Dr Margaret Nayler

A country girl born in Hamilton, Margaret completed first-year science at the University of Melbourne before transferring to physiotherapy in 1950. She vividly remembered details of her three-year course. After working locally and overseas, she spent further years working clinically but always improved her education with many short postgraduate courses. The photo selected here is a reminder of her passion and dedication to patient care and excellence in clinical practice. She later completed a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Arts, and her PhD.

In 1961, she became involved with Pat Cosh in organising and teaching at the Victorian Physiotherapy School, becoming the second full-time staff member. She spent 25 years as Deputy Head of the School including playing a key role in the move to Lincoln House in 1965 and the amalgamation of the three therapy schools to form the Lincoln Institute in 1972. Her curriculum developments in physiotherapy included the change from a diploma to a degree and the development of postgraduate programs. She also contributed many development and committee activities across the Lincoln Institute.

When Patricia Cosh retired, Margaret was unwell but given her passion and dedication took on the role of Head of the School of Physiotherapy at La Trobe University. She retired in late 1995. Many Lincoln staff recall her clever humor, keen intellect, and hard work in all her responsibilities for the Lincoln Institute and the field of physiotherapy. This included significant contributions to the Australian Physiotherapy Association and her role in developing and editing the Journal of Physiotherapy, now known as Physiotherapy.

Margaret was a dedicated academic and a stalwart of physiotherapy education and research bequeathing funds for a physiotherapy research fellowship.