By Jed Lanyon
Healesville Sanctuary celebrated the National Week of Deaf People from September 21-27.
A wide range of their wildlife shows and presentations featured Auslan interpreters to enhance the viewing experience for those who are hearing impaired and to raise awareness about the language.
Auslan Stage Left interpreter Sarah Swilks stood beside the platypus tank to sign the entire presentation for Tales from Platypus Creek.
“The National Week of Deaf People is a week where we celebrate what is that comes with being deaf,” she said.
“It’s about making people more aware of the disability and I guess some people don’t sort of see it as a disability.
“I feel very privileged as an interpreter to be a part of that community.”
Following the presentation, instead of running up to the glass to get a peek at the unique aquatic creature, some children ran to Ms Swilks and asked to learn more about sign language.
“They just wanted to ask me how to sign the alphabet, so I just went through the letters for them and it was absolutely gorgeous.
“And that’s what this is about, creating the awareness for this beautiful language,” Ms Swilks said.
Auslan Stage Left is a not for profit community organisation that organises Auslan interpreters for theatre and the stage.
Ms Swilks said she had received great feedback regarding Auslan Stage Left’s work and hopes to see the Healesville community embrace the work of Auslan interpreters on a regular basis.
“I’m hoping this will be the start of something for Healesville.”
Auslan interpreters were featured alongside Healesville Sanctuary’s daily shows such as Spirit of the Sky, Tales from Platypus Creek, Kangaroo Keeper talk, Wombat Keeper talk, Koala Keeper talk and the Australian Wildlife Health Centre talk.
Healesville Sanctuary visitor engagement team leader Lottie Liddell said, “We deliver a lot of our information verbally, so to be able to have more people be able to receive that information gives us a buzz.
“It’s like some of our staff members who are bilingual, it just adds to the experience.”
Healesville Sanctuary is currently hosting Bushland Explorers throughout the spring school holidays.
Activities include a nature play zone where children can use natural elements to create their own artwork and huts within the sanctuary.
The second week of the school holidays will see the arrival of Ants, by Polyglot Theatre.
This interactive roving performance has giant ants bringing children together in a gentle and intriguing landscaping project.
Bushland Explorers runs until 6 October and is free with admission to Healesville Sanctuary.
For more information about Auslan Stage Left, visit http://www.auslanstageleft.com.au/
