Constituency Statement: Roma Dix

Tuesday 8 September 2026

I rise today to recognize Roma Dix who, 40 years ago, co-founded the National Braille Music Camp to support blind and visually impaired musicians to read, write and compose music.

In 1986 alongside her late husband, Ian Cooper, Roma established the Camp in the Southern Highlands in my electorate of Whitlam. The goal was to support blind students that were being educated in mainstream schools, who would otherwise miss out on having blind music teachers.

Music is incredibly important for the visually impaired: it helps people to experience the world, express themselves, and engage with others.

Hundreds of primary and secondary aged students from across Australia have attended the camp hosted at Frensham College in Mittagong to fully experience the joy of music that otherwise may be out of reach.

The camp has also fostered a sense of belonging with children and young people who participate, supporting lifelong friendships and increased confidence that students take with them into the future.

Many of the camp’s teachers are former campers, showing how meaningful this has been for those that have attended and the close-knit community that Roma has created. Some have taken up a further career in music.

I thank Roma for her tireless efforts supporting the blind and vision impaired in our community and across Australia and for spreading her love of music.

I congratulate her on this 40th anniversary of the braille music initiative she has championed. 

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