About Your Therapists
Communication... we're enriched!Your Speech & Language Pathologists
Rosalie Martin
Speech & Language Pathologist
Founder & Director
Graduating waaay back in 1984, I knew I was heading into a working life in a valuable helping profession. But I could not have predicted then what I know now. That I have loved every minute of being a speech pathologist. That supporting communication is to support flourishing; and to support what it is to be human. That reciprocity is truly reciprocal; so the joy of a person making achievements in language and connection become joy for everyone in the interaction. It is work that nourishes all.
I had a few public jobs in my early career, then started working privately when my two sons began school. I wanted the flexibility to go to their sports carnivals and to do ‘mother’s help’. But I found that working privately served in other ways well beyond personal flexibility. I have learned broad horizons for what is possible in service delivery. And now I work amongst creative, imaginative, big-hearted people whose willingness to expand themselves and their practice in their clients’ best interests is… well… inspirational!
I love working with people of all ages with language, literacy and social communication challenges. I’ve learned how to teach people to express and connect and read.
These skills are expansive in people’s lives; they matter for justice in our world. Justice for the individual most certainly; but also for justice across all of society – for society is its people. There’s just us.
Linda McKillop
Speech & Language Pathologist
I first came to Tasmania in 1987, newly graduated from Curtin University in W.A. I fell in love with this beautiful state, and my new profession – cementing my passion in working with school-aged children in collaboration with their parents and teachers through my first job working with the Department of Education.
Family took me back to the mainland before returning here in 2005. During these years I worked in community health, private practice and in student supervision. Working with the kind, dynamic, diverse and committed team of colleagues at SPT since 2005 has been such a pleasure.
The complex inter-relationship of oral and written language has fascinated me since my earliest years as a speech pathologist. My love of reading, and that – in the words of Dr Seuss – “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go” has lead me to further training, building strong expertise in helping children with dyslexia and other language-based learning difficulties, using evidence-based instruction, including Orton-Gillingham multisensory principles (MSL: Multi-sensory Structured Language therapy). I am also an Accredited Orton-Gillingham practitioner and Accredited Member of the Australian Dyslexia Association and its Tasmania advisor.
What a privilege to be able to be able to provide a fun, engaging, secure environment for students to develop oral and written communication skills, and share in so many life-changing results with students of all ages. A photo shared by parents of a child curled up with a book, who once struggled to read a single word, brings pure joy.
Mariam Seeney
Speech & Language Pathologist
It has been wonderful to bring a diverse background of skills and experiences to my work as a speech pathologist. In 2000, I obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Linguistics/Applied Linguistics), and then spent several years pursuing creative interests as a performer and artist before being drawn back to my passion for speech and language. At first this was in a career teaching English as a Foreign Language, both in Australia and abroad; and then moving into the field of speech pathology. I completed Masters in Speech Pathology at the University of Qld in 2008. Since then I have worked in developmental speech and language supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families using play-based and relationship-based interventions.
My strong interests are in voice therapy and accent modification, for which I have undertaken Estill voice training, as well as drawing on my skills as a singer and language teacher. I am also a mother of two, a gardener and occasional performer.
Join Mariam for Voice Care Essentials or ask us about her weekly Voice Clinic.
Andrea Burt
Speech & Language Pathologist
I was born and raised in Hobart, leaving to attend university in Sydney. Since graduating 32 years ago I have worked as a paediatric speech pathologist in New South Wales and Queensland, in both community health settings and private practice.
I’m very happy to be back in Tasmania with my family and working part-time within Speech Pathology Tasmania’s large, supportive team of clinicians with a diverse range of skills.
I enjoy assessing and working with children with communication difficulties and their families & have particular interest and expertise with preschoolers.
Catherine Wood
Speech & Language Pathologist
I was lucky enough to meet Rosie through a mutual friend when I was 14, otherwise I would never have known about the amazing and fulfilling profession that is Speech Pathology. Rosie kindly let me do some work experience with her as I finished high school and then off I went to the University of Queensland to be trained!
Upon graduating in 2012, Rosie offered me a job on the North West Coast of Tasmania. Now I work as a generalist speech pathologist in Burnie and Devonport, with fortnightly/monthly outreach clinics to Launceston, Smithton, and Queenstown. I work with children, adults, and families who have all types of communication support needs. Working for a supportive team such as SPT means that there’s always another speech pathologist to talk to or training to go to, so I never stop learning.
I love the variety that my work brings into my life, both in scenery and with the children, families, and schools that I work with. My most rewarding moments come from being a part of the team that is supporting a child to have success in all areas of life, and watching how relationships full of love and trust drive communication development.
Sheila Steele
Speech & Language Pathologist
I first knew that I wanted a career working with communication impairments when I sketched out a basic choice board for a man with autism who I worked with as a support worker: it was a revelation to see his eyes light up as he was suddenly enabled. I completed my training as a Speech and Language Therapist in London, in 2008. I also have an undergraduate degree in Psychology, so I have always been interested in underlying neurology and cognition, and over the years I have furthered this area of special interest by working with adults with brain injury. I have also worked in primary schools, and a range of more unusual voluntary settings and countries too, which has given me the opportunity to meet extremely resilient and inspiring individuals, families, and communities. I have always felt that it is an absolute privilege to be a Speech Pathologist, and I have felt very lucky to have had this wide range of opportunities, which has led me to be a generalist clinician today.
I now have my own children, which has given me another perspective on the many facets of child development. Much of my spare time is therefore spent reading to my children, and I am passionate about literacy and an enjoyment of reading and writing.
I am very excited to be joining such an enthusiastic and supportive team at Speech Pathology Tasmania, and to be part of the networks in the NW of Tasmania.
Rebecca Limmer
Speech & Language Pathologist
I completed my Masters in Speech Pathology at Curtin, Western Australia and was lucky enough to be welcomed into the wonderful SPT family at the beginning of 2019. Having split my time between Western Australia and Tasmania previously, it’s great to be back full time surrounded by the beautiful Tasmanian Wilderness.
My first exposure to the world of Speech Pathology occurred in the Disability Sector, where I was supporting adults with acquired brain injuries. This work provided an opportunity to transition to working with children with a range of disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder. During my studies, I continued to work in this sector and discovered a passion for helping children. It was so rewarding to see children and adults become empowered to communicate in ways not previously possible. I had no idea of how vast and multi-faceted communication, and as a result, the role of Speech Pathology is and I was hooked.
I currently work as a generalist clinician and love working closely alongside a range of children, adults and their families towards reaching their communication goals. I have a particular interest in supporting children with Autism to build their language and social communication skills. I also have a keen interest in supporting children to develop their literacy skills.
Claire Arthur
Speech & Language Pathologist
I’m another local Tasmanian therapist who grew up in the foothills of Cradle Mountain. I lived and studied for four years at LaTrobe University in Bendigo, before returning to the North-West Coast to work for the local Education Department. After two and a half years I decided I was ready for a pace change, put my career on hold, and went to work as an English teacher in Japan.
During my two years in Japan I taught English classes for students from Grade 1-9 in a small, farming community. I also had the opportunity to develop an English phonics curriculum for the primary school English program in Nagasaki City and provide a number of professional development workshops in conjunction with Nagasaki University.
Upon returning to Tasmania in late 2018 I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into the Speech Pathology Tasmania team. I’m currently working as a generalist speech pathologist, with a keen interest in the areas of language and fluency (stuttering). I love to play games (even though I always seem to lose) and can confidently say that I have the best collection of soft, fluffy toys in the clinic. When I’m not popping pirates and building beetles, I enjoy theatre, traveling and dabbling in a little freelance Japanese-English translating.
Lyn Rheinlander
Speech & Language Pathologist
Hello, I’ve joined the wonderful team at SPT after relocating from WA. I am a generalist speech and language pathologist and enjoy working with people of all ages in all settings, with experience in both community health and private practice.
Although I became a speech & language therapist at a mature-age, my early career in child development, adult education and literacy and in advocacy of vulnerable communities has provided me with rich experience to draw from and to understand the social, developmental and academic barriers and obstacles that hold people back from reaching their full potential.
While I have worked as a speech therapist in the areas of literacy, learning disorders, fluency, speech and language, I have a keen personal interest in developmental speech-sound disorders and language delay arising from hearing loss. At five years old I was diagnosed with congenital profound deafness in my left ear. Literacy was my crutch and support in my own language development – learning the meaning and context of words through reading often before actually speaking them, so I am a strong advocate for literacy development and the importance of play.
I am passionate about delivering high quality, equitable and accessible specialist services for all, believing that every individual has the right to be heard, to be able to express their needs and ideas, and to feel secure and cherished in their relationships – to progress, flourish and achieve independence. Everyone has worth and no-one should be left behind!
Shannon Aschmann
Speech & Language Pathologist
(Australian Registration Pending)
I graduated with a BA (Speech and Hearing Therapy) from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg in 1996. I soon found my place and my passion as a speech therapist at a school for children with learning disabilities in Gauteng, South Africa.
The main focus of my work at the school was language and literacy development, providing various levels of support to learners from Grade 1 to Matric. It was most rewarding to watch them grow from little children to young adults, and help them to get ready to make their way in the world.
I was privileged to work as part of a dynamic multidisciplinary team which included teachers, remedial therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, social workers, counsellors and a paediatric neurologist within the school setting. Inspired by this diverse team, I completed my honours in Psychology, as well as a postgraduate diploma in education, focusing on learners with barriers to learning and development.
In 2020 we decided to move our family of 5 to Australia and were fortunate to secure a Regional State Sponsored Skills visa to Tasmania within a year, despite Covid delays and disruptions. We arrived in Tasmania in June 2021 and have settled in Kingston. We are loving our new home and spend our weekends exploring the beauty of Tasmania.
I am excited to join the Speech Pathology Tasmania team, and look forward to learning and growing in my new role.
Rachael Kavanagh
Speech & Language Pathologist
Hello, I’m Rachael! After spending all of my life on the Gold Coast in Queensland, my partner and I have made the big decision to move to the beautiful state of Tasmania! We are so excited to explore (and taste) everything Tassie has to offer.
I graduated from my Master of Speech Pathology at Griffith University in 2020. Prior to this, I completed my Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Psychological Science. Since then, I have worked as a generalist speech pathologist predominantly in the NDIS space.
Throughout my schooling, I was always the one in trouble for chatting too much in classes. Although I could have chosen my timing better, it was always clear that I had a passion for communication whether it be for social, occupational or academic purposes, and how lucky was I to be able to communicate with such ease? I believe that language and communication is at the heart of everything we do in our daily lives and this is why I feel so strongly about helping my clients and their families identify what is most important to them and to achieve their communication goals.
My particular interest lies in helping children with early language acquisition and literacy skills.
I am so excited to be part of the amazing SPT team!
Ashleigh Fife
Speech & Language Pathologist
Hi everyone. I have newly arrived in the beautiful state of Tasmania, having grown up in different areas of Victoria and graduating from La Trobe university in 2016. After graduating I began working for the Department of Education; first in early intervention and then for an Autism school.
I’ve always been fascinated with language and first became interested in the speech pathology profession as a child when my younger brothers were engaged in speech therapy, I thought it looked like so much fun!
I first became acquainted with Tasmania when my parents moved here a few years ago and gradually fell more in love with the place as time went on. I have always admired the work of Rosie, and Speech Pathology Tasmania so moving to work for this wonderful practice seemed like the perfect opportunity.
I believe language is what makes the world accessible, and it brings me so much pleasure to help people of all ages to reach their communication goals.
I have a particular interest in working with people who have complex communication needs, including autism, as well as supporting language and literacy development for people of all ages.
I’m so pleased to begin working with the wonderful team at Speech Pathology Tasmania.
Helen Keen
Speech & Language Pathologist
Hello, I’m Helen. I graduated in 2016, then spent the next few years working with adults with a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders.
One of my favourite parts of the role was supporting adults with Aphasia, an acquired language disorder which affects the person’s ability to speak or understand language. These clients showed me the immeasurable value of being able to communicate effectively. We worked collaboratively to tackle their difficulties so that they could do the things that mattered most to them. Many of these clients told me it was the perceived ‘small things’ that had made the biggest difference in their lives… like having the confidence to make small talk with the neighbour, or simply being able to order their coffee independently.
I hugely enjoyed this work, and when I moved to Tasmania in 2020, I knew I wanted to branch out and begin working with younger people too. Joining the wonderful team at SPT has enabled me to pursue my interests in literacy and social communication skills.
Above all, my absolute passion in Speech Pathology is working with people who stutter. I have completed specialist training in treating stuttering in adults and children, namely using the Van Riper approach (which is popular in the UK) and the Lidcombe Program.
Ask us about Helen’s NDIS Meal Management Clinic.
Amber Haverstock
Speech & Language Pathologist
Amber enjoys early intervention work with very young children and working with young adults on functional life skills.
She began her career as a speech therapist working in California’s school districts before moving into the medical side of speech pathology. While working with patients in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, Amber gained a lot of experience with head injuries, strokes, and swallowing,
After becoming a mum, Amber wanted to try something new – she was keen to work more in paediatrics and try private practice. Relocating to Tasmania (via Sydney) with her Aussie husband and young daughter enabled this to happen when Amber joined the SPT team at the start of 2021. Her softly spoken presence and particular skillset are an asset to our team and clients.
Nicola Galloway
Speech & Language Pathologist
My introduction to speech pathology came when my father heard Rosie speaking on local radio about one of her projects. Knowing I had a passion for languages and reading, he downloaded the podcast and sent it to me. Who knew that in a few years’ time I would be working with that very same Rosie at Speech Pathology Tasmania!
Upon completing my degree in arts and science in Hobart, I moved to Adelaide to begin my masters of speech pathology at Flinders University, which I completed in 2021. While at university I was fortunate to study Indonesian language in Indonesia and do some English teaching there. This experience inspired me to then provide English tutoring to international students of all ages. During this time, I also completed levels 1-3 of community level Auslan through Expression Australia and Sign Language Australia.
During my final year of study in Adelaide, I was given the wonderful opportunity to take up a position at Speech Pathology Tasmania, where I am working as a generalist speech pathologist. I particularly enjoy working with school-age children and teenagers to improve their literacy and communication skills. I also have an interest in helping people with Autism achieve their communication and language goals, and in working with multilingual clients.
Outside of speech pathology, I enjoy bushwalking and swimming. I am also an avid reader and enjoy trying my hand at learning other languages.
I am delighted to now be a part of such a welcoming, caring and knowledgeable team, and am excited to see where my work at Speech Pathology Tasmania takes me.
Kate Pile
Orton Gillingham Educator
Hi I’m Kate! I’m very excited to be part of the team at SPT employed as an Orton Gillingham Educator. I work alongside children and their families using evidence-based instruction to unlock the mysteries of literacy. I have a strong interest and desire to help children with dyslexia and other literacy difficulties.
I completed my Bachelor of Teaching at UTAS and have subsequently worked for many years in the education sector in Tasmania in a range of roles. I love working with children and find it highly rewarding, challenging and so much fun.
My particular interest in the literacy field was piqued when I had a very personal experience in my own family. Watching my child struggle to read, write and spell was at times challenging and confusing.
I embarked on a professional and personal journey to explore the benefits of Multisensory Structured Language Therapy. Initially I undertook the Spalding Multisensory Instruction of Language Arts training, and then the Yoshimoto Orton Gillingham course, delivered by Linda McKillop. I was totally inspired following the OG course and that’s when I began exploring the possibility of working at SPT. Luckily that exploration led to a job!
When I’m not working I’m madly trying to keep up with my energetic young family and our bonkers puppy. Typically bushwalking, mountain biking, swimming and the odd bit of gardening.
Marshall Roberts
Orton Gillingham Educator
Hi, I’m Marshall. My interest in the Orton-Gillingham language approach began when I started to look in to ways in which I could support my step-daughter who had been diagnosed with Dyslexia.
Fed up with an education system that I felt was letting children down, I took a deep-dive into the science of literacy to find ways that I could support both my step-daughters.
I spent many hours reading on my own the best ways to help them, and underwent Orton-Gillingham training with SPT’s own Linda McKillop in August of 2022, and with Ron Yoshimoto in November 2022. The girls and I worked together with their mum (who has also since trained with Linda), for 40 minutes a day to help support their learning through the Orton-Gillingham (OG) approach. I’ve found OG so successful that I’m now vigorously campaigning for structured literacy instruction to be used more widely in schools.
Since I became trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach, I’ve also joined the Code REaD Dyslexia Network Board and started working with clients outside of my two step-daughters.
When I’m not here, I’m a cattle farmer and you’ll likely find me on the farm.
I’m working two days a week in the clinic here at SPT and I look forward to meeting you soon.
Li Jager
Speech Therapy Assistant
Hi – I’m Li. I am currently studying towards a Master of Speech Pathology through the University of Tasmania and am working as a Speech Pathology Assistant with the wonderful and inspiring team at Speech Pathology Tasmania.
My interest in language and communication started young – I learned (rudimentary!) Mandarin as a little person and growing up I longed to travel the world and work as a translator. I also spent some time in Taiwan teaching English to kindergarten children and it was a joy to be part of helping my students expand their world through a new language.
Prior to following this new career path, with a Bachelor of Commerce under my belt, I worked for 25 years mostly in business management roles – HR, project management, budget and risk management and strategic planning. I developed my communication skills as a positive and future focused leader, an engaging teacher and a clear and kind communicator.
After a process of deep reflection, I realised that I needed to better align my career path with my personal values of learning, community, relationships and doing meaningful work and Speech Pathology is where I landed. I am so excited to be able to work, to be guided and to support the amazing team at Speech Pathology Tasmania.
I also get daily “feedback” from my two sons – who teach me every day, with humour and love, how to better connect and communicate. I have confidence that my parenting experience will greatly assist me in my work.
Our lives are built on and enhanced by our ability to connect and communicate. To be able to help people improve their ability and their confidence to communicate is so meaningful and I cannot wait to be part of the community of speech pathologists in Tasmania that are doing this important work.
Your Support Team
Alison Vince
Office Lead
Alison is your warm, wonderful and organised Receptionist and Office Manager at SPT. She has stickers and surprises in the top drawer for the little ones, and ready smiles and conversation for everyone. It is likely that Alison will be the voice on the phone when you call and the first person you’ll meet when you come in.
Leeanne Garvin
Admin Assistant
Leeanne is your wonderful part-time but fully-present member of the reception team. If you call on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, it is likely to be her voice that you will hear. It’s guaranteed that you’ll be greeted with an abundance of smiles and a generous spirit.
Sharon Breen
Business Lead
Coming from a family of accountants and having married one as well, Sharon says accounting is in her blood! She is skilled at helping organisations focus on their vision and bringing team members together to meet their goals.
Having worked in both the commercial and not-for-profit sectors in the areas of public practice, property and health, Sharon can help us align the vision of SPT to ensure that every Tasmanian has access to speech pathology services.
“SPT’s values align closely with my own. The value of kindness especially resonates with me, as I always say to my children Be Kind.” Says Sharon.
Having grown up in Sydney, Sharon moved to Tassie when she married a local. Together they have two teenage kids who’ve represented the state in various sporting and musical abilities. When she’s not acting as family Uber driver Sharon loves spending time with the family, relaxing at their shack and reading historical fiction and murder mysteries.
Renee Garvin
Communications Lead
A gentle spirit and powerhouse ‘doer’, Renee has a gift for communication and ensuring you have all the information that you may need at your fingertips, before you even know you need it. You can count on Renee to keep you informed, aware and on top of everything going on in and around the clinic.
While Renee is away on maternity leave until early 2024, our communications are currently being managed by Kate Cawthorn.
Joy Roach
Admin Assistant
Joy is our full-time Admin Assistant. Joy has many years’ experience serving customers and clients around Tasmania in various industries, including most recently in an admin role within the Justice sector. She brings a people-centred approach to serving clients both in-person and on the phone. Joy loves people and looks forward to welcoming clients and answering your queries. We are pleased to welcome her to our team.
Kate Cawthorn
Projects & Marketing Lead
Kate oversees all projects that are run thorugh our clinic, including the Circle of Security Program, Bush Adventure Therapy, Orton-Gillingham training and more. Kate comes to us from a coaching background, and brings experience in programs and operations management in the field of public and professional speaking education.
Kate is with us part time on Monday – Thursday, and can help you with all programs related enquiries.