University of Newcastle Students Gain Holistic Experience at First Steps Count
Term 2, 2026 • First Steps Count recently welcomed a couple of fourth-year Speech Pathology students from the University of Newcastle's Department of Rural Health (UoNDRH) for their final block of clinical placements. Splitting their time between a private clinic in Forster and the Hub in Taree, the students have been supporting the 'Little Explorers' playgroup, facilitated by Uniting.
Josephine and Meg - 4th year Speech Pathology students from University of Newcastle, on placement at First Steps Count.
Working alongside partners Mission Australia and Uniting, they facilitated interactive activities to nurture early speech and language skills, while offering practical strategies and friendly support to parents and carers.
First Steps Count Director Clare Brennan, a qualified Speech Pathologist herself who moved to Taree from Sydney in 2019, highlighted the unique value of the placement. Drawing on her own experience, she noted that the Hub offers a rare opportunity for students to learn beyond the clinic walls.
"In my previous life as a community Speech Pathologist, I learned that supporting a child's wellbeing requires engaging with the family as a whole," Clare said. "Placing students in an environment like this allows them to see, from their earliest days as professionals, that the family context is just as critical as the clinical intervention. It's a nurturing space where they can witness the real-world impact of holistic care and learn to respond to the whole family."
Term 2 students, Josephine and Meg shared their reflections on the experience:
Hi, I’m Josephine! I’m a fourth-year speech pathology student at the University of Newcastle. I was born in Sydney and relocated to the Mid North Coast during primary school, completing my higher school certificate before moving to Newcastle to commence my Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours). I am due to graduate at the end of the year and cannot wait to start my career as a new graduate speech pathologist. I hope to relocate back to the Mid North Coast early in my career, to give back to the community and assist in the demand for speech pathology services.
Hi! I’m Meg and I am also a fourth-year speech pathology student at the University of Newcastle. I was born in Newcastle and have lived there my whole life, I love it! I spent a lot of my school holidays visiting my grandparents in the Forster/Taree area and am thoroughly enjoying my time here as part of my last Uni placement. I am set to graduate in June, and I am looking forward to spending 3 months travelling around Europe before starting my career as a new graduate speechie.
We are currently completing our final block of clinical placements, splitting our time between a private clinic in Forster and First Steps Count Child and Family Hub. A huge thank you to Mission Australia and Uniting for allowing us the opportunity to participate and assist with the ‘Little Explorers’ playgroup. We are here to support children and their families to engage in fun and interactive activities, support development of early speech and language skills and provide general support or strategies when needed. We always enjoy a friendly chat and would love to answer any questions you may have or simply play alongside your little ones!
The partnership provides a vital bridge between academic training and rural community needs. By hosting students in a setting that values family-centred practice, the Hub helps cultivate the next generation of health professionals who understand the unique strengths and challenges of regional life.
The students are set to graduate later this year, with many hoping to return to the Mid North Coast to begin their careers. First Steps Count looks forward to continuing to support placements that benefit both emerging professionals and the families who call this region home.
Media Enquiries:
Clare Brennan, Director
clare.brennan@firststepscount.org
