George Brennan

Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland—Minister for Regional Transport and Roads)—A big thank you to Rutherford's George Brennan who has raised $20,600 for Braille House. Over the past two years, George has cashed in 206,000 bottles at Return and Earn, to raise the funds. George a former highway patrol sergeant, customised 40 council sized wheelie bins for homes and businesses across the city. When the bin is full, George collects it and pours the bottles and cans into his custom-made trailer, and cashes them in. George originally used return and earn money to purchase supplies for his 11 grandchildren, but after hearing about Braille House he made the switch to fundraising. Braille House is an Australian not-for-profit free lending library which loans out Braille and Moon type books to people who are blind or have low vision. To convert books, Braille House places thick, clear stickers over the writing on books which has the words in Braille. For children who are learning to read, this allows them to read the Braille at the same time as an adult who is reading the text aloud. Congratulations George and thank you for ensuring children who are blind or have low vision to have access to reading materials.