The APA congratulates the physiotherapists recognised for their outstanding contributions to the profession in the 2019 Australia Day Honours awards over the weekend.

APA National President Phil Calvert said “More than 1000 Australians received honours across a variety of endeavours this year. I’m delighted that amongst this esteemed group we have five very worthy physios who have been singled out for their exceptional work across research, clinical practice and education. These physios have the respect and sincere congratulations of our profession.”

The award winners are:

Professor Mary Galea AM, for significant services to medical education in the field of clinical physiotherapy, and to professional associations - including the APA where she has held the roles of chair of the editorial board of the Journal of Physiotherapy and chair of the grants review committee for the Physiotherapy Research Foundation.

Dr Julie-Ann Bernhardt AM, for significant service to medical research and as an advocate for women in science.

Mrs Barbara Dorsch AM, for significant service to physiotherapy as a clinician and educator, and to the community. Barbara has been the chair of the APA's Physiotherapy Emeritus Group since 2012.

Mrs Jennifer Ball AM, for significant service to physiotherapy, volunteering and teaching. Jennifer specialises in upper body and burns injuries, and also writes the physiotherapy curriculum for Fiji National University and the Kathmandu University in Nepal.

Mrs Ann Buchan AM, for significant service to medicine as a neurological physiotherapist.