On October 11th, Brisbane came alive with celebration as the Blind Australian of the Year Awards 2025 honoured the achievements and contributions of Australians who are blind or have low vision. Vision Australia Radio proudly attended and covered the event, capturing the voices and stories that made the evening truly memorable.
Held at the Amora Hotel, the gala featured a vibrant mix of nominees, guests, sponsors, and exhibitors. Vision Australia Radio’s Community Engagement Coordinator, Jason Gipps, was on-site, sharing interviews and reflections from the exhibition space and red carpet.
A standout feature of the evening was the collaboration between Vision Australia Radio and the Vision Store Coorparoo team. Together, they hosted a joint exhibit showcasing assistive technology, and the various ways Vision Australia makes news and information accessible via radio and audio services.
Eliza, from the Vision Store, shared her enthusiasm:
"It’s really important for us to show up for our blind and low vision community, and to let people know the massive range of equipment and services we have at Vision Australia. People can just drop in anytime."
The display included a variety of mobility canes, such as glitter canes and the innovative “No Jab Cane,” designed to reduce impact when navigating uneven terrain.
"I’m a big believer in glitter and having a cane for every outfit if you want to!" Eliza added with a smile.
Image caption: Jason (Vision Australia Radio) takes a selfie with members of the Vision Store Coorparoo team, Eliza, Ruby and Kayla.
The evening’s MC, Karan Nagrani, brought humour and heart to the stage. Reflecting on his role, he said:
"I didn’t even know an award (ceremony) like this existed until I was nominated in 2022. As a blind person, you often don’t feel included. When you have an award that’s just for people like you, it’s a really special feeling."
Reggie Bird, known for her appearances on Big Brother and I’m a Celebrity…, was also in attendance, chatting with nominees and guests on the red carpet. Her presence added a touch of star power and warmth to the evening.
“It’s just so beautiful to be here and see everyone dressed up, smiling, and celebrating (with) each other. I’ve met so many amazing people tonight, this community is full of heart.”
Image caption: Reggie Bird with musician Rachael Leahcar at the Blind Australian of the Year Awards.
Terry O’Neill, CEO of Link Vision, and one of the event organisers, summed up the spirit of the night:
"This event is about recognising the incredible contributions of people in our community. It’s not just about awards, it’s about connection, visibility, and celebrating what’s possible."
Vision Australia Radio thanks Link Vision for Sponsoring our radio service in the lead up to this year’s event, and for allowing us to be a media partner. Vision Australia Radio provided extensive coverage of the nomination period, and promotion around ticket sales for the awards gala, which delivered a sell out event. We look forward to getting behind the awards once again in 2026, and celebrating with the blind and low vision community.
Listen to the full podcast highlights and interviews from the night on Omny.
