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Our Team

Dr Josh Rich
BSc (Hons) BVM&S

Josh graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1990. He also has an intercalated honours degree in pathology. He grew up in a house full of dogs, cats and horses, his step mother bred Maine Coons and his grandparents bred Poodles and Bull Terriers (though never together!)

Upon graduation Josh went into mixed practice in the wilds of Yorkshire and was granted a 4 month sabbatical which he spent in Mauritius working with an SPCA team neutering the local pets from a mobile surgical unit. He returned to practice in Yorkshire for a further 2 years but his interest in travel had been sparked and he left to work in Greece, Hong Kong, Australia and the Bahamas.

Josh worked in a small animal practice in the Bahamas for 2 years. One of the highlights of this time was being involved in the veterinary care for the dolphins at The Dolphin Experience Freeport, Grand Bahama.

However Australia called and in 1998 Josh made his third and final visit, moving to the Mornington Peninsula, originally to cover a one year sabbatical leave for one of the partners at Peninsula Vet Hospital in Mt Eliza. Josh then spent 4 years at Frankston Heights Vet Centre and in 2000 he gained membership to the ACVS (Australian College of Veterinary Scientists) by examination in Veterinary Radiology.

In 2004 Josh and Camilla purchased Mt Martha Veterinary Clinic, realising a long held ambition to own and run their own practice.

Outside the clinic Josh loves to spend time with his four girls. When he needs to seek refuge from the perfect storm of females, he enjoys working out at the gym and running. Josh also loves to read historical novels. He is a self confessed news junkie and ‘tragic’ for anything written about Ancient Rome!

Dr Camilla Babington
BVSc (Hons)

Camilla graduated with honours in Veterinary Science from Melbourne University in 1987. She started work in a busy mixed practice in Bacchus Marsh for 2 years before leaving for the UK on a working holiday.

The working holiday that was planned for a year lasted seven! Camilla worked for two years in a very busy small animal clinic in East London then she gradually moved north doing a string of locums to vary her experience. Eventually she settled for three years in Newcastle upon Tyne where she ran a branch practice that was part of a four clinic mixed practice. Her fondest memory of this time was driving over the moors in the snow in the depths of winter to deliver a triplet of lambs – her James Herriot era.

Eventually it was time to come home and Camilla shipped herself and her dog home. Moose the Yorkshire rescue dog has long ago passed on, but was epileptic, had a false hip and needed four separate gut surgeries – she chose the right owner!

Camilla then worked at the Animal Emergency Centre in Mt Waverley and gained her Membership of the ACVS by examination in Emergency Medicine and Intensive Care in 1999. She stayed at the AEC until 2005 and maintained her love of emergency medicine with part time work at the Hallam AEC, until the arrival of Camilla and Josh’s third child at the end of 2006.

Camilla thoroughly enjoys the relationships that are forged in a small practice with pets and their owners. After years of emergency work she loves to see healthy animals and keep them that way, and has a soft spot for the geriatric patient. She is still interested in intensive care and many a patient has spent the night in the lounge room on a drip with a fluid pump.

Camilla and Josh live in Mt Eliza with their three daughters. They share their home with a variety of animals, currently a beautiful ginger tom (who rejoices in the name of ‘Lord Corville Munro the Invisible Space Cat’), four chickens and two rabbits.

In their ‘spare time’ Camilla and Josh are Puppy Educators for Assistance Dogs Australia. In 2017 they took on their first foster puppy Minty the Labradoodle. They looked after Minty under the watchful eye of their amazing ADA trainer Kristin until she was ready to go to the ADA National Training School in Sydney (or ‘Doggyversity’ as Josh calls it). Minty is now on working as an Assistance Dog in country NSW.

Minty in training at 9 months

In 2021 Camilla Josh and their girls were ready to take on another puppy for ADA and were delighted to welcome ‘Bronson’ a beautiful Black Labrador into their family. Needless to say we’ve all fallen for him big time!

Bronson newly arrived at 8 weeks

Josh and Camilla are grateful to Assistance Dogs Australia for entrusting the care of this beautiful dog to us and are proud to be helping him prepare for his very special role in life.
If you are interested in becoming a foster carer for ADA please visit https://www.assistancedogs.org.au/about-us/training-an-assistance-dog/

Minty and Bronson both appear elsewhere on our website – tell us where for a prize!

Dr Nikae Easterling
B.S.DVM (Melb)

Nikae has a rich background working with a diverse range of animals and her expertise spans from exotic animal care in a prestigious zoo setting, through to general practice and emergency care. She has an inexhaustible passion for the wellbeing of animals and is excited to bring her love, passion and expertise to our valuable clients here at our clinic.

Outside of work, Nikae enjoys spending quality time with her loving husband and their feisty cat, Nigel. In addition to spending time with family, she enjoys painting, cooking, and spending time outdoors at the beach and rock climbing.

Dr Barrie Hartley Jackson
BVetMed

Barrie graduated from The Royal Veterinary College, London in 2003 and has been working in small animal general practice ever since both in Australia & the UK. Barrie emigrated to Australia in 2011 with his wife Natasha and their two children. They quickly settled in Mount Martha & became active members of the Mount Martha Life Saving Club. Barrie is also vice president of Mount Martha Soccer Club. In his spare time, you are likely to find him either on the beach patrolling, soccer training, or sipping a coffee in the village. Barrie is delighted to be part of the Mount Martha Vet Clinic team and helping Josh and Camilla provide the best care for all the pets in our community.

Hollie
Veterinary Nurse – Practice Manager

I started as a trainee Veterinary Nurse at Mt Martha in December 2013. My first contact with the Veterinary industry was during year 10 work experience, I then continued working as a kennel hand whilst in high school. After three years of study, I acquired my Certificate 4 in Veterinary Nursing in April 2017. I have since acquired a Certificate 4 in accounting and bookkeeping and take on the role of Office Manager in the clinic.

I like to cook, travel, and spend time with family and friends in my spare time. I have a beautiful Boxer called Tilly, a son, Miller and expecting a baby girl in late 2023.

Sam
Veterinary Nurse

Sam has been a key team member since 2004 and has played an important role in mentoring incoming staff. Sam took a short break in mid-2020 and rejoined us in early 2022.

Sam has a lot of experience with all types of animals having had her own horses, mini pony, rabbits, chickens, bearded dragons, cats, and dogs. She has the longest pet list on our software system of any client!  Sam has also had experience breeding dogs and enjoys ensuring they are healthy, well-socialised, and big parts of the families that they join.

In her spare time, Sam enjoys spending time with her growing boys, hiking, and driving her Gypsy Cob pony in harness. (She may even be seen transporting Santa and his presents by horse and carriage at Christmas time.)

Kristie
Veterinary Nurse

My Veterinary Nursing career started back in 2019 when I began as a Trainee Nurse here at Mt Martha Vet! I became qualified with my Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in June 2021.  I have loved animals for as long as I can remember and have had a range of pets over the years. It has always been a dream of mine to work with animals.
When I’m not working and taking care of our client’s pets, I am spending time with my Husband Matt, and our beautiful little dog Cassie. We love walking and exploring together and going on pet-friendly holidays. In my spare time, I also enjoy photography, writing, and spending time with my friends and family. Tennis has also been a huge part of my life over the years, as I travelled around Victoria competing in the Victorian Juniors Pennant and Women’s Pennant as a teenager.

Sarah
Veterinary Nurse

I started my training in 2020 and qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2022. Soon after I decided to give nursing in a specialist field a go and went to Animal Eye Care, where I learnt there was more to eyes that I had ever imagined! I have always had a passion for the animals in my care and connecting with their owners so I have moved back into a GP clinic where I can make strong relationships with pets and their families.

Outside of nursing I like to go the beach with my partner and our dog Allen, a big soft Golden Retriever.

Sandra
Veterinary Nurse Trainee

Sandra moved from Germany in 2008 and previously worked at Monash as an Anthropologist. Sandra joined the Mt Martha Vet Clinic team in June 2022 as a Trainee Vet Nurse. She has been working as a Canine Myotherapist for the past 8 years and has a particular interest in Canine Rehabilitaon. She hopes to expand her knowledge to achieve a holistic approach to animal care, particularly the care of our dogs. She enjoys spending me with her family and her dog Chito, a Belgium Shepherd x Staffy in her free time.

Katie
Veterinary Nurse Trainee

I started working as a trainee vet nurse at Mt Martha Vet Clinic at the beginning of 2023! After previously completing my certificates 2 and 3 in animal care, I decided moving on to certificate 4 in Vet Nursing was where I wanted to go! I have previously worked at animal aid looking after dogs needing adoption. I have two dogs, Charlie, and Murphy, both Border collies. I also have two rabbits Linkin and Moss; I love all my animals dearly. I’ve loved animals all my life including helping my nana out on her farm when I was little. Outside of work, I like spending time with my family and friends, going to the gym and being at the beach. I look forward to seeing you around the clinic sometime soon!

Chelsea
Veterinary Nurse

Here I am, right back to where it started! My vet nursing career began at Mount Martha Veterinary Clinic in 2007 as a trainee veterinary nurse. I was part of the team here for 4 years until I went to Germany and Austria in 2011, where I spent 1.5years before coming back to continue my veterinary nursing at another practice. When asked if I’m a cat or a dog person I have to answer BOTH. I simply can’t choose as they are each so wonderful in different ways.

10 years on from when I first started here, I’m looking forward to seeing some familiar faces, meeting new ones and working with the team here to support you with all your pets preventative and therapeutic health care needs.

I live on the Peninsula with my partner Beorn and our two little boys.