Dr Michael Wraight

After graduating from the University of Melbourne in December 1986, Michael Wraight launched his veterinary career as a locum in Mildura where he learnt, amongst other things, that its tough getting a urine sample at the Ouyen trots on a 43 degree day. that He then moved to the more temperate climes of Leongatha, South Gippsland and began a two year stint as a mixed practice vet. In this classic rural practice he gained a solid veterinary grounding treating cows, horses, sheep, goats, cats, dogs, and several koalas. Prior to heading to the UK in 1989, Michael worked for nine months in Bacchus Marsh to increase his exposure to horses and other companion animals.

Michael spent 1989-90 working as a vet in Lancashire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight which was interspersed with travel in Europe. Back in Australia, Michael started work in Ray Horsey’s equine/small animal practice in Werribee. Here he furthered his equine experience particularly in stud work, standardbred racing and pleasure horses. After 3 years he headed further west taking up a position with the Timboon Vet Group and after another 3 years landed at Warrnambool Veterinary. It was in Warrnambool he put down some roots and became a partner in 1997. He started in Warrnambool as a mixed practice vet and over the next two decades grew the equine side of the practice to a point where it became a full time pursuit. From the close professional relationship with the Ballarat Equine Practice grew the concept of Southwest Equine Veterinary Group.

Dr Andrew Cust

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 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 in Australia and overseas 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, focusing on the relationship between horse hoof conformation and racing performance.

Andrew joined the Ballarat Veterinary Practice partnership in July 2010. More recently Andrew has attended a conference on “The Functional Hoof 2014” and a 5 day workshop the become a member of Equine Dental Vets Australia in 2015. Andrew has been one of the driving forces behind the development of an equine specific clinic in Warrnambool which has resulted in the formation of South West Equine Veterinary Group (SWE). This is a partnership between Warrnambool Veterinary Clinic and the Ballarat Veterinary Practice with the aim of providing top quality equine veterinary services to the South West region of Victoria.

Dr Kelly Gowland

Kelly graduated from Charles Sturt University in 2010 and began work at the Warrnambool Veterinary Clinic shortly afterwards. Having grown up on a sheep farm near Timboon, coming back to the south-west district was an obvious choice. Starting out as a mixed practice veterinarian, Kelly developed skills in a wide range of areas, but developed an interest mainly in large animal surgery and reproduction, both bovine and equine alike.

To compliment this, she recently completed a 3-year double Master’s degree through the University of Melbourne focusing on reproduction. Having grown up with horses and having been an keen eventer in her youth, Kelly is enthusiastic about the opportunity to be a foundation member of the South West Equine team, and is excited about being able to provide a greater service to all horses, great and small.

Dr Feargal Ross

Feargal comes to us from Dublin, Ireland where he has spent his life around horses with his family having broodmares, breeding for both National Hunt and Flat racing.

After obtaining a degree in Equine Science from University College Dublin he then went on to study his Bachelors in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh, Scotland.

As part of his Equine Science degree, Feargal spent some time in Lexington, Kentucky working at a prominent stud farm where he was involved in broodmare management and yearling sales preparation. Then as a veterinary student he spent a lot of time seeing practice at busy racing practices across Ireland and the UK where he gained a particular interest in lameness, poor performance and sports medicine. In his spare time Feargal follows many sports particularly horse racing, Gaelic football, hurling and rugby. He also has been involved in the syndication of both racehorses and greyhounds and enjoys going racing as often as he can.

Dr Sophie Kelly

Sophie, who is our newest member to the veterinary team, grew up on a vineyard/cattle property in the Holbrook region of New South Wales. After graduation from Charles Sturt University in 2013, Sophie began work as an equine vet in Mansfield where she spent 18 months. She then spent three years in an equine practice in the Yarra valley.

Her main veterinary interests are Equine medicine, podiatry as well as reproduction.

Outside of work, Sophie is an enthusiastic equestrian and is currently a member of the Victorian eventing squad.

Apart from horse riding, Sophie also enjoys skiing, spending time on the beach, good food and good music! Sophie also recently got married, which brought her to the Southwest, to be with her husband on their farm at Hexham.

Dr Cat Marsden

Cat grew up in South East Queensland and has had a keen interest in horses from a young age. After school she was employed as a working pupil for a showjumping stable, she then moved down to Wagga to complete her veterinary degree at Charles Sturt University. During her studies, Cat worked at a thoroughbred stud where she was involved in foal watch, reproduction and yearling preparation.

After graduation Cat worked in mixed practice for 18months, gaining experience in a wide range of species but found that her main passion was horses. To pursue this, and develop her skills, she completed a rotating internship at Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital.

She has developed a particular interest in sports medicine, lameness and reproduction.

Outside of work, Cat enjoys riding and training her horse, helping out on her partners farm and spending time with family and friends.

Mareike (Reike) Willhoeft

Administration Assistant/Receptionist
Reike has recently relocated from Melbourne with her family, husband and 2 young boys. She started working with horses at a young age, working for a trail ride school in her teenage years and then becoming a dressage rider with her warmblood in competition. She then continued to work with race horses after her schooling and was in the racing industry for about 13 years. After having her children she became a medical receptionist for 5 years before finding her place here at Southwest Equine. She enjoys camping, hiking, spending time with her family and anything outdoors.

Dr Hannah Holmes

Hannah grew up in South East Queensland on a stud cattle farm. During her studies at the University of Queensland, Hannah was involved with local thoroughbred farms and assisted them with yearling sales preparation. She also worked with a large animal reproduction veterinarian, where she gained knowledge and skills in artificial breeding, embryo transfer and IVF.
After graduating in 2021, Hannah then went on to complete a rotating internship at Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital. Her main professional interests include dentistry, lameness and poor performance.
In her spare time, Hannah enjoys being strongly involved in the CrossFit community, as well as surfing and exploring the area with her kelpie.

2 Park Street Warrnambool