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 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.
  

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.

 

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!

Lily Panne

Veterinary Nurse

Lily started working at CVH while still at School, after finishing school she went on to compelete her certificate III in animal studies on her way to becoming a qualified Veterinary Nurse. 

Not surprisingly, Lily loves animals and has a rather large menagerie at home – 2 dogs, 3 cats and 4 horses. Of these, Bob the cat has only half his lungs after having to have the rest removed by the vets at CVH due ot severe lung abscess. Not just content with a cat with only half her lungs she recently took on Pepper the Kelpie who only has 3 legs. Pepper had to have one of her legs removed after suffering a complex fracture which was unable to be fixed with out ongoing significant joint issues. Pepper is a bundle of energy and loves to dig, even with one front leg. 

Lara Karjalainen

Trainee Veterinary Nurse

Lara started at CVH in Janurary 2022. She has completed her Certificate III in Animal Studies and is currently in the process of completing her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. 

Lara grew up in Goulburn and while not working at CVH she is part of the team that looks after 40 Thoroubred racing horses at Lynton just outside of Goulburn. 

Lara is a keen horse rider and has two horses Ripper and Badge. She also enjoys motor bike riding and camping. 

As well as her two horses Lara has a beloved kelpie Barney. ​

Karen Reeves

Practice Manager

Karen is the founding staff member of Crookwell Veterinary Hospital. Joining previous owners Jennie and Robert Churchill as all-round vet nurse / receptionist / administrator straight from high school in 1982, Karen has notched up over 30 years with CVH. 

She rapidly learnt to stay upright during surgery, monitor anaesthetics, provide vet nursing care for sick and injured animals, answer the phone, do the accounts and single-handedly make sure the small but growing practice was never less than brilliantly organised.

As Practice Manager, Karen is responsible for managing and overseeing all practice administration and non-veterinary staff. Her enormous contribution to the development of our veterinary practice in Crookwell over so many years is valued and respected by the practice partners, our staff and our clients.
  
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