Dr Rodney Anderson

Veterinarian

I grew up on a cattle property in central Queensland, and after finishing University went to work in a predominantly dairy practice in Tasmania, for three years and followed up travelling overseas on a working holiday for 2 years.

I came back to Australia and went to a birthday party in Valla in the late 1990’s, and got a job while visiting.  I have been here in our beautiful Nambucca Valley ever since.  I must be considered a local almost by now, until the NRL State of Origin comes around each year when the family lines are all drawn.

The people, the pets and the great team that I work with makes for a very enjoyable working environment.

When I’m not at work I can be found playing tennis, chasing teenage children around, or on the farm having some time out.

Those children pictured are now teenagers, so I will look to repeat that holiday photo this year, to see how they have grown up,  and we adults each side of them have grown old!

Dr Jenny Keay

Veterinarian

Graduating with Honours from the University of Queensland in 2006, I lunged straight into an equine intern position at Oakey Veterinary Hospital, an equine veterinary specialist centre. The hospital was a mixed practice that largely saw equine medicine and surgery. It was also a university teaching school and a great place to start my career, but missing the coastal environment I decided to move on after a few years.

After moving southwards to the Mid North Coast in 2008 and starting a family, I am now a veterinarian at the Nambucca clinic. I have a keen interest in my equine friends and small animal medicine and surgery. When not at work you will find me out playing with my Arabian horses or spending time with my husband and two children which usually involves enjoying the pristine beaches we are lucky to have here.

Lizzy Hewitt

Veterinarian

I grew up in Sydney, but had my best memories on the family farm, which often resulted in sick lambs being brought back to our suburban backyard. I graduated from Sydney university in 2016, starting work at a mixed practice in Coffs Harbour, enjoying the variety of patients and the beautiful surrounds. For the last 2 years, I have been travelling and locuming around Australia, but couldn't resist the lure back to the Mid North Coast and all it has to offer. I love treating all species, but particularly enjoy working with horses. When not at work, I am usually horse riding, hiking, camping or snowboarding. 

Dr Karen Thompson

Veterinarian

I graduated from Murdoch University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, then soon after furthered my qualifications with a Certificate in Veterinary Acupuncture.

My career has taken me from Darwin to the UK then back to Australia working in Victoria and NSW. Settling in the Mid North Coast in 2006 to raise a family I joined the Mid Coast Vets team in 2012. My Veterinary work over the years has focused mainly around medicine and surgery for dogs, cats and anything smaller, with Veterinary Acupuncture, Physiotherapy, Reiki and Chinese Herbs being fantastic adjuncts to western medicines. I have a strong interest in resolving skin diseases, maintaining good pet dental care and providing education and support for clients. I take pride in being able to offer a high standard of patient and client care.

In my free time I will be found chasing children and enjoying the outdoors.

Ben Martin

Veterinarian

I grew up north of Brisbane and went on many family road trips around Australia as a youngster. Seeing wildlife, doing farm stays, bushwalks and other activities like snorkelling fostered my deep appreciation and love of all animals. Picking our family dogs up from the kennels after trips away was always a highlight as well.  

I graduated from UQ Gatton in 2023. During this time, I also completed my Divemaster and worked as a dive professional on boats running out of Port Douglas and Cairns. I also have a passion for helping student vets and ran multiple events for veterinary mental health at university.

I am excited to be part of the amazing team at Midcoast Vets and enjoy being part of the community on the Mid North Coast. I find farm work especially rewarding, as well as dealing with interesting medical cases and wildlife in the clinic.

Leo Rubinstein

Veterinarian

I grew up by the beach in Sydney alongside a small pack of golden retrievers. As a kid, I spent most of my summers camping in the bush, which ignited my interest in wildlife and animals in general. I graduated as a Veterinarian from the University of Sydney in 2024. At work, I’m particularly keen on farm work, small animal surgery, and wildlife and exotic care. When I’m not at work, you can find me at the beach, swimming, running, at the gym, bushwalking, camping, SCUBA diving, rock-climbing, or checking out some live music.

Angela

Veterinary Nurse

Angela is a qualified veterinary nurse with over 25 years of experience. She has bolstered her education with numerous courses in animal behaviour and training, specialising in puppies. Angela has run the Nambucca Clinic Puppy Preschool program for the past 23 years.  

When not at work, Angela enjoys spending time with her English pointers and horse riding. 

Cassie

Veterinary Nurse

Cassie has been a qualified vet nurse for over 8 years. She has a special interest in small animal dentistry, emergencies and anaesthesia and is continually furthering her education in these areas.
When not at work Cassie loves spending time at home on her farm with her family quad bike riding, horse riding and also spending time away trialling in sheep and cattle working dog trials.

Peta

Veterinary Nurse

I have been working with Midcoast Vets since 2010 when I started volunteering at our Nambucca clinic one day a week whilst completing my Cert II in Animal Studies. I then started working for the practice whilst I was completing my Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing. These days you will find me at our Nambucca clinic on a Saturday morning and also working with our amazing team of vets on Sundays and during afterhours.

 Outside of the clinic I am a fully qualified All Breeds Cat Judge, and travel throughout Australia to judge a wide variety of pedigree and domestic cats.  I also show my pedigree Norwegian Forest Cats who consistently do extremely well including multiple 'best in show' placings right up to national show level.

I have a passion for quality customer service, caring for and treating sick animals and all things feline.

Brodie

Veterinary Nurse

After completing my Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, I went off and worked in real estate for a short time. But I soon realised that my true passion was working with animals, so I joined the Midcoast Vets team.

I enjoy all aspects of vet nursing, including large animals. I’m very grateful for the experience and knowledge I gain each day from my colleagues. 

I have always had a love for animals and now have a few pets of my own. When not at work, you will find me either hanging with my horse, at the beach with my dog Isla or enjoying a cocktail and music with my partner and friends. 

Nicky Smith

Practice Manager

I joined Midcoast Vets in 2017 which was a big career change for me.  All my working life I worked for state governments in the area of environmental management.  Weary from working with government and the unavoidable intervening politics, I welcomed a radical change in career direction.  Joining Midcoast Vets has been a great move, a refreshing and challenging change.

Animals have been an important part of my life with one or two dogs always by my side. Being a practice manager has enabled me to marry my management skills and my love for animals.  In my job I am so privileged to work alongside a bunch of amazing nurses and vets who work tirelessly to ensure our patients receive the best healthcare.

When I am not at work I enjoy bushwalking and camping, hanging at the beach, spending time with my family and dogs, reading books and gardening.

Dr Emma Packer

Veterinarian

I grew up in central west NSW, and after graduating I returned to Western NSW to work in mixed practices in Dubbo and Coonamble. From there I spent the next 2 years locuming around Australia in almost every state, before settling into an Equine practice in south-east Queensland. My particular interests are equine reproduction and medicine, surgery and orthopaedics. In my spare time I enjoy surfing, running and travelling. I mostly work out of the Urunga clinic and really enjoy working with the enthusiastic and professional team

Dr Lizzy Hewitt

Veterinarian

I grew up in Sydney, but had my best memories on the family farm, which often resulted in sick lambs being brought back to our suburban backyard. I graduated from Sydney university in 2016, starting work at a mixed practice in Coffs Harbour, enjoying the variety of patients and the beautiful surrounds. For the last 2 years, I have been travelling and locuming around Australia, but couldn't resist the lure back to the Mid North Coast and all it has to offer. I love treating all species, but particularly enjoy working with horses. When not at work, I am usually horse riding, hiking, camping or snowboarding. 

Dr Karen Thompson

Veterinarian

I graduated from Murdoch University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, then soon after furthered my qualifications with a Certificate in Veterinary Acupuncture.

My career has taken me from Darwin to the UK then back to Australia working in Victoria and NSW. Settling in the Mid North Coast in 2006 to raise a family I joined the Mid Coast Vets team in 2012. My Veterinary work over the years has focused mainly around medicine and surgery for dogs, cats and anything smaller, with Veterinary Acupuncture, Physiotherapy, Reiki and Chinese Herbs being fantastic adjuncts to western medicines. I have a strong interest in resolving skin diseases, maintaining good pet dental care and providing education and support for clients. I take pride in being able to offer a high standard of patient and client care.

In my free time I will be found chasing children and enjoying the outdoors.

Dr Ben Martin

Veterinarian

I grew up north of Brisbane and went on many family road trips around Australia as a youngster. Seeing wildlife, doing farm stays, bushwalks and other activities like snorkelling fostered my deep appreciation and love of all animals. Picking our family dogs up from the kennels after trips away was always a highlight as well.  

I graduated from UQ Gatton in 2023. During this time, I also completed my Divemaster and worked as a dive professional on boats running out of Port Douglas and Cairns. I also have a passion for helping student vets and ran multiple events for veterinary mental health at university.

I am excited to be part of the amazing team at Midcoast Vets and enjoy being part of the community on the Mid North Coast. I find farm work especially rewarding, as well as dealing with interesting medical cases and wildlife in the clinic.

Dr Fabian Yunda

Veterinarian

Hailing from the lofty heights of Bogotá, Colombia, I graduated as a vet in 2017 and took my talents global - practising in Colombia, Brazil, and Australia, completing the national veterinary examination for overseas vets last year. I like to think of myself as a mixed animal vet in training to be the next James Herriot, minus the tweed and with better dance moves.

I am fluent in Spanish, English, and Portuguese, and my areas of interest are surgery and diagnostic imaging.

In my spare time, you’ll find me conquering mountains, exploring new destinations, or hitting the gym. When it comes to food, I’m on a lifelong quest to try everything from street tacos to gourmet dining. Basically, I’m living proof that you can be both an animal saviour and a culinary adventurer!

Dr Leo Rubinstein

Veterinarian

I grew up by the beach in Sydney alongside a small pack of golden retrievers. As a kid, I spent most of my summers camping in the bush, which ignited my interest in wildlife and animals in general. I graduated as a Veterinarian from the University of Sydney in 2024. At work, I’m particularly keen on farm work, small animal surgery, and wildlife and exotic care. When I’m not at work, you can find me at the beach, swimming, running, at the gym, bushwalking, camping, SCUBA diving, rock-climbing, or checking out some live music.

Lauren

Veterinary Nurse

I grew up on a farm in the Nambucca Valley and after finishing school moved to Melbourne. Once I had left my family farm, I realised how much I missed it, and discovered my real passion was to care for animals. I completed my certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing at Box Hill Institute. 

After 10 years working in and managing a small animal practice in Toorak, my family and I decided to come back home to the warm weather, clean air and tranquil beaches. One of my goals as a nurse has been to work in a mixed practice and gain more experience with large animals. I am very excited to be now doing this on my home turf! When I'm not at work, you will find me spending time with family and friends, usually at the beach.

Sallie

Veterinary Nurse

I have worked in the animal industry for over 15 years, in vet clinics, pet shops and kennels. I have been working as a veterinary nurse since 2014 when I completed my Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing.  Week days you will find me helping animals medically and on weekends I am helping customers at a local pet store.  

I love all things animals. From helping choose the right parasite prevention for your new puppy, to helping nurse pets back to health.  I have an interest in emergency and critical care, rabbit anaesthesia, pet dentistry and client education.

Being a vet nurse and working with animals has always been a passion of mine since I was a little girl. I grew up with a menagerie of small animals including birds, fish, rabbits and dogs. I am currently known as the bunny/dachshund lady. I own 4 Netherland dwarf rabbits and 4 Dachshunds. 

On my days off you will find me spending time with my furry babies, watching whales on the headlands and spending time with friends.

My favourite part of working with Midcoast Vets is the experience of working with such a knowledgeable and capable team. This allows me to broaden my knowledge and become the best possible vet nurse I can be.

Brodie

Veterinary Nurse

After completing my Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, I went off and worked in real estate for a short time. But I soon realised that my true passion was working with animals, so I joined the Midcoast Vets team.

I enjoy all aspects of vet nursing, including large animals. I’m very grateful for the experience and knowledge I gain each day from my colleagues. 

I have always had a love for animals and now have a few pets of my own. When not at work, you will find me either hanging with my horse, at the beach with my dog Isla or enjoying a cocktail and music with my partner and friends. 

Elly

Receptionist

Growing up on a small hobby farm on the picturesque Mid North Coast, I’ve been surrounded by animals for as long as I can remember. That early love for all creatures, great and small, naturally led me to my role at Mid Coast Vets. My background on my family's farm instilled in me a lasting respect for the unique and powerful bond between humans and animals. These early experiences have shaped not only my outlook on animal care but also my belief in the deep connections we share with the creatures in our lives.

It’s an honour to be a part of each pet’s journey and to contribute to the client’s trust in our team. 

Beyond my professional life, I’ve always felt most at home in nature, from soaking up the sun at our beautiful local beaches with my partner on the weekends, to getting away for a few weeks with our friends to explore, fish, and have some laughs around a campfire together.  
When I’m not out adventuring or at work, you’ll find me at home looking after my many indoor plants or snuggled up on the couch with our little Kelpie Donny and a good book!!

Charlotte

Receptionist

I was born and raised on a hobby farm on the north coast of NSW, where my days were filled with caring for all animals, great and small, and nurturing native plants. Growing up in nature, I learned invaluable lessons in genuine compassion and environmental stewardship, which my parents instilled in me from an early age.
After leaving home to pursue higher education, I’ve always made sure to stay connected to animals and the environment. Thus, I am thrilled to be working at Mid Coast Vets, where I can contribute to a like-minded community.
Guided by my love of helping, my goal has always been to leave the world a better place than I found it — a mission I carry with me every day in both my work and personal life.

Jarrah

Kennel Hand

I joined the team at midcoast vets at the start of 2024, however animals have always been a big passion of mine. For the last 15 years I have owned and competed my own horses, which has led to my huge interest in the equine side of my work. 

When I am not at work, I spend my time riding my horse and hanging at the beach with my dogs or friends. I am hoping to travel the world and meet lots of new people and experience new cultures.

Nicky Smith

Practice Manager

I joined Midcoast Vets in 2017 which was a big career change for me.  All my working life I worked for state governments in the area of environmental management.  Weary from working with government and the unavoidable intervening politics, I welcomed a radical change in career direction.  Joining Midcoast Vets has been a great move, a refreshing and challenging change.

Animals have been an important part of my life with one or two dogs always by my side. Being a practice manager has enabled me to marry my management skills and my love for animals.  In my job I am so privileged to work alongside a bunch of amazing nurses and vets who work tirelessly to ensure our patients receive the best healthcare.

When I am not at work I enjoy bushwalking and camping, hanging at the beach, spending time with my family and dogs, reading books and gardening.