NSW/ACT Peer Support Groups
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Unsure of which region you belong to? Find out more by reading the Region Descriptions.
If you would you like to nominate your Peer Support Group or update details listed below, please contact the web administrator at webmaster@visionaustralia.org.
Sydney
- Ashfield
Name: Ashfield Seniors VIP Peer Support Group
Meets: 1st Friday of each month, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Location: Ashfield Community Centre, Level 2, Behind Ashfield Council Chambers, Liverpool Road, Ashfield NSW 2131
Contact: Margaret Levit on 02 9799 2049 - Blacktown
Name: Blacktown VIP Peer Support Group
Meets: 1st Monday of each month, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Blacktown Workers Club, 55 Campbell Street, Blacktown NSW 2148
Contact: Mary Shannon on 02 9677 0209 - Canterbury/Bankstown
Name: Canterbury/Bankstown VIP Peer Support Group
Meets: Last Wednesday of each month, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Location: Bankstown RSL Club, Kitchener Road, Bankstown NSW 2200
Contact: Gladys Smit on 02 9798 7765 - Castle Hill
Name: Hills District VIP Support Group
Meets: Last Wednesday of each month, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Location: Castle Hill RSL Club, 77 Castle Street, Castle Hill NSW 2154
Contact: Bill Morton 02 9476 0052 or Thelma Young 02 9634 7452 or Connie Adderton 02 9629 4185 - Coogee
Name: Randwick City Vision Impaired Support Group
Meets: Last Wednesday of each month, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Southern Cross Village, 39 Gregory Street, South Coogee NSW 2034
Contact: Nona Wakefield 02 9349 8474 or Margaret O'Leary 02 9344 5299 - Dee Why
Name: Dee Why Seniors VIP Peer Support Group
Meets: Last Friday of each month, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Dee Why RSL, 3rd Floor, 932 Pittwater Road, Cnr Hawkesbury Road, Dee Why NSW 2099
Contact: Dianna Donnelly 02 9948 0814 or Cliff Parker 02 9971 5699 - Epping
Name: Epping VIP Group
Meets: Last Thursday of each month, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Epping Baptist Church, Cnr Ray and Carlingford Roads, Epping NSW 2121
Contact: Gwen Cooper on 02 9876 5873 - Fairfield/Liverpool and Surrounding Districts
Name: The Fairfield- Liverpool and Surrounding Districts VIP Peer Support Group
Meets: 1st Tuesday of each month, 10:30am - 2:00pm
Location: Smithfield RSL Club, Cnr Neville Street & Cumberland Highway (Smithfield Road), Smithfield NSW 2164
Contact: Margaret Breimann on 02 9604 4414 - Fairfield
Name: Parks Vision Impaired Support/Social Group
Meets: 2nd Friday of each month, 10.30am -2.30pm
Location: Greenfield Park Community Centre, 17 Greenfield Road, Greenfield Park
Contact: Wayne Frankland on 02 9609 3525 or Janet Youil on 02 9609 7018 - Mosman
Name: Lower North Shore VIPs Support Group
Meets: 1st Thursday of each month, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Location: Mosman RSL, Sirius Function Room, 1st Floor 719 Military Road, Mosman NSW 2088
Contact: Usha Modi 02 9960 6290 or Karen Gardner 02 9960 4107 - Gymea
Name: Gymea Activity Centre for Visually Impaired People
Meets: Every Thursday, 9:30am - 1:30pm
Location: Council Hall, 39 Gymea Rd, Gymea NSW 2227
Contact: Shirley Warmeant on 02 9520 5468 - Harbord
Name: Manly-Warringah VIPs Support Group
Meets: Last Wednesday of each month, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Location: Harbord Diggers Memorial Club, Harbord Room, 1st Floor, Evans Street, Harbord NSW 2096
Contact: Bob Hinds on 02 9977 1899 or Marie Burrows on 02 9949 4733 - Hornsby/Kuring-gai
Name: The Tuesday Activity Group
Meets: Every Tuesday, Members must live in the Hornsby or Kuring-gai Council areas.
Location: Hornsby Kuring-gai Hospital, Palmerston Road, Hornsby NSW 2077
Contact: Fiona Begg on 02 9477 9514 (Tuesdays only) - Ingleburn/Campbelltown
Name: Camden Area Seniors Group Diversional Therapy Program
Meets: One day a week Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:00pm
Location: Myrtle Cottage, 59 Cumberland Road, Ingleburn NSW 2565
Contact: 02 9605 4666 - Lindfield
Name: Lindfield Seniors VIP Peer Support Group
Meets: 1st Wednesday of each month, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Lindfield Senior Centre, 259 Pacific Highway, Lindfield NSW 2070
Contact: Dorothea Watt on 02 9416 2160 - Lindfield
Name: NSW Blinded Soldiers Association
Location: 445 Pacific Highway, Lindfield NSW 2070
Contact: David Curtin on 02 9416 2975 - Penrith
Name: Penrith Community Aid Low Vision Group
Meets: 2nd Tuesday of each month, 9:30am - 2:00pm
Location: Community Connections, 114-116 Henry Street, Penrith NSW 2750
Contact: Jill Huber on 02 4735 4658 - Rockdale
Name: St George Area VIP Peer Support Group
Meets: Last Wednesday of each month, 10:15am - 12:00pm
Location: Rockdale RSL Club, 45 Bay Street, Rockdale NSW 2216
Contact: Cliff Jackson on 02 9588 3620 - Rose Bay
Name: Jewish Seniors VIP Peer Support Group
Meets: Every Monday morning
Location: Parent Home, Princess Street, Rose Bay NSW 2029
Contact: Lily Skurnik on 02 9371 8336 - Sydenham
Name: Ojos Latinos (Latin Eyes - this is a Spanish speaking group)
Meets: 3rd Friday of each month, 11:00am - 2:00pm
Location: St Peters Town Hall, Cnr Unwins Bridge Road & Swain Street, Sydenham NSW 2044
Contact: Virginia Abolos on 02 9550 4637 - Waterloo
Name: South Sydney Blind Community and Friendship Group
Meets: Every Tuesday, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Location: The Factory, Raglan Street, Waterloo NSW 2017
Contact: Dianna Witworth on 02 9698 8503 - Waterloo
Name: South Sydney Blind Community and Friendship Group
Meets: Every Tuesday, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Location: The Factory, Raglan Street, Waterloo NSW 2017
Contact: Dianna Witworth on 02 9698 8503 - Waverley
Name: Waverley Low Vision Group
Meets: Every Thursday, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Location: The Waverley Services Community Centre, 31-33 Spring Street, Bondi Junction 2022
Contact: Antoinette 02 9384 7900 or 02 9369 4087 - Windsor
Name: Hawkesbury District VIP Support Group
Meets: 1st Monday of each month, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Peppercorn Place, 320 George Street, Windsor NSW 2756
Contact: Bette Cutter 02 4571 1711 or Caroline Clarke 02 4573 1885 or Paul Clarke 02 4573 1885 - Woollahra
Name: Holdsworth Low Vision Friendship Group
Meets: EMonthly, first Friday of the month, 11:00am - 3:00pm, free transport from your home
Location: Holdsworth Community Centre & Services, Holdsworth Street, Woollahra NSW 2025
Contact: Sarah 02 9302 3600 – Carers welcome
Central Coast
- Gosford
Name: Gosford Walkers
This walking group is designed for people who are blind or have low vision and volunteers who are interested in meeting people and keeping active. The group often have a coffee (at own cost) and a chat after each walk.
Meets: Saturday Mornings at 8.45am
Location: In front of Central Coast Leagues Club.
Contact: Jacky North, Vision Australia Coordinator of Volunteers on 02 4325 3686. - Woy Woy
Name: Woy Walkers
This walking group is designed for people who are blind or have low vision and volunteers who are interested in meeting people and keeping active. The group often have a coffee (at own cost) and a chat after each walk.
Meets: Saturday Mornings at 7.30am
Location: Fisherman’s Wharf.
Contact: Jacky North, Vision Australia Coordinator of Volunteers on 02 4325 3686. - Wyong
Name: Wyong VIP Peer Support Group
Meets: 1st Monday of each month, 10:00am - 12:30pm
Location: Mingara Recreational Club, Mingara Drive, Tumbi Umbi NSW 2261
Contact: Joy Buckley on 02 4388 1280
Hunter
- Hamilton
Name: Mayfield Waratah Blind & VIP Lions Club
Meets: 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month, 12:30pm onwards
Location: Hamilton Hotel, 71 Tudor Street, Hamilton NSW 2303
Contact: Ruth Perry 02 6352 3828 or Dennis Ismay 02 6352 2077 - Islington
Name: Hunter VIP Support Group
Meets: 1st Monday of each month, 10:30am - 1:00pm
Location: St Marks Anglican Church Hall, Roslyn Avenue, Islington NSW 2296
Contact: Eric Power 02 4970 5916 or Ron Badger 02 4959 5873 - Islington
Name: Newcastle Dirstrict VIP Support Group
Meets: 1st Monday of each month, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Location: St Marks Anglican Church Hall, Roslyn Avenue, Islington NSW 2296
Contact: Ron Badger 02 4959 5873 - Maitland
Name: Maitland Vision Loss Support Group
Meets: Friday following each Aged Pension pay day, 10:30am - 1:00pm
Location: Maitland Ex-Servicemen's Bowling Club, Carrington Street, Maitland NSW 2320
Contact: Ron Kelly on 02 4932 3060 - Morisset
Name: Morisset VIP Support Group
Meets: 1st Friday of each month, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Morisset-Dora Creek RSL Sub Branch, 39-41 Bridge Street, Morisset NSW 2264 - Morisset
Name: Morisset VIP Support Group
Meets: First Friday of the month at 10.00am
Location: Morisset Multi Purpose Centre, Dora Street, Morisset
Contact: Henry Wilkshire on 02 4973 7514 or Sandra Hollingsworth on 02 4970 5890. - Nelson Bay
Name: Nelson Bay/Tomaree Peninsula VIP Support Group
Meets: TBD
Location: Nelson Bay RSL Club, Shoal Bay Road, Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Contact: Jim Grech on 02 4984 5908 - Tuncurry
Name: Forster VIP Peer Support Group
Meets: 4th Thursday of each month, 10:15am - 12:00pm
Location: Legacy Hall, Legacy Village, Mills Parade, Tuncurry NSW 2428
Contact: Linda Barnes on 02 6555 4351
Illawarra
- Corrimal
Name: The Gwen Booker Centre for the Visually Impaired
Meets: Every Tuesday at 10am
Location: Corrimal Community Centre, Short Street Corrimal NSW
Contact: Mr Cass Wanstall 02 4284 0579 or Mr Howard Bennett 02 4284 2922 - Kiama
Name: Kiama Support Group for Visually Impaired People (VIP)
Meets: 1st Wednesday of each month, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Kiama Bowling Club
Contact: Trish Havenhand on 02 4232 2443 - Nowra
Name: Nowra - The Visual Support Group of Nowra
Meets: Last Thursday of each month, 10am - 12pm for guest speakers and friendship
Location: Library Meeting Room under Shoalhaven Library off Berry St Nowra
Contact: Lorraine on 02 4421 5106, Peter on 02 4421 7689, Brian on 02 4423 1997 or Email Ron on rwcashman@netspace.net.au - Ulladulla
Name: Shoalhaven - Southern Shoalhaven Vision Impaired Person Support Group
Meets: Last Tuesday of each month, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Uniting Church Hall, Croobyar Rd Milton, (Ulladulla) South Coast NSW
Contact: Robert Grant 0431 468 957 or Nicky 02 4455 2861 - Wollongong
Name: Wollongong Sight Impaired Friends
Meets: Last Monday of every month at 10:00am
Location: Board Room, Illawarra Leagues Club, 97-99 Church St, Wollongong
Contact: Kath on 02 4228 7915 - Wollongong
Name: Central Vision Impaired Group
Meets: Every first Wednesday of the month, 10:00am Morning Tea, 10:30am Meeting Commences (including guest speakers and concerts). Monthly outings are also organised.
Location: Diggers RSL Club, Owen Room 1st Floor, 82 Church St (Corner Burelli St), Wollongong
Contact: Tony Sarkis on 02 4284 7744
Mid - North Coast
- Bellingen
Name: Bellingen Vision Insight Group
Meets: Second Thursday of the month at 10.30am
Location: 6 Williams Street, Bellingen (group may be able to assist with transport, within the Bellingen Shire)
Contact: Claire Hogan on 02 6655 1159 - Coffs Harbour
Name: Coffs Harbour Vision Impaired Group
Meets: First Thursday of each month, 10:00am
Location: Neighbourhood Centre, Community Village, Earl Street, Coffs Harbour
Contact: Lola Rosenbaum on 02 6652 4117 or Terry Coghlan 02 6658 2741 - Port Macquarie
Name: Port Macquarie
Meets: 3rd Tuesday of each month, 10:00am - 11:00am
Location: Panthers Club, Settlement City, Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Contact: Wanda Huggard on 02 6582 2081 - Wingham
Meets: 2nd Thursday of each month, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Location: Uniting Church Hall, Farquahar Street, Wingham NSW 2429
Contact: Pauline Daffel on 02 6550 6132
Northern
- Casino
Name: Casino VIP Support group
Meets: 1st Monday of the month, 10.00am
Location: Casino RSM Club, 162 Canterbury Street, Casino NSW 2470
Contact: Mark Moran at markdenisecasinovip@hotmail.com.au or 02 6662 6955 - Tamworth
Name: Tamworth Friends of Vision Impaired
Meets: 2nd Wednesday of each month, 10:00am - 11:30am
Location: Tamworth Community Centre, Darling Street, Tamworth NSW 2340
Contact: Jacqui Cottage at jacquicottage@yahoo.com or 02 6767 1155
South Eastern
- Canberra
Name: Canberra Blind Society
Meets: Office Hours Monday to Friday, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Location: Room G06 (New) Griffin Centre, Genge Street, Canberra City ACT 2600
Contact: Debra Quinell on 02 6247 4580 - Moruya
Name: Moruya/Eurobodalla VIP Peer Support Group
Meets: Last Wednesday of each month except December, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Location: Moruya Bowling Club, Shore Street, Moruya NSW 2537
Contact: Sid Kosky on 02 4476 8500
Murrumbidgee
- No group has been nominated for this area. To nominate your group please contact the web administrator at: webmaster@visionaustralia.org.
Murray
- Mildura - Macular Support Group
Meets: First Monday of the month at 10.00am
Location: Shevill House, 131 Deakin Avenue, Mildura
Contact: Jenny Gibbons (Vision Australia) on 03 5023 5495.
Richmond - Tweed
- Lismore
Meets: 1st Tuesday of each month, 11:00am - 3:00pm
Location: Lismore Workers Club, 225-231 Keen Street, Lismore NSW 2480
Contact: Anne Holdsworth 02 6688 8269 or Peg McCarthy 02 6628 0978 - Murwillumbah
Meets: 1st Wednesday of each month, 11:00am - 2:00pm
Location: "The Undercroft", Uniting Church, 2 Byangum Road, Murwillumbah NSW 2484
Contact: Christine Johnstone on 02 6679 1589
North Western
- No group has been nominated for this area. To nominate your group please contact the website administrator at: webmaster@visionaustralia.org.
Central West
- Bathurst
Name: Bathurst VIP Peer Support Group
Meets: 1st Tuesday of each month, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Location: HACC Meeting room, 55 Seymour St, Bathurst NSW 2795
Contact: Ken Lewis 02 6334 3670 - Lithgow
Meets: 2nd Tuesday of each month, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Location: Lithgow Workers Club, Tanks Street, Lismore NSW 2790
Contact: Ruth Perry 02 6352 3828 or Dennis Ismay 02 6352 2077 - Mittagong
Name: NSW Southern Highlands VIP Support Group
Meets: Fourth Tuesday of the month at 10.30am
Location: Mittagong RSL, Corner Bessemer Streets and Hume Highway
Contact: Norman on 02 4861 1791 - Mudgee
Meets: 2nd Wednesday of each month, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Location: Uniting Church Hall, Mortimer Street, Mudgee NSW 2850
Contact: Mary Lovett on 02 6373 1293 - Orange
Meets: 2nd Monday of each month
Location: HACC Community Centre, 286 Lords Place, Orange NSW 2800
Contact: Joan Sanders on 02 6360 3430 - Springwood
Name: Blue Mountains Support Group
Meets: 4th Monday of each month, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Location: Springwood Neighbourhood Centre, Macquarie Road, Springwood (community bus available)
Contact: Jenny Hall: 02 4754 5970
Far West
- Broken Hill
Name: Broken Hill VIP Peer Support Group
Meets: 1st Monday in March and December
Location: BIU, Band Hall, Beryl Street, Broken Hill NSW 2880
Contact: Jan Haughton on 08 8087 4418
Southern Highlands
- Mittagong
Name: Southern Highlands Vision Impaired Peer (VIP) Support Group
Meets: Fourth Tuesday of each month 10.30 – 12.00 noon
Location: Mittagong RSL, Corner of Bessemer Street and Hume Highway, Mittagong NSW
Contact: Norman Pyne (02) 4861 1791
Specialty/Other Peer Support Groups
- Barrier Breakers Social Group Planning Meeting
Objectives: Outings, picnics, BBQs, ferry trips, bus trips, etc.
Meets: 1st Saturday of each month, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Contact: Diane Randall on 02 9818 7819 - Blepharospasm NSW Support Group
Contact: Stephen Bradley 0408 232 338 - Blinded Soldiers Association
Location: 445 Pacific Highway, Lindfield NSW 2070
Contact: David Curtain on 02 9416 2975 - Colour Blind Awareness and Support Group
Website: www.members.optusnet.com.au/~doverton
Email: colourblind@optusnet.com.au
Phone: 02 9688 2216 - Glaucoma Australia
Location: Level 2, 20 Clarke Street, Crows Nest NSW 2065
Contact: Beverley Lindsell on 1800 500 880 - Jewish Seniors VIP Peer Support Group
Meets: Every Monday morning
Location: Parent Home, Princess Street, Rose Bay NSW 2029
Contact: Lily Skurnik on 02 9371 8336 - Macular Degeneration Foundation
Location: Suite 302, Level 3, 447 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: Helpline 1800 111 709 - Spanish Speaking - Ojos Latinos (Latin Eyes)
Meets: 3rd Friday of each month, 11:00am - 2:00pm
Location: St Peters Town Hall, Cnr Unwins Bridge Road & Swain Street, Sydenham NSW 2044
Contact: Virginia Abolos on 02 9550 4637
This page last updated: 21 June 2010