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meet the team
We are a team of friendly and knowledgable professionals who genuinely care about you and your health. We take pride in our service and our primary focus is to help you achieve the results you are looking for in a caring and supportive way.
Our therapists have areas of special interests which may range from musculoskeletal & sporting injuries to vertigo, pre/post natal, work injuries to NDIS/disabilities and neurological conditions. Speak to our friendly front desk staff and they can advise who is the best therapist for you.
Having graduated as a Physiotherapist over 20 years ago, Jess has a wide range of experience in many areas of physiotherapy working in the public & private health sectors. In 2012, she met fellow Ararat Physio & Co co-founder, Kylie Plunkett, and together a dream was realised and Ararat Physio & Co established (then known as Ararat Physiotherapy & Services).
Jess has been a course presenter for the Sports Trainer course, GP training, manual handling to local councils, mining and manufacturing sectors.
Jess has completed a key performance indicator on the effectiveness of Clinical Pilates in conjunction with La Trobe University.
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Jess’s passion for physiotherapy and supporting you in your wellness journey shines through.Jess spends the time to understand your problem and you will leave a session with Jess knowing that she has your story.
Jess has a special interest in chronic pain and gently guides you to wellness with her encouraging and compassionate approach. Jess has been described as light-hearted, supportive and a guiding light.
Living on a farm with 3 boys and her husband, Jess understands rural life and is passionate about connecting country people to greater health.
Physiotherapist/Founder
JESS TUCKER
Lisa has practiced as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist for over 10 years. After graduating from the University in Ballarat in 2010, Lisa has worked in the Ararat region, specialising in exercise therapy for chronic health conditions, musculoskeletal injuries and health promotion.
Lisa is actively involved in local sporting clubs and has a sound knowledge of our community’s health needs. Her superpower is in conducting her range of classes, Tai Chi, Pilates, pre-post natal exercise, aquatic therapy classes, strength training and general fitness. She is also experienced in working with NDIS participants and functional assessments.
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Lisa believes our bodies are made to move: when we are not moving, things start going wrong both physically and mentally. There are so many modes of exercise, it’s just a matter of finding your perfect fit.
Outside of work, Lisa is committed to her family raising two children and a husband. Lisa is a veteran netball player having clocked more than 100 games.
She also runs, cycles, participates in triathlons and raises money annually for the East Grampians Health Service as part of the Murray to Moyne cycling team.
exercise physiologist
LISA HADDOW
Thea has a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, graduating from Evolve College, Ballarat with a Diploma of Remedial Massage Therapy in 2021. She also has a background in independent health coaching.
Thea provides hands-on relief from musculoskeletal tension through remedial, sports and deep tissue massage therapy. She has treated a range of clients from postural imbalances of the general population to sporting athletes.
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Thea's health coaching included helping people with their health goals, including losing weight, increase energy, and improving overall health through independent nutritional supplementation. She is very passionate about health eating and exercise to support a health active lifestyle.
Thea is originally from Ararat, and with her family moving back and some adorable nieces & nephews added to the family she is looking forward to spending more time with them over the weekends.
REMEDIAL MASSAGE THERAPIST
THEA Hinchliffe
Vincent completed a degree in Physiotherapy with Honours in 2020 at the University of the Free State, South Africa.
Vincent has experience both in the hospital setting and in private Physiotherapy. With this combination, Vincent has gained valuable experience in cardiac and respiratory physiotherapy, post operative rehabilitation, musculoskeletal injuries, neurological physiotherapy and intensive care.
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Vincent has a special interest in neurological physiotherapy as well as neck and back pain and looks forward to supporting you on your journey to wellness and living your best life.
Outside of work Vincent is a sporty person, and has taken part in cricket, rugby, hockey and squash. He also loves spending time in the outdoors in his free time.
Physiotherapist
VINCENT HAMMAN
Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Wian completed his Physiotherapy degree at the highly regarded University of the Western Cape. Wian has worked across both hospital and private practice settings, gaining broad experience treating people of all ages and activity levels. Throughout his career, he has been heavily involved with sporting clubs, developing a strong interest in rugby and field-based sports. He has a particular passion for musculoskeletal physiotherapy, including back, shoulder, knee and ankle injuries.
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Wian combines hands-on treatment with structured, strength-based rehabilitation to ensure patients not only recover from injury, but return stronger, more resilient, and confident in their performance. His approach emphasises progressive loading, movement quality, and long-term injury prevention.
Outside the clinic, Wian enjoys anything active — whether playing rugby or cricket, or training in the gym. Having recently made Australia home, he is excited to immerse himself in the local community and looks forward to supporting individuals and athletes in achieving their physical goals.
PhysioTHERAPIST
WIAN Stears
Catherine joins Ararat Physio as a Graduate Physiotherapist after completing her Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Australian Catholic University in 2025. Prior to Physiotherapy, Catherine has over 10 years of experience working in Nursing and Paramedicine in rural and regional settings.
Catherine's interests include Women’s Health, Chronic Pain and supporting the health, wellbeing, and independence of older adults. She is committed to ongoing professional development and is currently working towards becoming a qualified yoga instructor.
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New graduate physiotherapist
Catherine Brady
Julia is a dedicated physiotherapist who provides compassionate, evidence-based care in a supportive and respectful environment. She takes an individualised approach to supporting clients with bladder and bowel dysfunction, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain, and pregnancy and postnatal concerns. She is passionate about helping clients feel informed, supported, and confident throughout their pelvic health journey.
Born and bred in Ararat, Julia is proud to be caring for her local community. Outside the clinic, she enjoys being involved in netball, tennis, and ultimate frisbee and is a former professional sprinter. She also loves raising her young family and enjoys the rural lifestyle and strong sense of community that Ararat offers.
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Julia has a wealth of experience in public health having worked across a diverse range of clinical settings including women's health clinics, continence services, acute postnatal, oncology, intensive and coronary care, neurology, and both general and neurological rehabilitation. This broad clinical background has provided her with a strong foundation, which she now brings to her pelvic health practice.
Pelvic health PhysioTHERAPIST
Julia Harricks
admin team
our front desk superstars
Jacqueline is our lead receptionist, bringing warmth, enthusiasm, and a welcoming presence to the clinic. After completing her first year in nursing in 2023, she decided to take a breather from studying and explore the world of allied health.
Beyond her work at the clinic, Jacqueline’s passion lies in dance and performing arts, where she has been a guiding force for 17 years and is now completing a Cert IV in Dance Teaching and Management. She now shares her love for movement by teaching tiny soon-to-be ballerinas and dancers the foundations of performance.
A dedicated advocate for creating safe and welcoming spaces, Jacqueline’s infectious happiness and perpetual smile ensure that every patient feels at ease from the moment they walk in. Whether assisting at the front desk or choreographing a routine, she brings a unique blend of professionalism and warmth to everything she does.
Living on a farm with 3 boys and her husband, Jess understands rural life and is passionate about connecting country people to greater health.
Jess has been a course presenter for the Sports Trainer course, GP training, Manual handling to local councils, mining and manufacturing sectors.
Jess has completed a key performance indicator in conjunction with La Trobe University and has completed numerous professional development courses in clinical pilates, understanding pain, vestibular rehabilitation and aquatic therapy.
JacquEline Grayling
Laura is one of our assistant receptionist, bringing her organizational skills and creativity to the clinic. With a long-standing history as a dance teacher, she has honed her ability to connect with people and manage dynamic environments. Her warm and approachable nature ensures that every patient feels welcome and supported from the moment they walk through the door.
Outside of work, Laura enjoys spending quality time with her three kids, supporting their activities, and fostering a close-knit family life.
In the realm of hospitality, Lyndsey has honed her skills across various roles, including stints at restaurants, Grampians Estate Winery, Ararat City Town Hall, and event management. Her commitment to ensuring exceptional service is evident in her career journey.
Lyndsey's primary goal is to ensure that your experience with us is nothing short of the best. From the moment you first make contact, she is dedicated to providing top-notch service and making your visit to Ararat Physio as smooth and pleasant as possible.
As a newcomer to Ararat, Lyndsey is excited to become acquainted with our regular clients and extend a warm welcome to all. Outside of work, she cherishes moments spent with friends and family, making her a valuable addition to our close-knit community.
Laura Cameron
Meet Penny! Our bubbly, smiley front desk superstar who you can see floating around the clinic during the day on a Monday!
Penny is currently studying a double degree in Nursing and Paramedicine at ACU in Ballarat, and has recently completed her Reformer Pilates Qualification - you can see her up at Laneway on a Saturday!
Friendly and hardworking, Penny is committed to making every patient feel welcome and ensuring the front desk runs smoothly, helping to create a positive experience for all.
Living on a farm with 3 boys and her husband, Jess understands rural life and is passionate about connecting country people to greater health.
Jess has been a course presenter for the Sports Trainer course, GP training, Manual handling to local councils, mining and manufacturing sectors.
Jess has completed a key performance indicator in conjunction with La Trobe University and has completed numerous professional development courses in clinical pilates, understanding pain, vestibular rehabilitation and aquatic therapy.
Penelope
Meet Lauren! Loz has joined our Ararat Physio Team as an Allied Health Assistant and Front Desk Superstar. With an impressive list of qualifications, Lauren is an experienced Personal Trainer with qualifications in Pre & Postnatal Exercise, Remedial Massage and is passionate about continuing her learning and professional knowledge, currently in her final stages of completing her Cert III, IV, and Diploma in Nutrition. Lauren has also completed her Reformer Pilates Qualifications and is part of the Laneway Pilates Team!
You'll see Lauren floating around the clinic on a Wednesday's, both at reception and in our Clinical Pilates Classes. Be sure to say hello and make her feel welcome when you are next in the clinic!
Lauren Armstrong
Partnerships
The Counselling co
Wellness
Pyrenees Bowen Therapy & Massage
Janet Llewellyn
PH: 0417 941 049
www.bowentherapies.com.au
JOIN OUR TEAM
We are always on the look-out for opportunities to best serve our clients and mission – for everyone engaging with us to “live their best life.”
So if you have something to discuss, let’s meet and have a chat about your ideas.
We have a modern facility in a great central location with onsite parking. You have access to a staff kitchen and meeting room and the opportunity to collaborate (and socialise) with other health professionals onsite.
Claridge House has a history of more than 50 years providing the best health care to our community. You step into a location that already has presence and reputation.
We have loads of space, so give us a call on the possibilities of sessional or long term room hire.
Room Vacancies
Job Vacancies
New Grad Physiotherapist >