OT Exchange visual

From Ideas to Impact

OT Exchange is Australia’s largest clinical conference for occupational therapists, bringing together real-world knowledge and approaches that strengthen everyday practice. Designed for the whole profession, it’s the must-attend event to connect, be inspired, and shape the future of occupational therapy together.

Meet Our Program Committee 

We would like to acknowledge the contribution of the Conference Program Committee for all their work on putting the program and conference together.

Photo of Jenny Gribbin

Jenny Gribbin
Co-Convenor

Jenny is an experienced OT driver assessor and Director of Driving Well Occupational Therapy in Brisbane.
She is delighted that OTX is coming to Brisbane in 2026! Jenny is a recognised leader in the field, having completed over 1000+ driving assessments, pioneered the “Potential to Drive” approach for learner drivers in Australia and received OT Australia’s 2024 inaugural Oration Award. She also co-convenes the OT Australia QLD Driving interest group, and is a member on the National Driving Taskforce. Jenny is a passionate clinician and business owner, and excited about leading this conference for clinicians to showcase their amazing work.
Photo of Adam Lo

Adam Lo
Co-Convenor

Dr Adam Lo OAM is a mental health occupational therapist with experiences in child and youth mental health.
He has expertise in transcultural mental health and disaster recovery mental health. Adam is a champion in the engagement of creative arts in healthcare and also a project manager, clinical supervisor, trainer and festival director of the Positive Mindset Creative Arts Festival. He is also a multidisciplinary artist, volunteer in various community organisations and a reservist in the Royal Australian Air Force for almost two decades. He is a strong advocate for the occupational therapy profession both in Australia and internationally.
Photo of Natalee Blakemore

Natalee Blakemore (She/Her)

Nat is the director of Diversum Health Group & an Endorsed Mental Health Occupational Therapist.
Nat is a dyslexic AuDHDer person and is a mum of three children. She is a quirky, creative, nature lover and an electronic dance music enthusiast, who is a passionate advocate for the disability & mental health community.
Photo of Claire Britton

Claire
Britton

Claire Britton is the Founding Director at Neuroinclusion, a Perth-based OT practice specialising in neurodiversity-affirming therapy.
She leads a neurodivergent-led, strengths-based team that champions affirming environments for both clients and across Australia. She supports clients across the lifespan and collaborates with families, schools, workplaces and policy makers. Claire is a recognised keynote speaker, podcast guest, and clinical mentor, often featured at conferences including the International Childhood Trauma Conference and the Australian Occupational Therapy Conference.
Photo of John Chacksfield

John Chacksfield

John Chacksfield is a highly experienced occupational therapist and manager.
He is currently working at Gold Coast University Hospital in Queensland as the Allied Health Team Leader for a secure mental health rehabilitation unit. Previously he has worked in the NDIS in Australia but the majority of his 34 years’ experience as an occupational therapist is in the UK, primarily in the mental health field. John is currently a convener for the mental health special interest group for OTA.
Photo of Laine Chilman

Laine
Chilman

Laine is a Lecturer in Occupational Therapy at the University of the Sunshine Coast, with over two decades of experience as an occupational therapist across clinical and university settings.
In 2023, Laine completed her PhD, which explored ways to support families of picky eaters, with a particular focus on Occupational Performance Coaching. She now supervises honours and HDR students, with research interests spanning parenting, education, psychosocial disability and First Nations health.
Photo of Sarah Collison

Sarah
Collison

Sarah Collison is an Occupational Therapist and Director of Verve OT, leading a team of over 50 clinicians delivering in-home and community-based supports to NDIS participants across Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
She is recognised nationally for her expertise in assistive technology, home modifications, and complex functional assessments, and for equipping OTs with the clinical knowledge needed to navigate the NDIS with confidence. As founder of Verve OT Learning and facilitator of the 12,000-member NDIS OT Community of Practice, Sarah is dedicated to advancing professional excellence and clinical capability within the occupational therapy profession.
Photo of Geoff Ellery

Geoff
Ellery

Geoff Ellery graduated as an occupational therapist at 21 and, after a decade in mental health and disability work in Australia and the UK, helped build what became Australia’s most successful early internet company.
He later served as its International Editorial Director in San Francisco. Returning to Australia in the early 2000s, he worked in publishing, then returned to OT to run a successful paediatric clinic in Melbourne, before transitioning to online practice during the COVID-19 pandemic due to his Type 1 Diabetes. He now specialises in Sensory Assessment and Intervention for individuals with complex needs, particularly where Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, and Mental Health intersect, and is the founder of SensePlanner.com.
Photo of Dr Sally Day

Sally
Day

Dr Sally Day is an occupational therapy lecturer at The University of Sydney and early-career researcher having completed her PhD in 2024.
She has over 20 years’ clinical and research experience. Her clinical work and research focus on occupational therapy interventions and work with people living with dementia, with a particular emphasis on implementation of interventions in real-world contexts and supporting inclusivity for people from diverse groups. She also provides COPE (Care Of People with dementia in their Environments) program training to occupational therapists across Australia.
Photo of Grace Lennon

Grace
Lennon

Grace is a New Graduate Occupational Therapist currently working at Nepean Hospital in NSW Health.
She graduated from Western Sydney University in 2024 with First Class Honours and received the University Medal. Grace has clinical experience across acute and community aged care, medical, surgical, and neurology caseloads. Grace completed her honours research on sensory interventions for older adults with dementia, which sparked her passion for evidence-based practice and aged care. She is particularly interested in improving care outcomes for hospitalised older people through interdisciplinary collaboration, research, and knowledge translation. As a new graduate in acute care, Grace offers insights into early-career challenges, and some of the current clinical gaps in acute care settings.
Photo of Caroline Mills

Caroline
Mills

Caroline has been an occupational therapist for 20 years, working with children with neurodevelopmental disability, particularly autism and intellectual disability.
Caroline completed her PhD at The University of Sydney in 2018 focused on supporting the sensory needs of autistic children. She is currently a Senior Lecturer in occupational therapy at Western Sydney University. Her research and teaching focuses on co-designed initiatives and innovative technologies to improve the lives of people with disability and other vulnerabilities. Caroline is an honorary allied health researcher within the South Western Sydney Local Health District (NSW Health) and serves on the Board of Directors for Macarthur Disability Services.
Photo of Laura Simmons

Laura Simmons

Laura Simmons is a paediatric occupational therapist and the founder of Theratrak,
a digital tool designed to bridge the gap between face-to-face sessions and embed therapy interventions into everyday life. Laura is passionate about digital innovation in allied health and how technology can extend the impact of clinical intervention and improve outcomes for all.


Contact Us

Occupational Therapy Australia acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Occupational Therapy Australia
Phone:
1300 682 878
Emailconferences@otaus.com.au

Conference Venue