2025 Blind Australian of the Year Finalist – Harmonie Downes

Harmonie Downes is a visionary leader, artist, and advocate who has transformed barriers into opportunities for people who are blind or vision impaired. At Vision Australia, she secured over $600,000 in funding to create training and employment pathways, and she has directed major arts festivals, championed First Nations and disability arts, and shaped national strategies for access and inclusion. From designing Queensland’s first accessible playground to amplifying diverse voices on radio,

Harmonie’s fearless leadership continues to create lasting change and empower communities across Australia.