HON. BILL SHORTEN MP
MINISTER FOR THE NATIONAL DISABILITY INSURANCE SCHEME
MINISTER FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES
MEMBER FOR MARIBYRNONG
ALISON BYRNES MP
MEMBER FOR CUNNINGHAM
Today the Hon Bill Shorten MP, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Minister for Government Services, officially opened the Hearing Australia Figtree centre in New South Wales.
Minister Shorten met with staff and clients at the centre, which supports close to 4,000 children and adults.
“Good hearing is incredibly important for people’s health and wellbeing. It keeps us connected to our friends, family and community. For children with hearing loss, early detection and intervention is critical to supporting their speech development, education, and overall wellbeing. I’m particularly impressed with Hearing Australia’s paediatric services. The Figtree Hearing Centre is the largest paediatric centre in the Illawarra and the services it provides are critical for children and families in the region,” Minister Shorten said.
Dr Aleisha Davis, CEO of The Shepherd Centre, attended the opening and discussed the importance of the strong partnership between Hearing Australia and The Shepherd Centre in supporting children with hearing loss.
“The Shepherd Centre helps children with hearing loss learn to listen and speak, and supports them to reach their full potential,” Dr Davis said. “Through our close working relationship with Hearing Australia, children with hearing loss and their families are able to achieve great outcomes.”
Hearing Australia is committed to improving the hearing health of First Nations peoples, especially children. In 2022-23, the organisation helped more than 26,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adults across the country through the Hearing Assessment Program – Early Ears and the Community Service Obligations program, which are both government funded programs.
By working with more than 100 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, Hearing Australia is able to ensure its services meet the needs of local communities. The Figtree Hearing Centre works closely with the Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service to provide regular hearing services to First Nations children and adults in the community.
Hearing Australia Managing Director, Kim Terrell, welcomed the opening of the new centre and said the organisation is committed to making it easier for people to get help, when and where they need it.
“For more than 75 years, we’ve improved the lives of people with hearing loss. We care for all Australians from all walks of life, and we put our clients at the centre of everything we do”, Mr Terrell said.
Federal Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes MP said the Hearing Australia Figtree Centre is a vital service for Illawarra community, ensuring no matter your age, no matter your hearing need – you can be supported to rediscover the joy of sounds.
“Modern, state of the art and accessible facilities are so important for supporting the hearing health of the more than 1 in 3 Australians who have noise-related ear damage,” Ms Byrnes said.
For more information on Hearing Australia’s services, visit www.hearing.com.au or call Hearing Australia on 134 432.
