Our Team

Dr Yvette Berkeley BVSc (Hons), BA (Hons), Practice Principal

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 her family 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. 

Dr Belinda Gibbs BVSc, MACVS

Belinda has been a practicing vet for the past 14 years. Belinda Grew up on a dairy farm in Stanhope & focused her career in mixed practice, initially at Maffra Victoria, then onto the UK based in York. She then began a 4 year career path change in Emergency Medicine at the Essendon Animal Accident & Emergency Centre. During this time Belinda completed her memberships in Emergency Medicine & Critical care. November 2012 saw Belinda, husband Paul and their then baby Olive, move to Kyneton and in March 2013 start at Castlemaine Vet Clinic.

Dr Paul Underwood BVSc

Paul, his partner (a Zoo Veterinarian) and their two beautiful young children settled in Kyneton in 2013.  Since graduating from the University of Melbourne in 1999 Paul has gained a vast array of small animal clinical experience overseas and in metro, regional and remote Australia including emergency and reproductive work.  Having a particular fondness for cats, Paul also undertook post graduate studies in feline medicine through the University of Sydney.    Paul loves nothing more than the challenge of a complex case when at work.  When not at work Paul enjoys spending time with his family, cycling, bushwalking, paragliding, gardening, cooking and cheesmaking just to name a few.

Dr Courtney Simmons BVBio/BVSc

Courtney grew up on a small hobby farm near Kinglake riding horses and showing stud cattle before completing her studies at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga NSW. She has spent the last 6 years practicing in the Goulburn Valley before moving to Castlemaine. She enjoys all aspects of small animal practice but is particularly keen on diagnostic imaging.

Nurses and office staff

Reception

Lisa Tancredi

Lisa, our fabulous dog groomer, is also part of our reception team from Wednesday to Friday.

Lisa provides a wonderful professional grooming service at Castlemaine Vet Clinic. Her services include Summer & Winter Clips, Tidy-ups, & nail trims. Neat practical grooms are achieved with care and patience. To make a Grooming appointment with Lisa please phone 0405 020 797

Kristy Dwyer

Kristy moved to Mandurang from Melbourne 6 years ago to enjoy a tree change with her husband and three children. She has recently completed her Cert 3 in Animal Studies. Kristy helps out on reception Monday and Tuesday.

Tegan Nicholl-Caddell

Tegan recently 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 works at the practice on Saturdays. She is enjoying getting to know the
locals and their pets.

Nurses

Amanda Vlassis Cert IV Small animal, Cert IV Equine

Amanda has been nursing for 17 years. She has previously worked at the Lort Smith Animal Hospital and Werribee Equine Centre. Amanda has been at CVC for 4 years. She also volunteers for Animals Australia and has a keen interest in Animal Welfare. Amanda has three dogs, three cats and five horses.

Eva Evans  VN BSc

Eva has been a Vet Nurse  for over 20 years spending most of that time at the University of Melbourne Vet hospital helping final year Vet students gain confidence and skills in anesthesia. Eva spends her time looking after both her two legged and four legged family on her mixed farm and eco tourism business. In her spare time, Eva enjoys trail riding, camping and reading.

Support staff (animal attendants)

Merinda Kuckhahn

Merinda lives on a block just outside Castlemaine with her hubby, two Shepherds Besch and Polly and her little old guy Pan, the blind Maltese x Shihtzu.
She has spent the last 6 years working at Hilltop Boarding kennels and is currently studying with the National Dog Trainers Federation.
She loves gardening, op shopping and spending time with her fur family.