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Although the free services she receives from Guide Dogs Instructors have been invaluable, the highlight of thirteen year old, Natalie Simonetti’s mobility training has certainly been her recent visit to the set of Home and Away, located within the Channel Seven film studios in Epping.

Natalie was born with an eye condition that leaves her with a very small amount of sight, but no ‘depth perception’. She is no stranger to Guide Dogs mobility services, and her Instructors have taught her techniques to use her remaining vision to walk to school safely, and to get around independently by learning to cross roads and catch public transport.

Meeting the Home and Away stars, and hanging out backstage to watch an episode being recorded was all part of the fun for Natalie and five other lucky kids who attended a Guide Dogs ‘mobility day for kids’ in April.

After a busy morning of learning about film sets, wardrobe departments, sound equipment, and collecting autographs; the Guide Dogs Instructors and kids were taken to a groovy 1960’s retro diner inside the Channel Seven studios; for a well earned lunch break.

“I loved learning about what it takes to film an episode behind the scenes and it was great to meet the actress Christie Hayes who plays Kirsty, she was really nice!” says Natalie. “But I didn’t know the studio is in a warehouse building – and it gets really cold on the film set!”

“We also got to meet a Saturday Disney actress - dressed up in a chicken suit, when we arrived at the reception desk – and she gave us goodie bags, which was really cool” continues Natalie.

There is a serious side to the fun and star spotting though, as Guide Dogs Instructor Allison Fagan explains, “When we create an opportunity for the kids to do something really special and fun, this is just an incentive to get them to come along and participate.

“The activities on offer do have a serious side to them; encouraging kids with impaired vision to develop independence and confidence in daily travel scenarios, and in their interactions with other people.

To challenge the kids’ travel skills, Guide Dogs Instructors commenced their all-day excursion by meeting them at Sydney’s busy and chaotic Central train station. Their objectives were to to navigate the station, work out the route to Epping, and to buy their own train tickets, before setting off. “Natalie had never walked up to a counter to buy a train ticket for herself before, but now – she knows what to do and say – which will add to her independence” says Allison.

In addition to lots of fun, and a chance to practice her orientation and mobility skills, the Guide Dogs ‘mobility day for kids’ also gave Natalie the chance to meet five new friends.

The Home and Away mobility day is just one of the many free services offered by Guide Dogs for children who are blind or have impaired vision. All services provided by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT are free, and the organisation receives no government funding.


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