About

A Few Words

About Our Clinic

Compass Rehab is focused on neurological and vestibular rehab. We provide treatments for post stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Guillian-Barre Syndrome, vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis, BPPV, PPPD, vestibular migraine, concussion. We also provide services for those with osteoarthritis following the G:LAD program.

Compass Rehab was started and built in Hervey Bay. We provide targeted assessment and treatment in the space of neurology and vestibular rehab. With our broader team we also service a range of other chronic health conditions.

We service Hervey Bay, Maryborough and surrounding areas of the Fraser Coast, we do occasionally service wider regions by negotiation.

We Are Always

Glad to Help

Daniel Richards

Meet our team

Daniel Richards - Principal Physiotherapist, Owner

Dan moved to Hervey Bay in 2018 to take on the role of Allied Health Manager at St Stephen’s Private Hospital. Prior to this, Dan was a hospital based physiotherapist in metropolitan and regional sites across New Zealand and Australia with a primary focus on neurology. His first Australian position at the Melbourne Private Hospital was the neuro-surgical physiotherapist. In this role he started learning about vestibular rehab with patients undergoing excisions of acoustic neuroma’s and certain surgeries impacting on central vestibular pathways. His next few roles saw him take on the vestibular clinician at large metropolitan hospitals where his love of vestibular rehab grew. After seeing the lack of specialist vestibular and neurological services in the Wide Bay, Dan decided to start Compass rehab with a focus on these areas.

Dan’s commitment to Hervey Bay was demonstrated with the purchase of the new clinic at the Madsen Medical Centre solidifying his family’s place in Hervey Bay. He lives in Torquay with his wife, Frances, a Registered Nurse and part-time receptionist at Compass Rehab, and his two boys.

Meet our team

Compass Rehab Daniels Portrait

Daniel Richards - Principal Physiotherapist, Owner

Dan moved to Hervey Bay in 2018 to take on the role of Allied Health Manager at St Stephen’s Private Hospital. Prior to this, Dan was a hospital based physiotherapist in metropolitan and regional sites across New Zealand and Australia with a primary focus on neurology. His first Australian position at the Melbourne Private Hospital was the neuro-surgical physiotherapist. In this role he started learning about vestibular rehab with patients undergoing excisions of acoustic neuroma’s and certain surgeries impacting on central vestibular pathways. His next few roles saw him take on the vestibular clinician at large metropolitan hospitals where his love of vestibular rehab grew. After seeing the lack of vestibular and neurological services in the Wide Bay, Dan decided to start Compass rehab with a focus on these areas.

Dan’s commitment to Hervey Bay was demonstrated with the purchase of the new clinic at the Madsen Medical Centre solidifying his family’s place in Hervey Bay. He lives in Torquay with his wife, Frances, a Registered Nurse and part-time receptionist at Compass Rehab, and his two boys.

Compass Rehab Bens Portrait

Benjamin Arndt - Accredited Exercise Physiologist

Originally from Ipswich, Ben decided to move to Hervey Bay after graduating university at QUT. Initially, Ben was working as an Exercise Physiologist throughout the Wide Bay region primarily in rural GP clinics. While working this job he became passionate about neurological rehabilitation and decided to join Compass Rehab team to focus in this area. Throughout his life he has played a multitude of sports and currently enjoys playing hockey, oztag and golf. He previously was an A Grade hockey fitness coach during university and continues to enjoy designing athletic programs in his spare time.
Compass Rehab Bianca

Bianca Adams - Physiotherapist

Bianca is local to the Fraser Coast area and has lived in the region all her life. Bianca graduated from
Central Queensland University in Bundaberg with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) in 2022.
She has clinical experience in both hospital and community settings, working with clients of various
backgrounds and clinical presentations. While working in these settings, she became passionate
about neurological rehabilitation and has pursued a career in this field. Bianca also has a keen
interest in paediatric management and will be completing further training in in this space to further
her experience and knowledge in this area.

Compass Rehab Elisse

Ellise Twohill - Occupational Therapist

Ellise completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Southern Cross University in 2019. Her career has included working as a mobile therapist across the Tweed Coast and Northern Rivers, providing community‑based supports. Now settled in Hervey Bay, she brings a strong passion for paediatrics and extensive experience supporting children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Ellise is dedicated to working collaboratively with children and their families, helping them build independence and develop the skills needed to achieve meaningful and functional goals. She is warm, patient, and committed to creating supportive therapeutic environments where children can thrive. She has completed additional training in Learn to Play, reflex integration, the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics, handwriting, toileting, and feeding. Ellise also brings considerable expertise in supporting children with emotional regulation challenges.

Compass Rehab Hannah

Hannah Cato - Physiotherapist

Hannah completed her Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2020 at ACU Brisbane. After gaining experience in Residential Aged Care, she went on to work with MS Queensland and Sunshine Coast Neuro Rehab, where she developed a strong passion for supporting people living with neurological conditions. Hannah loves working alongside her clients to help them maintain function, build independence and achieve goals that are meaningful to them. She is a strong advocate for her clients and is deeply committed to improving quality of life. Hannah has a special interest in neurological conditions including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, brain injury and Functional Neurological Disorder. Originally a Sunshine Coast local, Hannah made the move to Hervey Bay in December. Outside of work, she enjoys running, reading, crochet and spending time adventuring in nature with her husband.
 
Compass Rehab Leila

Leila Steffen - Allied Health Assistant

Leila is in her final year of her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at USC and brings over two years of experience as an Allied Health Assistant in paediatric OT. She’s just wrapped up a 10-week placement in the public hospital system, where she discovered a real passion for rehab and helping people regain confidence and independence. A proud Fraser Coast local, Leila loves staying active, playing hockey, spending days at the beach, and hanging out with her two cheeky cavoodles.

Compass Rehab Justin

Justin Wilson - Physiotherapist

Justin has been in Hervey Bay since 2008 and loves raising his young family in the region. Growing up Justin loved sport and he wanted to move into a profession where he could encourage people to maintain their movement goals. Since graduating from Central Queensland University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy, he has enjoyed the variety of caseloads that come with being a Physio. 
Justin joined Compass Rehab as he had thoroughly enjoyed his placement on a rehab ward and wanted to continue working in this area. Justin has also completed further training through the Lung Foundation Australia and enjoyed spending time working with people suffering from respiratory conditions. 
In his spare time Justin enjoys spending time with his family and on the odd weekend you may catch him at the local Parkrun. 
Compass Rehab Liz

Liz Harris - Occupational Therapist

Liz joined the Compass Rehab team in January 2024 and we are so pleased to have her on board to offer Occupational Therapy services to the community. Liz’s primary interest is paediatric therapy, she provides initial assessments and ongoing therapy for emotional regulation, time and gross motor skills and life skills. She is also able to assist with adult and paediatric functional capacity assessments as well as equipment and minor home mods. Liz graduated from the University of the Sunshine Coast in 2019 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours). She began her career in Hervey Bay working at both the public and private hospitals, from there she moved to Gympie to work in the community and is now enjoying being back on the Fraser Coast providing OT services to the local residents of Hervey Bay, Maryborough and surrounds.
Compass Rehab Trisha

Trisha Cabanig - Occupational Therapist

Meet Trisha, a dedicated Occupational Therapist with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy and four years of experience in both hospital and community settings. Trisha specialises in adolescent, adult, and geriatric care, with additional experience in paediatric cases. She is passionate about supporting NDIS and Aged Care participants holistically. Through her treatment plans, Trisha addresses physical, emotional, and social needs, helping participants improve their quality of life.
Trisha was drawn to Compass Rehab because of the organization’s commitment to quality care and its collaborative environment, which fosters growth and creativity. At Compass Rehab, Trisha is on a mission to make a measurable impact on participants’ lives through skill-building and social inclusion. Her experience and dedication position her to provide the best possible support for participants.
Compass Rehab Aivory

Aivory Salomon - Occupational Therapist

Aivory is a devoted Occupational Therapist with over six years of experience in both paediatric and adult care, specialising in neurodevelopmental and neurological conditions. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2017, followed by a Master of Arts in the same field in 2022, and achieved certification as a US-Certified Autism Specialist in 2023. Aivory is deeply passionate about empowering individuals with disabilities, supporting their engagement, growth, and sense of belonging within their communities. Her collaborative approach and dedication to fostering opportunities for development make her a valuable asset to any client’s support team.
Before pursuing a career in occupational therapy, Aivory studied Architecture for a year, a background that significantly benefits her in home modifications. She thrives on utilizing her problem-solving skills and resourcefulness to identify the most appropriate assistive technologies and equipment to meet the unique needs of her clients.

Our Clinics

Hervey Bay

Maryborough

Individual Approach

Why Choose Us

Training

Training completed in vestibular rehabilitation over 10years

Modern Equipment

Used of infrared goggles to guide diagnosis

Experience

12 years of physiotherapy experience spent mostly in neurological/vestibular and orthopaedic wards