Our ambassador Troy Cassar-Daley was joined by a choir of primary students, all with a hearing loss, to create a beautiful rendition of a Christmas classic.
The music video showcases eleven children from Penrith Public School, using Auslan (Australian Sign Language) as Troy Cassar-Daley performs his version of Australia’s most popular* Christmas carol, Silent Night.
We brought together our ambassador and young clients in a music video to share Auslan with a wider audience.
“I really love being part of something that makes a difference in people’s lives, especially a project like this, that shows how different forms of communication such as music and sign language – can really touch people’s hearts,” said Troy Cassar –Daley.
Zoe Blaikie-West is one of the primary school students who was thrilled to join Cassar-Daley in his studio as a back-up ‘signer’ in the music video of the Christmas classic. “I am so excited to be on the internet in a Christmas video,” said Year 4 Penrith Public School student Zoe Blaikie-West about her day in the recording studio.
Alison King, Principal Audiologist for Paediatric Services at Australian Hearing, said moments like this one are close to her heart because they celebrate children with hearing loss continuing to live life to its fullest.
“Australian Hearing helps close to 24,000 babies, children and young people with hearing loss every year. With the right support, we see these children with a hearing loss thriving at school, sports and all other areas of life. Whether it’s through early intervention, hearing devices, spoken language or sign language, it is important to give children the opportunity to use as many tools to communicate as they wish,” said Alison King.
* A 2014 Australian Hearing survey of 1000 people nation-wide, revealed Silent Night as their most-wanted Christmas track.