Felicity's Story | Telethon Speech & Hearing

Felicity’s Story

“Working with children with a hearing impairment is an incredibly rewarding job. We are fortunate enough to witness a child hearing for the first time and observe a child starting to communicate.”


To celebrate our 50th year anniversary, Telethon Speech & Hearing (TSH) will be showcasing 50 stories of people who have been a part of our organisation’s history since 1967.

Today’s highlighted story is from Felicity McNally, Clinical Leader of our Early Intervention Hearing Impaired Program.

Q: How did you first get involved with TSH and what role did you have at the time?

F: I had a placement at TSH as a student Speech Pathologist and was fortunate enough to be offered a job after my placement. When I started at TSH I was a Speech Pathologist in the Early Intervention (Chatterbox), Speech & Language (Talkabout) and School Support (Outpost) programs.

Q: How has your role changed since you first joined our team?
F: Over my time at TSH I’ve worked in all programs as a Speech Pathologist, I have also been the Clinical Leader of Auditory Verbal Therapy and I am now the Manager of Chatterbox – Early Intervention Hearing Impaired program. I’m very grateful for all the opportunities I have been given whilst at TSH.

Q: How have you seen the organisation change over the years?
F: Over my time at TSH I have seen all programs become more involved in research. This research is vital for our continual evaluation of the services we provide. We also have developed our alliances with other agencies around Australia and New Zealand through First Voice.

“Over my time at TSH I have seen all programs become more involved in research. This research is vital for our continual evaluation of the services we provide.”

Q: What has motivated you to stay with TSH for so long?

F: The opportunity to work with amazing families and assist them through their journey, it is an extremely rewarding job. The staff at TSH are also very supportive and knowledgeable so you are always learning.

Q: Go back in time to the first day that you started at TSH – what’s something you’d tell your younger self as the person you are today? 

F: That it’s OK to make mistakes, ask for help and acknowledge when you don’t know something. Everyone is happy to help you.

Q: Tell me about a family and/or child that you have met since working here.
F: I’ve been fortunate to meet many amazing families whilst working at TSH. Each family and child is unique and they have all taught me so many things about being a therapist and person. Working with children with a hearing impairment is an incredibly rewarding job. We are fortunate enough to witness a child hearing for the first time and observe a child starting to communicate.

“I’ve been fortunate to meet many amazing families whilst working at TSH. Each family and child is unique and they have all taught me so many things about being a therapist and person. Working with children with a hearing impairment is an incredibly rewarding job.”


About Felicity

Felicity McNally has worked across all of Telethon Speech & Hearing’s programs as a Speech Pathologist for over 8 years.

Felicity’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Science (Human Communication Science) from Curtin University and certification as a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist, Certified Auditory Verbal Therapist (LSLS Cert. AVT) from the AG Bell Academy in America.

Currently Clinical Leader of our Early Intervention Hearing Impaired (Chatterbox) program, Felicity holds astounding knowledge and experience in helping deaf and hearing impaired children reach their full potential in life.