Locally Owned and Operated
Physiotherapists at Physio Plus
Tony Morley
Tony graduated as a Physiotherapist from the University of Sydney in 2001. Since this time Tony has worked in private practice in Sydney and New Zealand prior to returning to his home town of Ballina in 2006 joining the Physio Plus team where his expertise, energy and people skills are highly valued by patients and staff.
He has a special interest in treating conditions of the spine, shoulder, knee, foot and headaches related to the cervical spine. He is an Accredited Practitioner of the Sarah Key Method (APSKM) – an innovative approach to treating back pain and one of the founding members of Ankylosing Spondylitis Special Interest Group (ASSIG) which aims to improve the Physiotherapy management of those with AS.
In addition to his manual therapy and exercise prescription skills, Tony also practices western acupuncture & dry needling and runs spinal mobility classes at Physio Plus. In his spare time, Tony can be found surfing, fishing or spending time with his wife and daughters.
Emile du Plessis
Emile is a highly experienced physiotherapist with a diverse background in musculoskeletal therapy. Having graduated in the year 2000, he has accumulated extensive experience in private musculoskeletal physiotherapy practices across different countries, including South Africa, Canada, and Australia.
Emile has invested in his professional development with postgraduate training in manual therapy and joint mobilization techniques. Additionally, he incorporates western acupuncture and dry needling into his practice, particularly for addressing myofascial pain.
His broad expertise in physiotherapy covers various aspects, but he holds a special interest in specific areas such as cervicogenic headaches, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), shoulder injuries, and post-surgical orthopaedic rehabilitation.
Emile’s passion lies in helping people navigate their recovery journeys and assisting them in reaching their full potential.
Beyond his professional life, Emile maintains a healthy and active lifestyle by engaging in water sports, he values spending quality time with his wife and kids.
Andrew Irvine
Andy is a Northern Rivers local who completed a Masters of Physiotherapy studies at The University of Queensland in 2011, after completing a Bachelor’s degree in Sport and Exercise Science in 2008. He has worked at Physio Plus for the past 13 years and is experienced in treating various orthopaedic, musculoskeletal, and sporting injuries. In particular, he has a keen interest in shoulder pathologies.
Andy strives to achieve the best outcome for his patients utilising the most up-to-date evidence. His philosophy is to provide a quality, patient-centred physiotherapy service that meets the patient’s individual needs and goals.
Courtney Burke
Courtney grew up in the area, attending Woodlawn before moving to South complete a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at the prestigious University of Sydney in 2017. She has treated a wide range of patients in hospital orthopaedic and emergency departments as well as in private practice.
As well as musculoskeletal pain and injuries, Courtney has a particular interest in treating neck-related headaches, assisting with post-surgical rehabilitation, and offering clinical Pilates. She also enjoys helping to facilitate a successful return to work following work-place injuries.
Outside of work you’ll find her chasing her two small kids around at the beach or out on a run.
Naomi Mehan
Naomi graduated from The University of Sydney as a physiotherapist in 2005. She has worked at Prince of Wales Hospital since, including a few years on secondment to Sydney Hospital Hand Unit, the major tertiary referral centre for hand injuries in the state.
Naomi completed the Sydney Hospital Hand Therapy fellowship in 2009. She have a broad range of clinical skills with a particular interest in hand injuries.
“We made a spontaneous decision to move our family to the northern rivers at the beginning of 2020 for a sea change. Unfortunate timing has meant that we have arrived in the midst of COVID 19 lockdown. I am looking forward to being able to enjoy the outdoors, and the kids going back to school when this pandemic is over. Home schooling is not one of my strengths.”
Ksenya Masendycz
Ksenya is a Physiotherapist who completed her degree at Griffith University on the Gold Coast. She has experience in hospital and rehabilitation settings, working in a range of clinical areas including orthopaedics, rehabilitation, community health, cardio-respiratory and musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Ksenya also has a diverse medical background having studied multiple streams of natural medicine and therapies, and also has a Science Degree majoring in Neuroscience & Biochemistry. Ksenya has a passion for health and wellbeing, and is committed to providing goal directed patient care across a broad spectrum of clinical areas.
Originally from Melbourne but now a Northern Rivers local of many years, Ksenya has a background in dance and pilates, qualified with a Certificate of Professional Pilates Instruction, and over 10 years experience in pilates training herself. She is passionate about combining her Physiotherapy and Clinical Pilates knowledge to assist clients of all ages and abilities. She enjoys working collaboratively with patients and is committed to providing individualised care to meet their needs.
Outside of work, Ksenya loves taking her dog to the beach, boxing training classes, and baking.
Thomas Pasch
Thomas graduated in 2018 with a Master of Physiotherapy from the University of Sydney. Since then, Thomas decided on a tree change, moving from Sydney to Kyogle where he worked as a Physio in Private Practice for 4 years before joining Physio Plus in 2023.
Thomas enjoys treating musculoskeletal injuries and post-operative rehabilitation following joint surgeries. He has a particular interest in treating shoulder pain and improving patients posture and mobility.
On the weekends Thomas enjoys watching rugby union and playing golf, Thomas is also looking forward to the arrival of a baby boy.
Stuart Cheval
Stuart is a physiotherapist with 25 years of experience. Initially completing his undergraduate degree in 1998 at the University of Queensland, Stuart went on to travel world for the next five years, before undertaking a Masters of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy in 2004.
In 2013, Stuart started his formal specialisation as a Vestibular Physiotherapist, completing the competency-based course in Vestibular Rehabilitation under the instruction of world-renowned leaders in the field from the USA. In 2017, Stuart undertook advanced training in Vestibular Rehabilitation under the same expert faculty from the USA.
In 2019, Stuart moved to Melbourne to gain further experience in vestibular rehabilitation, and was fortunate enough to work at Neurological Rehabilitation Group, a clinic specialising in the management of complex vestibular disorders and post-concussion presentations. During this time Stuart was also involved in research affiliated with the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) looking at the physiotherapy management of concussion in children, and also a similar a study run by Monash Health investigating outcomes in adult concussive injuries.
Stuart has extensive experience in the assessment and management of various vestibular disorders, including BPPV, vestibular migraine, vestibular neuritis/labyrinthitis, Meniere’s disease and bilateral vestibular hypofunction, and uses video infrared goggles to assist with accurate diagnosis and treatment of vestibular dysfunction.
Alison Millar
Alison graduated from a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at the University of Queensland in 2009. In her early post graduate days, she enjoyed working in hospital based physiotherapy, including work with neurological rehabilitation and post surgical orthopaedic patients. It was during this time that she discovered a particular interest in Women’s health Physiotherapy.
She received further education in pelvic floor dysfunction through the Women’s Health Training Associates, and her work is now focused on continence education and management, treatment of prolapse including pessary prescription, as well as the care of pre and post natal women.
Ali loves spending time with her family, swimming, Pilates and reading.
Tony Hennessy
Tony graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1973. Yes, that was fifty years ago.
He initially worked in the Tasmanian Hospital service before Private Practice in 1978. He continued in that practice till 2003 when he commenced a locum service around Australia, servicing Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania.
Tony worked with the Western Australia Ballet and the Los Angeles Clippers as a consultant. He has used acupuncture as part of his practice since 1988 and has a keen interest in musculoskeletal concerns.
His other interests are Art, Music and travel.
Cally O’Hara
After graduating from the University of Sydney in 2003 Cally built on her strong foundations at the Westmead Children’s Hospital and Greenwich Hospital, in particular in surgical, rehab, orthopaedics, chest physiotherapy, burns and musculo-skeletal physiotherapy.
Cally’s sporting background in netball, soccer, surfing and dance, soon led her to venture into private practice on the northern beaches of Sydney. It is this sporting interest which helped Cally hone her empathetic and consultative approach to her physiotherapy.
Cally returned home to the Northern Rivers in 2011 to take up a position at Bangalow Physiotherapy. She utilises a combination of hands-on manual therapy, and a strengthening clinical pilates approach in her practice as a physiotherapist, with cold laser, shock wave therapy and acupuncture used as adjunctive modalities. She enjoys working collaboratively with her clients to develop personalised home exercise regimes to compliment her physiotherapy.
Bangalow Physiotherapy brings clients with a diversity of issues. Some of the conditions Cally treats include:- back and neck pain, sciatica, sports injuries, tendinitis, post hip/ knee/ back surgery, pre and post-natal women, growth-associated conditions in children, torticollis in babies, stubborn chest infections and pneumonia.
Cally’s commitment inspires ongoing development of her professional skills, including the Mulligan Concept, the Sarah Key Method, and Clinical Pilates for runners and pre/post-natal women. Cally’s ongoing interest in physiotherapy is guided by her passion to help people attain enhanced wellbeing and optimal physical functioning. She is committed to providing an individual and respectful approach with her clients to help each one set and achieve their goals.
Peter Craig
Peter is a Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist.
He graduated in 1986 and gained further qualifications in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy in 1990 from Curtin University where he became a postgraduate clinical tutor.
He is skilled in treating necks and backs, knees, shoulders and any other ailments due to injury, recurrent strain or age.
Peter has interests in cycling, sailing and golf but has yet to demonstrate any special skills outside of his profession.
Jackie Kirby
Jackie has been working in the Northern Rivers since 2015 after graduating in 2012 at the University of Queensland. She has a Masters degree in Physiotherapy as well as a Bachelor degree in Sport and Exercise Science. Jackie has had varied experience in rehabilitation and musculoskeletal settings and has a keen interest in rehabilitation for neurological injuries (I.e. stroke and brain injury) and chronic pain. Jackie treats various musculoskeletal conditions using manual therapy techniques and exercise based therapy.
While Jackie enjoys working in a clinical setting, she is able to provide at home physiotherapy services when required or when access to a clinic isn’t manageable. These can include post surgery care (I.e. hip replacements) and following neurological rehab after a hospital stay. Jackie is registered with NDIS and can work with clients and their carers/families to achieve her clients functional goals.
Shayne Guest
Shayne has a passion for sports and exercise coming from a strength and conditioning background. He completed a masters of physiotherapy at the university of Sydney in 2023.
Shayne emphasises improving movement and pain free function with his patients through manual therapy combined with exercise therapy. He has a particular interest in musculoskeletal Injuries and headaches.
You’ll find Shayne in the gym or on his surfboard, with a drive for new physical challenges and to learn new skills.
Nicky (Chin Wang) Yee
Nicky moved to Australia in 2020 to pursue a career as a physiotherapist and graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) in 2023. Originally from Hong Kong, he is fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.
Nicky is passionate about musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy, focusing on injury prevention, rehabilitation, and chronic pain management. He believes in tailoring each treatment to the individual’s needs, employing a combination of hands-on manual therapy and exercise-based interventions.
During weekends, Nicky enjoys driving up to Brisbane to play pool and catch up with uni friends.
Zoe Culross
Zoe graduated from the University of Queensland in 2021 and completed her graduate year at Cairns Hospital. She went overseas in 2023 to travel and work, spending a few months in the UK and Switzerland. She grew up in the Northern Rivers and has now returned here to continue her career.
Zoe is passionate about working with her clients to achieve the best outcomes. She is particularly interested in sporting injuries and post surgical rehab.
When she’s not at work, Zoe can be found going for a run along the river in Ballina or at the beach.
Fernando Gonzalez
Fernando came to Australia from Chile in 2018 and graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours). He has training as a Pilates Reformer and Trapeze instructor, with work experience in assisted stretching.
He believes in hands-on treatment partnered with exercise and knows the importance of fluid mobility, which helps heal the body through healthy movement.
In Fernando’s spare time, you can find him strolling along the beach with his wife and young son or surfing the local point breaks.
Claudia Maldonado
Claudia Maldonado graduated from the University of Technology in Sydney in 2023 with a Master of Physiotherapy, following the completion of a Bachelor of Human Science (Major in Human Movement) from Macquarie University in 2021.
Claudia has previous experience in hospital settings, with post-operative rehabilitation, experience in rugby league and sports training in soccer and AFL.
Claudia has a special interest in sports-related injuries and pain in all ages, where she seeks to empower clients to reach pre-injury level of function through a combination of manual and exercise-based therapy based on the most current evidence.
In her spare time you will find Claudia at the gym, beach or out for a run!
Una Fahey
Una gained her degree in Physiotherapy from the University of Sydney in 2001. After graduating she travelled extensively and gained a wide range of experience in physiotherapy, from large hospitals, to small hospitals, development work in Indonesia, to private practice in Dublin.
In the past 20 years she has been working in the Northern Rivers in private practice developing skills in acupuncture, pilates and with a special interest in pelvic health. In treatment she utilises skills in manual therapy, education, and exercise prescription.
Una has developed a passion for helping improve the quality of life for women with pelvic health concerns such as incontinence and prolapse. She most enjoys working with people who are motivated to learn about their body, move well and feel good long term.
Outside of work Una loves camping, and to be near the ocean or paddling on a river with her husband and two sons.
At Physio Plus You’re in the Right Hands