Meet our Staff - Mentone Veterinary Hospital

	Dr. Trevor Newnes BVSc Practice Owner Trevor graduated from Queensland University Veterinary School in 1968. After a period of time working with small animals in Ivanhoe and the UK, he purchased Mentone Veterinary Clinic as a single vet concern at its original location on the Nepean Highway in 1975. Under his charge the clinic has grown and developed into the modern hospital it is today. A keen interest and further studies in radiology has led to the hospital sporting top-rate Xray equipment. When not overseeing his bayside business, Trevor may be found cycling around the bay, or more often kitesurfing across it. Trevor is also the official owner of “LB” the clinic cat, although LB would strongly deny that anyone is his master.
	Dr. Andrew Milne BVSc Veterinarian Andrew started his professional career at Mentone Veterinary Hospital in 2001 soon after graduating from The University of Melbourne. Andrew has always had a particular interest in surgical cases, successfully completing a further education course on the topic through Sydney University's Post Graduate Foundation in 2003. His love of modern technology also helps keep the practice computer system fully operational. Away from work Andrew throws himself into a wide range of sporting activities including hockey, rollerblading, snowboarding, tennis, & mountain bike riding. He has also been known to relax a little over a good meal, movie, or gaming session. Andrew is the proud owner of a toy poodle “Baci”, who enjoys the challenge of fitting a tennis ball in his mouth, and a high-spirited bengal cat called “Glacier”.
	Dr. Andy Woodward BVetMed MANZCVSc (Feline Medicine) MRCVS Veterinarian Andy gained his degree at the Royal Veterinary College in London in 1994. He initially followed in the traditional English foot steps of James Herriot by treating all creatures great and small - from the lions & tigers of one of Britain's leading safari parks, to the Yellow-eyed penguins of the South Island of New Zealand. The first six years of his career were dominated by dairy cow work, but horses, sheep, goats, deer and of course those hard working farm dogs kept a country vet more than busy. Andy's move to the bright lights of Melbourne in 1999 made him decide to keep his hands a whole lot cleaner treating smaller animals. After a period of time dealing with some less fortunate individuals at one of the city's shelters, Andy soon settled back into looking after the pets of general practice, firstly in Templestowe and now Mentone. Following completion of Sydney University's Post Graduate Foundation course in feline medicine, Andy attained Membership of the Australian & New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in this same subject in 2008, cementing the move from cattle to cats. Over the years Andy’s artistic side has been expressed in numerous ways, but now most commonly involves photographic mementos from his overseas trips. Mimicking events from his own traveling lifestyle, Andy likes to offer homes to wandering strays – his current companion being “Chaos” the crazy cat.
	Dr. Robert Pertzel BVSc Veterinarian Rob has been based in the south-eastern suburbs of the city since graduating from Melbourne University Veterinary School in 1997. Over the years he has developed a strong interest in small animal ultrasonography. In 2006 he completed Sydney University's Post Graduate Foundation sonology course, enabling the clinic to offer a higher standard of ultrasound examination to its patients. Rob particularly enjoys the challenge of small animal medical cases and has now set his sights on further qualifications in this area. Away from the clinic, Rob is kept very busy by his hectic family life seeing to the demands of his three children Harry, Zoe & Nina, and his cat Tyrone. When time off allows, Rob enjoys travelling to more exotic destinations in search of wilder animals to further his interest in the behaviour & biology of the whole animal kingdom. At weekends he would always prefer to catch a classic wildlife documentary than sit watching his footy team, the Bombers, lose. Rob also takes pleasure in playing his piano … once his kids and cat get off it!
	Debbie Veterinary Nurse Debbie has worked as a veterinary nurse at Mentone Veterinary Clinic since 1981. Over the years she has witnessed first-hand the many changes that have taken place within veterinary medicine and to the practice itself. Debbie's life revolves around animals. She is a true horse enthusiast, competing and judging in showing, eventing, & dressage, as well as running the well-regarded Hollingrove Warmblood Stud near Warragul in West Gippsland with her husband Bruce. The property is also home to a commercial herd of Angus cattle, as well as a menagerie of bantams, a talking crimson rosella “Joey”, a major mitchell cockatoo “Holly”, a galah, and a much loved moggy called “Gismo”. Whilst not currently a dog owner, Debbie has also successfully showed many English and Irish setters with her sister.
	Lisa-Maree Veterinary Nurse (Certificate IV) Lisa-Maree is another long-standing member of the nursing team, having made the switch from dental to veterinary nursing in 1996, and gaining her Certificate IV qualification a few years later. Nowadays you're most likely to come across Lisa-Maree serving you at weekends due to her incredibly busy home-life. Over the years Lisa-Maree has hand-reared many orphaned possums, kittens, and a white, deaf boxer called “Thelma”. She still shares her home with “Griffin“ the energetic Great Dane, “Miss Money Penny“ & “Jerimiah“ the two ageing cats, “Celeste“ & “Daisy“ the bunnies, “Tatum“ the guinea pig, and “Leornado“ and “Lubji“ the turtles. In addition to the menagerie Lisa-Maree and her husband also have to find time to raise their three children. As if this wasn't enough, Lisa-Maree keeps even fitter by running everyday (pushing her two youngest in a double pram) and then teaches aerobics and pilates in her spare time!
	Kim Veterinary Nurse and Receptionist Kim has dedicated her entire working life to veterinary nursing, tending to the animals of the bayside area since the age of sixteen. Although Kim has spent many of those years behind the scenes nursing hospital and surgical patients, nowadays you'll always find Kim at the reception desk concentrating more on the needs of their owners. Over time Kim has owned many pets of her own, from horses, sheep & ducks to rabbits, mice, lizards & fish. Kim and her husband currently share their home with “Leroy” the Toy Poodle, “Cooper” the boisterous Birman, and “Peaches” the beautiful puss-cat with a touch of Siamese. Kim is currently on maternity leave following the birth of her first child.
	Penny Veterinary nurse (Certificate IV) After many years of hard toil in the catering industry, Penny decided to head in a direction she felt more passionate about, and started volunteering at the RSPCA and Save-A-Dog Scheme in 2004. The following year she became a full-time veterinary nurse and attained her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2007, just before joining the team at Mentone Veterinary Hospital. Penny has previously been our main surgical nurse, but since taking maternity leave she has returned on a more part time basis. When she can find a baby-sitter, Penny and her husband Pete enjoy going out to eat, and getting away for the weekend, along with their handsome Kelpie crossbred “Gus”.
	Julia Veterinary Nurse Julia joined the practice in July 2009, having made a career decision to venture out from behind a desk as an architectural draftsperson, in order to pursue her love of animals. She really enjoys being an integral part of returning healthy pets to their happy owners, and is currently busy studying to become a qualified veterinary nurse in the near future. At home she spends many an hour outdoors with her husband walking their two australian bulldogs “Hank” and “Betty”.
	Maggie Veterinary Nurse Maggie has been veterinary nursing in Melbourne since emigrating from England in 1980, and became part of the Mentone team in November 2009. She certainly has no regrets about her chosen career, as she loves the ever-changing nature of the profession and has kept her interest by attending many continuing education courses. Maggie has a particular interest in weight management programs for pets and the care of elderly cats and dogs. Over the years she has bred and shown numerous Dalmatians, and currently plays a very active role supporting the 'GAP' program for ex-racing Greyhounds. Maggie has also extended her nursing skills to the wildlife of the Mornington Peninsula – her three children grew up collecting rose petals as treats for orphaned possums. At home Maggie satisfies her passion for australian native animals by painting them in watercolours. She also enjoys plowing through reams of literature to discuss at her local book club - whilst her two retired greyhounds “Siew Mie” & “Abby” help keep the couch warm. In addition she looks after two exotic shorthair cats “Garfield“ & “Buckles“, “Omo” the long-billed corella, “Percy” the lorikeet, and “Pinch” & “Petratief” the little finches.
	Tegan Veterinary Nurse (Certificate IV) Tegan has certainly devoted her working life to the companion animal industry. She began veterinary nursing in the bayside area at the start of the millennium and has gained numerous qualifications since then. She first worked here at Mentone from 2003-2005 before sampling life as a sales representative for some larger companies. She initially worked for a well known pet accessories supplier, and then moved on to Royal Canin Pet Foods — hence Tegan is always full of up-to-date nutritional advice when it comes to feeding our pets and the clinic’s patients. Following on from a break from the workforce in 2009 to become a mother, Tegan returned to her first love of veterinary nursing on a part-time basis. She also dotes over a number of furry children at home — “Jackson” the jack russell, “Jaia” the German Short-haired Pointer, and “Dodge” the bitza! Tegans’ height not only comes in handy when stacking shelves at work, but also on the basketball court in her sparetime. Tegan is once again on maternity leave following the birth of her second child.
	Jenna Veterinary Nurse (Veterinary Technician Diploma - Canada) Jenna adds yet another country to our multi-national staff portfolio. She graduated as a veterinary technician in Canada in 2004 before traveling to Australia on a working holiday visa. During that initial stay in the country she had two experiences that would influence her decision to stay in Australia forever – firstly working at Mentone Veterinary Hospital and secondly, perhaps more importantly, meeting her future husband. After six years of hard toil gaining experience at a veterinary referral centre in Melbourne, she has returned to the suburb where it all began. This time she has brought with her a wealth of up-to-date nursing techniques, as well as a shiny ring on her left hand. In her spare time Jenna enjoys spending time outdoors, either walking her dog “Yoda” along local beaches, or heading to the country for weekends away with the in-laws.
	Bianca Veterinary Nurse (Certificate IV) If you frequent Victoria’s regional snowfields or beachside resorts you may well have come across Bianca in her previous working life as a cook. After moving to busy metropolitan Melbourne in 2006, Bianca was determined to start looking after people’s pets rather than their grumbling stomachs. She started volunteering at the Blue Cross Animal Shelter and within a year had found full time employment as a veterinary nurse at a busy bayside hospital. She studied hard for her certificate IV and soon became fully qualified. Bianca joined the team at Mentone Veterinary Hospital as a new year treat in 2011. Bianca has a particular interest in feline care and behaviour, which she gets to monitor more closely at home with her two cats Buster & Tilly. Trixy, her playful Labrador-cross, also likes to stick her nose in as part of the ongoing investigation.
	Sheena Receptionist Sheena joined the clinic staff as a dedicated receptionist in May 2011. Her previous roles in administration for the diplomatic core, retail management and financial planning industries provide valuable organisational skills for our ever growing hospital. This is Sheena’s first position in the animal industry, and she is particularly looking forward to greeting people alongside their pets on the other side of a desk for a refreshing change. Sheena has successfully raised two gorgeous girls, but is now concentrating her rearing efforts on a young border collie called Jes. Away from the clinic Sheena can often be found exercising Jes along Mentone beach before relaxing over a latte with her partner Alan at a local café.
	LB Clinic Cat / Proprietor “L.B.” or more affectionately “Little Bloke” started life here at the clinic as part of a stray litter of kittens. He soon realized that the building was full of cat food and refused to be put up for adoption. Since that day he has overseen the comings and goings of numerous staff members, all of whom have fallen for his charms and being sad to leave. Although his favourite place is on his personal heat pad on top of the office filing cabinet, he can often be found at the end of school hours chasing students up and down Balcombe Road for a bit of extra attention. His favourite past-times include ripping open bags & helping himself to food from the shop area, urinating on the nearest object when there's a tom cat in the building, and always managing to be in the wrong place at just the right time! But we all love him!