10 / 30
10
2015 ANNUAL REPORT Speech Pathology Australia
‘Recognise Health’
‘Recognise Health’ is an initiative of the Lowitja Institute that
aims to promote understanding of the important link between
well-being and constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander people. Speech Pathology Australia
is one of 117 non-government organisations across the
Australian health system brought together by this initiative.
‘Recognise Health’ is an initiative bringing together more than
117 non-government organisations across the Australian health
system.
National Conference
The Association held its National Conference at the National
Convention Centre in Canberra from 17–20 May 2015.
More than 540 delegates attended the conference, themed
Challenge, Broaden, Revolutionise
.
The Conference was opened by the Federal Minister for
Health, Minister for Sport, The Hon. Sussan Ley MP.
Professor Nickola W Nelson started the Conference week
presenting her Keynote Presentation: ‘Methods for using
written expression as a context for curriculum-based language
instruction and intervention’. Professor Emeritus John (Jay)
Rosenbek followed with his Keynote Presentation: ‘Aphasia
management: It’s the method and much more’.
The 2015 Elizabeth Usher Memorial Lecture was delivered by
Professor Pamela Snow.
There were 96 presentations and workshops delivered during
the Conference, along with an impressive array of posters on
display. These were universally well received and represented
a diverse range of clinical and research topics.
@WeSpeechies #RoCur
Speech Pathology Australia’s social media presence
continued to grow in 2015 and was given an added boost
through an invitation to be the first Association to curate the
@WeSpeechies #RoCur one hour chat.
The @WeSpeechies handle was founded by Speech
Pathology Australia members Caroline Bowen and Bronwyn
Hemsley in March 2014 and provides an internationally
curated meeting point in Twitter for speech pathologists to
comment and discuss specific topics. The Association’s
topic for discussion in this event was ‘Strategic planning:
objectives, deliverables, and future directions’.
In July, the Association’s Twitter handle - @SpeechPathAus
received its 5000th follower.
3 Strategic Imperative
FUTURE READY
3.1 Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) is the lead
organisation to inform an advance future directions
of speech pathology.
3.2 SPA supports members to be future ready
through innovation and new technologies.
3.3 SPA develops leadership capacity within the
profession.
3.4 SPA understands the needs and projections for
the speech pathology workforce in Australia.
In July 2015, the
Association’s
Twitter handle
received its 5000th
follower!