Free eyesight and audio tests tomorrow

Free eyesight and audio tests will be available tomorrow at a Longwarry Lions Club vision and hearing expo.

The expo celebrates World Sight Day on Thursday and also marks the centenary of the Lions movement.

Longwarry is a participating club in the Lions Eye Health Program, which aims to reduce the incidence and impact of vision loss in the Australian Community through a awareness and education programs.

Club member Shirley Higman said that in 1925 deaf-blind activist Helen Keller challenged Lions to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness”.

“The expo is an opportunity to save sight in the local community and support the Lions International Centennial Service Challenge, which is to change the lives of over 100 million people worldwide in its 100th year.

The Longwarry expo is not limited to older people. Sixty grades 4,5 and 6 students from Longwarry Primary School will visit the expo and have their eyes tested, experience sight-related skills games and meet a blind tennis champion.

There will be adult hearing screening by Australian Hearing, eye checks by the Lions Eye Health Program and an optometrist to answer questions.

Vision Australia will talk about local services and a representative from Welch Allyn will use a screening camera to test children’s eyesight and provide a report to parents.

Lions Ride for Sight will have a static display and there will be an opportunity to talk about issues with hearing aids and take part in a national survey.

Longwarry Primary School will highlight Sight Week in the school and students from

The expo is in the Longwarry Hall, 14 Kennedy Street, from 25pm and 6-8pm. All are welcome.