Last year the Mudgee Vision Impaired Friendship Group was so busy they missed their 10th anniversary so this year on Thursday, March 12 they celebrated their eleventh anniversary.

Many problems for people with a vision impairment have been fixed by the persistence of the group lobbying council.

Cracks and holes in the footpath have been fixed, overhanging branches along footpaths, tac tiles put down around town and advertising boards moved closer to the shop doors.

The friendship group has taken blindfolded councillors and council staff around Mudgee to help them understand the difficulties faced by people with a vision impairment and people with other disabilities.

The group was started when Mary Lovett spoke to the Royal Blind Society and the idea came into being.

“Since we started, we haven’t stopped,” Mrs Lovett said.

Mrs Lovett is still the chairperson of the group and said she was still delighted when people were able to develop their skills and learn about things available to them.

“People have really blossomed,” she said, “it is a very rewarding group to be a part of.”

Each month the group meets and over the years there have been a variety of guest speakers ranging from the button accordion player to country dances and balls.

In the future the group is looking at getting a navigator at the library which is a recording device that has a number of books loaded on to it, is portable and can be listened to at home.

Approximately once every five weeks a representative from Vision Australia visits Mudgee to inform people with a vision impairment about items and events that may be of interest to them.

For more information about Vision Australia call 63636900 or 1300 847 466.