Miss Angela Stankovska1, Ms Narelle Ferris-Smih1
1Western Sydney Local Health District, Australia
Biography:
Narelle Ferris-Smith is Speech Pathologist with over 30 years’ experience in Community Health in Western Sydney. She has a special interest in supporting vulnerable families and working with Aboriginal families, which began whilst working with children in Out of Home Care and in engaging in cultural activities to maintain their connections.
Angela Stankovska is a Speech Pathologist who has worked in Western Sydney for six years with expertise in diverse families, complex cases and service development. Passionate about improving access to care, she has played a key role in establishing the Byala Speech Pathology Clinic within the Aboriginal Health Hub.
Abstract:
Byala, a culturally safe speech pathology model empowering Aboriginal families. Early intervention is critical for speech and language development, yet many Aboriginal families face barriers in accessing traditional healthcare services. The Byala Speech Pathology Clinic was established with the Western Sydney Local Health District, Aboriginal Health Hub to provide a culturally safe, community driven model of care.
Byala was founded on the principle that no Aboriginal child should have to wait for speech pathology support. Developed in collaboration with key stake holders and Aboriginal Health workers, Byala offers a welcoming and trusted environment for families. Since commencing, Byala has delivered speech pathology support to over 85 children, providing more than 100 therapy sessions in 2024 alone. Byala’s flexible, family centred approach offering individual therapy, drop-in group programs and parent education has significantly improved clinical outcomes.
Beyond clinical impact, Byala has fostered deep community connections. Families report feeling empowered and supported, with parents gaining confidence in facilitating their children’s development. The program has also broken down barriers such as transport limitations by leveraging strong partnerships within the Aboriginal Health Hub.
This presentation will showcase Byala’s innovative service model, its outcomes and the powerful patient stories that highlight its success. By sharing our approach, we hope to inspire similar initiatives ensuring Aboriginal children receive the early intervention they deserve in spaces that feel safe, familiar and culturally meaningful.