Speak Out April 2017

Tasmania

TAS 99 members as at February 2017

Profession leader retires

provided and was responsible for doubling the size of the department. Michael oversaw many changes within the profession too. In the late 70s, when he trained at Lincoln Institute, preschool stuttering treatment did not exist, nor was dysphagia something that speech pathologists understood, let alone treated or viewed on VFSS. Cochlear implants and speaking valves for laryngectomies were “pie in the sky” ideas and aphasia theories seemed to change with the weather. Resources were all paper based, especially for AAC, and PCs were still far in to the future. Michael embraced these changes and helped guide his staff through them too. He maintained a clinical caseload throughout his career, and although he dealt with bureaucracy like a pro, his expertise with strokes, traches and larys will be missed. The staff he leaves behind will also miss his genial support and collaborative management style. Michael left the LGH on a high note, just as the newly refurbished and integrated Allied Health Department opened in December 2016. It is particularly fitting that the old speech pathology section will now be known as the Wingrove Wing. Michael finally left the LGH on 25 January, just shy of 44 years service to the Tasmanian public service. He is keen to enjoy an active retirement with his wife, Jenny and their two adult daughters, Chelsea and Kate.

SOME MEMBERS WILL remember Michael Wingrove, a long time member of Speech Pathology Australia and manager of the Speech Pathology Department in Launceston, Tasmania. He has retired after 37 years in the profession. Michael is probably best known nationally as the inaugural re-entry portfolio holder when the Australian Association of Speech and Hearing became Speech Pathology Australia. He held this important position for many years. His role was to guide members, who had been non-practising for five years or more, back into the profession. And there were many, which is not surprising in such a female dominated profession. Without his guidance and support, I’m sure that many lapsed members would have been lost to the profession. Michael can be proud of his role in helping practitioners regain their confidence and clinical competency, and return to paid employment. Michael was not only a stalwart of AASH and SPA, he was a great champion of speech pathology in Tasmania. He has served as Branch President and was Tasmania’s Board Representative for AASH for many years, not to mention his years with SPA. He was also a long time delegate for HACSU’s Allied Health Professional sub branch, and fought many a battle for improved wages and conditions for all Tasmania’s AHPs. In his 28 years as the Speech Pathology Manager at the LGH, he greatly expanded the range of services

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April 2017 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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