Management Team
Marija Marsic
CEO
The Workers Health Centre continues to engage in best practice and contemporary methods to help injured workers and their families. To facilitate this modernisation project, the Workers Health Centre in partnership with the TWU NSW is pleased to announce the appointment of TWU NSW Assistant Secretary, Director of WHS and Education, Ms Marija Marsic to a secondment with the Workers Health Centre as the CEO.
A highly focused and driven leader being in the union movement for over 25 years, Marija has been a Director on the Board of the Workers Health Centre for almost a decade, most recently holding office as the Chair.
Marija has significant experience and leadership qualities, coupled with tertiary qualifications in; education and training, advocacy, workplace assessment, work health and safety, workers compensation, human resources, industrial relations, leadership, stakeholder engagement, organisational development and governance, and is currently undertaking studies in industrial psychology.
Marija holds the strong view that all workers are entitled to dignity and respect in their recovery and rehabilitation from workplace injuries, and that this can be achieved by involving workers in their own recovery plans, and by workers receiving sound guidance, advice, education and support through the Workers Health Centre and their experienced and dedicated Team.
A highly focused and driven leader being in the union movement for over 25 years, Marija has been a Director on the Board of the Workers Health Centre for almost a decade, most recently holding office as the Chair.
Marija has significant experience and leadership qualities, coupled with tertiary qualifications in; education and training, advocacy, workplace assessment, work health and safety, workers compensation, human resources, industrial relations, leadership, stakeholder engagement, organisational development and governance, and is currently undertaking studies in industrial psychology.
Marija holds the strong view that all workers are entitled to dignity and respect in their recovery and rehabilitation from workplace injuries, and that this can be achieved by involving workers in their own recovery plans, and by workers receiving sound guidance, advice, education and support through the Workers Health Centre and their experienced and dedicated Team.
Warren Kensett Smith
Financial Controller
Warren has worked for over 40 years with a wide range of Companies and Profit for Purpose organisations. Warren brings that experience to the Workers Health Centre together with a commitment to assist our employees and consultants help injured worked return to work in the best possible manner.
Simone Mackie
Executive Manager Rehabilitation Provider Services
BAppSci (Physio) MHlthSci (Physio) MACP
Simone is a titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist of 30 years registration, who completed both her Physiotherapy degree and Masters degree at University of Sydney. She has significant experience across Clinical (Hospital and Private Practice), Management, Rehabilitation Provider and Insurance roles within the UK and Australia, with 25 years working within the NSW Workers Insurance Scheme. She has held senior management and training roles within Injury Prevention, Early Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Provider sectors.
She is a Panel Member of the Physiotherapy Council of NSW and a member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association and the following groups within it – Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Association and Occupational Health Physiotherapy Association. She is also a member of the Australian Rehabilitation Providers Association.
Simone is passionate about providing guidance with empathy to assist workers to achieve a durable recovery at work, advocating for the health benefits of good work.
Simone is a titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist of 30 years registration, who completed both her Physiotherapy degree and Masters degree at University of Sydney. She has significant experience across Clinical (Hospital and Private Practice), Management, Rehabilitation Provider and Insurance roles within the UK and Australia, with 25 years working within the NSW Workers Insurance Scheme. She has held senior management and training roles within Injury Prevention, Early Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Provider sectors.
She is a Panel Member of the Physiotherapy Council of NSW and a member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association and the following groups within it – Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Association and Occupational Health Physiotherapy Association. She is also a member of the Australian Rehabilitation Providers Association.
Simone is passionate about providing guidance with empathy to assist workers to achieve a durable recovery at work, advocating for the health benefits of good work.
Christelle Ithier
Administration Manager
Christelle has over 20 years of experience working in administration and has spent 15 of those years working within the NSW Workers Insurance Scheme. This experience also includes working in the Comcare & Life Insurance Schemes during her employment in the Occupational Rehabilitation space.
Christelle manages the senior administrative staff and guides them to assist injured workers when they contact our offices for advice and guidance. Christelle and her team are committed to helping injured workers, union representatives, Workers Health Centre consultants and other stakeholders.
Same Employer Team
Natalie Obuchowski
Same Employer Team Leader
BEx&SpSc and MClinExPhys
Natalie is an Exercise Physiologist who completed a Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology in 2017 at Southern Cross University. With over six years of experience in the field, she is a dedicated Exercise Physiologist specialising in the NSW Workers’ Compensation scheme and clinical settings.
Her passion lies in helping individuals recover from injuries, improve their physical well-being, and reclaim their quality of life. Natalie is committed to ensuring optimal recovery and long-term health outcomes.
Natalie is an Exercise Physiologist who completed a Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology in 2017 at Southern Cross University. With over six years of experience in the field, she is a dedicated Exercise Physiologist specialising in the NSW Workers’ Compensation scheme and clinical settings.
Her passion lies in helping individuals recover from injuries, improve their physical well-being, and reclaim their quality of life. Natalie is committed to ensuring optimal recovery and long-term health outcomes.
Fabian L
Rehabilitation Consultant – Assistant Team Leader – SE / NE
B.A.Sc (EP)
Fabian is an Exercise Physiologist who began his career as a rehabilitation consultant with the Workers Health Centre in 2022. Fabian is passionate in helping the rehabilitation of injured workers and supporting their return-to-work process after seeing the impact of workplace injuries among those around him. Fabian seeks to serve the community by helping injured workers gain better access to assistance, information, and effective treatment with the goal of helping them get back to doing the things they previously enjoyed.
Fabian strongly believes in adjusting lifestyle practices and tailoring return to work processes to an individual to achieve great outcomes for workers. Fabian is also passionate in advocating for workers’ rights by engaging with all stakeholders and providing his professional opinion on relevant matters.
Fabian is an Exercise Physiologist who began his career as a rehabilitation consultant with the Workers Health Centre in 2022. Fabian is passionate in helping the rehabilitation of injured workers and supporting their return-to-work process after seeing the impact of workplace injuries among those around him. Fabian seeks to serve the community by helping injured workers gain better access to assistance, information, and effective treatment with the goal of helping them get back to doing the things they previously enjoyed.
Fabian strongly believes in adjusting lifestyle practices and tailoring return to work processes to an individual to achieve great outcomes for workers. Fabian is also passionate in advocating for workers’ rights by engaging with all stakeholders and providing his professional opinion on relevant matters.
Daniel Wood
Rehabilitation Consultant – Learning and Development | Quality Assurance
B. ClinSc (Osteo). OstMed.
Daniel completed his studies at Southern Cross University, first enrolling into a Bachelor of Clinical Science (Osteopathy) and later completing a Master of Osteopathic Medicine in 2018. Daniel worked within clinical settings as an Osteopathic healthcare provider from 2018 and practiced within osteopathic clinics in the Northern beaches, North shore, and the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney.
Daniel is passionate about supporting and educating his community around pain management and where to seek the appropriate healthcare services for an injury, whether it is acute or chronic. Due to this, Daniel made the shift to becoming a rehabilitation consultant in 2022.
Daniel himself had sustained a chronic injury in his earlier years and found that modifying the way he moved, his lifestyle and adjusting his occupational duties had the biggest benefit on recovery. Daniel strives for great outcomes for his workers and is an advocate for workers rights within the workers compensation system, as well as ensuring all stakeholders are engaged and are provided with advice and education.
Daniel completed his studies at Southern Cross University, first enrolling into a Bachelor of Clinical Science (Osteopathy) and later completing a Master of Osteopathic Medicine in 2018. Daniel worked within clinical settings as an Osteopathic healthcare provider from 2018 and practiced within osteopathic clinics in the Northern beaches, North shore, and the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney.
Daniel is passionate about supporting and educating his community around pain management and where to seek the appropriate healthcare services for an injury, whether it is acute or chronic. Due to this, Daniel made the shift to becoming a rehabilitation consultant in 2022.
Daniel himself had sustained a chronic injury in his earlier years and found that modifying the way he moved, his lifestyle and adjusting his occupational duties had the biggest benefit on recovery. Daniel strives for great outcomes for his workers and is an advocate for workers rights within the workers compensation system, as well as ensuring all stakeholders are engaged and are provided with advice and education.
New Employer Team
Lisa Lathouras
New Employer Team Leader
Bach of Social Science, MASRC
Lisa is a qualified Rehabilitation Counsellor and experienced Team Leader. Having worked in the occupational rehabilitation industry and human resource environments for over 25 years giving her the experience and expertise to work with a wide variety of injured workers after they sustained both physical injuries, such as muscular-skeletal injuries and people whom sustained significantly debilitating psychological injuries such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Lisa is passionate about providing guidance with empathy to assist workers to achieve a durable recovery at work, advocating for the health benefits of good work.
Lisa is a qualified Rehabilitation Counsellor and experienced Team Leader. Having worked in the occupational rehabilitation industry and human resource environments for over 25 years giving her the experience and expertise to work with a wide variety of injured workers after they sustained both physical injuries, such as muscular-skeletal injuries and people whom sustained significantly debilitating psychological injuries such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Lisa is passionate about providing guidance with empathy to assist workers to achieve a durable recovery at work, advocating for the health benefits of good work.
Nicole Keene
Rehabilitation Consultant
BPsychSc (Hons) Provisional Psychologist
Nicole joined Workers Health Centre in January 2022 after graduating from Deakin University with a Bachelors of Psychological Science (Honours). She has gained membership through the Australian Health and Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is undertaking the 4+2 psychology internship program to become a fully registered psychologist.
Nicole works as a Rehabilitation Consultant in the new employer team, providing services such as vocational counselling, counselling through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and evaluations of psychological functioning. Nicole brings a warm and empathetic approach to assisting injured workers following psychological and physical injury.
Nicole joined Workers Health Centre in January 2022 after graduating from Deakin University with a Bachelors of Psychological Science (Honours). She has gained membership through the Australian Health and Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is undertaking the 4+2 psychology internship program to become a fully registered psychologist.
Nicole works as a Rehabilitation Consultant in the new employer team, providing services such as vocational counselling, counselling through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and evaluations of psychological functioning. Nicole brings a warm and empathetic approach to assisting injured workers following psychological and physical injury.
Merly Hartnett
Employment Consultant
Merly is a Career Development Specialist and HCANZA-Accredited Health Coach with over a decade of experience in occupational rehabilitation and workplace wellness. With a client-centered and evidence-based approach, Merly empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of modern life while prioritising holistic wellbeing and career satisfaction. Rejecting a one-size-fits-all mentality, she advocates for a balanced lifestyle and career that is both achievable and sustainable.
Drawing from her extensive background in occupational rehabilitation, Merly recognised the pressing need for a proactive and comprehensive approach to chronic stress and injury recovery. This realisation propelled her towards health coaching, injury prevention, and championing workplace wellness initiatives.
Merly specialises in facilitating career transitions and providing advisory services to help individuals achieve their professional aspirations after significant life events such as workplace injury. Prior to working for Workers Health Centre, Merly worked as a contractor taking up roles such as Employment Consultant, Career Consultant, Labour Market Investigator and Disability Assessor in WA, VIC, NSW and QLD.
Merly is committed to contributing to the success and growth of dynamic organisations through workplace wellness and employee retention. She strives to make a meaningful impact in both health and career sectors.
Drawing from her extensive background in occupational rehabilitation, Merly recognised the pressing need for a proactive and comprehensive approach to chronic stress and injury recovery. This realisation propelled her towards health coaching, injury prevention, and championing workplace wellness initiatives.
Merly specialises in facilitating career transitions and providing advisory services to help individuals achieve their professional aspirations after significant life events such as workplace injury. Prior to working for Workers Health Centre, Merly worked as a contractor taking up roles such as Employment Consultant, Career Consultant, Labour Market Investigator and Disability Assessor in WA, VIC, NSW and QLD.
Merly is committed to contributing to the success and growth of dynamic organisations through workplace wellness and employee retention. She strives to make a meaningful impact in both health and career sectors.
Hunter Workers Health Centre – Same Employer I New Employer
Murray S
Senior Rehabilitation Consultant – Business Development Manager
B. H. S. Rehabilitation Counselling / Disability Studies
Murray has worked for over 16 years in the NSW Workers Compensation system and is currently located in the Newcastle area however he supports workers from other regional locations across NSW. He operates across both the Same Employer and New Employer systems utilising his extensive experience to support and assist workers to rehabilitate and return to work from both Physical and Psychological injuries.
Murray commenced his working career as a tradesperson working in Newcastle in the heavy industry and coal mining industries. He then pursued a career as a Sales Engineer and a Northern NSW Regional Sales Manager and working in the Real Estate industry and Retail Sales roles in both supervisory and management positions.
Murray moved to QLD where he worked in a range of positions while undertaking University studies, completing a bachelor’s degree in human services with a double major in Rehabilitation Counselling and Disability Studies at Griffith University. This included the Mental Health sector, Youth Work and with the Indigenous Community. After completing his studies, Murray commenced work as a Job Capacity Assessor in the Centrelink system before commencing work in the NSW Workers Compensation System as a Rehabilitation Consultant, Senior Rehabilitation Consultant and as a Pain Management Coordinator.
Murray has worked for over 16 years in the NSW Workers Compensation system and is currently located in the Newcastle area however he supports workers from other regional locations across NSW. He operates across both the Same Employer and New Employer systems utilising his extensive experience to support and assist workers to rehabilitate and return to work from both Physical and Psychological injuries.
Murray commenced his working career as a tradesperson working in Newcastle in the heavy industry and coal mining industries. He then pursued a career as a Sales Engineer and a Northern NSW Regional Sales Manager and working in the Real Estate industry and Retail Sales roles in both supervisory and management positions.
Murray moved to QLD where he worked in a range of positions while undertaking University studies, completing a bachelor’s degree in human services with a double major in Rehabilitation Counselling and Disability Studies at Griffith University. This included the Mental Health sector, Youth Work and with the Indigenous Community. After completing his studies, Murray commenced work as a Job Capacity Assessor in the Centrelink system before commencing work in the NSW Workers Compensation System as a Rehabilitation Consultant, Senior Rehabilitation Consultant and as a Pain Management Coordinator.