Broken Hill & District Hearing Resource Centre Inc

Summary of organisation: The Centre is a voluntery based organisation,supporting the deaf & hearing impaired people of Broken Hill & District.We act as an advocate,provide counselling for Tinnitus & Meniere's suffers,clean & minor repairs to hearing aids,vist nursing homes,supply batteries,demonstrate & loan listening devices and supply transport for the deaf & hearing impaired-their families to attend the Centre.

About the project: The Hearing Centre proposes to purchase a building to convert into suitable accommadation.We are currently located in property owned by the City Council & have done so since 1990.Council have advised us that there is no scope to expand the esisting offices or to relocate us.As our client base continues to grow,our current premise are no longer adequate.

Two Audiologists from Australian Hearing visit our rooms one week in every month,Audiologists use the kitchen area as a technicians room during this time. The access to the audio booths and the toilet/storage area is through the kitchen,this poses many problems,no privacy for the clients that are in the kitchen with an audiologist,it can be embarrassing for clients,volunteers & staff wishing to use the bathroom,also with the loss of the kitchen volunteers & staff have to eat at their desks in front of clients as we also have no outside area.As we only have one small administration office,for private consultations/counselling,staff are required to leave the room,this is very disruptive to the day to day running of the office. Our existing booths are unsuitable for testing under three year olds,these children have to travel to Adelaide,560km away for a hearing tests.This is very costly & disruptive for many families.The IPPTAS Remote Travel Allowance does not cover a child & family member to travel to Adelaide for an Audiologist Peadiatrician to test the child,this causes hardship for many families,over the years we have given out benevolent monies for some children to travel to Adelaide,unfortunatly our funds are limited.

The new Centre would provide a testing booth large enough for the under three year olds,Australian Hearing have stated they will provide a Peadiatric Audiologist,private office & seperate tearooms and toilet area.

We are requesting funding of $50,000,total cost of the project is $331,415 with $281,415 being confirmed funding from partners and the Centre.Completion date of project is Dec 2008.

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