Adele Petrie
Occupational Therapist
My training includes a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Occupational Therapy) from AUT in 2007 and a Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical Rehabilitation from the University of Otago in 2009.
After graduating I worked for Waitemata DHB in Children’s Rehabilitation Services at the Wilson Centre and their Child Development Service. Across these settings, I worked with children with a wide range of disabilities, for example, Brain and Spinal Cord Injury, Stroke, Cerebral Palsy, and a range of other developmental and neurodegenerative disorders.
After working in Auckland for three years I moved to the UK, where I worked further in paediatrics in both acute and community settings. In 2012, I moved to Melbourne, where I gained experience working in an adult rehabilitation setting as well as working in neurosciences and oncology at The Royal Children’s Hospital. While working in Melbourne my passion for assistive technology was sparked when I was successful in securing a philanthropic grant to develop a service reducing barriers to young children, with physical disabilities, by introducing early powered mobility. Using a Wizzybug (a powered wheelchair), physical barriers were reduced, children were able to explore their environments and this allowed them more opportunities for cognitive and communication development.
In 2019, I moved back to my hometown of Ōtautahi, where I have worked at the CDHB in Adult Stroke Rehabilitation and Community Services, before moving to TalkLink in early 2021.
I’m passionate about the use of Assistive Technology to reduce barriers for people with disabilities and especially barriers to communication. It’s an essential part of life and relationships, and I enjoy supporting clients and their whanau to achieve their communication goals.
Alex Poetschke
Speech Language Therapist
Originally from Canada, I graduated from the University of Queensland with a Master of Speech Pathology Studies in 2013. Following my studies, I worked for Disability Services Queensland where I had the privilege to learn about a wide range of AAC options available to support the communication of people living with multiple, complex disabilities. Working within a skilled multidisciplinary team helped me develop a holistic perspective of considerations for communication assistive technology. After moving to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2016, I worked within the disability sector in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland and Ōtautahi / Christchurch in a similar capacity - alongside people of all ages to empower individuals to engage in their day-to-day lives with greater autonomy and connection.
Since 2018, I have spent a great deal of time supporting communication in outdoor and recreational activities, to increase accessibility to nature-based activities. I enjoy working collaboratively to find creative communication solutions that enable participation in every aspect of life, and joined the TalkLink team in 2024.
Amber Beaumont
Occupational Therapist
I joined the TalkLink team in July 2016, covering a parental leave position. Since graduating with a Bachelor of Occupational therapy in 2007, I have mostly worked in physical rehabilitation settings with the adult population. I initially gained experience in Orthopaedics, before heading to England in 2009 where I worked as a locum in a variety of settings, both acute and community based. In 2011, I returned to Christchurch and spent the next four years working at the Burwood Spinal Unit with a focus on rehabilitation and wheelchair and seating assessment and prescription.
I was first introduced to the TalkLink service when working at the spinal unit and I am now excited to be a part of this team. I am dedicated and motivated to work alongside individuals in the community, to help increase their independence and quality of life through the use assistive technology.
Anita McDrury
Team Leader, Speech Language Therapist
I have been part of the TalkLink team since 2011. Before I joined TalkLink I spent 6+ years as a speech language therapist in other settings. I have had experience working alongside adults with intellectual disabilities and their support teams introducing low and high tech strategies for communication, I have worked in a special school with ORRS funded students age 5-21, with ORRS funded students in mainstream classrooms and with teenagers in a special unit at a high school. I have also led regular communication groups for people recovering from strokes.
Prior to completing my SLT training at the University of Canterbury, I was fortunate to have a wide range of caregiving experience, with adults with intellectual disability, children with disabilities, and elderly people with a variety of neurological conditions including Parkinson’s Disease, Dementia and Stroke. This gives me a good understanding of some of the practical issues facing clients, families and caregivers.
I look forward to continuing to learn more and to using my own knowledge and experience to assist people with communication difficulties to gain the supports for communication, which will best suit their needs.
Ann Smaill
Speech Language Therapist
I have worked at TalkLink since the early 1990s, as a speech-language therapist and have considerable experience in AAC and Assistive Technology. From 2007 to 2022 I was also the TalkLink Trust Chief Executive, and have recently stepped down from this role to make way for new leadership, as I move closer to retirement. This will give me an opportunity to focus on clinical work mainly in Otago and Southland, with some work based in the TalkLink Central region. .I will also focus on AAC advocacy including the Tua o te Pae project to develop Te reo Māori resources.
I am passionate about communication and breaking down communication barriers for a more inclusive society.
Chi Saunders
Speech Language Therapist
Being able to empower people with the ability to communicate was my aim when I graduated from the University of Canterbury with my Masters of Speech Language Pathology.
Following my studies, I worked for the Ministry of Education in the Wellington Region where I supported preschool, primary, and high school aged children with a range of communication and complex learning needs.
Having previously completed a Bachelor of Social Science at the University of Waikato, I have become dedicated to incorporating the counselling skills I learned into my practice.
I am so excited to be a part of the team at TalkLink, where I have the great privilege of getting to know clients and working together through their journey with assistive technology.
Outside of work, you will find me hiking on a sunny day, cooking, or sewing.
Claire Elliott
Speech Language Therapist
I joined the TalkLink team in January 2024 after moving home to Christchurch following five years in the UK. During my Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology at the University of Canterbury I gained a strong interest in the ever-evolving field of AAC and felt I wanted to pursue this area of speech therapy. Knowing I wanted to learn more about AAC and with an interest in research I decided to make the big move to Scotland, to complete the Master of Science in Augmentative and Alternative Communication offered by the University of Dundee. With peers from a variety of backgrounds such as psychology and computing I gained a different perspective of AAC and the current research coming from areas such as User Experience.
I then took this experience to a position at a paediatric charity in Essex before moving to Oxfordshire and an AAC Consultant role at the Ace Centre, where I was fortunate to work with some of the newest technology available, providing AAC assessments for a varied caseload, alongside experienced colleagues.
Moving back to New Zealand I am excited to have the opportunity to be part of the TalkLink team and to continue my professional journey with AAC. I am looking forward to developing my skills further working with TalkLink clients of all ages and abilities to ensure they have access to the equipment they need to succeed.
Devon Millar
Occupational Therapist
I am an Aotearoa/New Zealand trained Occupational Therapist / Kaiwhakahora Ngangahau and have been fortunate to work in two of my passion areas - paediatrics and assistive technology - for most of my career.
I first worked for TalkLink as an almost-new graduate in 1997 before heading to the UK for my Big OE where I worked as an occupational therapist in a range of paediatric and assistive technology settings. Returning to New Zealand in 2006, I helped set up the TalkLink South Island service based in Ōtautahi Christchurch and saw the team there grow from three to 11+. After eleven years with TalkLink as a clinician and then a manager, I took a break from practice during which time I gained a Post Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision, which is the other area of work I am passionate about.
I am now based in the beautiful Te Tai o Aorere Tasman region and have re-joined the TalkLink whānau serving Te Tauihu Top of the South, and Ōtautahi. I love the journey of walking alongside a person, hearing their story and learning their goals for communication, and then working to find a good fit technology solution that supports them to meet their goals. Finding that ‘just-right’ spot can unlock so much potential and literally change lives, which is a large part of what makes this role so rewarding.
It is a privilege to be part of an organisation that is passionate about enabling communication for all and that is committed to recognising the Rangatiratanga of Tāngata Whenua.
Emilie Logan
Speech Language Therapist
After completing my Masters of Speech Language Therapy Practice at Auckland University in 2010, I worked as an SLT in a special school in south Auckland. This involved hands on experience in the area of AAC and working closely alongside TalkLink for several years. I loved helping the complex children I was working with access alternative means of communication, ultimately giving them a voice. During this time I became more interested in understanding all there was to know about AAC, the successes and pitfalls of implementation, and the ever evolving assistive technologies available.
I joined the TalkLink team in Auckland in 2015, and in 2019 relocated to Christchurch. In my time here I have taken a keen interest in acquired communication disorders, and now enjoy supporting adults as much as children. I love the variety of the work, working nationally across regions, and problem solving collaboratively to help those living with a communication impairment live more independent, fuller lives. My role at TalkLink has evolved to include training and CAT 1 credentialling and support in more recent years – no two days are the same and I love being part of a team that is constantly finding new and better ways to fly the AAC flag!
Hilary Hawkins
Occupational Therapist
I joined the TalkLink team in Ōtautahi in April 2022.
Since graduating, over 20 years ago, I have predominantly worked in acute hospital settings, with some community work in mental health, and paediatrics as well. Initially I worked in Orthopaedics, and built my Occupational Therapy knowledge by working in many other acute care areas, before specialising in Burns/Scar Management and Hand Therapy.
I was introduced to TalkLink by an Occupational Therapy colleague, and am excited to now be part of the TalkLink team in Ōtautahi. I am motivated to learn all I can to work alongside our clients and their whānau to increase independence and quality of life through the use of assistive technology.
Jane Winter
Teacher Trainer
I joined the Talklink team in Auckland in 2012. I trained at the Christchurch College of Education and worked in Christchurch for two years in special education before moving to the UK. It was in a special school in London where I first developed an interest in communication for my students with complex needs. When I returned to Christchurch, I started working with ORS funded students in mainstream settings. My different teaching roles have given me experience with a wide range of children and young people with communication difficulties. These teaching roles have also seen me working with students at the very beginning of their AAC journeys (both low and high tech). I am interested in setting up environments and programmes which create opportunities for communicating at all levels and creating literacy programmes to suit the needs of my students.
Jason Crawford
Lead Administrator
I have worked across both the private and corporate sectors in an administration capacity. Before working at TalkLink Trust I worked for the Christchurch City Council and the Canterbury Museum.
In my role, I manage referrals, course registrations, South Island car fleet, and other administration enquiries for the South and Central North Islands. I enjoy the variety of work within my role and the collaborative nature within TalkLink.
Happily married, father to a beautiful daughter, no pets, yet.
Libby King
Occupational Therapist
I joined the TalkLink team in November 2018, initially in a casual role, and then accepted a permanent part-time role.
I graduated from Otago Polytechnic with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Hons) in 2005. After graduating I worked for the Hutt Valley DHB in the Child Development Service, where I developed a love of working with children and their families. After three years in Wellington I headed overseas, where I settled in Dublin, Ireland for three years. During this time I worked in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (and took every opportunity to travel around Europe). I then moved to Sydney for several years, where I continued working in different paediatric settings, including private practice, an early intervention service, as well as a community not-for-profit organisation. It was whilst working in Sydney that I was introduced to the use of technology to support learning and communication, and this sparked my interest in the area of assistive technology.
In 2015 my family and I moved back to Christchurch. We have enjoyed being back in our home town, and being close to family again. After moving home I took some time off work to be with my young children.
I was introduced to TalkLink in 2018 through an occupational therapy colleague and I am really excited to be a part of the team. At TalkLink I love that I get to work with clients of all ages, visiting many different settings, and in a field that is constantly developing. As an occupational therapist I enjoy seeing the incredible way assistive technology can reduce barriers and open up new opportunities.
Margaret Cuttance
Assistive Technology Support
I have 15 years of experience working with students who engage with the world using a range of technology. I began working as a teacher’s aide, as part of a highly skilled teaching team, to support and address the learning needs of
High and Very High needs students in a special school environment. During this time I began to develop a keen interest in technology and the beneficial impact it often had on the learning and communication of the students I worked with. In 2000, I extended my teacher aide role and put my experience and knowledge of technology to work as the resource and technology support person and therapy assistant at Ferndale Special School and Resource Centre. I Joined the TalkLink South team in November, 2009 as an admin person. I have recently began extending this role to encompass making of resources, as well as programming and troubleshooting of devices, training clients and support people around use of their technology, and general support to the other team members here in the South Island.
Mary Browne
Speech Language Therapist
Kia ora koutou,
Ko Taranaki tōku maunga.
Ko Waitara tōku awa.
He uri ahau nō Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai.
Ko Puketapu tōku hapū.
Ko Mary Browne tōku ingoa. Ko Mere tētahi o ōku ingoa kārangaranga.
I joined the TalkLink team in Ōtautahi in October 2022. Prior to that I worked at the Ministry of Education for four years followed by two and half years at Waitaha Specialist School. I have a Bachelors of Speech and Language Pathology with Honors which I received at the University of Canterbury. Through studying at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa I have also received New Zealand Certificates in Te Reo, Levels 1-5.
At the Ministry of Education, I enjoyed supporting students from early childhood age to school age with various communication or education related needs. In this environment I had the privilege of working with mostly Māori whānau and in some Māori medium education settings. While at Waitaha I found my love for working with people who use AAC with a focus on creating meaningful connections and enabling participation.
I enjoy working with tāngata whaikaha (people with disabilities) of all ages and backgrounds. At TalkLink, my overarching goal is to remove barriers for tāngata whaikaha by finding communication tools that can make a big difference to everyday life. Through my mahi I aim to ensure that tāngata whaikaha have a voice within society.
As well as working as a Speech-Language Therapist at TalkLink, I have an additional role as a Pou Āwhina supporting the way in which we as an organisation work with Māori. In relation to this mahi I am a member of the TalkLink project team, Tua o Te Pae. The aims of this kaupapa are to ensure that Māori AAC users have access to their reo me ōna tikanga through the creation of AAC resources and a synthetic Te Reo voice.
Rianna Farr
Assistive Tech support
For the past 10 years since graduating from the University of Canterbury I have worked as a classroom teacher in a range of different schools. During my time as a teacher, I have worked alongside a range of students with different learning needs. While teaching on the West Coast I was also given the opportunity to develop a passion for technology and build my understanding of how it can be used to help others. I am excited to join TalkLink and continue to extend my knowledge of assistive technology
Stacey Mayes
Occupational Therapist (parental leave)
I decided to study to become an Occupational Therapist as I was interested in enabling people to participate in meaningful occupation with a client-focussed approach. After graduating from Otago in 2011 I went on to work for the Canterbury District Health Board in an orthopaedics setting. Through this role I enjoyed assisting my clients to become as independent as possible and return to their homes and day-to-day lives. Seeing people achieve their goals and regain confidence in themselves has been immensely rewarding.
I am excited to implement these skills with my TalkLink clients. Since I was a child I have always gravitated towards technology. Its many uses, in this ever developing field, fascinate me. I look forward to working within the TalkLink team and developing my skills further.