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.

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.

Hugh is a Massey University Veterinary Science graduate from 1979. At first he worked in North Canterbury for two years , did small animal work in the USA for one year and travelled for a year before moving to Gore in 1984 . Although starting in a mixed practice role he soon moved to solely small animal work. Hugh has a special interest in veterinary surgery , especially orthopaedics, in which field he continues to enjoy the demanding case load of companion animal pets and working dogs presented to the clinic. Hugh is a Director and the senior small animal veterinarian in VetSouth, he strives to ensure that the SA Department staff are well resourced, trained and equipped to develop the professional skills and diligence needed to provide a high standard of care to the companion animal patients.

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.

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.

After leaving Massey in 2007 Claire worked as a mixed vet in southern Southland until joining the VetSouth production animal team in 2014. She hails from Te Anau and now calls Glenham home. When she’s not working she might be found on the hockey turf or being taken for a run by her dog

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!

Cecilia grew up on a sheep & beef farm in Waipara, North Canterbury before moving to Christchurch. She spent a few years overseas working as a physiotherapist before realising that veterinary science was where her true passion lay. She graduated from Massey in December 2016 and enjoys working with both production & companion animals. Outside of work Cece likes to get out into the hills for tramping, skiing, enjoying the Southland views and is very much enjoying getting back to her rural roots.

Alicia grew up on a dairy farm in South Australia and has always loved the rural lifestyle and the outdoors. She graduated from Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia in December 2016. Alicia then moved to Southland and is living on a dairy farm with her kiwi partner. Alicia has a strong interest in production animal work and also enjoys being involved in the small animal clinic. Outside of work Alicia spends her time playing netball, helping out on the farm, tramping and plans to learn how to ski.

Joel joined us after finishing his studies at Massey University in 2011. Originally from dairy country in the Bay of Plenty, Joel likes to get stuck into all aspects of production animal work, especially dairy, sheep, beef, and deer. He enjoys the outdoors, and is very much looking forward to getting into some local sport, hunting, and fishing – anything Southland has to offer.

Lizzie is originally from the UK and has moved to New Zealand to join VetSouth in Gore. She graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 2009 and has worked as a mixed animal vet in Wales since then. Her hobbies include a wide range of outdoor activities including kayaking and climbing.

Mel grew up on a local sheep and beef farm; which eventually converted to a dairy farm. Mel has always had a keen interest in large animals and farming. She gained 3 years of dairy experience before she started at VetSouth in October 2014 as a Vet Tech. In Mel’s spare time she enjoys outdoor activities such as biking, netball and walking her dog.

Born and raised in Heddon Bush, Ben is a local who has returned to Southland after gaining accounting experience by studying and practicing first in Dunedin and then for three years in Australia. He now lives in Winton and enjoys Cricket, Card Games and playing the Saxophone.

Judith is one of those valuable employees who can turn her hand to any job needed. She covers reception duties in the morning then without so much as a phone booth to change in she jumps into the VetSouth Ltd batmobile and drives to Tapanui with the supplies required for the efficient running of that branch. She covers the lunch break there and then returns to Gore where you can then find her working in the shop for the afternoon.

Born and bred a Southlander (except for a 10 year stint in Dunedin) I recently relocated to Gore from Invercargill with my husband Bruce and son Kayden. When not at work I enjoy spending time with Bruce, Kayden and my two step-daughters Paige and Naomi, as well as with friends and family, and getting out and about to see the area more. Looking forward to working with the team at VetSouth.

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!

 

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

Sharon joined the VetSouth team in March 2013. Before then she was involved in the dairy industry and education sector in West Otago. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two sons. Sharon is enjoying working with the enthusiastic friendly group of people at VetSouth Gore.