Our current VLVS candidate cohort commenced the program in January 2025 and are well on the way to becoming competent, confident livestock-focused veterinarians.
2025 Candidates
After growing up in suburbia, I graduated from The University of Melbourne in 2022 and moved to Warragul, Gippsland to start work with Devoted Vets. The change to country living was a welcome one, and I think being a mixed practice vet is an awesome way to give back to the rural community that has given so much to me. I enjoy the challenge and variety of working in mixed animal practice but hope to focus mainly on dairy cattle practice in the future. I am passionate about growing professional relationships with dairy farmers and helping them get the most out of their business whilst also achieving the best outcomes for the animals in their care.
Outside of work, I enjoy being outdoors as much as possible and highly value time spent travelling and exploring new places with my family and
I grew up on a small hobby farm on the Bellarine Peninsula, where my love for animals sparked a dream of becoming a veterinarian. Throughout school, I worked as a GP and emergency veterinary nurse in Geelong, before graduating from the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Melbourne in 2022. Following graduation, I moved to the beautiful Victorian south-west and joined the team at Hampden Veterinary Clinic.
I enjoy all aspects of mixed practice, with particular interests in large animal surgery, cattle medicine, and emergency care.
I thrive on new challenges and am excited to participate in the VLVS Program to enhance my herd health skills, whilst working alongside inspiring peers, colleagues, and mentors.
Outside of work, I love running with my kelpie, reading a good book, socialising with friends, or discovering a new TV show.
My upbringings on a sheep and cropping property near Young
NSW, have become the foundation for my passion and dedication to the agricultural world. I graduated from Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga in 2023, and I am working in North-Eastern Victoria at Tallangatta and Kiewa Vets with an awesome team!
Working as a large animal veterinarian in Victoria allows me to continue my ongoing strong interest and commitment to the production animal world, where I can enhance the lives of farmers and their livestock. I am also a qualified wool classer and love working with both cattle and sheep.
With this incredible scholarship program, I hope to gain valuable experience, confidence and ultimately become a competent large animal veterinarian with advanced clinical proficiency. One day I wish to be able to pass knowledge and skills on to upcoming young vets.
I grew up in Gembrook, Victoria, just outside Melbourne. At home, we briefly ran a small sheep stud with showings at the Seymour Alternative Farming Expo. I went to vet school at Melbourne University, where I fell in love with cattle work on placements, particularly in the dairy industry.
I'm commencing my graduate employment at Gippsland Veterinary Hospital, Maffra in January 2025 where I look forward to meeting some great clients and working with their animals. Some areas I want to learn more about and develop further include dairy medicine & surgery, calf rearing and management as well as beef genetics. I feel very fortunate to have the help of a supportive mentor through the VLVS program to guide me in this.
I have lots of hobbies outside of work including all things music production, fishing, hiking, training the dogs and seeing mates!
Having grown up on a farm in Central West NSW, I was exposed to rural life from a young age. This is something I am incredibly grateful for as it has led me to the exciting life of being a mixed practice veterinarian.
After finishing my degree at CSU Wagga Wagga in 2024, l made the move to Northern Victorian, commencing mixed practice work at Cobram Veterinary Clinic. Although it has only been a few months, I am thoroughly enjoying the new scenery, variety of work in the clinic and getting out on farm.
It is great being exposed to different large animal medical and surgical cases and I'm excited to continue to grow my skills and knowledge in this area with the support and guidance of the VLVS program.
Originally from Wollongong, NSW, I was drawn to the rural lifestyle through familial connections to the dairy industry and completing my studies at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga. I am now a dedicated and enthusiastic new graduate veterinarian at GV Vets in Shepparton.
As a mixed practice veterinarian, l am committed to advancing the well-being and health of production animals and am eager to contribute to the broader agricultural community. Inspiring younger generations to explore the diverse opportunities within the agricultural sector is a particular passion of mine.
I thrive on connecting and socialising with others through work, travel, and shared experiences. I love staying active through sport, enjoying the teamwork it fosters, and am continuously supported with avid and unwavering encouragement and strength from my family. I aspire to further my growth whilst making a meaningful impact on Shepparton's thriving agricultural community.
I hail from a beef cattle and dryland cropping property near Deniliquin, NSW, and attended Ballarat Grammar School as a boarding student. I then completed a Bachelor of Agriculture with a major in Animal Science and went on to attain a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Melbourne. I've continually built my knowledge through active involvement in rural communities and will soon commence work as a mixed-practice veterinarian at Border Veterinary Clinic, Cohuna.
From my upbringing, I believe animals and their value to agriculture have always been relevant to my professional endeavours. I'm passionate about working with animals and dealing with the current challenges facing agriculture and vets in Australia and I understand and appreciate the value of country communities, believing I can make a positive impact in the animal health industry and its sustainability. I am confident that the VLVS scholarship will support me in achieving this. Outside of work, I enjoy helping on the family farm, social golf, and catching up with mates whenever I can.
I grew up with a beef/sheep background in Southwest Victoria, which drove my passion to pursue large animal veterinary work. I graduated from Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, in July 2023. During my veterinary studies, I completed placement at the Gippsland Veterinary Group, with whom I have recently commenced work as a mixed veterinarian, beginning September 2024.
My professional interests include large animal medicine, surgery and reproduction. I also have a keen interest in small ruminant population medicine. I am looking forward to pursuing my interests in these fields with further CPD.
When not at work, I enjoy going to the gym regularly, playing social netball, taking my dog, Tilly, for walks along the beach and enjoying a wine or two with my friends on the weekend.
2025 Supervisors
Brett (Davo') grew up on a family dairy farm in Tongala, Northern Victoria before going to University of Melbourne and graduating in 2004. He has spent most of his career working in mixed practice in Northern Victoria (with a little UK trip in the midst) before co-founding GV Vets Shepparton in 2017. Since then, he has significantly grown this family-owned clinic, supporting many young vets along the way and winning Best New Business
2018) and Best Business – Professional Services (2019) in the local annual Shepparton Business Awards.
Davo is a father of 3 boys, a staunch Hawks supporter and an avid watcher of and contributor to multiple sports and outdoor activities. Brett is supervising candidate Mikayla Markham in the VLVS Program.
David grew up in Jancourt East, SW Victoria. He graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1995 and commenced his career at Tarwin Vet Clinic, South Gippsland. 'Bucks' has worked almost entirely with dairy cattle from the outset, moving back to SW Victoria after an 18-month interlude locuming in the UK. In 2009, he co-founded Hampden Veterinary Clinic, Cobden with Simon Dean, later joined by Xavier McKinnon and more recently by Anthony Down. The clinic has gone from strength to strength, growing enormously in size, location and reputation over the last 16 years.
Bucks is a father of three daughters and is subsequently an expert in all things netball. In his spare time, he enjoys a few holes of golf and game or two of cricket. He barracks for the Bombers and will be supervising candidate Chelsea Skuza for the VLVS program.
Joe graduated from the inaugural veterinary cohort of Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga in 2010. He has since spent 14 years working in mixed animal practices across NSW and Northern Victoria, including becoming practice owner at Tallangatta and Kiewa Veterinary Clinics in 2015. Joe runs this clinic alongside his wife, Meika, who is also a vet, where they have successfully grown the practice from 3 to 8 veterinary FTE during this period
Joe is a father to 3 young children and, whilst he has now hung up his AFL and touch footy boots, he still enjoys bike riding, breweries and getting outdoors in the NE for some boating, camping and occasional fishing. Joe is supervising candidate Emme Williams in the VLVS Program.
Lachlan graduated from The University of Melbourne in 2000 before embarking on a decade of adventures fulfilling various mixed animal veterinary roles overseas, in the UK and developing countries. Since 2010, he has worked in mixed animal practices based in Northern Victoria, particularly focusing on dairy cattle. He contributes significantly to veterinary and producer education and training and is an active contributor to his local community.
Lachy currently works at Border Veterinary Clinic, Cohuna, part of Apiam Animal Health. He is kept extra busy outside of veterinary work running a dairy farm and enjoying family time with his 3 children and wife, Amanda (who is also a vet). Lachy loves a good spreadsheet and his favourite joke is "What did the 'O' say to the '8'? Nice belt."! Lachy is supervising candidate Niall Barlow for the VLVS Program.
Having graduated from the University of Queensland in 2007, Marilyn brings 15 years of dairy veterinary experience working with The Vet Group, Timboon to our VLVS supervisor cohort. Marilyn still lives in South West Victoria where she manages a beef and sheep property, continuing on her family farming background with her husband and two twin 11-year-old boys. Marilyn is both our only female and only external (i.e. she does not routinely work within the same practice as her candidate VLVS supervisor, therefore performing a novel role in supporting both the VLVS candidate and the veterinary clinic as a whole. She will be supervising candidate Sophie Gough in the VLVS program.
Marilyn is a real asset to the VLVS program as she will additionally be assisting with the mentoring of several VLVS candidates, ensuring that they all have support extending outside the framework of their employing practices.
Matt graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2005 before commencing his 19 years' experience as a seasoned veterinary nomad in mixed and cattle practices all over Australia and the UK. Whilst his home farm and upbringing began in South West Victoria, Matt has worked extremely widely at numerous veterinary clinics in Gippsland, SW Victoria, Northern Victoria, NSW,
Tasmania, New Zealand and the UK before landing at Devoted Vets (part of the Apiam Group) in Warragul in 2022.
Matt is a seasoned triathlete and runner, completing marathons and Ironmans along his way. Matt is supervising candidate Callum Tomlin in the VLVS Program.
Rob grew up on a dairy and beef farm in central Victoria before graduating from the University of Melbourne in 2004 where his incredible hair earned him the nickname "Mufasa".
He commenced his career as a mixed animal vet in Kyabram for 3 years before working his way around the UK, living the Aussie vet dream. After returning from his travels, he began work at Maffra in the Macallister Irrigation District of Gippsland, however the travel bug was not yet out of his system, so he set sail once again for a few more years in the UK before the beautiful Gippsland country once again called him back. A final stint of travel to East Arnhem (NT) acting as sole charge veterinarian for a small animal practice (including dabbling with dolphins and wildlife led Rob to finally settle back firmly in Maffra where he now balances part time vet work, running his own beef operation and juggling 3 young children. Rob is supervising candidate Harry Stapleton in the VLVS Program.
Sam spent much of his early years moving around between NSW, Vicotria and South Australia with his family. They settled in Wangaratta where he then completed his schooling. Sam went on to graduate as a veterinarian from Charles Sturt Uni in 2011 before commencing work in mixed animal practice. He fulfilled the classic Aussie vet lifestyle by travelling and working around the UK for a year before returning to Australia to take on a position with Cobram and Yarrawonga Vets in Northern Victoria where he still remains, now co-owning the business with Diddi.
Sam spends time outside of work enjoying his young family and watching and playing many sports. He is supervising candidate Liz Young in the VLVS Program.
2025 Clinics
The 2025 cohort are supported by the following Victorian regional mixed practices:
- Border Veterinary Clinic, Cohuna Border Veterinary Clinic | Apiam Animal Health : Apiam Animal Health
- Cobram Vet Clinic, Cobram Cobram Veterinary Clinic
- Gippsland Veterinary Group. Leongatha Gippsland Veterinary Group | Trusted Local Animal Care
- Gippsland Veterinary Hospital, Maffra Gippsland Veterinary Hospital | Local Pet Hospital for Maffra, Sale, Stratford, Tinamba, Heyfield, Rosedale, Cowwarr, Newry | Maffra Vet Near Me in Wellington Shire
- GV Vets, Shepparton GV Vets | Veterinary Clinic and Hospital | Shepparton VIC 3630
- Hampden Veterinary Clinic, Cobden Hampden Veterinary Clinic – Hampden Veterinary Clinic – Locally Owned and Operated
- Tallangatta and Kiewa Veterinary Clinics, Tallangatta Tallangatta Veterinary Clinic
- Warragul Vet, Warragul Warragul Vet | Local Pet Hospital for Warragul, Drouin, Yarragon, Trafalgar, Neerim South, West Gippsland | Warragul Vet Near Me in Baw Baw Shire
