A new central location for Bendigo Deaf Hub is part of a merger with Expression Australia, and assures survival of the hub plus new services and facilities after lack of funding threatened to close the facility.
Government funding for the hub finishes this month, June 2024, but the merger has led to a new facility and additional services to improve access for the deaf and hard of hearing including a free onsite interpreter.
Members of the deaf community can make a booking for the interpreter to assist with tasks that might otherwise be difficult such as medical appointments, parent teacher interviews or making accommodation bookings.
Appointments with an Auslan interpreter will also be available every second Monday and will increase if there is demand.
Speaking at the official opening of the new Mundy-St facility in May, Ms Rebecca Adam, Expression Australia CEO, said consultation with the Bendigo community was paramount.
“Equal access is a challenge in regional areas and we are committed to expanding on the wonderful work of the Deaf Hub services including education and employment pathways,” she said.
Adam is the first deaf person to lead Expression Australia and is encouraging the wider community to take advantage of additional Auslan classes that will be available.
“With 95% of deaf people born into hearing families learning Auslan is an essential and beautiful form of communication” she said.
Expression Australia board members Ms Kathryn Forrest and former Emergency Management Commissioner at Emergency Management Victoria Mr Andrew Crisp AM APM also attended the opening.
“The merger between Deaf Hub Bendigo and Expression Australia is vital and key to ensuring that the current projects and services the hub deliver can continue once government funding finishes in June,” Forrest said.
Crisp added: “The extra support from Expression Australia, starting with a beautiful new office space, ensures ongoing employment for hub staff and a commitment to providing further services, the development of partnerships and providing better access for our deaf and hard of hearing community in regional Victoria.”
Memorial plaques were unveiled to recognise people within Bendigo’s deaf community for their significant contributions including Elise Stewart who founded the hub in 2019 and Leila Freemantle, the parent of a deaf child Yvonne, who campaigned tirelessly to bring deaf education to Bendigo and had a room in the hub named after her. Rooms were also named in memory of Shirley Morrison and Alfredo ‘Fred’ Pettinella for their support.
Local member for Bendigo West Ms Maree Edwards cut the ribbon officially opening the new facility.
Expression Australia’s purpose is to create opportunities for people who are deaf and hard of hearing by delivering targeted services and affecting social change.
Expression Australia is Australia’s oldest deaf society, forming in 1884 as a community organisation. The bi-lingual, bi-cultural organisation respects Auslan and English and co-develops services, programs and navigation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) urging improved access, inclusion, and equal opportunity.
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