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Speak Out October 2015 27
BRANCH news
new south wales
Time for a SPArty!
Inspired by the theme ‘Talk
with Me’, NSW Branch chose to
celebrate SPWeek by sending out an
open invitation for members to attend
a night filled with good food and
excellent company at the new Jamie’s
Italian Trattoria. It was a wonderful
celebration and we look forward to
our next member social event!
NSW Branch Member Engagement Working Party
Macquarie
University
Students at Macquarie
University celebrated
Speech Pathology
Week with the ultimate
coffee challenge. Staff
and students had the
opportunity to win a
coffee if they could order
it using an AAC device.
The activity aimed to raise
awareness of everyday
challenges individuals with
communication difficulties
may experience. The
Macquarie University
community participated enthusiastically in the challenge and
learned more about communication and swallowing disorders
and the role of speech pathologists. Danielle Marks
NSW Branch Student
Representative for Macquarie University
University of Sydney
Speech pathologists who go through the University of
Sydney will know that we share a campus exclusively with
our future allied health comrades. Sydney University SPA
reps decided to capitalise on this during Speech Pathology
Week, and took to the lawns with free cupcakes and a
sausage sizzle with a twist – the “Talk with Me” theme was
turned on its head when our OT and physio friends had to
request their food with their mouths shut! The event conjured
up discussion between
the disciplines as to what
each of our roles are in the
allied health team. We had
a great time explaining and
brainstorming the different
ways we can facilitate
communication with our broad
and often shared caseload.
Students and staff were
motivated to interact with
various types of AAC tech by yummy rewards that truly ended
up being “food for thought”.
Arabella Ludemann
NSW Branch Student Representative for University of Sydney
How did you celebrate SPWeek?
• ADHC Chatswood ran a daily speech pathology quiz
for staff and generated much discussion over delicious
gingerbread men
• Royal North Shore Hospital held a stall in the main foyer
of the Acute Services building and held a screening of
Aphasia – The Movie
• Belinda Hill & Associates posted daily blog entries and
social media posts themed ‘talk about…’ whilst featuring
articles in two local newspapers
• Royal Far West held a colouring competition and daily
social media posts, whilst running a ‘speech pathology
corner’ at Manly Library
• Australian Catholic University presented to the early
childhood education students on topics of interest
including the role of speech pathologists in the areas of
literacy and in working with children with autism
• The Children’s Hospital at Westmead ran an information
stall and printed speech pathology messages on the
payslips of employees across the system.
SPArty, Stalls and Celebrations – SPWeek 2015
Call for 2017 Conference
Planning Committee
Speech Pathology Australia is now calling for
expressions of interest from NSW members
for a position on the 2017 National Conference
Planning Committee. Expressions of interest should include a
covering letter stating relevant experience and a curriculum vitae
to support the application. The application should be submitted
to Pamela Richards, National Conference Manager via email
Applications
close Friday 30 October 2015.
2017 Conference Convenor
If you are interested in this position please send your curriculum vitae
and covering letter stating relevant experience to conference@
by Monday 19 October 2015.