Speak Out February 2018

From the President

Welcome to the first Speak Out for 2018. I hope that the year has started well for you. This edition of Speak Out focuses on our achievements for 2017 and on some key events for 2018. It is exciting that 2017, where Rosie Martin was Tasmanian of the Year, concluded with Dr Dimity Dornan named as the Senior Queenslander of the Year; and 2018 has started with Dr Caroline Bowen receiving an Order of Australia. Congratulations to all three on their achievements. Several key events are on the calendar for this year: the first big event for 2018 is Swallowing Awareness Day on March 14. The key message for the day is that “Swallowing is ageless!” with the secondary theme, “what is this thing called dysphagia?”. I look forward to seeing the imaginative awareness campaigns that branches, and individual services put together to help advocate for safe and enjoyable eating and drinking for all Australians. Following Swallowing Awareness Day will be National Conference − themed “Inspire” − held in the beautiful city of Adelaide at the end of May. The keynote speakers will be diverse and challenging, and the broad scope of papers, modules, workshops and posters will inspire all speech pathologists. As you plan your professional learning for this year, I hope that you consider the conference as a great opportunity not only to update your knowledge with the latest research, but also to network, develop new connections, view the latest resources and have fun. Continuing the topic of professional learning, this year’s National Tour will be with Natalie Munro. Branches will continue to offer the wide array of continuing professional development activities. You can also access recorded

online CPD and of course our journal International Journal of Speech- Language Pathology will continue to be published. The first edition for the year, is a special issue based on the 70th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights guest edited by Professor Sharynne McLeod. The Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology will continue its practical, clinically focussed editions. And don’t forget the ethics materials to support you in your professional practice. From 19-25 August we will be holding Speech Pathology Week with the theme, “Communication access is communication for all”. I encourage you to mark that week in your diary and think about how you could use the week to publicise the fundamental right of communication and educate the public about the role that speech pathologists play in ensuring all humans have that right. In October we will be holding Book of the Year, and we are seeking judges to read and judge nominated books in each category. Further information about nominations and the roles are in this issue. In February I am meeting with the Branch Chairs for a face-to-face meeting, where we will discuss strategic and branch matters. The Victorian Branch is holding their strategic forum and the Reconciliation Action Plan group are holding their first meeting. In early March the Board will be holding its first meeting of the year, to continue to provide governance and strategic oversight of the activities of the Association. I look forward to meeting you at one of the range of activities that the Association is holding this year.

Gaenor Dixon

Gaenor Dixon National President

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February 2018 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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