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 Sydney University, 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.
Our team penning team photo by FF & GMD
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.
The staff at the Gunnedah Veterinary Hospital would like to welcome William Lachlan Clifton who was born on Friday 9th October 2009.
REBECCA LEMON B.V.Sc.
Coming soon...
Support Staff
ERIN MORLEY
Erin was born in Sydney in 1984 and spent most of her childhood there before travelling around the world for 2 ye
ars. When she returned home she worked at the Australian Racing Board and completed a Horse Performance Industry course. In 2007 she decided she had enough of the city life and spent the next couple of years working with thoroughbred horse trainers and at stud farms throughout NSW.
In 2009, Erin decided she wanted to work with smaller animals so moved to Gunnedah in August and started a Veterinary Nursing course through Tafe.
In her spare time Erin enjoys riding her horse, spending time with her dog, barbecues & camping with friends, horse racing and watching the Manly Sea Eagles win.
Erin's extended family include her dog Bailey and horse Indie.
Nurses
RACHAEL LARKMAN
Rachael was born in Melbourne in 1980 and stayed there throughout her schooling years completing them at The University of Melbourne where she obtained an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Science. In 2003 she moved with her now husband, Cameron, to Maitland NSW where she worked as a Commercial Agronomist for Landmark, before relocating to Gunnedah in late 2006.
She began working at Gunnedah Veterinary Hospital in March 2007 and thoroughly enjoys her work with the animals. Rachael works on a part time basis allowing her to continue her interests in agriculture outside of the clinic.
Rachael and Cameron’s extensive extended family members include, 5 dogs, 3 cats, 4 horses, 6 ducks and a cow! Rachael’s spare time is often spent with her extended family as she enjoys, dog training, dressage, stock work and camp drafting.
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 3 & 6, 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. She began her Nursing Traineeship with Gunnedah Veterinary Hospital in August 2007 & completed the training in June 2009.
The extended Quetcher family includes Jeordie, Diva & Buddy (all Bull Arab crosses) & Slip the Mini Fox Terrier, Bantam chickens, budgies & finches & 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, 3 horses (Cecil, Austin & Charlie), 2 dogs (Ralph and Lewis) & a cat called Craig.
