Willunga & Aldinga Veterinary Services

Dr. Simon Edwards

Practice Owner, BSc BVMS, Cert IV A + WT

Simon is one of the owners of the Willunga and Aldinga Veterinary Services. He has been part of the practice since late last century (c1995) and spends most of his working days out on farms chasing cows around. Cattle work is his main focus, but he enjoys all aspects of the practice, and can be seen doing the occasional small animal consult or surgery when needed.

When he is not working he may be seen cycling up a local hill or playing his saxophone with some mates in a couple of local bands, or looking after the many pets and rescues that he and his wife look after.

Dr. Michelle Rees

Practice Owner, BSc BVSc

Michelle graduated Veterinary Science in South Africa and then travelled to Australia for work. She worked in New South Wales and then settled in Queensland and worked for a number of years. In March 2020 Michelle and her family made the move to South Australia and Michelle joined the WAVS team.

Michelle became a partner in the practice in July 2021 joining the current partners Simon and Martin.

Michelle is one of our senior small animal veterinarians seeing a wide variety of medical and surgical caseloads.

In Michelle’s spare time she enjoys spending time with her kids, watching various sports and activities and loves sewing and the beach.

Dr. Neil Thies

Veterinarian, BVSc (Hons), MAVS

Neil graduated from Melbourne University in 1979 and joined WVS in 1984. He has completed a Masters in Veterinary Science. Neil brings a wealth of medical knowledge and surgical skill to our team.

Outside of work Neil spends time with Trees For Life and is a dedicated endurance runner and swimmer. He has completed two IronMan triathlons, as well as participating in the 10km + Rottnest Island swim, off the coast of WA. Currently he is racing half and full marathon events.

Dr. Clare Ellis

Veterinarian, BVSc (Hons), CCRT CVA (IVAS)

Clare grew up in Brisbane and graduated from the University of Queensland in 2001. She has been working at WAVS since 2008 after 5 years working at Murray Bridge Vet Clinic and a 2 year stint in the UK. Clare is a certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) and offers rehabilitation and physical therapy for a wide range of conditions including lameness, arthritis and spinal conditions, post orthopaedic surgery, geriatrics and sporting dogs.

Since 2008 Clare has been a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) and regularly treats animals with acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, including utilising nutritional modification and herbal medications. When not working, Clare enjoys spending family time with her husband and two daughters – camping, gardening and cooking; and volunteers as a lifesaver at Aldinga Bay SLSC. They live in Willunga with Golden Retriever Ella, cats Tickle, Yoyo & Zara, and an assortment of chickens and fish!

Dr. Daniel Richmond

Veterinarian, DVM

Dan graduated from Murdoch University in Perth in 1995. He worked in the UK for 3 years in a small animal practice then to Perth and the southwest of WA before buying Aldinga Vet Clinic in 2007. In 2013 Dan sold the Practice which created WAVS. Dan has a keen interested in imaging – ultrasounds and radiographs, difficult medical cases and soft tissue surgery.

Dr. Brooke Lamey

Veterinarian, BSc BVSc

Brooke grew up on a hobby farm the Adelaide Hills and graduated from Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga. She joined Willunga and Aldinga Veterinary Services in 2012. After spending two years training and working at an emergency referral clinic she has returned to the Fleurieu Peninsula and general practice. Brooke enjoys internal medicine and small animal surgery. She has a special interest in strengthening the human-animal bond, making sure pets are happy and healthy, and so are their owners. Outside of work Brooke likes reading, riding her horse, catching up with friends and travelling overseas. Her cat Kittah’s latest trick is high-five… and escaping when the washing goes outside to be hung on the line.

Dr. Reginald Goh

Veterinarian, BSc DVM

Reg started at the Willunga Clinic at the beginning of 2022 after graduating from the University of Adelaide in 2021.  He has an interest in all animals large and small with a growing passion for Australia’s diverse native wildlife. Reg has a keen interesting in imaging and surgery.

Dr. Tori Ludlow

Veterinarian, BHSc BSc DVM

Tori graduated from the University of Adelaide in 2021 and worked as a mixed practice vet in Sheffield, Tasmania for 18 months. She joined the team at Willunga Vets in June 2023 and currently works across all 3 clinics in both small and large animal roles. She enjoys the day to day variety of working as a mixed animal vet and it always up for a challenge! She loves chatting to farmers and has a keen interest in small animal soft tissue and orthopedic surgery.

Outside of work you’ll find Tori keeping active enjoying a walk, surf or pottering around in the garden. She loves being outdoors but won’t say no to a night in by the fire with a glass of wine and a bag of lollies!

Dr. Matilda Lovegrove

Veterinarian, BSc BVMS

Matilda started with WAVS in early 2023 after working in rural Victoria at a dairy focused mixed practice. She grew up in SA, attending vet school at Adelaide university and is keen to return and work in the Fleurieu. 

Matilda enjoys mixed practice but has a keen interest in cattle medicine and surgery. Outside of work she enjoys riding her horses and hiking with her dog Millie.

Dr. Amelia Cannadine

Veterinarian

Amelia started with us at the start of 2024 after graduating from the University of Sydney at the end of 2023. She enjoys all aspects of mixed practice, with a keen interest in soft tissue surgery in both small and large animals. You will see her across all three clinics treating both small and large animals. She loves to learn and is happy to give anything a go! In her spare time you will find Amelia walking at the beach, swimming or reading a book. She has a lovely one eyed cat (Kylo) and hopes to one day own some cattle of her own. 

Caitlin

Veterinary Nurse, Cert IV

Caitlin is our Lead Nurse at Aldinga Veterinary Services. Caitlin started working with in animals in 2015 by volunteering at the RSPCA. She has a Rottweiler X called Bear and 2 cats Luna and Georgie. In her spare time she likes to get outdoors and be active. 

Koby

Veterinary Nurse, Cert IV

Coming Soon!

Kerri

Large Animal Reception Supervisor Cert IV

Kerri has worked as a veterinary nurse for 13 years in both small and mixed animal practices, including Head veterinary nurse.  I have completed Certificate II in Animal Studies; certificate IV in racing and Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing.

I enjoy all aspects of veterinary nursing, with a special interest in Animal behaviour, Leadership and training.  Outside of work, I spend  much of my  time enjoying family life with my Husband, 2 daughters at our farm at Currency Creek with the sheep, horses and 3 dogs Pearl, Lilly and Stella the Tenterfield Terriers.

Simone

Veterinary Nurse, Cert IV, Cert IV (Business Administration)

Simone is a certificate IV level vet nurse who joined WAVS in 2020 after moving to the area with her husband and kids for a real sea change from rural SA. Simone has a strong focus on reception and client contact and has been nursing for over 10 years. She has various pets ranging from native animals (bearded dragon and ring tailed possums) to a naughty Beagle, Ella and a feisty cat named Horus.

Vikki

Registered Veterinary Nurse, Cert IV, Dip (Emergency & Critical Care)

Vikki has been nursing for 23 years. She worked at WAVS for 10 years previously and returned 2 years ago. She is a registered nurse with a Cert IV in Veterinary nursing and a diploma in Emergency and Critical care. Vikki enjoys all aspects of Veterinary nursing but has a passion for surgery and emergency cases. She has also studied dog/cat behaviour and is passionate about fear free handling.

Vikki has 3 horses , 3 cats (Normy, Wiggles and Whost) and chickens. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her horses and pets, photography and crafts.

Kelly

Veterinary Nurse

Kelly is a veterinary nurse who has been working in the industry for over 20 years. She has a particular interest in feline medicine and behaviour, as well as surgery. She also enjoys working with chickens and ducks. She currently owns a number of cats, including oriental cats which she enjoys taking to cat shows. She also has a pet pigeon called Polly and a few others in the menagerie.  At home she is a mum to a wonderful little boy and in what spare time she has she enjoys reading and going to the movies.

Elizabeth

Veterinary Nurse

Elizabeth has been working as a vet nurse since 2012 after pursuing other adventures and careers. She is passionate about surgery, dentistry, nutrition and behaviour and also enjoys working with exotics, natives and pocket pets. She has two beautiful indoor cats and in her spare time she likes to read.

Annabel

Veterinary Nurse, Cert IV

Annabel has been in the industry since 2005 and nursing at  WAVS for 7 years and enjoys all aspects of nursing, particularly hospital nursing.

Annabel has a new dog called Alanee who is a Bearded Collie.  She also has three cats Molly 19, Bella 6 and Bella’s son Alfie.

A special interest in dog grooming, hand-raising sparrows and finches and the occasional noenate kitten.

In her spare time, she spends most of her time gardening, cooking and time at the beach with her 5-year old son, husband and Alanee.

Gabby

Veterinary Nurse, Cert IV

Gabby has been nursing since 2017 and began working at the Willunga and Aldinga Veterinary Services at the end of 2021. Previous to nursing, she has worked in a range of animal areas such as animal shelters and wildlife parks.

Gabby enjoys the variety of different areas in nursing with a special interest in surgical nursing and reception.

Gabby has a range of family pet members at home including 2 dogs, lots of birds, a green tree frog, fish and spiney leaf insects.

Outside of work she enjoys spending time with family, nature walks, snorkelling, surfing, sailing, paddle boarding and kayaking.

Ash

Veterinary Nurse, Cert IV

Ash has been nursing since 2017 and joined the WAVS team in 2020.  Ash particularly enjoys hospital nursing and seeing patients recover and go home with their families.  In her spare time she enjoys taking her dogs Lenny and Xena to the beach, spending time with her horse Konrad and entertaining two mischievous kittens Dee and Floki.

Zara

Veterinary Nurse, Cert IV

Zara joined the WAVS team in 2021 after completing her Certificate iV in Veterinary Nursing. She has a passion for nursing orthopaedic surgery cases & exotic animals.

Zara has a small zoo of sorts at home with 11 animals: 3 rabbits, 2 guinea pigs, 2 chihuahua, 2 rats and 2 horses! Zara also has an interest in becoming a Veterinary Surgeon one day!

Ruby

Veterinary Student

Ruby is currently a 4th year vet student and we have been lucky to have her working as a nurse on weekends and during uni holidays. Ruby has a passion for both small and large animals and sees herself as a mixed animal vet in the future.

Outside of work and study you will find Ruby taking her dogs for a run along the beach, exploring the local hiking trails, or sitting around a fire with a glass of red wine.

Rachel

Veterinary Nurse, Cert IV

Rachel has been nursing since 2012 and joined WAVS in 2022.

I enjoy all aspects of nursing, but have particular interests in nutrition & weight loss management, end of life care and wildlife nursing. I am also a wildlife foster carer and a previous dog & cat foster carer for rescue groups.

I live on a small hobby farm with my husband, 2 young children and a menagerie of animals, including 3 dogs, 2 cats, 1 guinea pig, sheep, chickens and alpacas. I enjoy gardening, sewing, photography, camping and 4wding in my spare time.

Kristin

Marketing Administrator, RVN Cert IV, DIP Ag Production

Introducing Kristin, the Registered Veterinary Nurse whose heart beats for two extraordinary passions: the world of veterinary care and the art of marketing. With a decade of marketing expertise under her belt, Kristin has embarked on a journey that seamlessly merges her adoration for animals and her zeal for showcasing businesses.

Beyond the clinic, Kristin’s home is a lively haven full of fur, feathers, and scales. This includes two golden retrievers, a bearded dragon, and an array of colorful birds including Wasabi the Quaker.

Wasabi’s journey began right here in our clinic, where he was hand-raised.  During his impressionable days he picked up more than just feathers – he also acquired a handful of intriguing phrases that are sure to put a smile on your face.

Sarah

Veterinary Nurse, Cert IV

Coming Soon!

Amanda

Veterinary Receptionist

Amanda lives in Mount Compass and grew up on a hobby farm. where her love for horses began.

Amanda worked on a remote cattle station for 3 years and was an Equine Veterinary Nurse for 5 years and is also a qualified Equine Sports Massage Therapist.

Amanda has three horses and 2 Great Danes who love going on boat rides. Imagine the onlookers’ faces!

Amanda enjoys sporadic adventures with her horses and friends, going fishing in our boat or off beaches.

Rebecca H

Veterinary Nurse, Cert IV

Rebecca joined the WAVS team at the beginning of 2022 whilst she was completing her Cert IV in Veterinary nursing. After graduating, she has taken a strong interest in the face-to-face side of nursing, helping clients over the phone and in person.

Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her two boisterous dogs and 4 rescued cats

Angelique

Veterinary Receptionist

Coming Soon!