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Home > Meet the team

Margaret McDonald - Regional Manager, Queensland North

Margaret McDonald – Regional Manager, Queensland North

Margaret oversees the day-to-day operation of the Healthy Living Centre, as well as assisting with the delivery of Spinal Life services to our members and clients throughout North Queensland.

Drawing on her 25+ years of experience in the human services sector, Margaret helps to ensure people with a physical disability, both inside and outside the Centre, receive the right support and services to live an empowered and equitable life.

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Caitlin Cooper - Client Service Officer

Caitlin Cooper – Client Service Officer

As a Client Support Officer Caitlin provides clients and Spinal life Support workers in Cairns to ensure a high standard of care for all.
In addition to working as a Personal Support Worker for five years, Caitlin has a Certificate IV Ageing Support and Certificate III Community Services and enjoys supporting clients to live their lives to the fullest potential.
Outside of work, Caitlin enjoys travelling, camping, fishing, and spending time with her family.

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Emma Price - Guest Services Manager

Emma Price – Guest Services Manager

As our Guest and Services Manager Emma is here to make you feel welcome, and ensure you get the most out of your stay. With extensive experience and a passion for the hospitality and tourism industry she’ll make sure you leave with a smile.
Emma is available to help you check-in, organise memberships and sessions at the Active Gym and Hydrotherapy Pool, connect you with our Allied Health team and make sure your needs are being met.

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Diana Ealden - Guest Services Officer

Diana Ealden – Guest Services Officer

As our Guest and Services Officer Diana is here to make you feel welcome, and ensure you get the most out of your stay. With over 35 years in hospitality and international Travel Management, Diana prides herself on delivering exceptional customer service. Diana is responsible for the daily operation of front office, customer welfare and enjoyment, ensuring clients are welcomed and feel comfortable during their visit, efficient quoting and billing management, accommodation reservations and enquiries.

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Sarah McVeigh - Client Services Officer

Sarah McVeigh – Client Services Officer

As a Client Support Officer for our Personal Support and Home Care Services, Sarah works with clients and their support workers to ensure a high standard of care.

Sarah assists with organising personal support for visitors of the Healthy Living Centre and in-home services for people with physical disability throughout North Queensland who can use a bit of extra support in their day-to-day lives.

Personal support and care

Brigitte McKaskill - Administration and Facilities Officer

Brigitte McKaskill – Administration and Facilities Officer

Brigitte is an experienced Administration and Facilities Officer with more than 22 years’ experience in the Higher Education sector and qualifications in Business and Management. Having volunteered at the Centre for the past two years, Brigitte is passionate about providing exceptional service and looks forward to getting to know the Centre guests and clients.

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Jade Martin - Occupational Therapist

Jade Martin – Occupational Therapist

Jade brings with her a diverse background in client care.
Her extensive background includes diverse experiences, from her role as an Allied Health Assistant specialising in hydrotherapy, gym therapy, and upper limb therapy, to her Bachelor of Nutrition studies that led her to advocate for food-positive relationships in schools and daycares. With a focus on paediatric health, particularly in autism and ADHD contexts, Jade’s Occupational Therapy study experience has equipped her with invaluable insights into emotional, behavioural, and relationship management within various settings.

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Monika Solar - Allied Health Assistant

Monika Solar – Allied Health Assistant

Monika brings seven years’ experience as an Allied Health Assistant, having worked in diverse settings such as community health, Cairns Private Hospital, and Cairns Hospital before joining the Spinal Life Healthy Living Centre team. Prior to her move to Australia in 2011, she spent seven years as a Physiotherapist in Prague. Passionate about empowering clients to achieve independence and fostering strength, motivation, and happiness in their lives, she eagerly anticipates contributing to their journey towards their goals. Monika is also a Yoga instructor and likes to combine yoga and physiotherapy knowledge together.

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Sandra Rosenkvist - Allied Health Assistant

Sandra Rosenkvist – Allied Health Assistant

Sandra joins the Spinal Life Healthy Living Centre team in Cairns as an Allied Health Assistant. Originally from Sweden, she holds a Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance and brings over four years of experience working at Cairns Private Hospital. Prior to that, she worked in childcare, building a strong foundation in care and support.

She is passionate about helping people live their best lives through exercise, and she looks forward to working with the friendly team at Spinal Life while continuing to learn and grow in her role.

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Douglas Mori - Allied Health Assistant

Douglas Mori – Allied Health Assistant

Douglas is an experienced allied health professional who holds a Bachelor in Physiotherapy and a Master of Health and Welfare. As an Allied Health Assistant at the Healthy Living Centre in Cairns, Douglas supports and assists clients to follow their tailored exercise plans developed by either a Physiotherapist or Exercise Physiologist, to help them achieve their personal goals.

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Julie Ince - Physiotherapist

Julie Ince – Physiotherapist

Julie has worked as a Physiotherapist around the world, including England, North America, Tonga and Sydney before bringing her skills to Cairns.

As a specialist in physiotherapy services for people with physical disabilities, Julie can help you with pain management, strengthening, stretching, wheelchair skills training, neurological rehabilitation, hydrotherapy, planning gym programs and more.

Our physio services

Olivia Isbey - Physiotherapist

Olivia Isbey – Physiotherapist

As a physiotherapist, Olivia can support you on a variety of services, including creating an individually tailored treatment plan focused on your goals.

Olivia has worked in areas including community rehabilitation and impatient orthopaedics at Health New Zealand. She enjoys being a part of the rehabilitation journey and helping clients exceed and challenge their expectations on what is possible. Olivia is ready to support you and the team at the Healthy Living Centre facility in Cairns.

Our physio services

Adam Calleja - Physiotherapist

Adam Calleja – Physiotherapist

Adam is a multifaceted Physiotherapist who is a part of the Spinal Life Healthy Living Centre team in Cairns, bringing a wealth of experience and a diverse background. Originally from Perth, Adam’s passion for sports, particularly soccer, led him to study physiotherapy. With a career that encompasses private practice, sports physiotherapy, occupational health and dry needling therapy, Adam is no stranger to the diagnostic process and the meticulous detective work required to unravel the complex factors underlying a patient’s condition. He thoroughly enjoys this aspect of his work, keeping it consistently engaging and thought-provoking.

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Elbe du Plessis - Exercise Physiologist

Elbe du Plessis – Exercise Physiologist

Elbe joins the Spinal Life Healthy Living Centre team in Cairns as an Exercise Physiologist. Graduating from the University of the Sunshine Coast in 2023 with a Bachelor of Exercise Physiology, she brings expertise in neurological rehabilitation, mobility, functional capacity, and chronic health conditions.

She takes a holistic approach to client care, drawing from her experience in neurological conditions, sports and fitness-oriented goals, falls prevention, cardiac and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, and hydrotherapy. Elbe is excited to support clients with spinal cord injuries and neurological conditions, helping them regain independence and improve their quality of life.

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Katie Onans - Support Coordinator

Katie Onans – Support Coordinator

As a Support Coordinator, Katie will help you bring your NDIS plan to life. Katie will be able to assist you with reviewing your NDIS plan and identifying additional support services that suit your needs. Katie brings extensive experience, previously working as a Support Coordinator and a Quality Assurance and Systems Manager. She is passionate about supporting clients wherever possible during a time that can be quite challenging.
Outside of work Katie enjoys cooking and exploring the parks, beaches and cafés Cairns has to offer.

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