Buranymarda Marugundi
Removing barriers to hearing, speech, language, and occupational therapy services in WA’s Mid West.
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Program details
Type
Outreach & screening
Regions
Geraldton to Meekatharra
Partners
TSH & Local Aboriginal Health Services
Frequency
Throughout the school year
Buranymarda Marugundi (Good Strong Tomorrow) is a community-led program providing integrated ear health, speech pathology, and occupational therapy services to children across Western Australia’s Mid West region.
A first-of-its-kind partnership between Ear Foundation Australia and Teach Speak Hear, the initiative delivers mobile screening, treatment, and developmental therapies directly to over 1,100 Aboriginal and at-risk children in eight regional communities, including Geraldton, Mullewa, and Meekatharra.
For many regional families, long travel distances and specialist waitlists of up to two years mean hearing and speech issues often go unaddressed, making it hard for kids to stay engaged at school. By bringing coordinated care directly to local schools and community spaces, the program removes these barriers so children receive the support they need now to build confidence and thrive.
Meaning “Good Strong Tomorrow” in Badimaya language, the program’s name was inspired through yarning sessions with Elder Aunty Gloria, linguist Annelise Jansen, and the Irra Wangga Language Centre. This collaborative process ensured the name would authentically reflect local cultural values and drive community ownership.
Why it matters
Buranymarda Marugundi is about removing long-standing barriers for healthcare access in our communities because:
- Regional families often face waitlists of up to two years for specialist hearing and speech services.
- Combining ear health, speech pathology, and occupational therapy ensures children receive complete support in one place.
- Catching developmental challenges early sets children up to participate confidently in everyday life and school to reach their full potential.
Frequently asked questions
Services are delivered across eight Mid West communities: Geraldton, Mullewa, Yalgoo, Pia Wadjarri, Mount Magnet, Cue, Meekatharra, and Karalundi.
Mobile teams deliver coordinated care directly within local schools and community settings so families can access support in comfortable, familiar environments.
Where we work
Services are delivered across eight Mid West communities.
