ASLIA Vic/Tas

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ASLIA Vic/Tas

The Australian Sign Language Interpreters and Translators Association: Victoria & Tasmania (ASLITA Vic/Tas)

The Australian Sign Language Interpreters’ Association (ASLIA) is a non-profit body and is the national peak organisation representing the needs and interests of Auslan/English interpreters and Deaf Interpreters in Australia. The Association is comprised of a national Executive Committee, a Representative Council and branches in most states/territories.

10/08/2026

Interpreting for a Deafblind person in a Medical Setting

Saturday 29th August 10am-4pm
Ross House Level 4

Deafblind Victoria is partnering with ASLITA VIC/TAS to provide an informative and hands on PD about interpreting in a Medical setting for a person with Deafblindness. You will get tips, strategies and insights into explaining medical terminology in a variety of communication methods.

Registration information to come. Places will be limited, so clear your diaries now!

07/07/2026

Meet the wonderful presenters who will be sharing with you their knowledge and expertise during the upcoming Interpreter Safety and De-Escalation training PD - and don’t forget to register via the link in our bio

Thurs 16th July
6-9pm AEST
Delivered via Zoom

Dr Alison Hansen - Senior Lecturer, Deputy Director of Education (Quality), Monash University

Alison is a credentialed Mental Health Nurse, lecturer at Monash University, and researcher with expertise in forensic mental health nursing, particularly women’s experiences of seclusion in forensic settings. She is passionate about fostering critical thinking, recovery-oriented practice, and inclusive mental health care, with a strong commitment to reducing stigma and minimising the use of restrictive interventions.

Melissa Thompson - Expression Australia - Auslan-English Interpreter, ASLITA Vic/Tas Committee Member.

Melissa is a CPI Level Auslan-English Interpreter with 15 years of experience working alongside the Deaf community, where she developed a deep appreciation for the power of language and community connection. Drawing on her background in nursing and science, she is passionate about improving access to education and healthcare, values the trust placed in her as an interpreter, and is committed to continually developing her skills while supporting the growth of the interpreting profession.

Facilitated by Mac Gordon - Expression Australia - Auslan-English Interpreter

Mac Gordon has been interpreting for nearly 10 years. They have a background in science and a passion for activism; they work to improve interpreter conditions and safety.

For longer bios for each of our presenters, please see the recent ASLITA wide email

18/06/2026

Interpreter Safety and De-escalation Training
Thursday 16th July – 6-9pm EAST
Online via Zoom
Register now via Link in bio, the ASLITA website or EA website

Expression Australia and ASLITA VIC/TAS are proud to be partnering to deliver a free online training session open to all Expression Australia and ASLITA member interpreters - i.e. everyone!!!

In many of the settings that interpreters work there is a risk of occupational violence.
This interactive session will cover assessing an environment for safety risks, developing a personal safety plan, identifying possible triggers and signs of escalating aggression, and strategies for how to respond.

Facilitated by: Melissa Thompson, Mac Gordon, and from Monash University - Dr Alison Hansen.

27/04/2026

Members! If your employer doesn't provide you with flu vaccinations, we've got you! Check your emails for more info.

02/03/2026

Following last year’s success, the ASLITA Vic/Tas Committee has been beavering away planning a Summer Cooler social event - With the health decline and passing of our dear friend and colleague Marc, we have decided to pivot slightly.
We are still holding an event and will have one structured activity – a depicting sign storytelling circle – facilitated by Darlene Thornton.

Food and drink provided, but more importantly we want to provide a place for interpreters and the Deaf community to be together.

Fri 13th March
John Pierce Centre
6:30pm – 8:30pm
All Welcome

Please register via the events page on the ASLITA website, ideally by Sunday 8th March, so we can organise catering and know how many people to expect.

01/03/2026

It is with heavy hearts that ASLITA Vic/Tas relay news of the passing of Certified Interpreter Marc Ethan on Thursday 26th Feb 2026. Marc was our friend, our colleague and a staunch ally of the Deaf Community.

Both Australia and NZ were lucky to share Marc, and he interpreted on both sides of Te Tai-o-Réhau for well over 20 years. Himself from the Aotearoa Iwi Ngái Tahu, Marc was dedicated to the development of First Nations interpreting practice and representation. He was passionate about working with Deaf LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities, and in the Deafblind interpreting space.

Marc was a fierce advocate for the development and betterment of our industry. On several occasions, Marc held a mirror up to ASLITA and other professional organisations, giving his feedback and challenging us to think on how we guide interpreters through this landscape.

The Deaf and interpreting communities are small and tightly interconnected. We understand the affect this loss will have on the many Marc impacted through his life and decades of interpreting work. Those that Marc mentored will grieve his loss, but also carry on his legacy through their own work. To his family and close friends, please know he made a difference, was loved and respected. Vale Marc.

08/12/2025

Meet your presenters!

ASLITA VICTAS are thrilled to welcome these 4 incredibly experienced and knowledgeable presenters for our upcoming PD.
Bringing a wealth of knowledge in trauma-informed counselling and interpreting in related spaces.

Check your emails for more detailed information about these 4 impactful presenters,
And see you there
Tues 9th Dec @ 6:30pm (AEST)
Via Zoom - Book via the ASLITA website

30/11/2025

Hello members!

We hope you can join us on Tues 9th December for this important PD facilitated by Ballarat’s Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) during the 16 Days of Activism

Please Register through the ASLITA website

With thanks,

ASLITA Vic Tas Committee

08/10/2025

The Monash Translation and Interpreting Studies program, based in the School of Languages, Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics in the Faculty of Arts, has partnered with Expression Australia to offer a Professional Development training program on Mental Health Interpreting for Victoria-based Auslan and Deaf interpreters.
This is a specialist self-paced short course aimed at current NAATI certified Auslan and Deaf interpreters at CPI, CDPI and CI levels, which aims to equip practitioners with foundational knowledge and resources to work in a variety of mental health settings. The course will cover key areas including best practices in mental health assignments; memory and cognitive assessments; talk-based therapy; trauma; acute psychiatric mental health care; mental health tribunals; forensic mental health settings; depression and suicidal ideation; ethics and interactional challenges; and interpreter self-care.

As part of the course, participants are invited to attend an interactive Zoom session with Dr. Robyn K. Dean on Saturday 29 November 2025 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, AEDT.
Dr. Dean, CI/CT, PhD, has been a nationally certified signed language interpreter for over thirty years with particular service in the field of healthcare. has over twenty publications, all of which focus on the theoretical and pedagogical frameworks used to advance the practice of community interpreters.

Enrollment is open to Victorian-based Auslan interpreters and Victorian-based Deaf interpreters (Certified Interpreter and Certified Provisional Interpreter). Places are capped and limited.
The course will be available from Friday, 24 October to Sunday 21 December 2025 and can be completed at your own pace at any time during this period.

You can find the link to the enrollment EOI in the bio of this page as well as here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjNx8_1QR-2RkHRaooBf8yhlWgW8LHfOkuWXLQ7AdocGt9XA/viewform

18/09/2025

Excellent news! We're combining snacks and workers rights on the 22nd October in Carlton.

We certainly believe that snacks are an interpreter's right...but you'll have to come along to our event to hear from Professionals Australia to find out the facts.

Head to the events page on ASLITA.com.au to register.

Don't forget it's FREE for members!

Address

25 High Street
Melbourne, VIC
3181

Website

https://aslia.com.au/about-us/state-associations/vic-tas/

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