at West Gippsland Vet Care
Book an appointment with one of the most experienced veterinarians in Gippsland today!
Meet the Team at West Gippsland Vet Care
The team at West Gippsland Vet Care represents a wealth of collective experience and expertise in their respective fields. Our veterinary staff consists of a dedicated group of skilled professionals with extensive backgrounds in large and small animal practice, making them an invaluable asset to the Gippsland community.
Our veterinarians collectively represent more than 200 years of experience, dedication, and passion within the industry. Our vets epitomise excellence and are dedicated to providing the very best in animal care in a variety of spheres – ranging from ruminant animals to small family pets. With a strong focus on continuing education and study, our vets strive to bring the latest in veterinary science to our practices.
Our large team of support staff, vet nurses and administrators, are the beating heart of West Gippsland Vet Care. Our team is made up of people truly passionate about the welfare and health of animals, represented by our strong focus on making appointments stress-free for people and animals alike. Our goal is to have the majority of our staff “Fear Free” accredited across both practices.
At West Gippsland, our team of hardworking and passionate people truly believe in providing the best in veterinary care – from general appointments and checks, to surgery, to post-op care. You can be assured that our dedicated staff of animal lovers will care for your pets and animals with kindness, sincerity, and excellence.
Warragul
Drouin
Our Veterinarians
Dr. Grant Nielsen
Partner, Veterinarian BVSc(Hons) MACVSc(Nutrition)
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Grant lives in Warragul with his wife Sophie and their two boys Jeremy and Sam. He enjoys keeping fit and does the occasional triathlon.
Dr. Benton Smith
Partner, Veterinarian BVSc MACVSc(Surgery)
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In 2002 Ben undertook a 12-month Small Animal Surgery Internship in Melbourne, during which he attained his Membership to the Small Animal Surgery Chapter from the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists.
He is AQIS accredited for the export of dogs and cats and in 2006 achieved his accreditation for the PennHIP program for the prevention of canine hip dysplasia. His areas of interest include canine reproduction, orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery. In 2020, Ben completed his Master of Business Management (MBA) with Deakin University.
Ben lives locally with his wife Stephanie and his two children Noah and Ella, dogs Gus,Ruby and Lexie and cat Sunny. In his spare time he enjoys riding his mountain bike, gardening, golf and brewing beer!
Dr. Simon Ronalds
Partner, Veterinarian BVSc
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Simon’s main interests lies in cattle medicine, surgery and herd health. He is AACV pregnancy test accredited, Countdown Downunder accredited advisor (mastitis investigations) and has completed his certificate in gross pathology (field postmortems). Simon also enjoys his occasional times in the clinic caring for the smaller members of your family.
Simon lives in Drouin with his wife, Carla – a local paramedic, and their three children Lachlan, Charlotte and Hamish who all adore their old Kelpie x Collie, Hunter.
Dr. Christopher Thorne
Partner, Veterinarian BVSc(Hons) MANZCVSc(Surgery)
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Chris graduated from Melbourne University in 2000, he worked in various vet practices in Victoria and the UK including emergency clinics before joining West Gippsland Vet Care in 2014. Chris has completed his Membership in Small Animal Surgery and is also a certified PennHIP member. He became a partner in WGVC in 2019.
Chris enjoys the challenge of problem-solving interesting cases and enjoys communicating with and educating our clients. Chris is a skilled orthopaedic surgeon and has completed over 100 TPLO surgeries.
Chris and his wife Natalie have three children, Olivia, Archer and Jim. They have a Fox Terrier called Pi and 6 chickens.
Dr. Christine Vanschyndel
Partner, Veterinarian BVSc(Hons)
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The remainder of Chris’ time is spent looking after her three children Harry, Téa and Nina with her husband Ward at their property in Ellinbank. She enjoys travelling, hiking and camping.
Dr. Mitchell Dodds
Partner, Veterinarian BSc, DVM (Distinction)
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Dr. Michelle Hunt
Veterinarian BSc BVSc
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Dr. Stephanie Wade
Veterinarian BVSc
Stephanie grew up in Melbourne, where her passion for animals blossomed through the companionship of various family pets. Driven by her love for adventure, she relocated to North Queensland to pursue a degree in Veterinary Science, graduating from James Cook University, Townsville, in 2011.
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Following her graduation, Stephanie gained experience in mixed animal practice before discovering her true passion in small animal ultrasound, emergency, and critical care. In 2018, she earned a Graduate Certificate in Small Animal Abdominal Ultrasound from the University of Melbourne, and she has been practicing ultrasound for over eight years. Stephanie has accumulated nearly seven years of experience in emergency and critical care in Melbourne and has been a small animal veterinarian at West Gippsland Vet Care for almost five years.
Outside of her professional life, Stephanie and her husband, George—a full-time farmer—live on their family sheep and beef farm in Trafalgar, where they raise their two young children. In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys gardening, working out at the gym, and lending a hand on the farm.
Dr. Carla Fletcher
Veterinarian BVMS BSc (High Distinction)
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Dr. Tegan Brown
Veterinarian BSc DVM
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Dr. Tegan finds joy in nursing pets back to health and witnessing their happy reunions with families. Her downtime is spent reading, gardening, and enjoying time with her wife and Bernese Mountain Dog, Maggie. Committed to community service, she serves as Secretary at the Yarragon Fire Brigade.
Dr. Tegan’s journey reflects a deep love for animals, unwavering dedication, and a genuine desire to improve the lives of pets and their owners.
Dr. Fiona Armstrong
Veterinarian BVSc (hons)
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Beyond her professional endeavors, Fiona enjoys exploring the wonders that Gippsland has to offer. Additionally, she values quality time with her family and friends back in Warrnambool, as well as traveling to experience new places and create lasting memories.
Dr. Anna Willis
Veterinarian BSc, BVSc (Distinction)
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Dr. Lisa McRobert
Veterinarian BSc DVM
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Beyond her veterinary profession, Lisa is an avid nature enthusiast. Camping and hiking are her go-to activities, and she recently embarked on a 12-month adventure living out of a caravan while locuming and exploring the stunning landscapes of South Australia, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia.
Now, Lisa is eager to transition into a less nomadic lifestyle. She looks forward to spending quality time with her partner and their cherished feline companion, Stevie. Lisa’s dedication to animal care and her love for the great outdoors make her an invaluable member of our team.
Dr. Beth Bayliss
Veterinarian BVB/BVSc
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Dr. Mia McIntosh
Veterinarian BVBio/BVSc
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Dr. Maggie Digby
Veterinarian BSc DVM
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Dr. Dan Reiner
Veterinarian BSc DVM
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Our Support Staff
Stephanie Smith
Practice Manager
Steph joined the WGVC team in 2005 and she is passionate about ensuring our patients and clients have the best experience we can offer them. She loves supporting our team to achieve our company goals of being the leading Veterinary Care provider in Gippsland.
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In her spare time Steph enjoys spending time with her family, catching up with friends, reading and gardening.
Cindy Beaumont
Inventory Manager
These days Cindy works on reception and in the very important role of inventory manager. Without her keeping the shelves stocked the clinic would grind to a halt very quickly. Cindy enjoys being able to help clients with their pets and farm animals with helpful advice and keeping the clinic running smoothly. She also enjoys coming to work to spend time with her workmates.
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When not working or looking after ALL those animals she enjoys horse riding, spending time with her dogs, trips up the bush and music.
Leanne Nicholls
Office Manager
Leanne enjoys interacting with all of our clients both large animals and small. She loves being able to pat, cuddle and enjoy pets in all shapes and sizes and call it work!
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In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and camping in the high country with her awesome husband Nicko and no phone reception!
Naomi Wolfenden
Vet Nurse
Naomi joined our team in 2005. She loves meeting our clients and their pets and enjoys listening to the stories that get shared with her. She has been known to shed a tear or have a good laugh with clients when they need it most. She enjoys watching the progression of our puppy and kitten patients as they grow and develop at each visit.
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In her spare time Naomi enjoys spending time with her children, tending to her chickens and occasionally exhibiting them. She also loves home decorating and can often be found with a paintbrush in her hand.
Georgia Kemp
Vet Nurse
Georgia joined the WGVC team in 2008 and has worked her way up to be a supervisor for trainee staff. She is passionate about surgery and emergency nursing and loves reuniting a pet with its owner knowing she has played a part in its treatment and care.
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Marnie Barnett
Vet Nurse
Marnie loves the diversity of mixed practice vet nursing and relishes being able to provide quality care to all our patients whether it be a tiny kitten in the cat ward or a sick calf in our calf hospital.
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Kaz Lindley
Vet Nurse
Chloe Wallace
Vet Nurse
Tayla Sheppard
Vet Nurse
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Sophie Hodge
Vet Nurse
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Mikayla McDonald
Vet Nurse
Amanda Crowley
Vet Nurse
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Beyond the clinic, Amanda’s life is enriched by her family. She cherishes quality time with her fiancé, stepdaughter, and two young sons. The family enjoys the company of their Husky, Tess, on invigorating walks, and they create lasting memories on family trips in their caravan. Amanda’s dedication to the well-being of animals extends beyond the workplace, making her an invaluable member of the WGVC team.
Kyla Fraser
Receptionist
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Rebecca Jennings
Receptionist
Rebecca joined our team in 2021, and is so grateful for the opportunity to work with the passionate and friendly team at WGVC everyday. She loves seeing pets reunited with their humans after a stay with us, and is excited and inspired to expand her knowledge.
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Eileen Beaumont
Vet Nurse
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Alicia Jensen
Receptionist
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Christy Cockram
Vet Nurse
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Michelle Wake
Groomer
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Isabelle Harvey
Vet Nurse
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Maria-Magdaleena Marchidan
Vet Nurse
In February 2023, Maria enthusiastically joined our team, bringing her insatiable appetite for learning and career development. Her favorite aspect of the job extends beyond cuddling puppies; it’s the joy she experiences when witnessing her once sick patients return, healthy, and content.
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Bridie Smith
Vet Nurse
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Bridie’s dedication to animal welfare is unmistakable. Her heart beats for the well-being of all creatures, and her love for goats is something truly special. Whether it’s the gentle bleat of a newborn kid or the inquisitive gaze of an adult goat, Bridie’s connection with these animals is unparalleled.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Bridie finds solace and joy in exploring the world around her. With her two boys by her side, she embarks on adventures, always chasing the sun and seeking new experiences. In her life’s journey, Bridie has transformed her childhood fascination into a purpose-driven career, and her commitment to the welfare of animals continues to shine brightly.
Lily Heath
Receptionist
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Bridie’s dedication to animal welfare is unmistakable. Her heart beats for the well-being of all creatures, and her love for goats is something truly special. Whether it’s the gentle bleat of a newborn kid or the inquisitive gaze of an adult goat, Bridie’s connection with these animals is unparalleled.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Bridie finds solace and joy in exploring the world around her. With her two boys by her side, she embarks on adventures, always chasing the sun and seeking new experiences. In her life’s journey, Bridie has transformed her childhood fascination into a purpose-driven career, and her commitment to the welfare of animals continues to shine brightly.
Donna Murnane
Receptionist
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Bridie’s dedication to animal welfare is unmistakable. Her heart beats for the well-being of all creatures, and her love for goats is something truly special. Whether it’s the gentle bleat of a newborn kid or the inquisitive gaze of an adult goat, Bridie’s connection with these animals is unparalleled.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Bridie finds solace and joy in exploring the world around her. With her two boys by her side, she embarks on adventures, always chasing the sun and seeking new experiences. In her life’s journey, Bridie has transformed her childhood fascination into a purpose-driven career, and her commitment to the welfare of animals continues to shine brightly.
Cassidy Holland
Vet Nurse
Geselle McFarlane
Trainee Vet Nurse
About our Clinic
The team at West Gippsland Veterinary Centre have been through a variety of changes over the last 30 years.
Founded in 1989 by local vets Bruce Robertson and Joe Brady, “Robertson and Brady Veterinary Clinic” looked after four-legged locals until 2005, when a major renovation, and the emergence of Doctors Joe Brady, Grant Nielsen, and Benton Smith as co-owners was marked by our name change to “West Gippsland Veterinary Centre”.
In 2008 we opted to expand our care and reach into the region, and took over the Drouin practice from retiring Mike Traumanis. After a renovation in 2010, we renovated and relocated the practice to it’s wonderful current location.
Dr Simon Ronalds joined our partnership in 2014 to take the place of Dr Joe Brady, upon his retirement. We changed our name once more to “West Gippsland Vet Care” to reflect our dual locations, and our commitment to caring for your animals. In 2019, Dr Chris Thorne was welcomed to the partnership team, bringing with him a wealth of small animal medicine and surgery experience.
Our staff boasts 11 experienced Veterinary Surgeons and a team of support staff made up of Veterinary Nurses, Receptionists and Administrative staff. We aim to provide the best in care for all aspects of your animal’s visit; from booking your appointment, diagnosing health issues, surgeries, to aftercare.
Our two state of the art veterinary facilities in Drouin and Warragul have been designed with the comfort of you and your pets in mind, with light and spacious waiting rooms, and with Fear Free techniques in place, we aim to make your visit as enjoyable as possible for you and your pet.
Our staff love having you and your pets in for check ups – and pride ourselves on our ability to access extensive medical histories for our patients in each of our consultation rooms. We stock fully equipped pharmacies, and provide our own in-house laboratory facilities in order to expedite the diagnostic process and to ensure that you leave our premises fully stocked with everything you need for the continuing care of your animals.
Should your pets or animals need surgery, our surgical facilities are state of the art. Our operating theatres are equipped with the latest in surgical technology, and we host separate climate controlled cat and dog wards for pre and post-op care. We have the capacity to cater to large animals as well, with modern calf hospital and surgery, cattle ramp and crush.
At West Gippsland Vet Care, you can be assured that everything, from our staff to our facilities, operates with the best care of your animals in mind. You are welcome to visit us, and experience the difference we provide for yourself!
“Sincerity, kindness, and professionalism”
★★★★★
Thank you to Simon for his prompt actions, sincerity, kindness and professionalism when we first took Fraser into the clinic if it wasn’t for what Simon did and how he did it in those crucial few minutes and through Sat night Fraser probably wouldn’t be with us today then treatment and care for Fraser continued at the same high level standard from all the vets and staff involved. They all kept me informed updated. I cannot in anyway fault any of them. I have been dealing with this clinic for over 6yrs and would recommend them without hesitation.
Again a huge Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all that you did for Fraser.”
– Vanessa S., 5-Star Facebook Review
Book an appointment with one of the most experienced veterinarians in Gippsland today!
West Gippsland Vet Care Warragul
West Gippsland Vet Care Drouin
We have a 24/7 Emergency Service
(Available to Existing Clients Only)
We have a 24/7 Emergency Service
(Available to Existing Clients Only)
Visit Us
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri: 8:00am - 5:30pm
Sat: 8:30am - 12pm
Visit Us
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri: 8:00am - 5:30pm
Sat: 8:30am - 12pm
West Gippsland Vet Care Warragul
We have a 24/7 Emergency Service
(Available to Existing Clients Only)
Visit Us
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri: 8:00am - 5:30pm
Sat: 8:30am - 12pm
West Gippsland Vet Care Drouin
We have a 24/7 Emergency Service
(Available to Existing Clients Only)
Visit Us
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri: 8:00am - 5:30pm
Sat: 8:30am - 12pm
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Contact Us
For appointments, use our online booking feature or give us a call and speak to one of our friendly receptionists.