OUR TEAM

Di Van der Walt
Managing Director and Principal Speech Pathologist 

Di has a passion for helping all children to be able to communicate and to reach their full potential in reading and spelling.
She believes that communication and literacy are basic human rights and every person has the right to a robust means of communication and good literacy instruction in order to achieve this.

In the words of David Yoder (ISAAC, 2000),

“No person is too anything to be able to read or write.”

Di started Perth Hills Speech Pathology six years ago and recently rebranded to Perth Hills Allied Health. 

Di has extensive experience in most areas of speech pathology for children with and without a disability.  She has also gained an ability to continue to work on goals in usual situations – bubbles and bikes in the garden or jumping on the trampoline to sitting at a table or on the floor in a child’s safe zone.

Di is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist and a Hanen certified Speech Pathologist in the “ABC and Beyond™” program for educators of 3-5-year-old’s, the “It Takes Two to Talk®” and “More than Words®” parent programs.  She is also a trained instructor in “Sounds-Write” – a Systematic Sequential Phonics program and Talk for Writing.

Di and her hubby, Andre, have 2 children, Joshua and Caleb.  She also has a dog and a cat.  They live in Roleystone.  Outside of work, Di loves being outdoors and exploring new bush walks or trails.  

Deb Wilkes
Art Therapist

Deb is a passionate Art Therapist experienced in working with neurodiverse children using a holistic, child-centred approach. 

Deb has a background in Graphic Design, a Bachelor of Arts Psychotherapy (BAP) and is currently studying a Master of Child Play Therapy.

As a devoted mum of 3 creative, sensory seeking children, Deb understands that using fun, creative play can assist children in reaching their goals.

Deb believes in a fun, play-based approach. Her research explores the use of clay in therapy for children with proprioception dysfunction. She is conscious about how using various art materials in therapy, with a focus on the process rather than the final product, can create neural pathways and increase cognition while providing a creative way of learning and reaching goals.

Cicely Binford
Speech Therapist

Cicely is a Speech Pathologist with a background in theatre and the performing arts. Her special interests as a clinician include neurodiversity, voice training and care, and languages. She is originally from Texas and has lived on Whadjuk Noongar boodjar (Perth) since 2007.

As an Autistic/ADHD clinician, Cicely has an innate understanding of the communication, sensory, emotional, and cognitive differences that people with neurodivergent profiles may experience. Her lived experience informs and shapes her clinical approach with clients because she believes that neuro-affirming practices benefit everyone, regardless of whether they are neurodivergent or neurotypical.

Cicely also believes strongly in client-centred, child-led care, which means that her priority is to create a safe space for children and families to be themselves, have fun, and communicate freely and authentically. She often draws upon her theatrical side by using things like role-play, funny expressions, or singing during therapy activities with kids.  

Her aim is to help children and their families communicate confidently and successfully so that they can become strong self-advocates who have the supports, skills, and resources to pursue their interests and dreams throughout their lives.

Tara Quinlivan
Practice Administrator/ Receptionist

Tara has over 20 years of varied administration experience and an extensive background in customer service. She enjoys helping the community and has a strong commitment to deliver smooth, stress-free communication within the clinic.

Tara values family and is lucky to be part of a very lively blended family. She is a devoted Mum of one and a dedicated Bonus Mum of two. Tara enjoys spending time with her husband and children by going on bush walks, karaoke, spontaneous trips to the beach and playing family games.Tara enjoys singing, dancing and the performing arts. Most of her childhood memories are of her playing the piano, extensive vocal training and dance lessons. As she grew older her passion turned into teaching children singing. In 2015, Tara created a singing business called Vocalstarz. She finds much joy in guiding individuals of all ages into finding their own individual voice and to build up their confidence. Tara also currently teaches Musical Theatre to children at a local dancing school.

Tara loves being able to be the friendly face you and your children see when you walk through the clinic doors. She loves the quote, “Every child is gifted. They just unwrap their packages at different times”.

Join Our Team

Speech Pathologist

We are seeking Early Career and Experienced Speech Pathologists to join our growing paediatric practice in Kelmscott WA – Immediate start or flexible onboarding options.

  • We are a small (and growing) supportive team of neurodiverse therapists who focus on client and staff strengths. 
  • We pride ourselves in being problem solvers, deep thinkers and being innovative whilst maintaining ethics and evidence-based practice. We are a neurodiverse affirming practice.
  • We are a dedicated, hard-working team who enjoy continuous learning whilst preparing for client sessions.

Why join Perth Hills Allied Health

  • You will enjoy working autonomously and as part of a team, delivering 1:1 therapy, group therapy, parent coaching or professional workshops in our brand-new clinic or at the child’s home or school.
  • You will receive a Professional Learning Package, which includes the following:
    • Weekly supervision meetings with a Principal or Senior Speech Pathologist,
    • Membership to Private Speech Pathologists Association of WA,
    • Attendance at any Professional Development course hosted by Perth Hills Allied Health,
    • Up to 2 weeks paid leave (pro-rata) to attend Professional Development that falls on a work day,
    • Fortnightly Team Meetings, where we focus on our Mission, Values and Team Relationships.
  • Caseloads are kept to a manageable size with a short break between each clinic session and adequate travel time given for mobile sessions.
  • ‘Admin’ time is allocated to prepare, follow up and write reports.
  • We try to keep to a paper-less clinic and as such provide you with an iPad to complete your notes and a laptop to ensure productivity and connection to our cloud server.
  • You will enjoy a fully equipped practice, with standardised formal assessment tools, therapy resources and a vast selection of toys and games for all areas of speech, language, and literacy with more being added all the time.
  • Should you choose, you can choose full-time or part-time. The permanent part-time role requires a minimum of 3 days per week (we can work around school hours). Should you want to work less than 3 days a week, a casual contract can be discussed.
  • You will receive 4 paid weeks annual leave – however we also offer flexible hours during school holidays with the option to take unpaid leave during school holidays.
  • There is ample parking right outside the door.

Essential Criteria

  • Applicants must be registered with Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) and committed to continued professional development and ongoing participation in SPA’s professional self-regulation programme.
  • A Bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology is required. Speech Pathology graduates are encouraged to apply.
  • Applicants will be required to use their own vehicle to attend client sessions. This will be financially remunerated.

Desirable Criteria

  • Training in Hanen, It Takes Two to Talk and Sounds-Write is preferred. We will consider applicants who are willing to undergo training in these programmes as soon as possible.
  • Applicants need to be highly motivated and organised, able to work both independently and as part of a team, to a high standard. Working with Perth Hills Allied Health requires self-management skills to ensure reports are written in a timely manner.
  • Perth Hills Allied Health is a fun, enjoyable and supportive working environment. Having a good sense of humour is a plus!
  • Most importantly, we value a strong work ethic, high ethical standards, and a commitment to providing the best evidence-based practice to Perth Hills Allied Health clients.

General conditions of employment

  • Should you be a successful applicant, you will need to apply for a Medicare Provider Number for Perth Hills Allied Health. You will also need a Valid police clearance, WA-valid Driver’s Licence and Working with Children Check.
  • Referee checks from at least two independent referees will be conducted prior to an offer of employment being made.

Perth Hills Allied Health embraces and acknowledges the remarkable variety in people’s neurological profiles, gender identities, physical attributes, sexual orientations, and interpersonal connections, promoting a strong commitment to inclusivity. We hold in high regard the distinct life experiences, backgrounds, and valuable contributions that every individual brings to our community, actively fostering and commemorating this diversity. We encourage First Nations people, those within the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, women, individuals of all age groups, those with disabilities, and people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds to apply and be a part of our team.

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