Magazine Issue

STRIDE: December 2025

Welcome to the December edition of STRIDE magazine

The Australian Podiatry Association reserves the right to edit material for space and clarity and to withhold material from publication. Individual views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Association and inclusion of product or service information does not imply Association endorsement unless specifically stated. STRIDE for podiatry is the official monthly publication of the Australian Podiatry Association Limited. STRIDE for podiatry is copyright and no part may be reproduced without written permission from the Australian Podiatry Association. ©2019 AUSTRALIAN PODIATRY ASSOCIATION, 89 Nicholson St, East Brunswick, VIC 3159, P (03) 9416 3111 W podiatry.org.au The Australian Podiatry Association would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of all the many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nations that make up the great continent of Australia. We would like to pay our respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders past and present, also the young community members, as the next generation of representatives.

From the President

Eight honest reflections to shape your 2026: STRIDE Summer Edition

Real experiences from across the profession.

As 2025 wraps up, STRIDE shares eight stories from people across our profession, to shared thoughts and goals for the year ahead.

CEO update: Reflections & priorities for 2026
CEO Hilary Shelton looks back at 2025 and shares her goals for 2026: to have courage and keep learning.
Andrew Buldt: A Year in Review at JFAR
Editor-in-Chief (APodA), Andrew Buldt shares his reflective account of the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research’s achievements this year, including 2025 research highlights.
Support at Home: what you need to know – (Part 1 + Part 2)
In this two-part series – podiatrists and members of the Podiatry Aged Care special interest group – Kristine McKenzie and Dr Rob Mullins (Chair) candidly reflect on the impact of changes across Support at Home. With both articles running back-to-back in this issue, Kristine and Rob break down compliance requirements and pricing pressures – to explain why acting now matters for every podiatrist.
Anna Stybowski: Have you considered working in the NT?
Member of the Australian Podiatry Association, Anna Stybowski, shares her honest account of working in the Northern Territory – the challenges, the rewards, why she loves it – and why more podiatrists should consider this path.
Jodie Milroy: Connecting clinical practice with health promotion
From the Kimberley, Jodie wants to inspire all podiatrists to make more connections between clinical practice and health promotion. She shares a valuable case study from Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services’ Kimberley Foot Initiative, which is the first Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service to provide podiatry services.
Heart Foundation: Helping podiatrists to encourage walking
Straight from the Heart Foundation, and in collaboration with the Australian Podiatry Association, this refreshing article from the team at Heart Foundation Walking is written specifically for podiatrists.
Converge EAP: How to stick to your New Year’s Resolution
Setting goals is easy but keeping them is harder. Converge EAP shares practical, no-nonsense tips to help you stay on track in 2026, both personally and professionally. Remember – APodA members have free sessions available for confidential 24/7 support on work, personal or any issues you’re experiencing right now.

Thanks for being part of STRIDE in 2025, which will return in March 2026. Until then, enjoy the summer, and keep those conversations going.

Please get in touch with me if you want to talk about all things podiatry-related, at president@podiatry.org.au

Andy Cook
President

The Australian Podiatry Association

STRIDE FEATURE

CEO Report: Better together

By Hilary Shelton

CEO APodA

I was going to write a ‘year in review’ article** for STRIDE, to round out what has been a memorable year for lots of reasons (many good, some frustrating). But I’d rather look towards next year and focus on you – what do you want out of next year?

Please share with me what matters to you in 2026? I’d love to know. My priorities for 2026 are two-fold: to have courage and keep learning.

Here’s my thought process. I am not a podiatrist, and yet I am CEO of the Australian Podiatry Association (APodA). Consequently I have much to learn. My history in running associations cushions this curve, yet every day I’m learning something new and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

So, yes, this year has been a positive learning curve, and certainly indicative of continued learning across the years ahead. (Sidenote: I couldn’t ask for better teachers. Podiatrists are some of the most hard-working, plain-talking, open-minded people I’ve met).

This is what I want to do more of in 2026: To show up with courage, even when it feels hard – in fact, especially when it feels hard. While resolutions may feel a little tokenistic, goals and priorities keep me accountable. They also keep me within the goalposts of the Australian Podiatry Association’s purpose: ‘Amazing Podiatry Always’. It is a courageous goal, and grounded APodA’s proudly human values.

We all know that, as podiatrists, you deserve the very best we can give, to be the best you can be – for the sake of the profession and the people you treat. After all podiatry can be everything: mobility, mental health, longevity, chronic disease prevention, community and connection to name a few. Even a simple foot health check is an underrated fast-track to vastly improve health and wellbeing I’m back in my favourite shoes, thanks to one such foot health check and my daily foot care routine.

Every day I pinch myself that I’m not in a job selling widgets (no disrespect to widget sellers out there) and that we at the APodA can play a role in supporting you to do what you do best. We don’t always get it right the first time, it’s not always perfect, and we will always be learning together – but this meaning and purpose is right up there with what matters in life.

So, have a good break ahead (and don’t forget to share your 2026 resolutions with me!)

Better together,
Hilary Shelton
CEO
Australian Podiatry Association

**Readers, if I were to write the article I originally had in mind it, to review the year that was, it would have included the following 2025 highlights as a starting point.

The launch of a new strategic plan – and values we practice daily
An amazing 2025 Australian Podiatry Conference on the Gold Coast
Improved governance and visibility when seeking new board members
Three board positions being filled, two of these with eager new directors, including the appointing of our new President Andy Cook
Renewed focus on risk management and impact investment
Expanded endorsement program with new robust criteria
Plenty of advocacy action with new connections being made (Parliament House, so many submissions, media activity, Podiatry Week – too many to mention here).
Podiatry WA merger is progressing well
A new role was created and filled to support our Special Interest Groups
And much more!