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Victoria
VIC 1911
members
as at October 2016
Sitting to write the AGM slides gave
me the opportunity to reflect on what a big
year the Victorian Branch has had in 2016.
The member engagement team
has been busy coordinating social and
representation events for the year, including
a wine and cheese night at Milk the Cow in
Carlton for Swallowing Awareness Day on
11 May, the trivia night at Bridie O’Reilly’s
for Speech Pathology Week and organising
volunteers for the three-day Pregnancy,
Babies and Children’s Expo in August. Alice
Crook was also awarded an Early Career
Award at National Conference for her
services to Vic Branch.
The advocacy portfolio has been working
to create links with the advocacy groups
of the other state Branches, as well as
working with national office to contribute
into submissions to the State Disability Plan
(2017–2022), and the Victorian Parliamentary
review into Medical Treatment (decision-
making) and Advanced Care Planning.
Amanda Simionato and Robyn Stephen
represented the Branch on the SPA working
party to prepare a response to the state
government review into services for people
with autism. We are grateful to Ronelle and
Sandy for their expertise in making these
submissions and the opportunity to support
Victorian members to contribute to the
submissions.
The student portfolio has been working
to coordinate links between the Victorian
university student cohorts. This networking
has meant that there have been some
huge student events in 2016, including the
sold-out Creating Futures event during SP
week, and fundraising events across the
uni campuses, including the MS 24-hour
swimathon and the Melbourne Marathon
festival.
Once again, we were given the opportunity
to participate in the Leadership Victoria
Health Sector Leadership program,
and I congratulate Elaine Kefalianos, Julia
Greco, Trish Johnson and Kate Bridgman on
completing the program.
In my first year as Branch Chair, I have had
the opportunity to attend the Victorian State
Budget Launch, the PTV-V/Line launch of
the Communication Access Symbol, host
Branch SP2030 events, present the SPA
student awards at LTU; and in the last
month have had the opportunity to present
to graduating students at Charles Sturt
University, Australian Catholic University,
the University of Melbourne, and La Trobe
University (both Bendigo and Melbourne). I
would like to take this opportunity to thank
the Victorian Branch Executive and National
Office staff for supporting me in my transition
to Branch Chair in 2016.
The Branch year has been finalised with the
AGM and, with the ongoing roll out of NDIS
in the state, a timely presentation from Trish
Johnson and Tristan Nickless titled Ethically
Speaking: A Case Study in Professional
Ethical Practice discussing relevant ethical
dilemmas faced by practising speech
pathologists. Thank you both for sharing your
knowledge with the membership.
On behalf of the Victorian Branch Executive,
we wish you all a happy and safe festive
season. We look forward to continuing to
work with the Victorian membership in 2017.
Jane-Elise Cherry
Victorian Branch Chair
It’s been a big year!
Elaina Kefalianos, Kate Bridgman, Trish Johnson and Julia Greco after completing the Leadership Victoria
Health Sector Leadership program.
At the launch of the PTV-V/Line
communication access symbol are,
From BAck Jane-Elise Cheerry, Chris
Lyons, Alan Fedda (Acting CEO PTV),
Gary Liddle (Acting CEO, V/Line) At
Front Zane McKenzie and Lisa Ho.
December 2016 Speak Out 37