Join a Vision Australia Community Group
Community Groups are a great way to meet other people who are blind or have low vision, share ideas and information, and gain support from members of your community.
Vision Australia has many support groups that meet in person. Use the links below to find a group in your area.
Are you a member of a group not listed here? To register your group for people who are blind or have low vision with us, please contact your local Vision Australia centre.
On this page:
Please select your area from the below list to find a group that meets near you:
- Canberra, ACT
- Illawarra and South Coast NSW
- Western NSW
- Sydney, NSW
- Central Coast and Hunter, NSW
- Northern NSW
- Riverina, NSW & North East VIC
- Brisbane, QLD
- Gold Coast, QLD
- Sunshine Coast, QLD
- Toowoomba and Ipswich, QLD
- Central and North QLD
- Gippsland, VIC
- Melbourne, VIC
- Melbourne North West, Vic
- North and Central VIC
- Western VIC
Canberra, ACT
No groups currently meeting in Canberra
Illawarra and South Coast NSW
Eurobodalla Area Vision Impaired Support Group
Date: Last Wednesday of each month, 11am (except in Dec & Jan)Location: Moruya Bowling Club
Contact: Elaine on email reheskett@hotkey.net.au or phone 0418 460 821
Gwen Booker Centre for Vision Impaired
Date: Tuesdays, 10am - 1:30pmLocation: Corrimal Community Centre
Contact: Paul on email Mcgov.p@gmail.com or phone 0408 428 111
Wollongong Book Club
Date: Last Friday of each month, 10am – 12 noonLocation: Vision Australia Wollongong
Contact: Vision Australia's Wollongong team on 02 4220 4300
Wollongong White Cane Wanderers Walking Group
Date: Second Wednesday of the month, 10 am to 12 pm
Location: Various locations in the Illawarra region
Contact: Vision Australia's Wollongong team on 02 4220 4300
Western NSW
Mudgee Vision Impaired Friendship Group
Date: Second Wednesday of each month, 10am - 12 noon
Location: OCTEC Employment Service, Town Hall Arcade, Byron Place Mudgee
Contact: Mary on email marylovett1@bigpond.com or phone 02 6373 1293
Sydney, NSW
Burwood Local Client Group
Date: First Thursday of each month, 10.30amLocation: Club Burwood, 97 Burwood Rd Burwood
Contact: Coral on email coralarnold@exemail.com.au or phone 02 9713 5734
Burwood Book Club
Date: First Thursday of each month, 1pm
Location: Club Burwood, 97 Burwood Rd Burwood
Contact: Coral on email coralarnold@exemail.com.au or phone 02 9713 5734
Burwood Exercise Group
Date: Wednesdays, 10am
Location: Club Burwood, 97 Burwood Rd Burwood
Contact: Vicki on email vteyles@gmail.com
Campbelltown Local Client Group
Date: First Tuesday of each month, 10amLocation: Macarthur Disabilty Service Office
Contact: Rhonda on 0419 412 087 or email rhondamccaw@gmail.com
Campbelltown Book Club
Date: Fourth Tuesday of each month, 10am
Location: Campbelltown RSL
Contact: Vision Australia's Sydney South and South-West team on phone 02 8525 9085
Caringbah Book Club
Date: Third Monday of each month, 10am
Location: Vision Australia Caringbah
Contact: Vision Australia's Sydney South and South-West team on phone 02 8525 9085
Caringbah Men's Group
Date: Second Wednesday of each month, 10am
Location: Vision Australia Caringbah
Contact: Vision Australia's Sydney South and South-West team on phone 02 8525 9085
Caringbah Walking Group
Date: Third Thursday of each month, 10am
Location: Vision Australia Caringbah
Contact: Vision Australia's Sydney South and South-West team on phone 02 8525 9085
Drummoyne Community Group
Date: Third Thursday of each month, 11.30am
Location: Drummoyne Community Centre, 10 Cometrowe Street Drummoyne
Contact: Coral on email coralarnold@exemail.com.au or phone 02 9713 5734
Epping Social Group
Date: 2nd Tuesday of the month, 10.30am (except Jan)
Location: 1-5 Ray Road, Epping (Corner Ray Road and Carlingford Road) Ask for the Craft Room.
Contact: Hilary on hil.rob@bigpond.net.au or phone 02 9144 1353
Hawkesbury Vision Support LCG
Date: First Monday of each month at 10am
Location: Peppercorn Place, 320 George Street, Windsor
Contact: Terri on phone 02 4572 7090 or 0402 459 168
St George Area Community Group
Date: Last Wednesday of each month, 10.30am - 12 noon
Location: Contact coordinator for location
Contact: Cliff on phone 02 9588 3620
The Northern Beaches Vision Impaired Peer Group
Date: Last Friday each month at 10:15am
Location: Dee Why RSL, 932 Pittwater Rd, Dee Why
Contact: Maureen Eves on 0412 092771 or Rob 02 9918 5853
Avalon Vision Impaired Bowling Group
Date: Every Tuesday
Location: Avalon Bowling Club, Bowling Green Lane, Avalon
Contact: Maureen Eves on
0412 092771
Parramatta Vision Impaired Group
Date: Second Friday of each month, 10am – 12 noon
Location: Level 7, 128 Marsden Street, Parramatta
Contact: Kim on email Kim.Roots@visionaustralia.org
Central Coast and Hunter, NSW
Gosford Social Group
Date: Second Wednesday of the month, 10.30am
Location: Vision Australia Gosford
Contact: Dawn on phone 0415 856 267
Gosford Walkers
Date: Every Saturday at 8.45am for 9am walk
Location: Meet in front of Central Coast Leagues Club
Contact: Carol on phone 0478 420 326 or email carolbourne1944@gmail.com
Maitland Vision Loss Support Group
Date: First Friday of each month, 10am
Location: The Metropolitan Hotel, 289 High St Maitland
Contact: Mick on email mnbaker@iprimus.com.au or phone 02 4934 7852
Newcastle Vision Australia Audio Book Club
Date: Second Thursday of the month, 2pm - 4pm
Location: Vision Australia Newcastle
Contact: Libby on 4943 5316 or email granandgrumpy@ozemail.com.au
Talk About It Audio Book Club
Date: First Tuesday of the month, 2pm - 4pm
Location: Vision Australia Gosford
Contact: Vision Australia's Gosford team on 4321 6700
The Saturday Lunch Club
Date: First Saturday of every second month, 12pm (January, March, May, July, September, November)
Location: The Gallipoli Legion Club, 3/5 Beaumont St, Hamilton
Contact: Bruce on email brucem58@hotmail.com or phone 0417 737 395
VISIEYE: Vision Impaired Support in Education, Youth and Employment
Date: Third Friday of every second month
Location: Sydney Junction Hotel (SJ’s) in the Café
Contact: Stephen on email stephen.belbin@gmail.com
Woy Woy Walking Group
Date: Saturdays at 7.30am
Location: Fishermen's Wharf, Brickwharf Rd, Woy Woy
Contact: Vision Australia Gosford team on 02 4321 6700
Vision Australia Lawn Bowls Group
Date: 9.30am to 11.30am first and third Wednesday of the month
Location: Gosford City Bowling Club
Contact: Jacqueline 0430 039 442 jacqueline.batty@visionaustralia.org
Northern NSW
Ballina Sight Support Group
Date: Fourth Monday of each month, 10am - 12 noon
Location: St Andrews Community Centre, Cherry St Ballina
Contact: Barbara Goulding – Phone 02 6686 4262
Blind and Vision Impaired Support Group (Far North Coast) Inc
Date: First Wednesday of each month for meeting, Second Tuesdays and Third Mondays for activities
Location: Murwillumbah Anglican Church (Wednesday meetings), contact Lee for more information on activities
Contact: Lee on email leonebaker@hotmail.com or phone 07 5599 5669
Casino Vision Impaired Group
Date: First Monday of each month, 10am
Location: Casino Baptist Church Hall
Contact: Denise by phone 0428 661 917
Tamworth Local Client Group
Date: Second Wednesday of each month, 10am
Location: Heritage Room, Tamworth Community Centre
Contact: Phil on 0418 630 350 or email olematemrphil@hotmail.com
Armidale Community Group
Date: First Wednesday of each month, 10am
Location: Armidale City Bowling Club, 92-96 Dumaresq Street, Armidale
Contact: Jeff on 0423 567 841 or jeparker64@optusnet.com.au
Riverina, NSW & North East VIC
Albury Arts Group
Date: Mondays during school terms, 10am – 12noon
Location: Mirambeena Community Centre, Lavington
Contact: Vision Australia Albury on phone 02 6041 8800
Albury Local Client Group
Date: First Wednesday of each month, 2pm - 3pm.Location: Vision Australia, Albury
Contact: Vision Australia Albury on phone 02 6041 8800
Albury Morning Tea Group
Date: Last Friday of the month at 11amLocation: SS&A Club
Contact: Vision Australia Albury on phone 02 6041 8800
Albury Wodonga Social Group
Date: Fortnightly on Thursdays at 10.30am
Location: Retro Café, QE2 Square, Albury
Contact: Vision Australia Albury on phone 02 6041 8800
Wangaratta Social Group
Date: First Thursday and Friday of each month, 11am (does not meet in January)
Location: Wangaratta Club, 4 Victory Parade
Contact: Vision Australia Albury on phone 02 6041 8800
Wagga Social Group
Date: First Thursday of the month, 10.30am
Location: Vision Australia Wagga Wagga
Contact: Vision Australia's Wagga team on 02 6926 8500
Brisbane, QLD
Bayside Low Vision LCG
Date: Second and fourth Wednesday of each month
Location: Donald Simpson Centre, Bloomfield St, Cleveland
Contact: Debbie on phone 07 3823 1506
Blind Bats Inc
Date: At various times
Location: At various locations
Contact: Paul on phone 1300 423 826
Brisbane City Low Vision Support Group
Date: Third Friday each month, 9.30am - 12 noon
Location: Catholic Centre, 143 Edward St, Brisbane
Nundah Low Vision Support Group
Date: Second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 9am - 11.30am
Location: Historical Society Room, Rear of the BCC Library, 1 Badge Street, Nundah
Contact: John on phone 0403 345 625
Redcliffe Blind and Vision Impaired Group
Date: Every second Thursday, 9.30am - 11.30am
Location: Senior Citizens Hall, 401 Oxley Ave, Redcliffe
Contact: Michael on phone 0417 633 738
Vision Australia Focus Community Group
Date: Third Wednesday of each month
Location: Vision Australia, Coorparoo
Contact: Vision Australia Coorparoo on phone 07 3727 2345
Writing With A Vision
Date: First Friday of each month, 11.30am – 2pm
Location: Brisbane Square Library, Brisbane City
Contact: Helen on email h.j.boardman17@gmail.com or phone 07 3252 9031
Wynnum Local Client Group
Date: Third Thursday of each month, 11am
Location: Wynnum Manly Leagues Club, 92 Wondall Rd, Manly West
Contact: Bridget on email bridgetbrett1@gmail.com or phone 07 3396 0637
Gold Coast, QLD
Blind and Visually Impaired Association
Date: Wednesdays, 9.30am - 1pmLocation: BAVIA House, 14 Kalimna Dr, Broadbeach Waters
Contact: Rodney on email rodston@yahoo.com.au or phone 0418 660 978
Sunshine Coast, QLD
Sunshine Coast Men's Group
Date: Fourth Tuesday of each month, 10am
Location: Vision Australia, Maroochydore
Contact: Trevor by email on trevorrice@bigpond.com or phone 0429 484 744
Workplace VIPs
Location: Various, contact coordinator
Toowoomba and Ipswich, QLD
Ipswich Community Group
Date: First Tuesday of each month
Location: Ipswich, contact coordinator for further details
Contact: Les by email on lrc14@bigpond.com or phone 07 3202 3966
Somerset Vision Support Inc
Date: First Monday of each month, 10amLocation: 15 Peace Street, Lowood
Contact: Col by email on Colmac15@bigpond.com or phone 07 54262093
Central and North QLD
Hervey Bay Vision Impaired Support Group
Date: Third Tuesday of each month, 10am
Location: Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre, 22 Charles Street, Pialba
Contact: Bob by email on reloc@bigpond.net.au or phone 0488 091 910
Hervey Bay Blind and Vision Impaired Social Group
Date: Every second Friday of the month, 9.30am - 11am
Location: Tavistock Court Hall, Gate 4 Torbay Retirement Village, Torquay
Contact: Lyn on email wfurness@torbayvillage.org.au or phone 07 4125 0193
Marlin Coast Community Support Group
Date: Second Thursday of each month, 10am - 12 noon
Location: Atherton, 4883
Contact: Wendy on email wendynoakes@bigpond.com or phone 0407 353 858
Maryborough Low Vision & Blind Persons Social Group
Date: First Monday of the month at 10.30am
Location: Parkside Café, Adelaide St, Maryborough
Contact: Kath on phone 0437 282 360
Gippsland, VIC
Bairnsdale Bookworms Audio Book Club
Date: first Thursday of month, 2pm to 4pm
Location: Vision Australia Bairnsdale office, Community Hub, 27 Dalmahoy Street, Bairnsdale.
Contact: Debbie on email debbiecarruthers2@gmail.com or 0448 809 798
East Gippsland VIPs Bairnsdale
Date: First Wednesday of each month, 10.30am
Location: Bairnsdale RSL Club
Contact: Brenda by email brenke@bigpond.com or phone 03 5156 0506
Inverloch / Wonthaggi Community Group
Date: Every 2nd Thursday of month, 2pm
Location: Various
Contact: Mary by email mary.nadler@bigpond.com or phone 5674 1367
Phillip Island Community Group
Date: Second Friday of every month, 11.30am – 2pm
Location: Various
Contact: Jean on email jean.radings@hotmail.com or phone 0456 161 799
Thursday Lunch Group (Bairnsdale)
Date: Third Thursday of every month (except Jan) at 12pm
Location: Bowls Club Bairnsdale
Contact: Nalda on phone 03 5156 2743
Vision Australian Lunch Group Traralgon
Date: 1st Friday of every month
Location: Royal Exchange Hotel, Traralgon
Contact: Lana on phone 0418 506 255
Melbourne, VIC
Boronia Visionaries
Date: Third Monday of each month, 12 noon - 2pmLocation: Vision Australia, Boronia
Contact: Wanda on phone 03 9802 5994
Darkroom Photography Group
Date: Weekend dates starting in 2017Location: Various – contact Peter for details
Contact: Peter on email peter.males@visionaustralia.org or phone 0450 957 533
Dandenong Low Vision Group
Date: Every second Tuesday of each month; outing on the fourth Tuesday of each monthLocation: Dandenong RSL Club
Contact: Carol on email grahamunger@bigpond.com or phone 03 9791 4835
Forest Hill Blackbirds Self Help Group
Date: First Monday of each month, 11am – 1.30pmLocation: Whitehorse Council Rooms, 79 Mahoneys Rd, Forest Hill
Contact: Shelley on email sduncan@dcsi.net.au or phone 0417 535 683
Giggles Cooking Group
Date: Every Second Tuesday (Lynbrook) and First Thursday of the month (Dandenong), 11am - 2pm
Location: Lynbrook Community Centre & Vision Australia Dandenong
Contact: Vision Australia's South East Melbourne team on (03) 8791 0201
Gym and Pool Program
Date: Mondays, 11am to 12pm
Location: Oasis Swimming Complex
Contact: Vision Australia's South East Melbourne team on 8791 0201
Knitting Group
Date: First Thursday of the month, 10am - 12 noon
Location: Vision Australia Dandenong
Contact: Vision Australia's South East Melbourne team on 8791 0201
Kooyong Client Support Group
Date: Fortnightly on ThursdaysLocation: Vision Australia, Kooyong
Contact: Fiona by email fionalea@tpg.com.au or by phone 0427 298 918
Mt Waverley Eyes Right
Date: Every first Monday of each month, 10am – 2pmLocation: 47 Miller Crescent, Mt Waverley
Contact: Wanda on phone 03 9802 5994
Oakleigh Low Vision Group
Date: First Wednesday of the month, 12.30pm - 2pm
Location: Oakleigh Senior Citizens Club
Contact: Vision Australia's South East Melbourne team on 8791 0201
Pakenham Mens Group
Date: Every second Tuesday at 10am
Location: G'Day Coffee Café
Contact: Vision Australia's South East Melbourne team on 8791 0201
Red Legs Walking Group
Date: Thursdays, 10am till 12pm
Location: Oasis Swimming Complex
Contact: Vision Australia's South East Melbourne team on 8791 0201
Seaford Low Vision Group
Date: Second Wednesday of the month, 12pm
Location: Seaford RSL
Contact: Vision Australia's South East Melbourne team on 8791 0201
Social Cooking Group
Date: Third Friday of each month, 10am – 1pmLocation: Dobson Park Pavilion, Ferntree Gully
Contact: Camela on phone 0417 383 252
Wednesday Wombats
Date: Second Wednesday of the month, 10am - 12 noon
Location: Vision Australia Kooyong
Contact: Angelina by email angelinapivagiblett@gmail.com
Melbourne North West
Good ol’ board and card games
Weekly Mondays between 9am-11am
Minimum: 4
Do you love playing Old Maid, Snap, or Monopoly? This group is for you!
Contact: Anna Dal (03) 8378 1198 or email: anna.dal@visionaustralia.org
Paper Crafts
Weekly Mondays 1pm-4pm
Minimum: 4
This group is for scrapbooking, card making, and origami folding enthusiasts (amongst all sorts of other paper crafty goodness).
Contact: Anna Dal (03) 8378 1198 or email: anna.dal@visionaustralia.org
Handicrafts group
Weekly Tuesday mornings 9am-11am
Minimum: 3
Do you knit, or crochet, or even sew? Or maybe you used to but need to boost your confidence. Bring you current project to the group – or start a new one! We’ll ring in ‘experts’ who are confident knitting, crocheting, or sewing to give you hints and tips.
Contact: Anna Dal (03) 8378 1198 or email: anna.dal@visionaustralia.org
Current affairs discussion group
Weekly Tuesday afternoons between 1pm-3pm
Minimum: 5
This group is for people interested current affairs and want stimulating, and respectful, discussions around every day news in Australia and around the world.
Contact: Anna Dal (03) 8378 1198 or email: anna.dal@visionaustralia.org
Pastimes and Presentations
Weekly Wednesdays 9.30am-12.30pm
Minimum: 6
Come have a coffee, a chat, play a game, or watch a presentation. Presentations will come from both within the vision impaired community and a range of other community organisations.
Contact: Anna Dal (03) 8378 1198 or email: anna.dal@visionaustralia.org
Book club
First Wednesday of each month 1.30pm-4pm
Minimum: 5
Are you a serious book nerd? The aim of this group is to choose an audiobook to read each month and then discuss the book at the following book club meeting. All genres will be given a go!
Contact: Anna Dal (03) 8378 1198 or email: anna.dal@visionaustralia.org
Out to Lunch
Second Thursday of the month 12pm-2pm
Minimum: 4
You’ve been asking for a lunch group, so now is your chance to join one! We’ll meet at various clubs and restaurants and eat lunch in each other’s sparkling company!
Contact: Anna Dal (03) 8378 1198 or email: anna.dal@visionaustralia.org
North and Central VIC
Shepparton Local Client Group
Date: First Friday of each month, 11.30amLocation: Mojo's cafe
Contact: Sharon on email sselick@outlook.com or phone 03 5822 2878
Western VIC
Geelong Local Client Support Group
Date: Fourth Thursday of every second month, 12noonLocation: Various - contact Brian for location
Contact: Brian on email bhunter2@tpg.com.au or phone 03 5244 0442
Geelong Recreation Local Client Group
Date: Ten pin every Tuesday at 10.45am; Lawn Bowls every Thursday at 11.45am
Location: Ten pin bowling in Belmont; lawn bowls at Highton
Contact: Peter on email petermadden@bigpond.com or phone 03 5241 6033
Warrnambool Dine Out Group
Date: Third Tuesday of the month, 6.30pm
Location: Various
Contact: Rose on phone 0428 931 032
Learn more
Below are links to more information and other ways to connect with Vision Australia.
- Connecting with others – more peer support options
- Volunteering and fundraising
- Subscribe to our email newsletter For Your Info
- Your Vision Australia Roundup – listen to an audio newsletter for clients of Vision Australia
- Client Engagement – get the full picture on how Vision Australia consults with our community