Thank you for helping children find their voice
Thanks to your incredible generosity during last year’s Gifting Day, the Speech Pathology Early Intervention for Rural and Regional Children (SPEIR) program is making a profound difference for young children and families in rural and regional New South Wales.
Alumna, Annelise Romer, was part of the SPEIR program in 2024. Growing up in Forster, NSW, she knows first-hand the profound impact access to allied health services can have on families desperate to get help for their children.
“Allied health services in my town were limited and rare – so I know how valuable the support provided through SPEIR is for a lot of families that would not otherwise have the opportunity to access speech pathology services,” says Annelise.
SPEIR places final-year Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) students into regional playgroups in low socio-economic areas under the supervision of an experienced speech pathologist.
The playgroups provide a welcoming space for children aged 0–5 to learn, play and connect while identifying children who may benefit from further support, early intervention and sharing practical communication strategies with parents and carers.
Enabling access, developing skills
Access to speech pathology services in rural and regional communities is limited, with long waitlists and few practitioners. Without timely support, communication difficulties can lead to persistent academic and social challenges. SPEIR bridges that gap, ensuring children receive help when it matters most.
For students, the experience is equally transformative. They gain hands-on skills in real-world settings, develop cultural understanding, and witness first-hand the impact of their profession on children’s futures. Many return to these communities after graduation, helping to address the shortage of regional practitioners.
A community effort
Thank you to all our wonderful Gifting Day donors, Staff Donor Collective members, the Vonwiller Foundation, Aspen Medical Foundation, Calleo Indigenous and Mission Australia. Your support has enabled more families to receive life-changing speech pathology services.
Early speech and language development lays the foundation for a child’s future learning and wellbeing. Thank you to all our donors for giving young children the chance to develop confidence, connection and communication tools for the best possible start in life – and our students the real-world experience they need."
Dr Gwendalyn Webb
Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Science (Speech Pathology)
M Arts, 2007
If you would like to find a community program to support that aligns with your values, please contact 02 4921 8612 or email donor-relations@newcastle.edu.au
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.