Osteopathy Australia Editorial and Education Advisory Group

The Editorial and Education Advisory Group leads and supports the development of the editorial and education content for Osteopathy Australia's member magazine, Osteo Life, as well as our webinars, eLearning and educational program.

Toby Barker

Toby graduated from the British School of Osteopathy (BSO), UK, and gained experience working in a large and well-established osteopathic practice. He subsequently returned to the BSO and completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic and Clinical Education, and then went on to work as a visiting lecturer on the Master of Advance Physiotherapy program at the University of Hertfordshire, UK.

After four years in practice and lecturing, he moved to Australia where he is currently working in a multidisciplinary practice in New South Wales. He has a particular interest in chronic and persistent pain and is passionate about using his teaching experience, as well as a patient-centred and evidence-informed approach, into the clinical environment in order to support the development of fellow clinicians and the profession.

Amy Lawton

Amy attended Victoria University where she completed a Bachelor and Master of Health Sciences in Osteopathy. She also holds a BSc majoring in physiology and neuroscience from Melbourne University. After graduating, Amy worked in multidisciplinary private practice in Melbourne’s north-west. As an osteopath, Amy values her role in primary health care with a focus on education to help patients fulfil their values and goals.

In 2016, Amy returned to Victoria University to complete her Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Education and join the osteopathy academic team. Amy is passionate about combining industry experience with tertiary education to engage students and prepare them to be successful evidence-based practitioners in future clinical practice.

In her role on the Osteopathy Australia Editorial and Education Advisory Group, Amy aims to use her osteopathic and education knowledge and experience to help grow the profession and inspire osteopaths to be lifelong learners.

Melissa McDougall

Melissa McDougall is Director and Senior Osteopath at Growing Bones, and has been recently awarded the title Advanced Paediatric Osteopath by Osteopathy Australia. 

Melissa completed a Diploma in Paediatric Osteopathy in the UK in 2011, and established Growing Bones in 2013. Her experiences working with families over the past 11 years has lead to Melissa striving for three things for the profession:

Practical research, evidence-based practice and patient management for paediatric, pregnancy and post-natal presentations. 

The emergence of practical hands-on training in paediatrics for osteopaths in Australia to complement the extensive, high-quality online courses and information available.

Following the points above, improved understanding of osteopathy by other health professionals, and integration of osteopaths in ‘mainstream' medicine.

These are big dreams for the profession, but Melissa hopes being part of Osteopathy Australia’s Education and Advisory Committee will be the first step!

Adam Nicholson

Adam graduated in 2008 from Western Sydney University and established InTouch Health Co, a multidisciplinary clinic in Sydney. In clinical practice, Adam critiques and applies current evidence-based approaches while incorporating classical osteopathic literature. This enables a model of care that is truly whole-person focused.

Adam collaborates with a variety of healthcare practitioners, including dentists, midwives, women’s health physiotherapists, exercise physiologists and orthopaedic specialists. He is keen to bridge the communication gap between osteopathy and other professions to aid improved patient outcomes and enhance the profession of osteopathy.

Adam has an interest in rural and remote health and wants to enable better access to osteopathy in these communities.

Heath Williams

Since graduating from Victoria University in 2003 with a bachelor of clinical science and master’s in health science (osteopathy), Heath has had a varied career in the health and wellbeing space, including teaching roles in exercise rehabilitation, ergonomics and clinical education. Heath has worked extensively in the occupational health and safety industry, firstly with Health Response UK in London and now with Corporate Work Health Australia. He is experienced in the fields of office and vehicle ergonomics, tasks analysis, manual handling risk assessment training.

Heath is one of Osteopathy Australia's advanced occupational health osteopaths (vocational).

Heath is looking forward to providing Osteopathy Australia members and other key stakeholders education and communications content that will add to and further enhance our standing in the health community. 

Sam Kayll

Sam graduated from RMIT University in 2019 and has since worked in private practice and aged care in regional and metropolitan Victoria. He is currently the principal osteopath at The Spinal Studio Traralgon. 

Alongside his clinical work, Sam is involved in musculoskeletal and biomechanical research. He has completed an Honours degree and is currently a PhD Candidate at the Centre for Health Exercise and Sports Medicine at The University of Melbourne investigating novel treatments for adolescent and adult patellofemoral pain. 

As an early career osteopath, Sam is looking forward to bringing his unique perspective to the Editorial and Education Advisory Group.

Osteopathy Australia Editorial and Education Advisory Group Terms of Reference