Our Staff

I established The Auslan Company in 2005 and today we are the only Deaf owned Auslan Training Organisation in Australia.  With up to 10 amazing teachers and administration staff we are well placed to continue teaching community and workplace professional development courses as well as providing Deaf Awareness Training to businesses throughout Australia.

I have been profoundly Deaf since l was 4 years old.  I learnt to speak well and wore hearing aids for much of my schooling life at Mentone Boys Grammar before studying both Horse and Business Management and Disability Studies.  I have worked in various roles at several deaf organisations and disability employment services.

In 2009 l completed my Certificate IV in Training and Assessment at NMIT and in 2010 was employed by NMIT to teach several components of the course at Vicdeaf.

I am passionate about Auslan and in improving the socio, linguistic and educational barriers that many Deaf people face.  Through teaching Auslan and making people aware of the various challenges Deaf people experience l hope that it creates an awareness that in turns improves the lives of Deaf people and Deaf people with a disability.

On a personal note l love spending time with my family.  I have two children of my own; Samantha is 13 and Hayden is 10.  They are both hearing and communicate with me in Auslan.  We play a lot of sport - tennis and horse riding and at home we love playing board games and lego.  Old fashion things but great for us as a family.  I love reading, writing stories, and watching horse racing (l used to train racehorses for a hobby), and travelling around Australia meeting special people and teaching Auslan

I'm a qualified Auslan teacher and Deaf-Relay Interpreter. I worked as an Auslan co-ordinator at Deaf Children Australia. I provide a service of Auslan tuition to families at various locations throughout Melbourne and rural areas.

I facilitated an Auslan Only Weekend, designed for parents of deaf children to communicate effectively with their children.

I also work for Able Australia supporting deaf-blind clients in their recreation program which involves leisure, learning opportunities and social interaction.

I interpret using tactile signing with deaf-blind people at conferences, seminars, presentations and tours.

In the evenings, I enjoy teaching Auslan to small groups and individuals. The learning processes are challenging - there are many ways to make the lessons exciting. And I believe that when a teacher is comfortable and enjoys every moment of her teaching by sharing her knowledge of Auslan to her students, both parties will be able to make the learning processes even more effective, rewarding and fun. When the students learn from me and improve, it makes me feel gratified.

My favourite past times are to be with my little Dachshund, Crispie, to read books and to watch movies.

Love Auslan and the Deaf Community. Introduced into the deaf community by a lovely lady Wendy and taught Auslan by Eva Bevan my dearest friend who encouraged me to learn Auslan.  My family have a hearing loss on my Mother's side and the majority wear hearing aids.  My Grandmother Alice Hocking was profoundly deaf.

I am married for 23 years and have three Children - 18years, 16years, 13years.

I attended the Latrobe University Bundoora and graduated last May 2010 with a Diploma of Deaf Studies (Language) degree.

I was born in Australia and I am Lithuanian which my parents came from.

I attended Victorian Deaf Children for School in Melbourne for two years then transferred to Delgany for the Deaf Children, Portsea for five years. Afterward, I moved to Glendonald School for the Oral for five years. 

I am married to an Canadian man and he has two grown deaf children, also three deaf grandchildren. 

I recieved a degree for LOTE in Auslan at Latrobe University after three years of studies.

I love to teach Auslan as I feel it is important for people to understand our Native Deaf language and culture.

Travelling is my passion that I loves to visit many places. Last June, my husband and I travelled to Southwest America and West Canada for seven weeks then visit Ottawa, East Canada for five weeks to spend time with my husband’s family.

I have worked for the electricity company for nearly 43 years.

Hi my name is Kerrie Miller. I'm a mum to a 2 year old little boy and work part time, teaching secondary students at Victorian College for the Deaf.

I have been signing for ten years and teaching in Auslan for the past year at the Deaf College. In 2011 I will be teaching in North Ringwood and Croydon.

I look forward to meeting those eager to learn a wonderful language.

Medina Sumovic is an actress, dramaturge, teacher and consultant/Sign coach. As a Deaf person, she is a respected leader within the deaf community and known nationally for her contribution to the Deaf arts.

Medina currently works part time for the Victorian Council of Deaf People (VCOD) continually advocating, advising, developing and strengthening networks for the Deaf community in Victoria.

She also completed her Bachelor of Education in LOTE at La Trobe university 2008, and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment 2008. She also teaches Auslan since 2007 with the Auslan Company and Deaf Children Australia.

She has consulted/Sign coached various projects, a highlight being the International Deaf theatre conference, an adjunct to the World Federation of the Deaf Conference (Brisbane 1999). Medina was the consultant for Auslan interpreters and assisted with their prepared translations for, Wicked (2009), Billy Elliot (2009) and The Phantom of the Opera (2008) Mamma Mia (2010) and Mary Poppins (2010).

Medina directed and organised the Opening and Closing ceremonies with Out There Production for the Deaflympics in Melbourne 2005, and the highlight was arriving at the Opening in a helicopter!

I have been teaching for over seven years in a variety of settings both community and within organisations.  I studied Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Social Science.

Apart from teaching community and workplace courses for The Auslan Company l also work at Deaf Children Australia, Victorian Council for Deaf People, several primary schools and one on one tuition.

I have been married for 8 years to my hulk man Walter, and we are blessed with a beautiful daughter Izabella who is now 6 years old.

My hobbies include going away on camping trips, travelling and horse riding.