Katie Cleary (Roth)
Director & Paediatric Physiotherapist
Katie founded Ocean Kids in 2014 to provide a unique service to Victorian children. Katie likes to 'think outside the box' and is passionate about finding what therapy works best for each individual child.
Katie loves treating babies and toddlers utilising CME techniques. She specialises in treating all babies,
children's gait and movement disorders, joint hypermobility and associated conditions.
After graduating from Monash University in 2010, Katie has travelled the world to find the best therapeutic modalities, treatments and equipment to assist babies and children to achieve their goals,
whether it’s crawling, walking or surfing!
Katie has a strong focus on supporting our amazing paediatric therapy team to provide children with an evidence based, high quality service with a big focus on family, friendships and fun!
Katie loves travel, surfing, yoga and scuba diving and spending time with her husband and 3 dogs!
Katie loves treating babies and toddlers utilising CME techniques. She specialises in treating all babies,
children's gait and movement disorders, joint hypermobility and associated conditions.
After graduating from Monash University in 2010, Katie has travelled the world to find the best therapeutic modalities, treatments and equipment to assist babies and children to achieve their goals,
whether it’s crawling, walking or surfing!
Katie has a strong focus on supporting our amazing paediatric therapy team to provide children with an evidence based, high quality service with a big focus on family, friendships and fun!
Katie loves travel, surfing, yoga and scuba diving and spending time with her husband and 3 dogs!
Desiree Frigenti
DIRECTOR & PAEDIATRIC PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Desiree is a highly experienced Paediatric Physiotherapist who loves working with babies and young children.
Desiree believes Paediatric Physiotherapy should be fun, and play based, while meeting the needs and goals of the child, 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 team to identify and help achieve goals.
Desiree has extensive international experience working with a wide variety of paediatric conditions in public, community and private settings. Due to Desiree’s extensive training she is able to assess all aspects of your child’s health and how it may be influencing other aspects of their well-being.
With a keen interest in early childhood development; Desiree has specialised in the premature infant, reflux, babies and children presenting with developmental delays and sensory processing issues, neurological concerns and rehabilitation.
Desiree has published a book titled Play Sense. The book provides play and activity ideas to promote a baby's and child’s sensory and motor skills up to the age of 5 years. Desiree is currently penning her second book- The Sensory Rollercoaster.
Desiree enjoys being outdoors doing anything active, she loves to travel, cook and spend time with her beautiful family and friends!
Ben Hall
director & paediatric exercise Physiologist
Ben is passionate about working with children of all abilities; to help them achieve any goal, whilst having lots of FUN along the way!
Ben completed his Masters of Clinical Exercise Physiology at Australian Catholic University, following on from a Bachelor of Exercise Sports Science. Being super passionate about Paediatrics, Ben undertook further study at the University of Melbourne completing the Rehabilitation for Paediatrics subjects.
Ben has previously 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 has been involved with surf lifesaving for over 10 years.
Ben loves playing football and basketball, surfing, water skiing, motorbike riding, playing guitar and spending time at the beach.
Nick Callanan
Paediatric Physiotherapist
Nick's passion for Physiotherapy developed naturally from a love of sport, exercise, and helping those around him. Nick realised at a young age he wanted to work with children; his journey through working as a swim teacher, primary and high school tutor, and a volunteer with Heads Together for ABI, led him to Ocean Kids.
Nick completed the APA Level 1 Paediatric Physiotherapy Course in March 2019, and is continually looking to expand his knowledge and expertise to make many children happy. In January 2021, Nick completed Cuevas Medek Exercise (CME) Level 1 training, and is now delivering this amazing service in clinic!
Nick loves footy, surfing, running, trying to train his Border Collie Scout, and making very bad jokes!
Nick completed the APA Level 1 Paediatric Physiotherapy Course in March 2019, and is continually looking to expand his knowledge and expertise to make many children happy. In January 2021, Nick completed Cuevas Medek Exercise (CME) Level 1 training, and is now delivering this amazing service in clinic!
Nick loves footy, surfing, running, trying to train his Border Collie Scout, and making very bad jokes!
Liam lloyd
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Liam Graduated from Monash University (with Nick!), then went on to work at the Alfred Health in various orthopaedic, neurological & respiratory rotations. After this he ventured off to Alice Springs Hospital for 6 months in 2019.
'I get to be a big kid each day! Having the opportunity to meet and develop relationships with children & their families is incredibly special. Watching them achieve their goals in therapy whilst having fun is even better! I now have the challenge of incorporating my assessments and treatments within games to keep children of all ages engaged & enthusiastic during their sessions'
Liam loves cycling, surfing, skiing, playing guitar, hanging out with his friends and playing with his golden retriever Bonnie.
Hirumi ranabahu
physiotherapist
Hirumi graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Masters in Physiotherapy Practice from La Trobe University. She completed her final university placement at Ocean Kids where she fell in love with the inspirational families, the amazing team and the rewarding work she is now able to do everyday!
Hirumi has previously volunteered her time in Vietnam offering physiotherapy to babies and children with a variety of physical and intellectual special needs, as well as in the physiotherapy department at a special developmental school. More recently, she worked for a health service providing physiotherapy services to NDIS participants in their homes and in the community.
Hirumi enjoys reading, baking delicious sweets and going on adventures with her family and friends.
Hirumi has previously volunteered her time in Vietnam offering physiotherapy to babies and children with a variety of physical and intellectual special needs, as well as in the physiotherapy department at a special developmental school. More recently, she worked for a health service providing physiotherapy services to NDIS participants in their homes and in the community.
Hirumi enjoys reading, baking delicious sweets and going on adventures with her family and friends.
Derry urquhart
exercise physiologist
Derry has always loved anything sport and recreation, which sparked an interest in a career focused on improving people’s function and physical activity levels.
Derry became passionate about helping children during her Undergraduate degree when she realised how beneficial participating in exercise was from an early age for all kids. Derry also participated in paediatric programs whilst at University and was a swim teacher.
Derry completed a Bachelor of Exercise, Sport and Rehabilitation at Curtin University, followed by her Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology at Victoria University.
Derry loves to travel, exercise and spend time outdoors, whether that is exploring or relaxing.
Derry became passionate about helping children during her Undergraduate degree when she realised how beneficial participating in exercise was from an early age for all kids. Derry also participated in paediatric programs whilst at University and was a swim teacher.
Derry completed a Bachelor of Exercise, Sport and Rehabilitation at Curtin University, followed by her Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology at Victoria University.
Derry loves to travel, exercise and spend time outdoors, whether that is exploring or relaxing.
Nikita O'Brien
Exercise Physiologist
Nikita was raised in a small country town where exercise and sport always played a big role in her life.
This encouraged her to become an exercise physiologist with a passion for assisting people with
chronic conditions improve their function and quality of life.
Nikita completed a Bachelor of Exercise Science and Masters of Exercise Physiology at La Trobe University Bendigo.
During her university degree Nikita had the opportunity to work with children at The Bendigo Academy of Sport which developed her passion paediatrics and was only further fostered while working as an AustSwim teacher.
Nikita enjoys playing netball, tennis, going to the gym, camping and hiking.
This encouraged her to become an exercise physiologist with a passion for assisting people with
chronic conditions improve their function and quality of life.
Nikita completed a Bachelor of Exercise Science and Masters of Exercise Physiology at La Trobe University Bendigo.
During her university degree Nikita had the opportunity to work with children at The Bendigo Academy of Sport which developed her passion paediatrics and was only further fostered while working as an AustSwim teacher.
Nikita enjoys playing netball, tennis, going to the gym, camping and hiking.
Beth Shekel
Practice manager
Beth loves leading our Ocean Kids Admin Team to deliver an amazing service to families
right from the beginning.
Beth is passionate about helping others and making sure that everyone feels heard and welcomed.
Beth prides herself on a providing a high level of customer service which is reflected
through the clinic and staff experiences.
Beth is currently completing a Bachelors in Criminology and Psychological Sciences at ACAP. She is passionate about working with Youth in the criminal justice system and Volunteers for the YRIPP program where she will attend police stations to support young people during the interview process.
Beth loves spending time with friends and family and going to the gym.
Beth also enjoys walks on the beach with her 3 year-old Golden Retriever, Ella.
right from the beginning.
Beth is passionate about helping others and making sure that everyone feels heard and welcomed.
Beth prides herself on a providing a high level of customer service which is reflected
through the clinic and staff experiences.
Beth is currently completing a Bachelors in Criminology and Psychological Sciences at ACAP. She is passionate about working with Youth in the criminal justice system and Volunteers for the YRIPP program where she will attend police stations to support young people during the interview process.
Beth loves spending time with friends and family and going to the gym.
Beth also enjoys walks on the beach with her 3 year-old Golden Retriever, Ella.
Steph Van de water
receptionist & Allied health assistant
Steph has always been very involved with sport from a very young age - playing football, soccer, and competing in surf lifesaving and swimming. Steph has completed a Bachelor of Business (Psychology) at Monash University and a Bachelor of Nursing at Australian Catholic University.
Steph developed a love of working with kids while working as a Swimming Teacher and Lifeguard when she was at University and really enjoyed seeing the progress of the kids she had the pleasure of teaching!
Steph loves to spend time with her Cavoodle puppy Harry and go running, swimming, surfing and snowboarding - anything outdoors really and all depending on the season!
Steph developed a love of working with kids while working as a Swimming Teacher and Lifeguard when she was at University and really enjoyed seeing the progress of the kids she had the pleasure of teaching!
Steph loves to spend time with her Cavoodle puppy Harry and go running, swimming, surfing and snowboarding - anything outdoors really and all depending on the season!
Kasey schirmer
receptionist
Kasey has a passion to help other others, and enjoys engaging with children and their families,
along with members of the community.
Kasey is currently studying at Griffith University, completing a Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice. She has also completed a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. She has a passion for working with children, and providing a fun and safe atmosphere for them to thrive in.
Kasey enjoys going on adventures, exploring new places,
spending time at the beach and going for a swim!
along with members of the community.
Kasey is currently studying at Griffith University, completing a Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice. She has also completed a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. She has a passion for working with children, and providing a fun and safe atmosphere for them to thrive in.
Kasey enjoys going on adventures, exploring new places,
spending time at the beach and going for a swim!
