2015Issue 54

July / August

Inside Page 4: Work Experience at Vicdeaf - in Ian Cleasby’s wordsPage 7: Vicdeaf launches new Strategic Plan for 2015-2020Page 12: Update about the World Deaf Tennis Championships

CommunicateA newsletter for the Victorian Deaf and hard of hearing community

On Sunday 26 July, Vicdeaf participated in Run Melbourne, raising an incredible $17,661 for Vicdeaf’s work!

More than that, we had 15 deaf, hard of hearing and hearing runners from the community, the general public, our staff as well as our board members.

This helped to raise much-needed awareness and funds for our work and the needs and rights of deaf and hard of hearing people.

Thank you to all of our incredible Vicdeaf Heroes and their supporters!

• GILL VICTOR GENERAL MANAGER - MARKETING AND DEVELOPMENT

VICDEAF HEROES SAY THANK YOU!

Right: the great Vicdeaf Hero team at the Run Melbourne event.

Above (left to right): Wendy Devlin, Alana Young and Jaqueline Mellington bravely took on the Brooks Half-Marathon, running for 21.1 kilometres to fundraise. All photos sourced from Vicdeaf.

Vicdeaf Heroes raise nearly $18,000

Below (left to right): Michael Parremore, Sarah Linssen, Paul Pritchard, Bridget Andritsos and Demetrio Zema

Report from the CEO

Welcome to this edition of Communicate and to the start of spring and hopefully some warmer weather.In July I was very lucky to travel to Istanbul, Turkey to attend the 17th World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) World Congress held between 28 July and 2 August. In total, five staff members from Vicdeaf attended as well as Hilary Fisher, a Vicdeaf Board Director. There were almost 60 people from Australia at the Congress which is a fantastic number given how far we had to travel.

As many of you know, Colin Allen is the WFD President and pleasingly he was re-elected for another term which is an excellent outcome for Colin and great for Australia. Congratulations Colin.

There were many interesting presentations by deaf people around the world. For example, I attended sessions with presenters from South Africa, Brazil, Kenya, Philippines, Hungary, Finland, New Zealand and Japan. Congratulations to Tracy Steiner and Linda D’Ornay from Vicdeaf for an excellent presentation attended by around 500 people and to Stephen Nicholson who did an outstanding job interpreting the presentation into International Sign. Congratulations to Melissa Lowrie from Deaf Victoria who also delivered a very interesting presentation.

While there were many things I learnt during the Congress, one of the most significant was being surrounded by hundreds and hundreds of deaf people for a week and me being a hearing person in the minority. It was a fabulous experience and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity and learn so much about deaf culture, language and the importance of inclusive communication. Thanks to Deaf Australia and Deaf Services Queensland for hosting a fantastic event with some

Christine Mathieson

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members of the WFD Board including Honorary Presidents Dr Liisa Kauppinen and Dr Markku Jokinen both from Finland. It was also a great pleasure to meet and chat with the Australian Ambassador to Turkey, Mr James Larsen.

Prior to the Congress, I visited the Deaf Village in Dublin, Ireland with Rebecca Ladd a Board Director at Deaf Children Australia (DCA). This was an excellent visit and we gained so much information and lessons learned from their experience in establishing the ‘Village’ which will be very valuable information as we work together with DCA as part of our plans to co locate and establish a Deaf Centre in Victoria.

Turning now to more local matters here at Vicdeaf, we finalised and released our new Strategic Plan 2015-2020. Thank you to so many of you who provided input and ideas into the development of our Plan. I encourage you to have a look at our website to view the Auslan version of the Plan or contact us to get a copy.

Finally, a huge thank you to all the Vicdeaf supporters, staff and Board members who participated in Run Melbourne, raising almost $18,000 for Vicdeaf. Well done - a fantastic event and result.

Until next time,

• CHRISTINE MATHIESON

Above (left to right): Brent Phillips and Christine Mathieson met Australian Ambassador to Turkey, James Larsen and WFD President, Colin Allen. Photo source: Vicdeaf.

Editorial Not only we had the XVII World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) as well as the World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI) 2015 Conference both in Turkey, we also had Hearing Awareness Week in Australia. What a big month for us all!

I also had the opportunity to visit Japan. I met many deaf Japanese people and it was incredible to learn about their culture and language. I also thoroughly enjoyed the food experience at the famous deaf restaurant in Tokyo and watching deaf theatre and films. I will definitely visit again!

If you are new to employment and want to improve communication between your staff and employer, we can offer Deaf Awareness Training and Basic Auslan (DATBA) at your workplace. Make sure to apply for Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) to cover this cost.

• SOPHIE LI

Sophie Li

Editorial PolicyCommunicate is published six times a year. Reader contribu-tions are greatly welcomed. Articles must relate to Deaf and hard of hearing issues.All contribution, once submitted, becomes the property of Communicate.

The editor reserves the right not to publish, or to edit, any article submitted for publication. All editing shall strive to remain true to the spirit of the original article.

Opinions expressed (except in articles that are signed in an official capacity) are those of the author/s and not necessarily endorsed by the editor or by Vicdeaf.

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Submission deadlines for 2015 Wed 30 September Mon 16 November

SUBMISSIONS WELCOME

Email to info@vicdeaf.com.au

www.facebook.com/VicdeafInfo

www.twitter.com/Vicdeaf

www.youtube.com/InfoVicdeaf

www.linkedin.com/company/vicdeaf

www.instagram.com/vicdeaf_goes_visual

Sunday, 6th December 201511:00am - 3:00pm

Venue: Hay’s Paddock – South Oval, Longstaff Street, East Kew, VIC. 3102

More info at www.vicdeaf.com.au or email dpeters@vicdeaf.com.au

• Free sausage sizzle, soft drinks and water bottles

• Limited outdoor umbrellas, tables and chairs available on site

• BYO picnic

• Visit from Santa for the children

• Activities for the children

Interpreter provided by Auslan Connections

Congratulations to Shirley Liu of Deaf Youth Australia (DYA) on becoming a member of the WFDYS Board! All the board members are from various countries across the world including Europe and Africa and will serve on the board for the next four years, 2015-2019.

In addition, Deaf Youth Australia won the bid to host the WFDYS Junior Camp 2017 in Phillip Island, Australia. This camp is for

World Federation of the Deaf Youth Section (WFDYS) ages between 13-17 years of age - save the date in your diary! This is your chance to meet many other deaf teenagers coming from all over the world.

Want to watch the Auslan video? Scan this QR code to watch! http://bit.ly/1XnDpuR Note: no English subtitles available.

• SOPHIE LI

Left ((left to right): The new WFDYS Board Members are Cecilia Hanhikoski of Finland, Laith Foad Fathulla of Sweden, Simon Herdman, of UK, Alejandra Galione of Uruguay, Benjamin Bokoe of Ghana, Shirley Liu of Australia and Mark Berry of New Zealand! Photo source: Deaf Youth Australia.

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The last time I did work experience, it was at Deaf Children Australia (DCA) which focused on children who are under the age of 18. This time I worked for Vicdeaf from 20 July to 24 July which looks after deaf and hard of hearing adults, a different system of working compared to DCA.

Working with five different staff in the Community and Languages Services Department, I learned a lot about each staff’s role and their work. Some staff focused on updating or fixing social media, information on internet design, look for information to update on the Vicdeaf website. Other staff had responsibilities such as organising Auslan classes for the general community, so I helped with organising weekly class booklets to be sent to deaf teachers to give in classes.

Ian works with the Marketing and Development Department, making badges for the Vicdeaf Hero Run Melbourne event. Photo source: Vicdeaf.

Work Experience At Vicdeaf – in Ian Cleasby’s wordsIt was interesting to learn more about different areas of work and I mostly enjoyed two things: going to a meeting with Yarra Trams and Deaf Awareness Training. Yarra Trams asked Vicdeaf to assist in ensuring their transport service is accessible for deaf and hard of hearing people on nine different types of trams. I was able to contribute insight into deaf issues so Yarra Trams can improve access in the future. I found this meeting great to be involved in. The other area I enjoyed working at Vicdeaf was going to Melbourne University with David Peters, to provide a Deaf Awareness Training presentation.

In addition, I also scanned historical documents about deaf people in Victoria to be uploaded online and helped publish

for Run Melbourne by designing and organising new badges and decorations. On the last day, Uber visited with ice-cream to promote their deaf drivers.

• IAN CLEASBY YEAR 12 VICTORIAN COLLEGE FOR THE DEAF

Keeping up with communication technology options is now even easier - and in Auslan!

Launching in September, Techfinder is the new go-to online information portal designed to help you navigate your way through all the online information about

Above right: Look out for Mai and Zara’s story as they share their experience with Conexu on communication technology. Zara (8) deaf since age 4, with mother Mai are excited for the potential of Techfinder by Conexu. Below right: People enjoying the free app, OpenAccessTours. Photo source: Conexu Foundation

Auslan Tours in your pocket – at the zoo, sports museum, or town hall!

Technology is opening access at an incredible rate for new experiences every day. When we switch off from our week, we might look to watching a tv show, doing some gardening or watching a weekend movie with friends.

Arts experiences are another option.

Now, Conexu has developed a free app called OpenAccess Tours – tours in Auslan, with captions and other languages! Since

2011, you can take your smartphone and the app to participating venues to receive Auslan content for each display.

Check out these local venues in September with your family and friends:

• Werribee Open Range Zoo• Sovereign Hill Mine Tour• Collingwood Town Hall To find out more about the latest accessible venues around Australia go to Conexu’s website here: www.conexu.com.au/tours

communication technology. Best of all, the information is available in Auslan!

Subscribe now to be one of the first to receive:

• Product summaries and reviews• How-To guides in Auslan • Hints, tips and stories

www.techfinder.org.au Techfinder is powered by Conexu. Conexu is the go-to in communication technology for people who are Deaf, or have a hearing loss or speech impairment.

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The Changing Gears Program is a pre-learner driver education program. The Independent Living skills team has enjoyed organising the course for four consecutive years.

The Changing Gears Program, developed by Mission Australia, is a pre-learner driver education program designed for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who may find reading and writing difficult.

Delivered by Rob Regester of Mission Australia, Vicdeaf facilitates the Changing Gears program to Deaf learners, ensuring Auslan interpreters are provided at all workshops.

Vicdeaf hosts the course in the JML Hall and provides Client Support workers who are all bilingual in English and Auslan for additional support to the students.

Using a variety of interactive media, Ignition presents the Victorian road rules and key safe driving messages, in a fun, accessible and easy to understand way. The program also helps to improve participants’ vocabulary and literacy skills.

Changing Gears - Learn to Drive Program

Interview with the Australian Deaf Men’s Basketball Team

Sophie Li met with Mark Bilyj and Bryn Davies for a small chat about their big plans for deaf basketball in Australia. Sophie: I am here with Mark, the Captain of the Goannas basketball team. So how are you going?

Mark: Oh, it was a nice win. We have a good system of working on teamwork, improving offence, defence work to work and prepare for Asia Pacific Games soon in six weeks flying from Melbourne to Taiwan.

Sophie: That’s exciting; do you hope to win at the Asia Pacific Games?

Mark: We hope to become favourites to win a medal at the Asia Pacific Games. It is a serious tournament against Taiwanese, Japanese, and Philippines - that one is interesting. It is a new team set up, so we’ll see. It’ll be interesting. Hopefully we can win - a hard win.

Sophie: I’m now here with Bryn. He is the President of Deaf Basketball Australia... Bryn, what a big year, wow! What have you been doing?

Bryn: Well, for the past one year, I have been focused on the World Championships and Asia Pacific Deaf Games. Recently, we had World Championships in July the men’s team, Goannas, went there and become 9th (in the world) so it was a good result - the best ever. Now that the match has finished, they are preparing for Asia Pacific Deaf Games. So it’s really exciting, hope they can win gold at the Asia Pacific... we have a few ways where people can support the team to go to Asia Pacific. gofundme - a website where it can accept donations to support the team so will put in the link. We also have t-shirts for sale for $30 - have a look.

Sophie: Looks great. So $30 in full goes to you to support for the Asia Pacific?

Bryn: Really because it’s two tournaments this year so it’s a lot of money that they are paying for themselves to play. The government or sponsorships - we don’t have any. So we have to see how we can support the players. The t-shirts, the website for online donations - to hopefully encourage this so that the same team - who competed in the last tournament - can hopefully go again. It’s good, exciting times.

• SOPHIE LI

Scan the QR code here if you want to see full Auslan interview.

The course runs for a full week and the final day is the ‘Learner Permit’ test day at VicRoads.

For further information or to lodge an expression of interest contact:

• VICTORIA TANNER-DENCH PROGRAM MANAGER CLIENT SERVICES

Email: vtannerdench@vicdeaf.com.auVoice or SMS: 0402 304 188

Above: Rob Regester teaches road rules and Kim Saxton interprets. Photo source: Vicdeaf.

Mark Bilyj shares with Sophie Li his hopes for the Australian Deaf Men’s Basketball Team - the Goannas - for Asia Pacific Games. Photo source: Vicdeaf.

Above: Sophie Li interviews Bryn Davies about plans with Deaf Basketball Australia. Photo source: Vicdeaf.

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Upon Jane’s move to Melbourne, she was surprised that there was no DWG in operation. When Carmel approached Jane with the idea of re-establishing the Victorian Deaf Women’s Guild, she jumped at the opportunity to support Carmel in resurrecting this group. Both understand it is an important program for deaf women in Victoria, for socio-cultural purposes. Following discussions with a number of deaf women in this state, it has led us to investigate as to why we do not have a Deaf Women’s Guild in Victoria, as many of these women were very keen to get the Victorian Guild back up and running once again.

We conducted our first meeting on Saturday 11 July, at the JML Hall from 11am to 4pm, with 30 women attending. See photo below of the happy women after a most enjoyable day!

After a brainstorming session, it was unanimously agreed to meet on the second Saturday of each month at the JML Hall at Vicdeaf if the room is available, or otherwise at JPC or DCA. Keep an eye on the Vicdeaf website’s events page for upcoming sessions.

After much debate, without being disrespectful, it was decided to change the name from DWG to Deaf Women Victoria (DWV) as we felt the name ‘Guild’ was a bit outdated.

It was also agreed that the work load will be shared around by different ladies each month, and we will have various types of activities/games each month, including workshops/ presentations by guest speakers on various topics.

We played a couple of ‘oldie but goodie games’ and enjoyed a delicious spread of home-baked goodies for afternoon tea. A good time was had by all.

Future meeting dates are listed below, and will be held from 11am – 4pm. Bring your own lunch. Afternoon tea will be provided.

Saturday 10 October 2015 DCA FJ Rose Room, 597 St Kilda Road, Melbourne

Saturday 14 November 2015 JML Vicdeaf, Level 3, 340 Albert St, East Melbourne

Saturday 12 December 2015 TBA Christmas Luncheon or End of Year Celebration

C’mon ladies, we hope to see you at our future gatherings!

• CARMEL PHILLIPS & JANE TAYLOR

Deaf Women Victoria

The Deaf Women’s Guild (previously known as the ‘Deaf Women’s Friendly Society’) was formed on 28th May 1901. Mrs. Luke (hearing), was the first President and Miss Daisy Damman (who became Mrs. J. E Muir) was the first Hon. Secretary. The name of the group subsquently changed from “Deaf Women’s Friendly Society” to “Deaf Women’s Guild” in 1909.

- Thank you to Melissa Anderson for providing the extract from her Masters Research Essay, “Daisy Muir - A Remarkable

Influence in the Deaf Community”.

A very significant milestone in the history of the Deaf Women’s Guild would have to be the one that took place on 3rd August 1911. At this meeting, Daisy Muir suggested that her Educational Classes and Mrs. Wilson’s Bible Classes be discontinued. The purpose of this was in order to give the women the opportunity of reading more papers. After a long discussion, the women decided to hold the Bible Classes on some nights only and further discussion on the Educational Classes was to take place at the next meeting. Daisy stipulated that if these classes were to continue then it would need to be done in rotation amongst the members.

Deaf Women’s Guild (DWG) was renamed ‘Victorian Deaf Social Group’ in July 2003 and ultimately closed down in July 2005.

Carmel Phillips’ deaf mother-in-law, who lived at her family home at the time, would return home after DWG gatherings in a happy mood, reminiscing on the day’s activities. On a recent trip to Perth, Carmel was invited to a meeting of the Western Australian DWG, and was surprised to find out that it had been active since 1971.

Throughout her childhood, Jane Taylor had fond memories attending the DWG in Sydney with her deaf mother, aunties and sister. She loved all the women who attended the gathering so much that she called them ‘my aunties’, forming life-long friendships with all of them.

Carmel and Jane were informed that the South Australian DWG has been in operation since 1899 and the NSW DWG which started in 1923 is still going strong.

Deaf women got together on Saturday 11 July. Carmel and Jane are sitting on the floor in the middle. Photo source: Jane Taylor.

Deaf Women’s Guild’s 35th Anniversary celebration in September 1936 at Jolimont Square. The then President of the DWG, Mrs. Daisy Muir is cutting the cake. Photo source: Jane Taylor.

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News and Events from the Community

Congratulations to Peter Searle

Above: Peter’s winning kitchen design for Urban Oasis Townhouse.Photo source: Building Designer Association of Victoria (BDAV).

On Saturday 25 July, Peter Searle won another Building Designer Association of Victoria (BDAV) Award for Residential Design: New Houses – Best Small Lot Design. Peter runs his own architectural firm, Peter Searle Design, and was also the 2011 BDAV Award Winner for Multi Residential, Dual Occupancy.

Congratulations Peter!

• SOPHIE LI

Auslan Interpreted First Aid CourseJoin experienced St John First Aid trainers and Auslan interpreters to learn a broad range of First Aid techniques in just one day.

Course: Provide First Aid (HLTAID003)

When: Session 2 - Monday 21 September 2015 at 8:30am

Where: Room 5, Level 6, 310 King Street, Melbourne

- Includes CPR Certification

- Nationally Recognised Training

- Recommended by WorkSafe

To book, visit stjohnvic.com.au, call 1300 ST JOHN or email customer.service@stjohnvic.com.au.

RTO 88041

Scan the QR code here if you would like to see Stefan’s artwork and the Auslan version about this particular piece of art.

Did you know? You can keep up to date with what is happening around Victoria by visiting our website www.vicdeaf.com.au and click on “Your Community” to see the latest news, noticeboard and events.

Aussie Deaf Kids Program - come and join!The Active Deaf Kids (ADK) program encourages awareness among deaf and hard of hearing students, teachers, parents, coaches and the general public of the health and social benefits of participating in sports.

The ADK program has been delivered to all schools that cater for deaf and hard of hearing students around Australia since 2011. The program includes Multi Sports Day clinics, meeting role models and coaches as well as meeting new friends.

Check out the ADK website at www.activedeafkids.org.au

• IRENA FARINACCI SPORTS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Sir John Sulman Prize 2015 - Deaf FinalistDeaf Artist Stefan Kater is a 2015 finalist in a national art competition called the Sir John Sulman Prize. This prize is for the best subject/genre painting or mural projects. Kater’s artwork, ‘A black diamond’ is an acrylic on board piece. Congratulations Stefan!

On his latest artwork Stefan Kater said,

“I visualised this painting, A black diamond, in my head, memorising all the finer details in the hope that it would be a bold, immersive work, which viewers would be drawn to and enjoy. It celebrates the modern art and fashion of South Africa. I painted carefully, using dark colours and tried to ensure the best quality of light in order to make it stand out boldly. I particularly like using black, white and yellow and enjoyed painting with those three colours again.”

Above: Irena Farinacci teaches deaf and hard of hearing kids to play basketball. Photo source: Deaf Sports Australia.

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News and Events from the Community

The Great Amazing Race - let’s have funRegarded as Melbourne’s ultimate urban adventure race, the 2015 Great Amazing Race will be raising funds to proudly support the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation. This year Uplift Events is very excited to announce that the event will be deaf accessible.

Gather your partner, a friend, a family member or a work colleague and form a team of 2 and race around Melbourne visiting famous landmarks and locations while completing fun activities along the way. Ge10% discount by using the promo code: GARAUSLAN.

It is guaranteed you’ll do more fun, diverse and crazy stuff in a single day than in any other event, while supporting a great cause! Vicdeaf is a proud sponsor of this event.

Register NOW on this website: www.greatamazingrace.com.au

• THE GREAT AMAZING RACE TEAM

Australian Deaf Games - have you bought your tickets yet?The 2016 Australian Deaf Games will be in Adelaide, South Australia from 9-16 January 2016. It promises to be “the best Games ever”!

Sports to watch include athletics, beach volleyball, cricket, eight ball, golf, mixed netball, squash, table tennis and touch football. Come with family, friends and meet new people.

The registration cost includes Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Games Hub Entry, Deaf Community Expo Entry, entry to all sports, entry to social/cultural events and a Games Registration Pack.

FEES STANDARD LATE (1 Nov – 5 Jan) ADULS $175 $210CONCESSION $150 $185(Senior, Centrelink, Student) YOUTH $130 $165 (13-17 years old) CHILD FREE FREE(12 years old and under) FAMILY 2 $480 $585 (2 adults & 2 youths) FAMILY 1 $305 $375 (1 adult and 2 youths)

To contact to find out more about registration: http://austdeafgames.org.au/Registering-for-the-Games info@austdeafgames.org.au or 0401 538 552.

Deaf Victoria in partnership with Deakin University and Mental Health Australia have now set up a website for the upcoming conference on 16-17 November 2015. The website link is: www.deafmentalhealth.com.au

LocationDeakin University, Level 2, Building BC, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood VIC 3125

RegistrationConsumers/Carers (Conference only) $85.00Consumers/Carers (Concession, Conference only) $50.00Mental Health Professionals (Conference only) $200.00Conference Dinner $70.00All in Australia are welcome to attend this conference, especially if your interest is in deaf mental health area.

• MELISSA LOWRIE MANAGER

Deaf Mental Health ConferenceTo all teenagers from Year 7 - 12 in Victoria

Exciting news! The Hear for You Auslan Program is now open for this year’s workshops! We have amazing new mentors, some who have travelled the world, worked in different countries, represented Australia in sport, from New Zealand, are chefs and one who recently came back from the World congress of the World Federation of the Deaf.

All these mentors were in teenage shoes once and are here to share their experiences so that you one day can achieve even greater things.

Enrol today at www.hearforyou.com.au/program/vic/vic-auslan

WorkshopsSunday 18 of October 10am-4pmSunday 1 of November 10am-4pmSunday 29 of November 10am-4pmContact the Program Coordinator Sam Cartledge:Email: sam.cartledge@hearforyou.com.auSMS: 0433 209 641

• SAM CARTLEDGE VICTORIAN PROGRAMS COORDINATOR

Marketing and Development update

Communicate is a bi-monthly print newsletter now available via email in PDF format. It is a source of news and information relating to Deaf and hard of hearing issues. Want to receive Communicate? Please fill in your details and post to us.

Name: Postal Address:

Prefer to receive Communicate via email? Add Email Address here:

Under the Gaslight is a monthly newsletter sent by email. It is an excellent source of upcoming events and important information. Want to receive Under the Gaslight (via email only)? Please fill in your details and post to us.

Name: _______________________ Email Address:

Fill in and post this form to: Communicate Editor, Level 4, 340 Albert St, East Melbourne VIC 3002 or you can subscribe on www.vicdeaf.com.au

Communicate and Under the Gaslight Subscription Form

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National Relay Service (NRS)

Visit the NRS website www.relayservice.gov.au Call us on 03 8620 7155

Contact the SensWide Employment team

Online Enquiry

Visit www.senswide.com.au and submit an enquiry form to have us contact you

Skype chat in Auslan

Add us to your Skype account: senswide.employment

Website: www.senswide.com.auPhone: 03 8620 7155

X2

Why

Five tips for looking after your ears...you only get one pair!Nothing smaller than your elbow!

Clean your ears with extra care. Wipe the outer ear with a washcloth or tissue. Don’t put anything into your ear smaller than your elbow. Don’t use cotton buds, bobby pins or sharp pointed objects to clean your ears. These objects may injure the ear canal or eardrum.

Blow don’t sniff! Don’t put your ears under pressure!

Reduce the risk of ear infections by treating upper respiratory (ears, nose, and throat) infections promptly; blow don’t sniff to avoid blocking your Eustachian tubes.

If you scuba dive, learn and practice proper underwater techniques to avoid potentially damaging changes in pressure inside your ears.

Listen to your ears

Some illnesses and medical conditions can affect your hearing. If you experience sudden hearing loss or have constant noise in your ears or head, see an ear doctor promptly.

Drainage from the ear is not normal and usually suggests infection. See your doctor as soon as possible.

Some medications can affect hearing. Take medications only as directed, and consult your doctor if you experience unusual hearing, balance problems, or ringing in the ears.

Save your cells

If you are exposed to loud music, loud power tools or machinery wear ear plugs to protect yourself from noise damage. You can purchase disposable plugs from the chemist or see your hearing care professional for more options.

Put a lid on it

Always wear a helmet when you participate in any activity that puts you at risk for head and ear injuries. for example: boxing, cycling, ski-in, horse - riding, rollerblading, bungee jumping.

• GILL VICTOR GENERAL MANAGER – MARKETING AND DEVELOPMENT

Why support Vicdeaf?

Sometimes we are asked why people should support Vicdeaf - why Vicdeaf has to ask for support.

Funding is becoming less every day. As much as we don’t like it, without funding we can’t do the work we do.

With more pressure on not-for-profit organisations to do more work with fewer resources; and with more pressure on the public to support not-for-profit organisations, the question is a real one.

So let’s turn the question over to you, your friends and the community:

• Why should we do the work we do?

• Why should people support Vicdeaf?

Send your answers to fr@vicdeaf.com.au or publish your answers on social media and link to us – we’d love to hear your stories about why people should support the work we do.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Vicdeaf

Twitter: twitter.com/vicdeaf

Use the hashtag #whysupportvicdeaf

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Hearing Awareness Week

Hearing Awareness Week has just gone by, and hearservice attended events all around Melbourne. We were part of a huge event at Federation Square on 24 and 25 August, and promoted hearing awareness at a music charity event in Collingwood, the Victorian College of the Arts, ACMI at Federation Square, the Louis Joel Centre in Altona and the Australian Taxation Office.

National Relay Service (NRS)

Visit the NRS website www.relayservice.gov.au Call us on 03 8620 7155

Contact the SensWide Employment team

Online Enquiry

Visit www.senswide.com.au and submit an enquiry form to have us contact you

Skype chat in Auslan

Add us to your Skype account: senswide.employment

Website: www.senswide.com.auPhone: 03 8620 7155

Above: Steve McKean from hearservice with ‘Max’ to help promote awareness about safe listening levels. Photo source: hearservice.

Hearservice also provided information about hearing loss and hearing conservation to increase public awareness about the need to protect hearing from noise damage.

Hearservice recognises that communication in the workplace can be difficult for some people with hearing loss. If you want to communicate better at work and want to help your manager and work colleagues better understand the challenges of hearing impairment in the workplace, your employer can apply for government assistance to support you. As part of this support, hearservice provides Hearing Awareness Training at your workplace, as well as a range of assistive listening devices. Contact us to find out more:

Email: info@hearservice.com.au

If you are deaf or have a speech impairment, you can contact us through any of these options below:

TTY users: phone 133 677 and ask for 1300 30 20 31

Speak & Listen (speech-to-speech) users: phone 1300 555 727 and ask for 1300 30 20 31

Internet Relay users: connect to NRS on www.relayservice.com.au and ask for 1300 30 20 31

• JASON RIDGEWAY PROGRAM MANAGER, REHABILITATION

Victorian Deaf Society Level 4, 340 Albert Street, East Melbourne, VIC 3002. TTY: (03) 9473 1199; Voice: (03) 9473 1111; Fax: (03) 9473 1122; Email: info@vicdeaf.com.au. Toll-free for country people: TTY: 1300 780 235; Voice: 1300 780 225.

Vicdeaf office hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm. Regional offices: Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Sale and Wangaratta.

www.vicdeaf.com.au

Update about the World Deaf Tennis Championships

After two years of training, the Australian Deaf Men’s Tennis team, John Lui, Stephen Swann, Jamie Zafir and Glen Flindell were off to the World Deaf Tennis Championships (20 - 27 July 2015), in England, hosted by the Tennis Foundation and UK Deaf Sport.

Fast forward 21 hours on a plane and a 45 minute car ride to our arrival in Nottingham. It’s always great to catch up with players and old friends arriving from all over the world e.g. America, Asia, and Europe. It was also a reminder that we were here to win, not just to have a good time. Once the Opening Ceremony was over and the draw came out, everyone got serious. No more fun and games.

As the week progressed, Glen and I ended up in the 3rd/4th playoff in Men’s Doubles against the Americans. After a tight first

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set, we played some of our best tennis, increasing the pressure by serving well and hitting some tough returns.

We ended up winning 6-3, 6-0 for the Bronze Medal. In other results, Stephen and Jamie reached the doubles quarterfinals and Glen made the quarterfinals in singles.

It was a fantastic tournament, compared to the 2006 British Deaf Open, the level of organisation at the Championships did not disappoint. The overall quality of the venue, accommodation, food, volunteers, transport, was the best we have experienced at the international deaf tennis level.

We all look forward to the 2017 Deaflympics!

• JOHN LUI

Find out more information about the Australian Deaf Men’s Tennis team on Deaf Sports Australia website: www.deafsports.org.au

Above (left to right): Stephen Swann, Jamie Zafir, John Lui and Glen Flindell with tennis players from Austria. Photo source: John Lui.