Andrea Murray
- Dip Physiotherapy 1992
- Dip Manipulative Therapy 1998
Andrea has now been practicing as a physiotherapist for more than 27 years and really enjoys physiotherapy as a profession. She is one of the three co-directors of the company, which has helped ease her workload. She now has loads of experience in many aspects of physiotherapy and enjoys working with clients to meet their goals. Her special interests are dizziness/vertigo problems, physiotherapy post serious injury including head and spinal cord injury.
An avid runner, Andrea was the 2001 winner of the Kepler Challenge women’s event and has trained and competed for numerous running events over the years. These days however, most of her running is done keeping up with her two children rather than for any specific event!
Andrea Robertson
- BPhty (credit)
- 2005PGCertPhty (endorsed in Acupuncture) 2009
- PGCert in Health Sciences endorsed in Rehabilitation 2019
Andrea is one of the Directors of Accelerate Physiotherapy and she has 19 years’ experience as a Physiotherapist. Over this time, she has worked in private practice as well as in an occupational health rehabilitation setting. Andrea has worked with a number of premier and representative rugby teams, plus elite athletes in a number of sports, and has a keen interest in treating and rehabilitating each person back to their sport. Andrea has gained a high level of experience in completing workplace assessments and developing return to work plans to assist with a safe and appropriate return to the workforce following injury.
Andrea has a special interest in concussion and neurological rehabilitation as well as treating issues with dizziness/vertigo. She has completed her Post Graduate Certificate in Rehabilitation which incorporated further study on vocational rehabilitation and neurological rehabilitation.
Andrea has completed her Polestar Pilates training and enjoys taking some of our Pilates mat and equipment classes.
Outside of work, Andrea is kept busy with her two children Cooper and Paige.
Joel Barnes
- Bachelor of Exercise Science 2007
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy 2009
Joel has been practicing physiotherapy since 2009, after graduating his double degree in Physiotherapy and Exercise Science from Griffith University in Australia. Prior to moving to New Zealand in 2011, Joel was involved in the health industry working in private practice as a Physiotherapist and an Exercise Scientist at several local gyms.
Since moving to New Zealand Joel has been involved in both the public and private Physiotherapy services and has gained a good grasp on the New Zealand health service. Joel’s key interest are sporting based with a focus on general sports-related rehabilitation and prevention, but more specifically running biomechanics focusing on technique and efficiency, cycling and multisport-related injuries. He enjoys treating knees and ankles and likes working with athletes from a strengthening and conditioning perspective.
Joel’s future aspirations with respect to his career involve furthering his knowledge via postgraduate training, as this will complement his skill-set regarding exercise science and prescription, injury prevention and rehabilitation and assist in providing his current holistic health-centred care.
Outside of work Joel enjoys keeping fit with gym based training, running and cycling and is a keen hunter. His favourite out of work activity is spending time with his family and getting ready for the first full weekend in May every year.
LUCY SCURR
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy 2010
- Certified Pilates Instructor 2012
Originally from Glenorchy, Lucy graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and gained her first clinical experience in Christchurch before taking up this role with Accelerate Physiotherapy in Invercargill. While expanding her clinical experience, she has continued her professional development by becoming a Pilates instructor and furthering her knowledge and treatment of the neck and shoulder area. Sporting injuries are a large component of her work and she relishes the challenge in treating all sorts of sporting injuries. Lucy also has a particular interest in neurological assessment and treatment.
Lucy enjoyed a Rotary Youth Leadership Course and was selected to be a representative at the Rotary Global Peace Forum in Hiroshima, Japan which was a fantastic experience.
Fitness is important to Lucy and she enjoys netball, volleyball and going to the gym.
Tessa McCoy
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy with Distinction 2014
Tessa is one of the Directors of Accelerate Physiotherapy and has been a physiotherapist since 2014. After gaining initial clinical experience in the public health system, Tessa joined the Accelerate Physiotherapy team in 2015.
Tessa has experience working with clients with a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. She enjoys educating her clients in the management of their condition as well as providing the best evidence based treatment. Tessa also has experience with workplace assessments, Pilates prescription, neurological and functional rehabiliation.
Outside of work, Tessa enjoys going to the gym and spending time with her family.
Poppy Le Quesne
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy with Credit 2020
Poppy grew up on Stewart Island and has since moved to Invercargill after graduating from Otago University with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2020. She decided to study physiotherapy at university due to having an interest in human anatomy and ways to help someone recover from an injury as quickly as possible. She is also interested in injury prevention. Poppy uses the most up to date evidence which she incorporates into her daily practise.
Outside of work Poppy enjoys spending time with family and friends, running, and going to the gym.
Hamish McKay
- Bachelor of Science Physiotherapy 2013
- NZ Certificate in Avalanche Risk Management (Level 5) – 2020
Born and raised in Southland, Hamish moved to Western Australia in 2008 to complete his Undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy at Curtin University. He then went on to work in a busy private practise south of Perth WA, gaining valuable experience in a wide variety of orthopaedic, musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy cases.
Clinically Hamish has a keen interest in sports injury management and prevention, acute injury management, chronic pain management and orthopaedic pre-operative and postoperative rehabilitation. Hamish strives to provide the most up to date evidence-based management to all his clients.
Hamish is a keen outdoorsman spending most weekends in the mountains tramping, climbing and kayaking. He also spends his winters working in the ski industry carrying out avalanche safety & ski patrol work – dealing with a wide variety of acute injuries. Hamish maintains a high level of physical health which he aspires to help his clients also achieve; so it is not uncommon to find him in the gym or running around the various Southland trails training for events such as the Kepler Challenge.
Bronwen Wallace
Bronwen started at Accelerate Physiotherapy as our part time receptionist in July 2019, and is loving greeting our new and existing clients. It is hard to miss her smile and effervescent personality. Bronwen has excellent skills with booking your appointment, answering your queries, and making you feel welcome.
Bronwen doesn’t slow down outside of work. She has 2 young sons and enjoys watching them thrive in their respective sports. She also finds time to go to the gym herself.
Judy Wheeler
Judy has been with the Practice over 20 years so has a good knowledge for answering your queries regarding ACC, Pilates programmes, booking appointments, fees etc. Although Judy works mainly from home now doing admin, you will still see her from time to time in the Practise and she is always happy to answer questions regarding the above anytime you may need assistance.
Judy enjoys biking, walking, playing with her Grandchildren and a coffee or wine with friends.