Our Experienced Team
At Echuca Moama Physiotherapy, our team of Physiotherapists are highly trained and undergo regular APA accredited courses as well as in-services with a specialist physiotherapist to ensure expertise and correct diagnosis of injuries. Correct diagnosis is essential to ensure results are achieved in injury treatment and prevention, exercise prescription, rehabilitation and many other areas of sport and musculoskeletal health and fitness. Our physio’s will assess your problems or injuries and give evidence based treatment to help you resume a normal lifestyle. Physiotherapists educate patients on how to avoid recurrent injuries through correct exercise and teach them skills required to look after their bodies.
Echuca Moama Physiotherapy started under the expertise of Sean Slattery in 2006. Sean and his wife Kate (a Clinical Pilates Instructor) worked from their Echuca home until December 2013 when, due to growth, they moved the clinic to it’s beautiful location at 72 Meninya St. This growth was helped by Matthew Dobeli relocating from Melbourne to Echuca and coming on board as a partner.
Our aim is to provide treatment, education and rehabilitation to patients with the latest evidence based technology. Over the years we have achieved a high level of results with our patients which range from high level sports to the average working person or the elderly.
Sean Slattery
Director – Specialist Sports Physiotherapist
Sean has previously worked with St Kilda in the AFL as well as with Cricket Victoria, Cricket Australia, the Sri Lankan cricket team and Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League for 5 seasons.
In addition to sporting injuries, Sean has a special interest in treating back and neck pain.
Matthew Dobeli
Director – Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
Matthew relocated to Echuca at the start of 2011 after working in private practice in Sydney and Melbourne for 15 years.
To further his knowledge in spinal and musculoskeletal conditions, he returned to study to complete a masters degree at Melbourne Uni back in 2002 and was awarded the Highest Achieving Student prize. His clinical interests are in spinal pain and sporting injuries. Outside of work he is enjoying being a new dad, as well as playing golf at Rich River Golf Club and trying to defy his age by playing local basketball.
Patrick Arnold
Nick Sheldon
Physiotherapist (Bachelor of Health Sciences, Master of Physiotherapy)
Nick relocated to Echuca Moama at the beginning of 2017 after moving from his home town of Kilmore.
Nick enjoys keeping his knowledge current and evidence based, completing recent professional development courses on; shoulders, tendons, back pain, pain management, foot and ankle, and dance.
Along with his passion for sporting injuries, Nick has a special interest in pain management, osteoarthritis, overuse injuries, and post-surgical rehabilitation. Outside of work Nick enjoys playing football for The Echuca Football Club and keeping active with friends and family.
Hendrika Kirchhofer
Physiotherapist (Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Post grad cert. in Rural Paediatric Practice)
Hendrika was born and bred in country NSW and completed her Physiotherapy degree at Charles Sturt University in Albury in 2007. After a year working at Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney and a few travel adventures Hendrika moved to Echuca, which she now happily calls home. Hendrika maintains a balance of private practice and public hospital work across general musculoskeletal, sports and paediatric physiotherapy.
She is passionate about overall health and wellbeing across the lifespan and how influential physiotherapy’s role can be in empowering a person to achieve and maintain that. Hendrika enjoys keeping her knowledge and skill-base challenged and up to date, with recent courses including training in: Pain management, Adolescents in Sport, Running assessment and injury management, Cycling Assessment and Bike set-up, and Rural Paediatric Practice. Hendrika’s professional interests are – Musculoskeletal, Sports, Children and Adolescents, Women’s Health.
Kurt Murphy
Physiotherapist (Bachelor of Health Sciences, Masters of Physiotherapy)
Kurt is passionate about all types of Physiotherapy, and has a particular interest in sporting injuries and growing skills in vestibular disorders. Kurt has done further study in clinical pilates and occupational health. He is continuing to grow his skills in sports physiotherapy and would like to one day move into some research of his own. Kurt also enjoys working with both pre and post orthopaedic surgeries and he also works at the Echuca Hospital.
Since graduating from La Trobe university with a Masters degree, Kurt has worked with both Golden Square and the Bendigo Pioneers football clubs.
Outside of work, Kurt enjoys hiking, skiing, keeping fit and the problem solving involved in tinkering with old cars. In a previous life he represented Australia at the martial arts world championships in Tokyo. He can be seen on weekends helping out at the Rochester Football Club.
Nicky Koch
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist
Bachelor of Health Sciences/Masters of Physiotherapy. Post Graduate Certificate in Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
Nicky is local to the Echuca area, having been born and raised close by in Lockington. Throughout her career she has worked in both public and private settings, gaining experience across multiple Victorian health facilities as well as working up in Far North Queensland.
Nicky has always been passionate about Continence and Women’s Health Physiotherapy. This prompted her to complete her post graduate certificate in Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy through the University of Melbourne in 2018.
Nicky is currently working our of Echuca Moama Physiotherapy on Mondays. Please phone 54800860 for appointments or more information
Kate Hatfield
Clinical Pilates Instructor
Kate’s passion for Pilates stems from her extensive history in dance. She grew up in Echuca and trained in classical ballet for 11 years before pursuing a career in teaching Ballroom and Latin American dancing in Melbourne. Kate started Physiotherapy and Clinical Pilates as a tool to overcome injury and wear and tear caused through dance.
Kate (and now husband Sean Slattery) decided to move back to her home town Echuca, and start up a practice. Kate completed her Clinical Pilates Instructor course with DMA Physiotherapy and Clinical Pilates in 2006 and has worked along side Sean at Echuca Moama Physiotherapy since this time. She still remains passionate about dance but has also developed a great understanding of sports injuries and injury management through pilates and body awareness education. Kate is also passionate about educating the elderly in strength and postural correction to help prevent injuries.
Jodie Ritchie
Clinical Pilates Instructor
Jodie is a qualified Clinical Pilates Instructor and has been working at Echuca Moama Physiotherapy since 2008. Jodie has an extensive history in dance and has been dancing for over 26 years and teaching for 16 years. She was a student of the highly regarded Carole Oliver School of Ballet and through her time with the Australian Ballet School has been taught by some of Australia’s best ballet teachers.
Her Pilates education has given her a great understanding and passion about safe dance practices and injury prevention. Jodie has an innate ability to convey instruction to ensure clients are practising correct technique.
Claire Nolan
Clinical Pilates Instructor
Claire spent many of her formative years training and competing as an elite rhythmic gymnast. Her drive, skill and dedication saw her competing for both her state and country. Nearing the end of her elite sport career Claire was initially drawn to Pilates as a way to rehabilitate her body from injury and nurture her mind. In Pilates she found a safe, comfortable and body-nourishing modality helped establish a greater balance between what her mind wanted and what her body needed.
With over 15 years industry experience, Claire effortlessly manages a diverse range of clients with a wide array of pathologies. Her excellent communication skills and happy demeanour enable Claire to impart her instructions expertly and clearly. Claire’s intelligence, insight and perception enable her to ascertain what her clients need and apply her knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics and correct body alignment with clarity and precision.
Pilates has remained a constant in Claire’s life, as she transitioned into and adult, into a happy marriage and finally fulfilling her dream of becoming a parent to her beautiful daughter Hannah. Her husband Adam (a keen waterski racer) supports and encourages her love of movement and Pilates.
Michelle Bartolomeo
Myotherapist (Bachelor of Exercise & Sport Science. Majors in Exercise Physiology & Sport Nutritions)
Michelle graduated from Endeavour College of Natural Health with a Bachelor degree in Myotherapy. Prior to this she completed a Bachelor degree in Exercise and Sport Science (majoring in Exercise Physiology) from Deakin University.
Michelle has extensive experience in sport at varying levels. She has previously worked with Oakley Chargers Football Club (TAC Cup) as a rehabilitation assistant and as a Sports trainer with the Melbourne Football Club (AFL/VFL/AFLW).
Michelle completed a full distance Ironman event and during this time, she battled her own injures and now enjoys helping others through the process of achieving their dreams. With a strong interest in endurance sports, Michelle understands the physical battle and how important the role of recovery and preventative exercise and conditioning is in preventing injury.
Michelle’s other interests include watching sports, cooking, hiking and nutrition. She has future aspirations to one day complete her Masters in Human Nutrition
Shelley Brett
Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer
Shelley was born in England and moved to Echuca at the age of 3. After growing up here Shelley moved to Melbourne and worked for 2 major wholesale sporting brands marketing, selling and developing fitness apparel. After 15 long years, Shelley decided to move home and follow her dream of becoming an exercise professional which complements many years of both personal sporting achievements and industry interests/experience.
Shelley is a qualified Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer and has years of experience in a variety of fitness fields including Pilates, Crossfit, Muay Thai Kick Boxing (Black Singlet) and Zen Do Kai Martial Arts (Brown Belt) which brings a great balance to our team of pilates instructors.
Shelley enjoys travelling, horse riding and practises clean eating.
Jackson Baker
Exercise Physiologist
Jackson completed his Masters degree at LaTrobe University Bendigo in 2016 and since has gained experience working in physical rehabilitation including Orthopaedic, Cardiac and Neuro. Jackson also offers strength and conditioning advise including programs and also teaches Clinical Pilates. He is very passionate about the endless benefits exercise and physical activity can have on the body.
When Jackson is not in the clinic working you will find him training for his Olympic weightlifting.
Tailah Clifford
Clinical Pilates Instructor
Tailah has recently studied with Breathe Education this year (2019) to become a qualified Pilates Instructor for both our Moama and Kyabram Clinic.
Tailah comes from a strong exercise and fitness background, which complements her Pilates knowledge in correct form and techniques in the studio.
When Tailah is not in the Pilates studio you can see her smiling face behind the reception desk at our Kyabram clinic.
Kadie Warde
Echuca Moama Physiotherapy Office Manager
Karyn Monahan
Echuca Moama Physiotherapy receptionist
Grace McNamara
Echuca Moama Physiotherapy receptionist
Josh Stephens
Echuca Moama Physiotherapy receptionist