Our History

In 1978 Ross Smith commenced the Balaclava-St Kilda Physiotherapy Centre at Beller House in Carlisle St. Balaclava to cater for patients from the surrounding suburbs of Balaclava, St. Kilda, Elwood, Elsternwick, Caulfield, Brighton, Prahran, Malvern, Windsor, Armadale and beyond. Over the next seven years the practice steadily grew to employ three full time physiotherapists.

AFL footballer Richard Osborne receiving a knee examination from Ross (1990)

In 1984 the Balaclava-St Kilda Physiotherapy Centre required larger premises and more parking for its patients, so it moved to a beautiful Victorian house at 87 Hotham St. Balaclava. The house has now been fully renovated into a practical state of the art modern physiotherapy practice.

Over the last 30 years many patients have benefited from the treatment provided by the physiotherapists at this practice. As the original director, Ross saw the clinic continue to grow, when in 1990 Clive Lipinski joined him to form a partnership.

During the next few years both would commit valuable time in working with many sporting teams and organisations; the Australian Olympic Team, AFL Football Clubs the Australian Women's Hockey Team, the Victorian Amateur Football Team and drivers of the Australian Grand Prix.

Ross treating Cathy Freeman (1992)

In 1996 Amir Perzuck joined the practice and in 2003 became a partner in the practice. Ross and Clive continued to work with their respective sporting organizations, whilst Amir joined in focusing on community sport becoming the head physiotherapist at AJAX FC. He later become the President. He was selected as the Chief Physiotherapist of the Australian Maccabiah Team which competes in Israel at the Maccabiah games the 4th largest sporting event in the world's calendar.

Although the three partners of the practice were busy with their respective sporting teams, each member recognized the importance of continuing education, with Ross completing post graduate study to gain both Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy titles. Whilst gaining his Sports Physiotherapy title, Clive ventured into the Eastern Medicine field and completed a 3 year course in Acupuncture, which he has used successfully for years in conjunction with his clinical physiotherapy.

In 1999 Amir completed his Masters Degree in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy ensuring all physiotherapists at the Balaclava-St Kilda Physiotherapy Centre had post graduate qualifications with advanced skills in physiotherapy.

With the practice continuing to grow, in January 2009 Elise Lenssen joined the Balaclava St. Kilda Physiotherapy Centre. Elise trained as a physiotherapist in New Zealand under Dr. Duncan Reid, a world renowned Musculoskeletal physiotherapist and educator. Elise has a special interest in exercise rehabilitation and uses pilates as part of her treamtment regimes.
Elise has a background and interest in performing arts.

Amir working on Darren Sutton (AJAX FC)

All the Physiotherapists at this practice are committed and dedicated in striving to promote their professions and our practice by providing quality care and professional standard work to all patients who visit our practice.