Meet Our Speechies
Melinda Cassells
Mel is our senior therapist with over 27 years experience. She has a special knack of knowing just what a child needs to do to make that big leap forward. She loves to watch children blossom into all they can be. It could be her learning struggles at school or that her brain just thinks differently but she has a way of approaching learning that works. As the author of sounds-letters she is often working with schools from around the state to share her knowledge of teaching children to read and spell. Her passion for helping all children achieve their full potential means that she works with Kim, Nikkita, Rachel, Brendan, Jenn and Rebecca to ensure that all clients are achieving their best.
Kim Hollander
Kim developed a genuine understanding of what children with speech and language difficulties experience through her own personal journey with meningitis when at the age of 4 she had to relearn to talk. She loves working with children, where the child’s enjoyment is the key to helping them succeed. She’s not afraid to be silly or creative when helping children reach their goals. She loves being creative so much that she got a degree in Creative Industries before turning her energies to speech therapy. Kim’s returned to Australia after working in London in a specialist Autism Speech Therapy role. She enjoys working with children of all ages.
Nikkita English
Nikki started her journey to speech therapy by winning a scholarship to study in America. An injury forced her to return to Redcliffe and despite having completed two years of study, being inspired by the leaders of our profession, Nikki had to restart her studies from the beginning. Her tenacity got her a job here and we kept her passion burning through the years of lectures and assessments but it was hard for her to sit on the sidelines. After such a long journey Nikki loved getting right into therapy. Fast forward a few years later and we are so excited Nikki has returned. She brings her passion, smile, excitement and energy to all the children she sees.
Rachel Hine
Rachel began life and study in New South Wales, though it didn’t take long for Queensland to win her over – except at Origin time! Go the Cockroaches! After university she spent a few years working in sunny Rockhampton and has now settled in Brisbane and life on the peninsula. She loves working alongside parents to cheer kids on and support them in their communication abilities, whether this is related to speech, language, fluency, literacy or social language development. Rachel gets so excited seeing children of all ages reach their individual goals, and this is what she loves most about being a speechie!
Brendan Tunbridge
Brendan was born to be a speechie. His mother was a Speech Pathologist but she told him not to become one. Like the good guy he is he listened to his mum and completed his studies in something totally different but once he graduated he knew it wasn’t for him. Fortunately for us he listened to his heart and followed his dreams and the rest is history. Brendan has an energetic offsider called Bailey, a spoodle. Brendan definitely has a green thumb and is also a bit of a Picasso.
Jennifer Payten
Jenn is the mum of two gorgeous boys and three amazing bonus kids with her very own Brady Bunch. She started her studies when her youngest was a bub. It takes a super determined person to study full time and be a mum of two active boys. Don’t be fooled by her quiet demeanor she has a wicked sense of humour. She loves being outdoors, gardening and enjoys kayaking. Jenn has a diverse background in beauty and business before she found her passion for helping others. She loves working as a speechie.
Rebecca Musgrave
Rebecca has a wide range of interests from dancing to fixing up old cars and restoring furniture. She has two dogs who couldn’t be more different from each other. Rebecca loves to work with families to empower her clients and help achieve their goals.
All our Speechies are Certified Practicing Speech Pathologists and members of Speech Pathology Australia,
registered for Medicare and private health rebates.
Meet Our Office Angels
Jayde Underwood
Jayde has just completed her Bio med degree and is assessing her next step. With a possible future in Speech Pathology. Her mum is a Speech Pathologist and what can I say it runs in the family. She’s here to find the right therapist and the right appointment time for you.
Our office angels keep everything ticking. They will try to find you an appointment in the diary that best suits your needs. They watch over siblings and babies leaving you free to concentrate on therapy with your child.
Meet Our Speechettes
Our speechettes are helping in the office with administration tasks and helping the speechies when they need a hand. They are all studying Speech Pathology at University.
Shannon Johnson
Ashleigh Olive
Meet Our Therapy Dogs
Hamish
Hamish is quiet and reserved. He still loves pats but often likes his own space.
Hamish and Murphy are therapy dogs in training. Currently Hamish and Murphy are working with Melinda. Let us know if you think your child will not like meeting Hamish and Murphy and we will make sure that they are in another room.
Hamish and Murphy are spoodles who don’t drop hair and have a low allergy coat.
Murphy
Murphy is adorable and a little excitable. He loves firm strong pats and massages. He loves to lick.