Pippa Tessman’s healing hands put physiotherapy on the map in Alice Springs

IN a town obsessed with sport, Pippa Tessman is the healing hands. A highly regarded figure in physiotherapy across Australia, she has been the go-to sports physio in Alice Springs for more than a quarter of a century.

Pippa Tessman with her husband Brad and sons Victor, left, and Jethro, right.

PIPPA Tessman is a leading Lady of Alice Springs.

In a town obsessed with sport, Pippa has been the healing hands as the go-to sports physio for more than a quarter century.

Pippa is a highly regarded figure in physiotherapy across Australia, and has carved out a successful business career here in the Red Centre.

Most importantly, Pippa is a family woman. Her husband Brad and sons Jethro and Victor are her pride and joy, and the four of them are jewels in the town’s crown.

Pippa started life in Lymington, Hampshire – the first of her Welsh family to be born in England.

Dad Hywel was the deputy headmaster of a special needs boarding school, mum Barbara was also a teacher, and the family lived on campus.

Pippa, and her younger sister Jane, had a dream childhood setting.

“It was a really lovely life, we were right by the New Forest, and the school had tennis courts, a swimming pool- we lived in the water!,” she said.

Pippa’s mum with Pippa, left, and Jane.

A young Pippa, second from right, with her mum, dad and sister Jane.

Pippa initially wanted to be a PE teacher, but then found her calling in physiotherapy.

“I wanted to remain active, and I love helping people! I was interested in body biology- so it ticked all the boxes.”

Pippa successfully interviewed for a place at the prestigious University of London.

“I was very privileged to study physiotherapy there, we were based in London Hospital, and we saw a lot of specialised work being done,” she said.

Pippa then worked in emergency at a hospital in the famous North London borough of Enfield.

Paul Varney, who was working with football team Tottenham Hotspur, introduced Pippa to sport physio at the club.

Pippa was herself an athlete, playing netball, hockey and indoor cricket.

“I was an all-rounder – I wasn’t bad with the bat in those days!,” she said.

“I was very social of course! My life is very social! As it should be!”

Pippa’s social circles were about to spread a little wider.

“My sister Jane came to Australia as a backpacker,” she said.

“She would send me letters filled with blue skies, lots of space, oceans, fun!

“I was in one of England’s coldest winters, working at an NHS Hospital – we were short-staffed … not a great place to be! Especially when your sister is having such a fabulous time on the other side of the world.”

Within three months, Pippa sold her car, got a visa, took six months leave and flew to Adelaide.

Pippa and her sister Jane.

“I was 26! It was April 1987. My sister had met a lot of people – and we just went from party to party,” she said.

“A friend, David Gibbs, was driving from Adelaide to Alice Springs.

“We asked if he had space for a couple English backpackers. He did!

“It was my first introduction to a ute! And to a swag!

“We stopped at the Kulgera Pub – and it was a great education in Australian culture!

“That was the Thursday night, then we went to Alice, and by the Sunday I was at Glen Helen resort.

“There was a sign there that said ‘staff wanted’.

“I went up to the bar and said – in my British accent – ‘Hello, I’d like to apply for a job.’

“The lady said, ‘Can you clean?’, I said, ‘yes’

“The lady said, ‘Can you do dishes? Can you vacuum?’

“‘Oh yes.’

“Then she said, ‘Can you start in ten minutes?’

“So in two and a half weeks, I’d gone from London to working at Glen Helen!”

Pippa got back to Alice in time for the Camel Cup, before heading to Townsville, Airlie Beach, Cairns and Sydney, and then returning home to the UK in the October.

“It was grey and miserable. I’d really enjoyed the Aussie Rules, now I was back to soccer. I wasn’t doing a lot of sport,” she said.

While personally it wasn’t ideal to be back, professionally Pippa excelled.

Taking what she had learnt in Australia, Pippa became a pioneer of private sports clinics in London.

Pippa’s clinic was in St. John’s Wood, opposite the home of cricket, Lords.

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In January 1989, Pippa – lured by “red rocks and blue sky”- moved to Australia.

Pip spent three months in Melbourne then found an Alice Springs job listing.

“I took it, thinking I’d stay for a couple of months. Then the Director of the Hospital asked me to make it permanent,” she said.

“I became immersed in the richness of the Indigenous culture all around me. I went out on many bush visits, and was greatly honoured by a Warlpiri elder who bestowed a skin name upon me.”

On September 4, 1994, Pippa opened her own practice, Alice Springs Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic.

In 1997, fate smiled on Pippa. And on a former Australian and Queensland rugby league player.

Brad Tessman was based in Darwin during the Super League days of League, coaching an under 17 development team.

His sports physio had resigned mid-season and Dave Hamilton recommended an “unbelievable” physio in Alice called Pippa.

Brad called Pippa’s clinic and spoke to Molly at reception.

Opportunity knocked, and Molly instantly ushered Pippa through the door:

“Dear Molly cancelled my patients, told me I was going to Perth for the weekend to work with Brad Tessman’s rugby team,” she said.

“She ironed my clothes, and took me to the airport.”

Pippa flew to Perth, got to her hotel room and was settling in, when a knock at the door came.

“I opened the door. It was Brad Tessman. I’d met the man of my dreams,” she said.

“He was cheeky and he had dimples, but I knew nothing about this man! You didn’t ‘Google people’ in those days.

Pippa and Brad on their wedding day.

Pippa and Brad.

“After the game in Perth, everyone was at the bar, and I saw ‘Fatty’ Vautin was talking to Brad. Then I looked over and Wally Lewis was talking to Brad! I knew who they were.

“I was at the bar and I asked Wally Lewis, ‘How do you know the Darwin coach?’ He just laughed.

Pippa then took charge, leading an entourage to a nightclub nearby called the Post Office.

Pippa went to the front of the line and said, “I’m in media from the NRL. We need to be admitted. And three drink cards each would be advantageous!”

In they all went!

Five weeks later, Brad proposed.

Eighth months later, on December 6, 1997, they were married at Caloundra.

Nine months after the honeymoon, their first son Jethro was born.

Second son Victor came along, and the two boys have been an immense source of pride and joy for Pippa and Brad.

“Jethro is studying sports and exercise science in Brisbane. Who knows where that might take him!,” she said.

“He loves living in Brisbane, he shares a flat with a couple nice guys who play rugby.

“Victor is in Alice doing his electrical apprenticeship. He bought a Husqvarna 450, and he has mentioned Finke!”

Pippa Tessman in 2009, after she was appointed to the Physiotherapy Board of Australia.

Pippa put physiotherapy on the map in Alice Springs.

She spent nine years on the Physiotherapy Board of Australia, serving as deputy chair, and was chair of the Northern Territory Registration Board.

Pippa has worked at the Commonwealth Games, AFL, NRL and ATP tennis.

Last year Alice Springs Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic celebrated its silver anniversary.

Pippa has been serving locals, employing locals and giving back to the community for 26 years.

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Pippa says the key to being a good physio is “passion to help your patient get the best results they possibly can.”

The key to business is “trust, communication and flexibility.”

Wise words from a wise woman who is beloved by the people of Alice Springs.