Speak Out April 2017

Call for QLD SPA Members to join the QLD SPA Advocacy “Communication Matters” Working Group FOLLOWING THE 2016 Queensland Speech Pathology Australia Advocacy Workshop, members voted that education of staff in aged care services about speech pathology and the importance of supporting and maintaining communication in residents living in aged care was one of the three key SPA Qld Advocacy priorities. Members felt strongly that the distribution and promotion of a video made by the Advocacy and Standards Committee in Western Australia be undertaken. Since the advocacy workshop, the Communication Matters working group have met and developed strategies on how the video will be promoted and distributed and is looking for members to help with the project. The working group would like to hear from Qld members interested in being part of the project to move it to the next stage of media exposure and to promote the video on various digital platforms. It is anticipated the project will be complete in six months with members linking up via the Go To Meeting facility on a three to four week basis. Follow this link to watch the video: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=2WPyp2wNZ08 If you are interested in joining the working group or finding out further information about what is involved in joining the working group, contact Anne Huang or Bernadette Dutton spaqld.advocacy@ gmail.com

Queensland

QLD 1510 members as at February 2017

THE GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY Masters of Speech Pathology second year students celebrated the halfway point of their degree on Thursday 2 March with an afternoon of wine and cheese. Students enjoyed the opportunity to take a well- deserved afternoon off to socialise with academic staff and practicing speech pathologists. The year ahead will see students continue to grow within the profession by expanding their clinical skills through a variety of adult and paediatric placements. While further developing their theoretical knowledge through lectures and tutorials with a wide range of assessment opportunities throughout the year; such as developing delicious yet textually appropriate recipes in the Dysphagia Kitchen and through a number of simulation experiences. Griffith University Halfway Event

The last half of the year will see our cohort embark on block placements with opportunities in metropolitan and rural locations around Australia. This will allow us to consolidate what we have learnt over the last year and a half while we achieve the goal of reaching entry level status and graduation awaits. We all look forward to our final year and the opportunity to continually advocate for the profession which we will soon become a part of. Thank you to the Speech Pathology Australia Queensland Branch for their support, sponsorship and opportunity to celebrate these milestones.

Cara Probert & Olivia Brincat Griffith University Student Representatives

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April 2017 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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