The future is bright for Ollie

In late October, Parliament House in Canberra was filled with hope and powerful storytelling as the Power of Speech 2025 event brought together children, families, and staff from First Voice centres across Australia and New Zealand. Hosted by The Shepherd Centre and supported by Cochlear Australia and New Zealand, the event celebrated the achievements of six remarkable children aged 5 to 13 who have overcome hearing loss through early intervention and cochlear implant technology.

Among the speakers was Oliver, aged 10, our very own TSH Ambassador. Pictured with his dad Marc, Oliver took to the national stage with confidence and warmth, sharing his journey with hearing loss and the support he and his family have received from TSH.

Having participated in TSH’s own annual Power of Speech events just a few weeks ago, Oliver was well-prepared for the big moment. His speech, which you can watch here at 56:30, was about his life, his family, and the team that helped him thrive. As Oliver beautifully put it:

“My family and TSH partnered up and they became my team.”

Oliver’s journey began with hearing aids at just six weeks of age, followed by cochlear implants at 3 and a half years old. Through auditory-verbal therapy, TSH has supported Oliver in developing his speech and confidence. In his own words:

“I am honoured to share my story at Parliament House today to advocate for kids like me and families to have the same learning opportunities and to assist with developing their skills for the future.”

TSH staff have been privileged to walk alongside Oliver and his family, and their pride was evident as Oliver’s Specialist Teacher Zita Ferreira and TSH CEO Carole Steketee attended the event to cheer him on.

The Power of Speech event was more than a showcase; it was a celebration of resilience, and the transformative power of early intervention. Each child’s story highlighted the importance of access to hearing health services and the life changing impact of cochlear implants and therapy.

With representatives from organisations like Hear and Say, NextSense, Can:Do Group, The Shepherd Centre, and The Hearing House, the event also served as a platform for advocacy, urging continued support for children with hearing loss and their families.

Speech is more than sound, it is connection, identity and empowerment. For children like Oliver, the ability to listen and speak opens doors to education, relationships and self-expression. The Power of Speech 2025 reminds us that with the right support, these children can thrive and reach their full potential.

The Power of Speech continues to spread the message that every voice deserves to be heard. Oliver’s story, and those of his fellow speakers, inspire us to continue advocating for inclusive opportunities and celebrating the achievements of children with hearing loss, all looking towards a brighter future.

Thank you to the guest speakers and attendees, including The Hon Mark Butler, Senator The Hon Anne Ruston, The Hon Jenny McAllister, Prof. Jennie Brand-Miller AO, and Dig Howitt, CEO of Cochlear, as well as Cochlear Australia and New Zealand and all First Voice member centres, for making this event possible. We were also honoured to have His Excellency Mr. Kazuhiro Suzuki, Japanese Ambassador to Australia, in attendance.

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