Meet Our Family

Our Vets

ROBYN EDLESTON

Originally from the western suburbs of Sydney, Robyn graduated from the University of Sydney in 1977 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (hons) as one of only 8 women in a class of 68 graduates. Robyn‘s first position was in Broken Hill as the supervising vet at the RSPCA clinic (which was the only veterinary clinic within 200kms of Broken Hill) treating everything from cockatoos to camels and working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to provide vet care to outlying properties.

Robyn left Broken Hill in 1980 and since then has worked in a number of rural and regional practices in Yass, Canberra, Orange, Wagga Wagga and finally settled in Tamworth in 1990.

Originally working in mixed practice then part-time in small animal practice, in 1999 Robyn decided to open her own small animal clinic. Marius Veterinary Clinic (then Marius Small Animal Veterinary Clinic) was born, opening in June 1999 with one vet and one nurse (Bonnie Douglas). The clinic now employs three vets and three nurses and has twice been awarded winner in the Tamworth Quality Business Awards.

Robyn’s veterinary interests include small animal medicine - in particular nutrition, geriatric pet care, dentistry, animal behaviour, pocket pet medicine, ophthalmology, and dermatology.

Robyn has two children and two grandchildren. Her interests apart from her family include belly dancing, singing, acting, painting and travel. She and her husband live on five hectares outside Tamworth with their cat Bat Cat and their Staffordshire Bull Terrier Louie.

Rebecca Lemon

Born in Warren NSW, Rebecca then grew up in Glen Innes. In 2005 she graduated from the University of QLD with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (hons).

Rebecca’s first veterinary position was in a mixed practice in Warwick, QLD, where she then went on to work for the Department of Primary Industries during and after the Equine Influenza outbreak.

In 2008 Rebecca moved to a small animal practice in Toowoomba, before relocating to Tamworth in 2009, where she worked part-time in mixed animal practice in Gunnedah and teaching Veterinary Nursing at TAFE.

The Marius Veterinary Clinic team welcomed Rebecca in 2013, where she has since conducted client consultations across all areas from initial puppy/kitten visits to end of life and everything in between, as well as soft-tissue surgery. Rebecca continues to update her skills and knowledge across all areas of veterinary science, and her current veterinary interests include animal behaviour and fear-free clinical practice, imaging, preventative health and reproduction. Rebecca will soon be expanding her existing ultrasound imaging skills at a specialist workshop.

Outside of work, Rebecca spends time with her husband and their 2 young children working their sheep property and improving Labrador lines through Sinodah Labrador Retrievers. Along with the sheep and labradors, Rebecca and her family have a kelpie, 2 cats and a small herd of goats. Rebecca also enjoys netball, touch football, going to the gym and dog obedience/showing.

Christine mckinnon

After an adventurous journey from Africa to Malaysia and then Australia, Chris graduated as a veterinarian from the University of Queensland in 1988. Since then, Chris has built an impressive career in mixed veterinary practice, managing RSPCA hospitals, and running the Animal Care and Veterinary Nursing teaching section at TAFE.

We welcomed Chris to the Marius Veterinary Clinic team in 2024. Chris is passionate about staying updated in veterinary science – regularly attending conferences, online webinars and staying up to date with the latest scientific developments. Chris is interested in all things veterinary science, with special knowledge and interest in birds, wildlife, dermatology and cytology. Chris is also interested in imaging, and will soon be expanding her ultrasound imaging skills at a specialist workshop.

Along with the menagerie of birds Chris often has in care through her work with WIRES, she also has chooks and tropical fish. In her free time, Chris enjoys keeping fit, drawing, watercolour painting, gardening, horse riding, and spending time with her loved ones.

Our Nurses

Bonnie Douglas

Originally from Montana in the USA, Bonnie graduated in 1988 in Denver Colorado with a Degree in Applied Science and Animal Health Technician. Since then Bonnie has acquired additional certifications in Animal Behaviour (Delta Canine Good Citizen Instructor 1997) and Animal Nutrition (Hills Nutritional Advisor 1997 and Hills Nutritional Advocate in 2013, Hill’s Nutritional Consultant 2022).

Bonnie started her veterinary nursing career at a large animal clinic treating 99% horses. From there, Bonnie moved to a mixed practice in Great Falls Montana before meeting her now husband Brett on an agricultural exchange and ultimately moving to Australia.

From 1992 to 1999 Bonnie worked in a small animal practice in Tamworth. In 1999 Robyn and Bonnie set up the Marius Small Animal Veterinary Clinic, where she has remained an integral part of the clinic family since.

Bonnie has special interests in equine medicine, canine behaviour and small animal nutrition and enjoys the care and treatment of both large and small animal pets.

Bonnie and Brett have two children. They live on a Lucerne property with sheep, cattle, 8 horses, 3 dogs, 3 cats and a cockatiel. She enjoys riding her horses and competing together with her daughter in horse sporting events. Bonnie also enjoys making bandanas for people and pets as well as other accessories and gift ware. https://www.facebook.com/BonniesBandana

Bonnie enjoys furthering her veterinary education by attending continuing education conferences and taking part in regular online seminars. Bonnie recently attended a specialist-led animal behaviour conference in Sydney, which has allowed her to expand her current dog training services.

At present, in addition to her nursing duties and dog training (including specific behaviour advice and training), Bonnie assists Robyn in the daily running of the practice through stock control and office management.

Kate Lynch

Kate has lived all over Australia but now calls Tamworth home. After starting out in human remedial massage therapy, Kate’s combined love of medicine and animals led her to veterinary nursing in 2010, where she trained at South Tamworth Animal Hospital and later at Marius Small Animal Veterinary Clinic. We officially welcomed Kate as a CIV qualified veterinary nurse in 2013.

Kate is passionate about furthering her skills and education both within and outside of the veterinary field. Since graduating as a vet nurse, Kate has gone on to complete a Diploma in Science through UNE, CIV in Training and Assessment, CIII in Business Administration and a CIV in Nutrition (Health & Wellness Coach and Sports Nutrition Coach). Alongside veterinary nursing Kate has also taught animal care and veterinary nursing at TAFE, and worked as a technical assistant and a baker.

Within the veterinary industry, Kate holds additional certifications in small animal nutrition, dentistry, pathology, advanced small animal anaesthesia, pet bereavement and wildlife care; with special interests in surgery and anaesthesia, imaging, nutrition, patient quality of life and fear-free clinical practice, client education and musculoskeletal health. Kate is currently completing a certification in Canine Mobility Nursing, which will allow her to create individually tailored programs to assist our canine patients with pain management, range of motion, injury or surgical recovery and quality of life improvements through tailored advice, exercise prescription and massage.

In addition to her veterinary nursing duties, Kate also develops and co-ordinates marketing and communication materials, clinical documentation and educational resources, as well as managing the clinic’s social media and website.

Outside of work Kate enjoys spending time with her human and animal family, gardening, hiking, camping and kayaking, attempting DIY projects, dancing and keeping fit at the gym. Kate’s animal family currently consists of a dog and a python.

Wendy Edwards

Wendy was born & raised in Tamworth. In 1999 Wendy began her veterinary nursing journey, volunteering at the Marius Small Animal Veterinary Clinic and graduating as a CIV qualified veterinary nurse in 2000. We officially welcomed Wendy as a permanent part of the team in 2001.

In 2008 Wendy moved to Western Australia for 3 years, where she worked in boarding kennels, catteries and animal welfare facilities. Wendy then moved to Brisbane, Queensland, where she developed extensive bird expertise working for the Parrot Society of Australia.

In 2020 Wendy returned to Tamworth, at which point we were lucky to have her re-join the team!

Wendy loves working in all areas of veterinary nursing. Even during her break from the industry, and since her return Wendy has maintained her education by attending various courses, online symposiums and workshops including WIRES wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, canine behaviour, and pocket pet/exotics anaesthesia.

Recently Wendy has been further expanding her knowledge and skills in several areas, working simultaneously on certifications in canine psychology, behaviour and training, and small animal anaesthesia.

Outside of work Wendy enjoys spending time with her family, machine embroidery, sewing, quilting, patchwork, reading and relaxing with a movie. Wendy’s animal family currently consists of 2 cats, 3 dogs, 2 chooks and 3 birds.

Our Clinic Cats- May they Rest In Peace

Winston

Winston appeared on the clinic doorstep in September, 1999 as a young adult stray. He very quickly decided that he wanted to take up permanent residence at the clinic and became our clinic cat.

His amusing antics and endearing personality have made him a popular member of our clinic staff to the point where clients will ask “where is Winston today?” if he has not already appeared on the scene.

In 2017 he received a medallion as a finalist in the national Clinic Cat of the Year Awards.

It is with a very sad heart that we let everyone know of Winston's passing. It was on Tuesday 4th September 2018 that we put Winston to rest. He was 20 years old but had decided that it was his time so we had to choose to let him go. From assisting on the front desk to "greeting " the dogs as they came into the clinic with your powerful stare, You will always be a part of the Marius Small Animal Veterinary Clinic and will be greatly missed.