Making a Difference: Dylan’s Volunteer Journey with Hearing Matters Australia
Year 10 student Dylan R has been recognised by Hearing Matters Australia (HMA) for his outstanding volunteer work, contributing his time and skills to support Australians living with hearing loss.
Dylan began volunteering with HMA in 2024 as part of his Duke of Edinburgh’s Award journey, initially at the Bronze level. His first project involved cataloguing hearing-related books for HMA’s library, a resource that will support the organisation’s future online platform.
Now working towards his Silver Award, Dylan has continued his service during school holidays, taking on more technical and creative tasks. These have included refurbishing donated hearing aids for HMA’s Hearing Aid Bank program and editing a lived-experience interview video, now published on HMA’s YouTube channel.
In a letter to the School, HMA President Brendan Lonergan praised Dylan as the organisation’s youngest volunteer and commended his enthusiasm, initiative, and maturity. “We are so pleased to host him as part of his Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme,” Mr Lonergan wrote. “Dylan’s article in our August 2025 magazine is a testament to the valuable contributions young people can make to community life.”
Dylan’s experience has been more than just service hours. Through conversations with HMA members and mentors, he has gained insight into the challenges of hearing loss and the importance of empathy, accessibility, and advocacy. “There is a lot to be learned and experienced from HMA,” Dylan reflected, “while understanding and helping to improve the lives of people challenged with hearing loss.”
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at Trinity
Dylan’s story is one of many that highlight the impact of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award at Trinity. Open to students from Year 9, the program encourages personal growth through service, skill development, physical activity, and adventurous journeys. It’s a powerful way for students to build resilience, leadership, and a sense of purpose beyond the classroom.
We congratulate Dylan on his initiative and thank Hearing Matters Australia for providing such a meaningful opportunity for student engagement.
