Sally Symons

Practice Manager

Sally is our Practice Manager and generally keeps things running smoothly. She has two children and two dogs (a Border Collie/Kelpie cross named Nala and Romey a Golden Retriever). She has been known to take a quick trip home to get her dogs if there are fires in the area. She originally studied in the UK and moved to Australia in 2010. She has been nursing for 10 years. She has completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, has had further training in small animal emergency care, Canine Rehabilitation and wildlife work. Sally is licensed to operate our X-ray equipment. She is passionate about animals and their welfare including mental and physical rehabilitation.

Shelley Watson

Nurse Manager

Shelley has been employed as a Veterinary Nurse since 2008. She has previously worked at the Hepburn Veterinary Clinic and the Castlemaine Vet Clinic. Shelley is a qualified Veterinary Nurse, having completed both her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and a Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (General Practice). She is also a registered microchip implanter, and has attended numerous courses run by the Vet Nurses Council of Australia (VNCA) In 2021 Shelley was promoted to a well-deserved role as Nurse Manager, looking after rostoring, client relations and nurse supervision. She also has a strong background in Information technology and supports our  computer and networking systems in conjunction with external providers.

Shelley has 14-year-old twins and two older children. She is also (unbelievably) a three times grandma! She also has furry children, Rocket the Kelpie, Bindi, the kelpie cross pup, Kiki, & Salem the black devil cat, one not so furry turtle called Squirtle and a few chickens trying to evade the foxes. Shelley is also a foster carer for native wildlife and a volunteer firefighter with the CFA.

Helen Boulton

Senior Vet Nurse

Helen trained as a Veterinary Nurse in the UK with NVQ Level 3 & 4 in Veterinary Nursing. After migrating to Australia in 2006 she worked as a veterinary nurse in Western Australia and Victoria including working in emergency and specialist veterinary clinics. Helen is very familiar with advanced monitoring and care. She lives in Kyneton with her two children.

Montana (Tex) Stanton

Registered Veterinary Nurse

Montana has had a passion for working with animals from a young age. She has worked with us as a trainee since 2017, and has her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. She has recently completed a course in Clinical Pathology for nurses with the Australian College of Veterinary Nursing and loves learning more about this when she’s not cuddling the patients. Montana has one dog and two cats and loves reading and keeping fit.

She looks after maintenance and care of our laboratory equipment and our data backups.

Bethany Houghton

Veterinary Technician

Beth has been a Veterinary Technician since 2013. She cares deeply about animal welfare and advocates for the best possible care for all furry friends. Passionate about chickens, she shares her home with 4 dogs, 3 cats, 2 small humans, her partner and plenty of happy purebred, rare breed poultry. Beth has recently begun working with us and loves the environment and the clientele along with their lovely companions.

Beth is unique in holding qualifications as a Veterinary Technician from Canada. She brings a set of special skills and knowledge to our animal care.

Tanya Whitzell

Veterinary Nurse

Tanya has always had a passion for animals, owning dogs and cats at a young age, then a horse at the age of 9.  One of her first jobs was working on a thoroughbred stud farm and studying breeding.  Tanya lives with husband in Woodend, with two teenage children, 2 cats, 1 dog, 3 horses and 9 chickens.

Tanya has worked in the veterinary industry since 2016 and completed her certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2019 and has worked at three local veterinary clinics.  Tanya is eager to learn more about every aspect of animal care.

Marj Chivell

Veterinary Nurse

Marj has worked with animals throughout her life. Starting by managing a dog kennels & horse studs, then becoming a dog groomer.

She started her own business 'True Blue Riding Centre' as a horse trainer and riding instructor until 2015, when an accident changed her career path to Veterinary Nursing.

Marj loves to ride & compete at horse trials, show jumping & sporting horse events.

Marj has 7 horses, 3 dogs & a cat at home. Marj is currently part-time nurse in the practice. She is rapidly becoming a favourite becuase of her quick learning, hard work and happy personality.

Nadine Robertson

Veterinary Nurse

Nadine has a passion for animals, big and small. She lives with her Fiancè on a small farm with their large furry family: a horse, several cows, sheep, a GSP named Bailey, 3 cats, a rabbit and numerous heritage chickens. Nadine has a background in Environmental Science, with a focus on conservation and botany, having worked as an environmental consultant for a number of years. At the start of 2020 she decided to change career path, enrolling to study Certificate 4 in Veterinary Nursing through Bendigo TAFE. Nadine graduated at the end of 2022, being awarded Student of the Year: Veterinary Nursing. She is keen to learn and is thoroughly enjoying her career change to being a Vet Nurse.

Kalinda McIntyre

Receptionist

Kalinda comes to us with a lot of experience as a Veterinary Receptionist. She has great love of animals and a passion for helping people. She has over 15yrs experience in the animal industry and over 8yrs in the veterinary field. 

Kalinda joins our amazing team to be our lead receptionist. She loves being part of a large team and is happy to talk and assist clients with all their animals' needs.

She started out working at the local pet shop in Kilsyth, developing a love for helping people and their pets.

Kalinda completed her studies: Certificate 2 in equine studies, Certifcate 3 in Agricultural &  Equine breeding and Diploma in Equine Stud Management and Breeding between 2012-2015.

She worked on a racing stable in NSW for 1.5years, and grew up with many different animals: dog, birds, chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, tropical fish, hermit crabs. 

She has helped to run a kitten foster program, looking after bottle babies and re-homing over 55 kittens to loving homes. 

Kalinda currently has a Spoodle called Maddie and a 3ft tropical fish tank. 

Renee Garner

Receptionist

Renee has recently entered the veterinary industry after owning and operating her own business for the past 10 years. She loves meeting, greeting and helping people.

Animals are a big passion of Renee's and not only does she love all furry creatures, she is always ready to help and support others around her.

A mother of two children and two fur puppies, Renee spends her spare time with her Nanna and making memories with her children, husband, and pets.

Her favourite place is sitting by the river with a good book. You will find Renee with a smile and a bubbly personality ready to help you at reception. 

Carolyn Lee

Financial Administrator

Carolyn works in our finance department maintaining records as well as doing data entry for our accounts payable section. She has a wealth of experience, having done this sort of work for many years. You won't see her much when you come in, but she is there quietly, efficiently and cheerfully keeping things working properly.

Belinda Harty

Financial Administrator

Belinda is our bookkeeping support person from our accountancy firm, Synstrat Pty Ltd. She looks after our accounting record-keeping and payroll functions. Working remotely, you won't see her, but we see the results of her work every day.

Natalie Tagell

Natalie is a local family dog trainer and behaviour specialist.  She teaches Puppy School classes at the clinic and runs private sessions for clients whose dogs are experiencing behaviour struggles.  

Natalie has a passion for helping humans and dogs understand each other better and live happily together.  She has completed multiple qualifications in dog behaviour and training, recognised both nationally and internationally.  

With a passion for life-long learning and keeping up with the current best practice, Natalie will ensure that the advice being provided is the most up to date and based in kindness and effectiveness.

In her spare time, you can find Natalie hanging out with her family, including her dog, or baking delicious treats for family and friends. 

If you would like more information, would like to book a spot in Puppy School or organise a private consultation, please head to  www.crazykindcalm.com.au to get in touch.   

Vicki Birkin

Veterinary Nurse

Vicki has lived in Kyneton all her life and worked with us for 15 years. She has completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and is also a qualified human nurse. She only has one cat now, an 11 year old Moggie, which is her 16th animal child. Vicki is a mum of two children and a grandmother to four.

Vicki loves people and is the cheeriest and most talkative person you're likely to meet.

Sue Rouse

Veterinary Nurse

Sue joined our team in 2008 with a world of experience as a nurse in the human field, having specialised in cardio-thoracic care and interventional cardiology. On her country retreat in East Trentham  she keeps her menagerie of pets and oversees the wombats trying to eat her lovely garden when she is not doting on her grandchildren.

Sue is especially at home in the operating theatre and hospital.

Deanna Hedge

Senior Vet Nurse

Deanna, Kyneton born & educated, has worked with us for 15 years and has her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. She is married with three children and has a menagerie of animals. She has a passion for healthy lifestyle, gardening and is a very talented seamstress (with a Bachelors degree in Design) and baker. Deanna is an essential part of our team of animal nurses.

In 2023 Deanna has commenced a new career as a Registered Nurse for humans and has largely retired from Veterinary Nursing practice. We still see her occasionally working in the clinic and we wish her well in her new career.