An “Honoured Member” in our own backyard!
Australia has a proud history of Physiotherapy – it is a profession that has roots going back 110 years. The first degree in Australia for Physiotherapy was offered in 1950, and Australian Physiotherapists were the first in the world to become ‘first contact’ professionals (meaning you don’t need a referral to see us!). Even the queen endorsed our profession by becoming the Patron of the Australian Physiotherapy Association in 1962!
Today physiotherapy is a blend of a range of evidence-based, scientifically rigorous physical therapies that have developed progressively over the last century.
So we feel rather honoured to be part of what we believe is a wonderful profession with such an extensive background. All of us here at Barossa Physiotherapy are all proud members of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
But did you know that a certain physiotherapist who lives and works right here in the Barossa Valley is actually an Honoured Member???
We are talking about Dr Mary Magarey, pictured here receiving her Honoured Membership from National President, Phil Calvert: with the two other recipients, Dianne Wilson and Mary Galea; and with some of her family (sister Susan Magarey and son Michael Bishop).
Mary Magarey has A LOT of strings to her bow. Not only did she add to her initial Diploma in Technology in Physiotherapy (starting with a Graduate Diploma in Manipulative Therapy and currently including her awarded Specialist Titles in BOTH Musculoskeletal and Sports/Exercise Physiotherapy….oh, and she has a PhD) but she also became an educator quite early in her career. Her class-mates and tutors read as the “who’s who” of all the Physiotherapy big guns – names like Ruth Grant, Geoff Maitland, Gwen Jull and Marie Hammond, who are revered by most physios in Australia. Mary herself will say she was in the right place at the right time, at a time when the South Australian School of Physiotherapy really was creating an International name for itself.
She retired from teaching at the University of South Australia in 2014, where she taught for 40 years in the Master of Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy and its precursor programs, and she is still involved in the Master of Clinical Physiotherapy.
But the good news for us is that she continues to be an educator – a teacher and imparter of wisdom, who generously shares her knowledge with her clients, her colleagues and even her community!
So we were very excited that at the National Physiotherapy Conference “Transform” in Adelaide last month, Mary was presented with (cue drum roll!!):
“Honoured Membership of the Australian Physiotherapy Association”.
For those who wonder what this means, this is from our Association’s website:
‘APA Honoured Membership is an acknowledgement of conspicuous service, leadership, and exceptional contributions to the APA and the broader profession'.
This adds to a little collection she has been curating, as she already held honorary titles of Fellowship of the Australian Sports Medicine Federation and Life Membership of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia.
Makes most of us tired just thinking about it!
I guess it would be understandable if Mary quietly wandered out into her back yard in her peaceful corner of the Barossa and tended to her plants, animals and gorgeous grand-daughter – but she continues to see clients, contribute to curriculum and courses, chair national committees and supports us as physios in her workplace here at Barossa Physiotherapy and Flex clinic in Adelaide and Kadina. She can even be found out at local sports clubs passing on her wisdom and helping the next generation of athletes and sportspeople be their best.
So from all of us here at Barossa Physiotherapy, we want to extend our sincere Congratulations to Mary, on such an amazing achievement, that exemplifies her illustrious and ongoing career as a Physiotherapist. We know that we all become better physios for our clients when we challenge ourselves with lifelong learning, and she inspires us in so many ways.
Here's cheers to your continued contribution to our profession!