Speak Out August 2013

Member Awards 2013

C ouncil was extremely proud to present awards in the following categories at the 2013 AGM held on the Gold Coast. Council’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. Elinor Wray Award Instituted in 1981 to honour the founder of the speech pathology profession in Australia, the Elinor Wray Award is granted for outstanding contribution to the profession. The contribution of the nominee is clinical or project-orientated and encompasses: innovations in diagnostic, assessment or treatment procedures; promotion of speech pathology to government, the community or other professionals; and research or student training. Council was pleased to recognise an outstanding recipient of this award in Susan Woodward.

• Models to enhance communication within Member Networks were discussed. Following the success of the ‘APPropriate Apps’ community Council decided to launch online communities for each of the Member Networks at the National Conference. • The following clinical documents were ratified for release to the membership: > Videofluroscopic Swallow Study Clinical Guideline > Tracheostomy Clinical Guideline, and > Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Position Statement. These will be made available on the website soon. The next Council meeting will be held in conjunction with a strategic planning workshop from 9–11 August 2013. Gail Mulcair Chief Executive Officer Welcome to our new Council members Welcome to Professor Deborah Theodoros , the incoming President. Prof Theodoros will be Telerehabilitation Research Unit at the University of Queensland. Prof Theodoros is well known for her work in telepractice, specifically multidisciplinary telerehabilitation for assessment and intervention with neurogenic communication disorders. Prof Theodoros has researched and published extensively on the assessment and intervention for adult motor speech disorders. She has also pounded the pavements of Paris in search of Broca’s Brain. Prof Theodoros brings to the role a vision for the future of the profession and the skills to lead the Association to a position as a strong advocate for the speech pathology profession. We look forward to working with her. 2010 Elinor Wray Award winner Teena Caithness has joined Council in 2013. Teena brings to the role stepping into the President’s role in September 2013. Prof Theodoros is the Head of the Division of Speech Pathology within the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, and co-director of the

Susan Woodward Susan has demonstrated outstanding achievement in facilitating the establishment of speech therapy training and services in Vietnam, as well as that of a volunteer program that supports many Australian speech pathologists working as clinical educators and lecturers in Vietnam. Susan’s work in Vietnam has led to 17 graduates with more in training and ten new speech therapy clinics across the country.

To support and fund these projects, Susan established the Trinh Foundation Australia, which raises funds and directly supports the Vietnam speech therapy program. As a Director of the Trinh Foundation Australia, Susan undertakes the majority of the fundraising, liaising with various Vietnamese government departments and universities, as well as with Australian Volunteers International, and briefing and debriefing the Australian volunteers. Susan is recognised as the driving force behind the achievements of the Trinh Foundation Australia. To date 40 Australian speech pathologists have completed placements as clinical educators or lecturers in Vietnam. The experience of volunteering for the Trinh Foundation changes the lives of Australian speech pathologists as well as those of the Vietnamese students, graduates and clients they work with. None of this would be possible without Susan’s vision, leadership, passion and persistence. Susan is the embodiment of grassroots commitment to improving the lives of people with communication and swallowing disorders and the practical leadership it takes to ensure these needs are addressed. It is for her vision, leadership and extensive work in supporting the emerging profession of speech pathology in Vietnam, and her endeavours at home in ensuring that the work in Vietnam has impacts and benefits for the profession in Australia, that Susan was awarded the Elinor Wray Award.

previous board experience and high level project management experience. Teena has an interest in assisting with research and has jointly published book chapters. Recognised with the NSW’s Premier’s Public Sector

Award for Fairness and Opportunity in 2009, Teena has advocated for speech pathology and the needs of people with complex communication needs throughout her career. We look forward to working with Teena this year. Gaenor Dixon Vice President Communications

Speak Out August 2013

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