Little Lives, Big Futures – 2026 Paediatric Physiotherapy Conference

Keynote Speakers:

Jennifer Norton

Jen is a Senior Paediatric Physiotherapist working in a specialist community setting, a PhD Candidate at the University of Technology Sydney, and a sessional academic at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Jen’s research focuses on upskilling health professionals working with children experiencing chronic pain and their families, specifically in a community setting. She is passionate about connecting and enhancing teamwork between health professionals, children, and parents during the journey of chronic pain (and life!). Through novel research methodologies such as qualitative evidence synthesis with lived experience co-researchers, observation of clinical encounters, analysis of health professional behaviour and co-designed formative interventions, her work aims to contribute to better health care experiences for children, families and health professionals.

Rebecca Fechner

Dr. Rebecca (Bec) Fechner is a Senior Physiotherapist at the Queensland Interdisciplinary Paediatric Persistent Pain Service (QIPPPS) and a Clinical Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney and the University of Queensland. She is dedicated to improving outcomes for children and young adults with chronic pain through integrated, strengths-based care and system-level reform.

As a champion for collaborative health care, Bec has served for nine years on the Complex Pain in Children and Adolescent ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) panel. Her influence extends internationally as the Co-Chair of the International Pain in Schools Alliance (IPSA) and through research collaborations across the UK, USA, and Europe.

Bec acts as a vital bridge between complex research and real-world impact. Her commitment to accessible science earned her the UTS HDR Award for Open Research Excellence, reflecting her drive to ensure evidence-informed tools are usable for professionals and life-changing for families. She is currently focused on integrating Pain Science Education (PSE) into Australian school curricula, aiming to build pain understanding and empathy in our next generation.

Janelle Keyser

Janelle is a Clinical Nurse Consultant in Acute and Procedural Pain management at Queensland Children’s Hospital, with 30 years of paediatric nursing. Her role in acute care, mainly orthopaedics and neurosurgery, led to a relief role in the Acute Pain Service 18 years ago which she never left. Most recently she has been focusing on implementing strategies to make procedures less stressful for children and young people, as well as providing sedation one day a week.

Claire Bennett

Claire Bennett is a Senior Physiotherapist and acting Clinical Lead within the neurosciences stream at Queensland Children’s Hospital (QCH). She has a strong interest in supporting young people with functional somatic symptoms (FSS) through a strengths-based, holistic and coordinated approach to care. She played a key role in the establishment and development of the Pilot Multidisciplinary FSS Clinic at QCH, contributed to statewide education initiatives on FSS through Project ECHO and i-Learn, and is involved in an international collaborative project on developing physiotherapy guidelines for paediatric FND.

Joined by Phoebe Cooper - Senior Psychologist within CYMHS Consultation Liaison team at Queensland Children's Hospital.

Kerry Myatt

Kerry Myatt works as an Advanced Physiotherapist specialising in paediatric bone health at the Queensland Children’s Hospital. With a clinical focus on primary and secondary bone and mineral disorders, Kerry is passionate about optimising function and improving outcomes for children with complex musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions. Kerry also coordinates several clinical trials through the Queensland Bone and Mineral Service (QBAMS), contributing to cutting-edge research in paediatric bone health. She has experience across hospitals and community services both in Brisbane and the UK, combining clinical expertise with a commitment to collaborative care and innovation.

Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea are included in the ticket price.

Please arrive at 7:45am for an 8:15am start.

To cancel your registration, you can request a cancellation through Eventbrite, or contact the PA Research Foundation: [email protected] / 07 3180 1840.

• If an attendee cancels their registration, refunds will be provided until midnight 08/05/26. No refunds will be provided after this date.
• If the workshop is cancelled by the organiser, attendees will receive a full refund.

Questions about the course - Emma Flynn:

[email protected]

Questions about registration including cancelling registration - PA Research Foundation:

[email protected] / 07 3180 1840

Please register online via Eventbrite and pay with a credit card (Visa/Mastercard/American Express).

A paper ticket is not required. Just have a copy of the ticket on your mobile to scan upon arrival.

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