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.
Emma Lardner – Guest and 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 Health team and make sure your needs are being met.
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.
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.
Alice Schiller – Supports Coordinator
As a Supports Coordinator, Alice will help you bring your NDIS plan to life. She’ll be available to guide you through the steps needed to execute your plan, as well as establish the support and services you need to achieve your goals. Having worked previously as an NDIS lead practitioner, Alice comes with a wealth of experience and can help you navigate your plan, working with you to overcome any challenges or red tape.
Katie Onans – Supports 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.
Tanya Little – Community Nurse
Tanya is an experienced Nurse who has joined the Healthy Living Centre in Cairns. Tanya has extensive experience working in neurological and neurosurgical nursing, rehabilitative and high dependency nursing across Cairns, Melbourne and Darwin.
In addition to being a Registered Nurse Tanya has also completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Neurological and Neurosurgical Nursing and is currently working towards completing her master’s degree. Tanya enjoys being an advocate for her clients and providing vital support.
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.
Georgia Fowler – Occupational Therapist
As an Occupational Therapist, Georgia can help you source and apply for rehabilitation equipment and assistive technology, including modifications for your home, vehicle or work.
Originally from Melbourne, Georgia moved to Cairns in 2014 and said she can’t see herself leaving this beautiful part of Australia any time soon as she uses her skills and knowledge to help her clients to reach their goals.
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.
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.
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.
Caitlin Cooper – Key Worker
As a Key Worker Caitlin provides daily support to clients and high quality training to new Personal Support Workers, and assists Client Service Officers and Team Leaders on daily tasks.
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.
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.
Will Jacob – Exercise Physiologist
Will is an experienced Exercise Physiologist who has recently joined the Spinal Life Healthy Living Centre team in Cairns. He has extensive experience working in different gyms and hydrotherapy settings and assisting participants with varying conditions to assist them towards their goals of independence. Will enjoys being able to assist people in achieving their goals and making positive changes in their lives.