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.
Courtney qualified from SIT in 2008 gaining her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing and joined the VetSouth team in 2009. As a Vet Nurse, Courtney 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.
Courtney also has a certificate in dog behaviour from Massey University and outside of work is a member of the Southland Sled dog Association where she races with her Mum’s huskies as well as her Boxer dog, Ollie. She also has five cats of her own, Oscar, Bear, Pixie and Maine Coons Mishka and Hades whom you may see at local cat shows.
David graduated from the University of Nottingham in July 2015 and immediately packed his bags and headed out to start his career over here in New Zealand.
He has a keen interest in all aspects of mixed practice and has even spent time working with zoo and aquatic animals.
Away from work David lives to travel and he cannot wait to begin exploring this region of the world.
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.
Mary graduated from Liverpool in 2011 then after working in mixed practice in Devon, she couldn’t pass up an opportunity to work in New Zealand this year.
Mary loves knitting and baking in the weekends and has been spotted at the local chess championships.
Neil is a shareholder at the Winton clinic. His main interest is in dairy cows, in particular fertility (he is an In-calf trained advisor), trace elements and herd health. Neil was born and bred in Northumberland in the north of England, and qualified as a vet from Edinburgh University in 1988. After spending 14 years in mixed practice in the UK, he moved to Winton with his young family in 2002.
Neil is married to Nikki and they have 3 sons. He enjoys most sports (especially rugby!!) but more as a spectator than a participator these days. He does still do a wee bit of tramping, mountain biking and has recently become a keen gym goer- needing to do something to maintain his honed physique! Always keen for a cider, he can be found at most clinic social events. Look out for his “COW DR” Toyota Prado when driving around Southland.
Sally graduated from Massey in 2006. She spent 3 years in mixed practice in Otago and Southland before going on her OE. As well as plenty of travel adventures, Sally spent two years working in farm (mainly dairy) practice in the UK. She has been back in Winton now since Feb 2012 and her main interests are dairy cattle reproduction and mastitis. Sally enjoys working on mastitis investigations and consultancy and is a registered healthy udder provider.
Outside of work she enjoys tramping, biking and travelling.
Australian born with an Indian mum and Kiwi dad, Sunita came to VetSouth as a new graduate in 2005.
Since arriving she has worked with all sorts of animals but has a very strong interest in dairy practice. She does a bit of horse work in between her cow work and loves getting out and about seeing clients. She has quite a menagerie of animals which seems to be growing all the time. In her spare time Sunita enjoys horse riding, travelling to hot countries and the odd bit of gardening.
Sunita is married to Hayden and has a 2 year old daughter who is more than likely going to become a vet as well!
Skye hails from Kangaroo Island, Australia where she grew up on sheep and beef farm. Early childhood dreams of becoming a vet (hairdresser a close second) came true when she graduated from University of Melbourne in 2004.
Since then, Skye’s had a liquorice allsorts career, working in dairy practice in Warrnambool (Australia), speying (lots of!) dogs in Samoa, working alongside animal health agencies in Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste on biosecurity projects, and with indigenous communities in northern Australia on exotic disease surveillance.
Outside of work, Skye’s achievements include growing three humans, completing a Masters in Veterinary Public Health Management (through the University of Sydney), and gaining membership to the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in epidemiology.
Skye made the big move across the ditch with her young family in early 2017 to join VetSouth’s research team.
In her little spare time, Skye enjoys getting outside in the famous Southland weather, drinking wine, prancercising and drinking wine.
Georgette joined VetSouth Ltd in July 2006. A graduate of the Utrecht Veterinary School in the Netherlands, Georgette moved to NZ in 2003 and worked in dairy practice in the South Taranaki region for almost 3 years.
Georgette moved to Southland with her partner David who is a dairy farmer. They have two young children, Liam and Amelie, and have ownership in a Lely robotic dairy farm near Winton.
Georgette has a passion for the dairy industry and has a special interest in farm management and dairy nutrition. In the little time left outside work, family and farm commitments she enjoys cooking, travelling and outdoor activities like gardening, tramping and biking.
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.
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. She lives on a lifestyle block with her husband and their menagerie of animals including three dogs Pip, Anna and Dante the Italian Spinone and two cats Zoro and Henry.
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.
Courtney qualified from SIT in 2008 gaining her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing and joined the VetSouth team in 2009. As a Vet Nurse, Courtney 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.
Courtney also has a certificate in dog behaviour from Massey University and outside of work is a member of the Southland Sled dog Association where she races with her Mum’s huskies as well as her Boxer dog, Ollie. She also has five cats of her own, Oscar, Bear, Pixie and Maine Coons Mishka and Hades whom you may see at local cat shows.
Kayla spent her time growing up in Gore with her Mum & Step Dad, as well as in Te Anau with her Dad, Step Mum & brothers on the family’s sheep and beef farm. Kayla has always had a keen interest in both small and large animals which lead her onto studying Veterinary Nursing at SIT in Invercargill, while doing this she completed all her placement at VetSouth in Gore before graduating with her Diploma in 2016. She then went on to dairy farming for a while before starting as a Vet Nurse at Vet South in September 2017.
Outside of work Kayla enjoys following the rodeo circuit around New Zealand with her partner Dan who is a keen bull rider, as well as going outdoors mainly in Fiordland and spending time with her friends and family, especially her dog Jax!
Shbourne grew up in Gore and attended Menzies college in Wyndham, she then studied in Invercargill at SIT to become a vet nurse. Shbourne worked at Northern Southland Veterinary Services for 4 years before joining the team at VetSouth. Shbourne and her partner Phillip have 4 fur babies. Dogs, Buddy & Doofy and cats Clifford & Cheryl.
Shbourne enjoys playing sport and hanging with friends and family in her spare time.
Bianca was raised on a sheep farm in Waimahaka (Southland). She attended Southland Girls High School, boarding at Enwood Hostel. Her love of animals and working outdoors led her to pursue a career as a veterinarian. After five years study in Palmerston North, where she met her now husband, she graduated in the top 5% of her class and returned to Southland to practice as a mixed animal veterinarian. She started with Gore Vets in January 2006.
Gore Vets then became VetSouth Ltd later in 2006 after the amalgamation with Central Southland Vets. With the continued expansion of the dairy sector in Southland her role has become predominantly dairy focused, but she still enjoys the odd small animal and sheep and beef call. She has a special interest in dairy herd reproduction and BVD management. Bianca became a shareholder at VetSouth Ltd in 2011.
Christine hails from Scotland, where she graduated from Glasgow Vet School in July 2015. Having spent her gap year in 2010 milking cows in Clydevale and Milton then two subsequent calving seasons in Milton involved in all aspects of dairy farming including calf rearing, calving cows and winter feeding, she is delighted to return to the Otago/Southland region of New Zealand in her first veterinary job.
Christine is particularly interested in production animal work, especially calving and herd health; but is enjoying working with all types of animals regardless of size or shape. She lives on a dairy farm in Clydevale and often ends up milking cows and fixing fences on her days off, even when the weather is bad!
In her spare time she enjoys tramping, running, cycling, skiing and swimming, so is extremely excited to explore more of the great Kiwi outdoors; plus enjoy the awesome weather which is a big improvement on Scotland!
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.
Maternity Leave
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 is excited to be starting a family in December 2017.
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. She lives on a lifestyle block with her husband and their menagerie of animals including three dogs Pip, Anna and Dante the Italian Spinone and two cats Zoro and Henry.
Mandy is originally from Central Otago and was brought up on a sheep and beef farm in Tarras. She has worked on a cattle station in Australia and on a dairy farm in Southland. Mandy started at VetSouth in March 2014.
When not working she loves getting outdoors and catching up with friends and family.
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.
(on maternity leave)
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 new 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.
Heather has taken up the Customer Service Representative role since September 2015, after been in the dairy industry in the Waikato and now in Southland for the last 15 years.
Now all the children are grown up and some married, with 4 grandchildren, it was time to change from calf rearing and start a new stage in life.
She lives near Wairio and in her spare time loves to go caravanning with her husband Kev and making soaps.
Debbie has been with VetSouth since 2005, firstly in reception , and now solely working in Farm Services. A local Eastern Southlander, she & husband Mike are dairy grazers just out of Gore. You can contact Debbie anytime you need a Vet or Tech on farm, or to discuss any of our training workshops or on farm programmes. Outside of work Debbie enjoys sea fishing off Kaka Point, limestone carving, duck-shooting, spending time with family and following their sport.
Gemma joined VetSouth in 2012 and has worked in various HR related roles since 2005. Born in Christchurch, but having spent her last years of high school at Northern Southland College, she is happy to be back in the area, and considers Southland home. Outside of work interests include camping trips, theatre and waterskiing in the summer holidays!
Born and bred in North Canterbury Rebecca has been with VetSouth since 2006, making the move south after completing a degree in agriculture from Massey University and marrying a Southland local. With previous jobs in veterinary nursing and research she started off life at VetSouth in Farm Services then moved into retail coordination and now inventory, data management and finance, Rebecca has worked across most areas of VetSouth’s business and has enjoyed immersing herself in a fast paced and ever evolving environment that is constantly challenging..
Now working part time after having her 3 children, when not at work Rebecca can be found spending time with her young family or in her kitchen trying out new recipes.
John was brought up in the North of England and spent his early life climbing mountains and training to be an outdoor pursuits instructor. After realising that taking groups of delinquent kids into his beloved Lake District wasn’t really his thing, he joined the rest of the masses and moved to London where he developed a love for obscure indie music, and began his career in IT. He has been wrestling with technology in one form or another ever since. He met a kiwi girl and emigrated to New Zealand in 1999. Since then he has worked in, trained in and experienced a variety of IT roles and has developed a firm belief that simple, well applied technologies can benefit us all. He still listens to obscure Indie music but his travels tend to be based around family and fly fishing these days.
John was brought up in the North of England and spent his early life climbing mountains and training to be an outdoor pursuits instructor. After realising that taking groups of delinquent kids into his beloved Lake District wasn’t really his thing, he joined the rest of the masses and moved to London where he developed a love for obscure indie music, and began his career in IT.
He has been wrestling with technology in one form or another ever since.
He met a kiwi girl and emigrated to New Zealand in 1999. Since then he has worked in, trained in and experienced a variety of IT roles and has developed a firm belief that simple, well applied technologies can benefit us all.
He still listens to obscure Indie music but his travels tend to be based around family and fly fishing these days.
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.
On Farm Sales Rep
Michelle grew up locally on a sheep farm at Brydone and Waimumu. Michelle started with Gore Vets in 1996 and has been employed in a variety of roles within the company including retail, customer services, vet nursing and more recently as the Operations Manager at VetSouth Gore. Outside of work Michelle is busy with her family, which includes two boys of 5 & 8 and she enjoys horse riding and pottering about on their lifestyle block.
Carey joined the VetSouth Winton clinic in 2011 after spending 8 years in Queenstown in various roles from Marketing to Wedding Planning!
Interests outside of work include snowboarding, wakeboarding and good wine!
