Making Concussion Clearer.
Why we started.
Local care wasn’t good enough.
Concussion management in Gippsland relied on symptoms, guesswork, and inconsistent advice. Objective testing and proper protocols were hard to access unless you went to Melbourne. We built this clinic to raise the standard — locally.
Concussion needs data, not opinions.
Modern concussion management requires more than “how do you you feel today.” It requires data.
Baseline cognitive testing, validated outcome measures, and structured reassessment remove the guesswork and allow safer clinical decisions.
Return-to-Play process was confusing.
Athletes, parents, and coaches need clear guidance that aligns with recognised sporting protocols and research. We wanted to create a consistent, evidence-based pathway for assessment, follow-up, and clearance — the same approach used in elite sport.
The Team.
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Devon is the founder of the Gippsland Concussion Clinic, graduating at a Physiotherapist from La Trobe University in 2009. A lifelong Latrobe Valley local, Devon has built a strong reputation for clear communication, practical decision-making, and an evidence-based approach to injury management.
With extensive experience in community and competitive sport, Devon has a particular interest in concussion assessment, recovery planning, and return-to-play decision making. His background as a dual premiership player with the Morwell Football Club and former senior coach of the Morwell East Football Club gives him a practical understanding of the pressures faced by athletes, parents, and clubs when managing head injuries.
Devon’s role within the Gippsland Concussion Clinic focuses on clinical governance, pathway development, and ensuring that local athletes have access to structured, objective concussion care that reflects current best practice rather than guesswork.
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Alex is an experienced physiotherapist with a strong background in musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy, including extensive work in high-performance sporting environments.
He has worked with a range of elite and developing athletes through organisations such as National Tennis Competitions, the Murray Bushrangers Football Club, and currently serves as a Physiotherapist for Gippsland Power (Coates Talent League) and the Gippsland Stars (Victorian Netball League). This experience has shaped his structured, protocol-driven approach to concussion assessment and return-to-play decision making.
At Gippsland Concussion Clinic, Alex is responsible for post-injury assessment, ongoing monitoring, and guiding athletes safely through recovery using recognised concussion frameworks and objective testing tools.
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Ben is a physiotherapist with a strong background in exercise science, strength and conditioning, and athletic development, allowing him to support athletes throughout the full rehabilitation and return-to-play process.He holds a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science in addition to his Physiotherapy degree and is an ASCA Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach. This combination enables Ben to bridge the gap between clinical assessment and real-world performance demands — an important factor in concussion recovery and graded return to activity.
Ben has experience working in high-performance environments with developing athletes, giving him a practical understanding of load management, progression, and risk mitigation. Within the Gippsland Concussion Clinic, Ben supports baseline screening, follow-up assessments, and recovery planning under established concussion protocols.
Ben is also a local footballer currently playing for the Glengarry Football Netball Club, having previously spent many years in the Gippsland League with Traralgon. This background gives him a strong understanding of community sport, which he brings into his clinical work.
“Families and players are often left to navigate concussion with mixed messages and no clear process to follow. When the assessments are undercooked, and guidance is vague, the risks increase. We change this.”
Devon Soutar | FOUNDER