I’m delighted to welcome you to this latest issue of Shine and want to thank you for your wonderfully generous, ongoing support, which is changing so many lives. Inside, you’ll read stories of people who have benefitted from your support. Six-year-old Hannah is thriving at ‘big school.’ Eight-year-old Charlie has learned to speak and communicate confidently. And 25-year-old Dimi, who attended the NextSense Preschool as a child, is now one of our amazing staff.

These are just a few of the inspiring stories made possible by your support.

Thank you so much for everything you do!
—Chris Rehn, Chief Executive, NextSense

Hannah’s settling in well—thanks to you!

Hannah was just as excited about starting school last year as her friends. But, unlike many, she’d already put in years of hard work to make sure she could start learning once she got there.

Hannah was born with hearing loss in both ears. With your help, NextSense has been there for her every step of the way. She was fitted with hearing aids at just three months old and soon after began early intervention.

Hannah had fun attending an early learning playgroup run by our specialist staff, where she could practice her speaking and listening skills. As a result, when the time came, she was fully prepared to start school. And now she’s loving it! Hannah’s mum, Tammy, told us, ‘I’ve really enjoyed seeing her excitement at what she has been learning. She is keen to learn!’

Early intervention gave Hannah the head start she needed. A donation from you today could ensure more children like her receive life-changing support. Thank you for helping children thrive.

You recently met Charlie when we shared his story with you at Christmas. Currently, he is a happy, chatty eight-year-old who’s enjoying school and loving life.

But it took a lot of hard work to get where he is today. Charlie was born with profound hearing loss. His mum, Sinead, wondered if he’d ever learn to speak.

Thanks to early intervention therapy and support, made possible by you, Charlie can talk and communicate like any other child his age. He and his family are now also learning Auslan and enjoying the adventure of a whole new language.

Your incredible support makes it possible for children like Charlie to grow, learn and thrive. We’re extremely grateful
for all your kindness. In Australia, as many as 16 out of every 10,000 babies are born with significant hearing loss, and your generous support will be needed more than ever in the years to come.

Thank you for helping us change lives!

Dimi has achieved so much.

Your incredible support can greatly impact the direction of someone’s life. Take 25-year-old Dimi, for example. With the support from donors like you, we’ve been a part of her life for many years.

Dimi grew up in a deaf family. As a child, she attended NextSense Preschool, where she learned both Auslan and English. Dimi says, ‘The school helped me be comfortable with who I was.’

Now, years later, Dimi has joined the NextSense family as our Concierge Lead—helping children and families. ‘I love my job because I get to see the children and their families every day’. ‘I love seeing all the children at the school flourish.’

Dimi’s come so far, and she knows that she—and all the children NextSense help—owe so much to our supporters. She asked us to share this message with you, ‘Thank you for everything! It is always truly appreciated!’

Thanks to your support, two major events last spring will make a lasting difference to so many young lives.

NextSense School received a significant boost from our second Giving Day on 19 September. For just 24 hours, every donation was matched by generous individuals and corporate partners. We smashed our target of $200,000, raising more than $300,000—and every dollar will help cover the cost of delivering critical education services at NextSense School.

On 18 October, we celebrated Loud Shirt Day—and what a day it was! Thanks to your generosity, we raised almost $70,000, which will go towards making sure children with hearing loss receive the life-changing services they need to reach their full potential. A huge thank you to everyone who participated, whether you wore a loud shirt, donated or helped spread the word. You are all stars!

Harmonising Futures—thanks to people like you!

As a supporter of NextSense, you are part of a valued community of individuals and organisations who are achieving wonderful things and having a major impact on children’s lives.

We want to say a huge thank you to one of our amazing groups of supporters—St Mary’s Rugby Club. They’ve donated a very generous grant of $30,000, to go towards running the essential music therapy program at our Werrington centre.

Called Harmonising Futures, the program provides early intervention music therapy that helps children with hearing loss develop vital listening, learning and communication skills. This is one of many programs we can provide thanks to our kind supporters.