Structure
ABA Regional Braille Forums (RBFs) meet at least four times a year. Please check our Events page for notification of upcoming meetings.
The RBFs operate under Operational Guidelines, based on the Model Operational Guidelines for Regional Braille Forums (zip doc & brf 46kb).
Regional Braille Forums in operation
Sydney Braille Forum
Anyone with an interest in braille and braille-related issues is most welcome to attend the Sydney Braille Forum meetings. Our members include braille consumers, producers, educators and others with an interest in braille.
The Sydney Regional Braille Forum meets once every 3 months at the Ryde-Eastwood League Club to discuss braille and braille-related issues, hear from guest speakers and perhaps even enjoy a meal together. Members include braille consumers, producers, educators and others with an interest in braille. Guests and new members are always welcome. Meetings are held from 4.30-6.30pm.
Convenor: Kim Barber
Email: Kim.barber1@det.nsw.edu.au
Secretary: Marianne Strauss
Email: marianne.e.strauss@gmail.com
Queensland Braille Forum
The Queensland Braille Forum is currently in recess. Please contact Tristan Clare, if you would like to express an interest in establishing.
Melbourne Braille Forum
Interest has been expressed in establishing a Regional Braille Forum in Melbourne. Please contact Ross de Vent if you would like to discuss the idea and receive notification of the first meeting.
Contact: Ross de Vent
Phone: 0408 575 315
Email: ross@de-vent.net
Remembering past events
2024 Sydney Braille Forum Writing Competition
We thank the 42 students who participated in this Year’s Braille Writing competition. Students from the Department of Education, Catholic Education and Independent schools. The theme for this year’s competition was “Paralympic Games”. Studnets had the choice of using a story starter or they could choose their own. We warmly welcomed Samera Kamaleddine novel ‘Sideways Orbit of Evie Hart’ was shortlisted for the 2024 CBCA Book of the Year – Younger Readers. A wonderful night that would not have come together without our amazing sponsors and volunteers. Can’t wait for the 2025 competition!
2023 Sydney Braille Forum Writing Competition
Another spectacular year with students celebrating their achievements. We had fantastic picture braille creations for our young students, through to our senior student stories. This year we had stories about flying cars and talking animals, all thanks to to the new developments in AI or things that are still to come… We had 44 students engaged and an amazing author R. A Spratt. R. A Spratt entertained everyone with her stories, inclusive of a series with a vision impaired character.
Braille writing students 2023 cohort
2022 Sydney Braille Forum Writing Competition
The annual Awards night for the Braille Writing Competition was held at Burwood RSL Club with over 120 guests in attendance, it was a face-to-face celebration. Jessica Dettmann, was the guest author and she entertained us with her story ‘There’s No Such Book’, one that many parents can relate to.
Braille Competition Students 2022
2020/2021 Sydney Braille Forum Writing Competition
The Award Night for the 2020 and the 2021 Sydney Braille Forum’s Annual Writing Competition was held online due to COVID. However, that did not dampen anyone’s enthusiasm for the night. Authors were online sharing their stories and the committee got creative with online Braille knowledge quiz’s. 2020 had 30 students and 2021 had 33 participants. An incredible turn out during tricky times.
Screen snip of Book Award prizes
Zoom screen snip as the competition was online.
2016 Sydney Braille Forum Writing Competition
The Award Night for the Sydney Braille Forum’s Annual Writing Competition was held at the Burwood RSL on 16th November 2016. Forty four students entered the competition, writing on the topic “The Year of the Monkey”. Our guest author was Sydney-based author Belinda Murrell and her latest book “The Lost Sapphire” was transcribed as one of the Awards.
Participants in the 2016 Sydney Braille Forum Writing Competition with guest author, Belinda Murrell
2015 Sydney Braille Forum Writing Competition
The Sydney Braille Forum Award night in November 2015 was a great success. We were especially pleased to be able to include remote students in the ceremony using Facetime. Guest author, Jacqueline Harvey, shared her passion for writing with our budding young authors.
Guest author Jacqueline Harvey with participants in the 2015 NSW Braille Writing Competition, including some remote students on the iPads.
2013 Sydney Braille Forum Braille Writing Competition
The annual Award Night for the Braille Writing Competition was held at Burwood RSL Club on 20th November, with 120 guests in attendance.
Author Nathan Luff with prize winners at the 2013 NSW Braille Writing Competition
Many of the 43 students who expressed an interest in this competition attended the evening, along with their families, friends and school staff. It was wonderful to see the children catching up with friends they have made in previous years and meeting new ones this year.
Our guest author for the evening was Nathan Luff. Nathan is a Sydney based author and the book we presented on the night was “Chicken Stu”. Nathan was very entertaining and spoke to the children about where his inspiration for stories comes from. One student told us that after listening to Nathan he now has a few ideas for next year.
It’s wonderful to see the students embrace braille and enjoy the love of reading and writing in braille. We eagerly look forward to this event each year.
2012 Sydney Braille Forum Braille Writing Competition
The 2012 Award Evening was our biggest so far, with over 110 people attending. We were thoroughly entertained by our guest author, Andrew Daddo. Andrew shared many amusing stories about growing up and where he gets the inspiration for his stories.
Special guest Andrew Daddo with prize winners at the 2012 NSW Braille Writing Competition
Representatives from our wonderful sponsors were also present to help make this event such a huge success. These sponsors included Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, HumanWare, NSW Department of Education and Communities, Quantum RLV, RIDBC and Vision Australia. Their continued support is very much appreciated.
The Australian Braille Authority is a subcommittee of the Round Table on Information Access for People with a Print Disability Inc.