Stars and Stories: The Black Star Radio Podcast

Anne-Marie Banfield Hearing Australia Dec 2021

16 November 2021
Hearing Australia’s First Nations Services Unit is working to improve the hearing health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
Hearing Australia has established a First Nations Services Unit to better meet the hearing health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
“With our dedicated First Nations team, we’re making it easier and faster for children, families and communities to get the hearing help they need,” says Mr Kim Terrell, Managing Director, Hearing Australia.
The Unit will bring together the delivery of Hearing Australia’s three Australian Government funded programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: the Hearing Assessment Program – Early Ears (HAPEE) program, the Community Service Obligations (CSO) component of the Hearing Services program and the recently established Listen to Learn program.
“This will help us collaborate with our partners to provide more effective, coordinated, and culturally appropriate services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia, regardless of their age, location or hearing need,” says Kim.
In 2020-21, Hearing Australia worked with communities across Australia to assess the hearing health of more than 10,000 First Nations children aged zero to six through the HAPEE program.
These assessments are undertaken by highly trained audiologists and are free* to families. Checking the ear and hearing health of young children is a critical step to preventing long-term ear disease and hearing loss for the one in four children that are being found to have undiagnosed ear disease or hearing loss, requiring referral to clinical specialists1.
Hearing Australia also provided fully subsidised hearing services and devices to more than 11,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through the CSO program.
Hearing Australia has delivered outreach services and worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities for over 40 years. Currently, Hearing Australia provides outreach services to 285 communities and this number continues to grow.
Research also shows the long-term benefits of supporting and working with local communities. In 2008, just 4.6 per cent of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children with a hearing loss aged under 20 were aided with a hearing device before the age of three years. By 2020, this had lifted to 12.7 per cent2, thereby reducing the impacts of hearing loss on their development and education.
The First Nations Unit works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak bodies, ear health coordinators and other key ear health stakeholders to address the high rates of ear disease and hearing loss in First Nations children. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have some of the highest rates of middle ear infection, otitis media, in the world3

Alex Debono Cape York NRM Dec 2021

Alex Debono, Cape York NRM (Natural Resource Management) Fire Coordinator.
Interview by Mark Hogan who speaks with Alex Debono about the Fire Management experts 2021 Fire forums and topics in relation to fire strategy and management and the importance of it.
Picture courtesy of Natural Resource Management

Elverina Johnson

Elverina Johnson, interviewed by Mark Hogan.
Discussing the empowering connection between Art and culture, creativity and goals for the future
Picture courtesy of ABC Far North

Dr Andrew Rochford

Dr Andrew Rochford interviewed by Mark Hogan.
They discuss Covid-19, Vaccinations and Australian Health Care. Picture courtesy of Dr Andrew Rochford

Dr Steven Donohue

Tropical Public Health Services Director. Dr Steven Donohue, interviewed by Mark Hogan.
Discussions about Health and Covid-19.
Picture courtesy of Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service

Dean Davidson

Dean Davidson, Acting chief Executive of Torres and Cape Hospital and Health service.
Interview with Mark Hogan about Vaccination statistics of Pormpuraaw and Covid-19.
Picture courtesy of Parliament Queensland Government

Mayor Keri Tamwoy Aurukun

Mayor Keri Tamwoy, Aurukun.
Interview with Mark Hogan during the Official Grand Opening of Aurukun Airport Terminal
Picture courtesy of Queensland Country Life

Cooktown State School student interview

Cooktown State School students interview Mark Hogan as part of the Cooktown Career Expo 2021,
The students ask Mark insightful questions about his career and what contributed to his decision to becoming a Black Star Radio host.Picture Courtesy of Cooktown State School

Senator Susan McDonald

Senator Susan McDonald interview with Mark Hogan,
Senator McDonald discusses her background in Far North Queensland, visit to the Top End and the significance of connecting with people from the local communities to better support people and create a better future and outcome for the entire community. Picture courtesy of Liberal Party of Australia

Duncan Inglis Cooktown Career Expo 2021

Duncan Inglis, Deputy Principal of Cooktown State School.
Interviewed by Mark Hogan about the The Cooktown Career Expo, providing much needed information on post school training and employment options as well as information in support services available for our community.
A special thank you to Cooktown State School for the 'Certificate of Sincere Appreciation' to Black Star Radio for the support of the Cooktown Career Expo, 2021