This Guide Dog Puppy’s Name Is Hutch. So Is Ours. It Isn't a Coincidence.

The Steadfast Convention is not a quiet event.

Thousands of brokers, dozens of stands, back-to-back conversations, and the particular energy of an industry that does not slow down. When Hutch Head of Distribution Melodi Emadi walked into the marketplace at Steadfast 2026 on the Gold Coast, she was not expecting the moment that would stay with her long after the convention ended.

Then she saw the Guide Dogs Queensland stall.

"It was a standout moment when I first walked into the marketplace," Melodi says. "I naturally found myself gravitating back to their stall throughout those busy few days. There is something incredibly grounding about seeing the calm, focus, and purpose these dogs have, even in a high-energy environment like the Steadfast Convention. What struck me most was the immediate sense of trust they create. You can see how much confidence and independence they give to the people they support. And honestly, they are absolutely adorable to cuddle."

Hutch CEO Robin Johnson felt the same way. Before the convention was over, he had sponsored a puppy for 12 months.

That puppy is now two weeks old. His name is Hutch.

What is Guide Dogs Australia and what do they do?

Guide Dogs Australia is the national body supporting people who are blind or have low vision across the country. Guide Dogs Queensland is the state-based organisation we partner with, and one of several state and territory members operating under the Guide Dogs Australia network.

Together, they train and place guide dogs with people who are blind or have low vision, giving them the confidence and independence to navigate the world safely.

Around 453,000 Australians are currently living with blindness or low vision, according to Vision Australia, a figure projected to grow significantly in the coming decades. For many of them, a guide dog changes daily life, not just by making it safer to get around, but by doing so with confidence.

Each dog takes about two years to raise and train, at a cost of around $50,000, according to Guide Dogs Queensland. Corporate sponsors make this possible.

Why did Hutch Underwriting sponsor a guide dog?

The connection between what a guide dog does and what Hutch does for brokers did not require much explaining.

Melodi puts it this way: "At its core, both are about providing clarity, confidence, and support when it matters most. A guide dog helps someone navigate uncertainty with trust and reliability, and that is exactly what we aim to do for brokers. Whether it is helping them place a risk, understand a product, or move quickly on an opportunity, we are there to make the path clearer and easier to navigate."

In a convention hall full of noise and movement, a guide dog does not flinch. It reads the environment, holds its line, and gets its person safely to where they need to go. That kind of steady, purposeful reliability is exactly what brokers tell us they need from an underwriting partner.

"It felt like a natural fit," Melodi says. "As a business, we are built on supporting others to do their jobs with confidence, and Guide Dogs does that in a way that is truly life-changing. It is a meaningful way for us to give back, while aligning with what we stand for: making a real difference through trust, support, and clarity."

What happens next for little Hutch?

Little Hutch is at the very beginning of his journey. Over the next two years, he will be raised by a volunteer family, return to Guide Dogs for formal training, and eventually be matched with a person who will depend on him every single day.

We will follow every step of that journey and share updates as they come.

If you would like to learn more about Guide Dogs Australia's work or their corporate sponsorship program, visit guidedogs.com.au.

To follow little Hutch's journey from puppy to working Guide Dog, follow Hutch Underwriting on LinkedIn.