Physiotherapist profiles

Justin McEvoy

Justin is Co-Director of Physiohealth (VIC) Pty Ltd and has been a physiotherapist for over 16 years. Justin has achieved a Masters degree in his studies after completing a Post Graduate qualification in Sports Physiotherapy. He was also one of the very few who first qualified as a 'Sports Physiotherapist' in Australia.

Justin enjoys treating all people from the backyard gardener who hurts their back to children with "growing pains" and the elderly suffering from arthritis.

Justin's main special interests are the treatment and rehabilitation of back, shoulder and neck injuries as well as the treatment of elite level swimmers and athletes, himself being a keen swimmer and runner.

David Morarty

David Morarty or Big Dave as he is known in the practice is one of the Principle physiotherapists at Physiohealth (VIC) Pty Ltd having been in partnership with Justin McEvoy for the last 10-years. David has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne before going on to obtain a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy from La Trobe University. He also has a post Graduate Diploma in Sports Physiotherapy. In 2008 Dave completed his Level 3 Sports Course.

A private practitioner for the last 13 years, David has had extensive experience treating elite athletes such as swimmers Grant Hackett, Brooke Hanson and Matt Welsh as well as other athletes including AFL footballers, top race jockeys, Australian Test Cricketer Matthew Elliott and elite level squash players, tennis players and gymnasts.

However, David is equally at home treating couch potatoes, kids, mums and dads who may hurt themselves gardening or as a result of ergonomic or work stress such as poor posture using computers. Big Dave has the knack with diagnosis and being able to hit the key cause of working environment with the other physiotherapists and masseurs and has a good network of referring medical practitioners and specialists with whom he interfaces for people with complex problems.

David himself is a former elite competitive swimmer and water-polo player and has a special interest in all types of musculo-skeletal problems from weekend warriors to world champions. David specialises in trigger point therapy and manipulation, dry needling and Neuro meningeal stretching. He was selected as a physiotherapist to work with the Australian Swim Team at the Commonwealth Games held in Melbourne in 2006, World Championships in Montreal in 2005 and has just returned from the 2008 Beijing Olympics where is was one of the physiotherapists for the Australian Swimmers.

David Micallef

David graduated from La Trobe University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy. He then spent two years at a rehabilitation facility working with patients who have sustained neurological disorders such as stroke and head injury, joint replacements, multi-trauma and chronic low back pain.

David joined the team at Physiohealth in 1999, and since that time has worked with all types of sporting injuries, as well as with spinal conditions and degenerative joint disorders.

David has continued his education by completing further studies in Spinal and Sports therapy, as well as The McKenzie low back pain course, and the Lyn Watson and Craig Allingham Shoulder courses.

David has worked closely with St Bernard's Old Collegians Football Club for the last 10 seasons, as well as being part of the team of physios to look after VIS swimmers at local competitions. Locally David works closely with national and state level gymnasts, as well as having extensive experience with treating dancers.

Apart from sports injuries David has a strong interest in looking after the everyday patient who suffers from a multitude of factors such as degeneration, general fitness and poor ergonomics.

Sharbil Wehbe

Sharbil (or Sharbs as he is commonly known) graduated from the University of Sydney. Upon completion of his degree, Sharbs managed a private practice and gained extensive experience in the treatment of headaches, workplace, TAC and spinal injuries.

Until Sharbs moved to Victoria in 2001, he was the head physiotherapist to the Sydney Olympic Soccer Team within the national soccer league and treated many elite athletes such as Ian Rush and Socceroos like, Brett Emerton and Nick Carle who currently are members of top European Clubs. He has also worked with players from the English Premier League, Spanish Prima Liga, J- league, West Ham United Academy (Sydney based), National Rugby League, Olympic Rowers, State Gymnasts and assists with the care of our current Victorian Institute of Sports Swimmers. Having been exposed to such a diverse group of elite athletes, wouldn't you want this health care professional working with you? Currently Sharbs works with the A-league referees; the Football Federation of Victoria (in the development of their elite and state teams), numerous state league clubs and recently returned from a trip to FC Barcelona where he was able to examine the best practice for footballers.

While Sharbs tries to make physiotherapy a fun experience (but professional) he remains passionate about designing individual rehabilitation programs that are tailored to the injury and needs of his patients. While his passion is Football, working with mums, dads, and children who hurt themselves through the easiest and funniest ways is his speciality.

Cory Prout

Cory has been a physiotherapist since 2001 after graduating from the University of Melbourne in 2001 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and has enjoyed developing his skills with the team at Physiohealth. He has a sporting background as a high level middle distance runner and this experience gives him a perfect insight into the management of sporting injuries. A preferred physiotherapist for the Australian swimming team, Cory has been selected to travel to the USA, Canada and Thailand with Olympic level swimmers. Cory completed his Masters in Sports Physiotherapy at the end of 2008 after which he was awarded the title Master of Sports Physiotherapist. Cory specializes in manipulation, dry needling, deep tissue therapy and exercise prescription. Cory works out of our Footscray and Williamstown clinics and is accredited to treat DVA, Workcover and TAC funded patients.

Tony Perilli

Tony has been with Physiohealth for 6 years and works at our Port Melbourne, Essendon and Footscray practices. Tony has extensive experience in treating the majority of musculoskeletal injuries and in all individuals. Tony's express goal is to improve function, accelerating a return to work and play.

Peter Bruce

Peter graduated from the Victorian School of Physiotherapy in 1963 and has practised as a private practitioner for 26 years at Springvale and more recently for 20 years at Mount Waverley and Physiohealth. He gained a Graduate Diploma in Manipulative Therapy in 1988 from Latrobe University.

He has been Physiotherapist for St. Kilda Football Club, Oakleigh and Springvale Football Clubs and also has worked with Monash University Amateurs and Waverley City Soccer Club (now Eastern Lions) and more recently East Burwood Football Club.

His background as a successful distance runner (State title holder in the marathon and 25K events) combined with involvement in club level competition for 35 years, has equipped him with an understanding of athletes' problems that has proved a valuable aid to their successful management.

Expertise and experience gained through years of treatment of self and many competing athletes from school level through to Olympic and Commonwealth Games representatives sees him able to offer a unique blend of knowledge and experience.

SPECIAL INTERESTS:

• Low back and neck pain
• Hamstring and thigh pain
• Knee problems in sports and older people
• Lower leg problems particularly shin splints
• Achilles tendon and calf strains, heel and foot pain
• Football injuries

Gary Singh

Gary graduated from Latrobe University in 2005 and has worked in neurological and orthopaedic rehabilitation in addition to private practice. He has a broad range of experience working with elite and recreational athletes. He is also an accredited provider for private health funds, TAC and Workcover patients.

Gary's speciality areas include low back pain rehabilitation, posture related neck and upper back pain, shoulder injuries, knee injuries, ankle pain, post-operative rehabilitation- spinal, knee, hip surgery, injury prevention and musculoskeletal screenings.

He has a keen personal interest in cricket, AFL football (keen Carlton Football club supporter), soccer and swimming. Gary works out of our Mount Waverley, Nunawading and Port Melbourne practices.

• Qualifications: Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPhysio)
• Involvement with Teams and Associations: Nunawading Swim Club, Victorian (Silver) Swim Squad, Junior VicElite Soccer
• National Age Swimming Championships (Brisbane) 2008
• NSW Age Swimming Championships (Sydney) 2008
• Professional Memberships: Member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA)

Margaret Hillis

Margaret graduated from the Lincoln Institute of Health services in 1987 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy. She then went on to obtain a postgraduate qualification from the University of Melbourne in Manipulative Therapy in 1991.

Margaret has been in private practice for the last 18 years and currently works out of our Mt Waverley office. She has a particular interest in musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy and has a very hands-on approach to treatment using mobilisation, manipulation, soft tissue massage and exercise prescription. Margaret recently completed extensive training in the treatment of headaches and also has a keen interest in women's health. Margaret is currently working with the Middle Years Tennis School at Boxhill.

Margaret is an A-grade tennis and netball player, as well as being an avid snow skier and water-skier.

She has worked for high-level football, cricket and netball clubs and spent many years working for the Wheelers hill Racquet Centre. Due to Margaret's keen interest in snow skiing, she assisted in the establishment of the "Get Fit to Ski" physiotherapy programme. In 2000, Margaret was selected as a physiotherapist to assist the Australian Swimming Team and in 2006 she was selected again to provide her expertise to the Australian Squash and Swimming teams at the Commonwealth Games.

Brendan Duncan

Brendan commenced studying a Bachelor of Health Sciences at La Trobe University before transferring into Physiotherapy and graduating in 2005. He enjoys all aspects of private practice including general, spinal, TAC, Workcover, joint problems and muscle dysfunctions, but as a keen sports enthusiast, he has developed a special interest in sports physiotherapy. This stems from a long involvement of participation, especially with Australian Rules Football.

Brendan has enjoyed playing stints at St.Bernards College, Western Jets FC (TAC Cup), Essendon FC (AFL/VSFL), Werribee, Williamstown and Coburg FC's (VFA/VFL), St. Albans FC (WRFL), Airport West and Maribyrnong Park FC's (EDFL) and Assistant Coach at University Blacks FC (VAFA). He has also been Team Physiotherapist for the VCFL District and Under 19 Team for the past four years. Brendan currently works with the A-league referees; the FFV development squads, Altona Magic FC in the Victorian Premier League and recently returned from a trip to Coffs Harbour for the Australian National Youth Soccer Championships.

Cameron Hare

Cameron graduated from The University of Melbourne in 2008 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy with honours.

Cameron has a special interest for sports physiotherapy and is a keen sportsmen who's interests include Australian Rules Football and Cricket. He is currently a playing member of the Tullamarine FC in the EDFL as well as being 1st XI Captain for his cricket club Pascoe Vale Central in the NWCA.

Rebecca Wade

Rebecca graduate from La Trobe University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy with Honours. She then began to work Saturday mornings with Physiohealth and teach Pilates classes, whilst working full time as a rotating Grade 1 at the Western Hospital. During her time at the Western she worked in intensive care with patients on respirators, musculoskeletal rehab with patient after hip and knee replacements and ACL & shoulder reconstructions. She also worked on the acute stroke ward, in neurological rehab with stroke patients and spent a substantial amount of time in aged care.

Rebecca joined the team full time in 2009, as the Pilates Co-ordinator part time and as a physiotherapist part time. She has worked with neck and lower back injuries, Work Cover Injuries and many sporting injuries. Rebecca works closely with Dave and Brian at St Bernards Football Club. She has been working with clubs in the amateur football league for 7 years now.

Rebecca has continually been updating her knowledge with professional development. She is currently in her third and final year of the Graduate Certificate in Sports Physiotherapy. From this is able to go on to study her Masters in Sports Physiotherapy. She has completed the Level 1 Sports Course, Level 1 and 2 Clinical Pilates course, Mulligan's Course and Level 1 Spinal Course.

Rebecca loves working with a diverse amount of patients from sports people to children to elderly patients. She also takes one on one Pilates sessions and instructs the night classes at Footscray. Rebecca works across both Footscray and Williamstown clinics.

Brian Callender

Brian is a new addition to the Physiohealth team, working out of the Footscray clinic full time. Brian graduated from La Trobe University (Bundoora) with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and has been a member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association since 2006.

Born on Vancouver Island, Canada, Brian grew up snow skiing and snowboarding from a young age. He became an instructor in both disciplines when just sixteen, and continued to coach, instruct and compete at an elite level for 14 years, working at mountains in Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Brian is passionate about travel, visiting more than 30 countries on 5 continents so far, and also is a keen sportsman, still very much involved in the snow fields in Australia, an outdoor enthusiast, and enjoys mountain biking and cross country running. He also loves ice hockey, English Premier League Football (soccer) and has grown to love AFL, unfortunately barracking for Richmond.

Brian works closely with the Maribyrnong High School specialist sports program and also with the St Bernard's Old Collegians Football Club. He also has worked with the Nunawading, Werribee, and Carey Aquatic Titan swim clubs, runners, triatheletes, badminton, soccer, football players and of course skiers and snowboarders.

Aside from treating sporting injuries, Brian is enthusiastic to treat any patient with musculoskeletal pain, including Workcover and TAC patients.

Amelia Tregear

Amelia graduated from Melbourne University with Honours. Upon completing her Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Amelia worked in Private Practice before joining Physiohealth.

Amelia has a keen interest in low back and neck pain as well as sporting injuries stemming from her background in competitive swimming. Amelia has also worked as a team Physio for Mooroolbark Soccer Club and as a physiotherapy assistant at Australian University Games in Adelaide 2006.