Meet the Hearing Club Team

Audiologist

Maria Benke

Don’t be fooled by her youthful looks, because Maria is wise beyond her years. She considers herself an old soul and grew up in a large family. Maria’s hobbies include health and fitness, the occasional glass of wine and exploring the historic town of Castlemaine which she calls her home. Maria has a passion for people, and audiology allows her to make a difference in people’s lives by improving their access to better hearing and communications with loved ones.

Audiologist

Crystal Atkins

Crystal is originally from the Yarra Valley but is now living in Castlemaine. She enjoys getting out in nature and camping, reading multiple books at once, going to live music events, as well as watching her beloved North Melbourne in the AFL. She loves cooking and has an interest in making things from scratch such as butter. To Crystal, audiology is a way to make a difference in people’s lives every day and she enjoys getting to meet all the interesting people who walk through her door.

Senior Clinician

Ken Gilmore

Was born in Inglewood and moved to Bendigo in his late teens Ken has been serving the Bendigo hearing community for the past 20 years from our Bridge St site and our many visiting sites.

He is a passionate hearing service provider and a stronger peoples person which enables him to obtain outstanding and consistent hearing outcomes of our clients. And always service with a smile.

Audiologist

Denis Lessa

Denis Lessa is an Audiologist and Speech Therapist with Master in Paediatrics, working in the hearing industry since 2007. His professional goal is to provide high quality service in diagnostics and hearing rehabilitation.

Denis lives in Woodend and has been enjoying the lifestyle in the countryside, spending some of his time trekking and enjoying the beautiful landscape around the Macedon Ranges.

With a personality full of empathy and flexibility, Denis is also a South American ‘gaucho’ and knows how to cook the perfect traditional Brazilian BBQ (Churrasco), adding even more value to the team.

Denis is an Audiologist during work hours and a musician on his free time.

Audiologist

Michelle Wallace

Michelle Wallace graduated from Rush University Medical Centre’s Doctor of Audiology program (a top 10 program in the U.S. as ranked by U.S. World and News Report) in Chicago,IL. Throughout her training and years of practice, Dr. Wallace has gained extensive experience in adult and paediatric diagnostic testing, rehabilitation, and tinnitus management. She finds that audiology is extremely rewarding because it provides the opportunity to change lives on a daily basis and to assist in reconnecting clients to the people and activities they hold most dear.

While completing rigorous studies, Dr. Wallace created a humanitarian audiology trip working with Fundación Sonrisas que Escuchan (Smiles that Hear Foundation), a non-profit organisation to address largely unidentified and under-served hearing loss among Guatemalans. This wonderful partnership continues to flourish and students return on an annual basis to assist with testing and fitting hearing aids.

Dr. Wallace is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. She is an avid traveller and greatly enjoys several outdoor pursuits, including SCUBA diving – which she plans to spend as much time as possible doing while here in Australia. Let her know your favourite dive spots or travel destinations for this wonderful country!

Audiologist

Ilia Dan da Cunha

Ilia is an audiologist, member of Audiology Australia, who has been working in the hearing industry since 2003. She is passionate about seeing people’s lives being transformed through better hearing. In her spare time, she dedicates herself to her three boys and her husband, her Aussie bulldog and her collection of succulents.

Customer Service Specialist

Jackie Guillou

Jackie Guillou moved to Bendigo area 2 years ago from Melbourne suburbs and commenced work at the Clinic shortly after. She quickly immersed herself into Bendigo life by joining clubs such as Bendigo Athletic Club.

She has had over 25 years experience in customer service and administration and prides herself on being friendly and polite when dealing with patients.
She enjoys being a valued team member!

Customer Service Specialist

Esmae Barnes

Esmae Barnes is our loud and outgoing team member – great qualities when meeting and greeting people with a hearing loss.
Esmae has been in Bendigo for 25 years and in the hearing industry for 7 years. Like Leanne, she knows the patients by name and regards them as her extended family.
She loves a challenge and enjoys the daily buzz of a busy office. Esmae is also our carrot cake queen so is very popular at morning tea time.

Customer Service Supervisor

Leanne Berry

Leanne Berry is a customer service specialist and a familiar face to all our patients in Bendigo. Leanne has been working in the clinic for over 20 years, is a Bendigo local and is extremely engaged and satisfied with what her job brings. A very light presence with a ready smile on her face, she provides a wealth of knowledge and support for newer staff members. She knows nearly every patient by name. They surely know hers too! Let’s not forget her mum’s sponge cake – that makes her even a more valuable member to the team!

Customer Service Specialist

Kelly Townsend

Kelly Townsend is a customer service specialist and the newest member of our Woodend clinic. Kelly has lived in Woodend for the last 27 years and has a varied background in human services children’s services, retail operations and some business along the way as well. She finds the customer services industry quite rewarding and interesting and is looking forward meeting and getting to know all our patients at Woodend.

Customer Service Specialist

Maggie Dao

Maggie Dao moved to the Macedon Ranges 3 years ago with her husband and 3 children.

Before her role of full time mother, Maggie worked in accounts, customer service and administration.

Maggie most enjoys being able to help people and make them smile

Customer Service Specialist

Melissa Fiddler