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Link vision
Link Vision: Our story
Link Vision, originally named Aid for the Blind, was founded in 1968 by Reverend Elsie Dodd and her husband Gordon Dodd to help people with Low and No vision lead more independent lives. Elsie still has a very active interest in the charity she established so many years ago.
Their mission then was simple, to improve working conditions and provide affordable self-contained living accommodation.
Over the past 50 years, this mission has gone from strength to strength thanks to the support of many and our outlook for the next 50 years looks brighter than ever.
Watch our video below
About Link Vision
This video was filmed at our accommodation complex in Fairfield, our warehouse at Kedron, our Geebung Op Shop, and at Mt Gravatt State School. Many of the people in the video have Low or No Vision. We are very grateful to all those who gave their time and made it possible – our residents, staff, volunteers, board members, education mentors, Mt Gravatt State School, our beautiful student and her parents, and of course, our film maker Adam, who gave up so much of his time.Meet Our People
CEO/Secretary
Terry has been CEO since 2012 and prior to that was a Management Committee member. He has extensive senior management experience in Transport, Materials Handling and Logistics sectors throughout Australia. He has also successfully operated his own PR business, his specialty being Business Building. He has previously been involved with Rotary International and Ronald McDonald Charities. Amongst other qualifications, Terry has a Diploma in Advanced Management. Terry is also Vice Chairman of NACRO (National Association of Charitable Recycling Organisations), and serves as Treasurer of the Queensland White Cane Committee.
Operations Manager
Tracy has over 25 years of retail experience and is responsible for Link Vision’s Retail and Wholesale sales, including management of our “Op Shops” and warehouse operation.
Tracy is also responsible for the overall management of Link Vision in the absence of the CEO. She has been with Link Vision for 10 years, and during that time developed a very successful export business, the proceeds from which fund the Computer Club. There have been 3 generations of Tracy’s family, all very dedicated to Link Vision’s Mission.
Office Mascot
Harry brings with him many years of experience and dedication. Aside from excelling at his job he also offers great companionship and is always happy to greet new visitors.
Meet Our Board
President
Luke has extensive experience from 20 years of owning and managing successful businesses in both consultancy and retail. He was Director of an IT and consultancy business for 13 years.
He currently owns and is Managing Director of a retail watch sales and repair business with four locations in Brisbane and Sydney. With annual revenue growth of 20% per annum for the last 7 years, Luke has been focused on developing and growing the business to become Australia’s largest retailer of new and vintage watches. He manages a staff of over 30 and oversees all financial advisory, accounting, marketing, administrative and HR functions.
Luke has successfully navigated challenges with low vision and forging a successful business career. He has a deep understanding of the challenges facing people with low or no vision.
Director
Annie has worked as General Manager in the not for profit sector for both national and state-based organisations. During her contract with Guide Dogs Queensland, she had the privilege of interacting directly with people living with low or no vision who helped her understand what was needed as support.
Annie previously had senior roles with Coles Supermarkets, Flight Centre, and time in financial services. She also started up the Organ & Tissue Authority to help increase the Australian rates of organ donation. This diverse experience has given her a very strong business and governance background and an ability to work across all sectors with all types of people.
She would be delighted to have the opportunity to offer her skills and business experience as a member of the Management Committee.
Vice President
Phillip (Phil) recently moved to Brisbane permanently after 15 years in Perth where he was a senior Human Resources Manager with BHP. He became a Director of Link Vision in late 2021.
Prior to that, he worked in various senior Human Resource positions for Exxon Mobil, including as HR Manager for Mobil Oil New Zealand and HR Manager for Mobil Pacific Islands. The latter role provided him with incredible experience working with diverse cultures.
Phil is now semi-retired and wants to devote more of his time supporting a worthwhile organisation such as Link Vision. He is really impressed with the support that Link Vision provides to persons with Low or No Vision, of which he is one. Thus, he can really appreciate the value of this work and support.
Phil brings to Link Vision 25+ years of Human Resource Management experience and management of senior leadership teams with leading Australian companies. He holds a Master of Business Admin and a Bachelor of Economics.
Phil is very keen to build on the achievements of those before him and help Link Vision into its next phase, working closely with the Board, Staff and most importantly our Members.
Director
Ben enjoyed the rewarding involvement of working closely with fellow members as an employee in 2022. Along with his own personal experience with Low Vision, he is passionate and committed to his association with Link Vision.
He is an experienced executive with a proven history of working with and leading teams across a variety of senior management roles. He has post graduate university qualifications.
Ben has a wide and varied skillset along with an ability to establish strong relationships at all levels. Being a Director of Link Vision is a great opportunity for him to mix his knowledge of business with a passion to assist the Link Vision Community.
Director & Treasurer
David is a member of the Australian Society of CPAs, CIMA (UK) and the Governance Institute of Australia. He became Treasurer of Link Vision late in 2021.
He is the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of Heat & Control Pty Ltd and also sits on the Board of Directors of the Company and its subsidiaries. His role is mainly in finance and administration, and he is responsible for the integrity of the financial information of the group. David also works with the group’s auditors during the audit process, legal counsel and group’s bankers as required.
David has a strong sense of community and has been a Treasurer for the Silver Fawn Club and has served on the Parish Council of St Barnabas Anglican Church, Sunnybank.
David has a desire to serve the community and believes that his experience in the corporate and not for profit sectors together with his skill set in finance gained over 40 years working in this field will enable him to contribute to Link Vision as a Director and Treasurer.
Director
Licia was Link Vision’s Treasurer between 2016 and 2021, and has re-joined the Board as Director.
Licia has also been very active over many years in contributing to Link Vision events.
She has worked in both Public and Private sectors for both large and small organisations in several industries including manufacturing and mining. She also has prior experience with other No for Profit organisations.
Licia believes to succeed in any business venture, it is important to understand the financial data and to be able to analyse the data to proactively manage the business.
Licia has a Bachelor of Commerce Accounting, is a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA), is a registered Tax Agent, and owns and operates her own accounting business.
Director
My enthusiasm for joining the Board is to provide insight and experience to Link Vision. I have always been vision impaired however, nothing has prevented me from living, having a career, and doing the things necessary to operate several successful businesses.
During the last 25 years my wife and I have resurrected several businesses across various industries. It is my great pleasure to bring this knowledge to Link Vision.
I believe that this broad experience will bring to the Board skills and experience to contribute to the bright future of Link Vision.
Meet Our Patron
Ray Hadley OAM
Ray Hadley works tirelessly to bring his listeners an informative and entertaining Morning Show from Monday to Friday. He has rated number one in Sydney since 2004, and is now heard every weekday morning on 4BC in Brisbane and dozens of network stations right across Australia. On Saturdays, during the NRL season, his Continuous Call Team remains unbeaten since 1992, and has continued to dominate the ratings since joining 2GB in 2002.
Ray has won 31 Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs), recognising everything from his sports presenting skills – including NRL Grand Finals and the Olympics to his ongoing success commenting on news and current affairs to a national audience. In 2017 he was inducted to the ACRA Hall of Fame. Ray is the most awarded broadcaster in the history of the ACRAs.
Ray has been an advocate for Link Vision for several years lending his support and offering invaluable exposure for the organisation. He is known for his generosity and we are proud to have him as our Patron.