Sally Symons

Nurse Manager

Sally is our Nurse Manager and generally keeps things running smoothly. She has two children and two dogs (a Border Collie cross named Lucy 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.

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.

Shelley Watson

Senior Vet Nurse

Shelley has been employed as a Veterinary Nurse since 2008. She has previously worked at the Hepburn Veterinary Clinic and also works three days at the Castlemaine Vet Clinic. Shelley is a qualified Veterinary Nurse having completed both her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nurisng 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). She looks after mainteance and  care of our laboratory and electronic equipment and our datea backups.

Shelley has 10 year old twins and two older children. She is also (unbelievably) a grandma! She also has three furry children: Zoe, a gold Cocker Spaniel, Rocket the Kelpie, Kiki, a grey tabby cat, one not so furry turtle called Squirtle and Finn, the fighting fish. 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.

Sue Rouse

Senior Surgical 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.

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 looks after accounts and collections and is the cheeriest and most talkative person you're likely to meet.

Montana (Tex) Stanton

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 recently (2019) completed 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.

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 studying her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing while she works as a part-time casual nurse in the practice. She is rapidly becoming a favourite becuase of her quick learning, hard work and happy personality.

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.

Anne Petersen

Financial Administrator

Anne is a qualified accountant and bookkeeper. You will rarely see her front of house, but her essential work keeps the bills paid and the staff paid. She makes sure our financial and taxation obligations are taken care of in good time. Anne runs her own practice 'Petersen Accounting' and contracts to take overall care of our financial records and reporting.

Carolyn Lee

Financial Administrator

Carolyn works with Anne 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. Like Anne, you won't see her much when you come in, but she is there quietly, efficiently and cheerfully keeping things working properly.