Meet the Malone Therapy Team
Janiata Malone
Director & Senior Occupational Therapist
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Janiata brings over 24 years of extensive experience as an Occupational Therapist to her practice. Throughout her career journey, she has served in various impactful roles with children, including:
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Disability Services Queensland – Family and Early Childhood team.
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Education Queensland – mainstream schools, special education environments, and early intervention programs.
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Queensland Health – Senior paediatric occupational therapist
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Offering specialised services through her private practice, catering to the unique needs of children and families.
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Janiata's rich background encompasses working with children aged 1 to 16 years, encompassing a broad spectrum of challenges spanning physical, intellectual, neurological, psychological, and behavioural domains. Her dedication extends to early intervention initiatives, with a particular focus on children on the Autism Spectrum.
As a devoted mother of two, including a child with Autism, Janiata's personal journey fuels her passion for her work. She is deeply committed to empowering children and families, guiding them towards growth, development, and the achievement of their aspirations.
Ashleigh Aubrey
Occupational Therapist
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Ash completed her studies at the University of the Sunshine Coast graduating with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy Honours.
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Throughout her studies Ash developed a passion for working alongside children and was determined to fill a role within the Paediatric setting. She has experience working with children with a range of physical, intellectual, psychological and behavioural difficulties and disabilities including but not limited to Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger’s and Dyslexia.
Ash enjoys creating fun, meaningful relationships with children to help them become the best versions of themselves. Ash is a vibrant and energetic therapist who always brings a smile to the faces of those around her.
Liz Toop
Occupational Therapist
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Liz completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy Honours at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
During her studies Liz completed her 10 week clinical placement at Malone Therapy and then continued to work with Malone Therapy, first as a therapy assistant and then as a registered occupational therapist.
Liz has experience working with pre-school and school aged children with Autism SpectrumDisorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Down Syndrome, globaldevelopmental delays and intellectual impairments.
Liz is passionate about building meaningful connections with her clients and their families.She creates a fun and nurturing environment where children can thrive. Liz takes pride inthinking of creative ways to spike a child’s interests to make therapy fun!
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Zoe Schafer
Occupational Therapist
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Zoe completed her studies at the University of the Sunshine Coast, graduating with a degree in Occupational Therapy with Honours. She completed her final clinical placement at Malone Therapy under the guidance of Janiata Malone. After finishing her placement Zoe worked for Malone Therapy as a therapy assistant until she finished her degree before starting work as a registered occupational therapist and has been here ever since.
Zoe has always had an interest in the Paediatric setting and is passionate about helping children develop their potential and confidence in everyday activities. Zoe is a warm-hearted, insightful and cheerful therapist who enjoys connecting with her clients through imaginative pretend play.
She has experience working with children of all ages and abilities and aims to make therapy sessions fun and engaging while working towards the goals of the child and their family.
Kayleigh Byrne
Occupational Therapist
Kayleigh completed her studies at the University of the Sunshine Coast, graduating with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy Honours.
Kayleigh was initially welcomed to Malone Therapy as a student completing her final clinical placement.
After placement, Kayleigh transitioned to work as an occupational therapy assistant while she completed her studies.
After graduating she stayed with the team and is now a registered occupational therapist.
Kayleigh has experience working with preschool and school-aged children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Pathological Demand Avoidance Disorder (PDAD), global developmental delays and intellectual impairments.
She has a great passion for working with children and strives to create an environment where both children and their parents love coming to therapy. Kayleigh enjoys making craft and playing games that enhance children’s learning experiences.
Emily Harper
Occupational Therapist
Emily completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy Honours at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
During her studies, Emily completed her 10 week clinical placement at Malone Therapy. After completing her placement Emily then continued to work as a therapy assistant and now as a registered occupational therapist.
She has experience working with children across diverse age groups and abilities, including but not limited to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Cerebral Palsy, Global Developmental Delays, and intellectual impairments.
Emily creates a calm, friendly, and positive approach within her therapy sessions. She fosters meaningful relationships with her clients and their families to collaboratively pursue their goals in a supportive environment.
Sam Stevens
Early Years Teacher, Speech Pathology Student/ Speech Therapy Assistant
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Samantha is a dedicated and passionate educator with 8 years experience in early years and primary teaching within Gympie, and is currently completing further studies in Speech Pathology.
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She has a genuine passion towards working with children and delights in helping them discover their strengths, recognise their own potential and feel successful in their learning.
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Samantha believes in fostering meaningful connections with her students and utilising their individual interests and needs to create enjoyable and meaningful learning opportunities.
Kenei Henwood
Therapy Assistant
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Kenei has professional experience in the world of neurodiversity through executive function and ADHD coaching with adults.
She did her training with the ADDCA academy and has also completed her Certificate IV as an Allied Health Assistant. She has a strong interest in neurodiversity and has a lot of life experience in ASD, ADHD and Anxiety.
Happy living locally in Gympie for the last 15 years.
Merry Rigby
Therapy Assistant
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Merry has over 15 years of experience within the Allied Health Industry.
She has in recent years become interested in, studied and gained a lot of life experience in assisting children with different abilities, with a special interest in the autism and ADHD world.
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Merry has completed her Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance.
Brodin Humphreys
Therapy Assistant
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Brodin comes to Malone Therapy with experience working with children of all ages and abilities.
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With a background in Early Childhood Education and Riding for the Disabled coaching, Brodin particularly enjoys sessions with the younger ages.
Brodin is kept very busy in her spare time juggling her young family and completing her certificate IV in Allied health, and is excited to share her enthusiastic and bubbly way with children with our families.
Elaine Mullane
Speech Language Pathologist
Elaine completed her studies at University College Cork, Ireland, graduating with an Honours Bachelor's Degree in Speech and Language Therapy.
Following her studies, Elaine worked on an Early Intervention Team called 'Happy Talk' in Ireland. She delivered therapy services through this program and also assisted in research into the benefits of the program. Elaine then moved to Australia and began working as a Speech Pathologist on an Early Intervention team in Sydney.
Elaine has experience working with pre-school and young school-aged children across a range of environments which include preschool, school, clinic and family homes.
Elaine is passionate about delivering holistic therapy services that are both client/child and family-centred. She enjoys working collaboratively with families and education settings to help children reach their goals (and maximise their participation in everyday interactions). Elaine enjoys creating therapy sessions that are fun, light-hearted and engaging to foster positive experiences and learning for children (and their families).
Lucy Choveaux
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Lucy provides Malone Therapy's Occupational Therapy Assistant sessions along with her daughter Sophia and horses Charlie, Star, Belle, Pilgrim and Carlton.
Each child is supported by an individual program that helps them achieve their goals in this more flexible, outdoor environment, where the horses are our favourite equipment! These sessions are designed to work on life and functional skills in a fun and sincere environment, overseen by Janiata Malone (OT).
Lucy has been riding for over 45 years, loves connecting with people of all ages & abilities and believes she has the best job in the world!
Lucy has been a Pony Club Secretary for a number of years and has Nationally recognised coaching qualifications.
Sophia Choveaux
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Sophia supports Lucy in group Therapy sessions.
Sophia has been riding since she was 2 years old and has successfully competed with her horses at pony club in various disciplines.
She brings with her a wonderful connection to the younger participants, and enjoys watching them grow in
confidence and knowledge.
Sophia is studying PCQ Preliminary Coaching level this year.
Honey Malone
Therapy dog
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Honey is our therapy dog. She loves swimming, chasing a stick or ball, following the kids around in the gross motor area and cleaning up any leftovers at lunch time.
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You will find Honey by Janiata's side, soaking up any pats she can get.