Meet Sunee, an Occupational Therapist and Clinical Lead who was drawn to ConnectAbility by its positive reputation, strong values and genuinely connected team culture.
From her diverse clinical journey to her passion for leadership and multidisciplinary collaboration, Sunee brings warmth, curiosity, and a commitment to excellence into everything she does. She’s focused on supporting both participants and fellow therapists to grow, thrive and feel proud to be part of a place where people truly want to be.
What made you choose ConnectAbility as an employer?
I wanted to be part of a team where therapists are genuinely excited and proud to be there, because that energy carries through to clients and the wider community. When a team has a strong, positive reputation and provides excellent services, people talk – and that matters.
My first connection to ConnectAbility came when I reached out to my network about the role and spoke with one of my friends, who already works here. Hearing her experience really confirmed that this was a place where people valued quality, connection, and growth. I was looking forward to working within a multidisciplinary team and continuing to support therapists through leadership.
What inspired you to choose a career as an Occupational Therapist?
When I left school, I knew I wanted to work in an area that helped others. I have always been interested in science and human behaviour. It took me a few years to find my way to OT (after a few different health degrees to start with). I was in a hospital and met my first every OT and thought it was so important and valuable that there was someone in the allied health team that was helping with all the daily tasks and skills needed for when you leave hospital.
How many years have you been a qualified OT, and what has your journey looked like so far?
I graduated in 2020, and my journey has been quite varied. My first role was in hand therapy in Canberra, working under a private orthopaedic surgeon. I loved the challenge and the medical side of the work but missed the holistic OT approach that drew me to the profession in the first place.
I then moved to Cowra in Central West NSW and worked as a sole practitioner in NDIS paediatrics. That role taught me so much – not just clinically, but about the business side of OT. It really helped me understand that effective therapy relies on much more than just what happens in sessions.
After some travel, I commence employment at the university as a clinical educator, working in a student-led clinic. My role involved supporting students on placement while also supporting clients, which was incredibly rewarding and helped develop my leadership and supervision skills. From there, I was ready for my next step, and that’s what led me to ConnectAbility.
What drew you to join ConnectAbility specifically?
I hadn’t worked in a multidisciplinary team before, and I was excited by the opportunity to work with and learn from other allied health professionals.
I was also really drawn to ConnectAbility being a not-for-profit and the merger with Early Links, which felt like a sign of growth and longevity.
More than anything, I wanted to be somewhere that aligned with my personal goals and values, where I could see myself further developing my skills.
How does working at ConnectAbility align with your personal and professional values?
I think many of the ConnectAbility values align with my own personal and professional values. I hold a very high importance on being a kind, trustworthy, personable person. I value building relationships and connection with others, and I think these values are very clearly displayed within ConnectAbility through the staff and culture. Additionally, I value personal growth and learning which I think leads to providing evidence based best therapy services. I think a strong value of excellence is very important when providing support to participants.
What has been the most rewarding part of your role so far?
So many! I have really enjoyed working within the multidisciplinary team and learning about each of their roles. I have also really enjoyed supporting staff with their supervision and clinical learnings as a clinical lead. I have also really enjoyed being able to provide supports to participants within their natural environments which I think is such a value when working towards their goals.
How would you describe ConnectAbility’s culture and the support you’ve experienced?
I think the staff are the culture here. Everyone I have met has been so welcoming and friendly. Whether it’s taking the time out of their day to answer a question or casual chats during the lunch breaks. It’s been so lovely to get to know everyone from admin, therapists, senior leaders and executives!
What do you wish more people understood about the impact Occupational Therapists have?
I would love for people to understand that OTs have such a valuable role in supporting people’s livelihoods. We support daily tasks that fill the day, whether they are things people need to do or just want to be able to do. We are fantastic problem solvers and like to take the time to really understanding a person so we can support them as best as we can.
Can you share some memorable moments from your work with clients?
There are so many to choose from! I don’t think I have one that stands out. I think every day feels memorable when we get to support people to work towards building their independence, and a few moments that come to mind are:
– Supporting a preschooler to independently open his lunchbox and drink bottle to get ready for transitioning to school.
– Helping a high school student use a laptop so she could fully engage in class and showcase her creative writing.
– Supporting a child to learn how to ride her bike so she could ride with her siblings after school.
Tell us about a client relationship that deeply resonated with you.
One of the most special parts of being an OT is the relationships we build. We take time to really listen and learn about people: their lives, their challenges, and their strengths.
I especially love working with individuals who may feel misunderstood. Taking the time to understand them and then helping others see all the amazing things they can do is incredibly rewarding.
What advice would you give to students or graduates considering Occupational Therapy?
OT is an incredibly rewarding and meaningful career, and it’s so broad. You can truly find an area that aligns with your interests and values. My biggest advice is to always be a learner and to value feedback. Find a supervisor you trust, seek out ongoing development, and stay curious. That’s how you grow into the best therapist—and person—you can be.
What do the next five years look like for you?
I want to be part of something that’s growing and evolving, and to play a role in creating positive change. I love being a therapist and continuing to grow clinically, but I also came into this role to build my leadership skills.
Over the next five years, my focus is on becoming the best leader I can be, someone people want to work with, learn from, and be supported by.
For more information on our ConnectAbility encompassing Early Links team and services visit www.earlylinks.org.au