Want to know who you’re dealing with or just browse through the wonderful team we’re lucky to have. Now’s your chance. Want to join this crew? Check out VetSouth Careers.
Amarins joined the Invercargill Equine team in 2020 after moving to NZ with her husband, Walter, in early 2019. Amarins has most recently completed an Internship in Equine Clinical Studies at Massey University.
Hailing from Scotland, Eleanor joined the team in 2020. She graduated from Liverpool University with her degree in Veterinary Science. She took a year out of her studies to complete a Masters in Global Health which took Eleanor to The Netherlands, India and Russia, ending up all the way over here in New Zealand. In her spare time in Southland, she enjoys being outdoors - exploring mountains by bike, on foot or on skis.
Liz is one of our superstars in the large animal team in Gore. Originally from Australia, she completed her Veterinary Medicine (BSc DVM) at Murdoch University, Western Australia. She loves tramping and beach trips, as well as teaching dog tricks and agility - which will come in handy with her deaf dog and deaf cat at home!
Liz joined the Gore team from Buller Vets after graduating from St George's University School of Veterinary Medicine in Grenada, West Indies. Liz is originally from Georgia, USA.
Tom is from The Netherlands and studied at the Utrecht University. He loves working in a good team and thrives when he gets to work with motivated farmers. He can be often found out on his bike, hiking or exploring NZ. He enjoys playing soccer and can make an impressive home brew beer!
One of our fine English vets, David was educated at the University of Nottingham (2015 BVM BVS Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery). Whilst most of his time is spent caring for small animals, David enjoys helping out with the large animals, particularly around calving time. He also enjoys playing golf badly, surfing and hiking. With VetSouth since 2015, the appeal is in working for a company which really cares for employees well being and makes you feel valued.
Donna grew up on a sheep farm at Enfield (Oamaru). She now lives with her husband Brett and their three boys on an 1100ha sheep and beef farm at Greenvale. Donna joined the Gore clinic in 2002 as a mixed animal vet. Now Donna mostly works with sheep and beef farmers. She has a passion for increasing productivity and profitability on farms. She thrives being part of her rural community through involvement with the local school, farming groups and scouts.
Fleur was raised on a sheep/beef farm in Stanley Brook in the Nelson district. After studying veterinary science at Massey, she moved south, beginning her career with Gore Vets in 1996.
Fleur now works predominantly from the Tapanui VetSouth branch, where her main interests are with sheep, beef, dairy and deer. She has become a well-known member of the West Otago Community.
Teach a man to fish...and he’ll go fishing. Which is what Joel likes to do when not working hard as a Veterinarian at our Gore clinic. From the mighty Whakatane and educated first at Waikato University (2006 BSc) and then Massey in Palmerston North (2011 BVSc), It’s the people, region and working with sheep and deer that keep Joel happy. As do his partner, Louise and their children Olivia and Georgia. Plus Matilda the cat and Tika the dog. Ambitions for the future? Well, maybe a spot more fishing and some moonlighting as a fishing guide.
Originally from Sydney, Sunita attended Massey University, where she met Hayden (now her husband and fellow shareholder at VetSouth) and gained her BVSc. A large animal vet, Sunita has been with VetSouth since the early days. The appeal (apart from Hayden being here) is in the great people, in a pretty area with no traffic. Outside of work is just as busy. There’s horse riding, show horses, painting, crocheting, baking, running and making things look pretty. There’s also the husband, 2 kids, 1 cat, 4 dogs, 5 horses, 1 yak, 1 deer, 1 goat...and a few more animals. Once all that is done and tended to? Then it’s time to complete a diploma in interior design. Phew.
Mark qualified from Glasgow in 1988, and spent the next seven years moving between intensive dairy practice in the North of England and climbing mountains. A stint in New Zealand convinced him that this was the best place to do both, so in 1995 he moved to the Waikato in the North Island.
In 1997 he moved South to head up the dairy side of Central Southland Vets in Winton. He became a director in 2001 by which time the practice had doubled in vet numbers and quadrupled in dairy farm numbers. In 2005 Winton and Gore vets joined to form VetSouth, in an attempt to create a well-resourced clinic environment with top clients that would attract and retain the best vets in the country.
In 2004 Mark gained his Masters in Epidemiology, and whilst still leading the dairy side of VetSouth, he now splits his time with heading the research group within VetSouth. His role is 50% clinical; 50% research; and 50% management…He is also an executive member of the Society of Dairy Cattle Vets in New Zealand; has a share in a 600 cow dairy farm; and at home runs 1800 sheep and 3 kids on 400 acres.
Creating VetSouth was all about elevating rural vet practice; the belief that just because we live a long way away from things farmers shouldn’t receive second rate veterinary services. To that end, VetSouth continues to develop and innovate and attempt to work with some of the best farmers in the country to add value.
He has climbed all over the world, including 4 expeditions to the Himalayas, and first ascents in South America and Antarctica. These trips formed a large part of his early travels and public presentations. Nowadays his travels are more concerned with presenting at conferences rather than climbing mountains.
Olly graduated from Glasgow University, Scotland in 1991. After a couple of years working in mixed practice he moved to Hong Kong to set up a companion animal clinical. The following years saw Olly working in Australia, Singapore and the United Kingdom. In 1997 he immigrated to New Zealand with his kiwi wife and shortly afterwards set up a Companion Animal practice in Ponsonby, Auckland. He sat his examination for Membership of the Australian Veterinary Scientists in Emergency and Critical Care in 2001. In 2006 he moved to Central Otago with his two young children for the lifestyle and shortly after started work at VetSouth in Gore.
In 2017 Olly took on the role of Small Animal Clinical Leader at VetSouth. A role that provides an overview of all the companion animal services at VetSouth. He is interested in all aspects of clinical work and strives to ensure that all the staff and clinics are well resourced with equipment, continuing education and resources to ensure that our clients and patients have the best possible care.
Brendon was born and raised in Invercargill. He finished vet school in the mid 80’s and briefly worked in mixed practice in Invercargill before travelling overseas. After 3 years in the UK he travelled to the USA and completed a 3 year Equine Surgical Residency. After this he worked in horse practice in South Auckland and gained specialist registration with the Veterinary Council of NZ in Equine Surgery. He returned home to Southland in 1996 to become a partner in Southern Veterinary Centre along with Michael Brown. They built a purpose built horse hospital on the edge of the Invercargill Racecourse. A small animal side was soon added a year later and a substantial extension was completed in 2010. Southern Veterinary Centre became part of the VetSouth group in 2015.
The practice offers all manner of routine and specialist equine and dairy veterinary work and Brendon manages this side of the practice. Both his two daughters have safely flown the nest and his ideas of being able to do more hunting and fishing might come to fruition.
Our Clinical Head (East) is also a shareholder. More importantly, Bianca is also a true local and is Southland born and bred. She popped away to the North Island and Massey University to gain a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (2006) before returning to the mainland and joining VetSouth. It’s here where she concentrates on large animals, with a special interest in dairy reproduction and herd health. At home, there is husband, Dan plus daughter, Isla. Let’s not forget Hudson the cat though. Outside of all that, it's about relaxing with friends and playing sport.
Home is with her partner on a dairy farm. But that wasn’t always the case for Christine. Her story started in Scotland and includes time spent at the University of Glasgow (2015 BVMS Hons). Fast forward to today, you’ll find Christine working as a mixed vet in our Gore clinic. There’s a particular interest in neonatal medicine. Outside of work, tramping is the main interest, exploring the great outdoors of New Zealand.
Louise joined VetSouth after graduating from Massey University, leaving her North Island roots behind to seek the best tramping, fishing, skiing and sightseeing spots of Southland. She is doing this with husband Joel and puppy Tika in toe.
She is interested in all aspects of vet work including sheep, beef cattle, dairy, and companion animals.
Penny was raised in Victoria, Australia on her families beef and cropping farm. After completing her studies at the University of Melbourne in December 2017, she has come to Southland to pursue her interest in farm animal production and small animal medicine. She enjoys ice skating and running and being a part of her local church's community - as well as helping out on her sheep farm!
Sarah graduated from Massey University in 2011 and joined the VetSouth team based in Winton as a small animal veterinarian. After a few years she and her husband Dan spent 2 years travelling on their O.E., which included spending some time working for vet clinics in Yorkshire, the Scottish Central Lowlands and Fife. Despite enjoying the UK they decided to come back to the VetSouth family and are now living in Balclutha with Sarah working from the Gore clinic. She has always had a preference for small animal work, and loves the challenge and variety that a rural clinic offers. Outside of work she enjoys exploring the outdoors, tramping and photography and spending time with her beautiful family.
High flyer Annabelle joined our Gore team in 2020, and she loves being a part of the team that offers her support and encourages her to keep learning. As well as been a keen rugby fan and horse rider, she's been in a helicopter more than she can count on her hands!
Olivia joined our Tech team in the West in 2021. Originally from Fairlie in South Canterbury, she studied at the Otago Polytechnic and gained her Certificate in Animal Technology (Rural Animal Technician) and Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. She started right in the deep end of scanning but is loving the supportive environment and also getting to work alongside a great group of people. Outside of work, Olivia enjoys playing hockey, catching up with friends and exploring Southland.
Alice is a Southland local, living and working on a local dairy farm with her beautiful young family. She joined our Tech team in Winton in 2019 on a fixed-term contract over teatsealing. She loved the job and the team so much she applied for a full-time position at the end and she's been thriving ever since. Committed to learning as much as possible, she embraces every learning opportunity provided to her at VetSouth. When not working as a technician, Alice is spending time in her ever-growing plant collection and with her family.
Anna is from Rangiora up in North Canterbury and gained her Diploma of Rural Veterinary Technician at Telford. She has a very busy year as she takes spring off to go be an AI Technician, which is part of why she loves working for VetSouth as she is offered the flexibility required.
One of Tuatapere’s finest, Brittany was educated at Southland Girls. Since joining VetSouth in 2014 she’s completed her Certificate in Dairy Knowledge through Telford and has been a key member of the excellent Veterinary Tech Team. The reason for staying around is because Brittany gets to work with “a great bunch of people. And of course, her love the work with large animals. Time out of work is shared with her partner and dogs. And being in Southland, there’s the beauty of nature to enjoy with walks, hikes and also out on the jetboat. Not to mention for passion for netball. And socialising! Did you know she used to play the snare drum in the Waimatuku Pipe band for 6 years?!
As VetSouth partner with Weight It Up in 2021, Britt took a lead role and you will find her out and about weighing stock!
Emily studied at SIT Invercargill and gained a certificate in Rural Animal Technology. Hailing from the mighty Palmerston North, Emily joined our Tech team in 2020. She loves working in a team with like-minded people, as well as the work-life balance that VetSouth offers. She loves spending time in her garden and also with her animals.
Megan is originally from Cape Town in South Africa where she gained a BSc in Animal Science at the University of Pretoria. Her first language is Afrikaans and she moved to NZ in 2017. She enjoys the great team environment at VetSouth and the work-life balance it provides, allowing her to spend time outdoors with her dog, horse trekking or mountain biking. Megan is also very competitive when it comes to mini-golf.
Natalia joined the Tech team in the West originally as a fixed-term employee over Teatsealing in 2020. She has since joined the techies full time and is the Here for Good representative for the team. Natalia is originally from Southland and is an avid member of the local Young Farmers group. She is currently studying and enjoys the work-life balance that VetSouth offers.
Tiarna is from Southland where she grew up around sheep and beef farms. She started work at VetSouth as a Vet Tech in January 2014 after completing her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing through SIT in 2013.
When not working Tiarna enjoys getting outdoors and spending time with friends and family.
Tory originates from Waikouaiti/Dunedin and joined our Tech team in the East in 2020. She first studied at the University of Otago focusing on Psychology and Bachelor of Social Work before going back to her roots and realising animals was her passion. Tory then studied a Certificate in Vet Nursing Assistant at Otago Polytechnic and then the Vet Tech course. When not at work, she can be found on her home sheep and beef farm and loves spending time with all her dogs.
Hailing from the mighty Tarras in Central Otago. Mandy joined us in 2014, her role as Veterinary Technician Team Leader keeps her busy….and it’s the great team and family feel at VetSouth that makes it all worthwhile. Downtime is spent in the great outdoors, on the farm, riding horses or playing rugby for Mossburn Hinds. At home, there’s Anthony and Gus the beagle, plus 6 x working dogs.
Jennifer is originally from Tauranga, she made the excellent decision to move down to "sunny" Southland as she gained her qualification in Veterinary Nursing at SIT in 2019. Her bubbly smiling face is often seen in both our Winton and Invercargill clinics, she loves how each day is so different. She has a strong passion for nursing and enjoys helping her patients heal and getting back home as soon as possible.
Jess joined the team in 2019, after gaining her qualification in Veterinary Nursing at SIT. Although an Invercargill native, Jess started her career as a Vet Nurse in Melbourne. Glad to have her back over the ditch, she spends her free time with her partner and her dogs.
After graduating with her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing from SIT, Jeni joined our practice in 2010. Jeni hails from Cheshire, England and has lived in New Zealand for 17 years. As a Vet Nurse, Jeni takes care of the small animal patients from when they are admitted, during surgery, and afterwards until ready to be discharged, as well as a wide range of other duties.
During her spare time Jeni enjoys badmington and trout fishing.
You can always find Laura smiling around the clinics, working at both Winton and Invercargill for the small animal teams. She had done some placements with us whilst she was studying her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing at SIT, she loved it so much she stayed around and joined us full time in 2018! She loves the teams, and she absolutely loves caring for the animals that come in. With two days never the same, she loves the look of clients faces when you return their animals to them after their visit. She loves camping, travelling and watching Netflix as well as spending time with her partner and many animals at home.
Alex joined the Balclutha team after hanging up her Telford tutoring hat at the start of this year. She is excited to be part of the team and to continue to utilise her agricultural knowledge and experience.
Debs joined the Farm Services team in 2020. Originally from Timaru, she enjoys the team atmosphere at VetSouth as everyone is so friendly and helpful towards each other. She enjoys being outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. She is also looking forward to becoming a grandmother!
After moonlighting as a Tech over Dry Cow/Teatsealing time for a couple of years Donna has taken up a permanent position at VetSouth as the Customer Services Rep at the Clydevale clinic. She lives on a large block in Owaka and in her spare time enjoys competing on the rodeo circuit barrel racing her horse Maverick.
Wendy joined the team in 2015 after studying for a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing at SIT in 2014. Wendy loves working with animals and the clients that come in with them!
A Northern Southland local, Beks has a strong agricultural background and joined our Winton team in 2020 stepping into the farm delivery representative role. She loves getting out on-farm and seeing the clients in their natural habitat. Her job takes her all around Southland and she loves getting out there. When not touring Southland, she is busy on her own farm and raising a wonderful family in Athol.
Dave MacKenzie was brought up on a small lifestyle block and has always had a strong passion for animals and farming. He has worked on various farms in Southland and South Otago and completed a mustering season in the ‘Kimberlys’ in Western Australia. The last 2 ½ years David has worked for Advance Agriculture Ltd as their store man. His hobbies include fishing, duck shooting, fire brigade, young farmers, friends and family and of course a good ole BBQ and a few beers. David is looking forward to meeting new clients and catching up with the old ones.
Lis joined our team in 2019 and came to us from Omarama. She studied a Bachelor of Agricultural Science which combined with her farming experience, provides our West Retail team with some valuable knowledge. Lis loves working with farmers daily and helping them find the right products for their specific farm to improve their production. She loves her retail team and has been a positive burst of energy into the team that seems to do a little bit of everything. Lis loves spending time outdoors, with her horses and dogs making the most of Southland. Did you know she was a solo glider pilot at 17 years old?!
Born and bred from Invercargill, Jordan joined the Farm Services team in 2021 and is loving being part of a friendly team. When not at work, she loves getting outdoors with friends, family and her pets!
Cherie is a firm fixture of the Farm Services team and is the glue that holds the place together. She joined our team in 2020 and has been a major part of the company's transition into a new operating system. She studied social work at Otago University gaining a Bachelor's Degree. She enjoys working for VetSouth because the company is good at seeing where staff can progress - "its not just one thing, there are many different areas of the business that do completely different things." In her spare time, she enjoys reading comic books, spending time with her pets and playing video games!
