Speak Out April 2016

BRANCH news new south wales

NSW Branch hosted a 'Conversation about the Future' in March as part of the Speech Pathology 2030–Making Futures Happen project (SP2030). The evening was one of 37 events held across NSW, with conversations hosted at universities, hospitals, aged care residences, private practices, community health and disability services across metropolitan, rural and regional settings. As Branch Chair, I am incredibly proud to see the number of conversations being hosted in NSW and the overwhelming level of engagement from speech pathologists across the state. Eighteen people from a variety of backgrounds attended, facilitating diverse and valuable discussion. Students from the University of Sydney, Australian Catholic University and Macquarie University brought fresh ideas to the table while speech pathologists with more than 35 years of practicing experience brought rich perspectives of the history of the profession. Everyone applied Young Futures Project Leader–Gretchen’s suggestion of “loving it for just one minute” when new ideas or concepts were raised and explored. Time was spent thinking about the past, pondering Conversations in NSW

the present and imagining the future of the profession. The passion in the room from people with all levels of experience was invigorating and will surely contribute to a rich product at the conclusion of SP2030.

NSW Branch Chair Harmony Turnbull, Professor Penny Cooper, OT Australia Frances Dobson, Victims Services Mahashini Krishna, Victim Services Kristi Crepaldi, Registered Intermediary, Assistant trainer Dr Michelle Mattison.

Training in evidence pilot

Victims Services NSW hosted a morning tea to welcome Professor Cooper and allow her a chance to meet the stakeholders involved in the pilot. NSW Branch Chair Harmony Turnbull attended the morning tea on behalf of Speech Pathology Australia. Harmony sits on the Witness Intermediary Registration Panel, which provides expertise, advice and guidance to Victims Services in the administration of the Child Sexual Assault Evidence Pilot. Other members of the panel include The Australian Association of Social Workers, Australian Psychology Society and Occupational Therapy Australia.

Professor Penny Cooper recently visited Australia to provide training to our children’s champions, judges, legal practitioners and police to facilitate implementation of the Child Sexual Offence Evidence Pilot. Professor Cooper is a former practising barrister specialising in children’s cases and is considered the leading and most widely published expert in the world on the development and use of intermediaries in adversarial justice systems. Professor Cooper was accompanied to New South Wales by assistant trainer Dr Michelle Mattison whose trip was funded by an early career research grant. Michelle is an experienced registered intermediary specialising in supporting communication with vulnerable children.

Harmony Turnbull NSW Branch Chair

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Speak Out April 2016

Speech Pathology Australia