It is estimated there are 431 children in South Western Sydney with hearing loss as their primary disability – the second highest in Australia.
Dr Mike Freelander has for years advocated for the establishment of a local Shepherd Centre to help these children get a better start in life.
At the last federal election in May 2019, Dr Freelander promised a Labor Government would fund such a centre on a site in Oxley Street, Campbelltown.
Labor lost the election, but Dr Freelander didn’t lose his belief for the need for a Shepherd Centre.
The member for Macarthur continued to lobby the federal and state coalition health ministers to match his commitment.
“Immense joy’’ is how he described how he felt when he found out Macarthur will soon be home to a Centre of Excellence for the Shepherd Centre.
The new facility will service the needs of more than 200 children and their families within the Macarthur and South Western Sydney region.
“This is a huge win for our community and I am so pleased that we have finally been able to secure the funding for this essential project,” the Labor MP said.
“Bipartisanship works and I am grateful that NSW health minister Brad Hazzard has responded positively to my lobbying.
“This issue is above politics: Shepherd Centre provides world class early intervention services for deaf and hearing impaired children, and it is wonderful that they will now have a new facility in Macarthur,’’ Dr Freelander said.
“I will continue to hold the minister to account, to ensure that the promised funding comes through and that this project becomes a reality.
“This is about ensuring that our children get the best start in life, that they are able to transition well into school, make friends, learn and have access to opportunities as they should.’’
