In Brief
Our objective is to proactively support the general health and wellbeing of our patients, through the delivery of preventative health care services, in partnership with community and allied health care professionals, surgical specialists and acute care medical facilities.
We seek to resource our practice with tertiary accredited, suitably experienced and empathetic practitioners, nurses, administrative staff, and technology, to help our patients realise their basic right to full physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
Our practice is conveniently located in the heart of Byron Bay, with off-street parking and wheelchair access at the rear of the the premises.
Meet our team
Dedicated | Caring | CompetentD Dr Tonya Coren
Byron Bay - General Practitioner
Dr Tonya Coren
Byron Bay - General Practitioner
- GP Obstetrics
- Paediatric Care
- Women’s health
- Preventative Medicine
- Adolescent Health
- Sexual Health
- Indigenous health
- Mental Health & Wellbeing
- Elderly Health & Wellbeing
D Dr Hugh MacLeod
Byron Bay - General Practitioner
Dr Hugh MacLeod
Byron Bay - General Practitioner
D Dr Pramuk Jayatilake
Byron Bay - General Practitioner
Dr Pramuk Jayatilake
Byron Bay - General Practitioner
Dr Vrisha Ker
Ballina - General Practitioner
Her curiosity of living and working abroad took her to Canada, where she completed her specialist training in Family Medicine (CCFP) while working as a rural hospitalist in emergency and general medicine before trading the snowy prairies for the beachside to settle in the Northern Rivers region in 2019 to continue in General Practice as a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
Her special interests in General Practice are mental health and preventative medicine. She is fascinated by the breakthrough research and science in the field of the human microbiome and digestive health, studying how these factors affect our physical and mental health. Because of this foundational understanding, Vrisha has always been passionate about addressing the root causes of ill health, prevention of chronic disease and strives to restore wellness in a holistic and compassionate manner.
When not tending to her patients, Vrisha enjoys yoga, hiking and tends to her plants and veggie patch.
D Dr Michael Krumins
Ballina - General Practitioner
Dr Michael Krumins
Ballina - General Practitioner
D Dr Rob Sheahan
Ballina - General Practitioner
Dr Rob Sheahan
Ballina - General Practitioner
D Dr Kelly Hawkes
Byron Bay - General Practitioner
Dr Kelly Hawkes
Byron Bay - General Practitioner
D Dr Harriet Sandison
Byron Bay - General Practitioner
Dr Harriet Sandison
Byron Bay - General Practitioner
Harriet has a special interest in Women’s Health and hopes to explore this area in depth during her time with First Light Healthcare. She also has an academic post at the URCH involving a research project, which investigates contraceptive choices of young women in rural areas of NSW.
When she’s not working, Harriet is kept busy with her gorgeous one-year-old and beautiful dog Daisy, making time for the gym, beach, and cooking.
D Dr Felicity Booy
Ballina - General Practitioner
Dr Felicity Booy
Ballina - General Practitioner
D Dr Lara Devlin
Byron Bay - General Practitioner
Dr Lara Devlin
Byron Bay - General Practitioner
D Dr Charles McDonald
Byron Bay - General Practitioner
Dr Charles McDonald
Byron Bay - General Practitioner
D Dr Natasha Stark
Byron Bay - General Practitioner
Dr Natasha Stark
Byron Bay - General Practitioner
Dr Natasha Stark has lived and worked in the Northern Rivers for many years, spending 4 years working at Lismore Base Hospital before transitioning to General Practice.
Natasha is passionate about preventative health and particularly enjoys working in Women's Health, Paediatrics, Chronic Disease and Mental Health. She understands the value of holistic, patient- centred care and the importance of developing a strong therapeutic relationship in order to provide excellent clinical care. With a strong belief in multidisciplinary healthcare, she is excited to be a part of the First Light Healthcare team.D Dr Elizabeth Hicks
Ballina - General Practitioner
Dr Elizabeth Hicks
Ballina - General Practitioner
D Dr Tim Wood
Byron - Sport and Exercise Medicine Physician
Dr Tim Wood
Byron - Sport and Exercise Medicine Physician
He sees and manages patients of all levels of sporting or athletic abilities and ages as well as non-sporting patients with a variety of musculoskeletal and orthopaedic problems.
Tim is skilled at undertaking cortisone, autologous blood and viscosupplementation injections if clinically indicated.
He has provided consultancy services to a number of elite athletes, teams, and organisations. These have included Geelong AFL premiership teams (2007 and 2009), the AFL draft camp, Richmond Football Club, the Melbourne Rebels, Wallabies and Rugby World Cup.
From 2002-2017 Tim was the Chief Medical Officer of the Australian Open and Tennis Australia. He was a member of the International Tennis Federation Sport Science and Medicine Commission from 2004-11.
Tim regularly presents at international, and national SEM conferences as well as conducting education programs for general practitioners and other allied health professionals including physiotherapists, osteopaths, and chiropractors. He is currently supervising a final year SEM registrar.
D Dr Stuart Glastonbury
Byron Bay - General Practitioner
Dr Stuart Glastonbury
Byron Bay - General Practitioner
D Dr Carlota Cunha
Ballina - General Practitioner
Dr Carlota Cunha
Ballina - General Practitioner
Dr Carlota Cunha
Holding a Master’s degree in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Coimbra, Portugal (2013), Carlota trained for 4 years as a Neurology resident at Saint Anthony Hospital in Porto (Portugal). There she worked in the Emergency Department and Stroke Unit and participated in clinical research trials. Whilst taking a gap year to travel, Carlota fell in love with Australia and discovered her passion for General Practice and community care. With interests in Women’s Health, Mental Health and Integrative Medicine, Carlota has an Advanced Certificate in Skin Cancer Medicine (Healthcert), and also works at the Urgent Care Clinic in Lismore, which aims to relieve the pressure on rural emergency departments and reduce rural GP’s workload.D Dr Laura Taylor
Ballina - General Practitioner
Dr Laura Taylor
Ballina - General Practitioner
D Dr Sarah Konsten
Byron Bay - General Practitioner
Dr Sarah Konsten
Byron Bay - General Practitioner
Following this, Sarah has gained experience as a registrar in Neurology, Pulmonology, Cardiology, and Internal Medicine, and has conducted research in the field of Tuberculosis in Sub-Saharan Africa. She graduated as a general practitioner in 2021 from the University of Leiden, the Netherlands.
After working in many specific fields, Sarah enjoys the aspect of being a generalist as a family doctor, as she can treat people from all ages and backgrounds.
Dr Konsten believes that honest and open communication is the key to a healthy doctor-patient relationship, and the most important aspect of a consultation.
When she’s not working, Sarah enjoys exploring everything our beauty area has to offer, together with her husband and 2-year-old son. They love to hike and enjoy camping adventures.
D Dr Jo Adendorff
Ballina - General Practitioner
Dr Jo Adendorff
Ballina - General Practitioner
D Dr Tim Peacock
Ballina - General Practitioner/Skin Cancer
Dr Tim Peacock
Ballina - General Practitioner/Skin Cancer
D Dr Haydn Dodds
Ballina - General Practitioner
Dr Haydn Dodds
Ballina - General Practitioner
Haydn:
Dr Haydn Dodds is a GP Registrar with a passion for quality, personalised care.
Dr Dodds has a broad clinical background and after completing his medical degree on the Gold Coast he chose to start his career out in the Northern Territory. After 2 years in the Top End, he returned to work at the Princess Alexandra, Queensland’s largest surgical hospital.
Throughout his varied experiences, Dr Dodds has acquired a broad skill set and enjoys the breadth of General Practice. He has a particular interest in Orthopaedics, Men’s Health and Paediatrics.
Whilst originally hailing from Canberra, he has come to call the Northern Rivers home. He welcomes new patients of all backgrounds to work with him in caring for their health.
Special Interests:
Paediatrics Men’s Health Orthopedics
D Dr Heidi Spillane
Byron Bay - General Practitioner
Dr Heidi Spillane
Byron Bay - General Practitioner
E Elizabeth Margules
Psychologist
Elizabeth Margules
Psychologist
M Melinda Temple
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
Melinda Temple
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
- Melinda Temple is a Clinical Social Worker and member of the Australian Association of Social Workers
- Melinda is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Medicare provider; and can see individuals with a Mental Health Care Plan
- Melinda offers psychosocial assessment and counselling to individuals and couples, aged 16 and above
- Melinda provides individuals with NDIS funding (plan or self-managed only)
- Melinda is an Approved Victim’s Services Counsellor
M Megan Bullough
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
Megan Bullough
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
J Juliet Emanuel
Physiotherapist
Juliet Emanuel
Physiotherapist
D Danni Turner
Physiotherapist
Danni Turner
Physiotherapist
- Sports injury treatment
- Sports injury prevention
- Management of chronic pain
- Neck pain and headaches
- Back and neck pain – assessment and treatment
- Upper and lower limb injuries
- Pregnancy and postnatal issues
- Workplace assessments and screening
- Video analysis and biofeedback
- Outdoor knee and ankle rehabilitation programs
- Waterproof fibreglass casting services
- Camwalker boots (supply and fit)
- Ice pump/compression
- Sports specific screening such as swimming, pre-pointe ballet assessments
- Balance assessments and training
B Bonny Riddle
Exercise Physiologist
Bonny Riddle
Exercise Physiologist
A Andrew Olson
Physiotherapist
Andrew Olson
Physiotherapist
- Sports Injury Treatment
- Sports Injury Prevention
- Functional Rehabilitation
- Neck and Back pain
- Running Technique Assessments
- Cycling Biomechanic Assessments
- Yoga Injuries
- Specific Sports screening - AFL / Cricket / Running / Triathlon
- Shoulder Injuries and Rehabilitation
- Post Operative Rehabilitation
M Mark Goetjes
Osteopath
Mark Goetjes
Osteopath
C Carly Fraser
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist
Carly Fraser
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist
N Nicola Cook
Physiotherapist - Hand Therapist
Nicola Cook
Physiotherapist - Hand Therapist
Nicola graduated with an Honours degree in Physiotherapy in 2000 and started specialising in Hand Therapy in 2003.
Since 2003, Nicola has worked in large hospitals, private practices and as an MSc University Lecturer in the UK.
Nicola attained the Accredited Hand Therapist (BAHT) certificate in 2008 and re-certified in 2013.
Working in several private practices in Sydney for 8 years, including a very busy practice in central Sydney with renowned surgeons and internationally prominent clientele, Nicola has built a reputation as a leader in her field.
Nicola’s work involves detailed assessment of the hand, wrist and forearm including muscle testing, strength evaluation and strengthening programs; post-operative management; splinting; tendon rehabilitation; sensory assessments and retraining; functional restoration.
The conditions Nicola treats include sports injuries; fractures; wrist instability and ligament injuries; tendonitis, tendonosis, tendinopathy; carpal tunnel; CRPS; Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis.
Since moving to the Northern Rivers and expanding her young family, Nicola has worked at Lismore Base Hospital as a Hand Therapist and now joins the team at Cape Byron Medical Centre to provide Hand Therapy in a Private Practice setting. Nicola is a published author, with ‘Pain: A Textbook for Health Professionals’ released in February 2014.
She has enjoyed treating a variety of patients, from those with everyday hand conditions to International sporting figures. Nicola has held the Accredited Hand Therapist (BAHT) certification since 2008 and have been a Full Member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association since 2009; and has been an AHTA Accredited Hand Therapist status from its inception in January 2018. Previously, Nicola was one of the AHTA's NSW State Coordinators, in 2015 and 2016. This included sitting on the State and Territories subcommittee, where she enjoyed learning more about the work of the AHTA and being able to support and advocate for Hand Therapy Practitioners in NSW.
Nicola was AHTA President in 2018 and President Elect in 2017. Nicola is passionate about hands and the profession and was excited and honoured to be a part of the AHTA Management Committee, contributing to the future direction of the AHTA and the practice of Hand Therapy in Australia.
G Gabrielle Coulthurst
Accredited Practising Dietitian
Gabrielle Coulthurst
Accredited Practising Dietitian
Gabi can assist with a broad range of conditions:
- Women's hormonal conditions (PCOS, Endometriosis, Adenomyosis) - Diabetes (Types 1, 2, and Gestational) - Obesity and weight loss - Iron deficiency and other nutrient deficiencies (B12, zinc etc.) - IBS and IBD (e.g. Chron’s, Diverticulitis, Ulcerative Colitis, Chronic constipation or diarrhoea) - Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease - Bacteria and parasite infections - Newly diagnosed Coeliac, lactose intolerance, and other food allergies and intolerances - Mental illness (depression, anxiety, bipolar affective disorder) - Malnutrition and sarcopenia - Hypercholesterolemia, dyslipidemia, and heart disease - Gout
C Coral Williamson
Registered Nurse
Coral Williamson
Registered Nurse
H Helen Macnair
Practice Nurse
Helen Macnair
Practice Nurse
After three years at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Helen moved into community nursing, caring for elderly patients. As part of this role, she assisted elderly patients with their rehabilitation programs after being discharged from hospital.
In 2013, Helen relocated to Byron Bay to settle down with her family, and became a practice nurse.
Helen enjoys building relationships with patients and providing personalised ongoing care for clients with chronic conditions. Helen strives to treat her patients as she would like to be treated, with kindness and respect. When she’s not working, Helen enjoys spending time with her family, swims at the beach or going to the movies.
T Tracey Pauling
Practice Nurse
Tracey Pauling
Practice Nurse
Her ability to relate to people on all levels and provide a high level of care and confidentiality, and her cheerful and friendly disposition, make her an invaluable member of the First Light Healthcare team.
Before joining our practice, Tracey worked at the Grant Street Clinic in Ballina, where she assisted with immunisations and vaccinations, health checks, wound care, technical health care such as ECGs, skin excisions and emergency care when necessary.
She has also worked at Ballina District Hospital, including in post-surgical care of urology patients and in palliative care, and at Crowley Retirement Village.
Between 1995 and 2002, Tracey used her experience as a registered nurse in hospital settings in Queensland, including for the Royal Brisbane Hospital Eye Clinic and the ear, nose and throat clinic; and at the Royal Women’s Hospital, in gynaecology and oncology care and on surgical wards.
She has a Bachelor of Nursing from Southern Cross University and has recently completed training in Covid-19 immunisation.
Tracey has two teenage children and lives with her family in the Ballina area.
M Matt Parry
Mental Health Nurse
Matt Parry
Mental Health Nurse
He has extensive experience in a variety of areas in the mental health field, from Psychiatric Intensive Care, to inpatient Drug and Alcohol withdrawal and stabilisation, to community-based treatment services in both government and non-government sectors.
Matt has practiced in clinical leadership and management positions for a number of years and has post graduate qualifications and experience in non-medical prescribing, psychopharmacology and medication management, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy and ITEP, amongst others.
Matt is passionate about the provision of inclusive and Trauma Informed Services for individuals, positive risk assessment, and suicide prevention. His specialist interest treatment groups have always been people struggling with borderline personality disorder, complex trauma, and addictions. He is a proud advocate for DBT and stabilisation-based therapies to help people experience a better present, and future.
When he’s not working, Matt can be found surfing one of the longboard point breaks and spending time with his beautiful family.
P Phil Walshe
Physiotherapist
Phil Walshe
Physiotherapist
K Kylie Arthur
Operations Director
Kylie Arthur
Operations Director
M Mathew Simpson
Managing Director
Mathew Simpson
Managing Director
M Melissa Bautista-Moss
Research, Analytics and Clinical Governance
Melissa Bautista-Moss
Research, Analytics and Clinical Governance
F Fox Slotemaker
Performance & Insights Analysis
Fox Slotemaker
Performance & Insights Analysis
S Stephanie Currie
Practice Manager
Stephanie Currie
Practice Manager
She loves her interaction with staff and patients and being able to provide care at different stages of life for those who pass through a medical centre.
After a stint in dental nursing, in her hometown, Stephanie moved to Darwin in 2015 with her husband and young family.
It was there she began her foray into the medical arena, working for occupational and corporate health provider Sonic HealthPlus as the Assistant Practice Manager.
As well as working to ensure the practice ran efficiently, Stephanie helped conduct drug and alcohol testing, spirometries, audio tests, and general employment checks for clients.
Returning to Ballina to be closer to family in 2018, she took up a position as Practice Manager of a local Medical Centre before joining First Light Healthcare.
Not surprisingly, Stephanie values organisation, one of the reasons she continues to excel in her current role.
K Karen Moorley
Administration
Karen Moorley
Administration
S Sarah Cooke
Administration
Sarah Cooke
Administration
A problem-solver, who is prepared to roll up her sleeves and get the work done, her experience is diverse. Sarah originally pursued a career as a mortgage broker and was responsible for team fiscal management including annual sales targets and profitability measures.
Moving to New Zealand in 2002, then to Sydney, Australia, in 2006, for a change of lifestyle, she continued her work in financial services before accepting an exciting role as assistant to the national coach of Rhythmic Gymnastics Australia.
In this position, Sarah not only oversaw day-to-day operations but helped support the team with national and Olympic presentations.
Since 2010, her work experience has focussed on the health and wellness industry.
After moving to Byron Bay in 2016, Sarah took a role as a personal carer in Home Care Services, building on an early career experience as an auxiliary nurse caring for the elderly.
At First Light Healthcare, Sarah continues to enjoy helping people, including those who need assistance in navigating the healthcare system.
While juggling work and being a mother to three children, she also swims, runs, sings and does yoga.
T Tynelle Bennett
Administration
Tynelle Bennett
Administration
That’s an advantage at First Light Healthcare where her exceptional organisational skills come into play whilst delivering friendly and informative patient care.
Tynelle has worked with a diverse range of people, through her background as a medical receptionist as well as her managerial role working underground at Mount Isa, for a mining company.
When she’s not at work, Tynelle likes to find time to stay fit by chasing after her beautiful children.
M Magdalena Gustafsson
Administration
Magdalena Gustafsson
Administration
She prides herself on treating all patients with kindness, happy to assist with any enquiry.
Magdalena is heavily involved in our community running the local soccer club while also coaching and playing in the women’s team.
She also enjoys her volunteering work and when she’s not working at First Light Healthcare, this busy mother, also assists the community through her mental health and sobriety coach work.
J Janelle Hancock
Administration
Janelle Hancock
Administration
J Jess Lorraway
Administration
Jess Lorraway
Administration
Jess’s excellent and friendly customer service skills reflect her previous roles including jobs in retail and hospitality. She spent 5 years working between Thredbo Ski Resort and Niseko Base Snowsports, where she worked as a guest service lead hand and online customer service. She has also completed a Cert III and IV in business administration as well as attaining her mental health first aid certificate.
Jess prides herself on taking time to get to know our Ballina patients, making them feel welcome and comfortable.
When she’s not working, Jess enjoys spending quality time with her young family, her beautiful 2-year-old and catching up with friends.
T Tracey Christianson
Administration
Tracey Christianson
Administration
Tracey has attained her certificates in CPR, Triage, Medical Terminology and Health Administration. She enjoys liaising, helping, and caring for the wonderful Ballina patients.
When she’s not working, Tracey enjoys being outdoors, swimming, snorkeling, hiking, fishing, and farming in Fiji.