Eden Falk, 12, has been named the 2026 Westfield Sydney Local Hero, becoming the youngest recipient in the award’s history and securing a $20,000 grant for hearing support organisation The Shepherd Centre.
Diagnosed with hearing loss at just one month old, Falk says his early school years were marked by communication barriers and periods of social isolation. But after learning to understand and speak through The Shepherd Centre (TSC), he has turned his experience into public advocacy – sharing his story, raising funds and representing the organisation at major events.
In Short
- Historic Win: Twelve-year-old Eden Falk has become the youngest recipient in the history of the Westfield Sydney Local Hero awards.
- Vital Funding: The recognition secures a $20,000 grant for The Shepherd Centre to fund Hear For You, a peer mentoring program for deaf children and teenagers.
- Pride Over Stigma: Diagnosed with hearing loss at one month old, Falk is using his platform to ensure children wear their devices with pride.
- Community Backing: Supported by the Reddam House Sydney school community, an awareness video featuring Falk has surpassed 900,000 views online.
“I wear hearing aids to help with my hearing loss, but they do not change who I am,” Falk said. “They only help me hear – they do not change my personality.”
Falk’s campaign is centred on one message: children should feel proud – not embarrassed – about wearing hearing devices.
“That is why it is important for other children to feel proud of wearing their hearing aids, because they are part of who they are and nothing to be ashamed of,” he said. “A disability does not define you.”
Despite his age, Falk has become a confident public speaker, motivated by what he has observed among peers.
“Some children do not want to wear their hearing aids because they feel the devices make them look different,” he said. “I knew I needed to advocate for them because I am deaf and proud to wear my hearing aids.”
Falk said support at Reddam House Sydney has played a key role in helping him develop the confidence to speak publicly and turn his ideas into action. He credited teachers for assisting with schoolwork and providing encouragement, and said public-speaking staff helped him build the skills to share a personal story with wider audiences. He also praised fellow students for their everyday support, saying small moments – like being recognised and congratulated at school – made a difference.
He also said the wider Reddam House community rallied behind him, learning about his nomination and voting in support.
Since being nominated, a video posted on Reddam House’s Instagram page has gone viral, gaining more than 900,000 views. The post has attracted high-profile attention, including comments from Sylvia Jeffreys, Sally Obermeder and Suzan Mutesi, helping amplify Falk’s message well beyond the school gates.
The $20,000 Westfield Local Hero grant will support Hear For You, a program run by The Shepherd Centre that helps deaf children and teenagers connect with one another, meet deaf mentors and build confidence through shared experiences and activities.
“It helps deaf children and teenagers like me connect with one another,” Falk said. “It reminds young people that they are not alone and helps build their confidence.”
Falk said the award also sends a message about the capacity of young people with disability – and of young people generally.
“Being nominated alongside two adults also shows that young people can achieve at the same level as adults,” he said. “I hope it encourages people never to underestimate what children can accomplish.”
As the youngest-ever Westfield Sydney Local Hero, Falk hopes the recognition will broaden the conversation around hearing loss and confidence, encouraging children to see hearing aids as something to embrace – and reminding the broader community that disability should never define a person’s identity or limit their opportunities.
