Celebrating 125 years of assistance

Whangarei Blind Foundation workers, members and visitors celebrate the national organisation's 125th anniversary.

After at least 50 years of involvement with the blind community in Northland local identity George Phiskie well and truly earned the honour of cutting the cake to celebrate the Blind Foundation's 125th anniversary in New Zealand.

That anniversary falls today and yesterday local committee and clients along with key people from the national organisation were at the Blind Foundation's Whangarei centre to mark the occasion and open an exhibition of photos highlighting the organisation's history.

George Phiskie.

That exhibition and the Blind Foundation centre in Kamo Rd will be open to the public and clients from 11am to 2pm today and tomorrow.

"I was a child of the foundation, since I was 9 years old," Mr Phiskie said as he cut the cake.

George Phiskie celebrates 125 years of the Blind Foundation at a special morning tea with his guide dog Gemma.

He began to lose his sight in childhood, was educated and then worked at the then live-in facility in Auckland and then successfully farmed, raised a family and became deeply involved in many service capacities with his Waipu community. At 93, Mr Phiskie still lives alone at the Waipu farmhouse, with help from his guide dog Gemma and a daily caregiver's visit.

Local president Craig Jessop.

The Blind Foundation's board chairman, Rick Hoskin, and director of culture and engagement Deb Ward were also at the celebration.

Mr Hoskin said the foundation's focus had changed dramatically from a "guardian institution" that had considerable control over blind children and adults, to an organisation that focuses on people being self-reliant, living independently and having access to the enabling tools and technology.

NZ Blind Foundation's board chairman, Rick Hoskin.

Blind people were no longer isolated and had many more home and work-based resources, but there was still a way to go, Mr Hoskin said.

"I wait for the day 4.5 million New Zealanders are our advocates and we don't have to wave the flag of our disability under the appropriate Government minister's nose."

Northern Advocate photographer Michael Cunningham went along to capture the celebration.