Southern Ports' community funding bolsters outreach health program

SOUTHERN Ports has funded new equipment for Ear Foundation Australia’s outreach programs supporting Aboriginal and at-risk children in regional Western Australia.

The foundation purchased tympanometers and video otoscopes for its South West and Goldfields-Esperance programs through the port authority’s Community Investment Program. Separate grants were awarded across funding rounds in 2025 and 2026.

The equipment supports regional health checks to diagnose and treat chronic middle ear disease.

Southern Ports general manager South West Marty Stafford said funding specialist medical equipment helped build local capability.

“Hearing is something a lot of us can take for granted and so is easy access to health services, but unfortunately that isn’t the reality for everyone,” Mr Stafford said.

“For our regional communities the Earbus service provided by Ear Foundation Australia is invaluable, especially when you consider the size of our regions.

“We’re pleased to be able to support the Foundation’s continued delivery of its programs because they have a lasting impact.”

Ear Foundation Australia, formerly known as Earbus Foundation of WA, has delivered ear clinics to regional and remote communities for 13 years.

Chief executive officer Dr Lara Shur said the Earbus program serviced 11 regions and visited 120 locations annually.

“Regional and remote communities deserve access to the same services available in metropolitan areas, and that’s why outreach programs such as ours are so important,” Dr Shur said.

“Our Earbuses and outreach programs allow us to screen Aboriginal and at-risk children where they live, play and learn to diagnose and then treat chronic middle ear disease.

“The support of organisations such as Southern Ports is critical to the ongoing success of our programs being delivered in regional communities.”

WA minister for ports, regional development and medical research Stephen Dawson said the investment highlighted the Community Investment Program’s role in regional communities.

“Initiatives like this show the real value of community investment. By supporting health services with the equipment they need, we are helping ensure more children in regional Western Australia can access early intervention, better health outcomes and brighter futures,” Mr Dawson said.

“Our regional ports are part of the communities they serve, and this program supports the local organisations and volunteers working to make those communities even stronger.”

Applications for the Southern Ports Community Investment Program close on Friday 6 November.

Grants of up to $5000 are available to grassroots organisations and community groups for initiatives in the South West, Goldfields-Esperance and Great Southern regions.

The program provided more than $360,000 to a record 134 initiatives over the past year. Further information is available on the Southern Ports website.