Head of Department

Rod Lawlor (BPO, MAOPA)

Rod Lawlor is the manager of The Royal Children's Hospital Orthotic and Prosthetic department. He has worked in the orthotic and prosthetic profession for over 20 years.

Rod has taught and presented at National and International conferences in both Prosthetics and Orthotics. He was a member of the team awarded the Premier's Excellence Award for Improving Cancer Care in Victoria.

Rod developed the Plagiocephaly Helmet Treatment Protocols at RCH and was an integral member in creating the Van Nes Rotationplasty Prosthetic programme at RCH, and has lectured on this in North America.

Clinical staff

Simon Lalor (BPO, MSc.)

Simon Lalor is an experienced and adept Orthotist and Prosthetist who has worked in both the public and private sector in Australia, Ireland and the UK. He completed a Master's of Science degree through Strathclyde University Glasgow in 2013 where he reinforced his interests in the biomechanics of orthoses and produced a thesis titled 'Care pathways in the lower limb orthotic management of children with Cerebral Palsy'. 

Simon has specialised in the lower limb orthotic management of neuromuscular diseases and his research interests have covered the use of outcome measures in prosthetics and orthotics, orthotic management of cerebral palsy, the use of Knee Ankle Foot Orthoses in neuromuscular diseases and the orthotic management of plagiocephaly. 

With his skill and expertise in this field Simon has been consulted as an expert on the fine-tuning and analysis of orthotic interventions to produce recommendations for future patient treatment pathways. He maintains a varied case load of orthopaedic, rehabilitation and neurological patients. 

Nicole Galea (BPO)

Nicole Galea is a Senior Orthotist at RCH and has been working in the profession since 1994. Nicole has worked in both the private and public sector, internationally and throughout Australia. Her employment at the RCH Orthotic and Prosthetic Department has spanned over 15 years.

Nicole has been involved in the delivery of Instructional Courses Internationally, lectured undergraduates at La Trobe University, and presented at conferences nationally with regards to paraplegic ambulation and orthotic management of children with Spina Bifida.

As a senior clinician her clinical expertise lies in the management of children with cerebral palsy, and also complex lower limb pathologies requiring Knee Ankle Foot Orthoses. She also has a focus on Continuing Quality Improvement within the Orthotic and Prosthetic Department.     

Meleita Finnigan (BBiomed(Hons), MClinP&O, MAOPA, MISPO)

Meleita is an experienced Prosthetist and Orthotist who thrives on the relationships she builds with her patients and their families. She initially studied a Bachelor of Biomedical Science (honours) at the University of Melbourne before completing her Master of Clinical Prosthetics and Orthotics at La Trobe University in 2012. Upon graduating she worked at Ballarat Health Services gaining experience regionally in both prosthetics and orthotics in a wide variety of pathologies and population groups before joining the team at RCH at the start of 2017.

Meleita predominantly works in prosthetics however has been involved in a wide variety of specialised teams within the department in both Prosthetics and Orthotics. She prioritises continuing professional development to stay abreast of developments and bets practice to continue to deliver the best service to her patients. She is also working with Melbourne University on a number of research projects.

Meleita has held various volunteer roles in the profession including secretary for the board of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) Australian Society and has been a member of the Australian Orthotic & Prosthetic Association Congress Committee for the past 5 years. Meleita is currently undertaking a Master of Health Administration part time while working and works casually for La Trobe university within the P&O course.

Meleita is currently on maternity leave and we look forward welcoming in her back in 2024. 

Matt Carlile (MClinP&O)

Matt Carlile graduated from La Trobe University in 2014 and immediately began working in paediatrics at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick. Joining the team at RCH in 2016, Matt has a particular interest in different patient groups including children with Cerebral Palsy, Scoliosis, CTEV and Plagiocephaly.

Matt has worked closely on the department’s Plagiocephaly research project “To helmet or not to helmet” which was presented at both the World ISPO and National Australian Orthotic professional congresses in 2019. Matt is currently developing a research study comparing different types of orthoses used in the management of scoliosis.​

Asumi Dailey (BPod, MClinP&O, MAOPA, MISPO)

Previously a Podiatrist, Asumi went on to complete her Master of Clinical Prosthetics and Orthotics at La Trobe University in 2014, to specialise as a Prosthetist/Orthotist. After graduating, she worked in remote South Australia before moving back to Melbourne to work at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Asumi is currently completing her Masters by Research degree, where she is exploring orthotic prescription practices amongst Australian paediatric orthotists in relation to children with cerebral palsy. In addition to cerebral palsy, she also has a special interest in paediatric prosthetics.

An active member of the Australian Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA), Asumi currently writes the research column for their bi-annual publication, The Review. Previously she was a member of the Editorial and the National Education Delivery Committees. Asumi is also a member of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO).

Claire Gibbs (MClinP&O)

Claire Gibbs graduated from La Trobe University in 2014 with a Master’s Degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics. She has worked at The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne since starting as a new graduate.

Claire is part of the core team for scoliosis management and developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Her current interests include advancing 3D software processes/design of orthoses, which are currently used within the orthotics department.

Ellen Neville (MClinP&O, MAOPA)

Ellen Neville graduated from La Trobe University with a Master’s degree in clinical Prosthetics and Orthotics in 2016. Since graduating she has worked in both the public and private sectors across Australia and New Zealand prior to returning back to Melbourne to work at RCH.

Ellen is a part of a wide range of specialised teams within the P&O department but takes particular interest in patients with CTEV, pectus carinatum and conditions of the spine. Ellen is always looking forward to learning about advancements in technology and hearing new jokes from patients or colleagues!

Ellen was awarded best free paper at the 2022 AOPA congress for her presentation "Bracing complications in Congenital Talipes Equinovarus". 

Jack Presnell (MClinP&O, BExsc)

Before beginning his career in prosthetics and orthotics, Jack completed a Bachelor of Exercise Science in 2017 from La Trobe University. It was here where he first gained experience working in paediatrics and developed a keen interest in prosthetics and orthotics. Jack then went on to complete his Masters in Prosthetics and Orthotics at La Trobe University graduating in 2020 and immediately joined the Orthotic and Prosthetic team at The Royal Children's Hospital.

Passionate about all things orthotics, Jack is particularly interested in Plagiocephaly, Pectus Carinatum and Cerebral Palsy populations. He can't wait to see how technological advancements can help to further enhance the impact of orthotic management in the lives of patients.

Nessen Chokupermal (MClinP&O, MAOPA)

Nessen started his career is Prosthetics and Orthotics in Sydney as a clinical and technical Prosthetist following his graduation with a Master’s in Clinical Prosthetics and Orthotics in 2017. He has been working with upper limb and lower limb amputees to allow them to achieve their goals including functional and cosmetic (silicone prostheses). His speciality and interest lie with high end prosthetics and new advancement in prosthetics.

Later on, Nessen moved back to Melbourne into a dual role covering both Prosthetics and Orthotics in regional Victoria. In 2022, Nessen joined the Orthotics and Prosthetics team at The Royal Children’s Hospital to provide the best possible patient care while furthering his professional growth. 

Bridget Rae (MClinP&O, MAOPA)

Bridget graduated from La Trobe University with a Master's Degree in Prosthetics an Orthotics in 2022. Since graduating she has worked at The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, developing her passion for paediatric care. 

Bridget is passionate about making a positive impact in her work, with enthusiasm to increase knowledge and awareness around orthotic management; with a particular interest in plagiocephaly and the neuromuscular and cerebral palsy populations. She is excited to see how current technology can advance orthotic management and have an impact on her patients lives. 

Marco Creek (MClinP&O, MAOPA)

Marco graduated from La Trobe University in 2019 with a Masters of Prosthetics and Orthotics. Since graduating Marco has gained experience in a wide range of orthotic areas whilst working at tertiary hospitals in both Sydney and Melbourne.  Marco joined The Royal Children’s Hospital in 2023 to further develop his passion for providing high level paediatric orthotic care in a wide of range of settings including the management of DDH and cerebral palsy. 

Technical staff

Mark Allen

Cert IV in Allied Health, Qualified Joiner

Mark qualified as a Joiner when first leaving school before venturing into allied health manufacture. He has been working as an orthotic technician at RCH since 1997, and prior to this he also worked for five years in a podiatry foot orthotic manufacturing laboratory. With his varied work experience and qualifications he has excellent skills in complex custom made orthoses requiring metal work, and enjoys the technical challenges of creating orthoses for rare and specific instances.

Mark has Level 2 First Aid Qualifications and is the department fire warden in our technical workshop.

Sally Chapman

Footwear Making and Finishing Surgical, Cert IV in Allied Health

Sally is our resident qualified custom made shoe designer and fabricator. She completed her training in 1984 and has been continuing advancing her skills and education in this field since then.

As well as providing an excellent in-house service of all things relating to footwear, Sally also deals with the Prosthetic Orthotic department's ordering, despatch of goods and stock levels to enable us to provide timely provision of any 'off-the-shelf' clinically required items and materials used to create custom made prosthetics and orthotics.

Sally has also taken on the role of a trained First Aid Officer for our department. 

Justine Madden

Justine has been a full time employee of our department since 2008 leaving behind an employment history in business management of food preparation and customer service. She has been integral in developing systems to improve workflow in the new hospital where we are based across two different wings of the hospital.

As well as being a qualified First Aid Officer, Justine is the Occupational Health and Safety Representative for the technical section of Orthotics and Prosthetics ensuring our staff are working safely and in a safe workshop.   

Leo Mouratidis

Qualified Panel Beater

Dangerous when bored, a tie-loathing adventurer, part-time Carlton supporter, full time wearer of all things black, Leo has a proud Greek heritage and a hatred of eggplant, making him an enigma in the Orthotic and Prosthetic department. Firmly believing that he doesn’t go with the flow as that is for fish, as our Senior Prosthetic Technician, Leo uses his extensive talents when designing and making every prosthesis. With an eye for detail, Leo loves a challenge and seeing the RCH patients realise their potential.

Fun Fact: Even as one of our older team members, Leo can still bench press 145 Kg and is a big exponent of a cable pull throughs in his daily gym routine.

Louis Sayegh

Louis has recently joined the team at RCH and is enjoying his new role as a technician. He has a background in landscaping and prior to that was in the Royal New Zealand Navy working as an Electronic Warfare Specialist. 

In his spare time, Louis can be found in the garage tinkering or enjoying outdoors. He recently completed the Larapinta Trail and is currently training for his first half Ironman. 

David Carducci

Graduating in 2021 with a Bachelor of Health Science from La Trobe with a minor in mental health and rehabilitation. David worked fulltime as a technician manufacturing foot orthotics before joining the RCH team.