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
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!
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.