Meet Our Team

We respect & connect. We find the fun. We’re in it together. We hustle.

Ellie Thornycroft

Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP)
Director

Bachelor of Health Sciences
Master of Speech Pathology – La Trobe University
Orofacial Myology (AOMC)
It Takes Two To Talk – Hanen
Lidcombe Program
Little Learners Love Literacy
Sounds-Write
Cued Articulation
Colourful Semantics
Key Word Sign
Story Champs
Speech sound disorders
Stuttering
Literacy challenges
Neurodiversity-affirming practice
Telehealth service delivery
Beach walks
Pilates, running & boxing
Playing with her golden retrievers
• I grew up in country Victoria, in beautiful Daylesford
• I currently support the Wonder Words team remotely from Bronte, Sydney
• I’m a proud dog mum to two beautiful goldies and I’m also a (very soon) mum-to-be!

Joellee Nicholas

Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP)
Clinical Operations Manager

Bachelor of Science (Speech Pathology)
Advanced Certificate in DIRFloortime®
Hanen – It Takes Two to Talk
Mental Health First Aid
Accidental Counsellor PLUS - Lifeline x SPA
MIGDAS & ADOS Autism Assessment
Autism CRC National Guidelines Training
Michelle Bihary Clinical Supervision Training
Affirming Communication for Autistic Children Course - Adina Levy (Play Learn Chat)
Autism and ADHD - Attwood and Garnett
GLP and AAC - Meaningful Speech
Neuroaffirming practice
Autism assessment, intervention, and family support
Clinical mentoring
Leadership & systems
Morning runs/ pilates
Good coffee
Time with friends and family
Laughing and having a good time!
- Originally from Perth, WA
- Married a New Zealander who is a Collingwood supporter
- I can be bribed with a good glass of bubbles (or malteasers)

Samantha Salaoutis

Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP)
Clinical Lead

Bachelor of Applied Science, Master of Speech Pathology - La Trobe University
Speech Sound Interventions – Adventures in Speech Pathology
Liberator AAC Device Trial Training
Neurodiversity Affirming Practice Modules – Play.Learn.Chat
Colourful Semantics
Autism National Guideline Training – SPA
Ultimate Play-Based Speech Therapy Course
Project ImPACT Parent Coaching
Sounds Write Training
Autism & language
Literacy
School based service delivery
Clinical leadership
Service delivery models
Good coffee and a good book
Beach walks
Travel
- I lived and worked in London for 7 months
- I rewatch Friends every year
- My favourite place in Victoria is the Mornington Peninsula

Siaan Mason

Bachelor of Speech, Hearing and Language Sciences - Macquarie University
Master of Speech Pathology – University of Technology Sydney
It Takes Two To Talk – Hanen
Lidcombe Program
Oakville Stuttering Program
Sounds-Write (Literacy)
Colourful Semantics
Liberator AAC Training: Device Trial Planning
Early language development
Social communication
Stuttering intervention
Play-based therapy
AAC
Exploring new restaurants
Travelling
Soaking up the sunshine
Spending time with friends & family
- I was born and raised in Sydney
- I have two Australian Shepherds

Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) Clinical Supervisor

Bachelor of Arts & Health Sciences – La Trobe University
Master of Speech Pathology – University of Melbourne
Lidcombe Program
Sounds-Write
Key Word Sign
Liberator AAC Training
Story Champs
DIR Floortime
Fluency & stuttering
Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Literacy development
Neurodiversity-affirming therapy
Beach trips
Pilates
Restaurant exploration
Spending time with family & friends
- I am bilingual- and also know some French!
- I trained in dance for 8 years
- My favourite cuisine is Japanese

Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) Group Program Lead

Helin Baldemir

Bachelor of Arts – Monash University
Master of Applied Linguistics – University of Melbourne
Master of Speech Pathology – University of Melbourne
Lidcombe Program
Oakville Program
Sounds-Write
Story Champs
Meaningful Speech (Gestalt Language Processing)
Nuffield Dyspraxia Programme (NDP3®)
Liberator AAC Training
Early intervention
Gestalt language learning
Childhood Apraxia of Speech
AAC
Travel
Beach days
Monday night trivia
- I grew up in a little country town in Gippsland (but have been living in Melbourne for 10+ years).
- I’m an AFL fan and a proud supporter of the St Kilda football club!
- One of my favourite holidays was a trip to Samoa.

Registered Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP)

Emma Telford

Hannah Charlton

Bachelor of Speech Pathology – Australian Catholic University
Little Learners Love Literacy
Liberator AAC Training: ACCESS
Lidcombe Program
Amy Graham - Tackling Tricky Cases: Effective Treatment for Speech Sound Disorders
LAMP Words for Life - Liberator
Story Champs
Early language development
AAC
Speech & language support in specialist school settings
Speech sounds
Pilates
Exploring new restaurants
Reading
- I grew up in regional Victoria in South Gippsland.
- I worked in a special developmental school for three years.
- My favourite restaurant in Melbourne is Hochi Mama.

Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP)

Bachelor of Nursing – Monash University
Master of Speech Pathology – University of Melbourne
DIR Floortime
Liberator AAC Training: Device Trial Planning
Early intervention
Speech & language development
School-based service delivery
AAC
Spending time with friends & family
Exploring new restaurants
Travelling
- I worked as a nurse before becoming a speech pathologist, and I still work casually as a nurse!
- I am bilingual - I speak Sinhalese
- My comfort show is Grey’s Anatomy

Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP)

Vinuji “Vin” Leelarathna

Bachelor of Speech Pathology – Australian Catholic University
Hanen – It Takes Two to Talk
DIR Floortime
Early intervention
Speech & language development
AAC
Neurodivergent identities
Exercising
Travelling
Exploring restaurants
- I grew up on the Mornington Peninsula.
- I have travelled to 29 different countries.
- I grew up with a pet Chow Chow.

Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP)

Kiera Hardstone

Petena Ballis

Bachelor of Speech Pathology – Australian Catholic University
Orofacial Myology (AOMC)
Speech Sound Interventions – Adventures in Speech Pathology
Sounds-Write
Story Champs
Lidcombe Program
Colourful Semantics
Speech sound disorders
Orofacial Myology
School-based language
Literacy
Social communication
Neuro-affirming therapy
Going to the beach
Spending time with my pets
Exploring new cafes and restaurants
Travelling
- I played soccer for 14 years
- My favourite TV show is Friends, and I have watched it from start to finish too many times to count!
- I’m a mad Hawks supporter, and I try to get to as many games as I ca

Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP)

Bachelor of Nursing – Monash University
Master of Speech Pathology – University of Melbourne
Early language development
Speech sound disorders
Gestalt language learning
School-based support
Running and going to the gym
Time outdoors with my border collie
Spending time with family & friends
- I’m always keen to explore new hiking trails; my favourites are in New Zealand.
- I am a passionate Sydney Swans supporter.
- I love testing out new fitness challenges, currently on the CrossFit and Hyrox bandwagon!

Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP)

Rose Gilmour

Bachelor of Speech Pathology – Australian Catholic University
Hanen – It Takes Two to Talk
DIR Floortime
Language delay
Speech sound disorders
Autism & neurodivergent profiles
Children with co-occurring emotional/regulation needs
Staying active
Cooking
Spending time with loved ones
- I lived on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland for four years
- My favourite cuisine is Italian
- I love reading!

Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP)

Isabel Storm

Tessa Mutimer

Bachelor of Speech and Language Science/Master of Speech Pathology (currently completing) – Victoria University
AHA therapy sessions
Community-based support
School-based support
Yoga and pilates
Walks & bike rides
Spending time with family
Spending time at the beach
I love to sew! I have sewn pencil cases, clothing and table cloths!
I have a little doggy named Kevin

Allied Health Assistant | Speech Pathology Student

Bachelor of Speech Pathology (currently completing) – ACU
AHA support
Community & clinic-based sessions
Reading
Going to the movies with friends
Running and Gym
Travel
- I have worked in disability support and loved it!
- I’ve played soccer in the Junior and Women’s leagues.
- I have travelled to Thailand and Tahiti in the past two years.

Allied Health Assistant | Speech Pathology Student

Jordan Mackenzie

Bachelor of Speech Pathology – La Trobe University
AHA sessions
Early communication support
School-based support
Social communication support
Netball and running
Sewing
Reading
- I can understand (and speak a little bit of) French
- My favourite cuisine is Japanese
- The first Harry Potter movie is my comfort movie

Allied Health Assistant | Speech Pathology Student

Sophia Bolton

Monika Tregurtha

Background in Real Estate Administration & Customer Service
Certificate 3 in Hairdressing
Certificate 4 in Property Services
Operations & systems
Team coordination
Client journey oversight
Running/exercising
Being creative! Drawing/knitting/sewing
Camping and spending time outdoors
- I grew up on a dairy farm in New Zealand and moved to Australia at age 12
- I’m highly competitive, I grew up playing tennis and competing in gymnastics
- I’ve skydived and have cage dived with Great White Sharks

Practice Manager

Background in Early Childhood Education
Client experience
Family support
Front-of-house operations
Painting
Reading
Travel
Pilates
- I have a ragdoll cat called Mr Darcy
- I lived in the US when I was 7
- I don’t know how to drive
- I shaved my head in Uni

Client Experience & Culture Lead

Carmel O’Hair

Background in administration
Bachelor of Professional Communication – RMIT University
Client support
Administrative systems
Clinic coordination
Netball
Exploring new food spots
Travelling
Spending time with her dog
- I have played the violin, saxophone and drums, and am currently trying to learn songs on the harmonica!
- New Zealand is one of my favourite places to travel, and I have been twice in the last 4 years