LITTLE STAR TEAM
Director
Dr Sarita K Hamall
Dr Sarita K Hamall is the owner/Director of Little Star Speech Therapy and has over 18-years experience working as a speech pathologist. She is a highly experienced clinician in the treatment of stuttering disorders in clients preschool-age to adults. Sarita is knowledgeable in the Lidcombe Program and modified treatment approaches for severe stuttering. In 2012, Sarita completed a PhD at the University of Newcastle, where she contributed to the evidence-base of early stuttering treatment delivery. She has mentored speech pathologists and students for over 10-years and continues to share her expertise with those in the community. Sarita has a true love of the profession and feels the happiest when she sees the achievements of each and every client.
General Manager
Chris Hamall is born in Newcastle, NSW and is the owner/General Manager of Little Star Speech Therapy. Since 2012, Chris has been instrumental in growing Little Star from a single clinician to multiple skilled professionals. He brings his 12 years knowledge and experience working with children with multiple needs, disability, and mental health issues under the "Community Services Sector" in the Hunter. This experience has helped him grow into a compassionate professional who truly understands and respects the needs of clients and families. His extensive knowledge in community outreach and business matters ensures that he maintains the very best standards for the clinic and the wellbeing of all staff and clients. He is happy to be part of a team of compassionate professionals and takes pride in maintaining quality services for all children.
Chris Hamall
little star staff
Practice Manager
As Practice Manager, Casey is part of our leadership team at Little Star Speech Therapy. After relocating from Tamworth 20 years ago, she completed her Diploma in Office Procedures at Passmores' Business College in Newcastle. Casey provides support to our Directors, and direction to our clinicians, ensuring everything operates smoothly in our Clinic. She has a true love for people, and all children and families, which is evident in her warm, friendly demeanour. She has vast professional experience in client relations, office administration, and management, and understands the importance of delivering exceptional customer service to our families. Casey is extremely passionate about helping people and ensuring our clients and families have a positive experience at Little Star Speech Therapy. She is approachable, and happy to support our families in any way she can.
casey tarrant
Reception / Admin
Phoebe Apperley
Phoebe is the first point of contact and she plays an important administrative role at Little Star Speech Therapy. She is always smiling when greeting clients and is happy to answer any questions in person or on the phone. Phoebe completed a Business Administration and Human Resources course at TAFE in Newcastle, NSW. With more than 8 years’ experience in customer service, Phoebe is dedicated to ensuring all families receive accurate service and quality care. She is equipped with answering all enquiries including NDIS related questions. Phoebe’s friendly and caring demeanour always puts clients at ease when they walk through the door. When a client achieves their goals, it makes her very proud to know that she played a small part in their journey.
Clinician
Emma is a speech pathologist who was born and raised in Newcastle. She completed a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) degree at the University of Newcastle. Emma is committed to helping children achieve their goals in all areas of communication. She has a special interest in stuttering, and is trained in both preschool (Lidcombe Program) and school-aged stuttering intervention. She also enjoys assisting children with their literacy skills. Emma is a 'Sounds-Write' certified practitioner, and is trained in delivering strategies to assist children of all ages with reading and spelling difficulties. Her warm personality and enthusiasm creates a positive environment in which children feel confident to achieve success. She is committed to delivering a high standard of effective and enjoyable services to all clients.
emma purdon
Clinician
isabelle reece
Isabelle completed a Bachelor’s degree of Speech Pathology (Honours) at the University of Newcastle. She has experience working with a range of paediatric clients in speech, language and disability. She is knowledgable in the assessment and treatment of stuttering disorders. Isabelle has completed training in PROMPT targeting children with severe speech sound disorders. She is committed to helping all children reach their communication goals in a supportive and fun environment. She utilises evidence-based treatment approaches whilst individualising goals for the child. Isabelle’s kind nature and enthusiasm is seen in her dedication to children. She loves watching children’s confidence grow as a result of their improved communication.
Emily completed a Bachelor’s degree of Speech Pathology (Honours) at the University of Newcastle. Emily has been a member of the Little Star team preceding the commencement of her employment. Now practicing as a Speech Pathologist, Emily enjoys working with children of all ages to help overcome their speech, language and literacy delays. She has experience working with children with various disabilities, including Autism and Cerebral Palsy. She has helped improve the lives of non-verbal children with her knowledge of Key Word Signing (KWS). Emily is trained in the assessment and treatment of preschool stuttering disorders with the Lidcombe Program. Emily’s warm, friendly and can-do attitude enables her to develop great rapport with clients. She strives to ensure that individual goals of the child are met and the best possible results are achieved.
Clinician
emily schimann
Clinician
ruby andersson
Ruby completed her Bachelor’s degree of Speech Pathology (Honours) at the University of Newcastle after relocating from the Mid North Coast. Ruby loves working with a diverse range of clients, from preschool-age to high school students. Ruby has experience treating complex communication needs and individualising treatment goals for children with disability. She is proficient in the assessment and treatment of speech, language, literacy and stuttering disorders. Ruby is committed to using evidence-based treatment to help clients achieve their communicative milestones. Her areas of interest include early language development, literacy and phonological disorders. Ruby’s positive, fun and enthusiastic nature helps clients feel at ease as she facilitates their success towards their communication goals.
Clinician
Alia completed a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) degree at the University of Newcastle. Before beginning her journey at Little Star Speech Therapy, Alia worked for a number of years in South Western Sydney providing assessment and therapy services to children and adults presenting with speech, language, voice, stuttering, literacy and social difficulties. Alia has worked with children with developmental, genetic and behavioural disorders including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome and Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Alia is particularly passionate about empowering parents and carers to effectively facilitate a child's communication skills in meaningful, everyday situations. Alia’s enthusiastic and encouraging nature allows her to deliver functional and effective services to her clients and their families.
alia hasan
Clinician
ALEXANDRA ALMEIDA
Alexandra completed a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) degree at the University of Newcastle. She is a certified therapist with Speech Pathology Australia (SPA). Alexandra has experience working in respite care with families and children with higher needs. Through this experience, she has gained a true understanding of the importance of communication in all areas of life and activities of daily living. Treating children with a range of difficulties is her passion as she believes that every child has the right to express their wants, needs and emotions. She is dedicated to helping children reach their full potential which is why she chose Speech Pathology as her profession. Alexandra is knowledgeable in the Lidcombe Program, an early intervention stuttering approach. She is passionate about teaching fun and effective communication skills to children and their families, and believes that practice makes progress.
Clinician
ABBY KILMURRAY
Abby is a Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) certified therapist who completed a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) degree at the University of Newcastle. She has completed her introduction to PROMPT training, a treatment method to help children with severe motor speech sound disorders. She is passionate about clients reaching their communication goals in all areas of speech and language. Abby is currently completing a ‘Sounds-Write’ course and will be a certified practitioner in this literacy program. Sounds-Write assists children with reading, writing and spelling difficulties. Abby’s kind, patient and approachable nature allows her to develop good rapport with clients and families. Her interest is in delivering effective, evidence-based and meaningful therapy so her clients will achieve successful outcomes.