and I came to Australia to rebuild our lives.
With less than 10 per cent of my vision remaining, I thought it would be difficult to get a job, but with assistance from the RSB I was able to work again.
Today, I enjoy my job at the RSB Industrial Services factory. I cannot praise the RSB enough for everything they have done to help my family and myself.
The work they do is life changing.
Image: RSB Industrial Services worker Simon assembling small parts in the
RSB Industrial Services factory
Caption: RSB client Simon Mboki enjoys his job at RSB Industrial Services
Page 27
Image: Industrial Services Employee, Wayne Maulitz packs Coopers bottle tops for Coopers Home Brew Kits,
Page 28
++Digital Library & Print Alternative Services
Image: Corporate photo of Diana Swanson
The RSB Digital Library and Print Alternative Services provide a wide range of information and resources in accessible formats in order to better support South Australians who are blind or vision impaired.
Digital Library Service
In 2011/12, the RSB Digital Library Service (DLS) continued to work closely with South Australian public libraries to advocate for the provision of equitable and accessible library services.
The development of the DLS Public Library Tour focused on strategies libraries can utilise to accomplish these goals, such as the implementation of adaptive technology, revising information formats, sighted guide training and reviewing the library environment.
With a goal to educate future library staff, throughout 2011/12, the RSB DLS also worked with TAFE and UniSA Library and Information Studies students to raise awareness of accessible resources, facilities, adaptive technology and services.
In an RSB first, the 21 Talking Newspapers commenced the move to digital, beginning with The Talking Times in Victor Harbor in May 2012.
Public libraries across the state are assisting in the transition through the provision of space for recording, computers to duplicate, and/or services to distribute and promote the availability of the local Talking Newspaper to RSB clients.

Image: Close up of hand reading pages of Braille
Page 29
Image: Staff from Adelaide City Council participating in sighted guide training
To date, the RSB DLS system has been adopted by 15 public libraries across
South Australia and the audiobook collection has increased to more than
7,000 titles, with further titles to be purchased over the next few years.
The establishment of the Digital Library Newsletter, Digital Library News, and a new audiobook club at the Noarlunga RSB office has enabled clients to be more actively involved with their reading, their local library and their communities.
The Noarlunga audiobook club is the most recent of many across the state, including clubs in the Burnside, Port Pirie, Port Lincoln and Victor Harbor libraries. Increasing public library involvement means further expansion is expected in the coming years.
Print Alternative Services
In 2011/12, more than 2,000 South Australians who are blind or vision impaired accessed Print Alternative Services for transcriptions into their formats of choice. This free RSB service is vital to ensure that people who are living with blindness or vision loss can maintain independence in their daily lives.
A testament to the RSB, during 2011/12 Print Alternative Services managed requests for nearly 15,300 pages of Braille and tactile diagrams, almost
950,000 large print pages, more than 7,500 pages of E-text issued on CD and
9,545 hours of audio requests.
The monthly production of large print crosswords continued with thanks to the volunteer services of the East Torrens Lions Club. In 2011/12, 1,550 copies of the large print crosswords are distributed nationally each month, free of charge to Australians who are blind or vision impaired.
Page 30
To meet increasing demand for Braille, an RSB Transcriber Adminstration
Assistant has commenced the Braille for Educators Course administered by
Renwick College in New South Wales. Upon completion of the 20 week course, the RSB will have an additional Braille transcriber which will greatly assist with the expansion of the service.
Accessible Information Service

The RSB’s Accessible Information transcription service is available to businesses, service providers, government departments, educational facilities, clubs, churches and community groups for a fee, to enable people who are blind or vision impaired to access information in their communities.
Thanks to advanced technology and highly skilled staff, nearly all print material can be transcribed into a format more suited to an individual’s requirements. In 2011/12, regular requests included newsletters, invitations, street maps, timetables, student texts and information, handbooks or instructions and more.
In 2011/12, 30 organisations across South Australia accessed this service, including Anglicare SA, Bedford Industries, TAFE SA, SA Ambulance,
Adelaide Airport, the University of South Australia, Department of
Infrastructure and Transport, Amnesty International and SA Health, to name a few.
Diana Swanson
Manager, Print Alternative Services
Image: Staff from Adelaide City Council Library experience different eye conditions using simulation glasses.
Page 31
++ “See the world through my eyes”
++Rhonda Baker
Hi, I’m Rhonda Baker. Thanks to the RSB Digital Library Service, the world through my eyes is full of magic and mystery, as I immerse myself in audiobooks.
An avid reader, I had to make the change to audiobooks when I was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration and Glaucoma about 10 years ago.
With no sight in my right eye and only a little in my left eye, I could no longer read for myself.
The Navigator provided to me by the RSB Digital Library Service has made such a difference to my life. I can’t leave home without a volunteer or family member but the Navigator allows me to listen to an audiobook and immerse myself in a story
—it makes me feel less isolated, like life is worth living.
Now the Facilitator of the RSB Noarlunga Audiobook Club, the club members and I meet on the last Tuesday of every month to discuss the books we have read using our Navigators. I am happy and grateful for all the support I receive from the RSB Digital Library Service.
Image: Rhonda Baker sitting on her couch listening to her Navigator

Page 32
++RSB Human Resources and Volunteer Services
Image: Corporate photo of Sue Jeffreys
RSB Human Resources
The Royal Society for Blind employs approximately 90 full-time staff, 70 parttime staff and 25 casual staff. This includes more than 70 people with vision impairment and/or other disabilities employed at the RSB’s Industrial Services factory. Also, crucial to the RSB is the invaluable assistance from more than
900 volunteers, who assist staff and clients on a daily basis.
During 2011/12, police checks for all current staff and volunteers were updated as part of a new mandatory requirement of the Department of
Community and Social Inclusion to ensure continued funding from the State
Government. From 2012, police checks will continue to be updated on a regular basis.
The RSB Human Resources Department, Occupational Health and Safety
Committee and the Board of Directors have also spent many hours in 2011/12 reviewing policies and procedures in preparation for new work health and safety regulations anticipated in January 2013.
RSB Volunteer Services
Without the support and generous time given by volunteers, the provision of many of RSB’s services would not be possible. Their invaluable efforts across all areas of the RSB are the equivalent of almost 80 full-time employees, which in monetary terms would equate to almost $3 million in salaries.
From providing transport to clients, assisting the RSB Guide Dog Service in raising and training future RSB Guide Dogs, assisting with the coordination of recreation and leisure group activities, to simply enjoying a cup of tea and a chat with socially isolated clients,
RSB volunteers are essential in ensuring clients can enjoy every day activities that many people may take for granted.
The RSB is most grateful to all volunteers dedicated to giving their time to assist South Australians who are blind or vision impaired.
Sue Jeffreys
Manager, Human Resources & Volunteer Services
Image: RSB volunteer assisting with the collection of coin donation units across the state
Page 33
++ “See the world through my eyes”
++Margie and Eddie Jasper

Hello, we are Margie and Eddie Jasper and we have been volunteering for the RSB since 2008.
During our time as RS B volunteers, we’ve helped with the training and education of many RSB Guide Dog pups, including RSB Guide Dogs Georgia and Nina who have both graduated and are working with RSB clients.
It’s good to see the pups grow and learn. You fall in love with the pups, there’s no doubt about that, but we get a sense of achievement from puppy educating that most people might not get at work.
As RSB volunteer Puppy Educators, we have also had the opportunity to get involved with lots of RSB events, including the Royal Adelaide Show, Dark to
Light Walk, Charlie’s Day and Tech Fest.
In our eyes, we get as much out of volunteering as the RSB Guide Dog
Service gets from us. So get involved, volunteer for the RSB Guide Dog
Service today!
Image: RSB Guide Dog Service volunteers Margie and Eddie with two of the
E Pups
Page 34
++Marketing and Fundraising
Image: Corporate photo of Diana Swanson
In 2011/12, we introduced you to the world through Rachael Leahcar’s eyes with two new television commercials and an online and print campaign.
As an RSB Ambassador, Rachael is dedicated to promoting the RSB and the services we provide and has attended many RSB events in the last 12 months, including the 2011 Dark to Light Walk, the RSB Clipsal 500 Luncheon and International Guide Dog Day.
Rachael recently shot to fame on The Voice Australia, where she worked hard with her mentor, renowned singer Delta Goodrem to win third place. Since this time, Rachael has used her fame for good, spreading awareness about her eye condition and the services available to people with vision loss via the
RSB.
Most importantly, Rachael has been a mentor to many Australians and people from all over the world who are blind or vision impaired, demonstrating that blindness doesn’t have to be a barrier to achieving your dreams.
Sharing Rachael’s vision to make a difference are RSB Ambassadors Erin
Bell (Adelaide Thunderbirds and Australian Netball Diamonds), Kate Collins
(Channel 9 Adelaide) Olivia Todd (All About Animals), as well as Bernie Vince

and Taylor Walker (Adelaide Football Club) who continued their support for the RSB in 2011/2012.
Now in their second year, the RSB Ambassadors have had a busy 12 months promoting volunteering and educating the community about the RSB and the services we provide.
As respected leaders in their fields, the support of the RSB Ambassadors delivers invaluable messages to the wider community about the important work the RSB undertakes.
Their attendance at RSB events also assists us to generate new interests and reach n ew audiences, and in 2012, the RSB’s newest ambassador, co-host of kids TV show All About Animals, Olivia Todd, was fundamental in assisting us to reach younger supporters.
“As an Ambassador for the RSB, I hope to spread the word to other kids my age that vision loss doesn’t just happen to older people. You never know when something may go wrong with your vision, so it’s important to be aware and support the organisations that can help, like the RSB,” said 10 year old
Olivia.
A special thank you to our RSB Ambassadors for their on-going dedication and support!
Page 35
RSB Ambassador Team 2011/2012
Image: Erin Bell holding blonde RSB Guide Dog pup
Erin Bell
– Adelaide Thunderbirds and Australian Netball Diamonds
“I became an RSB Ambassador due to my own personal experience with vision impairment. I have worn glasses/contact lenses since I was 10 years old and would not have been able to pursue my sporting dreams without vision correction.”
Image: Kate Collins at RSB’s Badge Day with blonde RSB Guide Dog pup
Kate Collins
– Channel 9
“It’s amazing how much we take our sight for granted, and if it’s taken away, how much help we need to live a normal life. Become an RSB Puppy
Educator or consider sponsoring an RSB Guide Dog pup. It’s a practical and fun way t o help people who are blind or vision impaired.”
Image: Rachael Leahcar holding blonde RSB Guide Dog pup
Rachael Leahcar
– RSB Client and The Voice Australia Finalist
“I was born with Retinitis Pigmentosa and one day, I will be totally blind. This would be scary if not for the Royal Society for the Blind. As an ambassador for them, I hope I can do everything in my power to help others like myself live their lives to the fullest, like the RSB has helped me to do.”

Image: Olivia Todd next to black RSB Guide Dog pup
Olivia Todd – All About Animals TV Show
“I’m excited to be an Ambassador for the Royal Society for the Blind, especially the RSB Guide Dog Service. In my TV show, All About Animals, I meet lots of different people and animals all the time, but not many of them have the special task of helping someone who is blind or vision impaired.”
Image: Bernie Vince at RSB’s International Guide Dog Day celebrations holding blonde RSB Guide Dog pup
Bernie Vince – Adelaide Football Club
“I think it would be pretty disappointing if you had something wrong with your eyesight. You can’t do much without a guide dog, so I think the RSB is a good charity to get involved in and volunteer your time with.”
Image: Taylor Walker holding blonde RSB Guide Dog pup
Taylor Walker – Adelaide Football Club
“I love dogs, but I think an RSB Guide Dog is extra special because it can help someone who is blind or vision impaired in our community.”
Page 36
RSB Events
The RSB successfully hosts more than 10 events annually, with the aim to raise money to assist with the provision of RSB services.
The annual RSB Clipsal 500 Luncheon was once again held at the National
Wine Centre, and remains the only charity luncheon where participants can get up close and personal with the elite Holden and Ford V8 Supercar drivers.
Singing superstars, Rachael Leahcar and Hayley Teal (The X-Factor) performed at the event, which was hosted by South Australian Journalist,
Presenter and McClusky & Co Principal, Leigh McClusky.
The RSB joined in the annual world-wide celebrations for International Guide
Dog Day, celebrated on the last Wednesday in April.
International Guide Dog Day provides a chance for the public to ask questions and find out more about the RSB Guide Dogs. It’s also an opportunity to acknowledge the mobility and independence a guide dog can bring to people who are blind or vision impaired.
In June, donors, supporters, friends and family of the RSB celebrated
Charlie’s Day with the aim to raise $25,000 to cover the cost of training
Charlie, and other RSB Guide Dogs like him.
Since the inaugural event launch in 2011, Charlie’s Day has become a great hit with supporters, who have assisted us to raise almost $62,000 for the RSB
Guide Dogs.

In October, the RSB turned the streets of Adelaide purple, with the annual
Dark to Light Walk. The walk is held on World Sight Day, and encourages supporters to each raise $60 to purchase a white cane for a South Australian who is blind or vision impaired.
In 2011, more than 150 people participated in the Dark to Light Walk, the largest number to date.
Student Ambassador Program
In its second year, the RSB Student Ambassador Program welcomed nine new participants on board.
As the name suggests, the Student Ambassador Program invites students from primary school age to university to get involved with fundraising and awareness and being active in their communities.
In 2011/12, students ran cupcake sales, held casual days and used RSB coin collection units to fundraise for the RSB, among other activities.
How can I help?

Attend events

Sponsor an RSB Guide Dog

Volunteer

Become an RSB Student Ambassador

Give regularly

Corporate sponsorship

Leave a bequest

Fundraise at your school or workplace
For further information, please visit www.rsb.org.au or donate by calling
1800 644 577.
Diana Swanson
Manager, Marketing & Fundraising
Image: V8 Supercar drivers at the RSB Clipsal 500 Luncheon with an RSB
Guide Dog
Page 37
Young Business Leaders SA
An initiative of the RSB and now in its 15th year, the in-business Young
Business Leaders Program (YBL) helps young professionals to develop personally and professionally.
Launched in July 2011, the 2011/12 Program concluded on 29 June 2012 with a Presentation Ceremony, when the 2012 Young Business Leader of the Year

was announced. The title was won by Susannah Stankiewicz, who developed and demonstrated strong leadership skills throughout the year.
Other award winners were Lina Kolomoitseva from Wallmans Lawyers
(Achievement Award) and the two fundraisers: Michael Wall of Outback Leisure Company and Lisa
Cuculowskyj of City of Charles Sturt.
Many thanks to the sponsors of the YBL Program for their generous support, including: Australian Institute of Management, in-business Magazine, FIVEaa,
Nova 919, Gold Network and Channel 9.
A special thank you to YBL Patron, The Hon. Jay Weatherill MP, The Hon.
Patrick Conlon who attended the 2011/2012 presentation and Deputy
Speaker Tony Piccolo MP who attended the 2012/2013 launch.
Image: Channel 9 logo
Image: Nova 919 logo
Image: FiveAA logo
Image: NAB logo
Image: Wallis Cinemas logo
Image: Foodland logo
Image: Charity Direct logo
Image: FAB logo
Image: YBL award winners Lisa Kolomoitseva, Susannah Stankiewicz, Lisa
Cuculowskyj and Michael Wall.
Image: All YBL finalists for 2011/2012 standing on staircase with glass of champaign
Young Business Leaders SA 2011/2012 Finalists

Matt Adams DMG Radio

Lisa Cuculowskyj City of Charles Sturt

Lina Kolomoitseva Wallmans Lawyers

Benjamin Liew Benjamin Liew Photography

Tom Meertens Neale Realty
 Amanda O’Toole
Australian Medical Placements

Mark Perry Department for Families and Communities

Rebecca Robinson YHA Australia

Susannah Stankiewicz Schneider Electric Building Services

Nathan Tichy Sidek Manufacturing
• Michael Wall Outback Leisure Company

Rachelle Werner Pinnacle Workplace Consultants
Image: YBL logo

Page 38
++ “See the world through my eyes”
++Rachael Leahcar
Hi, my name’s Rachael Leahcar and I am an RSB Ambassador!
I’m here because like the RSB, I want to make a difference to the lives of
South Australians who are blind or vision impaired
—people who are just like me.
I was born with a degenerative eye condition called Retinits Pigmentosa (RP) and I am legally blind. An early symptom of RP is night blindness, followed by the loss of the outer areas of vision, progressing to tunnel vision (like looking through a pinhole) and often increasing to complete blindness over time.
In 2012 I celebrated my 18th birthday, but unlike most 18 year olds, I have just 10 per cent vision remaining. This hasn’t stopped me from doing the things I love to do
—like performing in cities around Australia and recording my latest album, Shooting Star.
I encourage everyone to see the world through my eyes and support the
Royal Society for the Blind of SA today. Your donation has the potential to change someone’s life, like the RSB has changed mine.
Image: Rachael Leahcar with RSB Guide Dog pup laying on grass
Caption: RSB Ambassador, Rachael Leahcar pictured with RSB Guide Dog pup Henry on International Guide Dog Day. Photo: Sarah Reed, The
Advertiser.
Page 39
Image: Olivia Todd at the RSB Royal Adelaide Show holding the First Prize certificate for Most Impressive Exhibit.
Caption: RSB Ambassador, Olivia holds the RSB’s First Prize award for Most
Impressive Exhibit up to 36 sqm at the Royal Adelaide Show.
Page 40
++My Eye Health Program
Image: Corporate photo of Diana Swanson
The My Eye Health Program (MEHP) is a community based initiative, focused on the early detection and prevention of eye disease and the promotion of low vision rehabilitation services.
An education and awareness project developed by four of South Australia’s leading organisations, the RSB, the Freemasons Foundation, the Royal
Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (South Australia
Branch) and the Sight for All Foundation, the MEHP aims to encourage individuals to be proactive in managing their eye health.

During 2011/12, 190 eye health education presentations were held across
South Australia for allied health staff, residents of aged care facilities and independent living units, high school students and general community groups, reaching almost 4,800 people.
With thanks to the Freemasons Foundation and local councils, this includes
18 presentations to representatives from organisations in metropolitan and rural council areas.
In 2011/12, the MEHP also hosted several seminars on Diabetic Retinopathy and Age-related Macular Degeneration, which included presentations from leading ophthalmologists.
Working closely with the Aboriginal Health Council of SA (AHCSA), MEHP
Community Educators continued to look at ways to improve eye health for the
Indigenous community. This included the opportunity to present to Indigenous football players from the APY Lands and Maralinga during the Rio Tinto Cup.
In a MEHP first, eye health and vision loss training is now available to students from seven registered training organisations. Training presentations include MEHP resources, tips and strategies to assist with caring for someone who is blind or vision impaired, as well as referral pathways and information about the help and services available from the RSB.
Image: APY Lands and Maralinga football players standing in a line in uniform on a football field.
Caption: Football players from the APY Lands and Maralinga took part in the
Rio-Tinto Cup
Page 41
Most recently, the MEHP is offering education to aged care organisations and facilities. The aim is to ensure consistency in staff development and competencies and to maintain the standard of care delivery for people who are blind or vision impaired. This includes the introduction of a Self-
Assessment Competency Framework for healthcare providers working with people living with vision loss.
In 2012, the MEHP also introduced optional education through newly established Medicare Locals across the state, with the aim to improve the knowledge of practice nurses and allied health staff and provide MEHP resources for GP practices and primary healthcare programs.
The RSB, the Freemasons Foundation, the Royal Australian and New
Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (South Australia Branch) and the Sight for All Foundation, would like to thank His Excellency, Rear Admiral Kevin
Scarce AO CSC RANR, the Governor of South Australia for his involvement as Patron of the My Eye Health Program.
Diana Swanson

Manager, Marketing & Fundraising
The My Eye Health Program is working towards eye health education for all South Australians with a focus on indigenous communities. Our goal is to ensure the world through your eyes remains clear, by taking the appropriate preventative measures and getting regular eye checks with the aim to decrease vision loss and blindness in South Australia.
Image: Small child from the APY Lands with an Adelaide Crows player.
Page 42
++Special Thanks
The RSB receives generous support from many caring individuals, organisations, Trusts and Foundations.
To all our donors and supporters, the RSB appreciates your generosity and acknowledges that without your care and support we could not achieve the level of service and support provided to our clients —more than 12,000 South Australians who are blind or vision impaired.
A special thank you is sincerely expressed to the following:
Foundations and Organisations

Adelaide Eye & Laser Centre

Annie Danks Trust

AYN Academy Pty Ltd

BankSA & Staff

Charitable Trust

BMD Brands

Channel 9 Adelaide

Chemist King

CMV Staff Charitable Foundation

CooperVision

Cupcake Treats

Diabetes SA

Fab Cleaning Services

Fay Fuller Foundation

FIVEaa

Foodland

Fox Creek Wines

g-thinkcreative

IDEXX Laboratories

In-business Magazine

IRIS – Office for Recreation and Sport

JMJ Printing

Kirsten Charity Trust


Lightly Salted Photography

Lions Club of Gilles Plains Inc

Marian & E H Flack Trust

Mt Gambier & Districts Club for Visually Impaired

NAB (National Australia Bank)
 Nippy’s Fruit Juices

Nova 919

Order of the Eastern Star Adelaide Chapter 49

PETstock

ReGen – The Green Op Shop

Rex Airlines

Ross Divett Foundation

Rotary Club of Campbelltown

Royal Canin

Schild Estate

Sentinel Spectrum

St Lucia Association

St Lucy Festa Group

Smithfield Knitting Group

Studio Potters

Tea Tree Gully Lodge No 218

Telstra

Wallis Cinemas
Individuals

Mr & Mrs B Batley

Mr M Beattie

Mr T Binks

Ms B Bolt

Ms L Branton

Mrs M Broad

Mrs M Buxton

Mrs M Carthew

Mr B Clarke

Mr M Cooper

Mr & Mrs G & M Dimmitt

Mr C Domaille

Mr J Ehmann

Mrs M Eldridge

Mr & Mrs E & A Fairbank

Mr M Fraser

Mr D George

Mr B Gillard

Mrs & Ms J & J Greenslade

Mr K Gramp

Mr G Grivell


Mr & Mrs P & M Gurner
Page 43

Mr & Mrs R Hazell

Mr J Hieng

Mr S Hugo

Mr & Mrs J & V Irish

Mr R Kenrick

Mr A Kress

Mr & Mrs J & A Krishnan

Ms W Laffer

Mrs E Le Messurier

Mr S Leschke

Miss L McMillan

Mr R McNeil

Mr & Mrs N & R McPherson

Mr A Marayan

Mr & Mrs R Mayo

Mr P Miller

Mr & Mrs N & A Ogier

Mr & Mrs G & E Palmer

Mr & Mrs D & C Peek

Miss B Pelton

Mr M Reece

Mr Reeve

Mr C Richardson

Mr I Robertson

Mr M Rose

Mr R Sexton

Miss C Tattershall

Mrs M Tattershall

Mrs D Tilby

Mrs C Van Hattum

Ms S Waterman

Mrs D Winter

Mr T Wollaston

Mrs R Wundersitz
We would also like to thank the media for the ongoing support of our promotions and services, namely: FIVEaa, Mix 102.3, Nova 919, Fresh FM,
ABC 891, Channel 9, Channel 7, Network Ten, in-business Magazine, SA Life
Magazine, The Advertiser and the Sunday Mail, Messenger Community News and InDaily.
Special mentions go to McClusky & Co for their professional public relations assistance and to South Australian regional radio stations and newspapers for their continued coverage of the My Eye Health Program.

The RSB would also like to acknowledge the many South Australian Service
Clubs who offered their financial and volunteering support throughout the year.
Fundraising Auxiliaries
Volunteers are special and within the RSB play a significant role in our ability to provide quality driven services and support to our clients. Their extraordinary dedication, commitment and passion in raising vital funds for people who are blind or vision impaired is sincerely appreciated and acknowledged.
Their boundless energy, time and commitment is evident in their ability in raising awareness and organising fundraising events within their local communities through various activities including annual Badge Days, fairs, fashion shows, quiz days, merchandise sales and numerous other special functions. Our Murray Bridge and Gawler region have been delivering this commitment for more than 30 years —congratulations!
RSB Guide Dog Collection Units
A special thank you to South Australian businesses and organisations that support the RSB Guide Dog Service 365 days a year with an RSB coin collection unit. The funds contributed and awareness these units create about the RSB and the RSB Guide Dog Service are invaluable. Every coin counts towards the $25,000 needed to breed, raise and train an RSB Guide Dog.
Image: Two blonde RSB Guide Dog puppies sitting together
Page 44
++Bequests
Leaving a legacy that will continue to assist people who are blind or vision impaired is a wonderful gesture that ensures ongoing RSB services are available for generations to come. It is with great honour and gratitude that the RSB acknowledges people who have chosen the
RSB as their preferred charity of choice in their Wills. This special and caring act of support allows the RSB to expand upon its many free services to clients.
The RSB honours the following who have generously contributed through their Bequest support during this past financial year:

PA Anthony

TA Ashton

E Beart

GA Carter

LAF Clarke


FM Colmer

J Curtis

DA Davies

AA Derks

ML Dodd

D Fiora

G Goodman

MJ Hayes

GA Heath

GM Hitchin

RM Hocking

ME Jacobs

T Jardine

J Kretowicz

G Lanes

RP Laughton

C Lumma

I Mather

VJ Maurice

DC McCracken

GM McKechnie

PM McLaren

JT Melrowe

B & E Miers

KF Moore

JN Pedler

KF Postler

& S Raymond

TM Ryan

AH Schlank

MH Schlodder

BE Svenson

FJ Temby

ER Tester

PJ Thomas

IG Van Amsterdam

HE Wells
Image: Three RSB Guide Dogs in harness one blonde, black and brown.
Page 45
++In Memory
Flowers have traditionally been the means by which people pay their respects to lost loved ones. Today, many people are choosing a more lasting tribute in the form of a charitable donation. This selfless choice is often a reflection of the loved one’s life, interest, values or simply as a

thank you for the care and services your loved one received from the
RSB.
The RSB acknowledges this gift of support and community spirit by celebrating the lives of the following:

Mr James Ronald Banks

Mrs B V Bennet

Mrs Margo Bentley

Ms Esterina Bergamasco

Mrs Doris Bonham

Mr Briar Cameron

Mrs Erica Cameron

Mrs Beryl J Casson

Mrs Mary Chatwood

Mrs Lois Coulter

Mrs Edna Cummings

Mrs Heather Dabinett

Mr Andreas Edmund Egert

Mr Benno Eggert

Mrs Betty Eldridge

Mr Norm Fisk

Mrs Betty Fullwood

Mrs Joan Gardner

Mr Glen Garrard

Mrs Elfrieda Margaret Goedecke

Mrs Mollie Greenfield

Mrs Lidia Groblicka

Mrs Gwenda Haniford

Mrs Joan Hastings

Mr William Hedger

Mrs Laurel Hill

Mrs Zora Hodak

Miss Eleanor Irwin

Mr Norman Johnson

Mrs Colleen Rosemary Kain

Mr Sydney Roy Kilsby

Ms Eveyln Kohlberger

Mrs Audrey Lane

Mrs Joan Langman

Mrs Mavis Liebich

Mr William Frank Lunt

Mr Alistair R McIntosh

Mrs Anna Maria Marafioti

Mrs O M Marshall

Mrs Betty Martin

Ms Elsie Maynard

Mrs Gladys Metcalf


Mr Reg Moxon

Mrs Joyce G Nethercott

Mr Donald Norris

Ms Adelaide Northey

Mrs Dulcie O
’Brien

Mr Lance Pearson

Mrs Jaroslava Prokes

Mrs Betty Piper

Mr Kurt Postler

Ms Betty Rolla

Mr Josef Rosenblueh

Mr Dennis Schiller

Ms Darwiena Schultz

Mrs Hazel Sheehan

Mr Michael Shepherd

Mrs Fay Smith

Mrs Dorothy Smith

Mrs Alice Ruth Smith

Mrs Doris Hope Taylor

Mrs Annie Jean Terrell

Mr Richard Todd

Mr Mabs Toms

Mrs Audine Tyley

Mr John Bruce Vater

Mr Dick Ward

Mrs Amy Watts

Mrs Marion Williamson
Page 46
++
Treasurer’s Report
Image: Corporate photo of Barry Clarke
The RSB’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Reduced Disclose Requirements under AASB1053. BDO have audited these statements and a full set of accounts including an unqualified audit report will be tabled at the RSB’s Annual General
Meeting or made available on request.
This Treasurer’s Report has been prepared to provide a concise summary of the RSB’s financial results and to assist readers of the report to better understand the RSB’s financial position.
Operating Results
The underlying deficit from normal operations was $1.79 million compared to
$1.17 million for the previous financial year. After adjustments for changes in the market value of investments and property, bequests, and other items, our

Statement of Comprehensive Income shows a net deficit of $1.94 million compared to a net surplus of $2.95 million for the previous financial year.
Image: Pie chart showing distribution of RSB’s operating results; Government
44%, Fundraising / Bequests 26%, Sales 11%, Investments 11%, Other 8%.
Page 47
In the Statement of Comprehensive Income, the RSB has brought to account, impairment on its available for sale equity instruments and devaluation of its available for sale equity instruments with a combined total of $1,431,827.
Since the preparation of these financial statements as at 30 September 2012
$378,222 of this impairment has been reduced. Over time it is expected that the value of equity investments will improve in line with a recovery in equity markets.
Net Assets
The Net Assets of the RSB now stand at $35.49 million compared to $37.58 million for the previous financial year. The RSB is in a sound financial position to meet future service requirements.
Services
Over the last financial year, the level of core service hours provided to clients has increased by 23,055 to a record 286,541.
This result reflects our commitment to meet the increased demand for client services and support.
On behalf of the Board I would particularly like to highlight the importance of benefactors, supporters and the government in maintaining our relatively strong financial position.
The RSB now supports the needs of more than 12,000 South Australians who are blind or vision impaired. The incidence of vision loss in our community will continue to increase in proportion to the ageing of our population, and therefore it is vital that the RSB continues to attract bequests in order to fund future increases in demand for services.
Governance
As noted above, the RSB’s financial statements are audited each year. The
Finance and Audit Committee, a sub-committee of the Board of Management
(Board), meets monthly to examine the RSB’s financial position in detail and, as Treasurer, I provide a monthly report of these meetings to the Board.
The Investment Sub Committee, a sub committee of the Board, three times a year to review the management of the investment portfolio, in order to optimise returns and minimise risk.

Through ongoing strong management practices, the RSB has placed itself in a sound financial position that will enable it to assist people in South Australia who are blind or vision impaired for many years to come.
Government 44%
Fundraising / Bequests 26%
Sales 11%
Investments 11%
Other 8%
Barry Clarke FIPA
Treasurer
Image: Two blonde RSB Guide Dog pups sitting next to RSB Dog Coin
Collection units.
Page 48
++Offices of the RSB
Corporate Office
Marketing & Fundraising
254 Angas Street,
Adelaide SA 5000
GPO Box 1855,
Adelaide SA 5001
P (08) 8417 5555
F (08) 8223 7836
Donor Toll Free Number:
1800 644 577
Puppy Sponsorship:
(08) 8417 5555
Community Services
254 Angas Street,
Adelaide SA 5000
P (08) 8417 5555
F (08) 8232 2111
Low Vision, Adaptive Technology Centres, Employment Services &
Volunteer Services
230 Pirie Street,
Adelaide SA 5000
P (08) 8417 5599
F (08) 8232 4807
Client Toll Free Number: 1800 675 554
RSB Guide Dog Service, Industrial Services & Administration
11 Blacks Road,

Gilles Plains SA 5086
P (08) 8417 5600
F (08) 8266 3310
Noarlunga Office
3rd Floor, Noarlunga House,
Noarlunga Centre SA 5168
P (08) 8326 1188
F (08) 8326 6288
Smithfield Office
27 Anderson Walk,
Smithfield SA 5114
PO Box 281,
Smithfield SA 5114
P (08) 8254 3011
F (08) 8254 3022
Northern Office
2 Mackay Street,
Port Augusta SA 5700
PO Box 2126,
Port Augusta SA 5700
P (08) 8641 1980
F (08) 8641 1686
South East Office
Mt Gambier Eye Clinic
Pinehall Avenue,
Mt Gambier SA 5290
PO Box 2739,
Mt Gambier SA 5290
P (08) 8725 1921
F (08) 8725 1707
Victor Harbor Office
South Coast Health Centre
14 Victoria Street,
Victor Harbor SA 5211
PO Box 681,
Victor Harbor SA 5211
P (08) 8552 9774
F (08) 8552 9775 www.rsb.org.au www.facebook.com/RSBfocus www.youtube.com/RSBfocus
Image: Quality Certified logo

This annual report is available in alternative formats.
Page 49
Caption: RSB Client, Miriam McCulley graduated with RSB Guide Dog Quill in
May 2012. Volunteers who raised and trained Quill were also recognised at the graduation ceremony. Volunteer today! Visit www.rsb.org.au
, email puppyeducation@rsb.org.au
or call (08) 8417 5656.
Image: RSB Client Miriam with RSB Guide Dog Quill and all of the volunteers involved with Quill’s Puppy Education
Page 50
Image: RSB Ambassador Rachael Leahcar with blonde RSB Guide Dog pup sitting in a park.
Caption: It costs in excess of $25,000 to breed, raise and train each RSB
Guide Dog to become a life changing mobility aid. Please donate today. Call
1800 644 577 or visit our website www.rsb.org.au