Speak Out OCTOBER 2021 DIGITAL EDITION

Association NEWS

From the President

It’s October. We have new slogans to contend with, and “living with the new normal” is possibly well past its sell-by date. But let’s look at this new normal for SPA. Here’s a fun fact for you. In March 2020, we had 10,037 members. Now, 18 months later, we’ve finalised our membership renewals and we’re 12,245 strong. My arithmetic is pretty ordinary, but by my estimate, that means that 20% of SPA members joined during the COVID era. And here’s something I learnt about our profession over the past year or so: we really thrive on optimism. We enter our professional environments, and every day we establish that we are going to make things better. We’re introducing or re- learning communication goals, or we’re here to make mealtimes a safer and more enjoyable experience. Perhaps we’re pushing research, again, always wanting to make the world better for vulnerable people. Let’s throw this fact and presumption together. There’s a fifth of our membership who joined during a pandemic, and we’re bound together with a spirit of optimism. Sure, it’s being put to the test now, particularly in Melbourne and Sydney. But it still exists. The Association is the place to refuel if you are feeling low, or just needing that bit of inspiration. If you’ve never been to a Branch meeting, today is the day to find out when the next one is occurring. Speak Out has always been a “pick-me- up” place, and this issue of Speak Out is yet another bumper edition. Yes okay, quite a lot of us are working under restrictions, including National Office staff, but no one stopped. We’ve just passed the midpoint of our current Strategic Plan, and so it’s timely for us to let you know where we stand. You’ll find some of our accomplishments over the past 18 months listed under how we have advanced our Voice, our Impact, and our Workforce. We also are into the next phase of our Reconciliation Action Plan. Launching this online meant that we were able to include the voices of our members, our trusted

advisors, our Branches, and that of MP Ken Wyatt. This plan further looks to address reconciliation within our organisation and changing our professional culture towards a place that has no tolerance for systemic prejudice or racism. October is the month in which books and mental health swing firmly in focus. October is Mental Health month, and if we are to do our jobs well, we need to prioritise being at our best. To be “work ready”, you’ll find articles here on telepractice, professional support, remote work, reducing stress and burnout, and finding support. Mental Health Australia encourages all Australians to make a mental health promise, and I hope that after reading these articles, you’ll perhaps be a bit clearer on what your own personal promise might be. And of course, we’re all about books, with the winning Books of the Year announced, following our upcoming Speechie Library Talks running in 150 libraries over November. It is still the month in which we progress our position further. Thank you to those members who will give their time in November to meet parents and librarians and share our love of books. On a personal note, I’m feeling a little bit of personal guilt. This month I’ve been able to take a holiday, and escape for a bit of warmth. I’m very much aware that it is a few more months until everyone might be able to do the same. But for now, I’m writing this column on Larrakia country, sitting at the waterfront, with a fantastic view of the Darwin Convention Centre. I can’t help but imagine that alternative universe in which we all met for the SPA Conference this year. It would have been incredible. I’m filled with the hope that we do get to have an amazing conference experience, in a not- locked-down-Melbourne. Seven months and counting. We’ll be able to meet this incredible new 20% of pandemic members. We just need to keep that optimism flowing.

Tim Kittel

Tim Kittel National President

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Speak Out | October 2021