Blackburn

Troy Sandley

Consultant Physiotherapist

Troy, our Practice Co-Director, developed his love for Physiotherapy while growing up in a household of healthcare professionals. Prior to his Physiotherapy endeavours, he lived in the U.S.A. playing College basketball in Colorado, where he was plagued by a string of injuries, further developing his passion for the profession. He is focused on the holistic health and well-being of others, particularly those presenting with sporting injuries and general orthopaedic conditions. Troy is an avid student of physiotherapy and has completed multiple post graduate courses in order to continuously develop and improve himself professionally for the benefit of his clients. In order to achieve great long-term results, Troy incorporates many treatment modalities including manual therapy, dry needling, Clinical Exercise, and individualised rehabilitation programs.

He still picks up the basketball from time-to-time as a hobby, goes to the gym, and enjoys any chance to get away to the beach with his friends and family. However, having a Chiropractic father sets the scene for plenty of dinner table banter.

Ellie Gavalas

Associate Physiotherapist

Ellie’s love for physiotherapy was established at a young age. Taking part in a variety of sports including AFL, soccer and running, Ellie truly understands the significance of maintaining your health and wellbeing. Ellie completed her Master of Physiotherapy Practice and a Bachelor of Applied Science at La Trobe University. Ellie’s clinical interests involve treating and preventing a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions including the neck, back and sporting related injuries.

Growing up in a big Greek family, Ellie loves being surrounded by people. With a strong passion for helping and empowering others, she channels her energy into providing the best possible care for each and every client.

Ellie values the importance of living a happy and active life and combines her professional physiotherarpy along with a professional AFLW player for North Melbourne Kangaroos. In her spare time, Ellie loves to appreciate the simple things in life like a delicious souvlaki and hanging out with her friends and family.

Andrew Farrelly

Senior Physiotherapist

Andrew is passionate about all things health, sport and fitness which led him down the path of becoming a physiotherapist. Andrew joined our team after previously gaining experience through the Austin Health system and working in conjunction with a number of Melbourne-based soccer clubs. He has completed a Bachelor of Science and a Doctor of Physiotherapy degree through The University of Melbourne, giving him a strong background in exercise rehabilitation, injury management and health coaching. His particular areas of interest are return-to-sport for injured athletes, treating issues related to the lower back and neck and make genuinely improving people's quality of life through easy to understand for lifestyle coaching.  Having previously sustained a serious knee injury himself, Andrew understands the challenges faced during the rehab process and is passionate about making this process the least stressful and most rewarding possible.

Andrew takes an approach to physiotherapy that empowers people to make positive changes in their life, helping them to manage their symptoms or condition through expert advice and caring guidance. He is strongly driven to ensure that everyone who walks in the door will leave with their concerns thoroughly addressed and the best possible treatment delivered.

In his spare time Andrew also works as a physiotherapist for a soccer club in the National Premier League, enjoys going to the gym and staying active and exploring Melbourne’s cafe and craft brewery scene.

Rebecca Chi

Associate Physiotherapist

Bec is passionate about helping and empowering patients through their rehabilitation journey to achieve life-long outcomes. She graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor degree in Science and a Doctor of Physiotherapy.

Her interest in physiotherapy developed at a young age after sustaining various injuries herself from tennis, netball and swimming. Her passion in rehabilitating musculoskeletal injuries was further developed after working for Old Xaverians in the Amateurs, where she managed a broad range of sporting injuries. Bec believes in a combined approach of manual techniques, optimising movement control, strengthening and patient education to achieve the best possible outcome for every patient that walks through the door. Bec is also able to speak Cantonese and Mandarin.

Outside of work, she enjoys going to the gym, walking her big Doberman dog, travelling, exploring the Melbourne food scene and catching up on NBA or NFL games (Go Warriors/Packers!). 

Simon Holt

Consultant Physiotherapist

Simon, our Practice Co-Director, has over 18 years of Physiotherapy experience, having worked in a range of private Physio clinics, major tertiary hospitals and spending 2 years training and working in the UK. He moved back to Melbourne from London in 2008 to take up his position as Principal Physiotherapist at Back In Motion Blackburn and later became the Practice Director. Whilst developing a broad skill set during his time as a Physiotherapist, Simon has gained particular interest in the treatment of running injuries along with the management of neck and lower back pain. His 'Physio Philosophy' focuses on empowering each patient to understand and gain long-term resolution of their symptoms through high level functional rehabilitation whilst also using a range of specialised manual techniques to help give quick and effective pain relief.

When not working, Simon enjoys training for his next marathon, going to the football to watch the mighty Blues (they'll get there eventually!) and, most of all, making his beautiful wife Amy and gorgeous daughters Scarlett, Holly and Georgie laugh at his hilarious dad-jokes.

Pete Graver

Senior Physiotherapist

Pete is an energetic and passionate physiotherapist, dedicated to empowering clients to take control of their life. Having completed his initial studies at La Trobe University, Pete has completed further studies in Strength and Conditioning Coaching, Powerlifting and Clinical Pilates to take a functional rehabilitation approach to physiotherapy, focussing on building strong, stable bodies to recover from injuries and prevent recurrence. Pete’s clinical specialties include low back and neck pain, Clinical Exercise Classes and all levels of sport-specific rehab, from dancers and gymnasts to footballers and weightlifters.

Pete is also our clinical lead for the NDIS with a particular passion for interventions for adolescent and young adults with disabilities.

In his spare time Pete loves training, exploring Melbourne with his wife Emma and Boss the Staffy, brewing beer, building furniture or tinkering with his beloved car. 

Holly Smart

Associate Physiotherapist

Holly, who graduated from La Trobe University with a Bachelor of Applied Science and Master of Physiotherapy, is a passionate and energetic physiotherapist who values an individualised and holistic approach to injury management. Holly enjoys utilising education, manual therapy techniques and functional exercise rehabilitation, with the goal of providing the best care to every patient through her own love of living a healthy and active lifestyle.

Her love for physiotherapy developed at a young age after sustaining a knee injury from netball, which led to numerous hours spent with her physiotherapist back home in Tasmania. Holly has developed special interests in managing acute sporting injuries through her previous experience working for the Carlton VFL team over a number of years, as well working in the area of women’s health.

Outside of work, Holly enjoys going to the gym, spending time outdoors going for walks or heading to the beach. Holly also loves to explore Melbourne’s café and restaurant scenes whilst catching up with friends. 

Chris Honey

Associate Physiotherapist

Chris’s love for diagnosing and rehabilitating tricky conditions developed in his younger years after sustaining several injuries across his junior football career. In particular, he has a special interest in treating lower back, neck and shoulder pain – all of which are areas he has injured himself and rehabilitated! Chris has completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at RMIT University followed by a Doctor of Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne – providing him with an extensive background in health and fitness, lifestyle coaching and injury prevention and management.

Chris’s approach to physiotherapy centres on understanding each client’s individual needs, utilising hands-on therapy, exercise prescription and lifestyle changes to ensure each and every client can become the healthiest and best version of themselves. Whether it is elite footballers trying to return to the field or grandparents wishing to play with their grandchildren pain-free, Chris strives to help each client achieve their personal goals. 

Outside of work, Chris is very active and enjoys going to the gym and playing football and golf on the weekends. He also has a fine appreciation for food (often eaten in excess), watching Richmond win flags and spending time with family and friends.

Fiona Bartha

Practice Manager

Many of you will know Fiona's smiling face as she has been the Practice Manager at Back In Motion Blackburn for many years. She takes great pride in getting to know as many of our amazing clients as possible and is always happy to help with any questions you may have.

Fi lives with her husband Bert and gorgeous son Spencer. She loves to spend her spare time (as if she has any with a busy job and toddler running around the house!) reading, exercising and chasing chickens around the back yard!

Emily Orr

Client Services Specialist

Emily is combining her part time work here at Back In Motion Blackburn with her study as a physiotherpay student at LaTrobe Uni. We're thrilled to have her and you'll find her working on Friday afternoons, Saturday mornings and filling in other shifts as needed. She's always helpful and is no doubt absorbing physio information via osmosis and will certainly hit the ground running when she eventually graduates!

Alison Don

Client Services Specialist

Ali joined our Client Servies team after both her and her entire family had been long time loyal clients at Back In Motion Blackburn. Ali describes herself as a lifelong learner, having completed multiple university degrees. We describe her as one of the brightest and bubbliest people you’ll meet who loves to have a chat- about anything but especially her beloved pet chickens!

Danni Jones

Client Services Specialist

We welcomed Danni to our Client Services team in 2021. Danni and her husband have both been long time clients of Back In Motion Blackburn so know what we're all about and Danni is keen to contribute to our purpose. Danni is friendly, kind and helpful and will always be certain to ensure our clients are comfortable and happy when visiting the clinic. Outside of work, she has two beautiful children, loves the outdoors and camping, staying active and a great coffee. 

Elena Hill

Client Services Specialist

Elena started at Back In Motion Blackburn in late 2021 and is a bubbly, bright and helpful contributer to the Client Services team. Elena will greet you warmly in the clinic part time as she is also studying Physiotherapy. In her spare time she is very keen on staying fit with netball and gymnastics. Make sure to say 'Hi!' when you're next visiting!  

Jordana Leki

Client Services Specialist

Jordana is our most recent Client Services team recruit and we welcomed a lovely, kind and motivated addition to the team. Jordana is here part time along side her Psychology studies. Jordana is always sure to offer our clients top shelf support when visiting the clinic.