Meet the Team at Physiotherapy Centre Bendigo
Alex Galea
BPhysio APAM, Director
Alex is the Practice Principal of Physiotherapy Centre Bendigo. After growing up in Bendigo, Alex completed his Bachelor of Physiotherapy at LaTrobe University in 2010. Alex started, and has continued to work in private practice since. After a year working in Swan Hill, Alex returned to Bendigo to start working at Physiotherapy Centre Bendigo. Alex became a practice partner in 2015, before becoming the sole Director and Practice Principle in 2020.
Alex has a passion for Sports and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. His predominant areas of post graduate study include Sports Physiotherapy, Dry Needling, Aquatic Physiotherapy, Clinical Pilates, Occupational Physiotherapy and Chronic Pain. He has experience working with various sporting teams and athletes, at community and elite level. Football, Soccer, Basketball, Cricket and Dance Companies are some of the groups Alex has worked with. Alex continues to assist a number of sporting clubs across Bendigo from year to year.
Alex has a passion for working with Physiotherapy students as well as new graduates entering the physiotherapy profession. Alex works at LaTrobe University assisting Physiotherapy students through their tertiary studies. Alex is actively involved with LaTrobe University student placements, which Physiotherapy Centre Bendigo supports for 4th year students every year.
Alex has assisted research studies at the University of Melbourne, for management of Osteo-Arthritis, with a particular focus on the Hip joint. This included implementation of specific exercises in line with certain protocols for hip OA management.
Since 2015, Alex and Physiotherapy Centre Bendigo have supported Bendigo’s the Athlete Development Program ran within Bendigo’s secondary schools. This program aims to give students from years 7 to 12, a complete sports education and training experience. The program assists students to achieve excellence in sporting and academic fields. Physiotherapy education for these students assists injury prevention and management.
In 2022 the Bendigo Fun Run was re-introduced to the Bendigo community, with Physiotherapy Centre Bendigo a proud sponsor of this fantastic event. Alex has been an ambassador of this event, which aims to raise money for the Bendigo Health Foundation.
Alex has played many sports himself, including football, basketball and soccer. He has experienced knee and shoulder surgeries of his own in the past, so can relate especially well to injury management and rehabilitation on a personal level. Alex’s football days are now behind him and he stays fit by running recreationally. He enjoys spending as much time as possible with his wife and three young children, loves food, playing the guitar and the Melbourne Football Club!
Danica Lang
BHealthSci, MPhysioPrac
Danica joined Physiotherapy Centre Bendigo at the start of 2016 after completing her Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Physiotherapy Practice at La Trobe University in Bendigo.
Danica loves the diversity of physiotherapy and enjoys assisting and treating patients with all sorts of musculoskeletal conditions. In 2020 she commenced further studies and is now in the process of completing a Graduate Certificate in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy at La Trobe University.
Outside of work, Danica’s passion is Calisthenics, a dance-based sport which she has participated in for over 20 years. Danica now enjoys instilling a love for the sport in younger participants and coaches at Bendigo Calisthenics Club.
Danica’s background in dance and calisthenics have led her to undergo additional training with some of the leading professionals in the dance Physiotherapy world. Danica has a broad understanding of the physical demands put on dancers, and a passion to help them achieve their goals. She loves assisting dancers in recovery and prevention of injuries as well as conducting pre-pointe and tertiary dance assessments.
Asides from dance, Danica loves a variety of sports and is a passionate member of Body Fit Training Bendigo. She has also put her physiotherapy expertise to use in team sport settings including Australian Rules, Netball, Rugby and Kayaking. Danica has completed her Level 1 APPI Pilates Course, APA Dry Needling Course and APA Sports Level 1.
Cheryl Ludwik
BAppSci (Physio), MHlthSci, DipMyofTPTh, PGCertContinence & Pelvic Floor Rehab. APA Continence & Womens’ Health Physiotherapist, APAM
Cheryl is a Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health physiotherapist with over 25 years of experience in this field of practice.
Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy, a Master of Health Science, a Diploma of Myofascial and Trigger Point Therapy and a Post Graduate Certificate in Continence and Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy. Cheryl enjoys working with patients who have complex bladder, bowel and pelvic pain conditions and also has a special interest in working with men who are undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.
Jayne Boldiston (Norton)
BAppSci (Physio) APAM
Jayne loves netball!
She graduated as a Physiotherapist in 1996 from La Trobe University. She worked at Bendigo Health for 4 years, before going to Austin Health to further her experience, working in orthopaedics, cardiothoracics and the spinal unit. Jayne has always been interested in sports physiotherapy so in her spare time she worked as a physiotherapist for State League Netball and the Victorian Men’s Netball teams at national events.
From 2005-2009 Jayne worked at Corio Bay Sports Medicine Clinic and looked after the SEABL team, a GFL team and netballers outside clinic hours. She worked as part of a large sports medicine team which included 4 sports physicians, sports podiatrists, masseurs, myotherapists and many physiotherapists.
Jayne has been working part-time at Physiotherapy Centre Bendigo since 2010. She has completed many sports related courses, including Level 1 and 2 Sports Physiotherapy, and is an APA and Sports Physiotherapy Group member.
Jayne was a state level netballer, and still competes as a netballer. She has a great depth of knowledge about the demands of sport, and an enthusiasm for helping all injured sports participants, and the knowledge to get them back to their game quickly and safely.
Braeden Deary
BESS, DPhysio (Melb)
Braeden joined Physiotherapy Centre Bendigo at the start of 2018. He first completed a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science at Federation University, Ballarat. This was then followed by a Doctor of Physiotherapy degree at the University of Melbourne.
Braeden is a Bendigo local, completing his primary and secondary education in here, before moving away to complete his tertiary studies.
Braeden is a passionate sports fan, with a specific focus on Australian Rules Football. Braeden played all his junior and senior football at Golden Square Football Club, before playing for 3 years at Ballarat Swans Football Club whilst completing his first degree in Ballarat. While studying at Melbourne University he decided to concentrate on his studies, taking a break from participation.
Since returning to Bendigo Braeden has played Football back at Golden Square, but also tried his hand at Gridiron with the Bendigo Dragons during their 2019 season. In 2021 he is playing football for the Boort Magpies.
Braeden has great knowledge about the demands of a range of sporting activities, and an interest and enthusiasm for helping clients manage sporting injuries and return to sport. He combines his knowledge as a physiotherapist with his training in exercise and sports science.
Braeden has also completed training in dry needling and chronic pain, and uses this as part of his treatment.
Loryn Savoia
BHSc, MPhysioPrac
Loryn joined the Physiotherapy Centre Bendigo team at the start of 2018 after completing her Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Physiotherapy Practice at La Trobe University in Bendigo.
Loryn is passionate about running, and has competed on the professional running circuit with the Victorian Athletic League. Sprinting and athletics have led Loryn to have a keen interest in running injuries; including optimizing performance, load management and strength and conditioning.
Loryn has a keen interest in bone stress injuries, RED-S in the female athletic population, and operative and non-operative ACL rehabilitation.
Loryn encourages all her clientele to participate in active rehabilitation programs alongside the use of manual therapy and Dry Needling.
Loryn also enjoys playing netball, hiking and camping. She looks forward to helping you keep active, healthy and running at your best.
Kara Normington
BPhysio APAM
Kara graduated from LaTrobe University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and has since pursued a long term passion, by completing a Post Graduate Certificate in Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne. Kara has training in musculoskeletal dry needing and is also a certified Pilates Instructor (APPI method). She has experience in both the private and public healthcare settings, and is able to help with issues such as lower urinary tract symptoms, bowel dysfunction, pre and post natal care, sexual pain and pelvic pain. Kara loves to empower people at all stages of life, with the tools to improve their symptoms.
Annalyse Carroll
BHSC, MPHYSIOPRAC
Annalyse completed her Bachelor of Health Sciences, Master of Physiotherapy at La Trobe in Bendigo graduating in 2014 and has since completed a graduate certificate in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy in 2019. Since graduating Annalyse has worked in private practices and hospitals in the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
Annalyse grew up in Leeton, NSW where she played a range of sports and competed at a state level for Netball. Travelling and working has given her the opportunity to work with local netball teams, Northern Territory Netball teams at a national level, Premier League AFL in Darwin and Rugby Union teams.
Annalyse has completed extra training in DMA Clinical Pilates, dry needling, Sports Level 1 and 2 courses, shoulder assessment and treatment and the McKenzie approach to the assessment and treatment of the lumbar spine. In her spare time she enjoys travelling and adventures, hanging out with her dog Bonnie, playing netball and spending time with her family and friends.
Remi Kuhne
BHSC, MPHYSIOPRAC
Remi completed her Masters of Physiotherapy Practice in 2022 at La Trobe University in Bendigo. This was following a Bachelor of Exercise Science in 2020.
Remi commenced her physiotherapy career in public health where she gained experience across a variety of physiotherapy areas including, respiratory, neuro and orthopaedics. It was Remi’s move into outpatient orthopaedics that intensified her interest in injury management and prevention. This influenced Remi’s career change into private practice, commencing at PCB at the beginning of 2024.
Remi enjoys working with a variety of presentations and enjoys creating collaborative treatment plans for clients to work towards in achieving their goals.
Remi likes to keep active and is an avid sports fan. Remi’s sporting background started as a lengthy list growing up including, netball, basketball, tennis, AFL, athletics and water skiing. Although she remains passionate for all of these sports, Remi has since shortened this list and is now just playing netball at the South Bendigo FNC.
Outside of physiotherapy, Remi enjoys reality TV, playing netball and spending time with friends and family, including her beloved dog, Henry.
Hayley Harrington
BAPPSCI, MPHYSIOPRAC
Hayley completed her Bachelor of Applied science/masters of physiotherapy practice at Latrobe University Bendigo. After graduating Hayley decided to make the move up north to Darwin where she commenced her career in private practice physiotherapy.
Hayley has completed additional training in hydrotherapy, sports level 1 course and the mulligan approach which is a manual therapy treatment modality which combines mobilisation and active movements to improve function.
Hayley enjoys working with a variety of patients but has a particular passion for treating sports injuries and has had opportunities to work alongside local and state sporting teams including AFL, basketball and Hockey Northern Territory.
Outside of work, Hayley spends her time travelling and staying active playing netball, basketball and walking her golden retriever Buddy.
James Molinaro
BHEALTHSCI MPHYSIOPRAC MMUSCPHYSIO
APAM MACP
APA MUSCULOSKELETAL PHYSIOTHERAPIST
James joined Physiotherapy Centre Bendigo in late 2024 after nearly 10 years working as a Physiotherapist in his home city of Melbourne. He graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Physiotherapy Practice from La Trobe Bendigo in 2015.
James commenced working as a physiotherapist at Donvale Rehabilitation Hospital in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. He completed his Master of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy degree at La Trobe University in 2022, working under the guidance of expert Musculoskeletal Physiotherapists at The Alfred Hospital, Austin Health, and The Royal Melbourne Hospital – the latter of which in the Emergency Department.
In 2023, James commenced his role as a Senior Musculoskeletal Clinician at Alfred Health. He was selected to participate in the 2024 Victorian Department of Health and Monash University Allied Health Leadership Development Program which provided valuable leadership insights. He has also worked as an Advanced Practice Physiotherapist at Peninsula Health in the Osteoarthritis Clinic, working closely with Orthopaedic Surgeons and triaging patients for surgical and non-surgical treatment paths.
James frequently found himself venturing back to Bendigo to visit, and eventually decided to purchase his first home in the regional city and move back!
Outside of work, James loves spending time with his partner, his golden retriever Sunny, and his friends and family. He loves good food, good music, keeping active and following the mighty Richmond Tigers.
James’ passion in physiotherapy stems from his love of getting to know people from all walks of life. He is equally passionate about ensuring all people have access to excellent patient-centred and evidence-based Physiotherapy.
The Admin & Reception Team
Our fantastic admin team are dedicated to keeping Physiotherapy Centre Bendigo running smoothly. They answer the phone, do all the bookings and know the ins and outs of the various claims systems we use – and if they don’t they’ll find out! So if you have any queries please chat to one of them – we’ll do our best to make your experience at Physiotherapy Centre Bendigo a great one.