Mandy Brearley
Physiotherapist, Aquamums Instructor & Director
Mandy, the director of Aquamums, has been running Aquamums pre and post natal aqua exercise classes in Melbourne for over 20 years.
She has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy), a Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Physiotherapy, a Masters Degree in Physiotherapy (Research) and is a Vicswim qualified Aqua-aerobics Instructor.
In her Masters Degree, completed at the University of Melbourne, Mandy examined the safety of exercising in the water during pregnancy with particular respect to safe water temperature. Mandy lectures regularly on the University of Melbourne Post-graduate and Masters-level Women’s Health courses and the APA Aquatic Level 3 course and has presented at many APA courses, webinars and lecture evenings.
Mandy also has a background in orthopaedics, sports medicine and hydrotherapy, working in hospitals and private practice. In her previous life as a sports physio her highlights were working for the Footscray Football Club (now Western Bulldogs) and travelling with the Australian National Ski Team in Europe.
Mandy is passionate about the benefits of exercising in the aquatic environment and helping women to exercise effectively and safely throughout pregnancy and beyond. She has a special interest in pelvic girdle pain and the use of hydrotherapy to assist these women.
Along with her husband and two sons, Mandy tries to exercise as much as possible and loves cycling, playing tennis, skiing, pump classes and taking her labrador, Loulou, for long walks.
Helen Hall
Physiotherapist & Aquamums Instructor
Helen graduated from Latrobe University with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) in 1989. Since this time she has worked in a variety of settings including private practice, women’s health and most recently in paediatrics with children aged from 0 – 5 years, after completing her Post Graduate Certificate in Paediatrics in 2001. She has also completed the Level 1 and Level 2 Pilates qualification from Dance Medicine Australia.
Helen has been an Aquamums instructor for 5 years and combines this with caring for 3 small children at home. This provides her with a most rigorous fitness regime which she supplements with swimming and yoga when time allows.
Julia Vo
Physiotherapist & Aquamums Instructor
Julia graduated from the Bachelor of Health Sciences and Masters of Physiotherapy Practice at La Trobe University in 2018. She commenced her career at Western Health, where she has had experience in various areas of physiotherapy including musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, aged care, hydrotherapy and most recently Women’s Health. She is currently working at Joan Kirner as a Women’s Health Physiotherapist where she works with antenatal, postnatal, gynaecological and breast patients. Her physiotherapy interests include women’s health and hydrotherapy.
Outside of working at Western Health and Aquamums, she is also a pole instructor. Julia enjoys working with Aquamums as she is able to share her passion for fitness, women’s health physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.
Milly Bell
Physiotherapist & Aquamums Instructor
Milly completed her Bachelor of Physiotherapy Advanced Research (Hons) in 2016 at Monash University. Milly has worked at Cabrini Health across acute and subacute areas of health.
Milly is currently completing her PhD at La Trobe University in the physical activity space for people with osteoarthritis.
When Milly isn’t at La Trobe or Cabrini or Aquamums you’ll find her on the hockey field or socialising her Labrador puppy, Ivanhoe, who is training to be a Guide Dog.
Alice Saunder
Physiotherapist & Aquamums Instructor
Alice graduated from Monash University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree. Since graduating, Alice has worked full-time at Cabrini hospital where she treats orthopaedic and musculoskeletal patients, as well as with women recovering from breast cancer.
Alice has enjoyed hydrotherapy since being introduced to it at university, and has been lucky enough to build on her knowledge and experience of this through working with Aquamums. She is also passionate about pilates, and commenced her pilates training in 2013, completing APPI's level one matwork course, equipment training and pilates during the ante- and post-natal periods.
As well as teaching Aquamums classes, Alice also teaches ante-natal exercise classes and spends time on the Cabrini maternity ward educating and treating women post-natally. Alice has commenced a physiotherapy post graduate certificate in Exercise and Women's Health, at the University of Melbourne. This certificate covers intense training in treating musculoskeletal disorders in women, and safe exercise for women across the lifespan.
Alice is a competitive netballer, and enjoys cooking and travel.
Nicole Lynch
Physiotherapist & Aquamums Instructor
Nicole completed her Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree in 2012 at Monash University. Since then she has been working at Alfred Health in a rotating position. She is currently at Sandringham Hospital working between acute orthopaedics, general medicine and maternity, as well as taking post-natal classes.
Nicole has been interested in women’s health since completing a placement at the Mercy Women’s Hospital in her final year of study and now enjoys instructing the pre- and post-natal women in her Aquamums classes. Outside of work, Nicole enjoys playing basketball, pilates and running with her dog.
Nina Pretty
Physiotherapist & Aquamums Instructor
Nina graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) in 2018 and has been working with United Physiotherapy Group since graduating. In this role she provides physiotherapy services to those in Aged Care, as well as teaching Pilates to the general public.
Nina found her passion in Women’s Health last year after having done her elective placement in this area through Barwon Health in Geelong. Nina also enjoys spending time outdoors surfing and hiking, and during the week takes part in adult gymnastics classes to keep fit.
Lauren Funnell
Physiotherapist & Aquamums Instructor
Lauren completed her Bachelor of Physiotherapy with Honours in 2015 from Monash University. She began her career at Brunswick private hospital working with road trauma and chronic pain patients. She has since been working at Monash Health rotating through breast and gynaecological oncology and surgery, obstetric care, stroke and general rehabilitation. She is currently working within the specialist clinics at Monash health. This encompasses Movement disorders clinic, Pain clinic and Continence Clinic.
She is currently undertaking her graduate certificate in pelvic floor physiotherapy at The University of Melbourne. Lauren has a passion for dance, socialising with friends and takes every opportunity to give an animal a pat.
Anna Martin
Physiotherapist & Aquamums Instructor
Anna works at Monash Health, providing physiotherapy services at the Kingston Centre and in the community. She completed a Bachelor of Physiotherapy Advanced Research (Honours) at Monash in 2016.
Her interests include hockey, women’s rights, fine food and time with friends. She is particularly interested in women’s health physiotherapy and would like to specialise in it one day.
Anna Diep
Physiotherapist & Aquamums Instructor
Anna has a Bachelor of Applied Science and Masters of Physiotherapy Practice from La Trobe University. Anna is currently a senior physiotherapist at United Physio Group where she keeps her day busy with a variable caseload from private practice at the South Yarra studios, to providing chronic pain management at Aged Care facilities and teaching aquatic aerobic classes at Retirement Villages. Anna has a special interest in hydrotherapy, women’s health as well as Pilates and loves Aquamums because she can have fun and enjoys helping the pre- and post-natal clients exercise in a safe environment. Her hobbies include playing badminton, hiking and going for long walks with her dog Piksie. ☺️
Sandy Lam
Physiotherapist & Aquamums Instructor
Sandy graduated from La Trobe University with a Bachelor of Health Sciences and Masters of Physiotherapy Practice in 2015. Since then she has been working full time in geriatric and orthopedic areas in aged care facilities, providing home visit services and working with Aquamums.
Sandy has had an interest in Women’s Health physiotherapy since completing her placement at the Boxhill Hospital maternity wards in her final year of study. She was introduced to Mandy when completing her graduate project, which was about the benefits of aquatic exercise in pregnancy with lower back pain and/or pelvic girdle pain. She continues to build her knowledge and experience through working with Mandy in Aquamums and has completed her APA Aquatic Level One course and Aichi workshop in 2017. She also has interest in Pilates and has completed APPI pilates matwork level one.
In her time off, Sandy enjoys dancing, catching up with friends and travelling.
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