About Us

Dr Robert Labrom: Director and Founder of Lift Smart Australia

Dr Robert Labrom is an Australian Orthopaedic Surgeon who has a special interest in spinal conditions and the surgery that addresses these conditions. He works with both adults and children in private and public spinal practice. Dr Labrom is Brisbane based. He is an Associate Professor at the University of Queensland, and also has a Masters Degree in Spinal Biomechanics.

For many years, Dr Labrom has been dedicated to finding ways to reduce or avoid the injuries that occur to people’s backs and necks. Ideally, he believes there is always a way to minimise the risk of injuring your back when lifting, avoiding the need for potential surgery or other interventions.

Dr Labrom is committed to providing easy access to knowledge on correct lifting techniques and ways to prevent lifting injuries in day to day life. This includes all corners of the community: employers, employees, government groups, military, schools and all citizens.

He is a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Australian Naval Reserve, and is interested in the welfare of military personnel, particularly with regard to their back and neck health during military commitments.

Dr Leigh Atkinson AO: Chairman of Advisory and Grants Board
and Co-Founder of Lift Smart Australia

Dr Leigh Atkinson is an Australian Neurosurgeon and Pain Specialist who has vast experience in the spinal conditions that require both surgical and non-surgical management. Based in Brisbane, he works in both public and private practice. Dr Atkinson is an Associate Professor at the University of Queensland.

Dr Atkinson’s focus is centred on rehabilitation medicine and pain management through a multidisciplinary team approach. He has extensive experience with the consequences of back and neck injuries, which are often sustained through incorrect lifting practices.

Dr Atkinson was awarded a Centenary Medal in 2001 for Services in Education and Research. He was awarded Officer of the Order of Australia in 2004 for Service to Medicine, as a surgeon, academic, researcher and administrator in the field of Neurosurgery.

Vince Sorrenti: Patron, Lift Smart Australia

Vince Sorrenti is an outstanding comedian who is continually in the media. He has appeared in almost every variety and light format program of the last decade, including satirising sport on Channel Nine’s “Wide World of Sport.” He has been a reporter on “A Current Affair,” and has performed on MTV and “Face the Press.”

Vince has been an Australia Day Ambassador every year since 1991. He is a feature guest writer for the Sydney Morning Herald, as well as appearing regularly in the prestigious “Spectrum” and “Good Weekend” magazines. More importantly, Vince Sorrenti’s comedy routine and MC work is regarded by many to be one of the best in this country. Vince is passionate about Lift Smart Australia, and has enormous nation-wide contacts within all areas of the community.