Meet Our Founder
Emily MACKIE
Founder, Director and Speech Pathologist
Emily Mackie is the founder and owner of Speak About Speech Pathology. She is an award-winning speech therapist, mentor and author.
Emily has founded The Successful Speechie Academy; a teaching and mentoring academy to equip SLP’s-to-be and graduated speech pathologists in preschool language therapy. Emily is the author of two educational therapy books with Busy Books Australia and has contributed to resources with My Creative Box and Curious Columbus.
Emily was privileged to win Australian Speech Pathologist of the Year 2020/21 – under the Australian Allied Health Awards and has been a Finalist for the Western Sydney Entrepreneur of the Year 2021.
Emily has a passion for helping children reach their potential and empowering her speech therapists. Her core belief is to help children with their communication, but in doing so give them connection and confidence.
Emily has been featured on the ABC in Sydney and Channel 9 and also co-hosts The Move.Talk.Thrive Podcast. In her downtime, Emily loves to be with her daughters, travel, cook and read.
If you would like to know more about Emily, you can find her on:
Instagram: emilymackie.speechie
Brianna SIMMONS
Senior Speech Pathologist/Clinical Operations Manager
Brianna (Bree) joined the Speak About team in January 2016. She completed a Bachelor of Speech and Hearing Sciences at Macquarie University in 2013 and completed a Master of Speech and Language Pathology in 2015. With her experience and dedication to her development she has also taken on the role of our Clinical Operations Manager. Bree continues to develop her own leadership skills to impart to the team.
She has been trained in the diagnosis and treatment of Childhood Apraxia of Speech using Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC), Down Syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Global Developmental Delay (GDD). The Nuffield Dyspraxia Programme NDP3, Rapid Syllable Transition Training (ReSt), attended seminars for Velopharyngeal Insufficiency (VPI), Cleft palate and Neurodiverse Affirming Practises for Autistic children.
Bree also enjoys supporting students and new graduate speech pathologists as they enter the workplace over the last 5 years. Brianna is a Member of Speech Pathology Australia, Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP), a Medicare and NDIS provider.
Michael MACKIE
Business Manager
Michael joined the Speak About team in May 2021 to partner Emily in running the business. Michael has had various roles in IT, leadership roles and also an Electrician previously, he brings experience and dedication to his development and to the success of Speak About Speech Pathology.
Michael also enjoys supporting the admin team and business operations, and making sure the team is running effectively and efficiently.
When he is not helping the team at Speak About, Michael loves spending time the family, mowing and maintaining the home, going to the beach, bushwalks and drives.
Meet The Sydney Team – Speech Pathologists
Salome Ratnarajah
Senior Speech Pathologist
Salome completed a Bachelor of Speech and Hearing Sciences at Macquarie University in 2016 and then completed a Master of Speech and Language Pathology in 2018.
Salome loves working with all children and their families. She has a passion for helping children achieve their potential, through improving their communication.
Salome has experience in working with a range of communication difficulties, including speech sound disorders, language stuttering and literacy disorders.
Salome also has experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy.
Salome is a Member of Speech Pathology Australia, Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP), a Medicare and NDIS provider.
When she’s not helping children at Speak About, Salome likes playing the piano, reading, travelling and spending time with her friends and family.
Chloe Grima
Speech Pathologist
Chloe completed a Bachelor of Health Science (Speech and Hearing) at The University of Sydney in 2018 and then completed a Master of Speech and language Pathology in 2020.
Chloe has a passion for working with children and their families to achieve their communication goals and reach their full potential. Chloe has worked with children and adults with a range of communication difficulties including speech sound disorders, language delays, stuttering, and literacy difficulties.
Chloe also has experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy.
Chloe is a Member of Speech Pathology Australia, Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP), a Medicare and NDIS provider.
When she is not helping children at Speak About, Chloe enjoys going to the gym, spending time with her friends/family, bushwalking and going to the beach.
Elayna Galea
Speech Pathologist
Elayna completed a Bachelor of Speech and Hearing Sciences at Macquarie University in 2019 and then completed a Master of Speech and Language Pathology in 2022. Elayna is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist and a member of Speech Pathology Australia.
Elayna has a passion for supporting children to develop their communication skills and reach their full potential. Elayna has experience working with children presenting with a range of communication difficulties including speech sound delays/disorders, language delays/disorders, stuttering and literacy difficulties.
Elayna enjoys working collaboratively with families to identify personalised goals that support the child’s needs and the families’ priorities.
When she is not helping children at Speak About, Elayna enjoys doing anything creative, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends.
Prelene Shunmugam
Speech Pathologist
Prelene completed a Bachelor of Speech and Hearing Sciences at Macquarie University in 2019 and then completed a Master of Speech and Language Pathology at University of Technology Sydney in 2022. Prelene is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist and a member of Speech Pathology Australia.
Prelene has a passion for working with children to develop their communication skills and reach their full potential. Prelene has experience working with children presenting with a range of communication difficulties including speech sound disorders, language delays/disorders, stuttering and literacy difficulties.
When she is not helping children at Speak About, Prelene enjoys cooking, spending time with her family and friends, and travelling.
Isabella Bennett
Speech Pathologist
Isabella has found her passion in speech therapy as she loves seeing children build their confidence through their ability to communicate. She has experience working with children with speech sound difficulties, language difficulties, stuttering and literacy difficulties.
Isabella also has experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Isabella enjoys working with children and their families to reach their speech and language goals.
Isabella is a member of Speech Pathology Australia and is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP).
When Isabella is not at Speak About, she is at the beach or the snow with her friends and family.
Rebecca McCaughey
Speech Pathologist
Rebecca completed a Bachelor of Speech and Hearing Sciences at Macquarie University in 2021, followed by a Master of Speech and Language Pathology in 2023. Rebecca is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist and a member of Speech Pathology Australia.
Rebecca is a passionate clinician who strives to support her clients to reach their full potential. She values developing partnerships with clients and their families, as well as keeping up to date with the latest research to maximise therapy outcomes.
Rebecca has experience working with children presenting with a range of communication difficulties, including literacy, speech sound and language delays/disorders.
During her spare time, Rebecca enjoys playing soccer, spending time with her friends and family and exploring new places to eat.
Allied Health Assistants (AHA’s)
Mikayla Butler
Allied Health Assistant
Mikayla has completed her Bachelor of Speech and Hearing Sciences at Macquarie University 2023. Mikayla is now continuing her studies in a Master of Speech Pathology over the next 2 years.
Mikayla has a passion for supporting children to develop their social and communication skills. Mikayla has worked with children with literacy difficulties and speech sound delays.
When Mikayla is not at Speak About or studying, she enjoys spending time to socialise with her friends and family. Mikayla also enjoys playing netball, travelling, and shopping.
Administration Team
Rochelle Gallen
Senior Administration Officer
Rochelle joined our administration team in October 2024.
She has a management and people development background after 16 years in the retail industry. She completed a Certificate III in Retail and a Diploma of Leadership and Management. She looks forward to greeting you when you arrive at Speak About and is invested in building a relationship with you and your family.
Rochelle was born in the Blue Mountains but completed all her schooling in the Hawkesbury and is very at home in the area.
Outside of Speak About Rochelle enjoys time with her friends, family and her 2 dogs. She also enjoys going to the beach, exploring new places and karaoke.
Gemma Isaacs
Casual Administration Officer
Gemma joined our administration team in March 2024.
Gemma has grown up and lived in the Hawkesbury area with her family.
Gemma is happy to help with any enquires you may have and happy to pass on any concerns to your speech pathologist when needed. Being a family person, Gemma loves being with the children and the families, watching them grow and learn each day. When not being here to help answer your questions she is spending time with her friends and playing soccer.
Meet the Central Coast Team – Speech Pathologists
Brianna Simmons
Senior Speech Pathologist
Brianna (Bree) completed a Bachelor of Speech and Hearing Sciences at Macquarie University in 2013 and completed a Master of Speech and Language Pathology in 2015.
Brianna grew up in the Hawkesbury region but has now moved to our Tuggerah clinic to support the team on the Coast! Brianna has worked with a range of preschool and school age children with various communication difficulties including speech, language, literacy, stuttering and voice disorders.
Brianna is a Member of Speech Pathology Australia, Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP), a Medicare and NDIS provider.
Shannon Galea
Speech Pathologist
Shannon completed her Bachelor of Speech Pathology at the University of Newcastle in 2023 and is registered under the National Speech Pathology Australia Association.
Shannon has a passion for working with children and their families to help them to reach their fullest potential.
She has worked alongside children with a range of speech and language difficulties including, stuttering, speech sound disorders, language delays and literacy difficulties.
In her free time, Shannon enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends and taking her golden retriever, Archie on daily walks.
Administration Team
Rachael Auckett
Administration Officer
Rachael joined the Administration team in April 2024.
With a background in management in the Childcare sector, Rachael has completed her Certificate III and Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. She has over 10 years’ experience working with children, and loves meeting and getting to know each child and family that enters our clinic. She’s happy to help with any of your questions, so feel free to pop in or give us a call!
Rachael was born and raised on the Central Coast and enjoys the lifestyle and easy access to natural spaces. Outside of Speak About, she enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her two rabbits (Dandelion and Clover). She also enjoys sewing, hand embroidery, and musical theatre.
Sophie Gale
Casual Administration Officer
Sophie joined our administration team in July 2024.
Sophie is currently in her second year of studying for her Bachelor of Speech Pathology at Newcastle University. She has a passion for children and is looking forward to helping our clients and learning more through her studies and working at Speak About. Sophie is very family orientated and loves to greet and help families in the clinic.
When Sophie is not at Speak About or studying, she loves spending time at the gym, going on dinner dates and outdoor adventures with my family and friends.