Our Staff

Our wonderful staff work on a rotating roster between Maraboon Vet Surgery Blackwater and Maraboon Vet Surgery Emerald to provide as many pets as possible with the best Veterinary care in the Central Highlands. 

	Dr. Angela Sutherland Veterinarian Dr Angi is a Canadian turned Australian who originally graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph in 2005. After her studies, she worked in a mixed animal practice, followed by 3 years in Florida USA at a specialty small animal referral practice. Following her desire to travel, Dr Angi then spent 1 year in Australia working throughout the country at various practices. She originally joined our team temporarily for the month of May 2010 and then spent 10 weeks instructing final year veterinary students at the James Cook University in Townsville. Dr Angi then rejoined our team as a full time permanent Veterinarian in September 2010, and purchased the practice with her husband in October 2011. Dr Angi's areas of expertise include orthopaedics, dermatology and reproduction. Be sure to look out for Dr Angi's golden retrievers, Cooper and Peach, at the back of the clinic, either keeping an eye on the happenings or more likely - having a snooze.
	Dr. Sasha Watene Veterinarian Sasha joined the MVS team in October 2016. Growing up on a small hobby farm on the Atherton Tablelands, Sasha's love for animals led her to graduating from a Bachelor of Vet Science at JCU, Townsville. After uni, Sasha and her husband moved straight to Emerald. After a few years practicing at a local clinic and two beautiful daughter’s later, Sasha came back to work part-time at MVS. With great skills in surgery and a passion for medicine and orthopaedics, Sasha is a fantastic vet who treats all her patients with kindness and compassion. At home Sasha and her family love spending time with their small clutch of chickens and a gorgeous munchkin kitten named Smokey.
	Dr. Rachel Mallyon Veterinarian Dr Rachel is a local girl who grew up in Springsure and went on to study Veterinary Science at James Cook University in Townsville. She graduated in December 2012 and has been employed at the Maraboon Vet since January 2013. Dr Rachel is a go-getter and every patient she handles is treated with respect, kindness and high quality medicine. Dr Rachel's favourite part of the job is conducting surgery and she is always looking for ways to expand her veterinary expertise. Dr Rach is also a fantastic role model and mentor for our veterinary nurse team, often supervising and guiding them through their qualifications. At home, Dr Rach has two beautiful sons, an incredible geeko-hunting Jack Russell named Hank, two chickens and a couple of horses.
	Dr. Justin Hogan Veterinarian Dr Justin is a South African that graduated from Onderstepoort in 2021. He has just completed his Compulsory Community Service in the lowveld of South Africa where he worked as a mixed practice vet and had many adventures working with many animals including: dogs, cats, cattle, goats, snakes, birds, lions and elephants. He then decided to travel abroad and come work with us here at MVS! Dr Justin joined our team in March of 2023. He is passionate about his work, and is particularly interested in surgery. When Dr Justin is not working hard he enjoys hiking, fishing, camping and sailing and can’t wait to see what the Central Highlands area has to offer.
	Dr. Indy Conway Veterinarian Dr Indy is one of our newest additions to the Maraboon family. After graduating from UQ in 2021, she has pursued her passion for mixed practice Vet services in the gorgeous Sunshine Coast Hinterlands. Where she worked closely with an incredibly diverse caseload. From working dogs, to the cat that is older than your kids, the beloved backyard chicken, alpacas, minautre donkeys and many more. She moved to Emerald in mid 2023, chasing the small town country life she has always been drawn to and is looking forward to becoming part of the community.
	Dr. Emily Lukas Veterinarian After graduating from the University of Queensland in 2018, Emily went straight into a busy mixed practice down in Dubbo where she worked for two and a half years. Following on from this she has done some locum work in mixed veterinary practices around Australia. In 2023 she headed over to the UK for a mixture of travel and work. The Maraboon team managed to lock her in to come back to Emerald though and look forward to working with her. Emily has a special interests in orthopaedics, surgery and ultrasonography. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, reading and playing sport.
	Dr. Ruby Price Veterinarian Joining our team in 2024! Dr Ruby grew up on various cattle properties across North West Queensland and has always loved working with all animals, large and small. After completing multiple placements at the Maraboon Vet Surgery during her Veterinary degree, Ruby fell in love with the clinic and the amazing team. After graduating from James Cook University in 2023, she has made the very easy decision to return to the relaxed rural lifestyle of Emerald. She has a passion for surgery and a keen interest in dermatology and preventative medicine.
	Alliza Marino Practice Manager Alliza became part of the MVS family in 2014 after being recruited by Dr Angi. Originally joining the practice as a vet nurse and receptionist, Alliza starting putting her Business degree into effect and was promoted to Practice Manager a few months later. She has since completed further study in frontline and practice management and enjoys working in the challenging and fast-paced vet clinic environment. She has fallen in love with all the wonderful pets that visit the clinic and you'll often find her in the reception area stealing cuddles. At home, Alliza has a husky named Leia and a cute cat named Rudi who get most of her attention!
	Annie Fickling Receptionist Annie is the newest member to our reception team in 2021. She has prior veterinary reception experience, and has developed excellent customer service skills from many years of retail management experience, which she combines to ensure that all our customers receive the best service possible. Annie enjoys spending quality time with her great dane, Hildy and her Labrador, Lunar.
	Jordana Ferry Veterinary Nurse Jordana has always loved animals and dreamed about one day working in the animal industry. She completed her grade 10 work experience with our team in 2018 and showed an enormous love for all our four-legged clients and the veterinary industry. Works in all three locations Maraboon Vet Surgery Blackwater and Emerald and the Maraboon Pet Resort. Jordana has completed her certificate II in veterinary nursing and has moved onto studying for her certificate IV in veterinary nursing. She enjoys all aspects of her role but in particularly enjoys the rare cases and Emergencies, which one day is the field she hopes to further her knowledge in. Jordana has a pugalier named Margaux that she absolutely adores. When she is not at work, Jordana loves spending time with Margaux, her family and friends and enjoys travelling and dreams to one day travel the world.
	Skye McKean Junior Veterinary Nurse Skye joined our Maraboon Vet Blackwater team earlier in 2022 after completing work experience with us. She has always dreamed of joining the Vet Industry and is loving it so far. Skye is currently studying her Certificate II in Animal Studies as a school based traineeship. Her favourite part of her job is helping in Surgeries and other hands on procedures, and of course, all the Puppy cuddles. When Skye isn’t at work or school, she enjoys drawing and spending her time her lovely dogs.