Carlicia Mellick
Occupational Therapy
Carlicia has had 10 years experience working as an Occupational Therapist in both the community and hospital settings. The majority of her experience has been in the community setting as she realises that people perform best when in their own environment.
Carlicia has worked with all the different age ranges from young children to the elderly. Having previously been a schoolteacher, she commenced her OT career in the paediatric field working with children with a variety of developmental delays and physical disabilities. She now works largely with the elderly population, however, is deeply committed to working with people with vascular disorders, oedema and lymphoedema.
Carlicia is a level 1 trained Lymphoedema therapist and has worked in both the hospital and community treating people with lymphoedema. Carlicia is both passionate and hardworking and loves engaging with all different types of people. She is a strong advocate for the elderly and people with disabilities and always ensures a person is well supported in striving to achieve their goals.
Dana
Allied Health Assistant
Dana has been with Function Plus Therapy as an allied health assistant for 3+ years, recently taking on the role of Practice Manager. She has a passion for assisting people in the community to live their lives to their fullest potential. Dana enjoys every aspect of her roles, particularly seeing clients thrive and reach their goals. Her approach is based on the individuals’ daily needs, and she is able to adapt her programs accordingly. Dana is meticulous and aims to deliver her therapies in a timely, professional manner.
Lorna
Occupational Therapist
Lorna Cross brings a compassionate perspective to her work as an occupational therapist. Her journey began in human resources, where she adapted a workplace to support a young man with a brain injury—an experience that sparked her passion for enabling meaningful participation.
Her background includes caring for her mother with dementia and five years in aged care, shaping her empathetic and person-centred approach. Whimsical by nature but serious about securing the right supports, Lorna combines creativity and advocacy to help clients achieve their goals.
She collaborates with clients to identify what matters most—whether regaining independence, adapting to change, or maintaining function. Known for adaptable problem-solving, she provides tailored solutions for physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. She also supports workstation ergonomics for people working from home, delivers carer training to build support worker leadership, and is passionate about supporting the LGBTIQ+ community.
Lorna has a special interest in home modifications and is soon to be qualified as an NDIS Complex Home Modifications Assessor.
Based on the Sunshine Coast, Lorna is a long-term local with a broad range of interests outside work, including photography, DIY projects, spoiling her dogs, and a love of sport—most recently, an addiction to pickleball.
Kim
Occupational Therapist
Kim graduated from James Cook University, Townsville, in 2005 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. She has since gained extensive experience in various community and hospital roles, focusing primarily on adult rehabilitation.
Moving to the Sunshine Coast in 2009, Kim has developed an in-depth knowledge of local services, organisations, and providers. She has a special interest in neurological rehabilitation, particularly upper limb and cognitive rehabilitation, and brings a personalised approach to every client.
Kim has been a valued member of Function Plus Therapy since 2021. Outside of work, she enjoys jogging and spending quality time with her family at the beach.
Jess
Allied Health Assistant
Jess has been an Allied Health Assistant for 15+ years. Jess commenced with Function Plus in May 2024. Jess is also a qualified Massage therapist and Tai Chi instructor.
Jess has worked in different settings from hospitals, community and aged care.
Jess has a passion for falls prevention and teaching Tai Chi for Health.
Jess enjoys helping people work towards their goals small or large. Jess is passionate about helping people to be independent and to be able to continue living at home independently.
Emily Coningham
Physiotherapy
Emily has over 15 years experience within all hospital clinical areas as well as community rehabilitation and management of chronic disease. She has extensive experience (10 years+) as a senior clinician mentoring junior physiotherapists, with seven of those years as a senior physiotherapist with Queensland Health.
She holds a Physiotherapy Honours degree gained in 2004 and has completed continued education within specialised areas of stroke, brain injury and neurological rehabilitation, lower limb prosthetic and amputee rehabilitation, vestibular rehabilitation and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Emily thus has experience working with people with a wide range of presentations from neurological, orthopaedic, respiratory, falls to complex presentations and needs.
Emily is proactive, passionate and has a cheerful outlook on life.