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MEET THE STAFF
Your Veterinarians
STEPHANIE ALLISON
Stephanie has been with Balgownie Veterinary Hospital since it opened its doors in November 1991. She has seen many changes as the practice has grown over the years with an increase in staff and clients. Stephanie graduated from University of Queensland, Brisbane. She worked around the north coast of Queensland for a while before travelling overseas and working in the UK for two years. She returned in 1991 to help establish Balgownie Veterinary Hospital. She has completed some post graduate courses in dermatology and most recently, has completed a certificate in Practice Management through the University of Wollongong. Stephanie lives close by to the practice and is a mother of 4; 2 gorgeous children, Hugh and Margot and 2 mischievous dogs, Lizzie and Wilbur!
MATTHEW SAUNDERS
Matthew joined the staff at Balgownie Vet Hospital in October 2010 as a locum Veterinarian over the busy Summer months. He then travelled to New Zealand for a while but has been working intermittently throughout the year in 2011 in between his travels. Matthew enjoys both small animal medicine and surgery. In his spare time, he enjoys surfing and snowboarding. Matthew hales from Scotland and has enjoyed his experiences in Australia/ New Zealand. We keep telling him Balgownie has got to be the best part of his travels!
NIGEL RAY-YOUNG
Nigel is our visiting surgeon who commutes from Sydney when we require his surgical expertise.
Nigel performs a variety of surgery – soft tissue and orthopaedic at Balgownie Veterinary Hospital as well as some Vet Hospitals in the South of Sydney. Nigel enjoys the trip down from Sydney and always marvels at our great beaches and scenery.
Nigel’s most commonly performed surgery would have to be cruciate ligament repair of the knee.
Most repairs are well enough to go home 24 hours post surgery and although it takes 6 weeks for full recovery, we often find his patients are weight bearing within a week of surgery.
JAEYOON PARK
Jaeyoon graduated from Sydney University in December 2010. He began working for Balgownie Vet Hospital in January 2011 and is loving the challenge of Veterinary Practice. His main areas of interest include diagnostic imaging with our recently installed digital radiography unit and surgery – both soft tissue and orthopaedics. Jaey loves rock climbing and surfing in his spare time and also has an interest in photography.
ALISON CLARK
Alison has joined Balgownie Veterinary Hospital in a permanent part time capacity this year. She is available for consultation and surgery on Wednesdays and Thursdays as well as every second Saturday.
Alison graduated from Sydney University and spent her early working life in mixed practice in Victoria and the UK. She has lived and worked on the South Coast for the last fifteen years, most recently in Jervis bay, and now works exclusively with small animals. She has two wonderful children, now teenagers, a slightly bossy dog called Jindy, plus chooks, guinea pigs, goats and a rebellious miniature pony! In her spare time she enjoys reading and creative writing, cooking and gardening.
Our support team
NATASHA ATALLAH
Natasha (Tash) has been with Balgownie Veterinary Hospital for a few years now. She has completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. Last year, she completed a diploma in practice management through the University of New England, Armidale NSW. She hails from Harden, NSW but has decided to settle here after realizing the NSW South Coast is just too irresistible (along with her partner who works close by!)
TEENEA LAMORE
Teenea joined Balgownie Veterinary Hospital in 2009. She has a wealth of experience as a veterinary nurse and keeps us all on our toes!
She is like a whirlwind around the practice ensuring the hospital is spotless and clean, and the shelves stocked with your favourite Royal Canin food and other essential items for your pets.
She juggles her role as inventory manager with other nursing skills in the surgery ensuring your pet is comfortable if he/ she has a stay in hospital.
Teenea has many stories to tell us about her experiences working at other practices – be sure to ask her about the snake in the tyre!
REBECCA GULLY
Rebecca worked at Balgownie Vet Hospital over the Christmas holidays in 2010 as a locum nurse. She has now returned to us in a permanent full time role. Rebecca has a wealth of nursing experience from working in busy hospitals in Western Sydney but enjoys living and working in Balgownie now. When she is not at work, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her son, Isaac. She is also a very keen cook and we all volunteer to sample her work at morning tea!
MICHELLE ODDY
Michelle is one of our new nurses on board and comes with a wealth of experience. Michelle used to work in Sydney before moving down to Wollongong and taking time out to be a mother to her little boy, William. She has returned to vet nursing this year at Balgownie Veterinary Hospital. She enjoys music and rock climbing in her spare time.
ASHLEE PARKS
Ashlee has been coming in to Balgownie Vet Hospital for a couple of years now whilst completing her training for Veterinary Nursing ( Certificate IV ). As she now nears completion, she has been taking on more responsibility within the nursing staff. She now works most Saturday mornings and some weekends as well as helping out during the week. It’s been great to see Ashlee grow in confidence with her nursing skills. Ashlee enjoys water skiing and horse riding in her spare time.
LINK THE LEGEND
Link, our resident cat has been with us for eight years and is our lowest paid employee but never complains. He is worth his weight in cat food and mothers all the orphaned kittens in our cat adoption program.
Occasionally, you might see him lounging at our reception desk. Many passers by have to come in and ask if he is actually real! Although he can read, write and swim underwater, he has not yet mastered opening the front door so if you see him sitting on the front step, please let him in as you go by.