Leave a gift in your Will to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT
Why should you choose Guide Dogs NSW/ACT?
Established in 1957, when the first Australian-trained Guide Dog was matched with their Handler, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT has grown into a trusted not-for-profit organisation, empowering thousands of adults and children with low vision or blindness to live life their way.
Today, there are over half a million Australians with blindness or low vision — which is why your support matters so deeply.
More than 80% of our funding comes from the community and plays a vital role in sustaining our work. In fact, over half of this supporter funding is thanks to the generosity of people who choose to leave a lasting legacy through a gift in a Will, ensuring our life-changing Guide Dogs program and other vision services can continue long into the future.
By choosing to leave a gift in your Will or a charitable bequest to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, you can support people with low vision or blindness to build greater confidence, independence and freedom for generations to come.
“By remembering Guide Dogs in your Will, you are leaving a legacy to be proud of. You’ll be empowering generations of people like me with the support they need to flourish, and live life their way.”
— Kimberlee Legal and Estates Officer, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.
How can you leave a gift in your Will?
Remembering Guide Dogs NSW/ACT in your Will is a wonderful way to continue supporting people with low vision or blindness into the future. There is nothing more meaningful than helping change someone’s life and knowing that your legacy continues on.
If you’re wondering how to begin this important journey, a good first step is to explore our simple guidelines, where you’ll find helpful suggestions on wording, the correct use of our name (Guide Dogs NSW/ACT), and how to arrange a charitable gift.
If you’d appreciate a little extra reassurance or simply a warm, friendly chat, our caring Gifts in Wills Team is always just a phone call or email away, ready to support you.
When the moment feels right, we’d be honoured to welcome you into the Daisy Circle, a truly special community of supporters whose kindness, through gifts in Wills and charitable bequests, will help transform futures for years to come.
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"Our involvement with Guide Dogs is something that makes us proud every day. We like the idea that in the future our gift will continue to help people with low vision.”
— Carol and Doff, Bequestors.
Guide Dogs gift in Will FAQs.
If you’re considering leaving a gift in your Will or a charitable bequest to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, these frequently asked questions can help you understand your options and feel confident about your decision.
However, please don’t hesitate to contact our Gifts in Wills Team at any time if you have a question or concern.
A bequest, or gift in Will, is a meaningful way to create a lasting legacy for the causes you care about most. It could be a percentage of your estate, a fixed sum of money, or even property or shares. By choosing to leave a gift to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, you’re ensuring your compassion and values continue to make a difference well into the future.
A gift in your Will is one of the most special ways you can support Guide Dogs NSW/ACT. Your generosity helps raise and train the next generation of life-changing Guide Dogs, giving people with low vision or blindness greater confidence and independence to live the life they choose. It also helps us continue to provide a wide range of essential services, free of charge, to those who need them most. Your legacy will be something you and your family can feel deeply proud of.
(Did you know that when you leave a gift in your Will of $50,000 or more, you can have a Guide Dog puppy named in your honour? Contact our Gifts in Will Team to find out more.)
Every gift counts and makes a difference, especially as more than 80% of our funding comes from community support. And remember, leaving a charitable bequest, no matter the size, is a powerful and meaningful way to support our work.
It’s a good idea to review your Will regularly to make sure it still reflects your wishes, especially if your circumstances change. Life events such as marriage, separation, welcoming a new family member or changes in your finances can all affect your Will. A quick review helps ensure your intentions are up to date and your loved ones are cared for as you wish.
Yes. You can ask your solicitor or professional Will writer to make changes to your existing Will at any time. Depending on your circumstances, your solicitor may recommend that you prepare a new Will or add a codicil, which is an amendment to your original Will.
I am a solicitor or executor of a Will that includes a bequest to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT. Who can I speak to?
Please contact Bill Ballis, our Supporter Liaison for Gifts in Wills, on (02) 9412 9478 or email wballis@guidedogs.com.au.from our Bequests Team as soon as possible. They’ll be happy to answer any questions or provide the information you need, including how the bequest to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT will be acknowledged and thanked.
It’s important to use the correct wording when leaving a gift.
We recommend speaking with an independent solicitor or qualified legal advisor to ensure your intentions are clearly captured. To ensure that Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is correctly named in your Will, you may wish to use the suggested wording below as a guide when discussing your plans with your solicitor.
I give to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Limited (ABN 52 000 399 744)
The rest and residue of my Estate, or
• ____ percent of my residuary Estate, or
• The sum of $ ____________
free of all duties and testamentary expenses for its general purposes
and I direct that the receipt of that organisation shall be sufficient
discharge to my executors for this bequest.
Online Tools for planning your Will
Thank you for considering leaving this meaningful gift. We understand that creating a Will is a personal decision, and when the time is right, the process should feel clear and accessible. To help, we’ve partnered with two trusted and competitively priced online Will platforms that may make it easy to create your Will with confidence and peace of mind.
Could SafeWill be right for you?
SafeWill is a secure online Will-making service, ideal for anyone who may have difficulty accessing a solicitor. While you can use SafeWill to create or update your Will, we recommend seeking legal advice to ensure your wishes are clearly reflected.
Visit the SafeWill website to learn more or call 02 9412 9388 for assistance.
Could Willed be right for you?
Willed is an online Will-making platform created by lawyers and technology experts, allowing you to complete a legally binding Will from the comfort of your own home. When creating your Will, you can choose to leave a percentage of your estate or a specific gift to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, once your family and friends are cared for.
Visit the Willed website to learn more or call 02 9412 9388 for assistance.
Our team is here to guide and support you through your decision.
Leaving a gift in your Will is a meaningful way to reflect your values and create a lasting impact for generations to come. It’s a personal decision, and sometimes it helps to talk it through with someone who understands what it means. Our friendly Gifts in Wills team is here to help with any questions you might have.
Contact Bill Ballis, our Supporter Liaison for Gifts in Wills, on 02 9412 9478 or email wballis@guidedogs.com.au. Bill and the team would love to chat and guide you through the process. Please also email Bill if you’re interested in attending a morning tea to experience first hand how you can change the lives of people living with low vision or blindness.
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An invitation to the Daisy Circle.
Imagine a community where every member shares a powerful goal, to help people with low vision or blindness live the life they choose. That’s the heart of the Daisy Circle.
The Daisy Circle was created to honour those who have chosen to include a gift to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT in their Will. By joining, you become part of a group of generous individuals whose kindness leaves a lasting impact for generations to come.
As a member, you’ll feel a genuine sense of connection and belonging. You’ll receive invitations to special events, updates on the lives you’re helping to transform, and opportunities to share your thoughts as we shape the future of our services together.
If you’ve chosen to remember Guide Dogs NSW/ACT in your Will, we would love to hear from you. It gives us the chance to thank you personally and welcome you into the Daisy Circle. Your generosity will be honoured in the Daisy Circle Honour Book, where your name will be recorded as a lasting reminder of the lives you are helping to transform. To let us know, simply reach out to Ali Kershaw on 02 9412 9315 or email akershaw@guidedogs.com.au, and our team will be in touch.
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