Team Momentum
Canberra’s bracing and support specialists
ABOUT US
Momentum’s services began in 2012, offering local support to the nation’s top amputee athletes at the Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra. From a small suburban garage, we began manufacturing and developing running “blades” for junior and development athletes involved with Athletics Australia’s elite running programs.
Our clinical expertise and care have driven demand beyond the sporting arena, and we’re proud to extend our range of services and treatments to the wider community. We combine only the most effective treatments with the same responsive, efficient and innovative care that our business was founded on.
OUR VALUES
To promote the health and well-being of our community through the improvement of the function and mobility of our clients. To provide client focused services that are multidisciplinary, high quality and efficient and enable clients to achieve their goals of physical and social function.
To improve the health and wellbeing of our community through the delivery of high quality, efficient and progressive health care services.
To provide high quality, client focussed care that is delivered respectfully, efficiently and effectively.
OUR TEAM
Nigel FreemanDirector, Prosthetist and Orthotist
Nigel Freeman
Director, Prosthetist and Orthotist
Born and raised in Canberra, Nigel was a schoolboy sprinter until injury brought him in contact with the world of physiotherapy. Interested in finding out more, Nigel pursued a work experience placement with a local physiotherapist, and it was here that he discovered prosthetics. Nigel moved to Melbourne to study a Bachelor Degree in Prosthetics & Orthotics at La Trobe University, graduating with honours in 2008.
Nigel returned to Canberra to work at The Canberra Hospital, and began his own bracing company in 2010 to provide postural supports for the medical imaging industry. Nigel’s main areas of interest include sports prosthetics & orthotics, complex orthotics, paediatrics and rehabilitation.
Away from work, you will find Nigel training for triathlons, where he has recently represented Australia at the World Championships.
Nigel is the ACT representative on AOPA’s National Representative Council, the peak body of the Australian Prosthetic and Orthotic industry.
Richard GowardDirector, Prosthetist and Orthotist
Richard Goward
Director, Prosthetist and Orthotist
Richard grew up in Canberra, and was exposed to the world of sports prosthetics while still a student at school. This sparked an interest that remains to this day. Following completion of his qualifications, Richard returned to Canberra and took up work at The Canberra Hospital. In 2010 he began volunteering his time at the Australian Institute of Sport and worked closely with some of the world’s top amputee sprinters.
In 2012, Richard started Momentum from his home garage to offer local support to Canberra’s amputee runners. Richard now provides prosthetic care for some of Australia’s top paralympic athletes across a range of sports. Other areas of interest include paediatrics, complex orthotics, and prosthetic rehabilitation.
In his spare time, Richard enjoys exploring Canberra’s amazing network of mountain bike trails. Richard is also a member of the AOPA National Education Delivery Council which provides educational materials and events for members of the national association.
Toby ConroySenior Physiotherapist
Toby Conroy
Senior Physiotherapist
Toby aims to ensure his approach to physiotherapy and injury management is functional and holistic. With a strong background in rehabilitation, skill development and an interest in lower limb injuries, along with his experiences as a semi-professional footballer, Toby is passionate about getting people back to their optimal fitness and health.
Prior to gaining his physiotherapy qualifications through the University of Canberra, Toby spent six years as a teacher in Melbourne where he taught primary and secondary school physical education and health.
Toby has provided sports coverage for AFL Canberra competitions, the Canberra Raiders Cup and the John I Dent Cup and has been physiotherapist for the Australian Combined States U20 rugby union team. He also holds qualifications in sports physiotherapy (APA levels 1 and 2), neuromuscular dry needling and a level 1-2 kinesio taping.
Our resident Aussie rules footballer, Toby has played for Sandringham and Frankston in the Victorian Football League, as well as the Queanbeyan Tigers 2012 NEAFL premiership team. Currently, Toby plays with his hometown club of Leeton in the Riverina Football League in country New South Wales.
Deborah DouglasSenior Physiotherapist, APA Titled Neurological Physiotherapist
Deborah Douglas
Senior Physiotherapist, APA Titled Neurological Physiotherapist
Debbie moved to Canberra at age 14, before commencing Physiotherapy at Sydney University. Debbie graduated 1991 and has loved working as a Physiotherapist ever since. Debbie developed an interest in Aged Care early in her career and worked as the senior Aged Care Physiotherapist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. Debbie returned to Canberra in 1998 to start her family. In 2000 she completed a Masters Degree in Gerontology from Sydney University, and in 2012 completed her credentialing for APA Titled Neurological Physiotherapist.
Debbie has worked in various areas of rehabilitation of the years including: insurance work as a rehabilitation advisor, rehabilitation provider, community rehabilitation physiotherapist, community hydrotherapy (for 19 years), rehabilitation coordinator for complex clients at The Canberra Hospital, as well as Senior Physiotherapist at National Capital Private and several private practices over the past 8 years. Debbie’s interest and specialization in Neurology include: Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury and many other neurological conditions.
Debbie is passionate about keeping people on their feet, staying independent, achieving their goals, reaching their full potential and maximizing quality of life.
In her free time, you will also find Debbie mountain bike riding in various parts of Canberra and surrounding areas, swimming, playing with her dogs and making cards. Two teenage children also keep her very busy.
Marcus EdwardesPhysiotherapist
Marcus Edwardes
Marcus has a caring and holistic approach to physiotherapy whilst aiming to maximize people’s health, fitness and mobility. He has a keen interest in lower limb and shoulder sporting injuries, post-operative rehabilitation, mental health, and chronic pain. Prior to gaining his Bachelor of Physiotherapy from the University of Canberra, Marcus worked in the public service and was a former competitive tennis player. He is a committed yoga and Pilates instructor and loves the physical and mental health benefits from yoga, surfing, rock climbing, and movement culture.
Tom ThomsonWorkshop Manager
Tom Thomson
Workshop Manager
Tom was born and raised in Canberra and qualified as a fitter and turner soon after finishing school. Tom is an experienced machinist and has worked for various engineering firms and research organisations around Australia. He has also providing training in fitting and turning in local trade colleges. His interest in all aspects of engineering and manufacturing brings a wealth of experience and quality to the devices he produces for our clients.
Outside of work, Tom enjoys rock climbing, reading, and putting the never-ending “final touches” on the home he has hand built for his young family.
Jasmine YinOrthotist Prosthetist and Technician
Jasmine Yin
Orthotist Prosthetist and Technician
Jasmine joins the Momentum team as a Orthotist Prosthetist and Technician. She recently moved to Canberra after working as an Orthotist Prosthetist up in sunny Townsville. She grew an interest in the industry after needing to see an Orthotist as a child and pursued her education at LaTrobe University in Melbourne and graduated with Master of Clinical Prosthetics and Orthotics in 2017 . She enjoys seeing clients and assisting them with their ongoing management and assisting them to achieve their goals. She takes pride in the devices she supplies and works closely with individuals to ensure that their needs are accommodated and supported.
Jasmine leads an ecofriendly lifestyle and enjoys staying active through yoga and Pilates.
Jeshi-Samy ShinasiOrthotist Prosthetist
Jeshi-Samy Shinasi
Orthotist Prosthetist
Jeshi was born and raised in the Western suburbs of Melbourne. With a strong passion for sports, he decided to pursue studies in the area of exercise prescription, performance and rehabilitation. Throughout his studies and experience, Jeshi worked closely with local sporting clubs, elite/sub-elite athletes and work place injury rehabilitation providers. This eventually led him to discovering the world of prosthetics and orthotics. He graduated from LaTrobe University with a Master of Clinical Prosthetics and Orthotics in 2017. Throughout his studies, Jeshi spent time working in Adelaide and Melbourne, where he was able to gain extensive experience in both acute and chronic orthotic management, dealing with complex neuromuscular conditions as well as pre and post-surgical management. Jeshi also spent time working in Cambodia, assisting with the provision of prosthetic services in a developing world setting. This further reinforced his passion for improving the quality of life for people in the community by means of orthotic and prosthetic provision.
Jeshi enjoys music, sport, training at the gym, running and fishing on his boat.
Evan StoneOrthotic and Prosthetic Technician
Evan Stone
Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician
Evan is an orthotic and prosthetic technician. He has worked as a mechanic in the motor trade industry for 7 years and more recently worked as a theatre technician in a private hospital here in Canberra.
Evan is an avid ice hockey player and enjoys mountain biking.
Nick KershawPhysiotherapist
Nick Kershaw
Physiotherapist
Nick moved to Canberra in 2014 to study physiotherapy at the University of Canberra. Prior to this, he was living in Sydney where he completed a Bachelor of Health Science at the University of Sydney, majoring in human anatomy and movement sciences. He has recently decided to further his qualifications by enrolling online in a Masters of Rehabilitation Science through the University of Melbourne. Nick’s ongoing studies demonstrates his belief that people should never stop learning and improving themselves – something that resonates closely with his approach to physiotherapy. Nick has a passion for enabling people with injuries and impairments through rehabilitation. He has experience working as an Aged Care Physiotherapist and private practitioner, and has a strong interest in the body’s nervous system, in particular its functions, dysfunctions and neurological conditions. He is a qualified dry needling physiotherapist, integrating it into interventions to maximise outcomes for clients.
As a clinician, Nick believes that disability is just another unique human experience that contributes to the complex diversity of humans. Physiotherapy is then a profession whose main purpose is to understand disability in all its dimensions, and to ameliorate its consequences by developing interventions to enhance function and improve quality of life. His holistic person-centred approach to physiotherapy means he seeks to treat the whole person as an individual, understanding that every person is different and that there is no ‘one size fits all’ model.
In his free time, you’ll find Nick exploring Canberra’s great culinary scene with friends, and keeping active at the gym or by hiking up mountains. He is an avid apiarist, a keen international traveller, and loves cooking up a feast for friends and family to share in his home.
Jade PatonOffice Manager
Jade Paton
Office Manager
Jade joined the Momentum team in 2016. Jade was born in South Africa and moved to Australia with her family as a teenager. Jade was a talented schoolgirl sprinter, competing at state and national levels. Jade has extensive experience in administrative support across the medical and financial industries, and is also qualified in remedial massage therapy.
Away from work, Jade is completing a degree in advertising and communication.
Patrick GardAdministration and Nutrition
Patrick Gard
Administration and Nutrition
Born in Canberra into a family of brothers, Patrick started helping in the kitchen from an early age and this inspired his love of food. Studying and working in hospitality since year 10 at the end of high school he was offered an apprenticeship as a chef as well as being accepted into the University of Canberra to study a Bachelor of Science, his two main interests.
After gaining some life experience, travelling around the world and working with Early Years Education, he found a way to combine both his passions and has recently completed of his Bachelor of Human Nutrition degree at the University of Canberra.
He leads an active lifestyle, whilst also being social, working and studying. He believes that life and nutrition are all about balance and finding what works for each individual.
Pat joined as part of the Momentum Administration Team, supporting the clients and service, and has gained both clinical and office experience. He has taken on the role of Stock Management, and has introduced Nutrition Services to our already exciting clinical specialties on offer.
Jennifer HinesAdministration
Jennifer Hines
Jennifer is our country girl who grew up in regional New South Wales where she worked as a qualified hairdresser for 17 years. She recently moved to Canberra and has begun her new journey with Momentum. She is a wonderful asset to our admin team and brings a wealth of personality and administration experience. Jennifer is an avid photographer and enjoys spending time with her young family and going to the beach.