About

Brett Hooper

Chair

Brett Hooper serves on the Better Hearing Australia board to help the organisation grow and better serve the community. He is committed to supporting BHA’s efforts in providing education and support for individuals with hearing impairments, their families, friends, and colleagues. As someone with a hearing impairment, Brett offers firsthand knowledge and experience to assist others in similar situations. His work involves communicating with a range of internal and external stakeholders, including those with hearing disabilities, which aligns with BHA’s mission to understand and address the issues faced by the Deaf and hard of hearing community, offering relevant services into the future.

Oli Straker

Board Member

With family members who have hearing impairments, Oli deeply understands the impact on their lives and those around them, appreciating the invaluable assistance the organisation provides. As an investment consultant for not-for-profit organisations, Oli believes his professional expertise can significantly benefit Better Hearing Australia. He remains committed to delivering results for donors, consumers, and eventual beneficiaries.

Jared Norris

Board Member

Jared Norris serves as a senior strategy consultant with the Nous Group in Brisbane. He possesses extensive operational leadership, business improvement, and strategic planning skills, gained from working in both the private and not-for-profit sectors in industries such as health and safety, finance, and consulting. He has been encouraged by the progress Better Hearing Australia has made towards financial self-sustainment and is committed to continuing his support in achieving this goal.

Michael Blewer

Treasurer

Michael Blewer, since joining Better Hearing Australia, has observed a passionate group of individuals dedicated to improving the lives of people with hearing impairments. Having personally witnessed the impact of hearing loss within his family, Michael understands its debilitating effects. He has also seen the transformative power of receiving hearing aids and training provided by genuinely caring professionals. Michael believes he can significantly contribute to the operational and strategic management of BHA. and is honoured to serve on the board of directors.

Tania Hagelberg

Board Member

Tania Hagelberg is dedicated to helping Better Hearing Australia transition to a self-funded organisation and continue its growth. She aims to support BHA in providing crucial information, education, and support for people with hearing impairments, their families, friends, and colleagues, as well as in raising funds. Tania also focuses on educating the public and organisations to meet the needs of people with hearing impairments. As someone with a hearing impairment herself, she offers firsthand knowledge and experience to assist others in similar situations. Her work in the Queensland Government managing training and employment programs for people with disabilities helps BHA understand the emerging whole-of-life issues relating to people with disabilities, including those who are Deaf and hard of hearing, and to offer relevant services in the future.

Tony Whelan

Business Manager

Joining Better Hearing Australia in 2016, Tony has a professional background in Psychology and brings almost 30 years of experience in human services both as a practitioner and in senior management roles. Working across areas as diverse as youth; justice; housing & homelessness; and refugee settlement, Tony has spent the last 20 years in the disability sector both in the public and not-for-profit areas.

Tony is the former National President of Better Hearing Australia (National); the former Vice-Chair of the Deafness Forum of Australia; and founding member of the Hearing Health Sector Alliance.