Meet our wonderful experienced and dedicated team at Castlemaine vets. We look to working with you to support your pets best health.

 

  

Dr Yvette Berkeley

Veterinarian & Practice Owner (BVSc (Hons), BA (Hons))

Yvette graduated from The University of Queensland in 2002, then  spent 5 years in mixed practice on the Isle of Man, Wales and England.  While there, Yvette’s holidays were spent volunteering for Nine Lives in Greece and SPANA in Morocco, providing vet care for work animals and neutering stray cats. Since returning to Australia she has concentrated on small animal practice with a keen interest in ophthalmology, medicine and surgery.

Yvette lives with Athena and their daughter Eadi and animals on 10 acres in Mckenzie Hill. She has a passion for the cats in Greece and Greek food, and continues to support Nine lives in Athens and smaller welfare groups throughout the Greek islands to neuter strays.

Yvette is one of three founding members for the Regional Community Vet Clinic (RCVC)- providing veterinary support to people facing economic and social disadvantage.  Yvette is the current president of RCVC.

 


Dr Holly Kang

Senior Veterinarian (BVM & Emergency Medicine and Critical Care MANZCVs)

Holly graduated from The University of Edinburgh in 2009 and moved to Australia to start her small
animal veterinary career in Adelaide. In 2012 she relocated to Melbourne and continued to concentrate on small animal practice, gaining further qualifications along the way in emergency 
medicine & critical care though MANZCVS membership, and a graduate certificate in abdominal
ultrasonography at the University of Melbourne.


In October 2022 Holly made a tree change to Taradale with her husband, mother, greyhound
and two cats. Holly enjoys all aspects of general practice and is excited to join the community and
team at Castlemaine Veterinary Clinic.


Dr Lily Fermer

Veterinarian (PhD, MPhil, Grad Dip Ed, B Litt (Hons), BVSc)

Lily graduated from the University of Queensland in the early 1990s and moved to Melbourne soon after, where she has spent many years working in private practice and at the Lort Smith Animal Hospital.  Lily worked with the lovely Yvette shortly before they both made the treechance to Castlemaine.

Lily is returning to veterinary practice after a few years' absence.  She has been dedicating her time to parenting her two sons and finishing a PhD in Creative Writing.  Some of you may recognise Lily from her time as an English teacher at Castlemaine secondary College! 

Yvette has finally convinced Lily to work in town and she is really enjoying it!


Dr Lucy Charelson

Veterinarian (BVSc )

Lucy graduated in 2023 from James Cook University in Townsville. She grew up in Melbourne and has moved to Castlemaine to start her veterinary career and is excited to emerge herself into the community. 

Lucy has three King Charles Cavaliers named Poppy, Daisy and Bessie (pictured) and one siamese cat called Pearl. Outside of work Lucy enjoys pilates, long walks and reading.

 


Dr Karen Skinner

Veterinarian (BVSc)

Karen graduated from the University of Sydney in 1998.   She began practising immediately in small animals, first in Sydney, then for many years in the Hunter Valley, NSW in the very busy dedicated small animal department of a large mixed and equine practice. 

As an international level equestrian competitor, Karen has always held a huge passion for horses and spent several years in the intensive equine veterinary department as well.  Although she really enjoyed the equine work, particularly the exciting developments in reproductive work, she decided that small animal practice was her calling and returned to focus on full time small animal work for many years.

Her husband and her are also classic car enthusiasts and have a long love of growing fragrant roses.

Karen and her husband are seriously committed pet parents who relocated their large menagerie of pet dogs, cats and 6 horses from NSW to Victoria. Both Karen and Brett grew up in Victoria. They and their fur family love the property where they now reside in the Macedon ranges near Kyneton, and really enjoy exploring the local area with their dogs. 

Besotted with her fur babies, Karen only too easily understands the stress and worry when your pet is not well, and she cannot wait to meet the Castlemaine community and their fur children.


  

Mikaela Rixon-Zonnenbergs

Head Nurse (BVN)

Mikaela grew up in Mount Beauty and moved to Melbourne in 2017 to complete a Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing. Mikaela has worked as a senior surgical nurse at referral centres in Melbourne and has a keen interest in anaesthesia and analgesia. 

She loves spending time with her blue heeler Mavis and in her spare time enjoys running, swimming, gardening and camping. 


Merinda Kuckhahn

Veterinary Nurse ( Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing)

Merinda lives on a block just outside Castlemaine with her hubby and two Shepherds, Besch and Polly.
She has spent the last 6 years+ working at Boarding kennels. 
She loves gardening, op shopping and spending time with her fur family.


Tegan Nicholl-Caddell

Veterinary Nurse

Tegan moved to Castlemaine with her partner, daughter and four rescued fur babies. On retirement as a professional dancer Tegan decided to follow her passion for all things animal, completing a short course in Animal Nursing at Box hill Institute, a Diploma of Science at Deakin University and is currently completing a Bachelor’s degree in Animal and Veterinary Bioscience at La Trobe University. Tegan enjoys  getting to know the locals and their pets.


Landi Williams-Marsden

Animal Care Taker

Landi grew up surrounded by animals. They currently manage our Social Media pages, and assist as a cage hand and reception where necessary. In their spare time, Landi likes drawing and creating art, and spending time in the outdoors, and spending quality time with Rufus (groodle), who is the best friend Landi always needed. Landi has recently started studying again. 


  

Jade Frost

Practice Manager

Jade moved to Castlemaine and joined the CVC team in 2013 after working as a Vet nurse in Melbourne for 2 years. She has many pets but has a particular love and interest in birds. When not at work, Jade spends her time raising her two young children. After a couple of years away, Jade has returned to CVC to work with the great team and clients she had missed. 


Kristy Dwyer

Client Relations

Kristy moved to Mandurang from Melbourne  to enjoy a tree change with her husband and three children. She has completed her Cert 3 in Animal Studies and is an experienced receptionist. You will find Kristy at reception, usually on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but don't be surprised if you see her other days.  Kristy has a lab called Fig who is a delightful addition to her family.  


  
No data to display
  
No data to display
]