Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Gloria Gledhill

By Ellen Mackenzie – BHA Consulting Audiologist

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of our beautiful and much-loved member, Gloria Gledhill, who passed on Saturday 18th April.

I first met Gloria when I began my time at Better Hearing Australia in 2022, while running a communication workshop. From that very first moment, she made an impression that I will never forget. Gloria has been described by many as “a ray of sunshine” and that truly captures who she was — warm, bright, and uplifting to everyone around her. She had a wonderful sense of humour and a way of reminding us all that sometimes, the best thing we can do is simply share a good laugh.

Gloria was an incredible advocate for people with hearing loss and a dedicated member of BHA for many years. She brought positivity, compassion, and encouragement wherever she went. As a lipreading trainer with BHA, and a teacher by profession, she used her skills to empower others, helping them build confidence and connection. From all accounts, she was exceptional in this role — patient, encouraging, and deeply committed.

As an audiologist, I feel incredibly fortunate to have learned so much from Gloria. She gave me a deeper understanding of the real-life challenges faced by people who are hard of hearing — not just the practical difficulties, but the emotional and social impacts as well. She also taught me so much about what is truly needed in educating and supporting people with hearing loss. I will be forever grateful for the knowledge, insight, and perspective she so generously shared with me.

I was fortunate to spend time with Gloria through the Chermside support group, where her kindness and generosity shone through. She was always willing to give her time, including helping to promote Better Hearing Australia’s services and reaching out to others in the community. Whether visiting long-time members or welcoming new ones, Gloria’s presence made people feel seen, supported, and valued.

I was also lucky enough to celebrate her 90th birthday with her — a special moment shared over cake, which she thoroughly enjoyed. It was a simple but joyful reflection of who Gloria was: someone who embraced life’s moments with warmth and gratitude.

She was, quite simply, an absolute joy to be around.

Gloria leaves behind a lasting legacy of warmth, advocacy, and genuine care for others. She will be deeply missed by all of us at Better Hearing Australia and by everyone whose lives she touched.