Our Staff

Gavin Williams

Gavin has worked in neurological rehabilitation for 20 years. He currently combines clinical work with clinical research at the University of Melbourne. Developed a program to teach advanced gait and running skills to people with neurological injuries. This program led to his doctoral studies titled ‘The development of a high-level mobility assessment tool (HiMAT) for people with traumatic brain injury’. Since that time he has been a Post-doctoral Research Fellow focusing on the assessment, classification and treatment of mobility limitations following traumatic brain injury.

Gavin was awarded Fellowship to the Australian College of Physiotherapists in 2011. He has over 30 peer-reviewed journal publications and over 50 international and national conference presentations. He was also involved in the development of a new classification system for Paralympic athletics which was implemented at the London Paralympics.

Rachel Taylor

Rachel’s handling skills and experience working at the Bobath Centre in London means she can assist clients in experiencing more normal and efficient movement, heightening the rehabilitation process. With a special interest in stroke rehabilitation and adults with cerebral palsy, Rachel’s “human touch” and focus on outcomes has endeared her to patients from all walks of life.

She has worked in various settings including neurological out-patients, rehabilitation, community and hydrotherapy. She has spent 4 ½ years working in London at The Bobath Centre for Adults with Neurological Disability and the Wellington Hospital; both centres of excellence in the field of neurological rehabilitation. Rachel graduated in 1998 from The University of Melbourne with a B.Physio (Hons).

Jacqueline Waite

Jacqueline is an Exercise Physiologists who graduated from Victoria University in 2007. She has worked as an Allied Health Professional in both private practice and hospital rehabilitation settings for many years. She specializes in providing mobility and function to clients with medical conditions through exercise. With a special interest in neurological rehabilitation, Jacqueline provides exercise and lifestyle support for people with neurological injuries to encourage sustainable lifestyle changes by providing services which include individual lifestyle counseling and self management support. Through her exercise advice she can monitor behavior changes to promote independent lifestyle management.

Jacqueline’s main focus is health education, exercise counseling and physical rehabilitation. This is primarily through exercise prescription, which includes individual programs set according to both special interests and individual’s goals, plus counseling to reduce sedentary behaviors. Assessment is made to ensure the activity prescription is safe, effective, and likely to maintain in the long term.

Jane Costello

Jane Costello completed her Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) in 2000 at the University of Melbourne and since then as a physiotherapist has specialised in neurological rehabilitation both in Australia and the UK. Her additional area of expertise is Pilates and since 2002 she has been a fully qualified Pilates Instructor working in studios in Melbourne and in Vancouver, Canada. Most recently Jane has completed a Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction (2011). Jane is the co-creator and presenter of the Australian Physiotherapy Association course for physiotherapists “An Introduction to Pilates for Neurological Clients”.

Throughout her professional career, Jane has been inspired to help neurological rehabilitation patients return to their highest level of function, including running, skiing and other high level sporting activities. She has found that the combination of Physiotherapy and Pilates can be particularly effective in many patients.

Katrina Meharry

Katrina is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist servicing the Greater Geelong and Bellarine region. With a strong background in Neurology and Oncology, Katrina specialises in the prescription of exercise to optimise rehabilitation goals and promote active lifestyle. Katrina holds a Bachelor of Sport Science and a Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology from Australian Catholic University, and has completed further study in Clinical Exercise Prescription and Pilates for neurological conditions including MS, Stroke, and Acquired Brain injury (ABI). She has previously worked in the Trauma and Neurology team at Barwon Health McKellar Centre, Epworth Rehabilitation and with Peter McCallum Cancer Centre. Katrina has extensive experience in return to running, cycling and swimming programs as well as community gym program set up. She is passionate about helping her clients achieve a greater quality of life through improved mobility and participation in sport and recreation.

Rachelle Pitard – Exercise Physiologist

Rachelle specialises in the development and implementation of personalised rehabilitation programs for Acquired Brain Injury and Neurological populations. Since graduating from a Graduate Diploma in Exercise Prescription at the University of Ballarat, Rachelle has advanced her skills and knowledge, working with a broad range of neurological and orthopaedic conditions. Rachelle has experience in the hospital environment, community gym setting, hydrotherapy exercise sessions and she also has knowledge in home based exercise programs.

Over the past four years she has been involved in several programs, including cycling re-education sessions involving both open and closed environment training, running programs from pre running drills to higher levels working on efficiency, speed and distance and she also has knowledge in return to work programs focusing on the physical requirements. Rachelle provides a friendly and enthusiastic approach to helpzing the individual achieve their rehabilitation goals and be the best they can be.