CEO’s Report

Samantha Hunter | OTA CEO

Summer brought relative freedom after a long and challenging year with everchanging goalposts. As always, the quiet days between Christmas and New Year provided the chance to relax with friends and family, reflect, and plan for the challenges ahead. There may even be resolutions.

While COVID-19 restrictions still hang over us, OTA starts the year optimistically with plans afoot to ensure all programming, events, and engagement with members proceed with minimum disruption.

During the first quarter of the year, states and territories will hold annual divisional meetings to inform members about national initiatives, state-based lobbying and advocacy, and issues related to their own communities. Divisional managers and councils continue to be the eyes and ears in identifying challenges and opportunities for the profession. With a strong move across the association towards embracing technology, regional and remote members have a great opportunity to join divisional councils to provide more diverse representation.

Expressions of interest will be received for OTA’s five major reference groups that engage in significant policy issues. Members can increase the profession’s profile and influence in allied health sectors by diving deeply into issues affecting their areas of practice, and bringing their expertise to lobbying and advocacy teams. This is an opportunity to use your professional expertise whilst learning the dark arts of With the opportunity to grow and connect with its community, the association is committed to ensuring it has the digital technology required to support a geographically broad membership.

advocacy, creating real change for the profession whilst growing our profile and influence as allied health professionals.

Over the past year, more members have engaged with the association with renewed enthusiasm, taking part in special interest groups and communities of practice. OTA appreciates all participation, and the way members support each other across a span of experiences and interests. The special interest groups provide unique insights into professional standards, and help lobbying and advocacy teams understand what affects the profession on the ground.

While we put a challenging year behind us, we look forward to building on its positive accomplishments and initiatives. Thanks to everyone embracing technology to stay connected with clients or community in any location, OTA was able to engage with more members. Almost 100 members attended the Annual General Meeting, and well-attended online forums provided real-time feedback on the NDIS. With the opportunity to grow and connect with its community, the association is committed to ensuring it has the digital technology required to support a geographically broad membership. We anticipate the 29th National Conference in June to look like no other, with innovation and technology playing a crucial role in connecting members.

While we work tirelessly to bring our community together across various digital platforms, we have not lost sight of the importance of connecting in person. Given the fluid nature of COVID-19 and various restrictions, we will be cautious to ensure the safety of all members and staff. However, we remain hopeful and optimistic that we will also be able to meet face to face.

After almost a year of working in isolation, I very much look forward to the reopening of the OTA national office and welcoming our staff back to the new business as usual. My resolution for the year is, “Stay well. Stay committed. Stay connected.”