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Gifts in Wills

Leave a resounding legacy

Over the past 50 years, The Shepherd Centre has helped over 2000 children who are deaf or hearing impaired, helping them learn to listen and speak. Starting in 1970 with one centre and just five families, today The Shepherd Centre has 7 centres and supports more than 900 children across Australia face-to-face and via telehealth.

Over 90% of children who graduate from our world-leading program achieve the same level of spoken language as their hearing peers by the time they are ready for school. We rely greatly on the generosity of our supporters to deliver our services.

Leaving a gift in your Will is one of the most generous ways you can support children with hearing loss by giving them the ultimate gifts of sound and speech.  A gift in the Will is a specific instruction to reserve part of your estate – such as possessions, shares or money – for a chosen beneficiary. You can specify an amount, a percentage, or the residue of your estate.

No matter how big or small, your gift will ensure that The Shepherd Centre can continue to exist and expand, and future generations of children will receive life-changing early intervention programs and services. You can help to open up a world of choice, empowering children with hearing loss to listen, speak and have a voice.

Get in touch

To discuss leaving a gift to The Shepherd Centre in your Will or for more information, please contact our Key Support Manager, Sam. 

Gifts in Wills Booklet


Click here to see a copy of our Gifts in Wills booklet, containing all the information you need to make an informed decision about your legacy.

Supporter Stories


Hearing Heroes, those kind supporters who have chosen to remember The Shepherd Centre in their Will, share their stories.



For Solicitors, Executors and Trustees

We have all the necessary information available to help make the process of leaving a gift to The Shepherd Centre an easy one for you and your client.

Our Partners


Find out about our partners who can help you write your Will for free today.




FAQ

We rely on the kindness of people like you as government funding currently only covers 45% of our costs. Sadly, not all hearing impaired children receive support and this is why we are asking you to consider this gift.

For every child in our program, we know that there is another child out there who desperately needs our services. 50% of children who need it are simply not receiving support from any specialist providers. Your long-lasting support will help to change these sad statistics in the future.

You have two options when it comes to making or changing your Will – an online Will-writing platform or a consultation with a solicitor. Click here to read about how our partners, RMB Lawyers and Safewill, can help make the process affordable and simple.

No. Changing your Will and adding a gift to The Shepherd Centre is easy; all you have to do is make a ‘codicil’ (or a document that amends a previously executed will). When you next see your solicitor, just take a copy of our wording with you and they can simply update your existing Will for you.

Yes, your solicitor can arrange this for you or it can be easily set up with Safewill.

No, and we strongly encourage you to ensure that you look after your family and/or loved ones first.

Percentage: You can make a provision for a proportion of your estate to be gifted to The Shepherd Centre.
Residuary: After making provision for your loved ones, you can then donate a part of the balance of your estate to The Shepherd Centre.
Pecuniary (set amount): This option allows you to nominate a set amount of money to be donated to The Shepherd Centre.
Back-up: In the event that a beneficiary pre-deceases you (i.e. dies before you), you can nominate The Shepherd Centre to receive that portion of your estate.
Assets: You can gift specific items from your Will to The Shepherd Centre. Some suggestions might include shares, property, life insurance funds, artworks and jewellery. These can be itemised and bequeathed to The Shepherd Centre. 

Whilst any gift is greatly appreciated, a residual legacy or a percentage are the best options because they maintain a relative value and automatically adjust to changes in the value of your estate. These legacy types do not decrease in value over time.

Informing us of your generous decision is important as it allows us to thank you personally. When you choose to leave a gift in your Will to The Shepherd Centre, you are joining a very special group of like-minded supporters.

The Hearing Heroes Community was established to honour and acknowledge the generosity of people who have remembered The Shepherd Centre in their Will. It is an exclusive membership that does not involve any fees or responsibilities.

As a Hearing Hero, you will receive a Certificate of Appreciation and a special membership gift. You will be invited to exclusive Shepherd Centre tours and events, including opportunities to meet our CEO, clinical staff and families. You will be kept up to date with what is happening at The Shepherd Centre.

We would still love to thank you privately, however, we respect all our donors’ wishes and your details will be held in strictest confidence. You will control the level of contact that you receive from us.

Absolutely. As long as the online Will is completed accurately,

then printed and signed in line with the instructions provided, it is a valid Will.

There are some other requirements, including that the will-writer must be of sound mind and under no duress, but all of the requirements are the same as a traditional Will.

If you have further questions, would like a confidential discussion or to receive our Gifts in Wills information pack, please contact:

Samantha Meisner-Lemon
Planned Giving Coordinator
P: 02 9370 4470
E: [email protected]

or complete the form below.

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