Katie Cleary
Founder
Principal Physiotherapist
Katie founded Ocean Kids Physiotherapy in 2014 to provide a unique Physiotherapy service to Victorian Children. She is an avid lover of everything to do with movement, sport and recreation. Over the last 10 years, Katie has travelled the world to find the best therapeutic modalities, treatments and equipment to assist children to maximize their physical potential and achieve their goals, whether it’s crawling, walking or surfing!
Katie is a happy, friendly and creative Physio who strongly believes if there is a will, there is a way. She specialises in Early intervention for babies and toddlers along with treating hypermobility and sporting injuries in older children. She has a strong focus on building and developing the skills of our amazing therapy team to providing your child with an evidence based, high quality service with a focus on fun and family!
Katie is a happy, friendly and creative Physio who strongly believes if there is a will, there is a way. She specialises in Early intervention for babies and toddlers along with treating hypermobility and sporting injuries in older children. She has a strong focus on building and developing the skills of our amazing therapy team to providing your child with an evidence based, high quality service with a focus on fun and family!
Desiree Frigenti
Senior Paediatric Physiotherapist
Desiree is a highly experienced, caring Paediatric Physiotherapist. Desiree loves working with babies and believes that Physiotherapy should be fun, and play based while meeting the needs and goals of the child and improving physical outcomes and quality of life. Desiree understands that every child develops at their own pace and in their own way, she enjoys working with families and their health care teams to identify and help achieve their goals.
Desiree has vast experience working with a wide variety of common and not so common conditions, with a keen interest in early childhood development, sensory dysfunction, neurological concerns and rehabilitation.
Desiree has extensive experience assessing and treating children in public, community and private health settings in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. She graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy with honours from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg and is registered as a Physiotherapist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
Desiree has also published a book titled 'Play Sense' which is given to every new parent in South Africa and New Zealand as part of the Maternal Health service. Desiree's book is available for purchase from our reception.
Desiree has vast experience working with a wide variety of common and not so common conditions, with a keen interest in early childhood development, sensory dysfunction, neurological concerns and rehabilitation.
Desiree has extensive experience assessing and treating children in public, community and private health settings in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. She graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy with honours from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg and is registered as a Physiotherapist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
Desiree has also published a book titled 'Play Sense' which is given to every new parent in South Africa and New Zealand as part of the Maternal Health service. Desiree's book is available for purchase from our reception.
Cassandra Skilton
Paediatric Physiotherapist
Cass completed her Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Monash University in 2014 and in 2015 she finished her APPI instructor certification for mat-work and equipment clinical Pilates. Using this knowledge as part of her skill set she has worked with sporting teams and a diverse range of musculoskeletal injuries across all age groups.
Cass has always loved working with kids, and before graduating worked as a swimming teacher and lifeguard for Frankston Council.
In late 2019, Cass successfully completed her Masters of Advanced Paediatric Physiotherapy Practice and loves being able to apply this knowledge to our patients. In addition to Physiotherapy, travelling the world is something else Cass loves to do. Out of the countries she’s visited so far her favourite is Spain. In her spare time at home she loves spending time with her dog Millie, playing team sports and arranging flowers for weddings.
Cass has always loved working with kids, and before graduating worked as a swimming teacher and lifeguard for Frankston Council.
In late 2019, Cass successfully completed her Masters of Advanced Paediatric Physiotherapy Practice and loves being able to apply this knowledge to our patients. In addition to Physiotherapy, travelling the world is something else Cass loves to do. Out of the countries she’s visited so far her favourite is Spain. In her spare time at home she loves spending time with her dog Millie, playing team sports and arranging flowers for weddings.
Ben Hall
Paediatric Exercise Physiologist
Ben is passionate about working with children of all abilities, to help them achieve any goal, big or small, whilst having lots of FUN along the way!
Ben completed his Masters of Clinical Exercise Physiology at Australian Catholic University in 2014, following on from a Bachelor of Exercise Sports Science in 2013. Being super passionate about Paediatrics, Ben undertook further study at the University of Melbourne completing the Rehabilitation for Paediatrics subject in 2018.
Prior to starting at Ocean Kids Physiotherapy, Ben worked at the Royal children's Hospital as an allied Health Assistant within the Physiotherapy Department for 2.5 years. Ben has also worked as a swimming instructor for over 5 years and is still involved with surf lifesaving, which he has done for over 10 years. Outside of work, Ben loves playing sport (Football and Basketball), going surfing, water skiing, motorbike riding, playing guitar and spending time at the beach.
Ben completed his Masters of Clinical Exercise Physiology at Australian Catholic University in 2014, following on from a Bachelor of Exercise Sports Science in 2013. Being super passionate about Paediatrics, Ben undertook further study at the University of Melbourne completing the Rehabilitation for Paediatrics subject in 2018.
Prior to starting at Ocean Kids Physiotherapy, Ben worked at the Royal children's Hospital as an allied Health Assistant within the Physiotherapy Department for 2.5 years. Ben has also worked as a swimming instructor for over 5 years and is still involved with surf lifesaving, which he has done for over 10 years. Outside of work, Ben loves playing sport (Football and Basketball), going surfing, water skiing, motorbike riding, playing guitar and spending time at the beach.
Joanne McKenzie
Practice Manager
Jo has over 20 years-experience working in Administration roles, from Office Manager to Accounts Manager to Payroll manager, Jo has worked in various positions in various countries and loves what she does!
When Jo is not working, or looking after her 2 children, Jo is completing her final year of Accounting through Open Universities Australia.
Jo loves to travel, is a keen photographer, loves baking and getting out and about with her family.
When Jo is not working, or looking after her 2 children, Jo is completing her final year of Accounting through Open Universities Australia.
Jo loves to travel, is a keen photographer, loves baking and getting out and about with her family.