A Melbourne-based Christian fitness influencer and former gym owner has been charged with unlawful assault. Melinda Wade, 30, appeared in the Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, accused of attacking another mother on Australia Day last year, January 26, 2025.
Police allege the incident occurred near the Melbourne central business district, and Wade was formally charged in October. Wade, who is from Berwick in Melbourne's southeast, made her first court appearance in February and was arrested and charged by officers from the Melbourne East uniform division.
The circumstances leading to the alleged assault are not yet clear, but it is understood both women were celebrating the public holiday. The complainant, Angela Hammond, also a mother, shares mutual social media friends with Wade, though their prior relationship is unknown.
In a courtroom development, Wade informed Magistrate Samantha Seoud that she would be representing herself, having previously had legal counsel. She cited a breakdown in communication with her lawyers as the reason for this decision. "I didn't hear anything back from him which is why I'm representing myself," Wade stated, expressing uncertainty about her previous lawyer's contact with the police. She indicated that if the case proceeds further, a lawyer would represent her.
Magistrate Seoud emphasized the need for the case to progress, ordering Wade to discuss the matter with police before her next court date on July 15.
Wade, a mother of four, has amassed over 7,500 followers on Instagram, where she describes herself as a body transformation specialist who has assisted thousands of women. Her online presence often showcases a lavish lifestyle, including images from a birthday trip to the Gold Coast. She previously owned and operated the HIIT House Melbourne gym in Narre Warren, which focused on high-intensity interval training and specialized in pre- and post-natal fitness for women. The gym is now listed as closed.
Wade has publicly shared her Christian faith on social media, with recent posts referencing her spiritual beliefs and thanking her husband. She has also alluded to a medical condition that caused fatigue in the months following the alleged assault.