Vision Australia can confirm it has agreed to the sale of its national headquarters, located at 454 Glenferrie Rd, Kooyong.
Vision Australia has had a connection to the Kooyong location for close to 100 years and has made decision to sell the much-loved location following an approach by the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club.
“This is not a decision we have made lightly and is certainly a bittersweet one given the long-standing relationship Vision Australia, and by extension the broader blind and low vision community, has with the area,” Vision Australia Acting Chief Executive Justine Heath said.
“The offer we received from the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club was compelling and following extensive discussions at the Board and Executive level, we have decided the sale of Kooyong is the right decision for Vision Australia and the community we serve,” Justine said.
While Kooyong holds a significant place in Vision Australia’s history, Justine said that did not outweigh a number of contemporary factors that supported the sale.
“We can’t ignore that workplace practices and our operational model means remote working has become much more prevalent and that our frontline staff are spending more time providing services to clients in their homes, workplaces and other locations, leaving our Kooyong office underutilised.
“Like many in the disability sector, Vision Australia is navigating a testing economic climate, and the proceeds of this sale will help secure our long-term future.”
“As an organisation, we have been reviewing our entire property strategy to ensure our assets are well utilised in serving our mission. The Kooyong sale proceeds will support our extensive service footprint and will provide opportunities to enhance other Vision Australia facilities to benefit our clients and workforce.
Vision Australia will continue to operate out of the Kooyong building for the next two years as it finalises a new location to headquarter its operations.
“Our focus is to find a location central to Melbourne that will meet the needs of our clients and staff. We’re placing a high priority on amenities such as public transport links and a building that is accessible and welcoming to people who are blind or have low vision,” Justine said.
“Once finalised, our attention will turn to communicating the location to our employees and our client base and supporting them to feel comfortable in accessing our services at the new location.
While the decision has been made in the best interests of Vision Australia, Justine said it is also pleasing the site will be in the hands of an organisation that is part of the local community.
“We are pleased with the outcome of the sale. It will provide vital funds to help Vision Australia continue to deliver its mission of supporting people who are blind or have low vision to live the life they choose. And we are pleased the site will be in the hands of another organisation with longstanding connection to the Kooyong area.”