Our Team
Vets
DAVID AMOS B.V.Sc
David grew up in the Moree district on a grazing & farming property where he saw a career in veterinary practice as the best way to continue his association with the country. After he graduated from University of Queensland, he took up his first veterinary post as a six month relief worker at Narrogin Veterinary Hospital in WA, a position he describes as ‘daunting’. The owner went away on a overseas trip while new graduate David learned the ropes of veterinary practice on his own.
In 1977 he began working for Phil Knight at the Gunnedah Veterinary Hospital, initially to assist during the busy thoroughbred breeding season but he never got around to leaving! David went on to buy the practice from Phil Knight in 1986 when his former employer decided to retire. He has many special memories of working with Phil, who proved to be a great mentor for a young vet.
Over the years David has had many wide & varied experiences as a vet & enjoys an opportunity to recount the more interesting ones. He enjoys all aspects of cattle work and is accredited with the National Cattle Pregnancy Diagnosis Scheme enabling him to pregnancy test & tag cattle. He is also accredited with both the Ovine Johnes Disease & the Bovine Johnes Disease Market Assurance Programs along with the Ovine Brucellosis Scheme.
He also has a keen interest in wildlife including koala, native birds & kangaroos, all of which we have in abundance here in Gunnedah & all of which frequent the clinic. While animals are his passion, he has a long standing relationship with several of the local sporting associations including tennis & cricket & he used to coach the local junior rubgy team.
TINA CLIFTON B.V.Sc.
Tina was born in Germany in 1976 & moved to Australia with her parents at the age of 4. She grew up in Sydney but has always preferred life in rural Australia. "I always wanted to be a vet - there was never really a decision. I was just always going to be!" says Tina who has been in practice now since 2005. She attended Ravenswood School for Girls during High School before being accepted into Sydney University to study Veterinary Science in 1995. The call of the bush became too much for her during her studies & she took 2 years off to be a jillaroo in the Gulf of Carpentaria where she developed her cattle & horse handling skills. Back at University, she graduated with Honours in 2004 & decided she wanted to make her start in the Hunter Valley area of NSW. By this time she had met her husband-to-be (on an MS Horse Ride) & that helped her to decide where she wanted to make her start. She knew she wanted to be part of a rural mixed practice where she could treat small animals as well as horses & cattle & so she approached the Gunnedah Veterinary Hospital. Tina seemed to be just what the doctor ordered for the practice! She started working here in January 2005 & the time has just flown by ever since!
It became obvious, after the first year at the clinic that the existing premises were just not going to accommodate 2 vets & so discussions began into alternatives. As alternatives were discussed the practice continued to grow & Tina was eventually offered a partnership. The partnership was made official when the new premises in Barber Street was opened in June 2007 & the practice has continued to grow & evolve. She has accumulated a vast array of interesting stories since joining Gunnedah Veterinary Hospital & doesn't miss an opportunity to share the experiences!
The extended Clifton family consists of Dude, Calibre, Rocket & 4 others (all horses), Tango, Xena & Ben (the Kelpies) & 7 chooks. Being in veterinary practice keeps her very busy but when she is not being a vet, Tina enjoys horse riding, breeding chooks, tennis with the local club, sushi on the beach & veggie gardening.
REBECCA LEMON B.V.Sc.
Coming soon...
Nurses
NIKOLE PEARCE
Nikole was born in Sydney in 1980 and lived there till she completed her high school years. In 1999 she moved to central Queensland where she took up an employment opportunity as a jillaroo on a cattle station near Charters Towers, enjoying the country lifestyle and working on the land, Nikole meet her partner Barry and they took over the property as managers. In 2004 Nikole and Barry celebrated extending their family with the birth of their son Izaiah and in 2008 they all moved to Gunnedah.
Nikole completed her certificate IV in veterinary nursing in june 2011. When Nikole is not at work she spends her time trail riding, taking her dog Joe to obedience classes, exploring the local attractions with her family and hanging out with friends.
Since Living in Gunnedah their family has expanded rapidly to include: 2 horses (Beaver and Vegas), 3 dogs (Coco, Tess and Joe) and the occasional injured animal that she nurses back to health.
TANYA QUETCHER
Tanya was born in the Singleton area in 1981 & spent her childhood there until she moved to Gunnedah in 2003. She married her husband Darren in 2000 & they had their first child in 2002. She now has a family of 2 boys, aged 6 &10, who are more than enough to keep her busy!
Tanya has always wanted to work with animals & in 2006 she began the TAFE Vet Nursing course. Tanya is now a fully qualified veterinary nurse.
The extended Quetcher family includes; Diva, Buddy and Scooby (all Bull Arab crosses) along with Slip the Mini Fox Terrier, a bunch of crazy chooks, and a tank full of tropical fish.
In her spare time (which is a rarity!) she enjoys camping, horse riding, water-skiing, pottering in the vegie patch & cooking for her family.
CAROLINE MONTGOMERY
Caroline was born in Brisbane in 1981 and spent most of her young life travelling through Asia with her parents. She attended St Margarets Anglican Girls school and studied a Bachelor of Applied Science in Animal Nutrition at the University of Queensland.
Caroline has recently moved to Gunnedah in June 2009. She previously worked for two years as Vet Nurse at the Moree Veterinary Hospital and prior to that worked as an Animal Nutritionist. In her spare time, Caroline enjoys eventing with her horses and travelling.
Caroline has plenty of animals to keep her busy, a horse named Bluey, 2 dogs (Ralph and Lewis) & 2 cats (Craig and Keith).
