Our Team
Established in 2013, Movement Matters Physiotherapy for Children consists of its founder and Principal Physiotherapist, John Drysdale, and a team of experienced senior physiotherapists. The team have over 100 years experience in paediatric physiotherapy between them. We have extensive expertise within the areas of children’s developmental physiotherapy and childhood disability.
All staff at Movement Matters Physiotherapy are registered Physiotherapists with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Agency (AHPRA). All staff have Medicare Provider Numbers, enabling access to Medicare Programs. John also has involvement with Reimagine Australia, formerly known as Early Childhood Intervention Australia (ECIA), which has been the leading Australian body for early childhood outcomes for young children with a developmental delay or a disability and their families, since 1986.
All staff hold a current Child-Related Employment Screening from the Department of Communities and Social Inclusion (DSCI, SA Government) which indicates our suitability and safety to work with vulnerable people including children.
John Drysdale
DIRECTOR & PRINCIPAL PHYSIOTHERAPIST
John graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy (with Honours) in 1992. Since then, John has acquired expert knowledge in the area of Paediatric Physiotherapy. He has worked in Adelaide at the Women’s and Children’s and Lyell McEwin Hospitals, Novita and Disability Services (formerly IDSC); and in the United Kingdom in a variety of paediatric settings, including hospitals, child development centres, family homes, and schools for children with special needs. Read more
John has comprehensive knowledge and expert physiotherapy skills covering many paediatric conditions such as developmental delay, intellectual disabilities, genetic or chromosomal abnormalities (including Down Syndrome), and physical disabilities (including cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophies). He has travelled extensively and presented at national and international conferences on topics relating to developmental outcomes of premature children. Read less
Angelique Tzanakis MACP
SENIOR PAEDIATRIC PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Angelique (Angie) graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from the University of South Australia in 2019 and while working in paediatrics completed a post-graduate Master of Advanced Paediatric Physiotherapy Practice through Monash University in 2022. Angelique is an APA Titled Paediatric Physiotherapist. After working within private practice in Adelaide, curiosity led Angelique to move to London where she worked within hospitals, community health centres, homes, and schools (including a complex needs primary school). Angelique has also enjoyed roles as a Tutor and Clinical Educator for physiotherapy university students in Adelaide and London. Read more
To be able to support infants, children and adolescents to learn functional skills so that they can participate in everyday life defines Angelique’s purpose. Angelique has extensive experience in supporting children of all ages with developmental delays or disabilities including neurological (such as Cerebral Palsy), neuromuscular (including muscular dystrophies) and genetic conditions. She has a special interest in assistive technology/specialised equipment. Angelique deeply values the power of play, empowerment and working holistically to build partnerships with children and their families/caregivers, education staff and other team members to support a child’s development. Read less
Ashley Kimber
SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Ashley graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from the University of South Australia in 2019, and since then she has predominately worked with children in the disability field. Prior to graduating she worked as an allied health assistant with this population. Ashley is passionate about providing holistic and meaningful care for clients with a range of paediatric conditions including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Global Developmental Delay, and Cerebral Palsy. Ashley supports play-based therapy and working with families in their community to best support them to achieve their individual goals.
Bec Fleet
SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Rebecca (Bec) graduated from University of South Australia with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (with Honours) in 2002. Bec began her career working in country South Australia, where she worked with children, adults and in aged care. She realised her passion is working with children and their families, and has since worked in the children’s disability field for over 15 years. Most recently Bec has worked at Kudos in the Early Childhood Early Intervention service. Read more
Bec re-joins us with extensive experience and expertise in working with children with a variety of disabilities, including developmental delay, intellectual disability, a variety of syndromes, autism, and movement disorders. Bec has a very family-centred holistic approach. She has a special interest in early intervention, equipment, and aquatic physiotherapy. Read less
Bec Pontifex
SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Bec graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy (with Honours) in 1997. Since then, she has worked as a Paediatric Physiotherapist in public hospitals including the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide, private practice, community health centres, family homes and schools for children with special needs, both in Adelaide and abroad. Read more
Bec has a special interest and extensive training in the early detection and intervention therapies for premature babies, children with complex medical needs and children with developmental delays and movement disorders (such as cerebral palsy). Bec is a qualified Marte Meo Therapist – a communication method to help strengthen connections between parents and their child. Read less
Deb Thompson
SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Deb graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy from the University of South Australia in 1997 and is currently studying a Masters of Rehabilitation Science at the University of Melbourne. She has many years of experience working with children both in hospitals and in the community. Read more
Through her high quality physiotherapy services, she helps children with disabilities and developmental delays to fully participate in family and community life. Deb works in partnership with families and other important people in a child’s life to support the child’s needs and goals. She recognises the value of play in children’s development and makes sure this is central to therapy.
Deb is also highly experienced in orthopaedic physiotherapy, and is able to design rehabilitation programs to help children with conditions affecting their bones, joints and muscles to build movement, strength, and confidence. She also provides casting and splinting for a wide range of orthopaedic and neurological conditions, integrating this into the overall management of the child. Read less
Jane Burton
SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Jane graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from The University of South Australia in 2005. Since graduating, she has worked in Pediatric Physiotherapy at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Queensland Health and within the community and private settings in South Australia. Read more
Jane has a special interest in working with children with neurodevelopmental delay in both a land and hydrotherapy environment. She currently combines her time between Movement Matters and as a Clinical Educator at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Read less
Marguerite Neate
SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Marguerite graduated from the University of South Australia in 1998 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy. Since graduating Marguerite has worked in Paediatric Physiotherapy at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, in private practice and in community settings. Read more
Marguerite has extensive experience in the area of Neurodevelopmental Physiotherapy particularly in pre school and school aged children with low muscle tone, coordination difficulties, Developmental Coordination Disorder, Autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and developmental delays as well as other conditions. Marguerite has a passion for assisting children with coordination difficulties to build their skill level and optimise their potential to be more at the level of their peers.
Marguerite worked as the Senior Physiotherapist in the Minimal Motor Dysfunction Unit gross motor group program at the WCH for over 10 years. This comprehensive service included initial assessment followed by intervention in specific skill based learning in small groups in the community.
Marguerite has a special interest in and 15 years experience working in aquatic physiotherapy using buoyancy and resistance of the water for facilitation and enjoyment of movement, muscle strengthening, balance, coordination and confidence. Read less
Nicola Lewis
SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Nicola is an experienced Paediatric Physiotherapist having worked in the area for over 25 years. She currently divides her time between WCH as a community Physiotherapist and Movement Matters Physiotherapy for Children. She has worked in the past for FMC, as a clinical educator for Physiotherapy students at the University of SA, and in the NICU and with neurodevelopmental and orthopaedic outpatient services at WCH as well as Disability SA and various community settings in the area of disability. Read more
Nicola’s clinical skills and expertise are in the treatment of the younger child with developmental delay, cerebral palsy, chromosomal abnormalities and complex health conditions. She is an advocate of play based and family centred therapy. Read less
Ruth Marshall-Rogers
SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Ruth graduated with a Bachelor Physiotherapy from the University of South Australia in 2006 and has recently graduated with a Masters of Advanced Clinical Physiotherapy (Paediatrics) from the University of South Australia. Ruth has had extensive experience in paediatric physiotherapy through working across both the Lyell McEwin Hospital and Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Read more
Ruth has gained expert physiotherapy skills in both early detection and therapy for premature babies, and children with complex medical needs and developmental delays. Ruth has also trained in paediatric orthopaedic physiotherapy. This includes babies born with bone, joint and muscle problems (eg. club foot, torticollis and developmental dysplasia of the hip) and muscle and joint tightness associated with movement disorders such as cerebral palsy. She is able to provide high quality plastering and splinting where needed as part of a child’s overall management. Read less
Geraldine Riley
PHYSIOTHERAPY ASSISTANT
Geraldine has been a Physio Assistant since 1992, joining Movement Matters Physiotherapy for Children in 2017. She assists with running movement groups, serial casting and hydrotherapy classes. Her passion is assisting children to make their rehabilitation fun and successful, dividing her time between Movement Matters Physiotherapy for Children and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Rehabilitation Unit.
Monica Roach
ADMINISTRATION OFFICER
Mon joined Movement Matters Physiotherapy for Children in mid 2016, and provides integral support to the physiotherapists in their roles. Mon has first-hand lived experience as parent of a child with a disability. She also inputs into various disability-related consumer groups.