Deaf Services and Deaf Society
Today, Thursday 1 October, sees the official commencement of the merger between Deaf Services
and the Deaf Society, creating Australia’s largest whole-of-life service provider for the Deaf, hard of
hearing and deafblind community.
The new organisation, which will continue to operate under the name Deaf Services and the Deaf
Society, will bring together 680 staff across New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT, with a
Northern Territory office in the pipeline.
Society, will bring together 680 staff across New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT, with a
Northern Territory office in the pipeline.
Bronwyn Rout, Chair of the Board of Deaf Services says that both Boards share a vision for an
organisation which can proactively meet community needs, while also leveraging a national profile
to form connections with federal and state governments.
organisation which can proactively meet community needs, while also leveraging a national profile
to form connections with federal and state governments.
“The Boards have been proud to name Brett Casey, CEO of Deaf Services as the CEO of this new
entity. CEO of the Deaf Society, Leonie Jackson will enter a new role as Executive Manager, Advocacy
and Strategic Partnerships,” Ms Rout says.
entity. CEO of the Deaf Society, Leonie Jackson will enter a new role as Executive Manager, Advocacy
and Strategic Partnerships,” Ms Rout says.
Brian Halse, Chair of the Board of the Deaf Society says the boards and executive teams have been
working to celebrate and honour the history and culture of both organisations.
working to celebrate and honour the history and culture of both organisations.
“Deaf Services and the Deaf Society are both over 110 years old, and their legacy is interweaved with
that of the Deaf community in Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT,” Mr Halse says.
that of the Deaf community in Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT,” Mr Halse says.
“As part of our commitment to celebrating this history we are today announcing a $50,000
establishment fund for a Deaf History and Cultural Recognition Program, with our foundation
committee to be announced soon.
establishment fund for a Deaf History and Cultural Recognition Program, with our foundation
committee to be announced soon.
“Throughout the development of this program, and the process of the merge, we look forward to
working closely with the Deaf community nationally to be guided on their priorities.”
working closely with the Deaf community nationally to be guided on their priorities.”
Incumbent CEO Brett Casey said that one thing that will not change throughout the transition to the
new entity, is the quality of day-to-day service to clients, participants and stakeholders.
new entity, is the quality of day-to-day service to clients, participants and stakeholders.
“Our motto throughout the merger process has been business as usual, but business done better,”
Mr Casey says.
Mr Casey says.
“Even before our official merge we have leveraged the combined resources of our organisations to
begin services expansion into the Northern Territory – meeting an urgent community need.
begin services expansion into the Northern Territory – meeting an urgent community need.
“Through Deaf Services and the Deaf Society we will be able to continue to respond to these needs,
while delivering continuity of service to our clients.
while delivering continuity of service to our clients.
“Additionally, through the introduction of Leonie Jackson’s new position, Deaf Services and the Deaf
Society will have an unparalleled opportunity to represent and advocate for all Deaf Australians and
stand with the community on the issues important to them.”
Society will have an unparalleled opportunity to represent and advocate for all Deaf Australians and
stand with the community on the issues important to them.”
Deaf Services and the Deaf Society.
The Deaf Society
Established in 1913 in NSW, the Deaf Society works in and for the Deaf community with a vision of
Equity for Deaf people.
Equity for Deaf people.
The Deaf Society is headquartered in Parramatta with seven offices across
NSW and the ACT, providing a wide range of supports and services.
NSW and the ACT, providing a wide range of supports and services.
Deaf Services
Deaf Services is a leading Queensland based not-for-profit organisation providing support to Deaf
and hard of hearing Australian’s from nine offices across the state.
and hard of hearing Australian’s from nine offices across the state.
It delivers programs and supports
to enable the Deaf community to live full and independent lives since 1903.
to enable the Deaf community to live full and independent lives since 1903.
The intention to merge was first announced on February 11, 2020 and ratified on March 6, 2020.
/Public Release.
