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.
  

Jayde Costello

Senior Veterinarian and 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.

Will Lucas

Senior Veterinarian and 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 is also a competent orthopaedic surgeon and enjoys repairing fractured limbs and joint injuries. 

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.

CIARA HALLIDAY

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.

Remy Hayman

Veterinarian

Dr Remy Hayman, grew up in Sydney. However, on finishing high school, she headed to far north Queensland to James Cook University to pursue her dream of becoming a vet. She graduated from JCU with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Hons) in 2025. She joined the CVH team at the beginning of 2026. While at vet school she developed a passion for mixed practice. 

Remy has a genuine passion for both large and small animal health. Her clinical interests are focused on large animal medicine, with a special love of cattle, as well as small animal surgery and feline medicine. She approaches every case with care and a commitment to getting the best possible outcome for her patients. 

Outside the clinic, Remy loves snow skiing, trips to the beach, baking sweet treats and has a talent for drawing. She has a Chihuahua named Scraps and a cat with a fiery temperament aptly named Lucifer. 

 
  

Jess van Groningen

Reception Manager

Jess’s diverse experience and skills complement the CVH team perfectly. After a 12 year career as an Early Childhood Teacher in Australia and Indonesia, Jess turned to animals, first as an equine nurse while studying for a Bachelor of Equine Science and in 2013, she completed a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.

Jess maintains a part time career as an educator. Working for the NSW Responsible Pet Education Program since 2011, Jess takes her two German Shorthaired Pointers Mojo and Ned into preschools, childcare centres and primary schools teaching children about being safe around dogs and how to be responsible pet owners.

Outside work, Jess has successfully competed in dog field and retrieving trials with Ned, and is currently breaking in and training her three year old Warmblood gelding Remi for dressage.

 

Brittany Penrose

Veterinary Nurse

Brittany joined the CVH team in 2025 and brings with her 14 years of veterinary nursing experience. Including 4 years in busy emergency hospital, ARH Woolongong. She is very passionate about veterinary nursing and particularly enjoys the challenge of working through complex medical cases. 

Outside of work, Brittany has a passion for horses and spends weekends travelling with her stock horse, Monty, to campdrafts. She also has a brood of Chooks which she enjoys showing. 

At home, she has Monty the Stock horse and her three kelpies, Dusty, Ro and Pip. 

Lily Panne

Veterinary Nurse

Lily started working at CVH while still at school. After finishing school, she went on to complete her Certificate III in animal studies on her way to becoming a Certificate IV qualified Veterinary Nurse. She has been a valued part of the team for the past 10 years. Over that time, she's built a wealth of experience across all areas of veterinary nursing – from assisting in surgery and caring for sick patients, to supporting clients and their pets during visits. She is passionate about her job and loves making sure every animal receives the best possible care. 

Outside of work, Lily enjoys staying active, playing league tag for the Crookwell She Devils. At home, she has 2 kelpies, Renny and Riley, and her two cats, Bob and Baxter. 

Mikayla Smith

Trainee Nurse

Mikayla is a Trainee Veterinary Nurse who has been part of the CVH team for the past 4 years. She brings a bubbly, friendly presence to the clinic. She enjoys all aspects of patient care, whether that be assisting the vets or helping animals feel safe and comfortable during their stay. Mikayla is passionate about learning and is always looking to build her skills and grow her role. 

When she is not at the clinic, Mikalya keeps busy playing League tag for the Crookwell She Devils or playing hockey for the local team. At home, she loves spending time with her dog Boss and her cat Lilli. 

Karen Reid

Receptionist

Karen or K2 has been a familiar face at the front desk for a while now. Karen grew up on a dairy farm in country Victoria. After marrying her husband, Peter who was a beef cattle farmer, she converted from dairy to beef cattle. Karen and Peter run an Angus Stud 'Kaleid" on their property in Roslyn. 

Before joining CVH she spent many years as a dental nurse. 

In her spare time she enjoys taking their cattle on the show circuit. She also enjoyed breeding chooks and an interest in harness racing and loves jack russels. 

 

Tara Lambert

Veterinary Nurse

Tara started at CVH in 2020 while studying for certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, which she is currently in the process of completing. Tara grew up in Goulburn and has a keen interest in horses.

She loves all sports and unfortunately is a mad raiders supporter, rarely missing a home game. Tara plays league tag for the Crookwell She devils and is becoming a intergral part of the CVH mixed doubles summer tennis team. She also enjoys camping and rock climbing. 

Tara has 2 dopted a kittens through the CVH adoption program, Ollie and GG, they are both besotted with each other and spend most of their day either wrestling or curled up in a ball together. Tara has also recently taken on a 6year old German Shepherd called Reney. 

Tara is still waiting for the Raiders to win a premiership!

Lani Fuller

Trainee Nurse

Lani recently joined the CVH team. She is currently studying her Certificate III in Animal Care through the Goulburn Tafe, with plans to continue on to a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. She has always had a strong passion for working with animals and is excited to begin her career in the veterinary clinic. 

Even though Lani grew up in Sydney, she developed a strong passion for horses from a young age. This passion led her to complete a Certificate III in Performance Horses at Tocal College Maitland. After completing her studies, she moved to Crookwell to work on a horse stud. Here she gained valuable experience and knowledge working with young horses and broodmares. 

Away from the clinic, Lani enjoys showing her horse Montana at local ag shows, going on trail rides and spending time with her dogs, Max, Rocky, Jack, Roo and Sox. 

 
  
No data to display
  
No data to display
  
No data to display