From the classroom to the concert stage: Lara’s Auslan journey 

When Lara de Waal-Hart started at Toowong State School as a five-year-old, she had no idea that learning Auslan would one day shape her career, her community and her view of the world. 

Her family discovered Toowong’s bilingual and bicultural Deaf Education Program by chance after moving into the neighbourhood. What began as a school choice soon became a defining part of Lara’s life. 

For Lara, learning alongside D/deaf and hearing classmates felt completely natural. She remembers classrooms where Auslan and English were used side by side, supported by Deaf and hearing teachers, Auslan Language Models and Educational Interpreters. 

One of her strongest memories is how inclusion was built into everyday learning. 

“We also had basic rules in the class such as when we were speaking, we also needed to sign at the same time. This promoted an innate sense of inclusion in me as a child.” 

Those early experiences helped Lara understand that communication extends far beyond spoken words. They also sparked a lifelong appreciation for language, community and accessibility. 

After finishing school, Lara began working in out of school hours care and quickly noticed how different communication access could be outside the classroom. Wanting to help bridge those gaps led her towards educational interpreting, formal study and eventually NAATI certification as a Certified Provisional Interpreter. 

Today, Lara works across education, community settings and live events. She has interpreted for internationally recognised artists including Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga and Metallica, helping make performances more accessible for D/deaf and hard of hearing audiences. 

Yet for Lara, the most rewarding aspect of her work is the connections it creates. Through Auslan, she has developed a deeper appreciation of language, community and belonging. 

Her story is a reminder that accessible communication does not benefit only one group of people. It strengthens communities, builds understanding and creates opportunities for everyone. 

As Lara’s journey shows, access to communication and language can open doors in ways that few people expect. What began in a classroom at Toowong State School continues to shape her life, career and community today. 

And her message to anyone considering learning Auslan is clear: 

“DO IT! You would never regret learning Auslan.”