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speak out AUGUST 2014

Show your support Help us build a Nation for Communication during Speech Pathology Week 2014, 24–30 August

Also inside The full wrap-up from the 2014 National Conference and AGM

speak out AUGUST 2014

National Office Level 2/11–19 Bank Place Melbourne VIC 3000 T 1300 368 835 F 03 9642 4922 E office@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au Chief Executive Officer Gail Mulcair T 03 9642 4899 E execassist@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au Speech Pathology Australia Board Deborah Theodoros – President

Highlights in this issue...

Page 18: 2014 national conference All the news from connections: client.clinician.context .

Gaenor Dixon – Vice President Communications Robyn Stephen – Vice President Operations Tennille Burns – Director Belinda Hill – Director

Brooke Sanderson – Director Asher Verheggen – Director

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Copyright © 2014 The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Speak Out is the official bi-monthly magazine of The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Ltd. Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) owns the copyright to Speak Out and no part of this magazine may be reproduced without the explicit permission of SPA. Advertisements Please refer to the ‘Publications’ menu at www.speechpathology australia.org.au to view the 2014 Speak Out ad kit. Any queries may be directed to Lana Busby, Publications Officer T 1300 368 835 E pubs@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au Advertising Booking Dates for October 2014 Speak Out The official booking form must be received at National Office by COB Friday 5 September 2014 . Speak Out Branch Editors ACT – via pubs@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au New South Wales – Jesica Rennie and Eryka Arteaga Northern Territory – Erin Coonan Queensland – Simone Howells, Leanne Sorbello and Catherine Hicks South Australia – Emma Leeson and Josie Kemp Tasmania – Kate Day Victoria – Shane Erickson Western Australia – Johanna Eppler Please see the website for Branch Editor contact details. Disclaimer To the best of The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited’s (‘the Association’) knowledge, this information is valid at the time of publication. The Association makes no warranty or representation in relation to the content or accuracy of the material in this publication. The Association expressly disclaims any and all liability (including liability for negligence) in respect of use of the information provided. The Association recommends you seek independent professional advice prior to making any decision involving matters outlined in this publication. Print Post Approved PP349181/01711 ISSN 1446-053X

Page 16: speech pathology week 2014 Spread the word about the ICP2014 and help us create a Nation for Communication !

contents 3 From the President 4 Association News

18 2014 National Conference 22 2015 National Conference 24 National CPD update 28 Professional Practice News Managing challenging clients and situations 29 Branch Pages: • New South Wales • Queensland • South Australia • Tasmania • Western Australia 35 Feature Bing is no ordinary bunny

• Senate Inquiry highlights • NDIS news

• Robin Tavistock Award • Welcome Michael Kerrisk 9 Spotlight on Professional Support 10 Association Affiliation updates 11 2014 AGM and Awards 15 Book of the Year 2014 shortlist 16 Speech Pathology Week 2014: Nation for Communication

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From the President

Welcome to the August edition of Speak Out . Once again we report on significant activity and achievements within the profession and the Association.

The Senate Inquiry hearings have now concluded and a summary of the presentations to the Inquiry, site visits, and comments from participants are reported in this Speak Out . I would like to commend all members of the profession who contributed to this Inquiry for their professionalism, excellent presentations, and unwavering dedication to ensuring that the plight of people with communication and swallowing disorders was heard. The profession was highlighted at its best! Special thanks, however, must go to those people with communication and swallowing disorders who willingly contributed to this process by telling their stories. We eagerly await the delivery of the Senate Inquiry report in early September. This issue of Speak Out precedes Speech Pathology Week (24–30 August) during which time we showcase the profession. I know that all Branches and members of the profession are actively engaged in preparing for this event which will be based on the Nation for Communication theme as part of the ICP2014 project. There are many suggestions and ideas for activities relating to the campaign. I encourage you all to consider involvement in at least one activity to ensure that we achieve maximum effect within the community. Look for your ICP2014 badge in your August mailout. Speech Pathology recently as part of the Nation for Communication campaign, where children and parents had the opportunity to experience non-verbal communication and the difficulties encountered in communicating their needs via this modality. This was certainly an activity with impact. An array of photos from the 2014 National Conference in Melbourne and detailed information about our Award winners for this year are presented in this issue. I am sure that you will be impressed by these awardees. We also introduce Professor Nickola Nelson and Professor Jay Make sure you read about the successful HUSH! event staged by Western Sydney

Rosenbek as the keynote speakers for the 2015 National Conference – C hallenge, B roaden, R evolutionise . Associate Professor Pamela Snow has been invited to present the Elizabeth Usher Memorial Lecture and accept the Award at the 2015 Conference. Now is the time to start considering paper submissions and planning to attend this conference. The 2014 Book of the Year shortlist is also announced in this Speak Out . These books are now with the judging panel and the results will be announced at an awards ceremony in October. Review these books and see if you can pick the winner of each section! We bid farewell to Alison Henty, Tasmanian Branch President, who has dedicated 47 years of her life to the profession. During this time, Alison has made a significant contribution to the profession through her clinical practice and through her roles as a Board member, CPD leader, and Conference convenor. Best wishes for your retirement, Alison! Congratulations to Professor Linda Worrall (2014 Elinor Wray Award winner) who has been awarded the prestigious Robin Tavistock Prize for an individual who is inspirational, and has made a significant contribution to the field of aphasia. Well deserved, Linda! The awards keep on coming. Claire Bolton, a UQ graduate who now practises in the UK, has been awarded a prestigious Churchill Medallion after completing her Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship. Congratulations, Claire! At National Office, we are delighted to welcome Michael Kerrisk to the position of Communications and Marketing Manager. Michael has had extensive experience in these areas and we encourage all members to contact him for assistance in relation to ICP2014, Speech Pathology Week, and any other media opportunities that might arise.

Enjoy this issue!

Deborah Theodoros National President

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association news

Highlights from the Senate Inquiry Hearings – Our Profession Represented The Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee held public hearings for the Inquiry into the Prevalence of different types of speech, language and communication disorders and speech pathology services in Australia throughout June. Following are the individuals and organisations who provided evidence to the Senate Committee, with some particular highlights captioned.

Melbourne, 11 June • Speech Pathology Australia

We feel that government can assist in improving data governance, raising awareness, identifying problems earlier and increasing access to treatment in order to improve the lives of over a million Australians who suffer from speech, language or swallowing disorders – Prof. Deborah Theodoros, Speech Pathology Australia (Melbourne)

• Associate Professor Pam Snow, Monash University

• Professor Sheena Reilly and colleagues, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute

• CleftPals Victoria, Royal Children’s Hospital

• Mary Fleming, Bernadette Feeney and Narelle Anger, Child and Youth Mental Health services Senators also visited Parkville College (Juvenile Justice Centre) and North Melbourne Primary School.

Sydney, 12 June • Northcott

• Telethon Kids Institute

• Dr Julia Starling, The University of Sydney

Professor Snow, I am interested in the process of interacting speech pathology and the curriculum of teachers. You touch on it and say that perhaps it is not as strong as it should be. What is the history of that? I know, before I even ask, that it is going to vary from state to state. What do we do about that? – Senator Clare Moore (Melbourne )

• Autism Spectrum Australia (ASPECT)

• Independent Living Centre of NSW

• Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health

• Western Sydney Speech Pathology

Senators also visited the Australian Stuttering Research Centre at the University of Sydney.

Even though, to all intents and purposes, I am a successful communicator who has had access to a decent mainstream education, I still feel my opportunities and quality of life are impacted by the fact that I am non-verbal. But I am using this opportunity to ask for more support for communication specialists, including speech pathologists who can help facilitate greater education opportunities. That will give those of us who have little or no speech a greater opportunity to be heard, thus giving us agency over our lives and our ability to contribute to society at large. – Georgia Cranko (Sydney)

Whilst speech pathology services are costly and long

term, it is cost-effective to look at providing these services which will ultimately provide not only a better life for the individual but a more productive and healthy Australia – Julie Carey, Western Sydney Speech Pathology (Sydney)

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Lauren is our daughter. He wanted to be able to read a story to her, because she was 3 ½ when he had a stroke. He could not read to her anymore and that affected their relationship, because she did not know why daddy would not read to her – rather than that he could not. For the LIFT program, you have to write some goals listing what you want out of the program … One of Bruce’s was to quite simply be able to read a story to his daughter. Now he can. – Natasha Aisthorpe speaking about her husband Bruce (Brisbane).

Canberra, 20 June • Australian Government Department of Health

• Health Workforce Australia

• Associate Professor Cori Williams, Curtin University • Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health

One issue that affects all Aboriginal people is access to speech pathology services and, in particular, to appropriate services. Many of these services are not accessible to or accessed by Aboriginal people. There are many things that might be causing this – a lack of culturally appropriate or secure practices, inflexible service delivery models, especially medical models, limited numbers of Aboriginal staff, and limited cultural awareness or cultural security within the services. – Associate Prof. Cori Williams, Curtin University (Canberra)

Brisbane 27 June • Associate Professor Michael McDowell, Neurodevelopmental and Behavioural Paediatric Society of Australasia

• Autism Queensland

• Deadly Ears Program

• Hear and Say

• Association of Childhood Language and Related Disorders

• Lift Program, University of Sydney

• Australian Aphasia Association

• Apunipima Cape York Health Council

Language is both a developmental destination towards the adult language system and a developmental means for other achievements such as social and emotional abilities, literacy, school achievement, employment and all of life’s opportunities beyond school – Prof. Cate Taylor, Telethon Kids Institute (Sydney)

Senators also visited the Glenleighden School.

Obviously, we have heard that early intervention message loud and clear – Senator Rachel Siewert (Brisbane)

For the full list of organisations and individuals who appeared before the Senate Committee and the transcripts of the hearings, please see http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Speech_Pathology/ Public_Hearings . ronelle hutchinson Manager, Policy and Advocacy

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association news

National Disability Insurance Scheme news

Changes to pricing and supports The NDIS has provided a range of webinars, which they publicise in their updates and newsletters, and which can be subscribed to via the website. The most recent webinar was linked with a review of pricing and a change in some of the policies and processes, outlined at http://www.ndis.gov.au/ ndia-releases-efficient-price-build-competitive-market- disability-services . Although the focus was on the pricing of non ‘therapeutic’ supports, it did include information that NDIS prices will be adjusted annually to reflect indexation changes, which is reflected in the pricing lists on the website. Some changes have been instituted to the cancellation policy, making it possible for providers to claim from the NDIS for late cancellations or ‘no-shows’, but this doesn’t extend to the provision of therapeutic supports – so for speech pathologists and other allied health providers, charges for these continue to be included as part of the ‘private’ relationship with participants to be included in the agreement about the service delivery arrangements negotiated with participants. There have also been changes instituted to how participants are able to use their funding, with some supports being designated as ‘flexible’. These changes will only apply to new plans and plans that are being reviewed after 1 July 2014. Participants will be provided with information about the changes when they get their new plan, but at the moment it is a little unclear what the impact may be for providers. Workforce mini-projects Speech Pathology Australia has provided input to two workforce related mini-projects. The first of these was looking at the role of support workers, including Allied Health Assistants, and provided an opportunity to comment on a range of issues, including: • Communication Assistants as an ‘emerging role’ • The importance of ‘generic’ training for support workers about dysphagia and the role of speech pathologists • The scope of senior support worker and allied health assistant roles and their relationship with allied health professions. The second project focused on Allied Health Education and Training to work within the new NDIS context. Input provided included: • The importance of supporting development of competencies on a continuum, including in the existent workforce • The opportunity and value of working with existent forums such as the Heads of Department groups within the professional organisations • Potential impacts of the NDIS on availability of student placements within the disability sector, and need for the NDIS to consider supports or incentives to ensure that these continue to be available

Further roll out The NDIS has now celebrated its first birthday and continues to roll out across the nation. While there have been ‘rumblings’ about potential delays to its implementation, so far at least these haven’t been confirmed, and the further roll-outs that were scheduled have commenced. In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) early intervention is the first service area to be transitioned, with children under two years of age moving across between July and September 2014, and children aged two to four years of age and not starting school in 2015 able to transition between October and December 2014. The ACT government is one of those which has legislated to withdraw from service provision for people with disabilities, and members alerted us prior to the commencement of concerns about availability of alternative providers. The ACT government has subsequently provided $1 million worth of sector development funding to twenty disability service providers including the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Koomarri and Canberra Men’s Centre to help prepare for the NDIS. In the Northern Territory, the roll-out for an estimated 150 participants in the Barkly region is being viewed as an opportunity to learn about service provision in rural and remote areas and particularly for indigenous people with disabilities. In Western Australia, the Shire of Kalamunda, Shire of Mundaring and City of Swan will be included in the roll-out. People who are currently registered with My Way/Local Area Coordination (LAC) will be invited to become NDIS participants in the first year of the trial and will be gradually brought into the Scheme based on location, providing they meet the access requirements. People receiving other Disability Service Commission (DSC) funded supports that are not connected to LAC will be invited to become participants from April 2015 to February 2016. This will begin with people receiving services in the City of Swan followed by the Shire of Kalamunda and the Shire of Mundaring. In the existent trial sites the Scheme is being expanded geographically (Barwon and Hunter) or into further age groups (Tasmania, South Australia). Further details about the roll-out are available on the NDIS website at http://www.ndis.gov.au/our-sites . NDIS reports The NDIS releases quarterly reports tracking performance against key performance indicators. These reports include financial and other information, including things such as satisfaction levels of participants and funds allocated vs funds spent. It was interesting to note in the most recent report that ‘communication’ was the most commonly funded support category, followed by self care and community participation. Unfortunately, we don’t really have any prior data to compare with, but it is encouraging to see that communication continues to be recognised by participants as an important domain requiring supports to enhance participation.

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• Concerns about the impact of the new service structures and paradigm on access to professional development and clinical supervision and support. If members are interested in more information about the mini project, or have other questions or issues, I can be contacted at disability@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au or via National Office. I have also arranged to teleconference or attend Branch meetings, so keep an eye out for further information in the e-News .

cathy olsson Disability Project Consultant

Congratulations Linda Worrall, recipient of the 2014 Robin Tavistock Award

The Trustees of the Tavistock Trust for Aphasia are delighted to announce that Professor Linda Worrall (pictured) is the 2014 recipient of The Robin Tavistock Award.

This award is named after Robin Tavistock, the 14th Duke of Bedford who founded The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia. It is presented annually to a person, or group, who is inspirational and has made a significant contribution to the field of aphasia. Professor Linda Worrall is the Director of The Centre for Clinical Research Excellence (CCRE) in Aphasia Rehabilitation and she is based at The University of Queensland. Linda has had an outstanding career in aphasiology. In her early work, with a few others around the world, Linda carried the torch for the importance of taking into account what is needed when living with aphasia in the community. She has always understood the paramount importance for practical research into functional communicative needs of people with aphasia. Linda has developed and evaluated new integrated approaches to managing and improving not only the aphasic condition, but also its many associated consequences. She has been a pioneer in ensuring that the client is at the centre of all that is done. Linda is also recognised as being a passionate teacher, galvanising and inspiring the next generation of speech pathologists. This, coupled with her rigorous, groundbreaking client-centred research has established her as a leader in the field of aphasia, and someone who has a earned the respect from her peers. It is because of Linda Worrall’s exceptional contribution to the world of aphasia that the Trustees have awarded her the Robin Tavistock Award 2014. The formal presentation of the Award will be made in Brisbane later this year. For further information, please contact Loretta Porche, (Media Relations Officer, The University of Queensland) at l.porche@uq.edu.au or visit the Trust’s website at www.aphasiatavistocktrust.org .

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association news

2015 NAHSSS scholarship applications open

Welcome Michael Kerrisk, SPA's new Communications and Marketing Manager

2015 Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme (NAHSSS) Postgraduate, Continuing Professional Development and Clinical Psychology Scholarships available. Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH), the Scholarship administrator, is pleased to announce the opening date of the applications of the allied health component of the NAHSS Scheme. The applications will open on 6 August 2014 and will close on 15 October 2014. More information about the scholarship opportunities can be found at the SARRAH website, http://sarrah.org.au . If you would like to talk to the Postgraduate Team about any of these scholarships please call 1800 338 061 or email postgrad@sarrah.org.au . Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme (NAHSSS) is funded by the Department of Health.

The Association is pleased to welcome Michael Kerrisk as our new Communications and Marketing Manager. Michael brings an extensive experience in communications, marketing, strategy, and stakeholder management and engagement to the role. Michael's previous roles include

Strategic Communications Manager at the State Services Authority and National Project Manager at the Australian Red Cross. Michael is your main point of contact regarding media inquiries, Book of the Year, Speech Pathology Week and the International Communication Project 2014. We are very excited to welcome Michael to the National Office team.

Tongue Tie Symposium Cutting Edge

Dates: October 23rd and 24th 2014 Venue: Hotel QT, 7 Staghorn Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217

Speakers:

Australasian Society for Tongue and Lip Ties

ONLINE Conference: This conference will also be broadcast ONLINE. You can access it from anywhere in the world.

Alison Hazelbaker David Todd Holly Puckering Monica Hogan Bridget Ingle Carla Lejarraga Jeffrey Kestenberg Derek Mahony …and more

To register go to: www.breastfeedingconferences.com.au

Proudly managed by

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spotlight on professional support

Tips to those receiving professional support

Professional support comes in a variety of forms. Supervision, mentoring and peer support are common ways that speech pathologists receive professional support. With the right to receive professional support, however, comes responsibilities. Every year I have coordinated the mentoring program, issues come up around professional conduct, courtesy and respect. The tips below are specifically for those speech pathologists either seeking or in mentoring relationships but some are broadly applicable to all forms of professional support. 1. Contact one mentor at a time. When searching for a mentor, only contact one speech pathologist at a time (excepting if you require mentoring in two very separate and distinct areas). If you are doing this via email, give the speech pathologist the option of replying to you by a nominated date if they are willing to discuss and/or act as your mentor. Wait until this speech pathologist has replied to you and you have both discussed and determined whether this will be an appropriate match before contacting others, or until the date has passed with no reply. Contacting more than one potential mentor at a time and seeing who replies first and/or not letting those you have contacted know when you have already found a mentor is unprofessional and discourteous. 2. Communicate. If you no longer feel you require a mentor – LET YOUR MENTOR KNOW! All too often I hear that mentees simply never got back to their mentor. Mentoring is a mutual, two-way relationship and it is fundamental to the success of the relationship that clear communication is maintained through the duration of the relationship. It is courteous and respectful to let your mentor know you no longer wish to continue the partnership for whatever reason, so they are clear that the partnership has ended. Communicate any changes in your situation at your earliest convenience – even if just to reschedule a meeting. 3. Be professional. Be prepared for meetings, be reliable, be polite, and be mindful of the other person’s needs within the relationship. Be mindful of your responsibilities as a speech pathologist to your mentor and your profession. Professional behaviour will be noticed and bring positive consequences – mentors can become referees and important links in your professional network. 4. Be grateful. Senior members of the profession generously give their time, energy, skills, knowledge and experience. They do this to contribute to the profession and maintain high standards in less experienced members of the profession. Genuine and expressed gratitude can go a long way to helping senior members of the profession feel justifiably valued and willing to continue to share their time and expertise with others. I’m happy to say that most mentoring partnerships run smoothly and successfully, as generally people are considerate and respectful of each other’s needs.

Mentors available We still have a number of unmatched mentors waiting for suitable mentees to contact them. If you could benefit from some additional support and professional contact go to: http:// www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/information-for- members/mentoring-program and follow the instructions . For any queries regarding professional support – supervision and mentoring – please don’t hesitate to get in touch: psa@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au . Call for external supervisors I am increasingly receiving requests for contacts for speech pathologists available to provide paid external supervision. If you: • Have skills and experience in providing supervision • Have an hour a week available to provide supervision • Are interested in and willing to provide external supervision, please email Meredith Prain ( psa@speechpathologyaustralia. org.au ) with your name, contact details, years of clinical experience, years of supervision experience, areas of clinical experience, and communication modes available (face-to- face, phone, Skype). Meredith Prain Professional Support Advisor

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association affiliation updates

The National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA) believes that all Australians, wherever they live, should have access to comprehensive, high-quality, accessible and appropriate health services, and every opportunity for equivalent health outcomes. The NRHA is Australia’s peak non-government organisation for rural and remote health. The Alliance’s vision is good health and wellbeing in rural and remote Australia. It works to: • identify priority needs in rural and remote health and promote appropriate action; • research key issues in rural and remote health; • disseminate relevant information and knowledge to those with an interest in rural and remote health; and • provide feedback to governments on the health impacts of their policies and services in rural, regional and remote communities. The NRHA is highly influential and produces many valuable documents including fact sheets, position papers and submissions as well as managing the National Rural Health Conference and the Australian Journal of Rural Health ( AJRH ). Information about these documents and events, and other useful links, can be found at www.ruralheatlh.org.au . Speech Pathology Australia is one of the 36 other Member Bodies who comprise the National Rural Health Alliance. Amanda O’Keefe (Seymour), who many of you may recall was a NT Councillor for SPA for a number of years, is SPA’s representative on the NRHA. Amanda will take part in a NRHA teleconference on August 18 and then will be gearing up for the five-day NRHA Council Fest to be held in Canberra in September. Members wishing to discuss issues with Amanda (and others) can post questions and comments on SPA’s Rural and Remote Member Community . SPA’s Rural and Remote Member Community Members wishing to keep up-to-date with rural and remote news, share information of interest, and network with colleagues working rurally and remotely can join SPA’s Rural and Remote Member Community. The member community currently has almost 300 members and is a great forum for providing and seeking support. As mentioned above Amanda will be using the member community to share information about the NRHA. Information about joining the Rural and Remote Member Community can be found on the SPA's Member Community webpage . National Rural Health Alliance

Allied Health Professions Australia

2014 was expected to be a busy year for Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) with a new government to work with, and several reports from the National Commission of Audit pending. It has indeed proven to be so, and there has been a buzz of activity in AHPA related to Government advocacy and relations, and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Closing the Gap Thursday 20 March 2014 was a momentous day in the allied health sector in Australia. Not only was it national ‘Close The Gap Day’, but it was also the day that Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA), AHPA, AHPA’s 18 member organisations and four affiliate organisations signed a Statement of Intent to work together to achieve equality in health status and life expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians by year 2030. It is based upon the Close The Gap Statement of Intent and has been adapted to align with the core business of the signatories. This is the first time such an innovative undertaking has occurred within the Australian allied health sector. Government Advocacy and relations Following the completion of the National Commission of Audit and the delivery of the 2014 Budget, AHPA has developed key position papers in consultation with our members. While individual organisations make their own connections with government and opposition representatives, it is important that the core allied health messages are delivered by a united voice across many allied health professions. These messages were effectively delivered when a contingent of AHPA member organisations [including Speech Pathology Australia] recently attended a day of meetings in Canberra. Eight meetings were attended, including various Senators and Ministers, and the Chief Allied Health Officer and Advisor. AHPA’s position papers included: Retaining best practice is crucial to the success of the NDIS; Important access to update electronic health records; Prescribing rights for allied health professionals; Ensuring quality care in the new Primary Health Networks; Preventative health and health workforce measures: retaining important data, knowledge and networks; Streamlining direct referrals to medical specialists; Improving mental health outcomes through allied health; and AHPA-NDIS activity. Member organisations with allied health professionals working in the disability field have formed an AHPA-NDIS Reference Group. The group is meeting each fortnight, and AHPA has funded a Project Officer position to provide the group with some resources to achieve their objectives. This part-time position is shared by Natasha Layton (OT) and Cathy Olsson (SP). The group is also working closely with Lynne Adamson (Director, Research Market, Innovation, Quality and Pricing, NDIA). Submissions and Representation AHPA has arranged for representation on IHPA’s Mental Health Costing Study (Steering Committee), the Australian Telehealth Conference Strategic Advisory Committee and the NDS Working Party looking at Support Workers in the NDIS Workforce Strategy. Representatives have also attended the Victorian Allied Health Research Conference and the National Forum on inter-professional education. Submissions were made to the NDS Project Team on Forming a National Disability Workforce Strategy, and to IHPA’s Mental Health Costing Study. Lin Oke Executive Officer, AHPA

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2014 AGM overview and awards

2014 Annual General Meeting and SPA Awards

Speech Pathology Australia’s 61st Annual General Meeting was held in Melbourne, as part of the recent National Conference, connections: client.clinician.context . Approximately 100 members and guests attended. The Board reported on the Association’s major achievements and activities in 2013, as detailed in the Annual Report, which had previously been circulated to members. Speech Pathology Australia’s financial position was also outlined, confirming that the Association’s financial reserves remain strong with a further profit achieved in 2013. The consolidation of funds allows the Association to continue to build on its key services to members, as well as direct specific funds to strategic imperatives highlighted within the 2014–2016 Strategic Plan. As always, an exciting part of the AGM was the announcement of the Association’s Awards, an opportunity to recognise the skills, expertise and dedication of a number of well-deserving members. Details of the award recipients are highlighted in the following section. Board of Directors for 2014–2015

2014 Member Awards The Board of Directors was extremely proud to present awards in the following categories at the 2014 Annual General Meeting. The Board’s appreciation goes to the many people who took the time to research and prepare the nominations that assist the Association in recognising some of our outstanding colleagues. Service to the Association The Service to the Association award is granted by the Association to members in recognition of ongoing, valuable and voluntary service to the Association at either a National or Branch level. The Board was pleased to recognise Petrea Cornwell as an outstanding recipient of this award. As the Practice, Workplace and Government portfolio lead, Petrea coordinated and delivered state-based lobbying campaigns during state elections, holding key meetings with representatives of ministers, opposition members and government committees. Petrea has always encouraged and mentored members of the Branch to be involved in Branch activities and actively contribute to the profession. She has been engaged with all facets of the profession in Queensland, enabling a number of new initiatives. Petrea invested a significant amount of time in the campaign to retain registration of speech pathologists in Queensland. She provided able support to both the former registration board and Speech Pathology Australia through this process and represented the profession at the Health and Community Services Committee inquiry. Petrea continues to provide leadership on the transition of residual funding from state-based registration to Speech Pathology Australia to ensure the best outcomes for Queensland speech pathologists. Petrea consistently approaches challenges with unwavering professionalism and “big picture” thinking to achieve the best outcomes. Most recently, Petrea led the transformation of the Branch structure to align with future directions at a Board level. She has not only left a legacy for a sustainable Branch well in to the future, but set an example of commitment to the profession. Unfortunately Petrea was unable to accept her award in person at the Annual General Meeting, with the award to be presented at a Queensland-based ceremony later this year. Petrea Cornwell Petrea has held portfolio lead positions in the Queensland Branch, including the position of Branch President, over a six- year period from 2007-2013.

2014–2015 Board members (top row, from left) Tennille Burns, Gaenor Dixon, Deborah Theodoros, Robyn Stephen, (front, from left) Belinda Hill, Brooke Sanderson and Asher Verheggen.

The Board of Directors for 2014–2015 were also confirmed at the AGM as follows: • President – Deborah Theodoros • Vice President Operations – Robyn Stephen • Vice President Communications – Gaenor Dixon • General Directors > Tennille Burns > Belinda Hill We welcomed new Directors Belinda Hill, Brooke Sanderson and Asher Verheggen. Retiring Directors (Meg Maggiore, Stacie Attrill, Felicity Burke Teena Caithness and Michelle Foley) were sincerely thanked for their significant contributions to the Association. > Asher Verheggen > Brooke Sanderson

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agm overview and awards

Associate Professor Sue McAllister Associate Professor Sue McAllister has brought about positive innovation and change in the speech pathology profession. She has shown outstanding leadership in the development and implementation of curriculum and

Elinor Wray Instituted in 1981 to honour the founder of the speech pathology profession in Australia, the Elinor Wray Award is granted for outstanding contribution to the profession. The contribution of the nominee is clinical or project oriented and encompasses: innovations in diagnostic, assessment or treatment procedures; promotion of speech pathology to the government, the community or other professionals; and research or student training. The Board was pleased to recognise an outstanding recipient of this award in Professor Linda Worrall.

assessment of students’ professional practice in the workplace, in a range of allied health disciplines.

Sue has contributed to Speech Pathology Australia throughout her career. Her research and development of applications of competency based student performance assessment have made major contributions to Speech Pathology Australia’s process for the accreditation of education providers. Sue played a major leadership role in the development and implementation of COMPASS ® , COMPASS ® Online and COMPASS ® 2. Throughout the development of COMPASS ® and its associated projects and clinical/academic interfaces, Sue has maintained the importance of nesting these developments firmly within the professional association rather than with a publisher or university. The result of her commitment to the work and role of the Association in establishing and maintaining professional standards has been the creation and maintenance of a very high degree of consensus and cooperation amongst competing stakeholders. Sue has provided consultancies to other professional associations, both within and across professions, and nationally and internationally. This provides evidence of her standing in the health professions and has also established recognition of the Association’s role in relation to competency based education for clinical practice. In addition to supervising multiple higher degree students, Sue is an external examiner for honours research from a university. Sue has published three book chapters, 13 refereed papers, four refereed conference papers, 11 commissioned reports and has presented 37 conference papers since 2002. Sue is recognised as being a highly worthy candidate for transfer to Fellowship.

Linda Worrall Linda is a founding proponent of the functional approach to assessment and treatment for individuals with neurogenic communication disorders. The aim of her work is to develop a portfolio of functional communication assessments

and interventions for a range of health care settings. Linda’s work also evaluated the effectiveness of various forms of intervention stemming from the functional assessment. This led to the publication of The Functional Communication Therapy Planner (1999) which translated her PhD results into an assessment process for therapy planning process that is still being used today throughout the world. Having led the writing of the most downloaded paper in the journal Aphasiology , this led to the basis of a successful NHMRC Clinical Centre of Research Excellence in Aphasia Rehabilitation, a five-year $2.5 million research program. This centre comprises researchers, students and a community of practice which consists of over 200 clinicians. The community of practice is a collaborative enterprise whereby clinicians engage with the process of developing the Australian Aphasia Rehabilitation Pathway (AARP). The AARP is a person-centred, outcome-focused and evidence-based pathway which is freely accessible online for clinicians, people with aphasia and their families. The AARP documents evidence-based best practice recommendations, research, clinical tools and resources for clinicians, consumers, students and researchers who seek information regarding the assessment and management of aphasia in the community. Linda’s work has had a profound effect on the work in clinical practice and research. She has also facilitated health promotion practices, supervised students and postdoctoral researchers, and provided leadership to the profession. Fellowship Fellowship of Speech Pathology Australia is a public professional honour awarded to a person with considerable experience, responsibility and standing within the speech pathology profession. The Board was pleased to recognise four outstanding recipients for this award.

Debra Phyland Debra Phyland is a passionate and committed speech pathologist who has made a significant and well- recognised contribution to the field of speech pathology. Debra is a quintessential clinician but also a true scientist practitioner.

Debra has made a significant contribution to the Association over the years, including having authored many Clinical Guidelines (Position Papers) and has been an active member of the Victorian Branch, providing representation on several Portfolios. She has also acted as a media spokesperson in her area of expertise.

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Debra has authored more than 18 refereed journal papers, several chapters, regular newsletters and less formal writings. She has presented at international and national conferences. Debra has worked in Melbourne hospitals for more than 25 years. She has had extensive clinical practice in neurological communication disorders and head and neck cancer areas. She has also developed a keen interest in cognitive decline disorders and worked in a multidisciplinary diagnostic clinic as the sole speech pathologist for three years. Debra has also established a busy private speech pathology practice which provides high quality voice evaluation and treatment services to people with dysphonia of various aetiologies. Debra is a founding member of a multidisciplinary diagnostic practice where she works closely in a team with otolaryngologists, physiotherapists and other specialist speech pathologists. Debra constantly seeks to extend her understanding of the complex task of voice production from everyday use to the demanding voice requirements of professional vocal performance. Debra has also pioneered vocal health promotion and risk mitigation in the performance medicine field. She provides prevention, vocal health education and risk management services to theatre and production companies and their performers as well as management and remediation of vocal injuries. Debra was awarded Fellowship in recognition of her outstanding clinical work, her dedication to the field, her contribution to the Association in the establishment, clarification and maintenance of high professional standards and professional development events and her ongoing research and teaching work. (IBIA) is testament to 28 years of excellence in research, teaching and clinical practice in this field. Leanne has demonstrated a commitment to innovative research in communication disorders and the development of training for people with traumatic brain injury, their families, community agencies and health professionals. Over the past 28 years Leanne has made a sustained and outstanding contribution to Speech Pathology Australia. She has held the role of media spokesperson for Traumatic Brain Injury since 1999, served as a National Tour Speaker and contributed to the coordination of the National Speech Pathology Australia Conference. Leanne’s contribution to the speech pathology profession and the Association was recognised in 2011 when she was awarded the Elinor Wray Award for Outstanding Achievement to Speech Pathology. Professor Leanne Togher Professor Leanne Togher is a world renowned expert in the field of communication disorders following acquired brain injury. Her recent appointment to the Board of Governors of the International Brain Injury Association

To date Leanne has been awarded grants totalling $12,116,502. Her publications include four books, 15 technical manuals/training programs, 19 book chapters, and over 150 peer-reviewed journal articles. In 2012, Leanne launched a new treatment resource aimed at improving everyday communication for people with brain injury and their families, called TBI Express. This treatment was proven as part of an NHMRC-funded clinical trial and is now available for clinicians, people with brain injury, their families, friends and carers. Leanne provides ongoing supervision of higher degree students, and many of her students have been recipients of NHMRC and APA research grants. She has also been an editorial board member or a reviewer of articles for a number of national and international journals. Leanne has achieved much over the spectrum of the profession’s activities. She has excelled in research but has a strong underpinning of clinical practice that informs her research and her service. of Queensland. This position is an initiative co-funded by Queensland Health and the University which has been designed to facilitate quality clinical health research and build research capacity within Queensland Health. Elizabeth supervises a large group of research higher degree students and continues to lecture the Dysphagia course within the Division of Speech Pathology at The University of Queensland. She has received numerous teaching awards. Elizabeth’s research is primarily clinically based, and aims to enhance the research base regarding clinical populations, the assessment and treatment techniques used and new models of care. Her research areas include telehealth service delivery models, and speech and swallowing disorders in a range of clinical populations including those who have had head and neck cancers, those requiring critical care (including tracheostomy management) and those with degenerative disorders. Elizabeth has published more than 160 peer reviewed journal publications, 29 book chapters as well as two academic text books. Her textbook, Head and Neck Cancer: Treatment Rehabilitation and Outcomes is recognised internationally as the leading textbook in the Head and Neck rehabilitation field. Elizabeth has presented multiple invited speaker presentations and workshops across Australia as well as internationally in New Zealand, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, England, USA, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland, reflecting the international regard for her research and clinical expertise. Professor Elizabeth Ward Professor Elizabeth Ward is currently the Professor and Director of the Centre for Functioning and Health Research within Queensland Health and a conjoint Professor within the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University

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www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

agm overview and awards

Community Contribution Award The Community Contribution Award is granted by the Association to recognise external representatives and agencies who have made a significant and valuable contribution to speech pathology. The award is open to any agency or individual outside of speech pathology that has contributed to the promotion of the profession. This year the award is presented to Dr Arthur Rallis.

Dr Arthur Rallis Dr Arthur Rallis is a qualified solicitor who is currently the principal of his own legal and consulting practice in Melbourne. Arthur’s practice focuses on matters related to the health industry. He also holds a dual qualification of

JCPSLP editor Jane McCormack (far left) and ACER representative Julia Inglis (far right) presented the Editor’s Prize to authors Toni Seiler and Suze Leitão at the 2014 SPA AGM.

a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Melbourne which gives him some unique insights in to the nature of health care services provided by speech pathologists. Arthur is nominated for this award in recognition of his significant and valuable contribution to the practice and profession of speech pathology over a long period of time. Whilst Arthur is a paid consultant, it is recognised that he contributes extensive expertise and effort in developing robust and trusting relationships with speech pathology staff and volunteers in order to assist in the development of sound, rational and fair actions that benefit the organisation, members and consumers. Arthur has a longstanding interest and affection for the profession of speech pathology, and this high regard and respect for the profession is reflected in the time he invests to fully research issues and allow for constructive discussion about options and outcomes. His background in medicine results in a broad knowledge and understanding of health professions and the services they provide. Arthur enjoys his working relationship with us. Arthur’s professional behaviour mirrors the values underpinning our Code of Ethics (Integrity, Professionalism, Respect and Care, Quality Standards and Continuing Competence). He is empathic in manner and shows a genuine concern for achieving best practice outcomes for all parties, while making sure that Speech Pathology Australia applies due diligence to its procedures and processes in the management and investigation of alleged breaches of the Code of Ethics and complaints. Arthur is generous with his time and knowledge. The work that Arthur provides, which is mainly ‘behind the scenes’ support, has made an ongoing and valuable contribution to the profession as a whole over a significant time period. His work influences the services we provide to both the profession and the public as consumers of our work, and allows us to be more confident about the legal underpinnings and natural justice behind our interpretation of our Code of Ethics as it guides our professional practice.

JCPSLP Editor's Prize awarded at SPA AGM

Each year , a prize is awarded to an article published in the Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology ( JCPSLP ) in the preceding 12 months, which is judged by the JCPSLP Editorial Committee to be of highest research merit. This year, the prize was awarded to Toni Seiler, Suze Leitão and Mara Blosfelds for their paper titled, “ The effectiveness of a computer-supported intervention targeting orthographic processing and phonological recoding for children with impaired word identification: A preliminary study ”. Their paper reported on a study investigating the effectiveness of a computer-supported intervention for three children with persistent word identification impairment. All participants made clinically significant gains in accuracy of nonword reading from pre- to post- intervention, and demonstrated mixed results with word and nonword reading efficiency. Further studies are being conducted to explore the effectiveness of the program with a larger number of participants. The editors of JCPSLP , the editorial committee and publication team congratulate Toni and colleagues on their research and the award, which is based on four criteria: evidence base, clinical relevance, novel contribution, and writing style and readability. The prize was again sponsored by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), and presented at the AGM on the first night of the SPA National Conference. We thank ACER for their ongoing support of the award. Anna Copley and Jane McCormack Co-Editors, JCPSLP

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