When Lake Macquarie resident Beth Gwalter opened Recovery Station in Toronto 20 years ago, she was just one Occupational Therapist with a simple mission to help people stay in their homes, live safely, and enjoy greater independence. 

Today, her practice has grown into a multidisciplinary allied health team of more than 130 professionals, supporting over 4,000 people annually across the Hunter, Central Coast, Tamworth and Sydney. 

Beth said visiting people in their homes and truly understanding their environment was always the key to the business’ success. 

“From day one, it was about helping people live well where they feel most comfortable.”

Inspired by her mother, a long standing Lake Macquarie physiotherapy clinic owner, and her early work with war veterans and widows, Beth saw the need for a community allied health team committed to genuine care and staff development. This became the foundation for Recovery Station’s growth.

Over the years, Recovery Station has adapted to meet sector needs with innovation and agility. The team was one of the first providers in the NDIS Hunter trial site and has introduced clustered staffing models to support efficient and localised service delivery. 

Under Managing Director Lisa Nolan, who joined in 2008, Recovery Station has continued to grow while keeping people at the centre of everything it does. Lisa has played a key role in securing government tenders and building systems to support expansion, all while maintaining a strong focus on quality care.

“We’ve grown because of the extraordinary people who make up this team,” Lisa said.

“Their genuine empathy and commitment to achieving outcomes for the people we support have shaped everything we do.”

Despite its growth, Recovery Station remains deeply rooted in local communities, spanning seven allied health disciplines and offering in-home, clinic and telehealth services for people living with disability, injury, neurological conditions, psychosocial needs, and those requiring aged care. With aged care reforms on the horizon, advances in AI, and a growing focus on re-enablement, the team is preparing for the future while staying true to its mission.

“This milestone isn’t just about growth, it’s about people, those we support, our team, and the community that’s been with us along the way,” Beth said.

“I’m proud of how far we’ve come and even more excited about where we’re going.”

IMAGE | Managing Director Lisa Nolan (right) and Founding Director Beth Gwalter (left) celebrate 20 years of Recovery Station.