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) 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.

She 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 in Marius Street.

The practice opened in June 1999 with one vet and one nurse (Bonnie Douglas) and now employs three vets and four nurses and has twice been awarded winner in the Tamworth Quality Business Awards.

Robyn’s veterinary interests include small animal medicine in particular nutrition and geriatric pet care, dentistry, animal behaviour and pocket pet medicine. She has two children and two grandchildren. Her interests apart from her family include singing, acting, painting and travel. She and her husband live on five hectares outside Tamworth with their cat Bat Cat who still misses their beloved Staffordshire Bull terrier Luci who passed away after 16 years.

Rebecca Lemon

Born in Warren NSW , Rebecca grew up and did most of her schooling in Glen Innes. She graduated in 2005 from the University of QLD with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (hons).

Rebecca’s first position was in mixed practice in Warwick, QLD. After leaving practice in 2007/8 she worked for the Department of Primary Industries during and after the Equine Influenza outbreak.

In 2008 she moved to a small animal practice in Towoomba before relocating to Tamworth in 2009.

In Tamworth Rebecca started teaching the TAFE Veterinary Nursing course and worked two days a week in mixed practice in Gunnedah before starting at the Marius Small Animal Veterinary Clinic in 2013.

Rebecca’s veterinary interests include animal behaviour and preventative health.

When not working as a veterinarian or teaching at the TAFE, Rebecca spends time with her husband and their 2 daughters working their sheep property along side their many Labradors, Kelpie and cat. She enjoys netball, touch football, going to the gym and dog obedience/showing.

Rebecca is not undertaking any current studies but would like to pursue further study in the area of animal behaviour.

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 qualifications 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),

She started her veterinary nursing career at a Large Animal clinic treating 99% horses. From there she moved to Great Falls Montana and a mixed practice before moving to Australia on an Agricultural Exchange.

Bonnie and her husband moved to Tamworth and from 1992 to 1999 she worked in Small Animal practice in Tamworth. In 1999 she and Robyn set up the Marius Small Animal Veterinary Clinic and she has been working for the clinic since then as a nurse and assisting Robyn in the management of the practice.

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

Bonnie is married to Brett and they have two children. They live on a Lucerne property with sheep and cattle. They have 8 horses, 4 dogs, cockatiels, and chickens. She enjoys riding her horses and competing together with her daughter in horse sporting events. She also enjoys making bandanas for people and pets as well as other accessories and gift ware. https://www.facebook.com/BonniesBandana

She enjoys furthering her veterinary education and attends continuing education conferences ; and takes part in regular and online seminars.

At present, as well as her nursing duties and puppy training, Bonnie assists Robyn in the daily running of the practice assisting with practice management, stock ordering and control and staff rosters.

Kate Lynch

Kate completed her Certificate iv in Veterinary Nursing in Tamworth in 2012. Since then she has also completed the Hills Veterinary Nutritional Advisor program and the WIRES initial Wildlife Care training course.

Kate has lived all over Australia but now calls Tamworth home. She did her initial veterinary nursing training at Greencross South Tamworth Animal Hospital and the Marius Small Animal veterinary Clinic and in 2013 started working on a regular basis at the Marius Veterinary Clinic.

Her veterinary nursing interests include reptiles, wildlife and nutrition; and she is often involved with the care and /or rehabilitation of native wildlife.

Apart from spending time with her human, furry, feathered and scaley family Kate enjoys dancing and the outdoors.

In 2020 Kate graduated from University of New England with a Diploma in Science

Wendy Edwards

Wendy was born & raised in Tamworth. She graduated from Veterinary Nursing 2000. She started work as a volunteer at MSAVC in September 1999, & after completing her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing 2001 became a paid employee.

In 2008 Wendy headed west for 3 years and Worked at - Dog Boarding Kennels & Cattery / Animal Welfare facilities and later moved to Brisbane, Queensland.

She has maintained her education through attending various courses in the veterinary industry with courses on Dog behaviour, WIRES Caring, and Rabbit and Guinea pig Anaesthetics.

Wendy moved back to Tamworth and has once again re-joined the team at Marius Veterinary Clinic. She loves working in all areas of nursing.

Hobbies – Sewing, quilting, patchwork & embroidery, reading & movies

Wendy and her daughter have a few pets consisting of: Rainbow (Rainbow Lorikeet), Chloe (Shih-Tzu), Pretzel (Domestic Short Hair), Red (Miniature Horse), 2 Budgies & 2 green Cheek Conures.

When asked “What do I want to do in the future?” – She said to continue updating my knowledge for Veterinary Nursing and a new interest is Miniature horses / ponies for harness & carriage driving.

Emma Benson

Emma was born and raised in Tamworth. She completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2004.

Emma has worked in both Small Animal and Mixed practices and has also worked in an emergency clinic in Newcastle.

Emma became a team member in 2022 and is married with two children. Her furry family consists of dogs, cats, sheep and ponies.

Hobbies- Emma enjoys fishing, shooting and horses.

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.