Partners

1. Dr Ian C. Fulton B.V.Sc., M.Sc., F.A.C.V.Sc. Equine Clinic Ian was born in Ballarat developed his desire to become a veterinarian from his father Len who was one of the founding members of practice. Ian graduated from Melbourne University in 1983 and began private practice for 1 year in Kyabram and then 2 years in an equine practice in Adelaide. A residency in Equine Surgery at Michigan State University between 1987 and 1990 then followed. During this period Ian also completed a Master of Science Degree, his Thesis being on laryngeal reinnervation in the horse. In 1992 Ian passed the examination to become a member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in the Equine Surgery Chapter. In 2009 Ian also took the examination for Fellowship of the College which has resulted in his registration as a Specialist in Equine Surgery, one of only 12 registered in the state of Victoria Ian started work at the Ballarat Veterinary Practice in 1990 and joined the Partnership in 1993. Along with past partners Kim McKellar, Peter Everist and Bruce Sidebottom and current partners Brian Anderson and Andrew Cust, Ian has helped build and develop the Equine Clinic at Miners Rest into the facility that exists today. Ian's special interest is laryngeal reinnervation in horses. Following his Masters Degree from Michigan State University, Ian has operated on over 300 horses suffering from laryngeal hemiplegia or "roaring" as it is commonly known. The nerve muscle pedicle graft that Ian helped develop while at Michigan State University is only performed at a few Veterinary centres around the world. Further research to enhance the technique has been undertaken at Michigan State University, Melbourne University and most recently (2011) at the National Veterinary School of Maisons-Alfort in Paris all of which Ian has had input into. Ian is frequent presenter at conferences in Australia and overseas. In 2003, Ian and Brian Anderson where the only two invited speakers to attend a workshop on laryngeal hemiplegia for the Havemeyer Foundation in England. Recently while attending a respiratory surgery workshop in Paris, Ian was called to give an impromptu talk on laryngeal reinnervation to the delegates. In 2011 Ian with the assistance of Brian Anderson has re-written the book chapter of laryngeal surgery for Auer and Stick’s ”Equine surgery”, one of the premier, world renowned texts on equine surgery. Ian since 1999 has travelled to Singapore, Macau and Kuala Lumpur on a regular basis to perform surgery and consult for trainers at the racetracks there. Ian regularly attends yearling sales for radiograph and horse assessments. Ian has been a committee member of the Ballarat Turf Club since 2004 and is currently President of the Club. In 2010/11 Ian has been the Chairman of the Stakeholder Committee as part of the Executive of Equine Veterinarians Australia. While thoroughbred and standardbred race horses make up a large part of his work, Ian is always happy to provide service to all breeds of horses.
2. Dr Brian H. Anderson B.V.Sc., M.V.Sc., M.S., Diplomate A.C.V.S. Equine Clinic Brian graduated from Massey University Veterinary School in New Zealand in 1986 as the leading student and with distinction. He practiced in mixed large animal practice in New Zealand and Australia for 2 years before accepting a position at Massey University for two years where he completed a thesis in Equine Pharmacology for a Master of Veterinary Science. He then applied and was successful in gaining a residency position in Large Animal Surgery at the University of Minnesota in the United States from 1991-1994. There he completed a Master of Veterinary Science in surgery, radiology and anaesthesiology and projects in navicular syndrome, hoof and pastern injuries and the use of medicated hoof acrylic for hoof disease in horses. He returned to Massey University to teach, research and perform referral equine surgery and was a Lecturer and then Senior Lecturer from 1994-2000. In 1996 Brian passed the examination to become a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons to become a specialist in Large Animal Surgery in North America. He moved to Australia and the Ballarat Veterinary Practice in September 2000 via the Sydney Olympics where he was one of two vets looking after the dressage and show jumping teams. He became a partner in the practice in 2003 and has established with Ian Fulton and Bruce Sidebottom the equine hospital and referral service that is one of Australia’s leaders in the field of equine veterinary services. As a surgeon Brian’s passion and love is respiratory tract and orthopaedic 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 in thousands of Thoroughbred Yearlings. He has over 17 years of experience and expertise in the field of Nuclear Scintigraphy (Bone Scanning) and referral lameness evaluation. 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 4 of the families horses, Lilly the Hungarian Vizsla and Rufus the Abyssinian.
3. Dr Andrew R.E. Cust BSc, BVSc, MVSc. Equine Clinic Andrew studied for a Bachelor of Science at Latrobe University before travelling overseas to England 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 started his career at the Kilmore Veterinary Practice, initially working with both large and small animals. Andrew grew up on a horse stud, has played polo and has also worked casually for racing Victoria and Harness Racing Victoria, officiating at race meetings. Andrew and his wife Louisa then moved to Macau, China to live and work for the Macau Jockey Club, working with 1000 horses stabled at the Macau racetrack, returning to Australia in 2008. Andrew completed his Masters of Veterinary Studies, focussing on the relationship between horse hoof conformation and racing performance. Andrew joined the partnership in July 2010

Associates

1. Dr Gareth Trope BVSc.(Hons), Dip.Vet.Clin.Stud., Cert.ES(Orth.), FACVSc. Equine Clinic Gareth graduated form the University of Sydney in 1998 and immediately went on to complete a 12 month internship where he began his work with horses. On completion of this internship he gained a diploma in veterinary clinical studies. He then moved to Townsville to work in a busy equine and small animal hospital for 18 months. Like most young vets he then headed overseas to Europe where he spent the following 2 years working as an equine locum and travelling. Not scared off by the cold, Gareth then took a position at Hird and Partners in West Yorkshire for 3.5 years where he was in a clinic based role performing lameness evaluations as well as orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery. During this time he completed the Certificate in Equine Surgery (Orthopaedics). On returning from England Gareth has been very busy. He has completed a surgical residency at the University of Melbourne during which time he passed the membership examination in Equine Surgery. During his residency Gareth researched fetlock pathology in thoroughbred racehorses and has presented his work internationally. He got married to his wife Leah (a specialist veterinary anaesthetist) in 2008 and had their first child, daughter Taylor in April 2010. Making it a family of 5 if you include the two “mad dogs”. Gareth passed his Fellowship examinations in Equine Surgery in June 2011. Gareth joined the Ballarat Veterinary Practice in April 2010 and brings with him a passion for lameness investigation, diagnostic imaging and orthopaedic surgery.
2. Dr Ruth Elphinstone BSc.(Hons), BVMS. Equine Clinic Ruth grew up in Devon, in South West England, which is a big horse and dairy farming area. Her family have always had horses and she grew up with pony club and hunting. She has competed at Advanced Intermediate level eventing. She studied at the University of Edinburgh, gaining a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Science in 2008, including a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis on Equine Reproduction in 2005. Her main interests are Equine Medicine and Anaesthesia. Outside of work, she has two very naughty dogs, she love travelling, and Ruth also plays hockey and SCUBA dives.

Interns

1. Dr Euan H. Laidlaw Equine Clinic Euan was born and raised in Ayrshire, Scotland around working dogs and mixed farming before being accepted to the University of Glasgow Vet School in 2006. During his studies Euan developed an interest in horses while preparing Thoroughbred yearlings for sale and conducting a research project on the diagnosis of wobblers disease in America. As part of his final year Euan spent 2months working at different equine referral hospitals in Australia. Euan has ridden trackwork and is especially keen to work with racing and other performance horses; while aspiring to complete a residency in equine surgery. Outside of work Euan takes every opportunity to go skiing, play his bagpipes, and is hoping to improve his surfing whilst here in Australia.
2. Dr Kate N. Chambers BVSc (Hons) Equine Clinic Kate grew up in Hobart, Tasmania and went on to study Veterinary Science at Sydney University where she graduated with Honours in 2007. She then worked for 2 ½ years in a mixed practice in Mount Gambier, SA where she gained a wide range of experience with horses, cattle, sheep, domestic pets and wildlife. It was here that a desire to focus on equine work became apparent, and having referred cases to the Ballarat Veterinary Practice, Kate decided that an equine internship at BVP would give her a good grounding from which to pursue a career in equine practice. Outside of work hours, Kate’s interests include hockey, skiing, cycling, swimming and running, and she has competed in triathlons in SA and Victoria. Her main hobby when not attending to patients at BVP is to walk and play with her very spoilt Golden Retriever Sadie. She loves traveling and has spent time in Europe, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Nepal. South America and North America/Canada are next on the list!

Administrative staff

1. Kim Hill Equine Clinic Personal Assistant to Dr Ian Fulton. Kim joined the Ballarat Veterinary Practice Equine Clinic in December 2010 after a varied career in healthcare most recently at the Ballarat Base Hospital. Kim is originally from North Wales in the UK but has spent a number of years living in Australia with her husband Wayne. Kim enjoys bushwalking & gardening as a break from ongoing house renovations. She also follows the round ball game being a Liverpool F.C. supporter.
2. Kirsten New Equine Clinic Kirsten has really enjoyed working at BVP since 2009. She has 2 wonderful children and one on the way. Kirsten lives on a little hobby farm at Crewick with all kinds of animals. Her favorite animals are two Brahman calves called Ned and Kelly. They have come all the way from "Napperby Station" near Alice Springs. Kirsten started maternity leave in July 2011.
3. Anna Harmes Equine Clinic Anna has been working for BVP since 2010. Previously she worked for a local riding pony stud where she gained valuable experience in breeding and show preparation. At home she has 4 Appaloosa horses, "the breed of choice", and aspires to breed quality halter and show horses in the future and blow the competition out of the water........eventually. Anna is engaged to her partner of 8 years, Richard, and they are due to marry in the summer of 2012.
4. Christine Clarken Equine Clinic Christine moved from Strathalbyn in South Australia in 1991 and commenced employment at our Sturt Street CLinic March 1992. She has now been based at our equine hospital at Miners Rest for the past 14 years. Christine is Personal Assistant to Dr Brian Anderson and matriarch to all of our younger team members. Christine enjoys spending time with her family, three grandsons and friends. She enjoys live theatre, reading, walking, tennis and watching AFL football. She passionately supports the Adelaide Crows!
5. Charlee Corbett Equine Clinic

Support staff

1. Alison Rotherham Equine Clinic Alison has worked for BVP since 2008 as a verterinary nurse. She has previously worked at other large equine hospitals and racing stables. Alison's interests include horse riding, racing, netball and is a very keen follower of the Geelong Football Club.
2. Sue Wells Equine Clinic Sue is our hospital manager.
3. Chris Garland Equine Clinic Chris is a member of our stable team.
4. Warren Clark Equine Clinic Warren is a member of our stable team.
5. Doug Leishman Equine Clinic Doug is a member of our stable team.
6. Jessie Koene Equine Clinic