Braille Literacy Challenge 2026

 Shadow Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Shadow Minister for Mental Health, State Member for Miller, the Honourable Mark Bailey MP; Federal Member for Moreton, Ms Julie-Ann Campbell MP; Councillor for Tennyson Ward, Councillor Nicole Johnston; President Braille House, Mr Barry Oliver, General Manager, Mr Richard Barker; Management Committee members, Ms Vickie Anderson and Mr Meyrick Adams; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen; girls and boys.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera peoples, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here today.

As Governor, and as proud Patron of the Queensland Braille Writing Association — which we’ve come to know as Braille House — I am delighted to see so many participants and their supporters here today, to take part in the annual Braille Literacy Challenge.  

It’s particularly exciting because, after 15 years at Braille House, the Australia’s premier braille literacy event now has a spacious new home, here at Tennyson. I would like to acknowledge the support and generosity of the Queensland Tennis Centre, Tennis Queensland, of which I am also the proud Patron, the Ash Barty Foundation, and the Lord Mayor’s Community Fund, for making this possible.

Today, young people will pit their reading and writing skills against each other in a fun and friendly way; they’ll meet and socialise with their peers, and celebrate the extraordinary power of the life-enhancing code that is braille.  

This larger venue marks yet another level of progress for Braille House—that small but mighty organisation that has been making a difference for blind and low-vision people for 127 years.

Queensland Governors and their partners have long held an interest in the transformative qualities of braille. The first Patron in Queensland was the wife of an early Governor, the marvellous Lady Lamington. She used her determination and influence to provide books for Queenslanders with vision loss in her day. And yes, there are some connections between Lady Lamington and that delicious cake of the same name, though the source of the cake’s original recipe is, like today’s challenge, hotly contested!

Braille House plays a deeply important role in assisting blind and low-vision people to thrive, and reach their full potential. The library does magnificent work, preparing and sending a wide (and increasingly popular) range of reading materials right across Australia.  

From Bluey to Cathy Cassidy’s Indigo Blue, from Dylan Allcott to David Attenborough, and so many more, the library opens up a world of stories and information. Additionally, Braille House also continues to advocate for the enduring value of braille, working with families, volunteers, sponsors and donors, national and international bodies to inform, to empower, and to break down barriers through touch literacy.  

Today’s Braille Literacy Challenge reflects similar contests held across the globe that celebrate the liberating power of braille.  

Recently, in Los Angeles, at the Braille Institute’s prestigious international challenge, a young student called Shianne Durdin became Australia’s first-ever Finalist against a field of over 2,000 participants.9 Of her history-making achievement, Shianne said: “Braille feels like independence and it feels like inclusion. It’s an opportunity that opens doors.”

Through the marvellously versatile invention that is braille, and with Braille House and a wonderful community of supporters around you, may doors open for you all.  

I wish you good luck today. Enjoy the challenge!