In the Founder’s Address, Dr Melissa McConaghy FACP noted that the graduation marked a defining point in the graduands’ professional journey.

‘You are now specialists. Fellows of the College. That title carries weight, responsibility and immense opportunity. 

'Tonight we celebrate not just what you have accomplished, but what you will do next.’

Noting that the graduands’ journey had been rigorous amid the College’s high standards, Melissa championed the graduands in their new role as leaders, as knowledge seekers and as inspiration to future generations of physiotherapists.

She offered three guiding principles to the graduands: stay curious, be generous with your knowledge and support of others, and remember why your work matters.

‘To the new Fellows, congratulations. You’ve earned this moment. Celebrate it, but also step into it with purpose.

'Go forward not just as clinicians or academics but as change-makers. The profession is waiting for your leadership. 

'And remember that the future of physiotherapy is in good hands,’ she said.

Making the New Fellow’s Reply, Dr Ann Rahmann, who became the second clinical Specialist Gerontological Physiotherapist, acknowledged and thanked the founders of the College and all who have walked the specialisation journey before the new cohort.

‘To clinical specialists or specialists by Original Contribution, you’ve established a process that drives our desire to never stop questioning, to lead the profession by example from the front in the ever-changing healthcare context. 

'And always to ask, as a profession and as individual clinicians, how can we continue to strive, to always do better for the clients that we are working with?’

To those considering becoming a specialist, Ann said that although the process of specialisation had been challenging.

'Don’t think it’s beyond your ability. Because of the way the program has been set up, you are supported throughout the journey and now, standing at our graduation, I’m sure we would all say that the challenge has been worthwhile.’

Fellowship by Clinical Specialisation Gerontology

Ann Rahmann

Musculoskeletal

Jennifer Callaghan

Stephen Ranford

Sports and Exercise

Brett Doring

Bernadette Petzel

Fellowship by Research Specialisation

Megan Banky

Kim Bennell

Kay Crossley 

Linda Denehy

Scott Farrell 

Mary Galea

Suzanne Gough

Daniel Harvie

Rana Hinman

Kathryn Hayward 

Carol Hodgson

Chung-Wei Christine Lin 

Anne-Marie Hill

Peter Malliaras

Deirdre McGhee

Nikki Milne 

Phillip Newman

Kathryn Refshauge 

Megan Ross

Suzanne Snodgrass

Sharon Man Ha Tsang.