The Shepherd Centre News Volume 20 • Spring 2020
WILLIAM’S HEARING LOSS JOURNEY
A WINDOW TO THE PAST We interview Kay Sanger
Changing the Story:
The Shepherd Centre’s new book The Shepherd Centre News
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SUPPORTING EACH OTHER THROUGH TOUGH TIMES Welcome to the Spring edition of Soundwaves! There’s no denying that this has been a challenging year for everyone, but I’m pleased to share that this issue still contains plenty of good news about the incredible people that make up our wonderful community. While our 50th anniversary year hasn’t gone quite as expected, the publication of our coffee table book Changing the Story is a truly moving account of the inspiring achievements the children who have progressed through The Shepherd Centre over the last half a century. Speaking of books, the opening of the new Fairlie Family Library at our Liverpool Centre is sure to encourage many of our children to develop a lifelong love of reading. The coronavirus pandemic has brought upheaval to everyone’s lives, but I am so grateful for the patience and understanding that was shown to us by our community as we moved to online telehealth back in April. The extraordinary generosity of our donors enabled our children to continue getting the support they need, and I would like to thank each and every one of our supporters for their kindness. 2020 hasn’t been easy, but if there is one thing this year has shown us, it is that we are stronger when we care for each other. Thank you so much for helping us continue to share the gift of speech and sound.
Dr Jim Hungerford Chief Executive Officer 2
• Spring 2020
CHANGING CHILDREN’S LIVES We would like to thank each and every one of the incredible donors who have supported us during this difficult year. Thanks to the generosity of our community, our Emergency Appeal in April raised $73,000, enabling The Shepherd Centre to switch to providing online telehealth services during the pandemic. We have been further humbled by the success of our tax appeal, which saw more than $175,954 raised to ensure that children like Zaria, who was born with profound hearing loss, can access the services they need to help them reach their full potential.
WILLIAM’S HEARING LOSS JOURNEY When young William was diagnosed with hearing loss in his right ear, his mum Loren was devastated. Hearing Australia recommended The Shepherd Centre was one of the options discussed with Hearing Australia, and the family joined our Liverpool Centre last November. Alongside regular Functional Listening Checks to track William’s listening skills, he and Loren have also joined Talk Together, a group program which provides parents with the skills and knowledge to support their child on their listening journey. It’s a stable, caring environment designed to help families help each other and remember that they are not alone. Both mother and son quickly came to love attending sessions. Loren says: “We’ve gained so many skills from the program, as well as useful ideas on things to do with William - like singing and reading books together. William really enjoys listening and watching everyone sing songs.”
Now, having recently celebrated his first birthday, William is a happy little boy who loves playing with toys and spending time with his three older siblings. He’ll be starting the Kidscape program soon, and Loren says the family is optimistic about the road ahead. “We want William to stay positive and know that he can achieve any dreams he has for the future.” Being able to access the help and support they need in a safe place has made a world of difference for William and his family. “Without The Shepherd Centre, we would have felt very alone,” Loren says. “They give us such hope for William. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supports The Shepherd Centre.”
We would like to thank the ClubGRANTS scheme for their generous support of the Talk Together program, which has helped so many families just like William’s. The Shepherd Centre News
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CHANGING THE STORY - OUR NEW BOOK We feel very lucky that we were able to celebrate the launch of our book Changing the Story just before Covid-19 restrictions were put in place. The launch was held at the State Library of NSW on March 12, and we were delighted to mark the book’s publication by celebrating with parents, alumni, students, supporters and other members of our wonderful community, including Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO. Changing the Story commemorates The Shepherd Centre’s 50th anniversary by documenting the lives and experiences of families, alumni, donors and staff over the last half a century. It follows the journey of the centre from the very beginning, when Dr Bruce and his wife Annette Shepherd first discovered their children Penny and Daniel were profoundly deaf. Bruce and Annette dreamed of providing their children with the same opportunities as their hearing peers. After attending a summer program at The John Tracy Clinic, they were inspired to emulate the clinic’s methods in Australia. The Shepherd Centre — originally known as The Council for Integrated Deaf Education — was established in 1970, built on the grounds of Sydney University. After starting with just five families, The Shepherd Centre has since gone on to provide life changing support and therapy for nearly 3000 children and their families — many of whom have gone on to achieve
Above: Bill Fischer and Naomi Malone with Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO amazing things. We are so proud that their triumphs and successes have been commemorated in Changing the Story. In fact, the making of the book itself is another celebration of our community, as it was written by alumna Dr Naomi Malone in conjunction with Bill Fischer, and photographed by Shepherd Centre parent Aisha Aboud. As a beautiful hardback coffee table book filled with inspiring stories of children who have progressed through The Shepherd Centre, Changing the Story is must-have keepsake for any parent or alumni. It is a beautiful exploration of the people whose lives have been touched by the organisation, and a testament to the importance of sharing the gifts of sound and speech. Buy your copy today at shepherdcentre.org.au/product/ changing-the-story-book/
SAVE THE DATE: 50TH ANNIVERSARY GALA RESCHEDULED While postponing our 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner was a sad but necessary action in the light of the ongoing pandemic, we are pleased to share that the celebration has now been moved to the new date of June 19, 2021. You can vote for the Alumni Achiever Awards on our website and contact us with any queries at events@shepherdcentre.org.au. We can’t wait to see you there! 4
• Spring 2020
The Shepherd family in 1978
WHERE IT BEGAN: 50 YEARS OF THE SHEPHERD CENTRE Kay Sanger was one of The Shepherd Centre’s very first educators and moved all the way from the U.S.A to Australia to help the Shepherd family turn their dream into a reality. She kindly took the time to share her memories of The Shepherd Centre’s early days: How did you first come to know the Shepherd family? Annette Shepherd was already a legend at the John Tracy Clinic (JTC) in Los Angeles, before I arrived there. Annette and her four-year-old daughter, Penny, had just attended a six-week international summer program for parents to learn how to teach lipreading and spoken language to their children at home.
1969. In her first letter, she wrote, “Dear Kay, my husband Bruce and I are endeavouring to start a preschool scheme. We believe that little deaf children should not be segregated from hearing children but that their special needs and educational opportunities can be provided for within the framework of hearing kindergartens. To provide the deaf child with this special education, kindergarten teachers will need to be trained in preschool deaf education.” This was a radical notion in the world of deaf education, throughout the world. The idea of placing deaf and hearing children together during their language-learning preschool years, which seems so obvious now, was a vision that excited me with its newness and possibilities.
Annette had made an impression on all the teachers at the JTC with Kay Sanger today her enthusiasm and can-do spirit. You played such an important part When she returned to Sydney, she in The Shepherd Centre’s history. began to voice her ambitious dream How does it feel to see the Centre to start a similar program in Australia. Annette celebrating its 50th anniversary? contacted the JTC director for his advice, and he I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity recommended that they hire me to go to Sydney to help birth The Shepherd Centre. It has and help establish the new centre. developed beyond my wildest dreams, leading the world with its integrated education approach How did Annette convince you to move to the and cochlear implant program for very young deaf other side of the world? children. I wish the parents, children and teachers Annette and I began corresponding in January continued success in the next 50 years. The Shepherd Centre News
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FAIRLIE FAMILY LIBRARY NOW OPEN The Fairlie Family Library opened at our Liverpool Centre in February, providing a wonderful new space for children to discover the joys of reading. The library is named after the Fairlies, a family who have been very involved in The Shepherd Centre community since their son Hamish graduated 15 years ago. At the opening event, which was sponsored by our friends at Walker Books, the library was dedicated to the memory of Daren Desmarchelier. A Shepherd Centre graduate who made wonderful progress with his speech and language, Daren passed away in a tragic accident at the age of 6. His mother Trish spoke at the event, emphasising
CYNTHIA’S LEGACY GIVES DEAF CHILDREN A VOICE Cynthia is what we call a Hearing Hero, a very special supporter who left a gift in her Will to The Shepherd Centre. Her thoughtful gift is now changing the lives of future generations. This is her story: The opening of the Fairlie Family Library at Liverpool the importance of literature in both developing speech and language and creating a bond between parent and child. She also recalled treasured memories of reading with Daren. We would like to offer an enormous thank you to both the Fairlie family and Walker Books for enabling more children with hearing loss to improve their literacy skills and experience the magic of books.
LET’S GET LOUD! Mark it in your diary: Loud Shirt Day is happening on Friday the 23rd of October. It’s the perfect excuse to wear your brightest clothes and get loud and proud to raise money that will help give children with hearing loss the gift of speech and sound. Organise an event at work, school or with friends — in person or online, either on October 23 or whenever suits you best. Perhaps get some friends together for some online Bingo – and challenge everyone to wear their most outrageous outfits! Fun is the name of the game, and once you’ve signed up, we’ll send you a FREE fundraising kit with everything you need to host your event. Get LOUD to give children with hearing loss the gift of speech and sound! We can’t wait to see everyone’s pictures. Register your fundraising page at loudshirtday.org.au and get LOUD to give children with hearing loss the gift of speech and sound. We can’t wait to see everyone’s pictures. 6
• Spring 2020
Cynthia Brew was an only child who grew up in Lindfield, Sydney. She had a near idyllic childhood growing up in the great outdoors. She attended Hornsby Girls High and even then showed the qualities that would define her life - a bright, inquiring mind and a passion for the outdoors and physical pursuits. She trained as a physical education teacher and was fortunate, as a young teacher, to attend the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne. She was also a proud volunteer during the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Both Cynthia’s parents died before she was 30. Perhaps this sadness contributed to her lifelong determinedly independent take on life. Her spirit of adventure saw her teach in many places including Newcastle, Bathurst, Sydney and Tasmania and she travelled widely and extensively over her life. In retirement, Cynthia contributed to her community as a volunteer. She was a Justice of the Peace, a former Meals on Wheels volunteer and, for many years, a volunteer guide at Don Bank Museum in North Sydney. She volunteered to practice conversational English with a lady who was an immigrant to Australia. She played golf and bowls and continued to follow cricket. She had a very soft spot for Ricky Ponting! She also continued to travel right up until 2017, the year of her passing.
In her lifetime, Cynthia supported many charities and cared particularly for children in need of support. Although her regular donations to The Shepherd Centre were modest, in her Will she was incredibly generous. She also included twelve other charities, each receiving a small percentage of her estate. Cynthia’s gift is currently contributing to our Early Intervention programs, supporting children with hearing loss to develop their listening and spoken language skills so that they can reach their full potential in life. Cynthia is a perfect example of the fact that you do not need to be extremely wealthy to remember a charity in your Will and that just a small percentage of your estate can make a lifechanging difference. To learn more about leaving a gift to The Shepherd Centre in your Will, contact our Planned Giving Officer, Samantha on 02 9370 4470 or at samantha.meisner-lemon@shepherdcentre. org.au
The Shepherd Centre has a special, long-standing friendship with RMB Lawyers, a trusted and award-winning firm with a 130 year history. RMB are hosting two Free Will Days for families and supporters of The Shepherd Centre at their Wollongong, Kiama, Camden, Goulburn and Nowra offices on the 16th and 17th of September. To find out more or to book an appointment, call Danni on (02) 4228 8288 and quote SHEPHERD CENTRE as the reference. The Shepherd Centre News
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COMPETITION TIME! Word Search
Can you find the 10 hidden words that featured in the newsletter? Find and circle the answers, and send in your completed entry for your chance to win a for your chance to win a copy of our new book, Changing the Story.
A N DO L I O L A O K U WD I S L H L I I R A T MD S A Y Y
E J E G N Q C O J M T C E B R
T M R D Z H Z V O G E M A O L
T B P V P N C B U F L S R O Q
Your Name:
Together
iam
N N V E L H L K G K Y P H A H
Liverpool
Your email address: Hearing
E K O O B K M L E L E R I K E
I Z O C J J N H Q L H X N J N
T Y F S F A VMZ B L L P B J K Z L O B T B R L G O T H K M G Y P B N E I P K I T I F B I H T I WP E A L T H R E S UM G B T U X YWV Q K B A A P R
F F Y H I S T O R Y U M J C E
R I H B L E G A C Y E M O C U
Talk Together William Loud Shirt Day Liverpool Hearing History Telehealth Legacy Annette Book
Your phone number:
Telehealth Legacy
Annette
Supporter Number: Book
Post your entry with your contact details by 31 August to: The Shepherd Centre, PO Box 871, Strawberry Hills NSW 2012.
d Shirt Day
History
All correct entries go in the draw to win a copy of Changing the Story.
Congratulations to the winner of our last Soundwaves word search competition, Janelle from East Tamworth, who won a Royal Albert sugar bowl.
WHAT’S COMING UP? SEPTEMBER
®
16-17 Free Will Days
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
OCTOBER
24-25
18
23
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Giving Day
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