Welcome to our Staff Spotlight Series, where we take a moment to introduce the incredible people behind the work we do at Strive. In this edition, we’re shining the spotlight on Amelia O’Connor, Brisbane Team Leader, Senior Rehabilitation Consultant and Physiotherapist, whose leadership, depth of experience and genuine care make a lasting impact on both her team and the clients they support.
With close to twenty years in Occupational Rehabilitation, Amelia brings a uniquely holistic and functional lens shaped by her early career as a Physiotherapist with the Armed Forces. Her transition into occupational rehabilitation was driven by a desire to understand the whole person — not just an injury — and that philosophy continues to guide her clinical practice and leadership today.
As the leader of our Brisbane team (affectionately known as Team Awesome), Amelia is deeply committed to creating a safe, supportive and empowering environment where people can grow, thrive and do their best work. Her leadership is grounded in kindness, authenticity and trust — values she lives out every day in the way she supports her team.
“I strongly believe that successful leadership is built on trust — showing up authentically, being kind, and supporting people to be the best they can be.”
In this spotlight, Amelia shares her journey into Occupational Rehabilitation, what she loves about leading the Brisbane team, the lessons that continue to shape her approach to work and leadership, and how she recharges outside of work — from singing with a large community choir to beach escapes with her family and planning her next travel adventure.
We hope you enjoy getting to know Amelia a little better.
- Can you tell us a little about your journey into Occupational Rehabilitation coming from a Physiotherapy background?
I started my journey into Occupational Rehabilitation when as a young clinical Physiotherapist working for the Armed Forces I became fascinated with the impact my patients’ daily work and training was having on their recovery from injury. I think I have always looked at injuries and people from more of a functional lens than many physiotherapists tend to do (I have been mistaken for an Occupational Therapist many times throughout my career!), and I wanted to understand more about the whole picture for my patients, rather than just treating an injured body part. I moved into Occupational Rehabilitation from there, and have been in this field now for approximately twenty years. I love the variety Occupational Rehabilitation provides, and the problem-solving aspect – every client, workplace and situation is different, and nothing we do is ever ‘cookie cutter’. It keeps me on my toes, and I love the challenge.
- What do you enjoy most about leading the Brisbane team, and what makes this team special to you?
I feel very proud to lead an amazing team here in the Brisbane office. I have lovingly nicknamed them ‘Team Awesome’, because they are! I value each member of my team, and love seeing them each bring their individual and unique gifts, approaches and ways of seeing the world to their work. It is so rewarding to watch each consultant learn, grow and thrive, and I am so proud of the incredible people they are and the amazing work they do each day. I love the passion and care each member of my team bring to the clients they work with, and am often blown away by their creativity and problem-solving skills, and the way they all strive every day for the very best outcomes. I feel so lucky to lead such an incredible bunch of humans who care so deeply about the work they do.
- How would you describe your leadership style, and what values guide the way you support and develop your team?
I would like to think I am a supportive leader, who works hard to empower and equip the consultants in my team to thrive at work, and be the best they can be. I believe I have a fairly intuitive approach to working with people, and I try to always be authentic, kind and genuine in my approach. My top two personal values are kindness and authenticity, and these values definitely guide the way I support and develop my team. I strongly believe that successful leadership is built on trust, so I always try to be there authentically for my team to help and support them in any way I can.
- What does a “usual day” look like for you, and what keeps you motivated in your role?
Like everyone says, there is no “usual day” in Occupational Rehabilitation, and this is definitely true when working in the Team Leader Role. I run Case Reviews with my team, I assist with reports and ad hoc questions as they arise, and I also am also often out and about delivering services to Strive’s clients. I travel to deliver onsite support services in regional Queensland once a month, which is work I always look forward to.
- What’s one lesson or insight you’ve learned through your career that continues to shape the way you work with others?
One lesson I have learned is that most people in this world are genuinely trying their best, and to always give people the benefit of the doubt. Often we are seeing clients who are in incredibly challenging situations. My motto for work and life in general is that we never know what someone may be going through, so always to be kind.
- Outside of work, how do you like to unwind or recharge, and is there something your colleagues might be surprised to learn about you?
My passion outside of work is singing. I sing with a large Brisbane-based community choir, and choir is my happy place. I enjoy the music and challenge of learning parts, but also love the community that an organisation like my choir provides. There is definitely something about singing together and creating a beautiful sound in a large group that is very connecting. We perform concerts regularly throughout the year, and I love to perform both as part of the choir and as a soloist. I wouldn’t say I am much of an attention-seeker in real life, but there is definitely a bit of a diva lurking under the surface when it comes to performing!
I have always been a water baby, and I find nothing relaxes me more than spending time at the beach with my family. One of my favourite local places is Moreton Island where my family often escapes to spend time in nature, and get my two teenagers out into the fresh air and off their screens! It is a little slice of heaven for us, and we get there as often as we can.
I also love to travel, and adore planning trips and seeing the world. Our last family trip was to Europe and Lapland all the way up in the Arctic Circle, where we endured temperatures down to negative 36 degrees. It was an amazing but very chilly trip, and all definitely worth it to see the Aurora Borealis and play in the snow. It was pretty surreal coming from a place like Queensland and honestly felt like a different world. Our next family trip will be to Japan, and I am currently in the throes of blissfully planning for this, a process my husband has nicknamed my ‘Japlanning’. For me, planning is definitely half the fun of travelling.
✨ Staff Spotlight: Chris Merrilees ✨