6 years in, and a whole lot of hard work, the dedicated Board of the ADN have kicked some real goals…. Here they are, at your disposal !
Louise Bale: Chairperson
Originally a Registered Nurse and Midwife, Louise has worked as a Snr Health Promotion Officer with NSW Health for the past 28 years. With qualifications in Health Promotion, Social Work and Adaptive Leadership, she has a passion for people, and for ensuring everyone’s voice is heard.
Throughout her career in Health Promotion, she has received State and National recognition for her work in developing innovative programs and community partnerships in the fields of drug use, and reducing stigma and discrimination.
Louise is married with two adult children and has lived with a voice disorder since 2006. She has been passionate about providing support for others impacted by the life changing impacts of dysphonia, and has been the Australian National Co-ordinator for World Voice Day since 2013.
Brenda Simmonds: Vice Chairperson & Treasurer
Brenda comes from a sales and administrative/bookkeeping background. She has 3 lovely children and is also a grandmother.
Brenda has been living with a voice disorder since 2009. She is passionate about helping others that have been impacted by dysphonia and has been involved with the Sydney based World Voice Day committee since 2013.
Brenda developed a voice disorder in her early 40’s as part of a neurological condition. Despite her limitations, she continues to work part time and is passionate about raising awareness of the importance of voice in every aspect of life.
Greg Davis: Secretary & Public Officer
Greg has worked in several management roles within the mutual financial institution (non-bank) sector for the past 35 years. He has qualifications in business management and leadership.
Throughout his career Greg has played an active role in several volunteer organisations from local business chambers to being a member of the Newcastle Lake Macquarie Cancer Council Relay For Life committee.
Greg has had an interest in voice disorders since 2008, and is passionate about providing support for others impacted by dysphonia.
Lyn White: Director
Lyn is many years retired, after fourteen years at an Industrial Design consultancy, Design Field Pty Ltd, and following that several years with Collette Dinnigan as she launched her exclusive fashion label on the international market. In retirement Lyn worked casually for a number of years at a Wholistic Medical Centre and also helped out various small businesses.
In 2011, after years of being in remission, Lyn had a significant flare-up of Multiple Sclerosis and during this time was also diagnosed with Spasmodic Dysphonia.
Lyn has two daughters and six grandchildren and she enjoys spending time with them.
Already very involved in her community in local Council voluntary positions, and being on committees at Balmain Hospital, Probus, and various community associations, Lyn is excited to be part of the Network which aims to provide support to others with dysphonia, and World Voice Day Australia.
Judith Rough : Director
Judith has more than 30 years’ experience and expertise in the fields of Speech Pathology and the performing arts.
As a speech pathologist she specialises in the area of voice and voice disorders. She has experience in both the private and public sectors, including work as clinical voice specialist at St Vincent’s Hospital Darlinghurst where she provided assessment and treatment
of patients with a wide range of complex voice disorders and was responsible for a weekly multidisciplinary voice clinic providing a state-wide diagnostic service. She also provided state-wide consultation to other Speech Pathologists regarding management of dysphonia and has given workshops and seminars on healthy voice use to singers and teachers.
She delivered the voice and voice disorders undergraduate course at Sydney University in 2018, and has taught counselling for speech pathologists at Macquarie University since 2012, as part of their Masters programme.
Judith is passionate about the wonders of the human voice and is keen to help people to avoid developing problems through lack of understanding of how to use it well.
Judith has served on the Australian Voice Association board as Secretary and Vice-President before joining the Board of ADN in 2018.
Tania Savelli – Director
A self-confessed ‘vocal nerd’ and singer, Tania enjoys combining her sound knowledge of voice science, vocal health, the performing arts, with her twenty years of coaching experience, to offer practical solutions to common vocal issues for voice users. With a passion for holistic voice training and care, Tania is also currently undertaking a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) at the University of South Australia, in order to become a qualified speech pathologist. Upon completion of her degree, she plans to move into voice rehabilitation and therapy to treat people diagnosed with voice disorders.
Tania has a special interest in vocal health for professional performers and is experienced in coaching singers and occupational voice users who have recently recovered from vocal injury. She works in conjunction with voice specialising laryngologists, speech pathologists and voice physiotherapists.
Tania is the founder and co-director of Vocal Hub Enterprises, a company whose mission is to “provide all voice users with a community in which one can safely, confidently and successfully find the most authentic path to self-expression”. She is an Estill Master Trainer Candidate, holding a Certificate of Figure Proficiency from Estill Voice Training.™.and her extensive coaching experience includes working with clients of all ages in varied educational setting. This includes coaching as a part of the vocal team at the University of Adelaide’s Bachelor of Musical Theatre degree for three years, as well as teaching vocals for tertiary music students at TAFE SA.
Tania is one of few authorised vocal instructors of Los Angeles based organisation Vocology In Practice; a global network of elite voice professionals. She is also a member of the Australian Voice Association, The Australian Society for Performing Arts Healthcare and a student member of Speech Pathology Australia. Tania volunteers as a committee member for the Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing (SA/NT branch). Tania has a firm belief that all voice users should have the opportunity to feel empowered and confident and is passionate about supporting individuals living with voice disorders.
Australian Dysphonia Network 
I am moved by all your testimonies. I am from Papua New Guinea and I am also suffering from AD.Unfortunately, we don’t have any Speech Pathology services up here.I was also adviced to get botox treatment overseas by my ENT Specialist.
I really need your help so I can be an advocate for people with voice disorders in my country.
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Lovely to meet you Florence and we’re so sorry you are having difficulties with finding treatment locally… I can imagine your frustration.
How wonderful that you want to advocate for better services 🙂 I look forward to contacting you by email. Louise
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