Your Committee
John Ross
John brings over 20 years of international board experience in the not-for-profit sector, having served in roles like President, Treasurer, and Communications & Marketing lead. With a professional background in the audio industry, John is a passionate advocate for the hearing loss community, living with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, chronic tinnitus, and recruitment. He uses a MED-EL Synchrony 2 cochlear implant with a Sonnet 2 processor on his right side and a Phonak hearing aid on his left.
An author and speaker, John is set to release his book, Breeding a Deaf Generation, exploring the complexities of hearing loss. He is also a sought-after speaker on hearing technology, often joined by his wife, Donna, who adds insights on partner and family support in their presentations. At CICADA Queensland, John works to broaden the organization's reach to all hearing loss communities, advocating for awareness, advanced technology, and rehabilitation access. He also has a YouTube vlog (My Cochlear Journey), where he shares insights on hearing technology and life with hearing loss.
Penny Phillips
Penny has had a bilateral sensorineural hearing loss for over 50 years and was implanted in 2014 with a Cochlear Nucleus 6. She upgraded to a Cochlear Nucleus 7 in 2019 and became Bilateral in late 2024, now wearing Cochlear Nucleus 8 processors. Previously, she wore a Resound ENZO 2 in her other ear. She has been involved with Hearing Loss organisations in a voluntary capacity for many years, serving as secretary of Better Hearing Australia Sunshine Coast Branch for 12 years and has been a member of CICADA Queensland for 6 years, taking on the role of Sunshine Coast Representative conducting regular monthly Meet-ups.
She is passionate about helping and supporting anyone with a Cochlear Implant or considering one, as well as people with any form of hearing loss.
Angela Jonassen
Ivanka Djula
Ivanka Djula is an audiologist with more than 30 years’ experience in adult and paediatric hearing care, cochlear implants, diagnostic assessment and clinical education. She currently works at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and Sounds of Life Audiology.
Her career spans senior clinical and education roles at Queensland Children’s Hospital, alongside experience with Mater, Hear and Say and Hearing Australia. As a former Surgical and Clinical Account Manager with Cochlear Ltd, she supported cochlear implant candidates, recipients, surgical teams and audiologists across Queensland. Her work included clinical education and promoting best practice in cochlear implant assessment, programming, intraoperative testing and ongoing care.
Ivanka is committed to patient- and family-focused care. She values listening to people’s experiences, building trust and ensuring individuals and families feel heard, informed and supported throughout their hearing journey. Her approach recognises that successful hearing care extends beyond technology to communication, confidence, connection and quality of life.
She brings to the CICADA Queensland Board extensive clinical knowledge and a commitment to supporting cochlear implant candidates, recipients and their families. She shares CICADA Queensland’s vision of becoming a welcoming source of support, information and connection for all people with hearing loss.
Jody Wallace
Jody is a community-focused leader with experience in Community Services, Business Support, and Process Improvement across the not-for-profit, legal and Government sectors. Passionate about strengthening families and communities, she is particularly interested in integrative health, mental well-being, and creating environments that foster connection, restoration and resilience. Currently, Jody manages short-term and respite accommodation services, including NDIS and aged care supports, with a focus on delivering welcoming and restorative experiences.
Jody has loved ones within her circle experiencing varying degrees of hearing loss, and serves as Committee Member/Event Lead for CICADA Qld Inc., helping create opportunities for learning, collaboration and community engagement. Alongside her professional work, Jody is studying a Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy), deepening her commitment to holistic health and well-being. In her spare time, she loves to spend time in nature, developing her garden and enjoying time with family and friends.
Russ Ezzy
With a background spanning large remote cattle stations and suburban house construction, Russ brings a diverse range of business management skills to the committee. His extensive experience working with Aboriginal communities further enriches his contribution. Now enjoying retirement by the beach near Bundaberg, Russ is BiModal, implanted with MED-EL and uses the Sonnet 3 processor with the EAS (Electronic Acoustic Simulation) system on his right side, while wearing a conventional hearing aid on his left .
Linda Bradby
Linda joined CICADA Qld in 2025, the same year she received her cochlear implant at the age of 63, after living with a hearing loss for 30 years. Linda is retired and lives on the Sunshine Coast with her husband Michael.
Linda is passionate about the importance of community connections and advocacy for the hearing impaired and excited to be a part of CICADA Qld. With a career as a town planner and senior executive in government, Linda brings experience in project management & leadership. Since retirement Linda is a keen social media blogger, sharing her travel stories on her platform "CyclingNomadsAustralia".