Cairns Occupational Therapy Staff

Kerry graduated with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from The University of Queensland in July 1989. She worked for three years in general adult rehabilitation in Geelong prior to returning to her hometown, Cairns. After working for four years in adult rehabilitation and aged care at Cairns Base Hospital Kerry had the opportunity to work full time in Hand Therapy. For nearly three years she worked at the private practice of two Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. Kerry became a full member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association (AHTA) in August 1998.

She started her own private practice, Cairns Occupational Therapy, in November 1999. Kerry's work encompasses hand therapy, lymphoedema management, medicolegal assessments, worksite evaluation for injured workers, rehabilitation of private hospital inpatients, supervising Occupational Therapy students in clinical placement and increasing opportunities for Occupational Therapists.

Kerry and her husband have three children. She has a longstanding connection with the Girl Guide Association. Kerry is a volunteer Breastfeeding Counsellor with the Australian Breastfeeding Association. In her spare time she enjoys craft, playing board games, reading and walking.

In 1986 Nicola Phibbs graduated with a Diploma of Occupational Therapy from the Central Institute of Technology, New Zealand. She worked for 2 years as a psychosocial Occupational Therapist in NZ before pursuing her interest in occupational rehabilitation in Australia in 1989.

In Sydney Nicola developed skills working in a multi-disciplinary occupational rehabilitation team both in the private and public sector. She gained extensive clinical experience in Functional Capacity Evaluations, injury management education, work site/station assessments and return to work programs.

With this experience behind her Nicola moved to Cairns in 1992 and setup both the Occupational Therapy Assessment Clinic for the QLD Workers' Compensation Board and a private clinic for a Brisbane rehabilitation service. For 18 months Nicola further consolidated her occupational rehabilitation skills within local and regional industries.

After raising her two sons through their primary school years Nicola returned to Occupational Therapy to consolidate and further expand her knowledge of occupational rehabilitation, hand therapy and soft tissue injury management.

Nicola's creative interests away from work include the piano and the arts. She also enjoys keeping fit, bush walking, fishing and anything that involves the whole family!

Matthew Ganly graduated with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy with Honours from James Cook University, Townsville. He has experience in stroke rehabilitation, home assessment and modification, hand therapy and injury management. Matthew is from Townsville so is familiar with the tropical Northern Queensland lifestyle and industry.

Whilst at Cairns OT, Matthew will further concentrate his abilities in the areas of home assessment & modification, soft tissue injury management and hand and upper limb therapy.

Outside of work, Matthew enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, socialising with friends and colleagues and maintaining an element of fitness.

In 2007, Hollie Swanton graduated from James Cook University (JCU Townsville) with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. For the past 3 years she has been working within vocational rehabilitation with a National Provider based in North Queensland. Whilst in this role, she developed her knowledge and skills in occupational rehabilitation, pain management and injury management education/training.

Hollie’s interest within injury management has continued to gain momentum, as she embarked on her Post Graduate Diploma of Soft Tissue Injury Management via JCU Townsville in 2009. Her passion for the area has since amplified and she is now keen to focus her energy into consolidating her clinical skills within hand/upper limb therapy, soft tissue injury management and occupational rehabilitation.

Hollie is a FNQ local, having lived in Cairns for the past 5 years, moving from Townsville previously. She enjoys the lifestyle and beautiful weather the wet tropics has to offer and away from work enjoys gardening and spending time with her partner adventuring the surrounding regions on their dirt bikes.

Abigael Macaraeg graduated with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from James Cook University, Townsville, in December 2007. Since 2007 Abigael has been working with a non-government organisation within the mental health sector. In this role Abigael gained many skills in psychosocial rehabilitation and helped many consumers gain independence within the community.

Abigael is now focusing her efforts in the areas of workplace rehabilitation and home assessment/modification with a view towards further expanding her knowledge in the area of soft tissue treatment and hand therapy.

Being a true local of FNQ Abigael enjoys the fine weather, relaxing by the pool and spending time with family and friends.