Meet our practitioners
Our Team
Brendan Smith
Village Remedies was established by qualified Chinese Medicine Practitioner and massage therapist, Brendan Smith who has over 10 years experience in the field.
His strong understanding of how the body works was developed in his years as a massage therapist which was deepened after studying Chinese Medicine.
It was during his studies that Brendan found his interest for treating pain, both chronic and acute. Using Chinese medicine principles he uses local and distal acupuncture points, herbal medicine and massage techniques to restore strength and movement but to also improve sleep and digestion so the body can better repair and restore itself. Brendan has worked alongside practitioners from other modalities including physiotherapists and chiropractors, complementing his knowledge.
Besides musculoskeletal problems, Brendan also has experience in treating sinus problems, digestive complaints, sleep issues and hormonal disorders.
Madeleine Ong
Maddie has a strong appreciation for both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine. After completing her Bachelor of Health Science this appreciation inspired her to complete a six-week program at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital in Beijing in 2014. It was here she observed the integration of the two medical approaches in various fields including gynecology, diabetes, oncology, dermatology and many more.
This integration of ideas alongside the desire to optimize the wellbeing of patients further motivated Maddie to undertake postgraduate study in Science Research. Her thesis focused on examining the pharmacological mechanisms of herbal medicine for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome which is currently under examination.
Cameron Lockey
Cameron approaches each client at Village Remedies with care and compassion. From initial consultation, through to treatment with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, he has brought relief to clients suffering from sleep and digestive issues, improved energy levels and reduced emotional stress, and stimulated labour induction.
He has a special interest in martial arts and sports which he applies to the treatment and recovery of musculoskeletal injuries and pain management, working with you to achieve your performance goals.
He has learnt through University and practical experience in Beijing, that treatment needs to address not only someone’s main symptom, but their overall health and wellbeing and that is what he strives to do for all his clients.
Millie Middis-Engelaer
Millie is a registered Chinese Medicine practitioner (since 2015), as well as a registered Midwife and Nurse, offering acupuncture and Chinese medicine care across all stages of life. She works in a broad general practice, supporting a wide range of health concerns, while also holding a special interest in reproductive and hormonal health.
Her clinical background spans hospital and community settings, including obstetric theatres, birthing units, and postnatal wards, giving her a deep, practical understanding of the healthcare system. Drawing on both professional experience and lived experience as a mother of two, Millie brings a compassionate, grounded, and evidence-informed approach to care.
Millie supports people through fertility journeys, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and the transition through menopause, and uses acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to treat a wide range of conditions. These include digestive issues such as IBS, stress-related concerns, headaches, musculoskeletal pain (including neck and back tension, sciatica, and shoulder injuries), and support for natural labour preparation. She also works alongside assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF, offering integrative care to help optimise outcomes.
A strong advocate for women-centred care, Millie is committed to helping clients feel informed, empowered, and supported when navigating the healthcare system. Preventative healthcare and long-term wellbeing are central to her practice, whether care is sought for pain, stress, recovery, or general health maintenance.
Millie is particularly passionate about supporting birth preparation through acupressure education for labour. She offers practical, hands-on demonstrations to help women feel confident using acupressure techniques during labour and encourages partners to attend these sessions. By involving partners, Millie aims to strengthen support during birth and provide simple, effective tools that can be used throughout labour to promote comfort, connection, and confidence.
Millie is available for acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine consultations at the Village Remedies clinic in Sandy Bay, Hobart.
Qian Ru (Jenny) Gao
Jenny is a dual registered Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner and pharmacist. With over 15 years of pharmacy experience, she draws upon the depth of ancient wisdom while integrating it with a modern, evidence-informed perspective. Having navigated her own journey with IBS and burnout, Jenny brings deep empathy to her practice focusing not only on immediate symptom relief but on cultivating better quality of life and long-term resilience for her clients.
Rooted in the TCM philosophy of personalised care, Jenny believes in providing a compassionate, non-judgemental space as the foundation for meaningful healing. Using personalised acupuncture, acupressure, Chinese herbal medicine and lifestyle advice, Jenny strives to support each individual’s innate healing capacities and empower clients to become active participants in their health journey.
While Jenny has special interest in digestive health, stress relief, and hormonal health, she is dedicated to helping all clients find clarity and relief, no matter where they are starting from.