National Committee
Education & Events Coordinator

Georgia Campbell
Georgia is pivotal in planning and executing our educational programs and events, including workshops, webinars, the biennial conference and the National Tour. In addition to education and events, Georgia works closely with our Executive Officer to support the website, marketing, operations, industry and member engagement initiatives.
Outside AGOSCI, Georgia is a speech therapist, bringing her clinical expertise to her role. Passionate about fostering inclusion and knowledge sharing, Georgia’s work supports AGOSCI’s mission to empower and connect the AAC community.
Georgia is based in Perth and works for AGOSCI on Monday, Thursday and Friday. Georgia can be contacted on 0498 796 661 noting the time zone difference in Perth (AWST).
Executive Officer

Andrew Hetherington
Andrew is responsible for implementing AGOSCI’s strategy, managing operations, and ensuring effective service delivery to our members. His role is focused on expanding our mission and advocating for ACC members, users and their families.
Andrew brings 30 years of primarily self-employed business experience with a career spanning financial services, education and technology. His expertise is strategic growth, governance, and business optimisation. He believes culture trumps everything.
Andrew is based in Brisbane and can be contacted on 0411 597 927.
AGOSCI Committee
Chair

Darryl Sellwood
Darryl has been the Chair of AGOSCI since May 2023, heading up our mission to support individuals who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). In this role, he advocates for AAC users, organises events, and fosters connections with stakeholders to promote communication inclusion across Australia.
Professionally, Darryl is a Scholarly Fellow at Flinders University, contributing to curriculum development in Disability Studies. He completed his PhD in 2019, focusing on the experiences of individuals with complex communication needs in romantic relationships. As a researcher with lived experience using AAC, he brings a unique perspective to his work, aiming to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities.
Darryl has presented numerous conference papers and keynote addresses both in Australia and internationally, sharing his insights on AAC and disability studies.
Treasurer

Micheala Banks
Michaela serves as the Treasurer of AGOSCI, managing budgets, financial reporting, and compliance to support our mission of empowering individuals who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). She is also the General Manager of Two-Way Street, where she oversees all aspects of the business, from marketing to customer experience, to deliver innovative and practical communication solutions for individuals with complex needs.
Michaela holds a Master of Business Administration and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Her personal experience as a parent of an AAC user fuels her passion for inclusive schools and communities, driving her commitment to meaningful advocacy. She is a dedicated advocate, presenting at conferences, facilitating research focus groups, and sharing her insights through blogging and training initiatives.
Secretary

Melissa Bakes
PO Box 211, The Gap QLD 4061
As Company Secretary for 22 years, Mel is responsible for ensuring we operate in compliance with legal and governance responsibilities. Mel also actively supports other AGOSCI initiatives including the Scholarships and Research Grant Working Parties, assisting at QLD events, staffing expo booths, and contributing to webinars.
Professionally, Mel is a Senior Speech-Language Pathologist-Clinician with 25 years experience with the Queensland Department of Education, specialising in supporting AAC learners, collaborating with school staff, interdisciplinary therapists, parents, and learners to achieve optimal communication outcomes.
Mel's professional interests include coaching others in communication partner training and working within the field of behaviour, where she strives to empower communication partners and enhance outcomes for learners and their families.
AAC Communicator Representative

Lisa Lehmann
Lisa is our AAC Communicator Representative, bringing over 15 years of experience in self-advocacy and systemic advocacy. As a social change agent, Lisa is passionate about social justice and ensuring everyone has real and valued lives. She combines her advocacy expertise with creativity, using her fashion background—where she earned an Associate Diploma—to challenge stereotypes and promote a positive image of disability with her ‘stylin’ fashion sense.
Lisa has worked in both government and community sectors, mentors young people, and is an accomplished public speaker on topics she’s deeply passionate about.
A recipient of the prestigious Words+/ISAAC Outstanding Consumer Lecture award, Lisa continues championing the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities.
Early Career Coordinator

Laura Ferrie
Laura serves as AGOSCI's Early Career Coordinator, focusing on supporting professionals new to the field of Augmentative and Alternative Communication. In this role, she facilitates peer support groups and networking opportunities, fostering connections amongst early career professionals to enhance their skills and confidence in AAC practices.
Laura is dedicated to promoting inclusive communication and is committed to empowering individuals with complex communication needs. Her work with AGOSCI reflects her passion for building a supportive community for emerging professionals in the AAC field.
In Focus Editor

Sheridan Forster
Sheridan is responsible for producing the bi-annual 'AGOSCI In Focus' Magazine. This includes the magazine layout, and sourcing and editing content with the assistance of the editorial committee.
Sheridan has over 25 years experience as a speech therapist. She currently balances private practice, university teaching, and writing, focusing on improving interactions between support staff and adults with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities—a topic she explored in depth during her PhD, completed in 2011. Since 1997, Sheridan has worked across government, non-government, and education sectors, consistently dedicating her efforts to optimising shared communication through methods including body language, facial expressions, sounds, words, pictures, touch, and more.