Meet our dedicated team
Dr Matthew Ray - Practice Owner
Born and raised in Swan Hill, Matt has been a local for over a decade now and loves the Peninsula life. Prior to settling in this area Matt worked in mixed practice clinics in Swan Hill, Wangaratta, Albury and in the UK. Matt and his wife Alison are the owners of the Westernport Vet Clinics. Matt has a keen interest in all aspects of veterinary care including orthopaedic surgery and ultrasound. When not working, Matt enjoys spending time with his family, two dogs, surfing or playing tennis.
Dr Alison Tudor - Practice Owner
Born and bred locally, Alison brings loads of small animal experience to the team. She worked in Albury for nearly 3 years before travelling and working overseas, then moving back to the area. For over a decade Alison has been a partner in the practice and is now sole owner with her husband Matt. Alison is based mostly at the Somerville Vet Clinic and enjoys cases involving microscopy. When she is not working, she is busy raising three children, looking after backyard chickens and two dogs, Jessie the Kelpie X and Wallace the golden Labrador.
Dr Jessica Fielding - Practice Owner
Jessica joined us as a new graduate in 2013 for two years before heading overseas to explore the world and gain further veterinary experience in other countries. In 2017, Jess returned to Westernport Vet Clinic with two years of life experiences under her belt including lots of abseiling, trekking and mountain climbing plus a wealth of veterinary knowledge. Since returning from travel with husband Mitch, Jess has completed a graduate certificate in small animal Abdominal ultrasound and further training in routine Cardiac Ultrasound. Jess has a special interest in internal medicine and ultrasound. Jess has recently returned from maternity leave after the birth of her daughter Zoey and son Angus. She is also mum to Pumba the Wolfhound X and Nala the cat.
Dr Abbey Scott - Practice Owner
Abbey joined the WVC team after two placements with us during her final year at University. We are extremely fortunate that she has been with us ever since. Abbey has strong interests in small animal medicine and surgery, and has now completed a certificate in animal acupuncture. She has great first hand experience in these fields thanks to her much loved dogs Pippa and Skye. At the moment Abbey is working part time whilst looking after her children.
Amanda Vecchi - Business Manager
Amanda joined us in June 2021. Amanda has extensive background in operational leadership in banking, finance and more recently aged care, supporting 72 care homes in all areas of business administration. She has a strong people focus and has been a welcome addition to the WVC team. Living locally on the Mornington Peninsula with her husband Jack, Amanda loves all animals and loves the beach life - boarding, kayaking, swimming, walking, bike riding and loves her garden.
Vets
Dr Kim Walter
Kim has been with us since graduating from the University of Melbourne in 2007 and loves her small animal internal medicine cases. Her particular interests include small animal cardiology, endocrinology and ultrasound. Originally from Colac, Kim loves horses, baking and is a keen gardener. She has proven her culinary expertise multiple times with cakes and special meals brought into the clinic. Kim is currently working part time whilst looking after her daughters Charlotte and Olivia.
Dr Mike Hanna
Mike joined WVC after being drawn back to Australia from the UK where he owned his own practice. Mike has over 20 years experience as a vet and has special interests in surgery, oncology and diagnostic imaging. He is a fantastic all-round vet and will help you with everything you need regarding your pets. Mike has a beautiful Staghound X named Opal and 2 cats.
Dr Sarah Robinson
Sarah graduated from Melbourne University in 2015. She is experienced in small animal medicine and has particular interest in pathology and endocrinology. Sarah lives locally on the Mornington Peninsula with her partner Matt, they love spending weekends off with their beautiful Staffordshire Bull Terrier Evie and cat Misty. Sarah is also recently returned from maternity leave.
Dr Rebecca Gray
Rebecca graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2007, before commencing work in mixed practice in Bairnsdale. An interest in equine medicine led to completing an internship at Agnes Banks Equine Clinic, followed by working in equine reproduction in the Hunter Valley before returning to mixed/ predominantly small animal practice in New South Wales. In her spare time Rebecca enjoys spending time with her husband and two young daughters as well as her menagerie of chickens, guinea pigs, cats and a dog. Rebecca enjoys all aspects of small animal practice, and is passionate about helping owners achieve better health and welfare for their pets.
Dr Jacqueline Bowden
Jacq grew up on the South Coast of NSW, and after spending many years travelling the world playing with horses, she completed her Veterinary degree in Wagga. During her studies she met a Victorian and followed him south. She has previously worked in mixed and small animal practices. Jacq has a keen interest in small animal dentistry as well as ophthalmology. When away from the clinic Jacq enjoys sewing, cooking, gardening and a little karate.
Dr Kirri Solly-Slade
Kirri spent four years in mixed practice in North-East Victoria before locuming around Victoria and South Australia for two years including many weeks at WVC. She and her vet partner Alistair, also a member of our WVC team, have decided to settle on the Mornington Peninsula with their rescue greyhound Noodles. Kirri has a particular interest in behaviour and palliative care.
Dr Alistair Chatto
Alistair started in mixed practice in North-East Victoria for four years, locumed for a few years in Southern Australia before moving to the Mornington Peninsula with his vet partner Kirri to join the WVC team. When not walking his dog Noodles at the beach, he enjoys golf on his days off. Alistair has an interest in dentistry and clinical pathology.
Dr Ashley Saunders
Ashley originally comes from Ontario, Canada and after completing her undergraduate degree she made the big move to Australia. Ashley graduated from Melbourne University in 2017 and has since worked in both mixed and small animal practice in Victoria. She has acquired a menagerie of rescued animals with her partner Tristan, including three dogs, two cats, two Eastern Long-Necked turtles and an aquarium of fish. When she is not vetting enjoys travel and time at the beach with her dogs.
Dr Danvy Nguyen
Danvy joined the WVC team full time in 2021 after locuming with us previously. She graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2017 and spent her first two years as a vet working with large animals. Since moving to small animal medicine, Danvy has developed a keen interest in diagnostic imaging and ultrasound. Now living locally, Danvy enjoys spending time with her greyhound Jam and her 4 quails.
Dr Quincy Lee
Quincy graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2017 and has recently joined the team at WVC in 2021 after spending some time locuming with us. He grew up in Malaysia, having many childhood pets including dogs, birds, aquatic animals and rabbits. Quincy has passion for preventative medicine and is a great asset to the WVC team.
Dr Haseena Mohideen
Haseena has recently joined our team at WVC. She originally grew up in San Diego, USA before making her way to Australia. She graduated from Murdoch University in 2020 with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Haseena spent her first year practicing in small animal medicine in Ballarat, finding her particular interest in pathology. Outside of work she can be found in the garden or often exploring different areas around Victoria.
Nurses
Carney Johnstone
Carney is our longest serving nurse, starting in 1983, and has a wealth of knowledge of just about everything at the clinic. Most would recognize her distinctive phone voice and efficient manner complimented by a very welcoming nature. When not working Carney is often busy tending her herd of cattle, walking her dogs Tippy and Ben or spending time travelling overseas.
Jill McAuliffe
Jill has been a valued member of the WVC team for many decades, and is well known by many of our long-term Somerville and Balnarring clients and patients, having cared for many generations of pets. Her quick-witted humor and warmth are easily remembered, as is her side-kick Steven the Chihuahua, who helps her on reception at Somerville and Balnarring and even has his own clinic branded uniform.
Sandy Smith
Sandy has been a Mornington Peninsula local for decades and has been working with the WVC team for over 20 years. She has been the friendly face at Balnarring Vet Clinic for many years. In her spare time she enjoys walking her dogs Chevy and Frankie both American Staffies, riding her horses and spending time with her grandchildren.
Rhonda Shannon
With over 30 years experience as a vet nurse Rhonda is a great person to get advice from. She can be found at our Hastings branch as the first smiling face you see when you come in or on the other end of the phone. Rhonda has a busy time outside of work spending time with her 4 horses, 4 dogs, 2 cats and the chooks.
Lesley Bradley
Lesley was born and raised in Scotland but has now been working as a veterinary nurse for decades in Australia, but still has a mild Scottish accent. She started with WVC over 10 years ago and is one of our most experienced surgical nurses working across our Hastings and Somerville clinics. When not working Les likes to go fishing with her husband Paul and spend time with her terriers Fergus and Sidney and her grandchildren.
Sally Pompei
A very experienced nurse with a keen interest in Quarter Horses, Horse Riding and Yoga, Sally has been nursing for quite a while and joined our team in 2009 after a placement at our Hastings Clinic. A local to the area, Sally is based primarily at the Hastings and Balnarring Clinics. She has run a puppy school from the Hastings Vet Clinic for several years now, and hundreds of puppies from our community have benefited from the great start in life with Sally’s help. When she is not working Sally gets to practice her dog training on her dogs Tess and Milly and enjoys horse riding with daughter Sarah.
Claire Trease
One of the many friendly, smiling faces you will see when you come into the Hastings branch is Claire. She is a vet nurse with over 15 years experience in the veterinary industry. Claire mostly works in surgery as well as running her animal rehabilitation sessions at the clinic. When not working Claire enjoys spending time with her son Murphy, GSP Chewy and cat William.
Lisa Clarke
With over 16 years nursing experience, Lisa is originally from inland Byron Bay. She has worked mainly in NSW until joining us in December 2018. Lisa has a Labrador named Gus and two Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Kostya and Floki, to keep her on her toes. She also has Thomas the Cat, and Kevin the Lorikeet, quite a menagerie! Lisa with her kind, compassionate, caring nature is a true asset on front desk and nursing your pets when in hospital, nothing is too much trouble. When not working, Lisa loves Rock n Roll, Pottery, Rockabilly and pretty much anything replicating Vintage life.
Tracey Healand
Tracey came to Westernport in 2019 as a qualified Vet Nurse, previously working at Dandenong Vet Clinic. Tracey has previously been a chef and a tour guide in Cambodia. On the weekends Tracey loves to walk her dog Rey the Golden Retriever, then relax on the couch with a good book, her cat Floki and a glass of bubbles. Tracey has a keen interest in Exotic pets and is our expert Ferret holder.
Sarah Sorensen
Sarah is a Mornington Peninsula local who joined the team at Westernport in 2019, working across our Hastings and Somerville clinics. Her beautiful personality and kind disposition is such a calming influence on stressed animals, immediately relaxing hospital patients. Sarah has a gorgeous Black Labrador named Winnie as well as 2 cats, Louis and Mitsy. Sarah is experienced in cat and kitten rescue, fostering and nursing many before adoption. Sarah is recently back from maternity leave.
Ellie Whye
Ellie joined our nursing team in 2020 and has worked in a range of settings including specialist surgery and emergency since starting nursing in 2013, having a keen interest in nursing ICU hospital patients. Ellie has a menagerie of animals which consist of 4 cats, Hugo the the Akita X and Sushi the Jack Russell all of whom she adores. In her spare time you can find Ellie doing yoga and exploring nature with her dogs. Ellie is passionate about cats, and has been the driving force behind the clinics ISFM cat clinic application, cat consult room and cat waiting area.
Meg Kerr
Meg joined the team at Westernport in 2021 and has recently completed her cert IV qualification in vet nursing in 2023. In her spare time Meg loves showing miniature goats, four wheel driving, camping and spending time with her two adorable miniature dachshunds Leroy and Millie.
Amelia Smith
Amelia joined the WVC in 2021 with over 10 years of veterinary nursing experience in both small animal and mixed practice clinics. She has a beloved Standardbred horse named Cirro. Amelia loves gardening, water skiing and horse riding, but much of her time away from work is now taken up caring for her two young children, William and Maggie.
Lucy Smith
Lucy has recently joined our WVC team. She has been vet nursing for over a decade and over this time has developed experience in many areas including in emergency and critical care, sports medicine in greyhounds, and enjoys theatre nursing, especially orthopaedics. Outside of work she loves spending time with her young son, husband, greyhound, cat and horse. When not working, she loves anything outdoors, horse riding, playing sport and travelling with family.
Aimee Mills
Aimee joined our team in 2022 and has recently completed studying her certificate IV in vet nursing. Aimee has a very vocal cat named Mo, whom she adores. In her spare time Aimee loves to hang out with her partner Sam, along with Mo and create fabulous digital art, animals being a major theme.
Bronte McGregor
Bronte joined the Westernport team at the beginning of 2022, and has a particular passion for surgery. Each day there is always something new to learn, and Bronte enjoys learning the old and the new techniques of the veterinary world. Outside of work, Bronte’s house is run by 4 furry friends - 1 dog, Porschia, and 3 cats, Millie, Karma and Golly. Outside of home, a lot of her time is dedicated to caring for her grumpy old horse, Riley. Bronte grew up surrounded by all different types of animals, but spent most of her childhood around horses and competing in the equestrian field.
Belinda Shurlin
Belinda joined us in July 2022 and is enjoying working across all areas of the clinic and meeting our clients and their pets. Belinda made her way to Australia from the UK, with time spent living in Russia and Italy on the way. Having recently moved to the Peninsula, she shares her home with rescue 2 dogs, a one eyed Burmese and 2 horses. Outside of work she enjoys keeping fit and hiking and every week has the intention of joining the local Park Run.
Matilda Jacoby
After Matilda completed some clinical placement for her cert IV vet nursing with WVC, she knew she eventually wanted to work with us. Matilda has grown up on the Peninsula, she lives with a handful of dogs, horses and cats on a lovely property. She has found an interest in surgery and developed a passion for wildlife care. If Matilda isn’t at the beach with her ball obsessed dog or teaching local dance classes, you will find her studying hard to complete her vet nursing course.
Katie Day
Katie started at WVC as a kennel hand whilst completing her secondary school studies. She has now began her vet nurse training at our Hastings clinic.
Tiarra Lewis
Tiarra started her vet nursing career in 2015. During Tiarra’s nursing career, she has had the opportunity to locum for various clinics in Victoria which allowed her to work with a variety of animals. Ranging from cats and dogs through to all different kinds of wildlife. During her career she has had the pleasure to meet and work alongside side a lot of wonderful vets and nurses in the industry as well as create some wonderful bonds with her clients and their pets. She really enjoys the surgical and nursing aspects of her job, especially when dealing with geriatric and anxious pets. She has a rescue dog of her own with behavioural issues so has a soft spot for the more nervous patients and often takes on foster animals when she is able.
Elise Comino
Jess Campbell
Jess is originally from the north east of England, she started her nursing career in a small country town called scone in NSW. Jess worked with horses while studying veterinary nursing. Once qualified and gained Australian citizenship she moved to melbourne to begin her lifelong dream of working in a clinic with small animals. Jess has completed many hours volunteering for various rescues, she has opened her home up to many foster dogs and cats over the years. She has adopted her own rescue dog called Gus. In her spare time she enjoys going for long walks along the beach and camping on the weekends.
Frances James
Frances joined the Westernport team in April 2024. She moved down to the Peninsula in December 2023 and brings 13 years of experience and has a keen interest in diagnostics, exotic animal care and senior pets. During covid, Frances taught certificate IV vet nursing students before going on maternity leave and is excited to be back in the clinic again! She is kept busy at home with her young son, 2 dogs and 3 cats.
