After several amazing years as Practice Manager at Great Artesian Veterinary Surgery (GAVS), I've made the bittersweet decision that it's time for my next adventure.
Leaving this role has been one of the hardest career decisions I've made. Not because I'm ready to leave, but because it's incredibly hard to walk away from a team, a business and a community that have become such a huge part of my life.
As I prepare to hand over the reins, there's one thing that's really important to me...finding the right person to take my place.
Not someone simply looking for another management role. Someone who's excited by the opportunity to lead, inspire people, build something meaningful and become part of a truly special team.
When I first joined GAVS, I thought I was taking on a management role.
What I actually found was purpose.
Working alongside Dr Libby and our incredible team has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.
From our home in Hughenden, we care for pets, horses, cattle and wildlife across almost 500,000 square kilometres of Central and North West Queensland.
That sounds impressive - and it is - but what makes this place truly special isn't the size of the area we cover.
It's the people.
It's watching our vets and nurses go above and beyond for every patient.
It's celebrating wins together.
Supporting each other through difficult days.
Constantly looking for ways to improve.
And knowing that every decision you make helps strengthen veterinary care for an entire region.
One of the things I've loved most about this role is that no two days have ever looked the same.




Yes, you'll manage HR.
You'll oversee finances.
You'll work on marketing.
You'll improve systems.
You'll recruit great people and help them succeed.
But that's only part of it.
You'll become Libby's right hand.
Her sounding board.
Her organiser.
Her problem solver.
And often the person who turns her many ideas into reality.
Trust me - she has plenty of ideas.
If you're someone who enjoys ownership, you'll absolutely love working with her.
She'll encourage you to think differently, back yourself and keep improving.
You'll never feel like you're simply maintaining someone else's business.
You'll genuinely help shape where it goes next.
This role isn't about sitting behind a desk all day.
It's about leading people.
Creating a workplace where everyone enjoys coming to work.
Helping clients feel cared for from their first phone call to the moment they leave the clinic.
Finding better ways to do things.
Building systems that make life easier for everyone.
And celebrating the wins - big and small - with an incredible team.
The wonderful thing is...You don't need veterinary experience.
If you're a great Manager from hospitality, healthcare, retail, banking,



tourism, aviation or almost any other industry, you already have the skills that matter most.
The veterinary side? We'll teach you.
The leadership, curiosity, initiative and care for people? That's what we're really looking for.
And then there's Hughenden.
Before I moved here, I wasn't sure what country life would be like. Now I couldn't imagine a better place to have lived and worked.
There's no long commute.
No endless traffic.
Just a welcoming community, beautiful sunsets, plenty of outdoor adventures and a lifestyle that gives you time to actually enjoy life outside of work.
More than anything, you'll become part of a community that genuinely appreciates what you do.
As I leave, I'm incredibly proud of what we've built together.
Not because of the systems I've created or the projects I've completed, but because of the people. I've watched this practice grow into something truly special.
I've grown alongside it. I've learnt more than I ever expected. I've made friendships that will last a lifetime.
And I'll always be grateful that I had the prospect to be part of its story. Now it's time for someone else to continue that story.
Maybe that's you.
If you're looking for a role where your leadership matters, your ideas are valued and your work genuinely makes a difference, not only to a business, but to an entire community, I hope you'll reach out to Libby.
For a confidential, no commitment chat to find out more, please get in touch via email to ******

📌 Veterinary Practice Manager (Townsville)
🏢 Great Artesian Veterinary Surgery
📍 Townsville