About the Clinic

Liz Baker

I am a 1988 graduate of the Philip Institute (Now RMIT) chiropractic program. I am a person who gets on committees, from Student Representative Council in High School, through to the Alumni Association 1988-1990, professional associations (including COCA 1992-2000), Kinder Committee 1997/8, Victorian Chiropractors Registration Board Education and Standards Committee 2004/5 and finally, since 2005, Uplift Project, a charity I accidentally founded.

I was born in the UK of English/Scottish and Greek Cypriot/Italian parents and my family came here in hope of a better political, economic and educational future, (we got it.) This history makes me mindful of those on the same journey.

The day I first heard the word “chiropractor” was the day I decided this job was for me. The concept of helping people without drugs or surgery, just with hands and a brain, was irresistible.  Drugs and surgeries are a huge mercy and I am very grateful to have them available, but human physics was the job for me.

When I applied the now RMIT chiropractic program was the only one in the southern hemisphere, and the first government funded chiropractic program in the world. The profession was not long registered in Victoria, thanks to hard work by our patients, and before registration chiropractors had been jailed for practicing. Women were 1 in 30 in practice and 1 in 10 in the intake of the undergrad program. Fortunately I wasn’t aware of any of this.

I opened my own clinic because I wanted to have complete control over how I work. I am inclined to take more time per visit than is typical. I am grateful to David, my partner since 1979, for supporting me in my habit of ethics over income.

Sometimes people’s stories break your heart, and sometimes I am able to change those stories. Who could ask more from a job?

It has been delightful to have Ashlynn join the practice. Not only is it wonderful to be treated myself, I have someone to think with, who brings in a different perspective, goes to different conferences, and even shares the after hours calls.

30 years in, I am still mindful of the privilege and responsibility of my job, constantly enjoying the contact with other professions that helps get the best outcome for people, and most of all, glad to be of service.

Ashlynn Beattie

I graduated as a chiropractor in 2015 from RMIT. My first exposure to chiropractic came as a teenager working the reception desk of a clinic in Ballarat. I liked being around people and talking with them. I found that even though people often came into the clinic in pain, they would usually leave feeling less pain, or less scared of the pain.

I got sidetracked, and did a food science degree, working for McCain for 7 years. As a result I am familiar with lab and factory work situations, and what bodies go though in those jobs.

The niggling thought that I wanted to be a chiropractor never went away, and I finally enrolled in ANOTHER 5 years of tertiary education at RMIT.

I completed a 3 month placement with Liz at the end of my degree. Liz showed me a completely different way to practice.  She cared, took time with people and had fun with her work. I wanted to be a part of that, doing REAL, meaningful work and helping people. So I refused to leave after my placement and Liz took a chance on a new grad. I really enjoy working alongside Liz with patients and most of all bouncing ideas off each other and thinking together.

I grew up on the land in Warrenheip, 10 minutes out of Ballarat. With long exposure with a concreting/tradie background, so concreting/mechanic/tractor/motorbike/truck/hay carting/cow related injuries are all familiar stuff. Treating large blokes is not a problem for me.

I play tennis and netball, and recently discovered that I love bush walking. As a result I ice injuries and have become useful at taping ankles, knees and shoulders.

Headache management is very, very personal for me; but I also really enjoy the challenge of shoulder and hip pain.

I love my job.