The Shepherd Centre, a not-for-profit group that helps children living with hearing loss, has received $4,800 for specialist audiology equipment through the Hydro Tasmania Community Grants Program.
Shepherd Centre Tasmania regional manager Tiffany Slater said the grant helped the statewide service support 50 children with hearing loss listen and difficulty speaking.
“The grant from Hydro Tasmania has really helped us. We were able to purchase much-needed equipment to enable our audiologist to check and monitor the ear health of children with hearing loss,” she said.
“Early detection of middle ear pathology ensures children receive timely medical care and have the best conditions to learn spoken language.”
In 2023, a total of $27,000 was awarded to six deserving community groups including a community reading program, upgrades to a local playground and the purchase of a defibrillator for a community centre.
Community advisor Kate Hickey said Hydro Tasmania welcomed applications from community groups across the state.
“Often groups have a very small operating budget and survive on the goodwill of volunteers. It’s been amazing to see what our grants enable community groups to achieve,” she said.
“It’s so important that their work helping community and people is supported.”
Hydro Tasmania’s Community Grants Program is now in its eighth year, with a total of $30,000 in grants available.
