About Candice and the team
Our Team
Dr Penelope Morrison BVSc
Dr Penelope grew up local(ish) in Derrinallum, moving to sunny Townsville for uni where she graduated from James Cook University with her Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 2015. Ultimately it was the dairy cows that brought her back down this way, and she has been living and working in Colac ever since as a mixed animal vet.
Penelope has recently completed her Post Graduate Certificate in small animal emergency and critical care from the University of Melbourne in 2022, and has a special interest in all things Golden Retriever, minimizing stress to patients, pain management and preventative healthcare.
Penelope lives in Colac with her boyfriend Joel, Garry (Golden Retriever) and Sadie (a Timboon special mix). In winter you’ll find them at the Birregurra football and netball, and in Summer usually all things involving boats, fishing, water sports and camping – you might spot Garry surfing some waves on the coast”
Dr Jess Thomas (DVM)
Dr Jess grew up in the south east suburbs of Melbourne. Her family has always had dogs and cats and she was lucky enough to grow up having horse riding lessons. Later Jess had obtained her own horses and was thoroughly involved with pony club, competing for Victoria and coaching at club level. Jess graduated Melbourne University in 2014, with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and started her career in mixed practice with a dairy focus. Jess treated literally anything and everything that came through the door! Since then, Jess had worked during a short stint as a drug rep. She then jumped back into clinical practice working as a mixed practitioner in England, Scotland, New Zealand and at home in both NSW and Victoria. A baby has brought her and her partner back to south west Victoria. Jess has a passion for ruminant medicine and surgery, so is always keen to see your sheep, goats, cattle and alpacas. Inside the clinic she particularly enjoys skin cases and soft tissue surgery.
Maddison (Practice Manager /
Head nurse)
Maddie has known since she was about 5 years of age that she wanted to be a part of the animal industry- starting from saving little fledglings, kittens and critters in her backyard, to studying straight out of highschool and qualifying in Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in late 2020.
She has dipped her feet in a few local Geelong clinics since then, but now has found her passion lies in the mixed practice of Winchelsea Veterinary Hospital. She absolutely loves the challenges vet nursing brings, but loves a variety of roles such as reception, management duties and most importantly meeting all the beautiful fur-babies, young and old and their amazing parents.
Maddie has had a keen interest in cytology, radiology and surgery and is always studying to improve her knowledge in the wildlife, nursing and large animal industry. When she is not working, she cares for her rescues Blu (a pigeon), Pepper (Bull Arab x), Jack (Blue Tongue), Barry (Turtle) and many fish. Maddi also spends time with her family, friends and partner, as well as enjoying the outdoors, travelling, camping and painting.
She looks forward to meeting you all when you come into the hospital!
Kathy HR/ Admin and
Rod property maintenance
Kathy Taylor is our Admin / HR / WHS Manager. Kathy and her family moved into Winchelsea in 1985. Kathy graduated with a Bachelor of Business from Monash University specialising in strategic management and human resources management, as well she earned a Grad Dip in Occupational Hazard Management from University of Ballarat. She is currently studying Animal Studies at the Gordon TAFE. Her work career has been spent mainly in high risk manufacturing and the mining industry working in various States of Australia and in New Zealand. Since moving to Winchelsea Kathy has been, and still is, an active community member. Kathy’s family has owned and looked after many species of animals as pets and herd animals. Everything from merino sheep to dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, peacocks, chickens and ducks. Kathy loves seeing the different personalities of every dog she meets. Her ‘bestie’ is Asha, a Kelpie Cross who she took on as a rescue dog from Newcastle NSW. Kathy loves animals especially Australia’s native animals including ‘snakes’, and hopes to visit Antarctica to see the native birds, penguins, whales and seals in their natural habitat.
Rod is a very important part of the hospital maintenance and team. He looks after building as well as the hospital grounds and keeps the hospital looking the best it can be!
Justyna (Cert 4 Nurse)
Justyna is a qualified Veterinary Nurse with over 10 years experience. She originally grew up in Melbourne working in small practices. In 2013 she moved to Lara and got a job in a mixed animal practice. Justyna lives with her husband and two young children.
She also has 2 Border Collies, a cat with a neurological problem, a turtle and chicken. Outside of work Justyna enjoys spending time with her family and going on various walks exploring the Fauna and Flora with her kids and teaches them why its important to protect it.
Jessica (Cert 4 nurse)
Jessica is a qualified Cert IV nurse graduating in 2022. Jess tried out a few different career paths along the way before realising that working with animals was her ultimate dream. She has always had a love for animals, growing up on her family farm surrounded mainly by horses, sheep and dogs and more recently her two beloved pet goats. Jess currently works as a nurse at two different veterinary clinics and loves the camaraderie and different opportunities to learn afforded from both.
Outside of work Jess enjoys spending time at home with her best pal Maltese x Poodle Dolcè, riding her Connemara pony Fletch, and trying to keep her favourite shetland pony Foxy and her two goats Julia and Kevin from causing too much trouble.
Kellie (Cert 4 nurse)
Kellie has a deep connection & love for all animals, especially horses. Kellie has always been surrounded by various pet species and cared for them them since a young age.
Kellie decided to study veterinary nursing as a mature age student and graduated in 2020.
Kellie has ex- racehorses, chickens and Mr Django her rescued black cat.
Susie (Groomer)
Meet our new groomer Susie!!!
Originally from Atlanta Georgia USA graduating with BBA in Marketing and Further Studies International Marketing. Travelling and lining in London and Israel. Moved to Australia in the early 1990s working in Perth, Gold Coast and settling in Melbourne.
Career shifted from Pet Care Industry after working in Animal Welfare League QLD. Graduated the distinction Companion Animal Grooming Certificate Cranbourne in 2001 working in a variety of local dog grooming establishments in Melbourne.
Created Naturally Stylin’ Dog Grooming in Bayside which started as a mobile service and bloomed into a shop front for 23 years in Highett
Recently moved to Birregurra with companions Rocket (4 year old Cavalier) and Juji (17 year old Bengal X)
Love the grooming aspect of the pet industry working with owners and pets. Specialty is creating breed standard grooming styles to suit lifestyles of both the owner and pet. Looking forward to discussing pet grooming needs soon!