In May this year, I travelled to Tokyo alongside APA National President Dr Rik Dawson and Chair of the Board Mark Round to attend the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025. 

The scale of the congress made the event a brilliant opportunity for us to represent Australia on a global stage and to network and connect with physiotherapists from around the world. 

During our time in Tokyo, we were able to meet with board members and senior executives from numerous countries including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Nepal, the United States and the United Kingdom. 

Hearing about models of care from other associations where physiotherapy is at the forefront and funded accordingly was inspiring. 

We also had the privilege of supporting neighbouring countries in the Asia Western Pacific region in their advocacy efforts, particularly in relation to achieving first contact physiotherapy rights—something Australian physiotherapists have benefited from for decades. 

I was delighted to see hundreds of Australian physiotherapists representing the profession in Tokyo. 

We were the fourth highest represented nationality at the congress. 

Nineteen Australian physiotherapists spoke, including Rik, who participated in a particularly significant panel discussion on the value of physiotherapy in times of global economic and geopolitical challenges. 

He was joined by an impressive line-up of international leaders: Canadian Physiotherapy Association President Allison Stene, Professional Advisor to the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists Fran Theron, American Physical Therapy Association President Dr Kyle Covington and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Director Ash James. 

The congress also highlighted the strength of Australian physiotherapy leadership internationally. 

It is a pleasure to announce that APA National Vice-President Holly Brasher— who was announced as a candidate in April—has been successfully voted onto the World Physiotherapy Asia Western Pacific committee. 

Meanwhile, member director Dr Melissa McConaghy was elected as president of the International Neurological Physiotherapy Association and has now formally transitioned into that role. 

Congratulations to both Holly and Melissa on these fantastic achievements. 

Experiencing the energy and innovation at the World Physiotherapy Congress has only made me more excited about our own upcoming national scientific conference. 

APASC25 is drawing closer and after seeing the power of bringing physiotherapists together on a global scale, I’m reminded of why our conference is so valuable. 

Held every two years, the APA’s national conference is the largest and most comprehensive scientific gathering of physiotherapists in Australia. 

This year’s program features six plenaries, 12 concurrent streams and over 400 speakers—including 10 international and 50 invited experts—exploring the profession’s most pressing challenges and exciting opportunities. 

My experience at FOCUS24 last year showed me that learning doesn’t only occur in lecture halls. 

It happens in hallways, over coffee or during a conversation sparked by a presentation. 

After networking and sharing knowledge in Tokyo, I’m particularly looking forward to these moments at APASC25, where we’ll have opportunities to challenge each other’s thinking, share stories from the clinic floor and explore new ways to solve old problems. 

This year’s theme, Lead the physiotherapy evolution, reflects a shared commitment to progress. 

APASC25 is a platform where physiotherapists can be heard. 

It’s where you can build your profile, gain insights from sector leaders and contribute to shaping the future of our profession. 

Many physiotherapists spend their days focused on the patients in front of them but conferences offer a rare chance to step back and reconnect—with our purpose, our peers and the broader vision of physiotherapy. 

What I love about these gatherings is that they remind us that we’re part of something bigger: a profession that’s constantly evolving and a community that’s stronger together. 

Whether you’re presenting, attending or simply listening—your presence matters. 

Every conversation, every connection and every shared moment contributes to the future of physiotherapy.