OUR TEAM

Daniel Macdonald

Clinic Founder and Director / APA Titled Sports Physiotherapist

My name is Daniel Macdonald and I am proud to call Pottsville home.

My passion is getting to know my patients, finding out and understanding their pain and injury and helping them get out of pain as quickly as possible.

I am able to achieve this using my unique Pain to Performance treatment model which I have developed as the founder of Pottsville Physiotherapy. Drawing on my 25 years+ experience of working with elite athletes I will get to the root cause of your problem and develop a solution to get you out of pain and back to living the life you deserve.

I am the only qualified Sports Physiotherapist in this region but I work with patients of all ages. I am of the belief that all patients deserve elite care and will work with you to understand your pain, frustrations and goals along your rehabilitation journey.

Outside of the clinic I am happiest spending time with my beautiful family and trying to snag the odd set wave at Black Rocks.

Melissa Macdonald

Clinic Founder and Director / Senior Physiotherapist Watson Headache institute practitioner

My passion is helping sufferers of headaches and migraines and treating neck pain.I graduated as a Physiotherapist from the University of Queensland in 1997.

Since then I have undertaken extensive Post graduate study through the Watson Headache institute. I love seeing people’s lives transformed when they start to live a life free from headaches and neck pain. I am also Clinical Pilates qualified and I oversee the Pilates program at Pottsville and Cabarita Physiotherapy. I love using my extensive experience in Physio and Pilates to help people from all walks of life achieve their health goals.
I am a member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association and the Australian Continence Foundation.

Outside of work I love to surf, stand up paddle board, dig in my vegetable garden and best of all spend time with my kids.

Joel Watkins

Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist / Titled Physiotherapist APAM/APA

Joel has a Masters in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (2019), Masters in Physiotherapy (2013) and a Bachelors of Exercise Science (2011). Joel’s passion is educating and problem solving with patients to achieve their health goals. Joel’s interests lie in persistent/chronic pain and exercise prescription. Joel wouldn’t go a day without surfing and drinking tea.

Kira Bussell

Senior Physiotherapist APAM

Kira graduated from Griffith University on the Gold Coast with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2023. Whilst studying in 2023, she also completed the Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute mat work and equipment Pilates courses.

Growing up playing an array of team sports, Kira has an interest in treating sporting injuries and enjoys working with clients to return to sport and optimize performance through exercise prescription and clinical Pilates. Throughout her studies and practical experience, she also discovered an interest in women’s health, particularly ante and postnatal care.

Outside of clinic hours, Kira enjoys both mat work and reformer Pilates and running.

Lara Elger

Physiotherapist APAM

Lara is passionate about helping keep people manage their pain and achieve their personal goals, through physiotherapy.  She has worked in number of musculoskeletal physiotherapy clinics throughout Brisbane, since graduating from University of Queensland in 2006.

She loves helping people of all ages and stages of life, get back to what they love doing, whether it be gardening, sport or running around with grandchildren. She enjoys a hands on approach to treatment, combined with specific exercise prescription to help people settle their pain and get back to what they enjoy.

In her free time, she enjoys running, beach swims and spending time with her children.

Ash Partis

Physiotherapist

Ashleigh completed a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Australian Catholic University in 2018 and has since worked across hospital, outpatient, community, and home-based settings.Before pursuing physiotherapy, Ashleigh earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, which fostered her deep appreciation for movement and the importance of building strength and mobility from the ground up. These principles continue to guide her physiotherapy practice today.

Passionate about helping individuals set and achieve meaningful goals, Ashleigh focuses on improving confidence, physical well-being, and overall quality of life.

In her downtime, she enjoys Pilates, yoga, and watercolour painting.

Marie Troja

Physiotherapist APAM

Marie completed a bachelor’s degree in Sport and Exercise Science at Southern Cross University in 2021 and graduated with a Doctor of Physiotherapy from Bond University in 2024, where her passion for evidence-based practice was further enhanced, aiming to provide the best possible care to her patients.

Before embarking on her journey into physiotherapy, Marie enjoyed a career as a professional surfer, which gave her a deep understanding of the crucial roles of injury prevention and rehabilitation. This experience strengthened her strong interest in sports, pre-habilitation, and post-injury rehabilitation. With an enthusiastic attitude, she takes a proactive and holistic approach to therapy, incorporating hands-on techniques and exercise prescription, allowing her to deliver personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs and goals.

Rikki

Fabulous front desk team

Rikki: “I grew up in Bells Beach, Victoria but relocated to Kingscliff in 2020. I am an avid surfer and used to compete for Victoria, but now enjoy a social surf most mornings before work. I also was an international gymnast for 10 years, so am extremely passionate about health and fitness. I am currently completing my final year of a Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology, so when I am not at work I can be found studying, in the ocean, playing AFL for Tweed Coast Tigers or aspiring to be like Robyn! “

Deb

Fabulous Front Desk team

Deb: “I have lived in the area for 16 years at Kingscliff. Love the Tweed coast. I enjoy travelling both in Australia (in my caravan) and overseas. I love to read books, walking, snow ski and pilates.”

Karina

Fabulous Front Desk team

Outside of the clinic Karina enjoys walking on the beach with her 2 children and her dog. She is also studying to be an Allied Health Assistant.