Speak Out
August 2014
11
2014 AGM overview and awards
Speech Pathology Australia’s
61st Annual General
Meeting was held in Melbourne, as part of the recent
National Conference,
connections: client.clinician.context
.
Approximately 100 members and guests attended.
The Board reported on the Association’s major achievements
and activities in 2013, as detailed in the Annual Report, which
had previously been circulated to members. Speech Pathology
Australia’s financial position was also outlined, confirming
that the Association’s financial reserves remain strong with
a further profit achieved in 2013. The consolidation of funds
allows the Association to continue to build on its key services
to members, as well as direct specific funds to strategic
imperatives highlighted within the 2014–2016 Strategic Plan.
As always, an exciting part of the AGM was the announcement
of the Association’s Awards, an opportunity to recognise the
skills, expertise and dedication of a number of well-deserving
members. Details of the award recipients are highlighted in the
following section.
Board of Directors for 2014–2015
The Board of Directors for 2014–2015 were also confirmed at
the AGM as follows:
•
President
– Deborah Theodoros
•
Vice President Operations
– Robyn Stephen
•
Vice President Communications
– Gaenor Dixon
•
General Directors
> Tennille Burns
> Belinda Hill
> Asher Verheggen
> Brooke Sanderson
We welcomed new Directors Belinda Hill, Brooke Sanderson
and Asher Verheggen.
Retiring Directors (Meg Maggiore, Stacie Attrill, Felicity Burke
Teena Caithness and Michelle Foley) were sincerely thanked
for their significant contributions to the Association.
2014 Member Awards
The Board of Directors was extremely proud to present
awards in the following categories at the 2014 Annual General
Meeting. The Board’s appreciation goes to the many people
who took the time to research and prepare the nominations
that assist the Association in recognising some of our
outstanding colleagues.
Service to the Association
The Service to the Association award is granted by
the Association to members in recognition of ongoing,
valuable and voluntary service to the Association at either
a National or Branch level. The Board was pleased to
recognise Petrea Cornwell as an outstanding recipient of
this award.
Petrea Cornwell
Petrea has held portfolio lead positions
in the Queensland Branch, including the
position of Branch President, over a six-
year period from 2007-2013.
As the Practice, Workplace and
Government portfolio lead, Petrea
coordinated and delivered state-based lobbying campaigns
during state elections, holding key meetings with
representatives of ministers, opposition members and
government committees.
Petrea has always encouraged and mentored members of
the Branch to be involved in Branch activities and actively
contribute to the profession. She has been engaged with all
facets of the profession in Queensland, enabling a number of
new initiatives.
Petrea invested a significant amount of time in the
campaign to retain registration of speech pathologists in
Queensland. She provided able support to both the former
registration board and Speech Pathology Australia through
this process and represented the profession at the Health
and Community Services Committee inquiry. Petrea
continues to provide leadership on the transition of residual
funding from state-based registration to Speech Pathology
Australia to ensure the best outcomes for Queensland
speech pathologists. Petrea consistently approaches
challenges with unwavering professionalism and “big
picture” thinking to achieve the best outcomes.
Most recently, Petrea led the transformation of the Branch
structure to align with future directions at a Board level. She
has not only left a legacy for a sustainable Branch well in to the
future, but set an example of commitment to the profession.
Unfortunately Petrea was unable to accept her award in
person at the Annual General Meeting, with the award to be
presented at a Queensland-based ceremony later this year.
2014 Annual General Meeting and SPA Awards
2014–2015 Board members (top row, from left) Tennille Burns, Gaenor Dixon,
Deborah Theodoros, Robyn Stephen, (front, from left) Belinda Hill, Brooke
Sanderson and Asher Verheggen.
