passionate about building skills to empower families
Rebecca Clohesy
DIRECTOR OF PRACTICE
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
'Bec' graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Occupational Therapy Practice from La Trobe University.
Bec is a local Mallee girl, leaving only briefly to take on a role in rural Western Australia. In 2014 she returned home to commence working in private practice, the first full time private paediatric occupational therapy clinic in operation for the Swan Hill community.
Her past experiences have included roles in occupational rehabilitation, injury management in underground and open pit mining, adult mental health and paediatrics.
Bec's main passion is early intervention, as the early childhood years lay the foundation for all future development. Bec enjoys educating families about how to support and nurture their child, how to meet their child's needs, and how to adapt positively to having a child with a disability or a developmental delay.
Bec is a sport fanatic and has a strong sense of community. She enjoys playing netball locally and spending her spare time out on the family farm or fishing on the Murray River.
Paige Dempster
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Paige graduated with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from Deakin University in Geelong. Whilst studying her 4 year degree, Paige worked as a Peer Mentor and Therapy Assistant, supporting children to access their community.
Originally from Horsham, Paige has a love and understanding of rural communities. Her passion for working with children was cemented when she undertook her final 8 week placement at Swan Hill Kids Therapy in 2020.
Paige believes that therapy should be playful, fun and recommendations should be practical for carers. She enjoys setting up a supportive and safe environment with therapeutic tools, which enables children and their families to work towards and achieve their goals, particularly in early intervention.
In her spare time, Paige enjoys spending time with family and friends and playing netball locally.
Jenelle Gordon
SPEECH & LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Jenelle graduated from La Trobe University with a Bachelor of Health Science & Master of Speech Pathology.
Jenelle relocated from Melbourne to Swan Hill in 2013 and is a proud community member raising her young family with her supportive husband.
Jenelle as experience working with ages 0 - adults. She has previously worked for the Department of Education providing school based services in our local schools as well as preschool age children & adults at Swan Hill District Health.
She has a special interest in paediatrics with a focus on the acquisition of pre-literacy skills, oral language development and social communication skills.
Bernice Foott
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Bern graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy & Ergonomics from La Trobe University, Bundoora in 2007. She also holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy from the University of Melbourne.
Bern grew up on a farm near Ballarat with her parents, sister & 3 brothers. She now lives just outside of Swan Hill with her husband and 4 children.
Previously, Bern has worked in both private practice and at a private hospital in Ballarat before moving to Swan Hill. She is also employed at Swan Hill District Health and is currently working in the continence clinic through the Community Rehabilitation Centre.
Bern is excited to be working at Swan Hill Kids Therapy, with more local children and helping to improve their early childhood experiences and longer term outcomes. She enjoys helping children to develop skills that assist them to reach their developmental milestones while also helping to prevent the development of any issues along the way. Seeing children learn new skills which in turn enables them to master additional activities and become more confident in the way they go about their day to day lives is highly satisfying for her.
Outside of work she enjoy holidays with my family, water sports, visiting extended family & friends. Bern is also a very busy community member, she enjoys volunteering to enhance the opportunities available to locals - especially for children.
Natalie Condely
SOCIAL HEALTH | DIVERSIONAL THERAPIST
Natalie graduated from La Trobe University with a Bachelor Degree in Public Health and then completed further study to become a qualified Diversional Therapist.
Natalie is a wife and a mother of three gorgeous boys. She was born and raised locally, and because of this, is passionate about the children within our community being supported to thrive.
Previously she worked as the Head Diversional Therapist at Swan Hill District Health. Developing and facilitating therapeutic programs using art therapy, music therapy, aromatherapy and much more. This is where Natalie’s passion for therapeutic intervention really began to blossom.
After taking some time off clinical work to raise her children, she is now applying her skills and passion towards improving the lives of children and families within our community. Natalie goes out of her way to relate to children of all ages and tailors therapy to the child’s needs. She ensures her practice is a positive experience for the child and feels it is important to integrate lots of fun activities into her work. Her main interests are improving children’s self regulation, social skills and daily living skills.
Outside of work Natalie enjoys long distance running, spending time with her friends and family by the Murray River and on weekends loves to support her boys at their local sporting games. They also have a caravan and enjoy family trips travelling around Australia.
