Get Involved - Parliament

The Shepherd Centre

Published on: November 2022

Record: HANSARD-1323879322-129911

The Shepherd Centre

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (19:26:13):

As chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Hearing, Health and Wellness, I have worked closely with The Shepherd Centre and other hearing organisations to raise awareness of the importance of hearing health, along with my deputy chair, the member for Blue Mountains. Hearing affects not only the person with the loss but also those with whom they communicate. Hearing loss causes connections with loved ones to suffer, placing strain on relationships. I acknowledge and thank Dr Jim Hungerford, the outgoing CEO of The Shepherd Centre, for his enormous contribution to supporting young people who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families. Jim was at the helm of this not-for-profit organisation for 12 years and has been instrumental in making it a leading specialist service provider in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania.

I welcome incoming CEO Dr Aleisha Davis, who comes into this new role in January 2023 after almost 20 years with The Shepherd Centre. I know the organisation is in good hands and will continue its success in helping young people with hearing loss to develop listening and spoken language, literacy and social skills, ensuring they achieve their full potential. On behalf of the parliamentary friendship group, I than Jim and wish him all the best as he starts on his next journey.