Vision Australia was saddened to learn of the passing of Gordon Merry on 4 December, 2014 at the age of 92.
Gordon worked with the Association for the Blind as a social worker for more than 20 years from the mid-1960s and played a crucial role in the establishment of Radio for the Print Handicapped (RPH) – the forerunner of Vision Australia Radio.
Prior to this, he had a decorated air force career, including service in the Pacific during World War 2, and was an ordained Baptist Minister.
Gordon was a strong advocate for the introduction of radio services for the blind and those with low vision, and was described as the single most effective influencer of the Association for the Blind management in the 1970s, in convincing them to take a serious interest in facilitating the development and operation of RPH.
Vision Australia Radio has grown to become an indispensable resource for people who are blind or have low vision, as well as others who are print-handicapped in different ways - a resource that would not be available without the inspiration and foresight of Gordon Merry and others like him.
He was an energetic, proactive, compassionate person and made a significant difference for many blind people and their families throughout Victoria.
All of us at Vision Australia are thankful for Gordon’s work, and wish to express our deepest sympathies to his family for their loss.
Gordon worked with the Association for the Blind as a social worker for more than 20 years from the mid-1960s and played a crucial role in the establishment of Radio for the Print Handicapped (RPH) – the forerunner of Vision Australia Radio.
Prior to this, he had a decorated air force career, including service in the Pacific during World War 2, and was an ordained Baptist Minister.
Gordon was a strong advocate for the introduction of radio services for the blind and those with low vision, and was described as the single most effective influencer of the Association for the Blind management in the 1970s, in convincing them to take a serious interest in facilitating the development and operation of RPH.
Vision Australia Radio has grown to become an indispensable resource for people who are blind or have low vision, as well as others who are print-handicapped in different ways - a resource that would not be available without the inspiration and foresight of Gordon Merry and others like him.
He was an energetic, proactive, compassionate person and made a significant difference for many blind people and their families throughout Victoria.
All of us at Vision Australia are thankful for Gordon’s work, and wish to express our deepest sympathies to his family for their loss.