Staff profiles
There are eight physiotherapists working at our clinics.
All physios are trained to work with a similar philosophy, so that many patients are happy to see more than one physiotherapist and receive the same standard of treatment.
Click on one of the images at left for a short bio for each of our professional staff.
Mt Waverley
Don Perriman
Sports Physiotherapist
Don describes himself as an ‘all-round good bloke’. He has worked as a physio for over 30 years and still really enjoys the hands on work. He is based at Mt Waverley.
Don has headed up large physio departments including TAC, Bethesda & Royal Melbourne Hospital Outpatients. He has been on the Australian Physio Team for the Para Olympics on numerous occasions and now travels in the role of Senior Handicapper for wheel chair basketball.
Special interests: reconstructive surgery, footy, cricket and wheelchair basketball.
Belinda Stephens
Physiotherapist
After completing her degree at Auckland University of Technology in 2004, Belinda worked in private practice in Auckland, New Zealand.
Since moving to Brisbane in 2008, Belinda has worked in various roles across the rehabilitation continuum including community rehabilitation, private practice and aged care.
2009 brought further changes with a move to Melbourne and joining ProActive Physiotherapy in May 2010. She returned to ProActive in May 2011 after a maternity leave break.
Special interests: shoulders, knees, ankles.
David Bilston
Physiotherapist
Dave graduated from La Trobe University in 2006.
After a brief stint working in the Emergency Department of the Angliss hospital, Dave Moved into private practice in Rowville and Monash University. In 2008 he travelled through parts of Europe and south and central America and also worked in private practice in London.
Dave has also worked as an on site early intervention specialist for large workplaces across Victoria and Sydney.
Dave is qualified in the use of ART (Active Release Technique), dry needling and biomesotherapy.
He enjoys all things outdoors, and being a playing Assistant Coach for the Belgrave South Football Club.
Special interests: all things sports, backs and shoulders and anyone who is motivated to help themselves.
Nanette Mayhood
Physiotherapist
After graduating in 1996 from La Trobe University, Nanette worked across a wide range of physio disciplines before focusing on musculo-skeletal practice in both private and public domains.
She was a member of the ProActive team for a number of years full time before starting a family and, after a two-year stint at St Vincent’s hospital, has now returned to join the team on a part-time basis.
While keeping busy with two primary school-age children she squeezes in some running, community involvement, cooking and work as a Occupational Health and Safety consultant.
Special interests: Nanette’s focus on treatment is to educate patients about their injury and encourage responsibly for their recovery.
Caulfield
Bernie Simai
Sports Physiotherapy Title Holder, Director
Bernie opened the doors to ProActive Physiotherapy in 1991.
He spent six years with AFL clubs (Melbourne/Richmond) and has travelled extensively with state and national representative teams. He is currently looking after the Australian men's softball team, travelling to New Zealand in 2008 and to Canada in 2009 for the world titles, and the State 3 North Caulfield soccer team.
He enjoys visiting worksites, advising and teaching staff about safe work practices.
He is also a “full-on dad” to four children.
Special interests: knees, necks, backs, softball and “kids' things.”
Tim Simpson
Physiotherapist
Tim completed his La Trobe University Physiotherapy degree in 1998 and went on to a Graduate Certificate in Sports and Manual Therapy at University of West Australia in 2000.
He has worked throughout Australia from the Base Hospital in Broken Hill, helping the RFDS in remote outback NSW to running his own private practice in Townsville.
He has extensive experience with local and elite-level sports teams, helping AFL, NRL, NBL and WNBL teams along the way.
After almost 30 seasons of playing local level Aussie Rules he now devotes his spare time to his new wife and supporting the Melbourne Demons.
Merrin Keaney
Physiotherapist
Merrin completed a Bachelor of Applied Science: Human Movement at Deakin University in 2004. Wanting to ‘do more’ for her clients, she went on to complete her physiotherapy degree at Monash University in 2008.
Merrin has spent the last two years working at a private practice in Melbourne, treating a variety of musculoskeletal, neurological and sporting clients with her pilates and physio classes.
In the past she has worked in a variety of settings including acute, sub-acute and rehabilitation. Merrin was also lucky enough to work with the gymnastics at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and was a Sports Trainer at Oakleigh Districts Football club for seven years whilst studying.
For fun, she enjoys pilates, calisthenics, spending time with friends and family, beach, travel and going to the local footy.
Special interests: neck and back pain, active rehabilitation, pilates and all things sports.
Adam Joffe
Physiotherapist
After working as a personal trainer for two years and being asked questions by his clients that he couldn’t answer confidently, as well as spending time on Bernie’s physio table himself following two knee reconstructions, Adam decided to study physiotherapy on the sunny Gold Coast.
Adam has spent the last 18 months working for a private rehabilitation hospital treating a variety of neurological, orthopaedic and cardiorespiratory patients. He has particularly enjoyed assisting patients with knee, hip and shoulder replacements rehabilitate and recapture their independence.
He enjoys camping, running, hiking, is a massive Hawks fan and is currently training for the 100km Oxfam trailwalker in April.
Special interests: Running, triathlon, footy, travel and wining and dining his beautiful girlfriend.