Today, Rightfoot Podiatry is proudly locally owned and operated by six Directors who are actively involved in the business every day.

What makes this structure unique — and something we value deeply — is that the podiatrists who own the business are the same clinicians working within it. This ensures decisions are made with patients, staff, and community at the centre of everything we do, rather than by external stakeholders.

Our vision remains true to the original purpose established in 1996: to provide professional, compassionate, and accessible foot care that helps people stay active, mobile, and living life to the fullest.

As we look to the future, we remain committed to innovation, clinical excellence, and the local communities that have supported us for nearly three decades.

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Podiatrist/Director

Justin Moore

Justin joined Rightfoot in 2014 after completing his Bachelor of Podiatry degree at the University of Newcastle in 2013. Since then Justin has gone on to obtain his endorsement for scheduled medicines as well as completing his Masters of Podiatry through Queen Margaret University in 2016. Not content with “just” working in the clinic, Justin also tutors podiatry students who are undertaking their endorsement for scheduled medicines. You’ll usually find Justin in our Ballina, Casino and Yamba clinics. On the weekends, you’ll usually find Justin down the golf course or walking his dogs.

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Podiatrist/Director

Mitch Cloak

Mitch has been with Rightfoot Podiatry since 2016, working mostly in our Ballina and Suffolk Park clinics. Before joining the Rightfoot team Mitch spent 5 years working in Brisbane, where he began his podiatric career after graduating from Queensland University of Technology in 2011 with a Bachelor of Health Science (majoring in Podiatry). Mitch enjoys all aspects of podiatry, in particular acute ligament and musculo-skeletal injury. On the weekends, you will likely find Mitchell spending time with his family and dog down the beach.

Podiatrist/Director

David Erbacher

Dave started at Rightfoot Podiatry in 2005 after graduating from Queensland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Applied Science Podiatry. Dave enjoys all aspects of podiatry including musculoskeletal injuries, ingrown toenail surgery, high risk feet and is a certified prescriber of Cobra 9 cycling orthoses. Dave is a Rightfoot Director and works out of our Yamba clinic.

Podiatrist/Director

Nic De Carlo

Nic graduated from La Trobe University with a Bachelor of Podiatry in 2012. Nic started with us in 2013 and has worked with us full-time since then. He is usually found in our Suffolk Park clinic. Nic can speak the Spanish language and has spent lots of time travelling the world in the past 15 years.

PRACTICE MANAGER/DIRECTOR

Leisa Standage

Leisa Standage is the Practice Manager and co-owner of Rightfoot Podiatry, bringing nearly 20 years of experience to the clinic. She has extensive experience in business ownership from her and her husband’s company prior to becoming a co-owner of Rightfoot in 2021. Leisa is known for her professionalism, efficiency, and strong leadership, playing a key role in the smooth day-to-day operations of the practice. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, staying fit and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

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Podiatrist/DIRECTOR

Matt Frost

Matt Joined Rightfoot Podiatry in 2012 after completing his Bachelor of Podiatry Degree at the University of Newcastle. Growing up in Inverell playing a variety of sports has led to an interest in lower limb biomechanics and its effects on the musculoskeletal system. Matt is a Rightfoot Director and works out of our Lismore clinic

Podiatrist

Jouliet Wright

Jouliet graduated in New Zealand at the Auckland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Health Science in Podiatry in 2013. Her first 2 years was in regional New Zealand then coming back to Australia in 2016 to the lovely climate of the Northern Rivers to work at Rightfoot Podiatry . Jouliet is a Kuwsie (NZder and Australian) she works out of Alstonville and Ballina clinics

Podiatrist

Kesia Ryan-Byrnes

Kesia graduated from Southern Cross University in 2019. Since then she has explored all avenues of podiatry and enjoys being able to help people each day. Originally growing up on property in the Tweed Shire, Kesia started with Rightfoot in Lismore and then moved to the Gold Coast during Covid. Not one for the city she made her way back to the Tweed in 2021 and hasn’t looked back. Outside of work Kesia is a keen soccer and hockey player. She can usually be found playing, coaching, or cheering from the sideline. If she’s not on the sports field she is usually sitting behind a sewing machine whipping up a new creation.

Podiatrist

Leah Cook

Dr Leah Cook is is our visiting Podiatric Surgeon with the Australian College of Podiatric Surgeons and is a founding Director of Rightfoot Podiatry. Leah has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Podiatry) (1995) and a Masters of Health Science (Podiatric Surgery) (2008) from the University of South Australia. Following these degrees, Leah obtained her fellowship of the Australasian College of Podiatric Surgeons in 2009.

Podiatrist

Darci Rutherford

Darci graduated from Queensland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Podiatry in 2022. Darci started with us in February 2023 and has worked with us full-time since then. She is usually at our Casino and Lismore Clinics and on the weekends can likely be found riding her horse on the farm.

Podiatrist

Eva Kettle

Eva graduated from Southern Cross University with a Bachelor of Podiatry in 2023. Eva started with us in February 2024 and has worked with us full-time since then. She is usually at our Ballina and Murwillumbah Clinics.

Podiatrist

Natasha Hallinan

Natasha graduated from Southern Cross University with a Bachelor of Podiatry in 2023. Natasha started with us in February 2024 and has worked with us full-time since then. She is usually at our Lismore and Casino Clinics. She enjoys horse riding and hiking on the weekends.

Podiatrist

Shannon Lawrence

Shannon graduated from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in 2018 with a Bachelor of Podiatry degree and started with us in February 2019. She loves living and working on the beautiful Northern Rivers and she can usually be found in our Ballina and Evans Head clinics.

Podiatrist

Tony Short

Tony graduated from Queensland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Podiatry in 2006. Tony started with us in 2007 working for 5 years where he then went to Canada, working as a Podiatrist in the Canadian private and hospital  settings. After spending 10 or so years living in Canada Tony has returned to the Northern Rivers with his family. You can usually find Tony at our Alstonville and Casino Clinics and on the weekends, he is often in his garden or at the local soccer fields.

Our Story — Rightfoot Podiatry

Rightfoot Podiatry began in 1996 in the coastal community of Byron Bay, when podiatrist Leah Cook set out to create a clinic focused on high-quality, patient-centred foot care for the local community. Shortly after opening, she was joined by Dave Shaw, and together they built the foundations of what would become Rightfoot Podiatry — a trusted name in podiatric care across the Northern Rivers.

While Leah and Dave are no longer Directors of the business today, they remain an important part of our history and can still be seen from time to time in our clinics, continuing to contribute their experience and passion for podiatry.

Over the years, the business has grown and evolved significantly. From a single clinic, Rightfoot has expanded its services, facilities, and clinical expertise to meet the changing needs of the communities we serve. We have embraced modern technology, multidisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based practice to ensure our patients receive the highest standard of care, whether that’s general podiatry, biomechanics, sports injuries, nail surgery, orthotic therapy, or complex foot health management. Our clinics are supported by experienced administrative teams, strong referral relationships with local health professionals, and a culture focused on continuous improvement and professional development.

We know feet so come in and let us give you the right advice!

We offer a wide range of products and footwear targeted at a variety of foot, ankle and lower limb problems, contact us or call us now at 1300 880 942

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