A finalist in the 2026 SA Young Australian of the Year Awards, Amelia Griffin (BSpPath ’20) has built a career defined by purpose, innovation and advocacy. As a speech pathologist and founder of My Mind Matters Therapy, she has transformed her early passion for helping others into a practice that is reshaping how people of all ages access and experience communication support.
Amelia’s decision to pursue a career in speech pathology via Flinders University was clear from childhood. After watching her younger brother work with a speech pathologist to overcome early communication challenges, she knew exactly what she wanted to do.
“Seeing speech therapy give him a voice stayed with me,” she says.
Her older brother’s positive experience as a Flinders student only reinforced her choice that this was the place for her.
The memories that stand out from her degree go beyond the classroom – such as competing at the Australian University Games in her first year, where she won gold in Taekwondo and received the Green and Gold Award on a Flinders sports scholarship.
“It was a really special experience being part of the University community so early on,” she reflects.
Her clinical placements proved to be the most formative part of her studies. Working across diverse settings and learning from supervisors with varied passions shaped Amelia’s confidence and broadened her understanding of the profession. One clinical educator, Sue McCandlish, left a lasting influence.
“She was the kind of clinician I aspired to be. Having strong role models makes such a difference,” says Amelia.
Amelia is now a role model herself, supervising students, and emulating the same supportive environment she once benefitted from.
The origins of My Mind Matters Therapy were grounded in a simple but powerful observation. While volunteering in aged care, Amelia saw residents with complex communication needs navigating fragmented, expensive systems – none of which fully met their needs.
“There were so many different systems, each expensive and each designed for a single person. It wasn’t sustainable,” she says.
Amelia began trialling tools, sketching layouts and developing prototype apps in the evenings after full‑time work and what began as a small assistive‑technology project gradually expanded into a practice, built around the belief that communication access should be available to everyone. The tools she has created provide structured, interactive, and engaging therapy solutions.
Eventually, the project expanded beyond what one person could manage. With her mother joining as Director of Administration, Amelia was able to focus on both clinical practice and ongoing app development. That shift allowed My Mind Matters to grow without compromising its personal, person‑centred approach.
Today, Amelia’s work has helped many clients, ranging from children to adults and older residents, find new ways to express themselves independently, sometimes for the first time.
“A good day at work is when someone feels seen, heard and understood,” she says. “Most days feel that way, and rarely feel like work at all.”
Looking ahead, Amelia is excited about ongoing research collaborations at Flinders involving childhood dementia, expanding inclusive social groups for children and teens, and further developing her Communication App (AAC) and cognitive apps. Her long‑term vision is clear: a future where communication access is not something individuals must fight for, but a universal standard.
For new graduates, her advice echoes her own journey: “Stay curious and don’t be afraid to explore ideas outside traditional pathways. The most meaningful progress often comes from understanding what matters to the individual, not just the diagnosis. Thinking outside the box can make a significant difference in someone’s life.”