Our Story

From a small rented space to a purpose-built clinic — and everything in between.

Eighteen years ago, I started my career as a physio in public health. If you'd told me then that I'd one day own a purpose-built private practice — I would have laughed you out of the room.

And yet, here we are.

I began in public health in 2008, moving through clinical and management roles before seeking something different — more flexibility, and the chance to work in a way that felt more like me. So I stepped out on my own. Two years in private practice solo taught me a lot. But it also showed me clearly what was missing: the multidisciplinary team. The connections. The ability to bring the right people together around a client and actually get the best outcome for them.

That's why I set up The Neuro Collective. And it's why fostering strong connections across our community has always been at the heart of what we do.

TNC started six years ago in a small rented space — just as COVID hit. What followed wasn't the start anyone would have planned for. But we didn't just survive that period. We grew through it. We built a team, refined what we stood for, and got clearer about what we wanted to offer the people of Warrnambool.

The idea of having our own space had been sitting in the background for a while. Getting there was another matter entirely. There were false starts, hurdles to clear, and more than a few moments where the path forward wasn't obvious. Taking a leap like this as a female business owner isn't something I can fully put into words, even now. But I knew why we were doing it.

When we finally committed to the build, we were deliberate about who we brought along for the ride. We were fortunate to have trusted advisors who gave generously of their time and expertise to help us prepare — without that groundwork, we wouldn't have been ready to take the leap. Our building designer listened — really listened — to what we needed, and translated that into something we couldn't have imagined on our own. Our builder and their team were exceptional. Professional, respectful, and genuinely invested in getting every detail right. The finish is something we're incredibly proud of — every element is exactly what we wanted.

Good people attract other good people. I've seen it play out in real time — in the team we've built at TNC, and in the people who helped us build this space.

The result is something I'm genuinely proud of. More space. Group programs. A ceiling hoist so we can provide equal opportunities to clients of all abilities. The infrastructure to grow our team and expand the services we can offer. This building isn't just for us — it's for the people of Warrnambool who need access to care that, until now, hasn't always been easy to find locally.

To think how far we've come in six years is a bit mind-bending.

It is. And I don't take a moment of it for granted.

To everyone who helped us get here — thank you. You know who you are.

— Fiona