Austal Giving supports Telethon Kids Institute Djaalinj Waakinj Ear Portal Program

MEDIA RELEASE

5 MARCH 2021

'Austal Giving' supports Telethon Kids Institute Djaalinj Waakinj Ear Portal Program

Austal Limited (ASX:ASB) is pleased to announce that Austal Giving, the company’s community-focused charitable organisation, has donated A$50,000 to the Telethon Kids Institute’s Djaalinj Waakinj Ear Portal Program in Perth, Western Australia.

The Djaalinj Waakinj (listening and hearing) Ear Portal Program was established to address an identified need in the community to test and treat Aboriginal children suffering with recurrent or chronic middle ear infections called otitis media (OM).

Djaalinj Waakinj is a telehealth-based clinical research program that uses technology to remotely diagnose and prioritise treatment of children with otitis media, to prevent hearing loss.

Speaking at the Program launch event, Austal Giving Committee Chairman and Austal Australia Head of Production Richard Liley said the $50,000 donation from Austal, matched by a private benefactor, will enable the program to see three times the number of children currently seen each year.

“Austal is deeply committed to improving opportunities for employment, learning, health and environment in the local community,” said Mr Liley.

“Djaalinj Waakinj has translated research and the latest technology into real outcomes for the Cockburn community – the impact of the program is obvious and so is the existing need.

“By supporting the Djaalinj Waakinj Ear Portal Program, Austal will make a real impact to local families and help ensure no child in our local community starts school with preventable or treatable hearing loss,” Mr Liley added.  

Every year 650,000 Australian children suffer from recurrent or chronic middle ear infections, or otitis media (OM). Telethon Kids Institute research has shown close to 40 per cent of Aboriginal babies begin to develop middle ear infections between two and four months of age. By six to eight months, this increased to over 50 per cent.

Dr Chris Brennan-Jones, Head of Ear Health at the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, based at Telethon Kids Institute, said the statistics clearly demonstrate the urgent need to prioritise early testing and treatment for Aboriginal children suffering OM. 

“Some children spend over two years on waiting lists for treatment of ear infections. That’s too long for children who are in crucial stages of language, behavioral and educational development,” said Dr Brennan-Jones.

“The Djaalinj Waakinj Ear Portal Program was established to address this gap. It ensures access to early diagnosis and intervention by reducing unnecessary travel and waiting times.”

Hearing loss caused by untreated OM is a lifelong burden, with the impact on lost wellbeing (due to unemployment, impacts on mental health and quality of life) estimated to cost $17.4 billion per annum in Australia.

“There is an assumption that if you live in Metropolitan Perth, you have access to many and varied services. This is not the case for many Aboriginal families as there can be barriers to accessing some services.” said Val Swift, Aboriginal Cultural Governance Advisor at Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases.

“By working with the community to design and deliver the program, we’re ensuring the cultural security of the program so families feel safe and comfortable to participate.”

For more information on The Telethon Kids Institute Djaalinj Waakinj Ear Portal Program please visit https://www.telethonkids.org.au/projects/djaalinj-waakinj-a-cohort-study-of-otitis-media/

Austal Giving has supported a number of Western Australian charitable and community organisations over many years, including Anglicare WA’s Young Hearts Program, Spinnaker Health Research Foundation (and the Fred Doctor Lottery), Life Line WA and the Veterans Restoration and Recovery Transition Centre in Jarrahdale.

For more information on Austal Giving, please visit https://www.austal.com/austal-giving.

Austal Giving Committee Chairman Richard Liley presented Val Swift, Aboriginal Cultural Governance Advisor and Dr Chris Brennan-Jones, Head of Ear Health from the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases with a cheque for $50,000, for the Djaalinj Waakinj Ear Portal Program. They were joined at the announcement by Austal Chairman and Founding Director, John Rothwell AO.

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Media Contact:

Cameron Morse

+61 433 886 871

cameron.morse@fticonsulting.com