fbpx

We are currently experiencing internet and phone issues in some of our centres. For all enquiries, please contact mail@hearandsay.com.au.

The dedication of our staff, volunteers, board directors and committees is at the core of Hear and Say

Meet our Board

Board Member Matthew Ames

Mr Matthew Ames

Chair


Matthew has almost 20 years’ experience in the energy and resources industry, and has found innovative ways to apply his skills after the loss of all four of his limbs and significant hearing loss in 2012. In addition to Hear and Say, Matthew is a board member of Bionics Queensland and Xavier Children’s Support Network; a council member for Centacare and a member of a number of steering committees for Queensland Health. Matthew joined the Hear and Say Board in November 2019 and was elected Chair in June 2020.

Board Member Jane Black

Dr Jane Black

Deputy Chair


Jane has a longstanding career in clinical management of paediatric disorders. She has played a key role in the development of Hear and Say from inception to present day. Jane has a proven record of executive leadership, having worked for both for-profit and not-for-profit organisations. She is a current member of the Board of Directors of the Children’s Hospital Foundation and serves on the Finance Audit and Risk Management Committee. Jane joined the Hear and Say Board in November, 1995, chaired the Board from 1996 to 2008 and was appointed Deputy Chair in May, 2010.

Board Member Dr Dimity Dornan

Dr Dimity Dornan AO

Executive Director and Founder


Dimity is a qualified speech pathologist, and Founder and Executive Director of Hear and Say. She is also Founder and Chair of Bionics Queensland. Dimity is an Adjunct Professor to The University of Queensland and Adjunct Associate Professor to the Science and Engineering Faculty, School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, and to Griffith University Health; Honorary Associate at Macquarie University, and a current member of The University of Queensland Senate.

Board Member Andrew Fraser

Mr Andrew Fraser

Non-executive Director


After a career in public office in which he held the position of Treasurer of Queensland from 2007 to 2012, Andrew now serves on a diverse a range of boards. Previously Head of Strategy and Investment at the NRL, he is now an independent director and Chair of Sunsuper, a top 10 Australian superannuation fund with more than one million members. He is a director of Watpac, ASFA and 3rd Space, and is the Chair of Orange Sky Australia and Motorsport Australia. Andrew is a graduate of Griffith University, with degrees in law and commerce, in which he achieved first-class honours and won the University Medal. He now serves as the Deputy Chancellor of the university. Andrew joined the Hear and Say Board in September 2017.

Board Member Peter Riddles

Dr Peter Riddles AM

Non-executive Director


Peter seeks to contribute to sustainable development through innovation from science. He is a board member of the CSIRO where he Chairs the Board Science Excellence Committee. He is also the Chair of the Experimental Development Program, Chair of the Infrastructure CoLaboratory and advisor to several health technology enterprises. He is an Elected Member of Chatham House, a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts, Manufacture and Commerce, and a Fellow of the Australian Institute for Company Directors. Peter joined the Hear and Say Board in November 2013.

Board Member Dr Margaret Steinberg

Dr Margaret Steinberg AM

Non-executive Director


Margaret has expertise in ethical decisionmaking as a clinician, academic and administrator. A former Commissioner, including of the Criminal Justice and Crime and Misconduct Commissions, Margaret currently sits on several boards and tribunals, and was previously on the Metro North Hospital and Health Service Board. Margaret joined the Hear and Say Board in April 2006.

Board Member Mario Pennisi

Mr Mario Pennisi AM

Non-executive Director


Mario is a strategist and trusted advisor with more than 30 years’ experience in managing and growing commercial operations in the life sciences industry. Mario is the Chairman of Suncare Community Services and Non-Executive Director of Elo Life Systems Australia, Queensland Eye Institute Foundation, Alpine Immune Sciences Australia, Omniox AU, and Briz Brain & Spine. He is also Chair of the Griffith University Clinical Trial Unit and the Compounds Australia Strategic Advisory Board as well as a B20 Participating Delegate, and a member of the Queensland Government Biofutures Industry Advisory Group. Mario joined the Hear and Say Board in August 2020.

Board Member Evelyn Goggin

Mrs Evelyn Goggin

Non-executive Director


Evelyn has over 34 years’ experience in the energy, infrastructure and retail sectors, holding senior management positions in international companies primarily in accounting and corporate governance. Volunteer roles in the not-for-profit sector have allowed Evelyn the opportunity to leverage her substantial financial and accounting experience to enhance school and charity boards. Evelyn has an enduring passion for the sector and a strong association with Hear and Say, having worked with the organisation in a consulting capacity in 2018. Evelyn joined the Hear and Say Board in September 2020.

Board Member Darren Sumich

Mr Darren Sumich

Non-executive Director


Darren is a lawyer of over 20 years’ experience, specialising in structuring and negotiating financial transactions. He is currently a Partner of MinterEllison and leads the firm’s Financial Solutions practice in Queensland. Darren has also led MinterEllison’s community investment and pro bono practice and is driven by his passion for bringing his commercial experience to assist not-for-profit and community welfare sectors. Darren joined the Board of Hear and Say in September 2020.

Meet our EMTS

Our Executive Management team brings a vast range of skills and expertise to deliver Hear and Say’s strategic plan and achieve the organisation’s vision and mission.

Hi Ue Illustration Bg

Julie Decker

Head of Audiology


Julie is an audiologist specialising in implantable hearing technology. Prior to joining Hear and Say in 2019, Julie worked for 14 years as the Australia/New Zealand Clinical Sales Manager for Cochlear Ltd. She brings a wealth of experience working with families and children enrolled in hearing loss-related early intervention and educational support services. Now as Head of Audiology at Hear and Say, Julie is responsible for overseeing all audiology services including collaborating with the Queensland Children’s Hospital (QCH) to coordinate the Hear and Say Medical Only stream of the QCH hearing implant program. She is driven by a passion for delivering timely, quality services to people of all ages on a hearing implant journey. Julie holds a Master of Science (Audiology) and a Bachelor of Science (Speech Pathology and Audiology).

Emt Bridget Murray

Bridget Murray

Acting Chief Executive Officer


Bridget is an experienced senior leader who comes from an accounting and finance background. She brings a broad array of experience working with large corporations, small-and-medium enterprises and start-ups, delivering proven results in the areas of strategy development, operations, business analysis, design and implementation of cost-saving initiatives, risk minimisation and financial management. Bridget joined Hear and Say in mid-2019 as Head of Corporate Services, before transitioning to the role of General Manager in November 2019. Bridget is leading change across Hear and Say’s overarching systems, procedures and resourcing, focusing on creating efficiencies and financial sustainability.

Hi Ue Illustration Bg

Lorelle Silveira

Head of Communications, Marketing and Fundraising


Lorelle has over 20 years’ experience working in the communications industry both in Australia and internationally, including roles in journalism, global brand advertising and marketing. Upon returning to Brisbane in 2014, Lorelle decided to use her experience exclusively in the not-for-profit sector, where her overarching business knowledge and solutions-based approach contributes to the development of sustainable fundraising, marketing and communications strategy. Her work has spanned organisations including Mater Foundation, Bravehearts Inc., Foodbank Queensland, TechnologyOne Foundation and now Hear and Say. Lorelle is passionate about applying analytical and critical thinking to explore and develop innovative programs that will drive greatest impact for vulnerable communities.

Hi Ue Illustration Bg

Scott Miller

Head of Operations


Scott brings over a decade of leadership experience in both the corporate and not-for-profit sectors, including a range of finance and IT roles for an ASX-listed multinational travel business. It was here where Scott honed his passion for leading multidisciplinary teams, driving cost-saving initiatives, strategic business growth and systems design and implementation. Prior to this, Scott worked in secondary education as a science and mathematics teacher. Joining Hear and Say in early 2021 as Financial Controller, Scott now holds the position of Head of Operations where he is responsible for customer experience, IT systems upgrades and using data-driven insights to streamline processes, improve efficiencies and ensure long-term financial sustainability. Scott holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education, and is a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA).

Emt Emma Rushrbooke

Emma Rushbrooke

Director of Clinical Governance


Emma is an audiologist and listening and spoken language specialist (certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist), specialising in implantable hearing technology and listening and spoken language therapy. Emma joined Hear and Say in March 2000 as an audiologist, then Clinical Manager from 2000 to 2006, before transitioning to her current role of Clinical Director in 2007. Emma provides oversight for the clinical programs at Hear and Say, including Listening and Spoken Language Therapy, Audiology, the Australian Microtia and Atresia Support Centre, WorldWide Training and Education, Group Social Skills programs and Research. Emma is passionate about providing the best possible family-centric support and delivering programs and services underpinned by evidence-based clinical practice and research.

Hi Ue Illustration Bg

Nicole Hamilton

Head of Human Resources


Having joined Hear and Say in early 2021, Nicole brings to the team over 30 years’ experience in the human resources sector. She has previously managed the human resources function for a variety of not-for-profit and corporate organisations, with expertise across compliance and best practices, human resources infrastructure, policy and procedure streamlining and leadership development. Nicole holds a Bachelor of Business and an Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management.

Hi Ue Illustration Bg

Petra Grum

Head of Hearing Screening


As Head of Hearing Screening, Petra drives the continuous improvement of Hear and Say’s school hearing screening program to ensure processes and funding streams are efficient, scalable and sustainable. Petra brings a wealth of business development experience from roles across both Australia and her home country of Slovenia, including at Microsoft Slovenia and global language training company, Berlitz. Petra has held a range of positions since commencing at Hear and Say in 2016, including leading the Business Support and internal National Disability Insurance Scheme teams where she was responsible for customer journey optimisation, analysis of clinical operations and streamlining data systems and reporting. Petra holds a Master of Business Science and a Bachelor of Science majoring in Economics.

Hi Ue Illustration Bg

News

Logo

Online learning

From tinnitus, to cytomegalovirus, to teaching kids with hearing loss – further your knowledge with our on demand webinars.

2023-24 Annual Report

Read about the families we have supported and the great outcomes our dedicated staff have helped them achieve this year.

Celebrating powerful communicators

Four courageous children and clients of Hear and Say shared their stories at the inaugural Power of Speech event.

Workplace giving

“The program gives our staff a sense of pride in the company and for the work they do at Sci-Fleet." – Allison Scifleet, Guest Experience Manager, Sci-Fleet Motors.

Share This

Select your desired option below to share a direct link to this page.
Your friends or family will thank you later.