Speak Out June 2018

From the President

Welcome to the June edition of Speak Out . I hope that this mid-point of the year, with its cooler days and longer evenings, gives you time to reflect on your work supporting people with communication and/or swallowing disability. Maybe this is through direct client support or through the many other ways that speech pathologists are providing support through research, universal programs, managerial support and supervision or other means. Speech Pathology Week is only two months away! How will you be promoting the work that you do – that communication access is a human right – to people outside the profession? All of the 2030 aspirations are dependent on increasing awareness of the importance of human communication, safe and enjoyable eating and drinking, and how we support those basic rights. Speech Pathology Week is a great opportunity to increase the knowledge of others. I hope that you can think of one thing that you can do to raise awareness of the importance of communication access and the work that we do. More information is in this edition of Speak Out , and further information will be available through the eNews and our website. The arrival of the month of June means that the 2018 conference in Adelaide is now behind us. My congratulations to the Conference Planning Committee ably led by Barbara Lyndon; it was a fabulous conference, and I spent my time being congratulated on your hard work! Also thanks to the National Office staff, particularly Pam Richards, Caitlyn Rustem, Nicole Pantalleresco and Gail Mulcair for their work in ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all.

The passing of conference means that we have held our AGM and Awards Ceremony. Congratulations to this year’s award winners, Robyn Stephen (Service to Association), Alison Smith (Fellow), Helen Smith (Fellow) and Ros Neilson (Life Membership). There will be more on this in the August Speak Out . After such a successful conference this year, I cannot wait until next year’s conference! Speaking of which, the call for papers for our 2019 conference in beautiful balmy Brisbane opens this month! The 2019 conference is being co-hosted with our sister organisation, the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists' Association (NZSTA), who are coming over “the Ditch” to join us. It’s a great opportunity for you to present on your work and share and reflect with our Trans-Tasman colleagues. Please consider submitting. I hope that you find the time to read and enjoy this edition of Speak Out . It is the bulky woolly jumper edition, full of information about how to maximise your membership, how to use mentoring and supervision relationships well, meeting our new National Advisor, Aged Care – Kym Torresi, an update on the implications of the latest budget (beyond the TV analysis!), a great example of using a casuistry approach to an ethical dilemma, an update on policy and procedures manuals, the latest on the NDIS and more! Keep warm (unless you are in Northern Australia!).

Gaenor Dixon

Gaenor Dixon National President

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June 2018 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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