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28–31 May 2017
ICC Sydney, NSW, Australia
The Conference Planning Committee was delighted to welcome
1,124 attendees to Sydney for WiFi.
The Conference was a busy hive of activity in Sydney, with
amazing weather and spectacular views day and night! Delegates
had attended keynote, clinical and research presentations
and workshops across a large range of practice areas. While
the quality of the presentations was exceptional, delegates
were also challenged to constantly think about how they are
working and investing in the future of our profession and the
innovative opportunities available. The social media hashtag for
the conference, #SPAconf, trended on Twitter from day 1 of the
conference. With over half the registered number of delegates
tweeting, people from across the world were able to be part of the
sharing of knowledge and innovation being shared by presenters
at the conference. Huge thanks to our top tweeters: @lissbee_
cpsp, @fox_leanna, @shaunziegenfusz,
@haleytanc, @speechbloke, @nathanielrswain, @suze_freogirl,
@bronwynhemsley and @tricmc who even tweeted while she was
presenting her keynote address!
Masterclass and workshops
Masterclass: Professor Emily Plowman started the Conference
week by presenting ‘Critical thinking in dysphagia management’
to a packed room. Participants were challenged to think about
their work and investments in dysphagia practice from an
innovative world leader in the field.
Workshop: Introduction to culturally responsive practice
Participants found the workshop challenging at times, but
extremely thought-provoking and valuable, as well as immediately
applicable to their professional practice with Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander clients and their families.
Workshop: Managing and dealing with the “I wish that hadn’t
happened to me moments” in private practice!
Registrants for the Sunday workshop were very appreciative of
the knowledge and experience shared by the workshop panel
members who included Kellie Dell’Oro from Meridian Lawyers,
Christie Boucher from Guild Insurance and Trish Johnson from
Speech Pathology Australia. Key take-home messages included:
ensure communication is comprehensive and conveyed in a
number
of different ways; review information you provide frequently to
ensure it is up to date; and seek support, advice or assistance
early. Speech Pathology Australia wishes to thank Guild Insurance
for their sponsorship of this event which allowed conference
delegates to attend the workshop free of charge.
The masterclass and workshops were very well received with
discussions continuing on into the conference week.
Opening address
In formally opening the conference, The Hon Ray Williams MP,
NSW Minister for Disability Services, spoke about the important
role speech pathologists are already playing in society today and
how this is set to only increase with the rollout of the National
Disability Insurance Scheme. The Minister was proud and excited
that Speech Pathology Australia had chosen to meet in the new
Sydney International Convention Centre – a venue of world-class
standard. He wished the assembled delegates a productive and
successful time at conference.
Keynote and invited presenters
Delegates from diverse backgrounds packed
the Pyrmont Theatre on day one of the
conference with coffee in hand and twitter
at the fingertips. Professor Emily Plowman
opened with her keynote presentation
‘Harnessing principles of plasticity in speech
and swallowing rehabilitation’ to an expectant
room of enthusiastic delegates. Professor
Plowman inspired us to exploit the principles
of plasticity in our practice regardless of what
we are working on.
Dr Patricia (Tricia) McCabe was invited to
present the 2017 Elizabeth Usher
Memorial Lecture titled ‘How do we change
our clinical practice?’. This keynote was
littered with inspiration, innovation and plenty
of photos of adorable rabbits and classic
cars. Dr McCabe started with reference to
the landmark work from the Speech
Pathology 2030 project which inspired
delegates to look towards the future and
imagine what innovations lie ahead of us.
She shared with us the aspiration closest to
her heart: all speech pathologists confidently
and consistently use and contribute to the
rapidly growing evidence base.
Dr Laura Justice’s keynote address was
‘Conceptualising “Dose” in speech-language
interventions: Current findings and future
directions’. Members may remember that Dr
Justice presented a keynote address at the
SPA conference in Adelaide 2009, and was so
well received that the CPC decided to invite
her back again to inspire further innovation
fitting with the 2017 theme: Working and
investing in Future innovation.
16 Speak Out August 2017
Sydney
conference
success
National conference