15 hours ago
As we begin a new financial year, July has been a month of building momentum and investing in Retina Australia’s future.
Much of our work this month has happened behind the scenes, focused on strengthening the foundations we need to deliver greater impact for our members and the inherited retinal disease (IRD) community in the years ahead.
One of our most significant achievements this month was starting a four-month engagement with Equitable Philanthropy. They will work alongside Retina Australia to develop our fundraising strategy and philanthropic case for support.
Sustainable funding is essential. It lets us keep investing in research, strengthen our advocacy, expand our support services, and raise awareness of inherited retinal diseases. Working with Equitable Philanthropy will help us explain our impact more clearly, strengthen relationships with our supporters and partners, and create new opportunities for philanthropy and long-term investment in our mission.
This work aligns directly with our Strategic Plan. It reflects our commitment to keeping Retina Australia a strong, sustainable organisation that can meet our community’s changing needs.
Collaboration has also remained a strong focus this month.
We are proposing a structured, facilitated peer support program. It will connect people living with inherited retinal diseases and other rare and genetic conditions in a safe, supportive environment. Through small group sessions, participants will share experiences, build confidence, reduce feelings of isolation, and develop practical strategies for living with a lifelong condition.
Each organisation supports people with different rare and genetic conditions, yet the challenges people and families face are often remarkably similar. By working together, we can share expertise, strengthen peer support, and improve access to information and community connection. This model could benefit communities across the rare disease sector.
Whether or not our applications succeed, this collaboration is an exciting opportunity. It will help us build stronger partnerships across the rare disease sector and find new ways to support the people and families we serve.
July also marked the end of Retina Australia’s 2026 Annual Appeal.
This year’s campaign theme, Backing Progress. Accelerating Hope, captured the extraordinary momentum in inherited retinal disease research. It also reflected the important role our community plays in helping accelerate that progress.
Thanks to the generosity of our members, donors and supporters, the appeal raised more than $70,000.
On behalf of everyone at Retina Australia, thank you. Every donation helps us support research, advocacy, information, education and connection for people and families living with inherited retinal diseases. Your ongoing generosity makes a genuine difference.
Finally, I am delighted to welcome Vesna Zuban to Retina Australia as our new Director, Communications, Advocacy and Fundraising.
Vesna brings extensive experience in strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, advocacy and fundraising. She joins us at an exciting time in Retina Australia’s journey.
Treatments for inherited retinal diseases continue to evolve, and our role as the national peak body continues to grow. That makes effective communication and meaningful engagement more important than ever. Vesna’s appointment is a significant investment in our future. It directly supports our Strategic Plan by strengthening our ability to raise awareness, amplify the voices of people living with inherited retinal diseases, build stronger partnerships, and grow the resources we need to expand our impact.
I am confident she will make a significant contribution to Retina Australia and the community we serve.
Looking ahead, I am excited by the opportunities before us. Across research, advocacy, support and fundraising, we are continuing to build the capability, partnerships and momentum we need. Together, we can help create a future where no one faces inherited retinal disease alone – and where, one day, inherited blindness becomes a thing of the past.
Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support, advocacy and belief in the work we are doing together.
Warm regards,
Jono
