2022 Blind Australian Nominee Julee-Anne Bell, Pioneer Who Paves the Way for Others to Shine

Blind from birth, Julee-Anne was the first totally blind child to be integrated into a Qld school, despite lack of support from the Department of Education at the time. She went on to complete a first-class honours degree in Music, majoring in voice, and later a Masters in music, at the University of Queensland. Her stellar career includes 7 years performing with Opera Queensland, professional music teacher and mentor, establishment of services for blind children, collaborative research, establishment of a not-for-profit company (World Access for the Blind) and a range of other advocacy and representative roles. She continues to be actively involved in her local community music performance scene.

Julee-Anne says:

“I’m humbled and honoured to receive a nomination to be Blind Australian of the Year. Anything that lifts the profile of people who are blind or who have low vision and allows the rest of the world to find out what we already know about the talented, creative, and innovative community of blind/low vision people who live and work in Australia is a worthy and necessary endeavour.”