I was born in Parkes NSW and went to school in Sydney. After leaving school, I completed a Bachelor of Science degree at The Australian National University, Canberra. However, it was my life long ambition to become a veterinarian; it was not until 1998 that I had the opportunity to return to university to fulfill this ambition. Prior to returning to University, I was employed by the CSIRO / CRC for Vertebrate Pest Control in Canberra as a molecular biologist.
Upon graduating as a vet I worked at Bulimba Veterinary Clinic, QLD. This was a 100% small animal practice. Here, I was involved in all aspects of small animal Medicine and Surgery. I then moved to Queanbeyan Veterinary Hospital, NSW, to work in mixed animal practice. Here I worked with hobby farmers, alpaca studs, goat studs and cattle properties outside Canberra. Finally, before moving to Armidale with my family (Karen and 2 kids, (Amy-Jane, and Alex), the dogs (Echo, Buttons, and Gemma) and the cats (Rusky, Horse and Tonka), I worked in Scone NSW, involved entirely in Equine reproduction.
My interests include all aspects of dog and cat medicine and surgery, equine reproduction, SCUBA Diving (PADI Instructor), snow skiing, and horse riding. Finally, but certainly not least, we have the privilege of breeding Warmblood horses. Our horse numbers have grown to 26 this year!!! TEST
I completed my schooling in Brisbane and then attended QLD University. On graduation I obtained a position in mixed practice at Gore in New Zealand. After 12 months I returned to Australia and worked in the NW New South Wales towns of Moree and Warialda. This was followed by a period in the United Kingdom doing locum work in North Yorkshire and seeing horse practice at Newmarket. After locum work back in Australia including a 12 months stint in Canberra, I established the Uralla Veterinary Clinic in 1977. This proved to be a good move with a team of vets and nurses providing an effective veterinary service to the surrounding district. In 2009 an amalgamation took place and the Uralla Veterinary Clinic became part of New England Veterinary Centres and as such continues to provide the same level of service to our many clients.
On a personal note ,my wife Cherry and I have 3 children ,Richard ,Janet and Iain, and 2 grandchildren Harry and Sophie. On our lifestyle block ,we run a few White Suffolk sheep and as well have an Australian Terrier “Sam” and a tabby cat “Charlotte” I was involved with Uralla Rotary for 32 years and am now an Honorary member. I was also, for 17 years, associated with the CSIRO Animal Ethics Committee. I am particularly interested in Cattle and Sheep medicine.
David Willis graduated from Sydney University in 1973. He has been in partnership in mixed practices in Biloela and Maleny in Qld. He also worked in the United Kingdom for 18 months. He has been in partnerships in Warialda and Armidale from 1981 to 2008 when Jason Andrews purchase DW & EM Willis of Armidale. David has Australian Cattle accreditation for bull testing and pregnancy testing and has accreditation for Johnes disease testing and ovine brucellosis.
David is past president (now vice president) of Jumping NSW and is a keen target rifle shooter.
Jo was raised on a beef cattle property near Lismore. She lived there until she left to fulfill her lifelong ambition of becoming a vet. Jo graduated vet science at the University of Queensland at the end of 2002 - alongside Jason Andrews. She then worked at our clinic in Uralla for over 4 years and absolutely loved it! Her experience here cemented her love of the variety of country mixed practice - from performing cow caesarians in sleet in the dead of winter, to forming friendships with clients and their much loved pets through to helping our native wildlife. Then the travel bug hit, and Jo spent most of 2007 in the UK working as a locum vet. She gained a lot from the experience but is glad to be back in the New England area, recently marrying Walcha wool and cattle producer Justin.
Jos passions in the veterinary field include dog and cat surgery and medicine, herd health (cattle and sheep) and obstetrics (both cattle and pets). She also enjoys the challenges of seeing more "unusual" pets such as ferrets, chooks and the odd snake! Outside of work, Jo would like to get a couple of horses to add to her family and she enjoys helping on the family property, playing violin, camping and bushwalking. Jo has two hyperactive dogs (mixed breed mutts) named Mitzy and Bella and a duck named Fred.
Heather Shortridge has been working at New England Veterinary Centres since her graduation from vet school in 2008, and continues to love the opportunity to work in a clinic that offers top quality care to the animals of the region. Heather studied Agricultural Science at Melbourne University, before moving on to Veterinary Science at the University of Sydney. Heather is generally interested in all creatures great and small, and has worked on several farms, with cows, goats, and horses, (including a stint in Switzerland) as well as growing up with a menagerie of pets, from cats to goats, rabbits, dogs, mice, rats, guinea pigs, and even (in England) hamsters! These days Heather is owned by two wonderful cats, Charlie and Kitani. Heather looks forward to meeting you and your animal friends!
Sarah grew up near the tropical north Queensland town of Cairns where she developed her love for all animals and her desire to become a veterinarian. She was lucky enough to grow up owning and riding horses, developing a keen interest for these animals. Sarah studied Veterinary Science in Brisbane and during this time has had the opportunity to work at the thoroughbred yearling sales in New Zealand and complete an externship at UC Davis Veterinary School, California. Aside from work, Sarah enjoys snowboarding, horseriding, running, travelling and wine tasting. Sarah has been working at New England Veterinary Centres since she graduated in 2009 and thoroughly enjoys the variety of cases that each day brings. She is slowly beginning the inevitable acquisition of pets, starting with a budgie (Budge) and a fish called Yam.
Brendan graduated from the University of Sydney in 2010 with first class honours. He completed his honours thesis on aspects of flystrike control in un-mulesed Merino sheep, a collaborative project between Novartis Animal Health and the University of Sydney, and partly funded by the Australian Wool Education Trust. Whilst at University Brendan resided at St. Andrews College.
Brendan was born and raised in Uralla and educated at The Armidale School, he is excited to return home to develop his career in Veterinary Science. Brendan has special interests in all aspects of sheep and cattle medicine and production animal parasitology (particular sheep worm control in the New England region).
During his spare time Brendan pursues a number of interests. He is an avid poultry breeder, exhibitor and judge, having judged at many shows in NSW, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania, and is currently President of the Leghorn Club of Australia Inc. Brendan also runs stud Poll Dorset sheep, in conjunction with his father and brother in Uralla. Brendan sits on the Youth Group of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW and is an honorary Veterinarian for the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Brendan also enjoys Water Skiing, Squash and Rugby.