Chevron and TSH mark 15 years of partnership in the Pilbara

In 2026, Chevron Australia and TSH (Teach, Speak, Hear) celebrate 15 years of partnering to deliver best-practice ear health care and education in the West Pilbara. The partnership aims to prevent middle-ear disease and improve long-term health and learning outcomes for children and families.

The Chevron Pilbara Ear Health Program is one of the first initiatives of its kind and is recognised as a leader in regional service delivery. The program offers a mixed‑mode model that brings care directly to remote communities. Its multidisciplinary team, which includes Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) specialists, provides holistic services such as community education, ear health screening and surveillance, audiology, early diagnosis, treatment and ENT surgical intervention in Karratha.

From its launch in 2011, Chevron Australia’s support enabled TSH to work closely with communities in the development and delivery of this new and holistic service model. Since then, the partnership has continued to evolve, expand, and increase its impact.

Key milestones include:

• 2011: TSH launched a new ear health mobile service covering the Pilbara region of WA thanks to generous funding from Chevron Australia.
  
• 2014: The program officially became the Chevron Pilbara Ear Health Program, alongside the launch of Australia’s first Mobile Advanced Paediatric Audiology Remote (MAPAR) vehicle, and the establishment of a permanent office and audiology booth in Karratha.
  
• 2016: The Pilbara Ear Health Model of Care guidelines were launched by then Health Minister Hon. John Day, helping to strengthen local capacity and standardise care.
  
• 2019: The program proudly adopted the artwork of Wendy Warrie in recognition of the artist’s cultural knowledge and the connection to Country it represents.
  
• 2020: Launch of an integrated speech, language and hearing program for at‑risk children aged 4-8 at Onslow School.
  
• 2021: Chevron Australia and TSH celebrated 10 years of partnership.
  
• 2024: The Chevron Pilbara Ear Health Program received the ENGAGE Award at the Pilbara Services Excellence Awards – celebrating innovation, collaboration and resilience in the region’s community sector.
  
• 2025: Clinical and medical services continued to grow and evolve, with an increase to four ENT surgical visits per year, 100% attendance on surgical days, the inclusion of paediatric anaesthetists, and strong community engagement with audiology and ENT clinics.

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2025 Chevron Australia Committment

In 2025, Chevron Australia reaffirmed its long‑standing commitment to ear health in the Pilbara by renewing its partnership with TSH for a further three years, committing more than $3 million to continue delivering the Chevron Pilbara Ear Health Program across the West Pilbara region.

Chevron Australia General Manager Wheatstone Operations, Deanne Renting, said Chevron was proud to celebrate the milestone and the lasting impact of the partnership across the West Pilbara.

“When you see the difference this program makes, you truly understand its value. The Chevron Pilbara Ear Health Program is changing lives in Onslow and right across the West Pilbara – not just through better health, but through stronger learning, confidence and longterm wellbeing,” she said.

“It’s an investment that supports families, schools and communities to thrive, and its impact will be felt for generations.”

TSH CEO Carole Steketee added: “Thanks to Chevron Australia’s generous funding, TSH can continue to support children, families and communities through the Chevron Pilbara Ear Health Program.”

Since 2011, more than 16,000 people have received ear health screenings through the Chevron Pilbara Ear Health Program, accessing earlier care for better health and educational outcomes.

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Changing Young Lives

One of the children who has been supported by the Chevron Pilbara Ear Health Program is Rochelle. At 11 years old, she showed no obvious signs of hearing loss. Through routine screening, she was unexpectedly diagnosed with moderate hearing loss in both ears caused by otitis media (fluid behind the eardrums).

With support from the Chevron Pilbara Ear Health Program and Hearing Australia, Rochelle received a bone conduction device, support via telehealth and was referred to the ENT clinic.

Rochelle’s mother, Rebecca, shared: “I had to talk louder to get her attention, but I thought she was just ignoring me”. Since Rochelle’s diagnosis and care, she has had an improvement in her responses due to her bone conduction device.

Rebecca explains that during testing: “It was amazing. I whispered something quietly to the nurse, which Rochelle heard. That made me quite emotional.”

Stories like this demonstrate the program’s essential role, from early detection and intervention to ongoing ear health checks, family education, and continued support throughout a child’s development.

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Building Brighter Futures in Onslow

As an extension of the partnership, Chevron Australia, TSH and the Department of Education and Training launched the Onslow Education Initiative in 2020. The initiative delivers speech pathology and audiology services – with occupational therapy added more recently – for at‑risk children aged 4 – 8 at Onslow School. Children identified in their early years are supported through a combination of ongoing telehealth therapy and regular onsite visits.

In 2023, Louis (also known as LJ) first accessed audiology services through the Chevron Pilbara Ear Health Program. He was then screened by both a visiting speech pathologist and an occupational therapist at Onslow School. At this time, LJ had just commenced Kindergarten, had very few words and communicated mostly in gestures, not meeting his age-appropriate development milestones. Since his screening, LJ has been offered weekly speech therapy sessions and fortnightly occupational therapy sessions, made possible by the ongoing support of Chevron Australia as part of the Onslow Education Initiative.

With these supports in place, LJ has made exceptional progress across communication, social interaction, and fine motor skills.

LJ’s mother Jasmine shared: “Louis has made amazing progress throughout his journey with TSH. He has developed and gained confidence within himself, growing and understanding skills that boost his independence around family and friends.”

His speech pathologist added: “LJ is a self-assured and fearless little dude. His superpower and strength are his ability to bring laughter and joy to any room he is in, and this reflects the confidence he now feels to communicate.”

In 2025, the initiative was renamed the Onslow Brighter Futures Pathway, continuing to support young children to build skills that help positively shape their futures.

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A Partnership Creating Meaningful Impact

Over 15 years, TSH and Chevron Australia have worked alongside West Pilbara communities to improve ear health and strengthen learning outcomes for Aboriginal children and families.

TSH’s CEO commented, “For 15 years, our partnership has focused on working alongside local communities to ensure children can access the ear health care they need, close to home. The progress we’ve achieved reflects the shared commitment of community members, our team and our partnership with Chevron Australia to improve ear health outcomes across the Pilbara.”

The Chevron Pilbara Ear Health Program continues to deliver mobile screening, diagnosis, and clinical pathways across the West Pilbara, helping address longstanding barriers to ear health and clinical care through culturally responsive, community-centred approaches.

After 15 years, TSH and Chevron Australia are proud to celebrate the teamwork, trust and shared commitment that have created lasting benefits for families and communities across the Pilbara.