Danielle Ferndale
Chairperson
I started learning Auslan in 2011 after meeting a Deaf colleague at work and wanting to be able to chat to them at work. I took a break to do a PhD in Psychology and after completing that in 2016, I went back to studying Auslan. I completed my Diploma of Interpreting in 2019 and qualified as a Certified Provisional Interpreter in 2020 and Certified Interpreter in 2024.
I have worked mostly in the academic and public health sector as a researcher (I am not a qualified psychologist). I also worked as an Educational Interpreter for a short time. I’ve been involved in the community in various ways over the years and been an Associate Member of ASLIA for a few years now. I have been an ASLIAQ committee member since 2020.
I currently work as a freelance interpreter in Brisbane.
Pauline Hansen
Vice Chairperson
Pauline grew up in the Deaf community and has worked in various logistic roles. Ever since a passing conversation happened during a hospital visit, her interest in studying Auslan and becoming an interpreter was piqued!
Pauline loves to catch up with friends and meet new people and she is excited to bring her past experience to the committee.
Kim-Ann Lyons
Secretary
Natalie Waldmeier
General Committee Member
I started learning Auslan in 2018 as a hobby, but immediately fell in love with both the language and the Deaf community. I didn’t start out with the plan of becoming a qualified interpreter, but I am thrilled with where my path has led. After finishing the Diploma of Interpreting in 2021, I passed the NAATI exam in 2022 and have been doing community interpreting since. I also work part time as a booking officer for a fantastic team who help me hone my skills every day.
Claudia Guille
General Committee Member
Claudia Guille has been an Auslan interpreter since 2010 and a Certified interpreter since 2017.
I am 31 years old, a CODA, a wife, and a mum to two beautiful kids, who are 11 and 5. I am passionate about the interpreting industry. I hope to make a difference within ASLITA Queensland as a committee member with agency and interpreter perspective.
Camilla Smith
General Committee Member
Hi! My name is Camilla and here’s a little bit about my sign language journey. I was born in the U.K. and I started learning British Sign Language (BSL) in 2012. I worked as a Communication Support Worker (CSW) in two colleges up until I moved to Australia in 2018. I transitioned over to Auslan and worked as an Educational Interpreter (EI) with a wonderful supportive team. After completing the Diploma of Interpreting course in 2020 I achieved my CPI licence thanks to many wonderful Deaf role models, teachers and friends. Since then I have been working in a variety of settings as a freelance interpreter and I have been an ASLIA committee member since 2022. I feel fortunate to be a part of ASLIA as I am able to support and give back to the interpreting and Deaf community!
Helen Boddice
General Committee Member
My name is Helen Boddice. I currently work as an educational interpreter and freelance interpret in between school, university and family. I have been in education now for about nine years and hope to one day become a teacher. After completing the Diploma of Interpreting at Deaf Services Queensland I gained my paraprofessional accreditation in late 2018. This started a massive learning curve as I traversed my way through the vast differences between education and community interpreting. I am looking forward to supporting ALSIA with their vision and learning new skills along the way.
Candace Wellington
Vice Chairperson
Candace had her first taste of learning Auslan at Newcastle University in NSW but took a few years, a bit of life searching and encouragement to eventually end up completeing the Diploma of Auslan at Melbourne Polytechnic in 2016, going on to complete the Diploma of Interpreting at RMIT and successfully passing the NATTI exam in 2017 before starting her journey as a freelance community interpreter at a CPI level from 2018 to present day. Candace started her interpreting life in Melbourne before making the move to the sunshine state in early 2021. She is looking forward to broadening her experience in the realm of interpreting by being involved in the ASLIAQ committee.
Emily Christofferson
General Committee Member
After graduating high school in Mackay, I immersed myself in the Deaf Community and started studying Auslan. I gained work as an educational interpreter in 2020 and have loved working with and advocating for students in the education space. In September 2023, I passed my NAATI certification and have begun community interpreting work. The amazing Deaf community and interpreters have supported me every step of the way. I’m looking forward to being on the ASLITAQ committee and giving back to the community – especially in regional areas.
Tiana Watene
General Committee Member
I grew up in Aotearoa Zealand heavily surrounded by and involved in multicultural communities which include the Deaf and Māori/Pacific Islander Communities, using a mixture of NZSL, English and Māori as my main forms of communication.
Having Deaf family members ignited my passion to become an Auslan interpreter in 2016 and becoming accredited in 2021, which has lead me down a pathway in to spotlighting and supporting First Nations Deaf/HoH communities as a First Nations identifying interpreter.
Upcoming Events
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2025 ASLITAQ Recertification for CPDI sessions
06/01/2025 to 06/01/2025
Contacts
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