COVID-19 certainly created havoc with our regular meeting schedule, but we all settled in for a long stretch on Zoom during 2020 and managed to navigate one of the most challenging times in APA history.

This is also my first contribution to InMotion since being elected Chair of the Board of Directors for 2021–22.

I am very proud to hold this position and I am delighted to work alongside APA National President Scott Willis and CEO Anja Nikolic.

We each bring very diverse skills to our roles and we are working well together as we navigate this post-COVID-19 era.

My 30-plus years as a physiotherapist—more than a decade in healthcare management, governance training, multiple board positions and six years on the APA Board—have prepared me well for my role, and I look forward to performing my duties to the best of my ability.

It is an exciting time to be in a leadership position at the APA.

We find ourselves in a strong financial position, which enables us to capitalise on the many opportunities and strategic initiatives that will strengthen the organisation, provide value for membership and produce ongoing revenue streams for the APA.

These opportunities include, but are not limited to:

• providing online education to an international audience rather than just our domestic market, progressing our data and digital strategy


• continuing to invest in the Australian College of Physiotherapists in order to build a world-class career pathway


• investing in our organisational capability.

As we explore the theme of career disruption, especially for women as they navigate a having a family, I also reflect on my own journey throughout my career.

I was fortunate to own my own private practice when I had children, which gave me a degree of flexibility in terms of length of maternity leave and a return to part-time work during the hours that suited my family commitments.

Since I had my first child 25 years ago, I had never worked full-time again until this year.

Despite this, I managed to open another private practice, manage businesses in three states and hold multiple board and advisory roles.

My career may have progressed more slowly because of my family commitments, interruptions to my career and part-time status, but I was still able to continue to grow, learn and achieve considerable success.

In addition to my role as chair, I work as a commercialisation facilitator for the federal government’s Entrepreneur’s Program run by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources.

My role is to assist researchers and entrepreneurs commercialise their research and ideas, particularly in the medtech and life science sectors.

This is an exciting role that uses all the skills I have developed throughout my career.

There are so many career options now for our profession and I believe they can all be achieved regardless of the challenges thrown our way.

Success is still possible despite the inevitable career disruption that occurs throughout life.

Perhaps it is these distractions and interruptions that create a more balanced life, prevent burnout and ensure an enduring career that can last a lifetime.