About Babes on Board

History

Babes on Board has been running for more than 20 years! Gill Wright, the founding physiotherapist commenced classes initially to meet a need in a small maternity hospital in Melbourne's Eastern Suburbs. As demand increased, so did the number of classes and locations. Even through the difficult Victorian COVID years, Babes on Board was able to support people in pregnancy and the postpartum period through online classes.

At the end of 2025, after working with various physiotherapists over many years, Gill decided it was time to finish up her role at Babes on Board and has handed the business on to new owner, Laura Petty. Laura has been a part of the Babes on Board team for several years now, regularly running both pregnancy and postnatal classes. Laura is well experienced in the pregnancy and postnatal space of physiotherapy, having worked in hospital and clinic based settings, providing 1:1 and group care. Laura is honoured to be given this opportunity to continue Babes on Board and is looking forward to continuing Gill's legacy. In what can be an exciting, tiring, joyful and challenging phase of life, Babes on Board still aims to provide people with a supportive space to exercise, learn and build community with each other.

Our Team

Laura Petty

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Physiotherapy, LaTrobe University
  • Graduate Certificate in Physiotherapy (Exercise and Women’s Health), The University of Melbourne

Special interests

  • Exercise in pregnancy and postpartum
  • Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain and abdominal rehabilitation (DRAM)
  • Pilates

Laura has been working as a physiotherapist since 2011, gaining experience across many areas of physiotherapy, working with inpatients and outpatients across various settings including aged care, public and private hospitals and private clinics.

Laura has developed a passion for working in Women’s Health, particularly through pregnancy and postpartum. She finds fulfillment in empowering those she works with through empathy, education and exercise. She aims to equip and motivate people wherever they are on their fitness journey, guiding them towards improved physical health and providing a space for connection and community.

Laura is kept on her toes caring for her two energetic daughters. She has a long background in calisthenics and enjoys staying active through dancing, Pilates and has learned to love running.

Brendan Petty

Accounts and admin support