

Meet the Staff at Ballarat Equine Clinic
Partners

Dr Brian Anderson B.V.Sc., M.S., MVSc, Diplomate A.C.V.S.
Partner and Specialist Equine Surgeon
BVSc with distinction 1986 (Massey University New Zealand), MVSc in Equine Pharmacology and internship in equine medicine and surgery 1989-1991 (Massey University New Zealand), Resident in Large Animal Surgery and MS degree 1991-1994 (University of Minnesota USA), Diplomate American College of Veterinary Surgeons 1996 in Large Animal Surgery and Specialist in Equine Surgery Victoria Australia 2009, Lecturer and Senior Lecturer in Surgery 1996-2000 Massey University.
Brian has many years of experience in upper respiratory tract, orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery. He was the endoscopic consultant for New Zealand Bloodstock from 1996-2002 where he examined and adjudicated on the sales examination of the upper respiratory tract of thousands of Thoroughbred Yearlings. He has published the results of normal and abnormal function of the larynx in young thoroughbreds and described the cause and outcome of disease affecting the arytenoid cartilages (arytenoids chondritis). He has over 20 years of experience and expertise in the field of Nuclear Scintigraphy (Bone Scanning) and referral lameness evaluation.
To help his clients achieve the best results Brian strives to keep abreast of many new techniques and in the last 12 years has updated his skills in the area of stem cell and regenerative medical technology for tendon/ligament repair, specialist stifle arthroscopic techniques and received further specialist training in equine laparoscopy in Australia and the United States in 2009 and 2010. This led to the introduction of this innovative procedure to the practice. Both Brian and Ian Fulton have been interested in developing methods and techniques for performing standing surgery (which avoids the risks and cost of general anaesthesia) and now perform a number of techniques in the standing sedated horse including spine surgery, laser surgery of the upper respiratory tract, sinus surgery of the head, articular facet injections of the neck and back, skin grafts, eye enucleation, sarcoid therapy and wound repair.
Together with Ian Fulton, Brian is one of the leading sales veterinarians in Australia when it comes to presale evaluation of radiographs and services some of Australia’s top buyers.
Brian is an invited speaker and he presents frequently to other veterinarians in Australia and internationally on topics relating to equine surgery and on results of research and clinical conditions evaluated at the Ballarat Veterinary Practice.
When not working Brian spends many hours playing with his three daughters, wining and dining with his wife, gyming, cycling and working on his 15 acre agistment farm where there are also 5 of the families horses, Ulrich the dachshund, Max the Jack Russell cross and Rufus the Abyssinian.
Dr Andrew Cust BSc, BVSc (Hons), MVSc, GAICD.
Partner and Equine Veterinarian
Andrew studied for a Bachelor of Science at Latrobe University before travelling overseas to England, America and Argentina. On returning to Australia, he studied Veterinary Science at the University of Melbourne and graduated in 2001, his studies having included a stint of practical experience here at the Ballarat Veterinary Practice.
Andrew completed his Masters of Veterinary Studies, focussing on the relationship between equine hoof conformation and racing performance. Andrew joined the partnership in July 2010. Andrew has attended a conference on “The Functional Hoof 2014”, a 5 day dental workshop to become a member of Equine Dental Vets Australia (2015) and completed the examinations to become an FEI Permitted Treating Veterinarian (PTV).
In June 2018 Andrew graduated from the Australian Institute of Company Directors course. Andrew recently celebrated his 10 year anniversary of becoming a Director of BVP Equine Clinic. In May 2021 Andrew joined the board of directors of the Ballarat Turf Club.


Paul Dempsey B App Sc. Ag., MBA.
Managing Director, BVP
Paul comes to BVP with over 15 years experience in senior management and leadership roles in the Agribusiness and retail sectors. With skills in general and operations management, Paul is a commercial business leader who adopts a pragmatic, hands-on approach. Originally from the Canberra region, much of Paul's experience has been gained throughout many areas of NSW including the New England, Hunter Valley and Southern NSW regions before moving to Ballarat nearly 10 years ago with his wife and family.
Specialist Equine Surgeons

Dr Massimo Delli-Rocili
DVM, DVSc, DACVS (Large Animal)
Massimo graduated in 2014 from Cientifica del Sur in Lima, Peru, with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. He completed a 1 year equine internship in Chino, California.
Massimo loves free-diving and spear fishing, and it is his goal to catch a big kingfish on his next trip to NZ! He also enjoys surfing, swimming and yoga. He has always dreamed of playing polo, which is something I want to explore in the next few years.

Dr Vivian Quam
DVM, MA, MS, Diplomat ACVS-LA
Vivian discovered her love of horses and veterinary medicine at a young age. She grew up riding in Pony Club and Eventing while helping out in her family's mixed animal veterinary practice. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2017 from the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, USA with a focus in large animal medicine and surgery.
Associates

Dr Kirsty Tyler
BVSc
Kirsty grew up around Bacchus Marsh, and attended pony club from age 5, where her love of horses began. She graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1997 with a keen interest in equine practice, which has not wavered after 19 years in the field.
Kirsty is an FEI official veterinarian attending eventing, dressage and show-jumping competitions at an international level.
When not in vet mode, Kirsty is kept active with two busy, sporty sons and enjoys hiking, reading, catching up with friends and a glass of something bubbly!

Dr Wei Yeh Lee
BSc, DVM (Hons)

Dr Rachel Bartels
BVSc (Hons), BAppSci (Hons).
Rachel was born and raised in Brisbane and developed her love of horses from a very young age, spending many years competing in show jumping and pony club. She completed a Bachelor of Applied Science, majoring in Equine Science before going on to complete her veterinary degree at the University of Queensland.

Dr Tom Dolan
BAgSc, BVM&S.
Tom grew up in Blessington, Ireland. He has ridden all his life. Starting with show jumping and hunting then riding racehorses and point to point steeple chasing. He worked for Niall 'Boots' Madden racing for several years developing a lot of core horsemanship skills and was lucky enough to sit on some nice horses and ride a few winners. He spent a season with Coolmore America in Kentucky where he established a solid understanding of thoroughbred breeding and yearling preparation.

Dr Finbar Manning
MBV, Cert Eq Sports Med.

Dr Marie-Camille Repecaud
DVM (Lyon, France)

Dr Joel Hummel
DVM
Joel joins our team having completed an Equine Racetrack and medicine internship and as a graduate of the University of Adelaide. Joel enjoys swimming and camping in his free time.
Interns

Dr Alix Cunneen
MVB
Growing up with horses and competing both nationally and internationally, Alix has always been interested in the Equine Veterinary industry. Alix has a special interest in equine reproduction, lameness and diagnostic imaging.
Outside of veterinary, Alix enjoys watching sport and going to the gym. Prior to moving to Australia, Alix played rugby in Division 1 of the All Ireland League along with representing Munster.

Dr Andrew Nickerson
BVMS (Hons), BSc (VetSci), MRCVS
Andrew joins us from Scotland having graduated from Glasgow Vet School in 2022 with honours. He has interests in surgery, ophthalmology and sport performance. In his spare time, he enjoys running, cycling and traveling as well as watching cricket.

Dr Jock Goold
BSc, BSc (Vet Biosc), DVM
Jock complete a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne before moving interstate to complete the Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at University of Adelaide, finishing in 2022.
Jock has special interests in equine lameness, diagnostic imaging and sports medicine.
Outside of being a vet, Jock enjoys getting out into nature to pursue interests in travel, hiking, photography and conservation as well as painting/drawing and finding new music.

Dr Daniel Lighlety
BVSc
Daniel graduated from the University of Pretoria, South Africa in 2022.
Having completed a Bachelor of Veterinary Science, Daniel spent 12 months working as a CCS Veterinarian in Elsenberg, Stellenbosch. He then completed 3 months at Baker MCVeigh Equine Hospital in the Cape Town before relocating to Australia with his wife to join our Equine team.
Daniel is a keen outdoors man, and enjoys running, hiking and endurance riding. When he’s not busy in the outdoors, Daniel likes to visit the gym and relax with a good book.
Head Nurse

Jess Koene – Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing
Head Equine Nurse
Jess started her BVP career when she joined the team as a full-time stable attendant in 2011. Back then her spare time was spent assisting with the care and re-education of standardbreds as a part of a not for profit. So having an opportunity to work in an equine clinic was beyond exciting to her, little did she know it would become her dream career.
In early 2013 she got the opportunity to become the clinic’s first ambulatory nurse. She assisted the head of the ambulatory team in developing this role, all the while traveling to farms and stables assisting our primary veterinarians with everything from simple procedures to field anaesthesia and surgeries.
In 2015 she split her time between ambulatory and surgical nursing. Finding a passion in surgery, particularly a good wound, from this point she was usually found in the surgical suite with our specialist surgeons.
During this time, she also became very proficient in performing specialist diagnostic procedures such as scintigraphy and standing MRI.
In 2021 Jess became Head Nurse and hospital manager at the equine clinic. It is in this role she is most excited to share her passion of the clinic and industry in helping to educate the next generation of equine nurses. In 2023, Jess was awarded the Equine Veterinary Association Excellence in Equine Nurses Award for her contribution to the Bain Fallon Equine nurses conference and excellence in the industry.
HR

Claire McAteer – BMan (HR), CPHR, MAHRI
HR Manager
After completing a Bachelor of Management (HR) and spending time working in the recruitment sector in the UK, Claire spent eight years employed in the Executive Office of Bunnings Group Limited, at their head office in Hawthorn.
Gayle Dridan
Administration Manager and PA
Gayle commenced in 2015 as Administration Manager and Surgeon PA. Gayle has managed our team through a rapid period of growth and magically splits her time between continuing to manage the administration team and providing assistance to Dr Brian Anderson as his personal assistant.

Equine Clinic Staff at Ballarat Veterinary Practice
Contact the Equine Clinic Staff at Ballarat Veterinary Practice
To get in touch with the team at the Equine Clinic Staff, you can get in touch via our contact page or by phoning on (03) 5334 6756.
To keep up with the latest from the Equine Team, you can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Equine Emergency?
If you have an AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY between the hours of 6pm and 8am only please call us at this number.
Equine Emergency Number