Bilby shoes

21/05/2025

Footwear modifications: Sole build up, 20mm, left shoe.
This type of modification is done for people that have a leg shorter than the other leg, sometimes from birth, sometimes from hip replacement and sometimes as a result of an accident.

This patient really likes the feel and look of her Convers boots.

With a 20mm leg length difference they dont need custom made footwear, they just need a "simple" sole modification. In this case, we have cut the outer sole off, applied the sole build up of 20mm and re attached the original sole to keep the look that they wanted.

Bilby shoes are providers for TAC, DVA, NDIS, SWEP, HCP, we are by appointment only, so give Rebekah a call on 9465 0880 and she can assist in booking your next appointment

16/05/2025

And we are back! Open again this Monday the 19th of May.
Thank you for your patience.

Its been a really big week for us, the team from ridgeplumbing.com.au did a great job.
Old aircon out, replaced half the roof, added new guttering with 3 times the capacity of the old and also added insultation.

We had perfect weather during the week with clear sunny days and no wind.

Today, as if by design its raining for a real world test!
Looking forward to staying dry this winter even when those big storms hit the area.

09/05/2025

This week Michael and l, spent some time with Northern health podiatry and orthotic teams. Talking about footwear modification, custom made footwear and pressure mapping. Its always great to catch up with a team of like minded people.
We all want to know more, do more and deliver better outcomes for our patients and this is how we all do it, team effort and the sharing of knowledge.

Big thank you to Jack Yeung and Stephen Tucker

08/05/2025

Bilby shoes will be closed May 12th until May 19th as we under go major works, we apologies for any inconvenience this may cause you.

19/03/2025

printed (not) midsole.
As most of you know, we 3D print our custom lasts and we are always thinking of what might be the next bright idea?

In this case we 3D printed TPU, a softer more flexible material than we use for our last printing and used this opportunity to select from a broader range of colours than we have available to us in the standard EVA soling materials.

So what we have printed is a 5mm thick side wall for the sole that fits over the sole and above the feather edge onto the upper by about 5mm, beyond the bright purple TPU material selected by the patient is our standard black EVA soling.

The same 3D model we used for printing the last was now adapted to print this side wall, with allowances created to allow for the 1.5mm leather upper, 1.2mm lining leather and the 3mm heel stiffener.

You will notice we havent made the print job down to the ground, but there is a 6mm soling that makes contact with the ground, the reason for this is to improve the longevity of the footwear and this amazing feature, giving us a little bit more time before they wear down to the purple and we can still repair the worn sole and not damage the beautiful purple side wall.

The end result is a purple side wall that matched the patients wants, her favourite colour.

13/03/2025

Something just a little different.
We often modify footwear and we also custom make footwear, but for this patient we did both modify and custom make to create something that they truly wanted and something they really needed.
Liking the look of the Dr Marten but also understanding they did not meet her physical needs, they then presented us with a pair of Dr Marten boots to recreate the wants and needs required.

We cut the upper off a pair of the Dr Marten boots, altered the fit for the upper around the ankle and then wrestled the upper over the custom last to make the end product and, a very happy young lady.

Bilby shoes is by appointment only, phone 9465 0880 for your next appointment.

15/02/2025

Now thats a carpark!
At Bilby shoes we have made some changes to our carpark that we hope will help you.
We changed the car parking spaces near the entrance, making them wider by 1 meter than a standard carpark.
This should make it easier for access with wheelchairs and walking frames between the parked cars. Making your visit to us easier to access.
Bilby shoes is by appointment only, ph 94650880 for your next appointment.

15/12/2024

Well, thats another year almost done. Thank you to all for your ongoing support. Whilst this year has bought many challenges it has bought with it many rewards, l have an amazing team that back me and drive me forward always, priceless.
The images in this collection are the work by my sons, Michael and Luke and myself, not to mentioned support by my daughter Rebekah who does all the behind the scene work, its a real team effort and l am very grateful.

We will close for the Christmas break December 20th and re open January 10th. l wish you all well and will see you next year.

02/12/2024

Diabetes feet yarn: keeping us mob on our feet.
This podcast is by Diabetes Feet Australia.

This episode features an interview with Michael Pilgram, a proud Ngarigo and Dharug man living on Darkinjung Country speaking about his teachings and lived experiences. Michael also discusses centring culture in health and healing, connection to Country, and cultural responsiveness in foot care services.

This episode is the first in a series for the DF podcast - diabetes and feet.

Improving clinical and quality outcomes for people with diabetes-related foot disease through education.

11/11/2024

Do know someone with Diabetes or maybe you have Diabetes? November 12th is world diabetes awareness day, thats today! Take a moment every day and be aware of your feet and the risks.
Start by wearing good quality socks and a professionally fitted pair of shoes and save your feet.

Feet! It's probably not the first word that springs to mind when people think of diabetes. But did you know that each day in Australia, an estimated 510,000 people are living with diabetes-related foot disease?

For our first national Diabetes Feet Day, we’re making feet the focus. Our aim is to advocate, educate and spread awareness to help improve feet health outcomes for people living with diabetes. So check out how you can be involved and get ready to join us for Diabetes Feet Day! https://tinyurl.com/dfd2024



Australian Diabetes Society Australian Diabetes Educators Association Advanced Practicing Podiatrists - High Risk Foot Group Wounds Australia Australian Podiatry Association Pedorthic Association of Australia National Association of Diabetes Centres Regional Wounds Victoria

07/11/2024

From Prof Sof Andrikopoulos
Chief Executive Officer at Australian Diabetes Society

November 14 is World Diabetes Day - But is Australia Falling Behind?

I can give you all the figures - currently there are close to 1.5 million Australians registered with the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) living with diabetes and at least half a million living with silent undiagnosed diabetes. The projected cost of diabetes is at least $14.6 billion in direct and indirect costs. Diabetes is a leading cause of hospitalisations and is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, foot ulceration and amputation, blindness as well as diabetes anxiety and distress and of course depression. Worryingly, all of the above are worse for people living in regional/remote Australia and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

More worryingly, according to data from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, funding for diabetes research has significantly decreased by 35% over the past decade, while according to the NDSS there has been a 32% increase in Australians living with diabetes.

So what have we done about this?

We have an Australian National Diabetes Strategy that outlines 7 goals that cover what you would expect should be in a national strategy. We have a Parliamentary Inquiry into Diabetes Report with 23 recommendations, which again cover very important issues.

So what is the problem you may ask?

For both of these Federal Government initiatives there is no Implementation Plan and there is no associated funding! Yes - we have all but in so much time and effort into a national strategy and a parliamentary inquiry and we have dropped the ball when it comes to implementation - the most important part of any strategy!

So what do we need?

1. We need more money for research, particularly discovery research

2. We need an implementation plan and funding for the National Diabetes Strategy

3. We need to enact and fund most, if not all, of the recommendations in the Parliamentary Inquiry into Diabetes Report

We must do better! Australians living with diabetes and their families and carers deserve better! Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples living with diabetes most certainly deserve much, much better!

I call upon the Federal, all State/Territory Governments and us key stakeholders to come together develop the appropriate implementation plans and find the money to do better for people with diabetes.

01/10/2024

Beautiful shoes for beautiful people. Nothing like having your custom boots made your way, this pair of custom made boots feature a hidden build up inside the boot for one foot, a side zip for easy donning and laces for adjustment and the colours that they wanted.

Bilbyshoes Est. 1995 is a family business in Thomastown with both pedorthists and podiatrist on staff and our custom made footwear are all made onsite, so make a time and book an appointment to come and see us for your next custom made footwear