Janelle Colquhoun – 2024 Finalist

Meet Janelle Colquhoun, one of the finalists for the 2024 Blind Australian of the Year Awards.

An accomplished opera singer who was awarded a scholarship to the Queensland Conservatorium, spent 7 years training with the Frankfurt Opera Company and sang a duet with Dame Joan Sutherland during her farewell Australian tour, Janelle Colquhoun life changed when due to complications from Type 1 Diabetes she lost her eyesight when she was 29 years old.

In 2018 Janelle won a silver medal at the Australian Championships in VI Div 1 and six months later set a new Australian record winning Gold. The following 2 years she was the Australian champion and record holder which led to her selection to be an Australian representative at the International Blind Games 2023 held in England where she finished 11th in her division. Upon her return home Janelle won the Queensland Titles for her division. She is now training for the Pan Pacific games and 2025 World Championships.