2025 Vision Australia Award winners acknowledged | Vision Australia. Blindness and low vision services

Vision Australia Award winners

Youth Award: Holly McLennan-Brown

Holly is the artist behind Vision Australia’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) artwork.

Holly is a proud Yorta Yorta woman and successful artist, and the RAP artwork has played a key role in our workforce and community engaging with out RAP journey.

Holly has also collaborated with Vision Australia on other design work and generally supported our reconciliation work.

Individual Award: Susan Diver OAM

Susan is the Chair of the Black & White Committee and has held the role for 25 years.

Each year the Black & White Committee tirelessly works to raise much needed funds for Vision Australia, and Susan’s time as Chair has ensured the Black & White Committee remains energised in its support for Vision Australia.

Individual Award: Paul Hedley

Paul Hedley was a member of the Client Reference Group from 2017 to 2024 and played a key role in the development of the CRG during that time. Paul has also been involved with the Quality Living Program and the regular induction programs for new Vision Australia staff.

Paul has been a passionate advocate for employment of people who are blind or have low vision and the insights he has provided to Vision Australia have been invaluable.

Individual Award: Arkan Yousef

Arkan has been blind since birth and has not let that hold him back from providing valuable support to others in his community.

Every week, Arkan travels independently via public transport to volunteer at a local care community, where he spends two hours bringing warmth and companionship to residents. His visits, come rain or shine, are a consistent highlight for those he serves.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when in-person visits were suspended, Arkan found creative ways to stay connected. He would call residents from outside their windows, chatting with them to ensure they still felt seen, valued, and loved. His presence brought light during an isolating time.

Arkan has also learned English as his third language and has completed two master’s degrees in mathematics from UTS and is now working toward a PhD.

Departing Board Directors

It is customary and appropriate for the Vision Australia Board to recognise those who have completed their terms as Directors.

This year, we recognised three Directors who have retired from the Vision Australia Board. We thank each of them for their support of our for our mission, contribution to our services and fundraising.

Assoc. Professor Julian Rait

Julian was first appointed to the Board in October 2019 and was elected Deputy Chair in October 2023.

Julian has bought extensive clinical expertise to the Vision Australia Board and has served extensively on a number of Board committees during his tenure.

Stephen O’Brien

Stephen first joined the Vision Australia Board in 2016 and has provided valuable knowledge and insights for nearly a decade.

With experience in retail, e-commerce, hotels, leisure, and energy Stephen brought valuable corporate knowledge to the Board, as well as expertise in primary and community care.

Darren Fittler

Darren joined the Vision Australia Board in 2016 and has provided valuable professional and personal insights over that time.

Darren is a practicing lawyer, with a strong focus on the provision of legal assistance to philanthropists, charities and not-for-profit organisations. Darren also brought his lived experience of blindness to the Board and is a strong voice and advocate for the blind and low vision community.

On this page