Our Board

B.Sc.(Clin.Sc.), M.H.Sc.(Osteo.)

Matt has been a practicing Osteopath for a little over a decade and is the director and owner of Melbourne Osteopathic Clinic Docklands. Matt has worked in an elite sports clubs and was thrilled to be part of the medical team at the Western Bulldogs during their drought-breaking premiership in 2016. Matt has spent the last number of years mixing clinical work with teaching at Victoria University. Matt is a husband and father to two fantastic little ones. Matt thrives on mentoring young practitioners and helping with their transition into practice. He hosts a podcast called PracReady with Osteopath Craig Taylor, which has the primary focus on helping the future of our profession to be “PracReady” from day 1.

B.Sc.(Clin.Sc.), M.H.Sc.(Osteo.), MAPP. 

Brett is a proud husband, father and director at the Sports and Spinal Group in Melbourne. Since the age of 14, he has been driven by a deep dissatisfaction with the "sick care" model of healthcare, believing that meaningful change is long overdue. His grandfather’s experiences in World War II shaped his core life principle: to leave a positive wake with everything he says and does. This philosophy guides his personal and professional life, grounded in his values of contribution, genuineness and humility.

Brett has a strong business development mindset and an extensive background in health, wellness, and fitness, with expertise in sports injuries, pain management, positive psychology, entrepreneurship, and strategy. He holds a Master’s of Applied Positive Psychology from Melbourne University, where his research explored the art of giving as a medical practitioner—proactively, effectively, and self-protectively. As a leader, he fosters a psychologically safe environment that meets three fundamental human needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

With education in Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare from MIT and Digital Health from world-leading institutions, Brett bridges the gap between technology and clinical practice. His expertise spans clinical strategy, governance, digital health innovation and patient-centric advocacy. He has developed care models optimising workflows and patient outcomes, implemented governance protocols ensuring regulatory compliance and collaborated on AI-driven healthcare solutions that enhance provider efficiency and patient care.

As an experienced founder, clinician and strategist, Brett is dedicated to reshaping healthcare into a genuinely patient-first system, empowering providers and patients through innovative, data-driven, and ethical solutions.

Julia is a recent graduate having completed her studies at Victoria University in 2020. At university she was valedictorian for her undergraduate degree and received the most outstanding clinical student award upon graduating from her Masters. She has also previously completed a Bachelor of Science with a Major in Psychology from the University of Melbourne.

Julia is currently working as an osteopath and an academic at Victoria University. 

Julia joined the Osteopathy Australia Board of Directors in mid-2023 as the association’s first Early Career Director. Diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis early in her career, Julia has harnessed this experience to advocate for the importance of the hands-off component of osteopathy, emphasising the prevention of physical and mental burnout. She is also passionate about improving ergonomic practices and fostering connections within the osteopathic community, as well as helping to educate people on how to manage their pain.  

EMBA BPharms (Hons) MRPhamS MPS

Joey has a diverse and extensive 25-year healthcare background that includes experience in innovation consulting, executive and board roles within various healthcare organisations, and hands-on frontline work as a pharmacist. His unique blend of experience has given him an in-depth understanding of the intricate needs and challenges within the healthcare system, allowing him to bridge the gap between innovative concepts and their practical application.

Joey is currently the eHealth Director of Innovation and Emerging Technology at the Victorian Department of Health. He oversees strategy and planning for health system digital transformation, health data and analytics reform and harnessing innovation to improve clinical decision making for better health and population outcomes.

Joey also served as the Head of Virtual Health at Medibank and as the Head of Strategy for AIA Vitality. In these positions, he was instrumental in designing digital health strategies to make high-quality healthcare accessible and affordable to millions of Australians through digital channels and platforms.

As the General Manager of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, he pioneered new models of pharmacist care based on medicine safety evidence, fostering advocacy and cultivating strategic partnerships with various governmental bodies, including state, federal, and local governments, PHNs and diversifying funding sources.

As a Board director for both the Victorian Pharmacy Authority and Outcome Health, Joey plays a pivotal role in co-designing strategic initiatives, overseeing legislative changes and ensuring their effective implementation in clinical practice.

Joey has completed the AICD Not-for-Profit Governance Program, holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy with Honours, and has earned an Executive MBA. Notably, his MBA accolades include awards in Strategy, Financial Management and International Business (with a focus on China). Joey's dedication to innovation has also been recognized with a Silver medal for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation innovation program. Most recently Joey has completed the Harvard Medical School Digital Health program and the University of Sydney Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare course.

Joey is committed to enhancing healthcare accessibility, fostering innovation, and driving transformative change within the Australian healthcare sector. His wealth of experience and a passion for healthcare make him a driving force in the industry.

BSc(ClinSc), MHSc(Osteo), GradCert(Neonatal and Inf Paeds for Man Ther)

Tink Gee is an enthusiastic and accomplished osteopath with 20 years of experience. Her private and professional life has been underpinned by a desire for leadership and contribution to her community and the osteopathic profession. 

Tink has an established clinic in Hobart called Rockhopper Osteopathic Clinic, where she not only provides care to the local community but mentors young osteopaths to provide the same high level of care that she offers.

Tink’s passion for treating paediatric patients led her to gain a Graduate Certificate in Infant and Neonatal Paediatrics for Manual Therapists and is titled by Osteopathy Australia as an Advanced Paediatric Osteopath (tertiary). 

Tink was a member of Osteopathy Australia’s Paediatric Clinical Practice Group from 2014 until it ceased in 2020. Tink is the past t President and current Board Director for the not-for-profit organisation the Sutherland Cranial Teaching Foundation of Australia & New Zealand (SCTFANZ). She was also the Vice President of the Tasmanian branch of Osteopathy Australia from 2009 until the state branches ceased in 2011.

Tink has an active family of four boys and loves getting out in the beautiful Tassie wilderness, bushwalking, paddling, playing hockey, and regularly practising yoga and pilates.

Outside of Osteopathy Tink is very active in her community, she has volunteered on the Building Management Committee Galleria Salamanca since 2019. She was the public officer and committee member of Queenborough Little Athletics between 2014-2017 and organised and coached the South Hobart Primary School Soccer Association in 2015 and 2016.

Simultaneously contributing to numerous boards and community organisations while building the profile of Rockhopper Osteopathic Clinic and being a busy mother has given Tink an incredible insight into the challenges and successes of many of her osteopathic colleagues. She wants to see Osteopathy continue to build its profile and respect in the public forum to pave its way for a bright future. She feels it is imperative that all of the states of Australia are equally represented and will endeavour to work together to help this happen. The vision and planning required as a team of Board Directors inspire her to contribute to help this happen.

B.App.Sc. (Osteo), M.Ost. UWS

Don graduated in 2003 from the University of Western Sydney and worked in Newcastle for over 15 years, founding Beech Health Osteopathic Clinic in January, 2008. He continued his osteopathic journey by undertaking many courses in biodynamics and osteopathy in the cranial field. Since 2013, he has been conducting research in the Department of Physiotherapy at the University of Newcastle, investigating the relationship between thoracic posture and shoulder impingement syndrome, and recently submitted his PhD. Donald is passionate about playing his part to promote working in rural Australia and the value and benefit research can offer the profession.

BAppSc, GradDipSportBus, MBA, MAICD

Cris is the Director of Saint George Consulting, a consulting agency specialising in strategy, management, governance, membership and allied health. His career has focused on service-based organisations across a variety of sectors including healthcare, finance and professional sport. Cris has held senior positions at the Bob Jane Corporation, St Kilda Football Club, CPA Australia, Australian Physiotherapy Association and Advent Health.

He is the current Chairman of BMS Risk Solutions (Affinity), current non-executive Director of Early Childhood Intervention Australia (Vic) and an independent member of the Exercise & Sports Science Australia Standards Council. He was recently appointed as the first public board member of the American Physical Therapy Association. He is the former Chairman of the Allied Health Professions Australia.

Cris holds a Bachelor of Applied Science, Graduate Diploma in Sport Business, and an MBA. He has completed the AICD Company Directors course, and the Executive Program in International Management at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

I am honoured to stand before you as a newly appointed Board member, poised to contribute to the growth and excellence of our esteemed profession. Allow me to express my heartfelt gratitude to former President Dr Michelle Funder and former Board member Dr Georgia Ellis for their invaluable contributions during their six-year term, shaping the trajectory of our organisation. I'm very much looking forward to working with the new Board members.

Beyond clinical practice, my roles as a critical care nurse, quality improvement nurse and Veterans’ Liaison Officer have significantly broadened my perspective. This diverse background, spanning hospitals to private practice across Australia, reinforces my deep conviction in the immense value of osteopathy.

Having had the privilege of working in clinics across Canberra, Far North Queensland and Darwin, I bring a rich and varied perspective to the board. My journey has been one of continuous learning and unwavering dedication to advancing osteopathy. While I have contributed to clinics across Australia, calling Perth home fills me with joy as I am committed to furthering the goals of Osteopathy Australia.

As an adopted member of the Kuku-Yalanji clan, I acknowledge the importance of fostering inclusivity within healthcare. Recognised by the Golden Key Society for academic excellence, I hold a Bachelor of Nursing, Post Grad in Clinical Nursing, Bachelor of Clinical Science, and a Master of Osteopathic Medicine. I eagerly anticipate collaborating with members of Osteopathy Australia as we collectively shape the future of osteopathy.

OAM FAHMS GradDipManipTher USyd MBiomedE UNSW PhD UNSW

Kathryn Refshauge, a physiotherapist, is currently Professor of Allied Health (Strategic Partnerships), University of Sydney, and immediate past Dean of Health Sciences. 

She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences and has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course. She is a Director of the Board of the International College of Management Sydney (ICMS) and of other governing boards, as well as a member of Clinical Council, Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network and various professional and research bodies nationally and internationally.

She has previously held many positions in the health sector, such as Chair of South West Sydney Research, a NSW Health hub, and executive member of other health hubs and committees in the health sector in NSW. She has served on the executive of the Australian Physiotherapy Association, Sports Medicine Australia, and human research ethics committees, and was involved in the Excellence in Research for Australia initiative. 

Her research focuses on integrating her physiotherapy, biomedical engineering and physiology backgrounds to improve health outcomes, particularly for musculoskeletal conditions. She has published extensively in the area of musculoskeletal health and developed guidelines and position statements for best practice in diagnosis and management of various musculoskeletal conditions. 

She holds several honorary professorial appointments internationally and has been a member of the editorial board of international journals. Her education excellence has been recognised through three awards for outstanding teaching, including a national award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council, and the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research Student Supervision.