Speak Out December 2020

Branch News

SLP2B: Inspiring future speechies By Bridgett James and Wendy Kuo

Victoria

Speech Pathology Australia, Victorian Branch student portfolio held our first online, student event for aspiring speech pathologists from 17 August to 17 September. We transformed this traditionally face-to-face conference to an online platform due to this year’s COVID-19 restrictions. This new format did not diminish our event’s impact but enhanced it. Presenters from across Australia brought a wealth of knowledge, sharing their expertise and years of experience.

closing with some advice on how to be successful in their area. Advice included how to write an eye-catching curriculum vitae, how to handle challenges, and the importance of resilience. This event furnished a platform for speech pathology client, Simon Oakley who shared his post-stroke experiences. During his presentation, he shared his feelings and how, following his stroke, he felt "confused and anxious". This provided our soon-to-be professionals with some insight into what clients experience during the recovery process. Simon also discussed what professionals should be mindful of when working with individuals experiencing communication disability. We received overwhelming positive feedback for this event from both viewers and presenters. “I found it interesting and have shared with friends who have children studying Speech, with great positive feedback,” said one viewer. Similar sentiments were conveyed by participants: “I really enjoyed talking with [students], and watching the presentations given by your other guest presenters. Congratulations on organising such a professional, informative and inspiring event!” Victorian Branch representative student group thanks all the presenters who shared their time and insights and who provided guidance to future professionals in the community. And we thank Camille Paynter for her ongoing support of the student portfolio.

VIC 2833 members as at November 2020

‘Speech Language Pathologist To Be 2020: Communicating with Confidence’ saw over a thousand

student participants. The presenters— Eleanor Frances, Teena Caithness, Jane McCormack, Sarah Lobegeiger de Rodriguez, Sharynne McLeod, Danielle Czapnik, Kathryn McKinley, and Pamela Snow—discussed Augmentative and Alternative Communication, academia, acute and

community care, lifelong disability and education, also paediatric speech and language therapy and voice intervention. In addition, these presenters shared their personal perspectives and elaborated on their expertise during a Q&A session hosted by the Victorian Branch student representatives. Each presenter reflected on their time as a student, where they thought their career would take them, and how their career evolved over time, before finally

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Speak Out | December 2020