8 Franklyn Street, Nhulunbuy, Gove, Northern Territory, 0880

(08) 8919 4727

Our Team

 


SARAH FINCHAM-THOMSON

Director Arnhem Allied Health Centre

MPhty (Master Physiotherapy)

BSc Exercise Physiology

Born and raised in Nhulunbuy, Sarah completed all of her schooling here finishing high school before jetting off to Europe for a year abroad volunteering in a nursing home. It was here she solidified her love and passion for helping people in need, and decided to pursue a career in health. Sarah started her studies completing a Bachelor Degree in Exercise Science – giving her the knowledge of using exercise as medicine and understanding how to adjust dosage of exercise for a range of conditions such as Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and Osteoporosis. She then went on to study a Master’s of Physiotherapy and worked at Logan hospital before returning back to her roots 10years later, with a clear vision of improving the health and accessibility to health care for the people of Nhulunbuy and East Arnhem Land.

Sarah strives to empower the community that exercise is the best, cheapest and most accessible medicine available. Her passion for her community and the people in all of East Arnhem Land is one of her finest qualities. Not only is she a knowledgeable, skillful and calming physio, she is an advocate for improving the healthcare system in Nhulunbuy and the region, and has been the driving force behind the development of the Arnhem Allied Health Centre you see today. Behind the scenes she is constantly advocating for all of you, creating opportunities for health care services to give our community what it deserves, to make your lives here in Nhulunbuy just that little bit easier.

The love that Sarah has for Arnhem Land is a deep love, it’s more than just a town she lives in, it’s her home and the only place she wants to live and grow old with her family. Sarah is a physiotherapist, a manager, a director, a business woman, a mother, a partner, but most importantly she is someone who whole heartedly wants the best for the people in her community.

Sarah is well-recognised as a respected primary health care provider throughout the region and has achieved a reputation for delivering an exceptional clinical service experience. These days you’ll mainly find her ensuring the clinic is running smoothly and dealing with all things management, but on occasions she loves to get back to her passion of being a treating Physiotherapist.

TAYLA LEWIS

Senior Physiotherapist

Tayla graduated from Curtin University in 2016 and is currently pursuing her Masters of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy at La Trobe University. With a passion for sports physiotherapy, strength and conditioning, and treating persistent pain, she brings a wealth of knowledge. She has done extra training in dry needling and Pilates.

She has previously worked closely with athletes from various disciplines including AFL, soccer, and hockey. Her approach focuses on the whole person, aiming to inspire each individual to achieve their best. She thrives on staying up to date with the latest evidence-based treatments and collaborates closely with her patients to achieve their individual goals.

Outside of work she enjoys being outdoors, walking her dog, camping, boating, fishing, and exploring new places. Her dedication to an active lifestyle mirrors her commitment to helping you move better and feel better. Tayla is available in the clinic Monday to Thursdays.

CHARITY SELLECK

Physiotherapist

Charity completed her Bachelor in Health Science of Physiotherapy in 2018 and Masters in Physiotherapy in 2022. Prior to this, she worked part time as a massage therapist and has a cert IV in massage. Having spent the past 10 years as a sports trainer up to state levels for sports such as football, netball, athletics, softball and soccer she is well-rehearsed in the assessment, treatment and long-term management of sporting injuries. Charity has a bubbly and enthusiastic character, and is dedicated to expanding her knowledge in all areas of physio. Indigenous health is a passion of hers. As such, she does all she can to connect with community while offering a warm and relatable nature. Charity was raised largely in a place near Mount Gambier and then lived in Port Lincoln South Australia, where she’s spent most of her time playing sports, fishing and diving. Charity looks forward to getting to know you and working together in reaching your goals. Charity is available for appointments Tuesday to Friday.

 

LAURA SALDANHA

Physiotherapist

Laura grew up in Perth and graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2007. She has extensive experience in the assessment and management of acute and persistent musculoskeletal conditions. With a keen interest in the management of headaches, neck/low back pain and postural dysfunctions she focuses on educating her patients about their condition and working with them to achieve their goals.

  Laura also treats a wide range of sporting injuries. With an interest in Triathlons and Functional Strength Training herself, she uses this experience to provide advice on training modifications and return to run plans. Laura has completed additional training in Dry Needling, Clinical Pilates and Functional Strength and Conditioning. With this she assists her clients in becoming pain free quickly allowing them to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.

Laura is currently studying her masters of paediatric physiotherapy and is looking forward to expanding this service in the East Arnhem region.  In her spare time Laura enjoys swimming, cycling, running, surfing, camping and hiking

THOMAS BOYES

Physiotherapist

Tom completed his Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy) at Curtin university in Perth in 2022. Since then, Tom has been working in Darwin in the private practice setting. He has a keen interest in problem solving and helping people find solutions and answers for their individual needs. He is a committed patient centred therapist who holds a high regard for a holistic approach to all his patients. Outside of work Tom has a big passion for fishing and football. Having played 5 years with the West Perth football club in the WAFL and 2 years with the Wanderers in the NTFL, he has developed a strong passion for sporting related injuries and rehabilitation.

TIARNE PENDLEBURY

Occupational Therapist

Tiarne graduated from La Trobe University in Bundoora, Melbourne in 2017 with a Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Occupational Therapy Practice. Since then, Tiarne has had extensive experience working within a paediatric setting, alongside working within a hospital rehabilitation setting. More recently, Tiarne gained experience working in the Pilbara region of Western Australia which ignited her passion for practicing in more remote parts of Australia where services are scarce and much needed.

Tiarne’s caring nature and holistic approach toward working with her clients, ensures that they feel heard and understood. Tiarne is committed to providing client-centred and evidence-based care to empower individuals to live their best lives. Tiarne has completed additional training within Cognitive Orientation to Occupational Performance (CO-OP), DIR Floortime 101, Developmental Trauma, among others. Tiarne has interests in working with children and young people of all ages and abilities to maximise their full potential in their everyday lives.

Tiarne is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be living and working in East Arnhem Land. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, yoga, walking her dog and going on adventures. Tiarne looks forward to learning all there is to learn about East Arnhem Land.

IMOGEN SMITH

Occupational Therapist

Imogen graduated from Curtin University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours).

Growing up, she lived in North WA and South-West WA. Imogen always wanted to come back up north after university, which landed her in Darwin. She spent two years working in paediatrics in Darwin before moving to Nhulunbuy. Imogen loved having the opportunity to work alongside families in Darwin, the Tiwi Islands, and West Arnhem. She enjoys collaborating with families and teachers to support children’s needs and celebrate their strengths.

In her spare time, Imogen enjoys camping, boating, reading, and playing team sports. She feels very grateful to live and work in North-East Arnhem Land and to be part of this amazing community.

SAMANTHA PARFITT

Allied Health Administrator

Samantha is an experienced professional with a diverse background in administrative support, office management, and client services. Originally from Queensland, Australia, Samantha has worked in various roles, from handling office management and administrative duties in London for Scorpio UK Limited. She’s known for her friendly demeanor, attention to detail, and ability to juggle multiple responsibilities, whether coordinating events, managing office supplies, or handling accounts and HR duties.

Outside of work, Samantha enjoys staying active and spending time outdoors. She’s passionate about yoga, rock climbing, and reading, which helps her stay balanced and focused.  Samantha is excited to bring her wealth of experience and positive attitude to new opportunities in her community.

KAHLA FINDLAY

Nurse and Administration Assistant

One of the first faces you’ll see as you enter the clinic Kahla, our nurse and administrative assistant whose friendly and bubbly personality makes every patient feel right at home. With a smile that feels like it’s been greeting you for years, Kahla brings a unique blend of warmth and professionalism to our team. Whether she’s managing your appointments or providing compassionate care, Kahla’s welcoming presence ensures you always feel valued and cared for. Her commitment to making everyone feel like part of our clinic family is truly unmatched.

 

ALEA IBANEZ

Administration Assistant

Alea is an administrator and receptionist committed to managing patient care and assisting with office operations. She has a growing passion for healthcare and customer service, and particularly enthusiastic about communicating with and building relationships especially with Filipino patients, as she values the opportunity to connect with people and make a positive impact within the community. Alea is currently studying a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She loves supporting all the staff with a friendly and professional approach, often guilty of leaving chocolate out for everyone despite the “no chocolate rule” that was specifically made for her.  She is excited about the opportunity to grow in this role and create a positive impact in healthcare administration.

EMILY BURTON

Administration Assistant

Emily is an experienced Senior Executive Support and Administrator with a knack for handling all the behind-the-scenes tasks that keep things running smoothly. Emily has a proven track record in managing busy executive offices, organizing travel and events, and drafting sensitive correspondence! She’s also tech-savvy, comfortable navigating various software programs and databases to support her team effectively. Emily is currently completing her Bachelor of Laws, graduating in 2026. Known for her attention to detail, Emily is reliable, enthusiastic, and always ready to go the extra mile to make sure everything runs like clockwork.

 

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