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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Paul Simmonds – Exercise Physiologist
Graduating from James Cook University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Exercise Physiology, Paul brings a wealth of experience as an allied health practice providing disability support. He has experience in neurological health and rehabilitation, mobility, falls prevention, and functional movement. Additionally, he specialises in musculoskeletal/sporting injury rehabilitation and chronic pain management.
Passionate about improving people’s health and quality of life, Paul is dedicated to leading by example, maintaining a rigorous weight training regimen for nearly three decades.
Keli Doubikin – Support Coordinator
Keli joins the Spinal Life Healthy Living Centre team in Cairns as a NDIS Support Coordinator. She brings over 25 years of experience in community services and nine years specifically in the NDIS. She has dedicated her entire career to supporting people with disabilities, starting as a Peer Support Worker, and progressing into case management. Currently studying Social Work to further enhance her expertise, she brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to our team.
Before joining us, she worked as an independent Specialist Support Coordinator, where she honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of the industry.
Hannah Read – Support Coordinator
Hannah joins the Spinal Life Healthy Living Centre team in Cairns as a NDIS Support Coordinator. Before this role, she worked as a Social Worker in the United Kingdom, including the challenging COVID-19 lockdowns.
She holds a degree in Social Work and experience across various settings, including prison services, acute foster care service, drug and alcohol recovery, child safety, the Alzheimer’s Society, and community services.