Guide Dogs Victoria community fair returns to Kew campus
Guide Dogs Victoria will open its Kew campus to the public on Saturday, 18th April 2026, for its annual community fair, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at its operations and services. The one-day event positions accessibility as a public-facing experience, reflecting growing demand for inclusive, education-led events during Melbourne’s school holiday period.
The Guide Dogs community fair will run from 10am to 2pm at 2–6 Chandler Highway, Kew, transforming the organisation’s campus into a structured, ticketed experience. Visitors will access live Guide Dog training demonstrations, a blind and low vision art exhibition, and interactive accessibility sessions alongside food stalls, entertainment and a dedicated children’s zone.
Melbourne’s school holiday calendar continues to prioritise events that balance entertainment with education, particularly in suburban locations like Kew where families look for accessible, local options. Events that combine hands-on learning with low-cost entry are increasingly driving attendance across April.
The event also highlights Guide Dogs Victoria’s expanding operational scope, with working dogs now supporting multiple sectors including therapy, wellbeing and court environments. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet puppies in training and observe trainers in live sessions, offering direct visibility into a program that takes over two years and costs more than $50,000 per dog to deliver.
Guide Dogs Victoria CEO Nicky Long said the fair is designed to make the organisation’s work more tangible for the public. “The Community Fair gives people the chance to step into the world of Guide Dogs for a day,” she said. “For many people it’s the first time they’ll see just how much training and care goes into a Guide Dog partnership.”
Event expands accessibility through hands-on experiences
This format places accessibility at the centre of the experience, giving visitors a direct understanding of how Guide Dogs Victoria operates beyond awareness campaigns. In Kew, opening the campus to the public turns what is usually a closed training environment into a rare, hands-on community interaction.
Alongside demonstrations, the Kew campus will host accessible sporting experiences including blind tennis, football drills and golf simulators, as well as cooking demonstrations and braille learning sessions. A storytelling series featuring author and speaker Olivia Muscat will also run throughout the day.
Tickets are priced at $25 for general admission and $60 for a family pass of four, with all proceeds supporting Guide Dogs Victoria services. The organisation provides its services, including Guide Dogs, at no cost to clients, making fundraising events like this a key part of its operating model.
EVENT DETAILS
- When: Saturday 18 April 2026, 10am – 2pm
- Where: Guide Dogs Victoria Campus, 2–6 Chandler Highway, Kew
- Tickets: General Admission $25, Family pass (4 tickets) $60
- More information: https://vic.guidedogs.com.au/events/community-fair-2026/
