About Us

Who Are We?

Hills Street Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Centre was initiated 35 years ago in 1982, when Physiotherapists, Denny Shearwood and Peter Buffon first met in their professional year at Gosford District Hospital. Through a shared dream and vision they formulated a partnership that has endured and prospered to the present day.

Denny & Peter

Business began in January 1984 at Terrigal Physiotherapy Centre which was situated behind the old Florida Hotel, above the Hardware Store. Denny and Peter concurrently ran North Gosford Sports Injury Centre within North Gosford Private Hospital.

In the early part of 1986, a property was purchased on the corner of Hills and Beane Streets in Gosford. This venue, with its old weatherboard dwelling and Canary Island Date Palm out front, heralded the beginning of stage one of the ‘Hills Street Vision’. Stage two saw the demolition of the old and the construction of the new.

Hills Street Sports Medicine Centre has gradually grown and is regarded today as one of the largest and most successful Sports Medicine facilities in N.S.W.

Denny and Peter’s ‘Hills Street Vision’ was always to have a fully functional, multidisciplinary, state of the art, Sports Medicine facility boasting a highly professional team of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation practitioners like no other seen in this country. This vision was finally realised and achieved in the latter part of the year 2000 when the final stage of development was completed. 

Physiotherapist

Peter Buffon

peter@hillsstreet.com.au

Physiotherapist

Denny Shearwood

denny@hillsstreet.com.au

Physiotherapist

Todd Balneaves

todd@hillsstreet.com.au

Physiotherapist

Cody Frost

cody@hillsstreet.com.au

Exercise Physiologist

Sean Sweeney

sean@hillsstreet.com.au

Exercise Physiologist

Max Shearwood

max@hillsstreet.com.au

EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST

Lizzy McCarthy

Practice Manager

Belinda Shearwood

Physio Aide/Reception

Ben Shelley

Payroll

Kath Payn

Our Unique Advantage

Our unique advantage is our collaborative multidisciplinary team. We are fortunate to have Physiotherapists, Exercise Physiologists, Orthopaedic Specialists, Massage Therapists, and Psychologists, who all work under one roof. This allows us to closely work together to provide our patients with a true collaborative management plan addressing all Biopsychosocial factors. This allows our patients to get access to the leaders in their fields to ensure they get the best care possible.

In addition to this, we have access to an extensive range of specialist equipment in our onsite functional rehabilitation centre, which is specific to the rehabilitation of certain injuries. With 35 years of excellent service on the Central Coast, Hills Street Sports Medicine is one of the longest established multi-discipline Sports Medicine Centres in Australia.

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Peter Buffon (Physiotherapist)

Peter graduated from the University of New South Wales in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science majoring in anatomy which was followed with a Post Graduate degree in Physiotherapy from Sydney University in 1981.

In 1982-1983 Peter completed his internship at Gosford District Hospital. It was here that he met his future business partner co-founder of Hills Street Sports Medicine Centre, Denny Shearwood. In 1984 Peter and Denny commenced private practice and are proud to have celebrated 30 years of serving on the central coast in 2014.

In 1990 Peter was among the first group of physiotherapists in Australia to be awarded the prestigious Australian Physiotherapy Association Sports Physiotherapy title.

Peter has completed numerous training programmes and conferences in sports and spinal physiotherapy both in Australia and internationally.

This has included travels to Vienna Austria, Singapore, The University of Florida and The University of California in the United States of America.

Peter has also been extensively involved in physiotherapy sports coverage throughout his career. These have been across the board ranging from local, state and national to a variety of international sports, these include; Rugby League, (Erina Rugby League Football Club, Ourimbah Rugby League Football Club) Rugby Union, (Gosford Rugby Club), NSW country rugby union team, Netball, (Gosford Netball Association) Tennis, (Australian Satellite Tournaments) Hockey, (NSW U/21’s prior to the Australian Championships) Judo (Australian team training camps in Japan and Korea, Asian championships in Taiwan, USA open in palm springs) Soccer, ( Central Coast Football Club, Terrigal Football Club including junior coaching, Central Coast Mariners A-league from 2008-2012, which included travelling domestically and internationally for the Asian Champions League to China, Korea and Japan.

Peter’s personal mission statement is to produce a positive health outcome for every individual and organisation he is involved with. His passion is to ensure the continuation and provision of the highest level of physiotherapy care in a professional and exciting environment at Hills Street Sports Medicine Centre for many years to come.

Personally, Peter’s life outside of physiotherapy is all about his family, his wife Julie and sons Jack and Charlie.

Denny Shearwood (Physiotherapist)

Having worked for just on 40 years within the Sports Medicine world, Denny can lay title to being one of the most senior and experienced Sports Medicine Physiotherapists in the country. He doesn’t think that age is a barrier within the industry and believes as long as a person still has a passion for what they do and remain relevant, they will have something to offer.

Graduating from Sydney University in 1981, Denny assumed the role of Physiotherapist to the South Sydney Rugby League team. Moving to the Central Coast the following year Denny became one of the founders of Hills Street Sports Medicine Centre in Gosford.

Denny boasts a long and illustrious history of working with both national and state-level athletes and has officiated at many high-level sporting events. The most memorable was becoming a dual Olympian, after being selected on the Australian Medical team for both Sydney and Athens Olympics.

Denny was amongst the first cohort of Physiotherapists to be awarded the coveted title of APA Sports Physiotherapist.

Denny would not trade a single moment of his work with high profile events and athletes, but it is without hesitation that he states the work he has done on a local level has been the most fruitful and fulfilling. He is currently involved as an honorary physiotherapist for his beloved Terrigal Rugby League Club which he has been involved with since 1983.

Todd Balneaves (Physiotherapist)

B.App.Sc (Phty) – APA Member

Todd Balneaves is a Central Coast local and is in his 7th year working here at Hills Street. Todd is an experienced member of the team, starting with us as a Physio assistant while undertaking his study. This allowed him to gain great insight into the dynamics of Hills Street and provided the opportunity to surround himself with experienced clinicians and specialists. 

Todd graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) from the University of Sydney in 2018. Since then, he has been helping Coasties move better and get back to what they love doing most. Todd has a true passion for treating musculoskeletal injuries and this stems back to his experiences in elite sports. Having played football at a high level, Todd experienced many injuries himself and was a frequent patient at Hills Street.

Todd is experienced in all musculoskeletal injuries, however, he has taken a keen interest in shoulder, knee and ankle injuries. He has undertaken further training and education on the shoulder joint and enjoys the challenging presentations. With his experience in elite sports, he thoroughly enjoys helping athletes get back on the field and understands what it takes to prepare and manage someone for elite sport. However, at the same time, he gets equal satisfaction in helping those with niggling back pain get back to their gardening, or helping an injured worker get back to their job. 

With a strong focus on evidence-based practice, Todd frequently keeps up with the latest journal articles and research papers. He implements the latest evidence-based treatment with his clients to provide them with the best patient-centred care. On the weekends, you will see Todd out playing soccer in the local competition, listening to podcasts, enjoying time out on the water jet skiing or wakeboarding, and watching sports, particularly his beloved Liverpool FC play. 

Cody Frost (Physiotherapist)

Cody started working here with us at Hills Street in late 2020 as a Physio Aide. Cody has then completed a Bachelor of Exercises and Sports Science, as well as a Masters in Physiotherapy.

Cody has an interest in CrossFit, Olympic weightlifting, and touch football. Cody is also a Level One Sports Trainer, and Physiotherapist for the Terrigal Sharks. Cody strives to assist all people, no matter their injury or condition to the best of his ability.

Sean Sweeney (Exercise Physiologist)

Sean is a motivated Exercise Physiologist who has graduated with a master’s degree in Clinical Exercise physiology from Charles Sturt University, and an undergraduate degree from the University of Newcastle in Exercise and Sports Science.

He has experience working with clinical populations as well as professional sporting teams. Sean has worked alongside multi-disciplinary teams with physiotherapists, chiropractors, and dieticians in a range of environments.

Sean’s passion for sport has led him to work alongside the Newcastle Jets A-league soccer team, as well as being the strength and conditioning coach for the Central Coast Roosters junior rugby league teams and Wyong Roo’s. He has extensive experience in Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting and CrossFit.

Sean enjoys working with all clients in helping them achieve their personal, health and fitness goals.

Max Shearwood (Exercise Physiologist)

Max Shearwood was born and bred on the Central Coast, NSW. Max moved to Townsville in 2014 to complete his Bachelors degree in exercise physiology (AEP) and Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science (AES) at James Cook University. 
 
Max has returned home to the Central Coast after working in private practice at Physio Plus in Mackay and Orthopaedic & Cardiac rehabilitation at the Mackay Matar Hospital. Max has worked closely with North Queensland strength and conditioning units and is a facilitator for lifestyle programs such as My Health for Life, PD Warrior and exercise classes for people living with Diabetes (Beat It). Max is currently tutoring and marking at the University of Newcastle for 2nd year Masters Exercise physiology students, in Musculoskeletal rehabilitation.
 
Max is a patient-centred Exercise Physiologist with a strong passion for musculoskeletal rehabilitation and chronic disease management. If you are looking for physical rehabilitation or health and lifestyle changes, come into Hills Street Sports Medicine Centre to have a chat with Max about setting goals and formulating a program to suit your health and rehabilitation needs.

Lizzy McCarthy (Exercise Physiologist)

Lizzy is the newest member of the Exercise Physiologist Team here at Hills Street Sports Medicine Centre. In 2021, Lizzy completed her Bachelor of Exercise in Sports Science from Australian Catholic University. Lizzy grew a strong interest in the field of Exercise Physiology and pursued her Masters of Exercise Physiology at University of Newcastle, completing this 2-year degree in November 2023. 
 
Lizzy has always enjoyed sports from a young age. She has been a part of the Netball community on the Central Coast since she was 6, and still participates at representative level. Outside of work, Lizzy loves to get out and about, caravanning, 4WD and bush walks, always with her two Border Collies, Arlo and Murphy. 
 
In Lizzy’s early stages of her EP career, she has developed an interest in treating older adults with education and exercise for the area of Falls Prevention and improvements in completing daily living activities. Lizzy has also enjoyed her time working with varying Neurological Conditions, as well as working with Children and Adolescents. She has loved watching how her line of work really makes a positive impact on both the individual and their families. Lizzy believes, assisting someone with the maintenance or improvement in their functional capacity is always a rewarding experience.

Belinda Shearwood (Practice Manager)

Belinda’s primary focus as Practice Manager is enhancing the overall patient experience at Hills St Sports Medicine Centre.

Belinda is responsible for overseeing all administration and ensuring the effective management within the practice including compliance with all regulatory and legal requirements.

Belinda has a degree in Business Management which coupled with her extensive experience in practice management makes her the ideal person to make your experience at Hills St both memorable and safe.

Ben Shelley (Physio Aide/Reception)

Ben started working here with us at Hills Street in late 2018 as a Physio Aide. Since then, he has completed a Bachelor of Health Science (Exercise) at the Australian College of Physical Education and is currently completing a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Charles Sturt University. Ben and his family have lived on the Central Coast since he was born and have been involved with Hills Street for many years. 

Ben lives with his wife in Forresters Beach after being recently married in October 2020 and plays rugby during winter and cricket in the summer in the local competitions. Ben has also recently completed his Level 2 Sports Trainer qualification, which allows him to work as the Sports Trainer for the Terrigal Rugby League Club on Sundays with Denny. Currently, at Hills Street, you will see Ben working as an aide, at the front desk or in the gym.

Kath Payn (Payroll)

Kath Payn has been employed with Hills Street Sports Medicine for a period of 17 years. Kath has vast experience in payroll, awards and government required reporting. Her experience in this field covers a period of over 40 years.