Professor Greg Leigh AO has been awarded the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award by Hearing Australia, for more than 40 years of dedication to the hearing sector in Australia.

The award, presented by the Hon Bill Shorten, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, recognised Greg's incredible contribution to building better research knowledge, education and services for Australians who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Greg leads NextSense Institute and has been the long-term chair of the Australian Newborn Hearing Screening Committee. As part of the Committee, Greg played a central role in advocating to establish Australia's world-leading newborn hearing screening programs.

He led the establishment of our Master of Disability Studies qualification, which is preparing the next generation of leaders in sensory disability. And he continues his commitment to cutting-edge research. Greg has mentored and supervised many PhD students who have gone on to make impressive contributions of their own to add to knowledge of sensory disability.

His many research and other professional collaborations and his collegiate approach to finding solutions that will drive better hearing outcomes make the Hearing Australia award so well deserved.

Speaking at the Hearing Australia 75th anniversary celebration at the Australian Hearing Hub, Greg highlighted the enormous impact Hearing Australia has itself had during its 75 years. Of its many achievements, he singled out the spirit of collaboration as a hallmark of the organisation.

Greg is a valued and respected colleague at NextSense, and we are thrilled that he has been recognised as the first recipient of this important award. Many of his close colleagues were proud to witness the award presentation.