Speak Out draft text june 2016

Professional Development

New CPD Leaders for Queensland

My name is Sarah Goodman and I’m looking forward to taking on the shared role of CPD leader, together with Joanne Wilkinson, for the Qld Branch this year. The Queensland branch has been enthusiastic in providing high quality professional development in Brisbane and regional centres and we look forward to continuing in 2016. We are very fortunate to have our CPD Coordinator, Tricia Chardon, continuing to organise events for our committee. Tricia’s long experience with the group means she has a wealth of knowledge and history of CPD, which is invaluable in the planning of events. The Qld Branch has been committed to providing CPD not only for our city members, but also focuses on providing opportunities for our rural clinicians. Queensland is a vast state and we have members working in every corner of it. It is often far easier for members to

travel to regional centres such as Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and Hervey Bay. We have also held events at the Gold and Sunshine Coasts and Toowoomba. There is an increased level of organisation that is required to plan and execute these events and we are fortunate to have enthusiastic regional contacts assist in the process. Our meetings are ever evolving in ways to allow our regional coordinators to participate in regular meetings. We have embraced technology to utilise Skype and Google hangouts to connect with our regional members. Although it’s been wonderful to connect more regularly with our regional contacts, it is a shame that they unable to partake of the delicious ‘nibbles’ that arrive courtesy of our Brisbane committee members each month!

Sarah Goodman (top) and Joanne Wilkinson will share the role of QLD branch CPD leader.

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June 2016 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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