Meet the Team

Meg Miklosvary

Within audiology Meg has developed specialisation in rehabilitation, hearing aid fitting and tinnitus assessment & management in adults. Meg is passionate about keeping her patients engaged with their family and community by ensuring their communication is optimised.

Meg also enjoys the fun and challenges associated with child assessments.

In her role as Clinical Director, Meg is always available to her team to ensure they are well supported to provide the best possible outcomes to their patients.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science, Monash University, 2007
• Master of Audiology, Flinders University, 2010

Professional Membership

• Member of Audiology Australia, Current Clinical Certificate of Practice
• Member of Independent Audiologists Australia

Janet Kingman

Janet graduated in 1990 in Pretoria, South Africa. She immigrated to Australia with her husband in 1991 and began working at Helix Hearing in 1992.

Although Janet enjoys all aspects of audiology she’s involved in, she particularly relishes the challenge of selecting the right hearing aids to suit the right people, based on their hearing needs and preferences, and then working with patients to make sure that they’re satisfied with the results.

She also enjoys testing children, and winning over the shy ones so that she can be rewarded with a smile or a giggle at the end.

In her spare time Janet edits a monthly Catholic newsletter and enjoys digital scrapbooking.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Logopedics and Audiology, University of Pretoria, 1991

Professional Membership

• Member of Audiology Australia, Current Clinical Certificate of Practice

Nicole McDonald

Nicole moved from Melbourne to the Latrobe Valley in 2011 to join the team at Helix Hearing. She feels privileged to work at an independent private practice that provides a client-focused service and allows her to work with a great team of Audiologists and clerical staff. Nicole works at our Sale and Morwell clinics and enjoys the variety of work and seeing a wide range of clients.

In her spare time Nicole enjoys hiking and exploring Gippsland’s natural attractions and great food and wine. Nicole is president of the Latrobe Young Professionals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (Hons), Monash University, 2008
• Master of Clinical Audiology, University of Melbourne, 2010

Professional Membership

• Member of Audiology Australia, Current Clinical Certificate of Practice

Tamara Owen

Tamara moved to the Latrobe Valley in 2012 after completing her Masters for work and currently practices as both a Speech Pathologist and Audiologist. Tamara has a particular interest in auditory processing disorders as well as paediatric testing and hearing aid technology. She is currently based at our Morwell and Sale clinics.

In her spare time Tamara enjoys playing tennis and quilting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Speech Pathology, La Trobe University, 2009
• Master of Clinical Audiology, University of Melbourne, 2011

Professional Membership

• Member of Audiology Australia, Current Clinical Certificate of Practice

Lucy Moore

Lucy moved to Sale after graduating from university in 2016. She was pleased to be offered a graduate position at an independent audiologist that prides themselves on a high standard of service and patient centred care.

Lucy enjoys all areas of audiology but particularly likes hearing rehabilitation and working with children. She appreciates the opportunities Helix Hearing provide to allow for continued training and professional development.

Lucy is originally from Tasmania and is enjoying living out in the country again after spending her time at university in Melbourne. On weekends she likes to explore all Gippsland has to offer.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Health Science, La Trobe University, 2014
• Master of Clinical Audiology, University of Melbourne, 2016

Professional Membership

• Member of Audiology Australia, Current Clinical Certificate of Practice

Jevan Leggett

Jevan grew up in Drouin South and was delighted to be offered a graduate position at Helix Hearing so close to his home after he graduated from La Trobe University in 2018. He enjoys being part of an independent clinic that prides itself on client-centered care and has enjoyed the varied workload offered at Helix Hearing.

Jevan enjoys all aspects of audiology and has found working with children to be particularly rewarding. He is primarily located at the Warragul and Berwick clinic.

In his spare time Jevan enjoys walking and trips to Inverloch beach with his wife, Jane, and their two toy poodles, Ruby and Ted.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Applied Science, La Trobe University 2018
• Master of Clinical Audiology, La Trobe University 2018

Professional Membership

• Member of Audiology Australia, Current Clinical Certificate of Practice

Riley Lockett

Riley graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2020. He loved the opportunity to relocate regionally and take up a position with Helix Hearing. Riley loves being part of a team of clinicians that are focused on providing client-centred care.

He is interested in working with both children and adults and is particularly passionate about tinnitus management after working in the live sound industry. Riley is based in the Leongatha and Morwell clinics.

In his spare time, he enjoys working on sound projects and exploring the many local beaches and trails.

Qualifications

• Advanced Diploma in Sound Engineering, RMIT University, 2014
• Bachelor of Fine Arts, RMIT University, 2016
• Master of Clinical Audiology, University of Melbourne, 2020

Professional Membership

• Member of Audiology Australia, Current Clinical Certificate of Practice

Adam Francis

Growing up in the Latrobe Valley area Adam was keen to move back to Gippsland after completing his studies at the University of Melbourne in 2021.

Adam is grateful to be part of an independent audiology clinic with a great team of clinicians and patient-centred values. He is interested in all areas of audiology and enjoys the variety of work at Helix Hearing.

Adam is based at the Leongatha and Morwell clinics.

Adam loves music and playing guitar, keeping fit, and exploring Gippsland.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Music (Jazz and Popular Performance), Monash University 2016
• Master of Clinical Audiology, University of Melbourne 2021

Professional Membership

• Member of Audiology Australia, Current Clinical Certificate of Practice

Stephany Cerezo

Stephany grew up in South America and the US. She moved to Australia in 2018 and decided to finish her studies at La Trobe University in 2021.

Stephany was determined to get a graduate position with an independent clinic that values people thoughts, by working together with patients to achieve a better quality of life through improved hearing.

Stephany was delighted to be offered a graduate position at Helix Hearing which offers a variety of services for all ages.

Qualifications

• Master of Clinical Audiology, La Trobe University 2021
• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, Vocational college in Melbourne 2019
• Bachelor of Science in Biology, University of Florida 2018
• Associates of Arts, The Honors College Dual Language at Miami Dade College 2016

Professional Membership

• Member of Audiology Australia

Austin Murphy-Hill

Austin moved to Gippsland after finishing his studies at the University of Melbourne in 2022. He was thrilled to join an independent audiology practice focused on the care and success of its patients.

Being interested in all areas of audiology, Austin relishes the variety of clinical exposure available at Helix Hearing. He appreciates the practice’s emphasis on ongoing professional development.

Having always enjoyed the outdoors, Austin is excited to be based in Traralgon. In his spare time, you’ll find him getting to know the hills and waters of Gippsland.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (Degree with Honours), The University of Melbourne, 2019.
• Master of Clinical Audiology, The University of Melbourne, 2022.

Professional Membership

• Member of Audiology Australia

Nethma Govindapala

After finishing her studies at La Trobe University in 2022, Nethma was very eager to join the Helix Hearing team.

Nethma loved the opportunity for a position at an independent clinic that puts patient’s needs first and foremost, focusing on patient-centred care. Nethma’s passions within audiology are aural rehabilitation and paediatrics and she is excited to be exposed to such a variety of work at Helix Hearing.

Nethma is excited to be based at the Morwell and Warragul clinics!

In her spare time, Nethma enjoys playing music, creating art, watching sport and exploring the outdoors with family and friends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Applied Science, La Trobe University 2022.
• Master of Clinical Audiology, La Trobe University 2022.

Professional Membership

• Member of Audiology Australia

Laura Wong

Laura graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2013 and works in both diagnostic and rehabilitation areas of audiology. She enjoys working with patients of all ages and finds helping others with their hearing personally rewarding. Laura has a passion for providing patient-centred care and working as a team with her patients to improve their hearing and quality of life.

Laura works part-time at both the Richmond & Narre Warren clinics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Psychological Science, La Trobe University 2010
• Master of Clinical Audiology, University of Melbourne 2013

Professional Membership

• Member of Audiology Australia, current Clinical Certificate of Practice

Nicole Reinisch

Nicole worked for 1 year on the Gold Coast after graduating before making the move back home to Melbourne to join the Helix Hearing team in April 2019. Nicole enjoys working with patients of all ages and working alongside Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists. She likes to keep her day full of interesting and rewarding cases.

Nicole loves working as part of a friendly and supportive team where the focus is always centred around achieving great patient outcomes.

Outside of work Nicole enjoys catching up with family and friends and soaking up the sunshine!

Nicole works full-time, mostly at the Richmond clinic and occasionally at the Narre Warren clinic.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Health Science, La Trobe University 2017
• Master of Clinical Audiology, La Trobe University 2017

Professional Membership

• Member of Audiology Australia, current Clinical Certificate of Practice

Tricia Sharples

Tricia has been an audiologist since 1994, having graduated from the University of Queensland with a Post Graduate Diploma of Audiology. Having worked in an Ear Nose and Throat Specialist’s clinic initially for eight years, Tricia has developed her knowledge seeing patients from across the state of Tasmania. Since 2002, Tricia has worked in independent private practice, providing an extensive Audiology service for adults and children in diagnostic testing and rehabilitation spheres. A particular interest is working with profoundly deaf adults and their communication, including use of Auslan – Australian Sign Language.

Working in the private sector has become a greater challenge with the advent of the NDIS, but it allows a new and more equitable access for hearing impaired and deaf individuals to enable them to fully participate in a hearing world. This is the type of work that gives Tricia her professional satisfaction.

Tricia is delighted to join the larger team of Helix Hearing from the Hobart base to provide quality patient centred care across Southern Tasmania and Victoria.

Tricia works part-time in the Bellerive clinic.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts, University of Tasmania, 1990
• Diploma of Audiology, University of Queensland, 1993

Professional Membership

• Member of Audiology Australia, current Clinical Certificate of Practice
• Member of Independent Audiologists of Australia

Andrea Lovatt

Andrea has worked for over 30 years as an audiologist in Tasmania and the Northern Territory. She has a keen interest in both diagnostic and rehabilitative audiology and enjoys working with her patients to help them understand their hearing loss and achieve optimum results from their hearing aid fitting.

Andrea enjoys working with children and continues to be involved in providing outreach hearing services to children in remote communities in the NT. She also participates as a volunteer audiologist with Deaf Children of Central Asia (Tajikistan).

Andrea works part-time in the Bellerive clinic.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts (Hons), University of Tasmania, 1985

Professional Membership

• Member of Audiology Australia, current Clinical Certificate of Practice

Bianca Jones

Bianca is proud to be working in an independent clinic that focuses on patient-centered care. She enjoys all aspects of audiology, particularly working with patients to achieve best possible hearing outcomes. She also enjoys working with children, and the challenges and smiles they can bring. Bianca is grateful for the supportive environment that Helix Hearing provides.

Outside of work, Bianca is often busy wrangling her twins and is an avid Geelong football club supporter.

Bianca works part-time at the Narre Warren and Richmond clinics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science, University of Melbourne 2008
• Master of Clinical Audiology, University of Melbourne 2012

Professional Membership

• Member of Audiology Australia, current Clinical Certificate of Practice

Hollie Shaw

Hollie began her audiology career in 2020 on the Sunshine Coast before moving back home to Melbourne. Hollie joined the Helix Hearing team in August 2023, and enjoys the challenges and growth that comes with working alongside Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialists. She is passionate about expanding her patient’s knowledge and understanding about their ear and hearing health and finds supporting patients through their hearing rehabilitation extremely rewarding.

Outside of work, Hollie enjoys cycling, going on hikes with her cavoodle Quigley, and extensive boardgame sessions with her husband Henry.

Hollie works part-time at the Richmond clinic.

Qualifications

• Diploma of Sound Engineering, JMC Academy 2013
• Bachelor of Health Science, La Trobe University 2017
• Master of Clinical Audiology, University of Melbourne 2019

Professional Membership

• Member of Audiology Australia, current Certificate of Clinical Practice

Julie Cato

Julie graduated from Flinders University in 2015 and has enjoyed working in adult and paediatric audiology since then. After spending two years in the UK working in paediatric audiology, Julie made the move back to Australia in 2022 and was delighted to join the team at Helix Hearing. She enjoys seeing a diverse range of patients of all ages for everything from wax removal to diagnostics and hearing rehabilitation. She finds removing a stubborn piece of wax or foreign body from an ear to be one of life’s more obscure but satisfying experiences.

Outside of work Julie enjoys cross country skiing, craft projects and spending time with her nieces and nephews.

Julie works part-time at both the Richmond and Narre Warren clinics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts, Melbourne University 2010
• Master of Audiology, Flinders University 2015

Professional Membership

• Member of Audiology Australia, current Certificate of Clinical Practice