8:00am
8:30am – 8:40am
Anne-Marie Dean President TAVRP Inc.
9:00am – 9:50am
THE DARK SIDE OF REHABILITATION:
WHEN CAPACITY BUILDING DOES NOT LEAD TO SUCCESSFUL RETURN TO WORK:
WHAT WE MISS ALONG THE WAY
Martina Egan Moog, Accredited Pain Physiotherapist, Precision Brain, Spine & Pain
9:55am – 10:25am
PSYCHOSOCIAL AND MUSCULOSKELETAL PROJECT
THE FIRST 14 DAYS AFTER INJURY: SMALL DECISIONS THAT PREVENT BIG PSYCHOLOGICAL HARM
Dr Caitlin Connolly, Psychologist, Workplace Wellbeing, WorkSafe Tasmania
WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH FRAMEWORK PROJECT
RESPONDING, NOT REACTING: A FRAMEWORK FOR MANAGING PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURY IN SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
James Simmonds, WorkSafe Tasmania Project Manager
10:30am – 11:00am
11:00am – 12:30pm
WORKSHOP: SUPPORTING THE WORKPLACE REHAB PROVIDER BEYOND THE INNER CRITIC:
A WHOLE-SELF APPROACH TO ADDRESSING IMPOSTER SYNDROME
Jessica Forward & Dr Emma Richardson Clinical Psychologists, Well Minds Work
12:45pm – 1:30pm
1:35pm – 1:40pm
1:40pm – 2:35pm
WEIGHTLIFTERS, ROBOTS AND JANUS
This interactive presentation will challenge providers to consider emerging technologies,
performing manual tasks and the role of the worker in juggling risk management and optimal movement
Susan Mitchell, Physiotherapist, Pinnacle Workplace Consultants, South Australia
2:40pm – 3:10pm
CONNECTION, COMMITMENT, AND COMMUNITY IN REHABILITATION
Teena James & Kelly Ireland, Motor Accidents Insurance Board
3:15pm – 3:35pm
RECHARGING YOUR BATTERIES DURING RECOVERY AND RETURN TO WORK:
RECONNECTING MIND AND BODY WITH PEER SUPPORT AND SAFE SPACE
Mylinda Purtell & Dr Megan Woods, Worker Assist Tasmania
BLENDING TECHNOLOGY AND HOLISTIC HEALTH IN THE OPTIMISATION OF NEUROLOGICAL & ORTHOPAEDIC REHABILITATION IN A RTW SETTING
Phil Ladlow, Neurological Physiotherapist, Director, Advanced Rehabilitation Tasmania
3:35pm – 3:45pm
3:45pm – 4:45pm
Get Your Trades Passport Stamped in the Breaks to be in the Running for a Major Prize
Download Resources:
Information is correct as of 21 Jan 2026, however presentations & the program may be subject to change
Kristy Bourne, Chair of WorkCover Board
Chair, Secretary of the Department of Justice, appointed September 2019 ex-officio pursuant to section 9(1)(a) of the Act.
Kristy Bourne was appointed Secretary, Department of Justice in January 2025 and was previously the Deputy Secretary, Justice & Reform within the Department of Justice. A former practicing lawyer, Ms Bourne is recognised as an effective, values-based leader with a passion for the Justice and Corrections sectors and a broad operational knowledge. Her career includes experience with Victorian firm Freehills and the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, as well as the Chief of Staff to Tasmanian Attorney-General, the late Honourable Dr Vanessa Goodwin MLC.
Capacity building is a central pillar of contemporary pain management programs, yet improved capacity does not always translate into successful or sustained return to work. This presentation discusses two related but distinct processes in clinical practice – capacity building and confidence building.
Drawing on discharge and follow-up data from the Precision Ascend Pain Management Program, the session examines the challenges individuals face when transitioning from the structured environment of a pain program to real-world work demands. Despite measurable functional gains, translation into vocational outcomes is often limited, raising important questions about how rehabilitation success is defined and supported beyond program completion.
The presentation also considers the strategic use of resources in occupational rehabilitation, exploring how approval decisions, timing, and targeted investment influence outcomes. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on what is truly worth investing in, and how smarter, earlier decisions may prevent progression to long-term work disability.
Martina is a titled pain physiotherapist with the Australian Physiotherapy Association and the German Pain Society. She has worked across Australia, Switzerland, and Germany, and currently practices as a Senior Physiotherapist in the interdisciplinary Precision Ascend Pain Management Program, supporting WorkSafe (TAS and VIC) and TAC and MAIB patients as well as in a private practice in Melbourne.
With over two decades of experience in pain education, Martina has taught “Explain Pain” and pain management strategies with the Neuro-Orthopaedic Institute (NOI) and the German Pain Society and contributes to La Trobe University’s Master of Advanced Clinical Sciences (Sports and Manual Therapy).
Her professional focus also integrates yoga therapy and embodiment coaching with psychologically informed physiotherapy, helping patients understand their bodies, build confidence, and achieve sustainable health and function
Please find further information at:
Reset Integrative Allied Health – Port Melbourne https://www.resetphysiotherapy.com.au/
Precision Health ASCEND Pain Management Program https://www.precisionhealth.com.au/healthcare-services/multidisciplinary-clinics/precision-ascend-program/
This presentation will examine the critical first two weeks following a musculoskeletal injury and how early post-injury decisions within workplaces can influence psychological recovery trajectories.
It will outline three modifiable areas – communication, clarity and continuity – that shape whether recovery remains physical or progresses toward secondary psychological injury. The emphasis would be on realistic, low-burden actions that the audience could implement.
This presentation will focus on the third mentally healthy workplace pillar (Respond) and discuss the importance of embedding clear procedures and processes in workplaces (particularly small and medium ones who don’t have a formal HR setup). This reduces reactive and avoidance-based responses (which are not good for the worker or the workplace) and encourages expedited recovery and return-to-work. In short – making it up as you go along does not work very well.
The presentation will introduce the WMHF and focus on the reason for this toolkit being developed (i.e., focusing on the evidence-base and design considerations underpinning its development).
Caitlin is employed as WorkSafe Tasmania’s Psychologist of Workplace Wellbeing. Her work focuses on enhancing mental health, wellbeing, and performance in complex, high demand work environments. She has worked across research, policy, and clinical settings, applying human-centred and systems-focused approaches to understanding how work design, psychosocial factors, and organisational culture shape behaviour and wellbeing.
She holds a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours), a Master of Professional of Psychology, and a PhD in Psychology from the University of Tasmania. Her work bridge research and practice, with a strong commitment to designing healthier, safer, and more sustainable workplaces.
Her career has a strong focus on high-risk occupational groups, with specialised research in demographics including veterinary and emergency services professions. In her clinical practice, Caitlin integrates evidence-based, trauma response approaches to support emotion regulation, resilience, and effective functioning across clients’ broader systems – families, schools, and workplaces.
With more than eleven years of experience delivering community, education, and government projects, James brings a grounded, people‑centred approach to governmental projects.
James is currently involved in the development of WorkSafe Tasmania’s new Workplace Mental Health Toolkit, a practical suite of resources designed to help organisations create mentally healthy, supportive environments. While not a subject‑matter expert in mental health, he works closely with specialists, stakeholders, and frontline staff to ensure the toolkit is accessible, evidence‑informed, and aligned with real workplace needs.
His background spans project management roles across government agencies, community development, adult education, and policy. He holds a Master of International and Community Development and a Diploma of Project Management.
James is passionate about developing practical, people‑focused solutions and ensuring that strategy becomes meaningful action.
This workshop introduces participants to the concept of imposter syndrome, offering psychoeducation on how it develops and commonly shows up in personal and professional settings.
Participants will explore the mind–body connection through simple somatic and physiological strategies designed to regulate the nervous system and reduce self-doubt.
The session will also introduce a parts work perspective, helping individuals understand the protective roles of their inner critic and other internal voices that contribute to imposter feelings.
Through guided reflection and practical tools, participants will learn to relate to these parts and address imposter syndrome with curiosity and compassion.
Learning outcomes:
Dr Emma Richardson:
Dr Emma Richardson co-founded Well Minds Work in 2020 and creates and delivers mental health tailored workshops for organisations across Australia as part of this business. Emma graduated with a PhD in psychology from the University of Tasmania in 2017 and her main research interests involve exploring the links between physical illnesses and mental health. Emma currently co-manages Well Minds Work, works as a clinical psychologist in private practice at Eternal Women’s Health, and works as the program psychologist for the AFLPA in the Tackle Your Feelings Program.
Jessica Forward:
Jessica co-founded Well Minds Work in 2020 and creates and delivers tailored mental health workshops for organisations across Australia as part of this business. Jessica also currently works as a clinical psychologist with individuals in private practice at Salamanca Psychology and as a lecturer at the University of Tasmania. Jessica graduated with her Masters in Clinical Psychology from the University of Tasmania in 2019, with special interest and experience in the treatment of mental health issues including anxiety, substance dependence, complex trauma, and return to work following mental health related leave.
This interactive presentation will challenge providers to consider emerging technologies, performing manual tasks and the role of the worker in juggling risk management and optimal movement.
From the days before 1990’s when workers manually lifted patients, through to current technologies such as robots and exoskeletons this will be a tale of two sides! Just like Janus, the session will look forwards and backwards, and journey through pros and cons of equipment, physical activity and “No Lift”.
Susan is an Adelaide based Physiotherapist who currently provides Manual Task Training across a range of industries.
She is an APA Member and presented at the 2025 Scientific Conference “Lead the Physiotherapy Evolution”. Susan was also one of the lead facilitators of the APA “People Handling Across the Lifespan” lecture series.
She is a member of AAMHP and has presented at several conferences, most recently in 2025 where she presented a keynote, concurrent session and was a member of a panel discussion.
She is passionate about people handling, training and understanding the impact of new technologies in reducing worker injury risk.
Susan lived in Burnie from 1994-1997, working at Wynyard Hospital then North West Regional Hospital as the Senior Rehabilitation Physiotherapist and was a member of the team that set-up the Stroke Unit. Her manual task training journey also started in Tasmania, when she attended Manutention courses.
This session will explore contemporary approaches to motor vehicle injury claims management, offering practical insights into how strong relationships, coordinated support and person-centred practice can improve recovery outcomes and drive safe, sustainable return-to-work pathways.
Teena has extensive experience in the Tasmanian disability, community, and health care sectors.
For the past 10 years Teena has been the Injury Management Advisor at the Motor Accidents Insurance Board, working alongside rehabilitation and health care providers and MAIB claims officers to maximise client recovery, independence and everyday life through early intervention, progressive and responsive services.
Prior to this role at MAIB, Teena spent more than 25 years working in a variety of roles including Disability, Mental Health, Family Services and Domestic Violence.
Kelly is currently Manager of Claims with over 20 plus years in personal injury management sector. Kelly joined the MAIB three years ago with a focus on personalising claim management and has led improvements in client outcomes through restructuring claims to have individual portfolio management, with the key driver being proactive and holistic client focused work.
Kelly is a dedicated leader keen to see her team succeed and always open to new ideas and ensuring best practice claims management.
This presentation outlines keyways in which a free peer support workshop program which was launched in 2024 helped injured workers strengthen mind-body connections, social and emotional support, and functional recovery.
The presentation illustrates why fostering mind–body integration is not an abstract well-being concept but a concrete, evidence-aligned strategy that enhances return-to-life and return-to-work capacity.
Under Mylinda’s leadership, Worker Assist Tasmania has grown into a multidisciplinary service employing three full-time staff and providing independent, confidential advice and education to workers navigating the compensation system.
Assisting over 3,600 clients last year, the service also delivers highly regarded social media and in-person education and maintains one of the most established datasets on workers’ compensation experiences in Tasmania, now in its fifteenth year. This data is used to identify systemic barriers, inform evidence-based advocacy, support improvements across the workers’ compensation system and connect people in the system.
Mylinda’s leadership has been a crucial part of the industry becoming centred on the person and recognising their whole situation. This has meant lobbying for interpreters for an increasingly diverse workforce, helping get recognition for experiences women have of sexual harassment in the workplace including a partnership with the Working Women’s Centre and increasing digital access to the service allowing more people to navigate their own claim.
Mylinda is regularly consulted by practitioners, regulators, and policymakers on the operation of the workers’ compensation system and the practical impacts of reform. Her work is informed by long-term engagement with injured workers and by data-driven insight into how the system operates in practice, rather than theory.
Mylinda has led Worker Assist Tasmania since 2016. Prior to this, she practised as a solicitor for 12 years in workers’ compensation and civil litigation, working in both boutique law firms and at Slater and Gordon.
When she commenced at Worker Assist Tasmania, it consisted of a single lawyer providing telephone advice to workers navigating the compensation system, handling approximately 300 inquiries per year.
Megan is a coach, consultant (www.flourishingphoenixes.com) and adjunct Senior Lecturer at UTAS who specialises in supporting safer and more successful return to work, especially from toxic and depleting work-related experiences.
She has a PhD in Management, is a certified life coach and provider of Mental Health First Aid, and a member of Australia and New Zealand Mental Health Association.
Megan’s expertise in workplace mental health and return to work is internationally recognised: her last article about return to work has had 6,700 views and 1,300 downloads.
In recent years she has leveraged her professional knowledge and lived experience of return to work to develop two suites of research-informed and evidence-based resources for:
a) workers and
b) managers
across Tasmania to help them better understand, engage with and support safe and successful return to working after mental ill-health related to depression and anxiety. These were funded by the WorkCover Board Tasmania and will soon be disseminated statewide as free support resources by Work Safe Tasmania.
In September 2025, with help from Worker Assist Tasmania and St Lukes she launched a program of free monthly in-person community-based peer support workshops for injured workers. This program offers a safe, inclusive space where participants can build confidence, share experiences, and access peer support and practical recovery tools in their recovery journey.
This presentation is on the ART (Advanced Rehabilitation Tasmania) philosophy & approach to managing neurological & orthopaedic recovery.
This includes a collaborative bio-psychosocial method, utilising both traditional and state-of-the-art technology for the motivation & empowerment of clients & the harnessing of their neuro- and bio- plasticity.
Phil is a Neurological Physiotherapist based in Hobart and a founding partner of AllCare Physiotherapy and Advanced Rehabilitation Tasmania. Over the past 30 years, he has gained extensive experience working in both hospital settings and private practice in Victoria and Tasmania. Throughout his career, Phil has developed a strong commitment to utilizing education and movement-based therapy to engage, motivate, and empower clients in optimizing their health, function, and goal achievement. His approach, grounded in the philosophy of ‘movement as medicine,’ has been applied to a wide range of neurological conditions, including stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, as well as with individuals living with persistent pain, vestibular dysfunction, balance disorders, and general deconditioning.
In 2020, Phil was awarded a Churchill Fellowship, which enabled him to undertake a 2023 study tour of North America and Europe. This experience allowed him to further expand his knowledge, particularly in the emerging fields of biotechnology related to neuroplasticity and recovery from neurological injury and disease.
In 2024, Phil partnered with Stacey Marshall to establish Advanced Rehabilitation Tasmania (ART), investing over $600,000 in advanced robotic rehabilitation technology to provide innovative and state-of-the-art care for Tasmanians living with neurological conditions.
The Trades Passport is a small booklet that has a page dedicated to each Trade and Sponsor physically displaying at the event, with details of their name and either questions to answer re the display or have it signed off by the exhibitor.
The Passport needs to be fully completed during the day and towards the end of the day all completed Passports will be included in a draw for a significant prize or prizes.
The winner needs to be present at the time of the draw.
