PHYSIOACTIVE - Key Persons


Abbey Menzel

Job Titles:
  • Administration
Abbey joined the Physioactive team in 2022. Abbey is currently studying Exercise and Sports Science at University of South Australia in hopes of becoming a physiotherapist. Outside of work she enjoys playing netball, going to the gym, and spending time with family and friends.

Amy Barr

Job Titles:
  • Administration
Amy joined the Physioactive team in 2021, after previously working in retail and hospitality. Amy grew up on a farm in Pinery and now lives locally with her partner and young child. She enjoys spending time with her family, travelling, hiking, netball and going on adventures.

Benn Shephard

Job Titles:
  • Physiotherapist
Benn graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (First Class Honours) from the University of South Australia in 2022. He began working as a Physiotherapist in early 2023 joining the injury hub in late April. Benn has a strong interest in the management of sporting injuries with a focus on individualised rehabilitation to ensure return to sport. Benn also enjoys seeing post-op patients, general musculoskeletal issues and working with those who have disabilities. Benn has a strong interest in lower-limb injuries and presentations as well as helping return clients functionality. He currently runs supervised gym sessions, Hydrotherapy classes and helps out at local sports clubs. He would like to further develop an interest in clinical Pilates in the future. Benn has a strong commitment to a client-centred approach to treatment and is keen to help clients through evidenced based treatment incorporating both exercise prescription and manual therapy. Outside of work Benn likes to stay active by going to his local gym as well as going for walks. He loves to spend time with friends and family, spend time outdoors and travelling.

Bethany Dittmar

Job Titles:
  • Physiotherapist
Bethany graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (first class honours) in 2021 and began working as a physiotherapist at the Injury Hub in early 2022. Bethany has a keen interest in sporting injuries, with specific focus on return to sport management, after experiencing 2 ACL injuries herself. As well as this, Bethany enjoys seeing general musculoskeletal issues, post-op patients, and general lower limb presentations. Bethany has completed her APPI Pilates Equipment Course level 1 with further interest to develop her knowledge in this field. Bethany has also worked with the South Australian under 20s men's and women's teams at the National Championship level, and would love to continue her work in this area. Bethany believes it is really important to have a strong relationship with her patients, in order to build a level of trust throughout the management period. She believes that incorporating manual and exercise therapy with an individual focus is the foundation of forming great results. Outside of the clinic, Bethany plays basketball in the NBL1 league and likes to keep fit and healthy. As well as this, Bethany likes to spend time with her friends and family whether it be watching sport, or spending time outdoors.

Bradley MacGowan

Job Titles:
  • Physiotherapist
Brad graduated with a bachelor of physiotherapy from the University of South Australia in 2019. Since then, he has joined the Physioactive and is loving helping people get a handle on their injuries and pain. Coming from a sporting background, he has a keen interest in sporting injuries and enjoys getting people back to sport as quickly as possible. This stems from knowing the feeling of wanting to get back to sport after an injury to help the team to make finals or play offs. Brad is also fascinated by the upper limb and neck and therefore enjoys treating shoulders, elbows and wrists. Since graduating, Brad has completed his Level 1 Sports Physiotherapy which has enabled him to extend his knowledge as he strives to get the most out of his treatment. This is backed up with the latest literature to ensure best results for patients, while using both hands on treatment and an exercise based approach. Brad also has had experience as a sports trainer at various northern region soccer teams. Outside of the clinic you will often find Brad outside as he is a bit of a fitness junkie. If he isn't pounding the pavement around Gawler, on the Clonlea Park tennis courts or peddling away on the Gawler/Hewett bike track, then he will likely be down at the beach or on a hike. Brad also plays soccer for Gawler Eagles, as this is his main sporting passion.

David Giles

Job Titles:
  • Senior Physiotherapist
  • Spinal Physiotherapist
David is a senior physiotherapist who has undertaken further post graduate studies completing a Master in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, allowing David to be a Titled APA Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist. David has also been awarded a Title in Pain Physiotherapy, recognised for further training and experience in the pain field. As part of David's experience in the pain field, David works within a Multi-Disciplinary team with Pain Physician Dr Graham Wright at the Adelaide Chronic Pain Clinic. David is also the Spinal Physiotherapist who consults at the Northern Spine Clinic with neurosurgeon Professor Matthew McDonald. The clinic allows for assessment and management for all neck and back pain with early assess to MRI and neurosurgeon opinion if required. For further information on Northern Spine https://theinjuryhub.com.au/spine-clinic/ David is experienced in the treatment of low back pain (LBP). LBP affects 90% of the adult population-making it a very common complaint. However, the diagnosis and treatment can vary between every person. When you see David he will be able to provide you with a specific diagnosis, explanation of the injury and treatment to help you recover. David loves keeping up to date with his professional development and attends regular courses and conferences-which further develops his physiotherapy skills and knowledge. David has completed both Level 1 and Level 2-Watson Headache Approach, enabling David to successfully treat some forms of headache. Other courses include Manipulation and mobilisation of the spine, Certificate in Spinal manual therapy, Mulligan techniques, dry needling/acupuncture, Sports level 1 & 2 and a lot of Pain topics! Outside of work David enjoys cooking and spending time with his family!

Emma Norsworthy

Job Titles:
  • Practice Manager
Emma joined Physioactive in 2011, bringing with her 11 years of extensive office administration experience. She has grown up in Gawler but now resides in the Barossa Valley. She is always willing to help out others and always brings a smile with her. She loves spending time with her two children, family and friends and likes to always be active outdoors.

Jamie Phillips

Job Titles:
  • Senior Physiotherapist
Jamie is a senior physiotherapist, who studied a Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement) at the University of South Australia, due to having a keen interest in sport science. He then went on to complete his Master of Physiotherapy (GE), and recently completed a post-graduate Master of Sports Physiotherapy, which has allowed him to become a Titled APA Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist. During his post-graduate study he spent time with the Port Adelaide Football Club (AFL) and in the USA with the Milwaukee Bucks (NBA). Jamie has previously provided physiotherapy services for the Port Adelaide Football Club (SANFL), the Central Districts Football Club, Basketball SA state teams, Triathlon SA junior state teams, as well as performing a locum role at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) working with Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence program and the NBA Global Academy program. He is currently the physiotherapist for the Emerging Boomers (Australian U25's Men's Basketball team) and is Head of Medical Services for Basketball South Australia. His current physiotherapy interest include all sports injuries, especially lower limb injuries and injury prevention. Jamie has a keen interest in muscle strains, athletic groin/hip pain and knee rehabilitation, especially ACL injuries. He also has a keen interest in orthopaedic rehabilitation, and running related injuries. Jamie's is also a keen golfer, sports fanatic and enjoys traveling with his family.

Jason Collins

Job Titles:
  • Senior Physiotherapist
Jason is a Titled APA Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist, who has worked in private practice since graduating with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2007, and he then joined Physioactive in 2016. In addition to his work at Physioactive, Jason commenced work with the Adelaide United Football Club in 2016, providing injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation across the men's, women's and youth teams. He also works with the Football Federation of South Australia NTC Under 17 girls team, and has previously been involved with state level junior Rugby Union and Cricket teams. Jason has worked extensively in workplaces including remote mining and exploration sites, and manufacturing sites. Through these roles he has gained experience in job and task analysis, ergonomics, return to work planning, workplace injury management, injury prevention and manual handling training. Jason's primary clinical interests are injuries to the hip and groin, knee, and lower limb muscles, lower limb bone stress injuries, and injury prevention in both sporting and workplace settings. He has also always been interested in shoulder injuries. Jason is a retired Australian Rules footballer, and presently enjoys running, swimming, and lifting weights, alongside coffee, reading, and red wine.

Jessica Hesketh

Job Titles:
  • Physiotherapist
  • Senior Physiotherapist
Jess was born in Gawler and has continued to live locally. She graduated at the University of South Australia completing a Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement) in 2012. Jess then continued her education due to her interest in the human body and her passion for helping people, by completing her Master in Physiotherapy in 2013. Jess has a passion for women's health, especially in pregnancy, post natal care, incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction through all stages of life. She also has a keen interest in Pilates-informed exercises and incorporating these into a number of Physio Exercise Group sessions that she runs, specifically for low back pain and injury prevention. Jess has undergone extensive Pilates training with APPI Pilates Equipment and Mat courses. Jess uses a hands-on approach, supported with active rehabilitation to provide short and long term-relief. Her other interests include gym work, travelling and spending time with family and friends.

Lucy Hayes

Job Titles:
  • Physiotherapist
Lucy graduated as a physiotherapist from the University of South Australia in 2018. She has a keen interest in Pilates-informed exercise and has gone on to complete several courses in this area. Besides Pilates, Lucy is passionate about pelvic health and particularly helping women to manage conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, incontinence, and recovery post-partum. She also enjoys helping patients with hip, knee and back pain. Lucy used hands-on treatment to compliment an active management approach. This means that treatment extends beyond short-term relief and aims to address contributing factors to achieve long-standing results. Lucy believes in building a strong relationship with her patients and has a passion for helping people reach their goals, no matter how big or small. Outside of the clinic Lucy enjoys keeping active, taking dance classes, reading a good book, and trying new out new cafes and restaurants.

Maddie Denton

Job Titles:
  • Administration
Maddie joined the Physioactive team in 2022, after previously working in both retail and hospitality. Currently, Maddie is undertaking a Bachelor of Science at The University of Adelaide. In her free time, Maddie enjoys cooking, playing sports and spending time at the river with family and friends.

Marie Phillips

Job Titles:
  • Accounts Manager
Marie has been working with Physioactive since its inception in 2008. She is currently the accounts and payroll manager. Outside of work Marie loves to travel, play basketball, and spend time with her young family.

Mark Cruickshank

Job Titles:
  • Senior Physiotherapist
Mark graduated as a physiotherapist from the University of South Australia in 2010. Previous to this he completed a sports science degree in 2007 also from the University of South Australia. In 2016 Mark completed his Masters in Musculoskeletal physiotherapy allowing him to become a Titled APA Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist. His interest in continuing education also means he regularly participates in courses and training. Since graduating Mark has worked both in Adelaide and Edinburgh, Scotland. He has predominantly worked in private and public clinics seeing mainly orthopaedic and musculoskeletal patients, as well as working in an inpatient orthopaedic ward. He currently works part time at Physioactive, part of the injury hub, and part time at Flinders Medical Centre in the emergency Department. This role has strengthened his skills and interest in treating acute injuries both sporting and trauma related. His other interests include treating peripheral joint injuries including the wrist, elbow, knee and ankle. Mark has played Hockey from a young age and continues to play for the Gawler Hockey Club. When he is not working he enjoys spending time with the family, gardening and fishing.

Matthew Brockhouse

Job Titles:
  • Senior Physiotherapist
Matt graduated as a physiotherapist at the University of South Australia in 2010. He also completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement) in 2007, and he commenced working at Physioactive in 2010. Matt's special interests include managing dizziness/vertigo, acute and persistent neck and back pain, and lower limb post surgery rehabilitation. His other professional interests include assessing and managing headache, jaw pain/temporomandibular joint disorders, shoulder pain, lower limb sporting injuries and lower back pain. Matt also has had experience managing people who have sustained injuries at work, and enjoys working together with the person to help achieve their work goals. Matt enjoys attending professional development courses throughout the year to further enhance his skills and knowledge. He recently completed an advanced competency based course in vestibular rehabilitation, allowing him to thoroughly assess and manage people with dizziness and vertigo. He has also completed courses in pain management and has additional training in dry needling.

Matthew Turner

Job Titles:
  • Physiotherapist
Matt graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2022. With a sporting background, Matt has developed a strong interest in sports injuries, and knows how frustrating injuries in sport can be. Matt aims to work with clients to manage and rehabilitate their sporting injuries and get them back playing the sport they love. Matt has a particular interest in lower-limb injuries, including ankles, knees and muscle strains. During his studies, Matt has worked with various Aussie-Rules teams including Port Adelaide, Sturt, and numerous local clubs. Matt believes in a client-centered approach to treatment and is passionate about helping clients achieve their goals and improve their pain and function. He utilises a combination of manual therapy and exercise prescription in his approach to most clinical presentations. In his spare-time, Matt enjoys staying active by attending the gym or going for a run. He can also be found watching his beloved Port Adelaide, watching the English Premier League as well as spending time with friends and family.

Megan Broadbent

Job Titles:
  • Administration
After working for Qantas for the past 20 years as both a Travel Consultant and Flight Attendant, Megan now enjoys being able to work closer to home in the Barossa Valley. Megan enjoys meeting people and loves being able to help them with anything they need. In Megan's spare time she is usually running around after her 5 teenagers and enjoy watching them play sport. Megan also enjoys travelling and catching up with family and friends.

Nathan Lynch

Job Titles:
  • Physiotherapist
Nathan graduated from the University of South Australia with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2020. He developed a keen interest in managing a variety of acute and chronic musculoskeletal issues, orthopaedic/post-surgery care, and neurological issues - including helping those with strokes, vestibular impairments and Parkinson's Disease. Outside of work Nathan loves to be outdoors - especially at the beach or cycling on his bike through the hills. He is also a huge gym and basketball fanatic and loves to exercise, which translates well to the people he sees in the clinic. Nathan also plays social basketball, but is even more obsessed with the NBA.

Penny Chappell

Job Titles:
  • Senior Physiotherapist
Penny is a Kapunda local, who graduated from the University of South Australia in 2000 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy. Penny has been part of the Physioactive team since 2012, after previous roles in Port Lincoln, London and the Barossa Valley. She is a passionate physiotherapist servicing both our Gawler and Kapunda clients. Penny has particular interests in sporting and general musculoskeletal injuries, Pilates, lumbo-pelvic dysfunctions, pregnancy and post-natal physiotherapy and rehabilitation. More recently Penny has completed further training and certification in exercise oncology & cancer rehabilitation. Penny is very much a ‘hands on' physio and utilises her manual therapy skills, combined with a strong exercise focus. Her extensive training in Pilates (DMA Clinical Pilates) is accessible at our Kapunda based Physio Exercise Group session, which can achieve great results as part of individual injury treatment and preventative management. Outside of work, Penny loves spending time with her young family, running around a netball court for the Kapunda Bombers and keeping active within the community.

Rachel McAlister

Job Titles:
  • Senior Physiotherapist
Rachel is a senior physiotherapist who graduated from the University of South Australia in 1991 and has worked predominantly in private practice. Rachel completed a Masters degree in Sports Physiotherapy in 1996 allowing her to become a Titled APA Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist. Rachel moved to QLD where she owned her own practice, and then returned to Adelaide in 2005. She worked in private practice as well as commencing work with neurosurgeon Prof. Matthew McDonald, where in 2014 they establish a Rapid Spinal Assessment Clinic (STAT) offering comprehensive outcomes for patients with thorough assessment and management. In over 20 years Rachel has worked extensively with sporting teams and athletes both recreational and elite. Rachel was the physiotherapist for the Opals (Australian Women's Basketball Team) for 8 years and has represented in this role at World Championships, the 2012 London Olympic Games and the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. She has also been team physiotherapist for the U/19 Australian Women's Basketball Team, the Townsville Fire (WNBL), the North Queensland Barras (NHL), in addition to working with the QLD Academy of Sport and other state and regional teams across a variety of sports. Rachel's clinical interests include management and rehabilitation of hip and groin injuries, spinal problems (including neurosurgical rehabilitation), lower limb injuries, Pilates and Orthopaedic rehabilitation. Rachel currently consults for Physioactive at The Injury Hub in Willaston. In her spare time, she loves spending most of her time with family and being outdoors.

Riley Knevitt

Job Titles:
  • Administration
Riley joined the Physioactive team in 2022. Riley comes from a background of medical admin and is currently studying physiotherapy at the University of Adelaide. Riley grew up in northern Adelaide but has since relocated to the Barossa with his family. Outside of work you will find Riley running around in the BLGFA, travelling and spending time with his dog.

Tim Clift

Job Titles:
  • Physiotherapist
Tim was born and raised in Gawler and completed a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at the University of South Australia. Previously playing Australian Rules Football in the Barossa Light and Gawler Football Association for over 15 years, Tim has a keen interest in sporting injuries. Personally experiencing lengthy sporting injuries has assisted Tim in understanding the mental and physical requirements a person may endure to return to their chosen sport. Tim is also interested in assisting people who have sustained workplace injuries to collaboratively work together to achieve return to work goals. Tim's other key interests include joint rehabilitation and injuries, especially that of the shoulder and ankle. He has a passion for helping people maintain function throughout their lifespan and assist them in working towards their goals. Outside of work, Tim can be found kayaking the Port River, watching his beloved Port Adelaide in the AFL, following the NBA, running, hiking, or spending time with family and friends.