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Established in 2006, the Vision Australia awards are presented at the Vision Australia Annual General Meeting (AGM) each year. 

The awards are presented to individuals and organisations in recognition of significant contributions to Vision Australia and Australia’s blind and low vision community more broadly. 

This year, four individual Vision Australia Awards were announced at the AGM held at Vision Australia’s Kooyong centre on October 31. 

Vision Australia Award recipients 2024

Professor Sharon Bentley

Professor Bentley retired from the Vision Australia Board at the 2024 AGM, having been appointed as a Director in 2015.

In nearly a decade as a Director, Professor Bentley has made an immense contribution to Vision Australia, helping shape our client service and fundraising initiatives and providing advice and support to our Leadership Team. 

Acting CEO Justine Heath presents Professor Bentley with her award
Caption: Professor Bentley receives her award from Acting CEO Justine Heath.

Professor Bentley is currently the deputy dean of the Faculty of Health at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane where she is also director of the Centre for Vision and Eye Research. 

Professor Bentley has been appointed as the new dean of the University of California, Berkeley, Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science, where she will oversee the school’s academic programs, research initiatives, and community outreach.

Michael Gordon

Michael is an independent company director serving on the boards and investment committees of companies in the financial services industry and not-for-profit organisations. 

Michael has been a director of the Vision Australia Foundation since September 2019, and chair since April 2020. 

Michael’s support for our vision and contribution to our services is greatly appreciated. His leadership has been essential in driving the Foundation’s mission forward and ensuring its long- term success. 

Associate Professor Melissa Fanshawe 

Associate Professor Melissa Fanshawe is a tireless advocate for the blind and low vision community through her role as parent of child who is blind, and also in her professional life as an Associate Professor in Mathematics Curriculum and Pedagogy at the University of Southern Queensland. 

She is an experienced educator in the space of adjustments for students who are blind or who have low vision in primary and secondary classrooms and a contributor to Vision Australia projects including Life Ready and Lego Braille.

Melissa with her Vision Australia Award
Caption: Associate Professor Melissa Fanshawe with her award.

John Foreman 

John Foreman has been the Musical Director of Carols by Candlelight, Vision Australia’s most significant fundraising event, for over 20 years. 

In this role, he has helped raise significant funds for Vision Australia’s Children’s Programs and has made a longstanding contribution to the blind and low vision community.