Veterinarians

Veterinarian and CVH Director

Jayde joined CVH in late 2010 and, like all CVH vets, is passionate about treating both small and large animals. She completed 2 years of a Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience degree before commencing her veterinary studies, and graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Sydney in 2010. Jayde also managed to fit in, alongside her studies, the management of several restaurants, including a 200 seat Italian restaurant in Sydney!

Jayde, already an experienced ultrasonographer, has completed additional studies through the University of Sydney Centre for Veterinary Education. Jayde also has AQIS accreditation (Australian Quarantine Inspection Service), enabling her to oversee the import and export of animals and animal products, she is an approved APAV practitioner (Accreditation Program for Australian Veterinarians) for a range of national and state farm animal programs, and is also accredited to use equine Hendra Vaccination.

Raised in Scone, Jayde loves country life and a whole range of sports, making it easy for her and her family to settle into local community life.

Part time Veterinarian

Alison has been a familiar face at Crookwell Veterinary Hospital for many years and since 2009, she has been a regular part time staff member.

Alison graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Sydney in 1979. Straight from graduation, she took on the challenge of overseeing the establishment of the RSPCA Veterinary Clinic in Canberra, including training veterinary nursing staff.

After three years at Canberra RSPCA, Alison – already married to vet Bill Johnson – moved west to run the Broken Hill RSPCA veterinary clinic.

In 1985 Alison settled in Goulburn with her family, working with veterinary practices in the region, including CVH.

A volunteer ‘reading Mum’ at a local primary school, Alison was invited to become a School Learning Support Officer (Teacher’s Aid) and for more than 15 years she has combined both veterinary and education roles, along with raising four daughters.

Alison is a valued part of our team. She enjoys working up difficult cases, and is a wonderful mentor for vet students and newly graduated vets.

Veterinarian and CVH Director

Will joined the veterinary staff of CVH in January 2012. A Bachelor of Veterinary Science graduate from James Cook University in Queensland, Will also has a Bachelor of Rural Science from the University of New England.

In between his agriculture and veterinary degrees, Will gained extensive experience working on large sheep and cattle properties. He says he developed a love for rural life and production animals when working on the T A Field Estates Hunthawang property at Hillston in 1998. Before commencing his veterinary studies, Will was appointed overseer of a number of Egelabra Merino Stud properties. He’s also spent time as a volunteer in India, working on genetics in Deccan sheep and goats.

Will is accredited for the Ovine Brucellosis Scheme, the use of equine Hendra vaccine, and he has Australian Cattle Veterinary Association Pregnancy Diagnosis accreditation, essential for veterinarians tail tagging cattle pregnancy tested prior to sale.

Will was the recipient of the Beef Cattle Production and Medicine medal at graduation, but he also loves small animals - his cat Albert helps out at the clinic every day.

Veterinarian

Ciara joined us at the end of 2017 after graduating from the University of Sydney, where she achieved many academic honours including awards in parasitology, pharmacology, large animal and equine fields as well as being awarded the prestigious Deans List.  We first met Ciara when she was completing her rural placement at CVH as a 4th year vet student, she really impressed us then with her skills and knowledge. On returning in her final year for a months placement we had no other choice but to offer her a job before somebody else did. She fitted right into the CVH team. 

Ciara also has a degree in human nursing which she completed before embarking on veterinary science.  With an interest in both small and large animals Ciara is looking forward to getting out on properties, helping the farmers as well as looking after your pets. Ciara has a cat called Zac and Ruby the Groodle, although I think Ruby has been taken hostage by her parents and has not yet made the move to Crookwell.

Dr David Chaffey is one of our highly valued locums. He has many years experience in rural mixed practice, including as owner of a veterinary business on the south coast of NSW. Dave and his wife Margie now own a property near Crookwell.

Dr Peter Gibbs is another important member of our veterinary team. Like David, Peter brings to Crookwell Veterinary Hospital significant expertise and many years of practical experience in small and large animal practice.

CVH Founding Veterinarians

Drs Rob and Jennie Churchill established Crookwell Veterinary Hospital in 1982. The practice grew over the years to become a busy 3 full time vet practice. They and their staff have been committed to delivering a 24/7 service for both large and small animals, and Jennie and Rob are proud that their clients have been able to call a vet around the clock for 35 years. In June 2017, they handed over Crookwell Veterinary Hospital to Drs Jayde Costello and Will Lucas. Jayde and Will had worked for CVH for more than 5 years and were settled in Crookwell with their partners and families. The Churchills were delighted to have such high quality vets to take over their practice, and to know CVH will continue to deliver the same attention to customer service and a passion for caring for animals large and small.