Speak Out October 2017 LOW RES

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October 2017 Speak Out 35
Branch News
Tasmania
TAS 124
members
as at September 2017
So much to “access” in Tasmania!
OUR MEMBERSHIP MIGHT be relatively small compared to other states but the creativity and commitment
has been running high in Tassie this month. Our Speech Pathology Week activities included a community
information stall at the iconic Salamanca Markets in Hobart as well as a breakfast in the north and south of
the state for members to get together and celebrate the profession. Now getting out of bed early is difficult
most winter days in Tasmania but when there is snow on the mountains it can be especially hard! A special
thank you to those people who came to the early morning pre-work breakfasts and also to the wonderful
volunteers who helped out at Salamanca on that chilly day.
We always try to have one fun social event for members too each year and this time we held a children’s
yoga session and lunch. This was a wonderful opportunity to bond with each other on a whole new level and
learn some fun child-friendly yoga moves!
September also saw the 2017 National Tour with Tanya Serry come to our shores. This event was very well
attended and created some positive discussion and idea sharing. We always value the opportunity to hear
about new research and discuss how it applied to our local contexts.
There will be another literacy-focused workshop, this time run by Ros Neilson, in Hobart in late October so
jump onto the website to find out more details and to register.
as at September 2017
WA 902
members
WA
WEST AUSTRALIAN SPA members are no stranger
to coming together to launch Speech Pathology
week, and this year was no different. Our 2017
launch event at The Wembley Hotel saw upwards
of 60 members celebrate and raise awareness of
“Communication Access - Everybody Gets the
Message.” While drinks and nibbles were enjoyed,
WA speechies made the most of an opportunity to
catch up with friends and colleagues, to make new
connections and to welcome some newcomers to
the WA membership.
The highlight of the evening was listening to a
range of speakers share their thoughts on and
experiences with communication access. Speech
pathologist Kelly Savage started the ball rolling with
a wonderful reflection on her time working with
clients with complex communication needs and
sharing her passion for Variety Motor Mouth Camp.
Kelly’s infectious passion and enthusiasm left many
wanting to know about how to get involved; certainly
encouraging those of us who may not usually work
in the area of AAC to expand our skillsets.
We then heard from Rod Mackintosh, a vastly
experienced educator from Malibu School in
Perth’s south, who shared his journey over many
years creating low tech AAC resources for all
schools to access. It was fascinating to hear from
someone outside the Speech Pathology profession
who shares the same passion for ensuring that
communication is accessible for all students.
He spoke about the challenges of consumer
“buy-in” and the huge benefits to schools once
communication access is seen as a priority.
Finally, speech pathologists Freya Allen and
Yvette Theodorsen shared their insights as WA
representatives of AGOSCI; a group that aim to
enhance participation for people with complex
communication needs. There are exciting things to
come for this national community as WA prepare to
host the national biannual AGOSCI conference in
Perth in 2019.
Jessie Sansalone and
Asha Bodycoat
Public Affairs Portfolio
SP Week in WA