LITTLE STAR TEAM
Director
Dr Sarita K Hamall
Stuttering Specialist
Speech Pathologist
Dr Sarita K Hamall is the owner/Director of Little Star Speech Therapy and has over 22-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 15-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.
Director
/ 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 15 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
Assistant Manager
/ Reception
Shilpa Khanal
Shilpa was born and raised in Nepal and moved to Newcastle, Australia, 2016.She completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Accounting and has extensive experience working in disability and aged-care. Shilpa is an energetic and optimistic person who loves working with children and families. As an Assistant Manager/ Reception at Little Star, Shilpa plays a key role in supporting the team whilst ensuring smooth and effective operation of services. Her responsibilities include overseeing day-to-day operations, managing administration and ensuring the highest standards of care and service delivery. Her preferred area of work is in the allied health and disability sector, where she can continue to make a meaningful impact on children and families. Shilpa enjoys being ‘the reason behind someone’s happiness,’ and her genuine and vibrant personality is reflected in her work. She thrives on fostering a supportive environment to enhance the staff and client experience.
Admin / Reception
Tracee Dagg
Tracee is our Administrator / Receptionist who grew up in the Hunter Valley and moved to Newcastle in 2000. Tracee brings over thirty years of experience to Little Star Speech Therapy, previously working in business administration for various industries, including, mining, energy and most recently Hunter New England Health. Tracee prides herself on helping the team with the administration (nuts & bolts) of their job and the behind the scenes maintenance of policies and procedures, ensuring we are on top of, and up-to-date in regard to the required compliance and smooth runnings of the practice.
Clinical Educator
/ Speech Pathologist
Rhiannon beattie
Rhiannon completed her Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) at the University of Newcastle, where she also works as a Clinical Educator. She is a warm and caring clinician who is passionate about supporting clients to achieve their goals no matter how big or small. Rhiannon values the therapeutic relationships she has with her clients and enjoys seeing them succeed in therapy which plays to their strengths and interests. Rhiannon brings extensive experience working in multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary teams across Newcastle supporting a range of clients with complex disability. She enjoys and welcomes working collaboratively with other professionals to create the best outcomes for her clients and their families. Rhiannon is dedicated to ongoing professional development and has completed courses such as: Nuffield Dyspraxia Program for motor speech intervention, Sounds Write for literacy and Hanen More Than Words. She is passionate about finding the right approach for the right client, and empowering children and families.
Speech Pathologist
Alana is an energetic and vibrant clinician who is passionate about working together with children and their families in achieving their communication goals. She completed her Bachelor of Speech Pathology degree at The University of Newcastle and has since gained extensive experience working in local private practice providing assessment and therapy to a diverse range of clients. Alana is extremely dedicated to professional development and hascompleted many specialised postgraduate training courses in the areas of speech, stuttering, early language, school-aged language and literacy development. She has gained further knowledge and expertise in the areas of sensory regulation, Gestalt Language Processing and neurodiversity affirming practice. Alana is a Hanen Certified clinician having completed the ‘It Takes Two to Talk’, ‘More Than Words’ and ‘Target Word’ training programs for supporting language development. She is also trained in the Lidcombe Program for stuttering intervention and Sounds-Write and Talk for Writing programs for literacy development. Alana has a warm, caring, and captivating rapport with her clients and always strives to make each session fun, engaging and specifically tailored to suit each individual child and their family’s needs.
Alana Wilson
Speech Pathologist
Isabella Gerritsen
Isabella Gerritsen was born and raised in Newcastle NSW. She completed a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) degree at Newcastle University. She has a passion for working with children to achieve their goals big or small, empowering families along the way.
She brings her previous experience working within the early education setting as well as an Allied Health Assistant where she integrates these skills and knowledge into her Speech Pathology role at Little Star Speech Therapy. Isabella is a caring and supportive clinician who enjoys working alongside all families to support each and everyone's individual needs.
Speech Pathologist
Clementine gourley
Clementine completed her Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) at the University of Newcastle and is passionate about helping people build confidence and achieve their communication goals. Originally from Sydney, she moved to Newcastle in 2021 and has made it her home, bringing warmth and a bubbly personality to her work. With two years of experience as an Allied Health Assistant, Clementine understands the importance of delivering evidence-based therapy that feels safe, supportive, and tailored to each individual. Clementine is qualified in Sounds Write and takes a neurodiverse-affirming approach, always striving to meet people where they are and celebrate their unique strengths.
AHA Speech Pathologist
Erin Boggis
Erin is an undergraduate student currently in her final year studying a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) at The University of Newcastle. Originally from Byron Bay, she moved to Newcastle in 2022 to complete her studies. Erin has a passion for empowering individuals to achieve their goals through creating a safe and supportive environment tailored to every individual. Erin understands the importance of providing evidence-based therapy with a client focused approach to her role as an Allied Health Assistant. She is dedicated to making a meaningful impact in her role and is excited about her future as a Speech Pathologist.
AHA Speech Pathologist
Sarah was born in Vienna, Austria, and raised in Sydney, Australia. She is currently completing her final year studying a Bachelor of Speech Pathology at The University of Newcastle and will be graduating mid 2025.
She has a passion for assisting children to meet their therapy goals in a creative and interactive way, with an interest in all aspects of paediatric Speech Therapy. Sarah has personal experience with Autism and Non-Verbal Speech Disorders with her younger brother’s diagnosis, being her leading inspiration to aspire to be a Speech Pathologist. She brings knowledge and experience from her past therapy placements and volunteer work, adapting to tailored communication needs. Sarah is dedicated in providing Evidence Based Practice and keeping informed in all current and developing research.
Sarah Brenner
AHA Speech Pathologist
Amiza Azmali
Amiza is Bruneian, born in the United Kingdom and raised in Brunei Darussalam. She came to Newcastle, Australia 2 years ago. She is a few semesters away from completing a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) at the University of Newcastle where she will be graduating in mid 2025. She possesses a profound passion for collaborating with children, driven by a deep commitment to helping them attain their aspirations. Her dedication extends beyond just the children themselves; she is equally devoted to empowering families throughout the journey. Drawing from her background in outside of school hours care and paediatric clinical placements, she is poised to integrate these skills at Little Star Speech Therapy. Amiza is thrilled to embark on this new journey with the team, anticipating the opportunity to connect with the wonderful families she will support and work alongside.