Centre of Movement Wins Mayor's Innovation Award: A Gold Coast Success Story

The Moment That Sparked a Movement!

Centre of Movement officially opened in 2019, but its roots go much deeper. Emily Pennisi, an Occupational Therapist working across Australia and New Zealand, saw a gap in early intervention for babies who had suffered strokes in utero. Meanwhile, adults in hospital wards were accessing rehabilitation designed for neuroplasticity.

The question was clear: If a 60-year-old can rewire their brain, why aren’t we doing the same for infants at the height of neuroplasticity?

Together with her husband, Stephen Pennisi — a Clinical Exercise Physiologist — they founded Centre of Movement. Combining their skills, they introduced a new model of paediatric therapy grounded in neuroplasticity, early intervention, and cutting-edge techniques.

Innovation That Changes Lives

Our clinic quickly became known for its commitment to innovation. We were the first in Queensland to offer the TheraSuit Method, soon followed by specialised techniques like Cuevas Medek Exercises (CME) and Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI). In 2021, we moved into a custom-built 467 sqm facility in  Burleigh Heads, now Australia’s most advanced neurological paediatric clinic.

Here, we introduced the Trexo Robotic Walker, the first and only of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, allowing non-ambulant children to experience walking. Our space also includes:

• Universal Exercise Unit (UEU)
• Ceiling hoist for gait training
• Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)
• Sensory swings, Hypervibe, Motomed
• Tomatis Listening System

Every tool is selected with one goal: to help children move, grow, and thrive.

Reaching Families Far and Wide

Accessibility is at the heart of everything we do. Recognising that families in rural or remote areas often miss out on therapy, we launched custom-built mobile clinics to run pop-up intensives in Townsville, Mackay, Cairns, Toowoomba, Rotorua, and Christchurch. In 2025, two new permanent clinics will open in Rotorua and Christchurch, bringing consistent access to New Zealand families.

We also developed “Physical Therapy at Home”, a self-paced online course that empowers parents with simple, actionable therapy techniques. It’s changing the way families support their children, wherever they are in the world.

Digital Reach and Global Impact

With over 73,000 Instagram and 65,000 Facebook followers, our videos have gone viral, reaching millions globally. But beyond views, our content builds community. It educates, uplifts, and empowers parents, while sparking important conversations in paediatric therapy. We don’t rely on paid advertising. Our growth has been powered by word-of-mouth and the real-life transformations seen by families who walk through our doors.

Innovation That Puts Families First

Winning the Mayor’s Innovation Award is recognition of how deeply innovation is embedded into our vision:

• The first Trexo Robotic in Australia
• Custom mobile clinics serving regional families
• Online education programs for parent empowerment
• Plans to launch support vehicles, therapy equipment design, and further clinic expansion across Australasia

We believe that innovation should meet families where they are, and remove every barrier possible.

Our People, Our Purpose

We are incredibly proud of our team, all deeply committed to the mission. We invest in their development through regular training in DMI, CME, TheraSuit, Reflex Integration, and FES. Our management style fosters collaboration, growth, and a sense of purpose.

Centre of Movement also mentors university students, provides employment pathways, and supports diverse entry points into allied health—all while ensuring flexible, family-friendly work environments.

Looking Ahead

In 2025 and beyond, we plan to:

• Expand our mobile clinic program
• Launch more online courses and parent resources
• Open more permanent clinics in regional Australia
• Develop and distribute our own therapy equipment
• Continue shaping the sector through training and mentorship

We believe every child deserves access to world-class therapy, no matter where they live.

Thank You, Gold Coast

This award is a tribute to the resilience of families, the determination of children, and the belief that there is always more we can do. Thank you to the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards for recognising our work.

We’re just getting started  😊

Emily & Stephen Pennisi, Co-Founders Centre of Movement