Blind Australian of the Year

10/06/2026

This year’s Blind Australian of the Year Awards GALA DINNER will showcase an outstanding lineup of blind talent, highlighting the diversity, creativity and excellence that exists within the blind and low vision community.

Guiding guests through the evening will be co-hosts , a finalist in the 2025 Blind Australian of the Year Awards, and Link Vision CEO Terry O’Neill. Together, they will lead an inspiring program filled with powerful stories, well-deserved recognition and memorable moments.

Guests will enjoy live entertainment from acclaimed blind singer-songwriter Jack Murphy, whose captivating performances and heartfelt music continue to inspire audiences wherever he performs.

Keeping the celebrations alive throughout the evening will be , also known as Mitch Medcalf. A proud blind and gay man, Mitch is passionate about bringing people together through music and creating an atmosphere of joy, connection and inclusion.

Adding plenty of laughter to the night will be comedian, disability advocate and social media personality Karan Nagrani, better known as .blind.guy . Karan will host the VIP Red Carpet experience before taking to the main stage with his signature blend of humour, storytelling and advocacy.

We are also delighted to welcome reality television favourite as our VIP Guest. Admired by Australians for her authenticity, resilience and positive outlook, Reggie will help make this year’s Gala an even more memorable occasion.

Joining us as a Special Guest will be Maurice Gleeson OAM, recipient of the 2025 Blind Australian of the Year Individual Award. Maurice’s unwavering commitment to advocacy, inclusion and community service embodies the very spirit of these awards and continues to inspire people across Australia.

The gala will be held at the Royal on the Park Hotel in Brisbane on Saturday, 10 October 2026. Tickets are on sale with early bird specials on for a limited time. Get your tickets: https://blindaustralianoftheyear.com.au/tickets/

Description: Several images including a collage and individual photos of the talent lineup with their respective write ups.

09/06/2026

🏆✨ Roll out the red carpet and get ready for a night to remember!

Join us for the 2026 Blind Australian of the Year Awards Gala Dinner on Saturday, 10 October at the Royal on the Park Hotel, Brisbane.

🌟 Meet the incredible Julie Goodwin at an exclusive VIP Meet & Greet before she takes the stage as our special Guest Speaker.

🎤 Prepare to laugh with blind comedian, advocate and influencer Karan Nagrani – THAT BLIND GUY™️ .blind.guy who will host the VIP Red Carpet.

🎉 Plus, we’re excited to welcome special guests Reality tv superstar and and Maurice Gleeson OAM and 2025 Award Recipient, for an evening filled with inspiration, entertainment and celebration.

🥂 Your ticket includes:
✨ Dinner and drinks
✨ VIP Meet & Greet access
✨ Live entertainment and music
✨ Entry to the Expo
✨ The Awards Ceremony
✨ Networking opportunities
✨ Plenty of surprises, laughs and memorable moments throughout the night

🎟️ Early Bird tickets available until 30 June
Get yours now: https://blindaustralianoftheyear.com.au/tickets/

Early Bird Ticket Pricing
🎟️ Concession — $70
🎟️ General Admission — $140
🎟️ Tables of 10 — Enquire now

💫 Come celebrate the remarkable achievements of Australians living with blindness and low vision, and be part of an evening that shines a spotlight on resilience, leadership and community spirit.

Image Description: A collage with photos of Julie, Karan, Reggie and Maurice along with ten awards logo and the event information as mentioned above.

02/06/2026

Join us on Saturday, 10 October 2026 for the Blind Australian of the Year Awards GALA Dinner brought to you by Link Vision at the iconic Royal on the Park - Brisbane for an unforgettable evening celebrating the achievements, resilience and contributions of Australians living with blindness.

This year’s Gala theme, “Finding Light in the Darkness,” promises an inspiring night of connection, recognition and entertainment.

Enjoy an exclusive VIP Meet & Greet with , who will also be our keynote speaker for the evening. Walk the red carpet and be interviewed by host .blind.guy before he takes to the stage with his unique blend of comedy and lived experience.

We’re also delighted to welcome special guests and Maurice Gleeson OAM.

The evening will feature:
⭐️Red Carpet Interviews
⭐️VIP Meet & Greet
⭐️Trade Expo
⭐️Dinner & Drinks
⭐️Networking
⭐️Live Entertainment & Music
⭐️The Blind Australian of the Year Awards Ceremony

Award categories include:
🏆Youth Award
🏆Individual Award
🏆Employer of Choice Award

Nominations are still open: https://blindaustralianoftheyear.com.au/nominate/

MC: Terry O’Neill
Co-MC:
DJ:
Singer: Jack Murphy

Early Bird Tickets (available until 30 June)
🎟️Concession: $70
🎟️General Admission: $140
🎟️Table of 10 packages available – contact us for details.

Get your tickets now: https://blindaustralianoftheyear.com.au/tickets/

Join us for a night of celebration, inspiration and recognition as we honour outstanding Australians and discover this year’s Blind Australian of the Year Award recipients.

Video Description: Fast loving promotional videos following a black and gold theme with the awards logo. The video shows snippets of last year’s winners, the talent lineup and captures from the GALA last year with people celebrating and dancing.

01/06/2026

📻✨We are delighted to announce that Radio is the Official Media Partner for the 2026 Blind Australian of the Year Awards Gala Dinner.

Join us on Saturday, 10 October at the Royal on the Park Hotel in Brisbane for a memorable evening celebrating the achievements, resilience and contributions of Australians living with blindness.

The night will feature special guest speaker Julie Goodwin - , stand-up comedy from Karan Nagrani - .blind.guy , and special guests Reggie Bird - and Maurice Gleeson OAM the 2025 recipient of the Individual Blind Australian of the Year Award.

TICKETS: https://blindaustralianoftheyear.com.au/tickets/

🎟️EARLYBIRD Special until 30 June
🎟️ Concession $70
🎟️ General $140
🎟️ Corporate Tables

All tickets include drinks, dinner, VIP meet and greet, live entertainment and entry to the trade expo.

In this video, Jason Gipps, National Audio Business Development Consultant at Vision Australia Radio, chats with Link Vision CEO Terry O’Neill about the upcoming awards and the importance of recognising outstanding Australians who are blind or have low vision. There are also promotional images that appear showing the talent line up, the trophies and the gala details.

25/05/2026

🏆Join us for an unforgettable evening at the 2026 Blind Australian of the Year Awards Gala Dinner on Saturday, 10 October, at the Royal on the Park Hotel.

Enjoy an exclusive VIP Meet & Greet with celebrated cook, author and television personality, JULIE GOODWIN who will also appear as our special Guest Speaker for the evening.

The night will also feature entertainment from comedian, advocate and influencer Karan Nagrani - THAT BLIND GUY™️- .blind.guy who will host the VIP Red Carpet and perform segments from from his sold out stand-up comedy special ‘From Grindr to Blindr’

We are also thrilled to welcome special guests and Maurice Gleeson OAM.

Celebrate achievement, community and inspiration at one of the year’s most anticipated gala events.

Tickets are now on sale, with early bird specials available until 30 June. Get your tickets now: https://blindaustralianoftheyear.com.au/tickets/

All tickets include dinner, drinks, VIP Meet & Greet access, entertainment, live music, free entry to the expo, the awards ceremony, networking opportunities, and plenty of fun throughout the evening.

Ticket Pricing
🎟️Concession — $70
🎟️General Admission — $140
🎟️Tables of 10 — Enquire now

Come celebrate the exceptional contribution of individuals living with blindness and low vision who, by their example, inspire others to excellence and through their actions improve Australian community life.

Description: A series of promotional photos with the awards logo and event details. A feature image of Julie, then Karan, then Reggie and Maurice followed by a slideshow capturing highlights from the 2025 Gala Dinner.

15/05/2026

Here’s a message from our CEO, Terry O’Neill, inviting you to the 2026 Blind Australian of the Year Awards Gala Dinner on Saturday, 10 October, at the Royal on the Park Hotel in Brisbane.

Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate Australians living with blindness and low vision, featuring dinner, drinks, live entertainment, and some very special guests.

Tickets are now available at
Blind Australian of the Year Awards website: https://blindaustralianoftheyear.com.au/tickets/

All tickets include free entry to the Trade Expo before the Gala.

This year’s Gala theme is Finding Light in the Darkness, with a Black & Gold dress code.

Nominations are also open for the Blind Australian of the Year Awards:
🏆YOUTH (15-21)
🏆INDIVIDUAL
🏆EMPLOYER OF CHOICE

Nominate Now: https://blindaustralianoftheyear.com.au/nominate/

Video description: Promotional graphics celebrating “Finding Light in the Darkness” appear, followed by Link Vision CEO Terry O’Neill speaking about the Gala. Photos of past winners are also featured throughout the video.

13/05/2026

Nominations are pouring in for the Blind Australian of the Year Awards, and we are thrilled to read them all and be inspired by Australians living with blindness.

WHAT MAKES A STRONG NOMINATION?
Highlighting someone who demonstrates excellence and achievement in their field.

Makes a meaningful contribution to the community and creates significant and lasting impact.

Embodies values such as excellence, innovation, creativity, perseverance, courage, and self-determination.

Supports the Awards’ mission of inclusion and community impact.

IMPORTANT: One well written, comprehensive nomination focused on the contribution, excellence and self-determination of the Nominee is all that is required.

These Awards are judged against specific criteria, NOT by popularity, so multiple nominations will not influence the Selection Panel’s decision. We encourage nominations that clearly demonstrate the depth and breadth of the Nominee’s achievements.

NOMINATE NOW:
https://blindaustralianoftheyear.com.au

All nominations must be submitted through the online form on the Blind Australian of the Year Awards website.

Nominee consent is required and must be confirmed in the form.

Full contact details for both the nominee and nominator, including mobile number and email address, must also be provided.

Image Description: The text above on a black and gold background with the three award trophies: Individual, Youth (15-21) and Employer of Choice.

12/05/2026

Nominate Now - 🏆 Employer of Choice Award 2026. The Employer of Choice Award recognises organisations who not only champion diversity but demonstrate HOW workplace accessibility and inclusion is delivered to create truly diverse, high performing teams and successful business outcomes.

Nominate Now: https://blindaustralianoftheyear.com.au/business-nomination-form/

Through action, advocacy, and opportunity, St Kilda sets the standard for inclusive leadership—proving that success is strongest when everyone can belong.

Description: Two images showing the Employer of Choice trophy on a black and gold background, and a video of last years recipient

12/05/2026

04/05/2026

Nominate Now🏆 The Blind Australian of the Year - INDIVIDUAL is a person who has reached an exceptional level of excellence or achievement in their field of endeavour or in contribution to Australian society. They are a person who is not defined nor limited by the level of their vision. They are a person who, by any measure, would be recognised for their excellence and contribution.

Nominations are open the YOUTH, INDIVIDUAL and EMPLOYER OF CHOICE awards, and remember, you don’t have to be blind to nominate someone.

If you would like to nominate Simone, please visit: https://blindaustralianoftheyear.com.au/nominate/

NOTE: It is important to note that this is NOT a voting system. These are Awards based on specific criteria, not a popularity campaign.

One well written, comprehensive nomination focused on the contribution, excellence and self-determination of the Nominee is all that is required.

We discourage multiple nominations that do not convey the breadth and depth of what the Nominee has achieved, as outlined above. Multiple nominations will not influence the final decision of the Selection Panel.

Description: Two photos one with the glass trophy on a dark@background with glitter. There is a gold frame with a photo of last year’s recipient - Maurice Gleeson OAM and the final slide is a video from the 2025 GALA Dinner where Maurice was awarded his trophy.