Who We Are
We are parents, teachers, tutors and professionals with a shared commitment to early identification, effective intervention and support for individuals with specific learning difficulties.
In 2018, SPELD NSW celebrated our 50th anniversary year. Since our inception we’ve grown into a statewide organisation with strong connections across Australia to deliver support, resources and professional learning.
Thanks to our dedicated team, each year thousands of parents and teachers have gained the knowledge and skills to help children with specific learning difficulties.

SPELD NSW Board of Directors
Rhonda Filmer
Gifted Education Consultant and Teacher, Rhonda is the Principal Consultant at Twice Exceptional Educational Consultancy and an experienced executive function coach to support students with ADHD. Rhonda joined the SPELD NSW Board in 2014.
“It is patently clear from science that by ensuring that all students have access to a quality education and are as literate as we can make them then employment, productivity, mental health, self-esteem and well-being are all positively impacted. This is my vision for all students.” Rhonda Filmer Chair SPELD NSW
Rhonda is an advocate for the early identification of students’ learning profiles and for the reform of Initial Teacher Education so that teachers better understand the developmental needs of students and how to differentiate programs to teach for those differences. Rhonda’s professional practice offers individual tutoring programs, school liaison, advocacy and consulting to gifted education co-ordinators.
Greg McLachlan
Master of Educational Administration (UNSW), Bachelor of Arts, Diploma In Teaching
SPELD NSW Board Secretary
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Ingrid King
LLM (Hons) (Casework) (UTS), BA/LLB (ANU)
SPELD NSW Board Member
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Michelle Neil
HR Diploma, Business Management AIM, Company Director accreditation AICD, a Justice of the Peace
SPELD NSW Board Member
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David Kinnane
B.Bus, LLB (Hons.), MSLP, CPSP
SPELD NSW Board Member
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Jackie Connor
MAICD | Dip Teach
SPELD NSW Board Member
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David Rowlinson
B.Arch (Hons), MMktg, MBA
SPELD NSW Treasurer
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SPELD NSW Team
Georgina Perry
“Growing up with dyslexia, and seeing my son have many of the same experiences, has inspired me to provide support and assistance to children and adults with specific learning difficulties and their families and teachers.” George Perry
Georgina joined SPELD NSW in 2017. George brings strategy, management and corporate governance skills to SPELD NSW. George was previously a lawyer in the pro bono team at Ashurst and the funds management team at Allens and has also held positions on the Boards of Amnesty International Australia and Lou’s Place (The Marmalade Foundation).
As Executive Director, George works to strengthen partnerships with educators, parents and the community to deliver support to students and adults with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia across New South Wales.
George works with a staff team of passionate individuals to provide professional learning, membership, resources, assessments, and information and referral services.
Kerrie Daley
Bachelor of Education
Clinician
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Lee Doyle
B.Teach, B.Ed,M.Ed
Professional Learning Officer; SPELD NSW Tutor
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Amanda Wright
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
SPELD NSW Clinician
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Suzi Johnson
BA (VisComm), MTeach (PrimaryEd)
Professional Learning Educator
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Amanda Nguyen
BA/LLB Bachelor of Arts and Law
Receptionist
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Manjita Gurung
Finance & Office Coordinator
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Danielle Colenbrander
(BLibStud) University of Sydney, Master of Speech Language Pathology (MSLP), PhD Macquarie University
Educational Adviser
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Veronica Alexander
BA (UNSW) MTeach Primary (CSU)
Professional Learning and Development Lead
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Dr Jennifer Lorenzo
BA(Psych), GradDip(Psych), MPsych(Ed & Dev), PhD(Med), FAPS
Educational and Developmental Psychologist
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Belinda Dekker
Information & Referral Officer
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Vanessa Maher
Information & Referral Officer, SPELD NSW Tutor
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Melinda Matthews
Information & Referral Officer
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Nick de Jongh
IT Services
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Kellie Lithgow
Bookstore and Office Administrator
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Chantale Dorrington
Professional Learning and Office Administrator
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Heather Hossack
Assessments and Office Administrator