ACQ Vol 10 No 1 2008

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2 Speech Pathology Australia
As I write this, the first ‘From the President’ for 2008, I
can’t help reflecting on the speed with which 2007 has
flown past. My first year as President was exciting and
challenging, full of travel, meetings and learning. During the
year I had the opportunity to meet with members at forums
and meetings in the Northern Territory, Tasmania, the ACT,
Victoria and South Australia, as well as at the National
Conference in Sydney. All of these experiences are memorable
– memorable for the enthusiasm and commitment shown by
members, for the learning which takes place, and for the
social contacts made. No one who was at the opening session
of the conference will easily forget the keynote address by Dr
Christopher Green – a moving, entertaining, thought-
provoking address, which had more than one person in the
audience in tears.
The Association made progress in many areas during 2007.
The decision was made to pursue national registration when
the time is ripe. We ran our first lobbying campaign in the
lead-up to the federal election – and aim to continue these
efforts through 2008. It’s a learning process, and we are
developing useful skills in the area. We revised and updated a
number of policies, and finalised some important projects.
Talks around the Mutual Recognition Agreement were held in
Copenhagen in July, and we look forward to finalising this
revised agreement later in 2008. A strategic planning
workshop was held in December, and work continues on the
revision of the plan. Look out for the new and improved
version in your mailbox soon – if you haven’t seen it already!
There have been some significant changes to Council, and
we enter 2008 with a number of new councillors in place. Lisa
Shaw-Stuart (Vic.), Tania Innes (Tas.), Anna Kwan (NT),
Leone Carroll (WA) and Corinne Roberts (NSW) all retired
from Council. All of them have made significant contribution
to Council, and all will be missed. But Council goes on, and
as we say farewell to one group, we welcome another. Gillian
Dickman (Vic.), Natalie Elston (Tas.) and Amanda Dunne
(NT) all took up their portfolios with enthusiasm and
confidence during 2007. Leone Carroll will be replaced in the
Vice President – Communication position by Jacinta Evans
(ACT), and Jade Cartwright will take on the position of WA
Councillor for 2008 and Beth King is the incoming NSW
Councillor.
The staff at National Office, and paid staff in the various
branches and positions around Australia, have continued to
manage the operations of the Association efficiently and well.
Special mention must be made of our CEO, Gail Mulcair, who
brings to the position a truly formidable vision and energy,
and who plays a crucial role in our lobbying activities. Special
mention must also be made of the editors of our quality
publications – Sharynne McLeod, Chyrisse Heine and Louise
Brown. And of course, we must gratefully acknowledge the
many hours of volunteer work contributed by members
across the country. The Association is a complex organism,
greater than the sum of its parts, but one which requires all
parts in order to function.
What lies ahead for 2008? When you read this you will
know the outcome of the federal election. Will it affect what
happens within the profession, and within our daily lives?
Only time will tell. We do know that the Association will
continue to represent the interests of its members, to provide
quality member services, to actively lobby on behalf of people
with communication disorders and to build the profile of the
profession. It promises to be another exciting year!
Cori Williams
From the President
Reflecting Connections
Conference
Auckland 25-29 May 2008
Registrations now open – Early Bird Closes 6 April
For the full program listing of all workshops, papers and posters please go to the following website: The
website also includes further details about the keynote speakers, accommodation options and tourism ideas. The Conference Planning
Committee is excited to be providing you with a wonderful program and looks forward to seeing you in Auckland!
Research Paper Submissions – International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
Speech Pathology Australia will publish the Conference proceedings as a supplementary issue of the International
Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. Only the best 7-8 papers will be published. Papers should be no longer than
6,000-7,000 words and follow the author guidelines found at
Therefore, for those of you who submitted a Research Paper, we invite you to submit a manuscript of your paper to the Manuscript Central site
and clearly indicate that it is to be considered for the Speech Pathology Australia Conference
proceedings issue. All submitted papers will be considered for publication. Correspondence regarding the 2008 Conference proceedings
should be directed to the editor, Associate Professor Sharynne McLeod email: .
The deadline for manuscript submission is 29 June 2008.
Alternatively, you may wish to submit a manuscript of your work (2,000 words) to ACQuiring Knowledge in Speech Language and Hearing.
The author guidelines for ACQ can be found at: under publications / ACQ. Manuscripts submitted
to ACQ will be considered as a general paper submission.