CORA BARCLAY CENTRE

Mr SIBBONS (Mitchell) (15:21): Last month I was very fortunate to represent both the Premier and minister Hunter at the official opening of the Variety, the Children's Charity, Listening and Speech Centre as part of the Cora Barclay Centre at North Adelaide. I deliberately use the word 'fortunate' because I met some extraordinary people involved with the organisation that day. The children who receive family-based therapy through the Cora Barclay Centre are simply inspirational. The way many of them face their difficulties due to deafness or hearing impairment is uplifting and humbling. There is no doubt it takes courage and persistence to communicate in a world that takes hearing for granted, and I am sure it can be incredibly isolating and frustrating.

Hearing aids, cochlear implants and other listening devices bring life-changing benefits in breaking through a wall of silence for so many people. Still, as a child wearing or using one of these is not always easy, especially when you are trying to fit in with the crowd. The people who work with these precious children and families also leave me a little in awe. Their passion for the job and compassion for those they guide and help is certainly admirable.

The Cora Barclay Centre's vision is to 'maximise the potential of individuals who are deaf/hearing impaired'. That is what it is all about: giving these children the same opportunities as those who have full hearing capacity. The centre's philosophy is based around early detection and diagnosis of hearing problems as well as family involvement throughout a child's development. Parents and carers are experts on their children and are treated as such, just as medical professionals are experts on how to best manage their therapy. The idea is for these two types of experts to team up to ensure the best outcomes for the child's development and training.

Early intervention at Cora Barclay includes music therapy, their parent infant programs for zero to six year olds, and support services for school students aged up to 18 years. In addition to audiology services, family mentoring support, counselling and a youth social support program are also available.

Sponsored by Variety and a number of other financial supporters the new Listening and Speech Centre has allowed the Cora Barclay Centre to expand its therapy possibilities in purpose-built spaces. The new building includes a large group therapy area, therapy rooms, a space for families to meet, a kitchen, library, and an outdoor playground. It also boasts videoconferencing facilities and state-of-the-art audiology equipment.

The excitement about the new facility among everyone at the Cora Barclay Centre was palpable on official opening day, which was great to see. I would like to pay tribute to all those who work at or with the Cora Barclay Centre, whether voluntarily or in paid capacity. Most importantly, I would like to pay tribute to the children they work with. I would also like to acknowledge and thank Clinical Team Program Manager Robyn Phillips and incoming chairperson Jacqui Tucker for their personal hospitality and sharing the centre's history, dating back to the 1940s, and showing me their future vision for the centre. Both Robyn and Jacqui have been touched by deafness in their families, and their commitment and pride in everything they do was clearly evident.

I was also honoured to chat with a true champion of the centre, retired ear, nose and throat specialist, Dr John Rice, South Australia's first cochlear implant surgeon, who is also a worthy Cora Barclay ambassador.

Once again, I congratulate the Cora Barclay Centre on their new Listening and Speech Centre, and I thank them for the ongoing support and practical assistance they provide for deaf and hearing impaired young people and their families.