Consumer Events
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Retina NZ
A successful meeting was held in Auckland with guest speaker Minnie Baragwanath, the first disability advisor to be appointed to the Auckland City Council.
In October Kaye Newton, President, and Fraser Alexander, International Delegate, attended the 14th Retina International World Conference and Congress held in Rio de Janeiro. The theme was Science and Patients: Partnership for the Future.
At this year's AGM, Retina NZ launched "The Good Look Book - Stories of Living with Losing Vision" collated by Kaye Newton. Eight Retina NZ members provided accounts of the impact that vision impairment has had on their lives. The book is available in print and also in audio format, either CD or MP3 version. All formats cost $10 plus $2 post and handling per order.
For copies of this book, please email secretary@retina.org.nz or phone 0800 233 833 or 04 299 1801. The book is also available on cassette through the Foundation library.
SEYFF
During the last weekend in September the latest SEYFF peer support camp was held in Turangi. The theme for the camp was "Dare to Dream" and was attended by 17 members and five volunteers.
Activities ranged from caving, abseiling and water rafting along the Tongariro River to scaling high ropes at a confidence course in Wairaki. There was also a workshop that looked at setting personal goals and how to achieve these. The camp was rounded off by a spring swim in Lake Taupo and a barbeque. The camp was a huge success thanks to the hard work of the volunteers and the outgoing SEYFF committee.
SEYFF is pleased to welcome its new committee that will take the organisation into 2007.
- President - Olitta Fa'apusa
- Vice President - Daniel Te'o
- National Delegate - Nadia Clark
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- Secretary/Treasurer - Donna McCaskill
- Committee Members - Ese Aumalesulu, Leslie Marsh, Parveen Shanker
ABC NZ Inc Annual Conference White Cane Day
Held in Christchurch, the Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand's annual conference took place on 6-8 October. Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban conducted the official opening the theme for which was "Unemployment - Problem or Challenge". The diversity of this topic was replicated through organisations linked to the employment arena and from whom guest speakers presented: Workbridge (Ruth Teasdale), EEO Trust (Lana Hope), Kickstart (Gwen Nagel - BLENNZ, Barbara Whitely, Jude Shelley and Arthur Pirika - Kickstart) and the Foundation (Paula Daye, Chris Inglis, Thomas Bryan) all contributed in some way. Unable to attend due to unexpected work commitments, the address from Pam Crothall, Manager Mainstream Services for the State Services Commission was presented on her behalf. Celebrations also included the Reserve Bank of NZ being awarded with the "Extra Touch Award"; in acknowledgment of consultation undertaken with the Association (and RNZFB). Alan Boaden, Manager for the Silver Coin Project accepted the award. In recognition of their sustained service to the Association, Moya Badham and Merv Reay were each awarded Honorary Life Membership. The Association's new five-year Strategic Plan was also adopted, and will be progressed at the Board's Annual Planning Meeting late in November.
Held on 15 October annually, International White Cane Day is the day when the Association and its Branches band together with locals to promote the White Cane. Aimed at educating the general public, the Association has an array of publicity material which is distributed throughout local communities and media. Media highlights include Clive Lansink (ABCNZ Vice President) and Stephen Bennett, RNZFB Total Mobility Instructor Wellington, being interviewed on National Radio's "One in Five".
RNZFB Complaints Policy
We welcome your feedback which helps ensure we are providing quality services. We appreciate your compliments and we aim to resolve your concerns and/or complaints in a professional and understanding manner. If these cannot be sorted at the source, you may wish to take the matter further by contacting the manager concerned or the complaints coordinator, Adrienne Henderson (DM Quality Assurance), PO Box 2237, Dunedin or ph 03 466 4230.