Our Team

 Glen graduated from the University of Queensland in 1981. He is part of a veterinary family with his father, David, a long term partner at the Oakey Veterinary Hospital, and an uncle, brother and wife also in the profession. He spent his first five years following graduation at One Tree Hill, South Australia under the guidance of the late Dr Howard Mortimer (‘Mort’), in a predominantly equine practice.

Glen and his family then travelled for 12 months doing locums in equine practices in Queensland and Darwin before coming back to Oakey to work in 1988. Here he developed a strong interest in racetrack practice, lameness and equine performance investigation, as well as expanding the equine chiropractic services his father established.

Steve is a graduate of the University of Queensland (1991) and has spent much of his professional life working as an equine surgeon within the Darling Downs and South East Queensland. He has trained with some of the best equine surgeons from Australia and internationally.

Steve has a keen interest in all aspects of equine surgery and is an accomplished orthopaedic and soft tissue surgeon, meeting the challenges of complex fracture repairs, colic surgery, bone chip removals and correction of limb deformities in foals.

Steve gives his time willingly in training veterinary students and younger veterinarians, as well as speaking to various horse groups. Over the years he has assisted many colleagues throughout Queensland and interstate by providing second opinions and surgery of their equine cases. He has acted as National Veterinary Exams Examiner for foreign trained veterinary surgeons for more than a decade.

Cassandra grew up in Mudgee, NSW and graduated from the University of Sydney in 2009. Since this time she has been employed within our practice as an equine veterinarian and surgeon. She has achieved further academic qualifications in her chosen field as well as acquiring a vast wealth of practical experience working either with Steve and Glen, or independently as a crucial part of our busy 24- hour equine surgical referral service.

Cass is dedicated and hardworking, giving much to the horses in her care, particularly sick foals and surgical cases in the post- operative period. In recent years ophthalmic surgery has become another one of Cassandra’s special interests. Her experience means that Cass is a highly valued and respected member of our team, sharing her knowledge with clients, nurses, students and fellow veterinarians. Outside of work, Cass enjoys travelling and spending time with her family, friends and her animals.

Francois was raised in the Western Cape area of South Africa, then pursued his interest in veterinary science and horses, rather than staying in his family’s vineyard business. He studied at the University of Pretoria and after graduation worked in equine racetrack practice south of Johannesburg for 15 years.

For over a decade Francois travelled and worked in various equine vet positions in Oman, Abu Dhabi, New Zealand and Türkiye. He emigrated to Australia in 2012. Since coming to work in Australia he developed a further interest and skills in equine stud work.

Francois joined the Darling Downs Vets team in 2017. He enjoys all aspects of equine practice, including the care of pleasure and performance horses, and is primarily involved in equine reproduction and stud work. 

Emily joined us at the start of 2022 after graduating from James Cook University at the end of 2021.  Emily has a passion for horses, cattle and cats. In Emily’s spare time you can find her enjoying CrossFit with her husband, riding her horse or spending time with her two very much adored cats named Bean and Ginger. 

Professional qualifications and post graduate training include:

 

• BVSc James Cook University 2021
• Member of Australian Veterinary Association
• Level 1 Essentials of Equine Dentistry 2022

Bronte joined the DDV team at the start of 2023 after graduating from James Cook University in December 2022. Bronte grew up in Goondiwindi, QLD and throughout her time at university has developed a strong interest in equine medicine. In her spare time Bronte loves reading and spending time with her two dogs Addie and Violet, along with her rescue Devon Rex cat – Jack Jack.

Professional qualifications and post graduate training include:

 

• BVSc James Cook University 2022
• Member of Australian Veterinary Association
• Level 1 Essentials of Equine Dentistry 2023

Chris joined the DDV team in September 2024 after completing an 18-month Equine Internship and working at a Mixed Practice near Melbourne.

Born and raised in Taiwan, Chris travelled to Australia to pursue his dream of becoming a veterinarian and fell in love with horses during his vet studies at the University of Melbourne. Chris has strong interests in all aspects of equine surgery and wound management.

Chris is a dad of his three adorable fluffy cats, and in his spare time he enjoys playing guitar, basketball and hanging out with friends.

Jess graduated from the University of Queensland in 2013. She then spent 8 years in mixed practice on the South Coast of New South Wales.

Wanting more equine focus, she went on to complete a rotating internship in Victoria at South Eastern Equine Hospital.

She then obtained her Memberships in Equine Practice in 2023.

In 2024 she moved to Toowoomba back to mixed practice at Darling Downs Vets.

Her main area of interest is medicine and geriatric care.