Meet the Team

Dr John Montgomery BVSc

Dr John has been working as a veterinarian since he gained his Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Melbourne in 1972.  He built the first veterinary practice in Eden NSW where he worked for many years, before relocating to Sonza.  Again, he established a clinic and quickly developed a loyal clientele.  Working 50 hour weeks, Dr John has clients extending from as far north as Newcastle, down south to Cooma, east to Batemans Bay and to the west to Albury, as well as locally throughout Canberra, Queanbeyan, Bungendore and the surrounding region.  With almost 50 years experience as a veterinarian, John is a highly skilled clinician and constantly keeping up to date with the latest advancements by attending seminars and conferences.

Dr John is a very forthright and honest person.  Our clients value that he is straight to the point and works tirelessly to provide the best of care to his patients.

Outside of work, Dr John loves spending time judging at obedience trials and conformation shows in the group rings for Utility and Gundogs.  He enjoys working on the family property and breeding horses and dogs with his family.

Dr Hayden Montgomery BVBio / BVSc

Hayden graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Biology / Bachelor of Veterinary Science from Charles Sturt University in 2021.  The son of Gill & Dr John, Hayden has grown up in the veterinary industry and is eager to now develop his skills as a clinician.  He has an interest in assisted reproductive techniques, breeding methodologies and heritable traits in horses and dogs and is hoping to complete further studies in companion animal theriogenology.  Dr Hayden is also a qualified Respiratory Function Grading (RFG) Assessor.

In his spare time, Hayden enjoys spending time with our horses and dogs, attending dog shows and doing work around the family farm.  Hayden has a strong passion for genetics, bloodline research and other aspects of the dog and horse breeding operations at Sonza.

Gill Montgomery

Certificate IV Qualified Veterinary Nurse

Accredited Veterinary Nurse

Gill has been working as a veterinary nurse since 1992 and joined the team at Sonza in early 1993.  Whilst Gill has done her fair share of full-time nursing over the years, these days you’ll often see her popping in and out of the clinic as she manages the team and helps out wherever she is required.

With numerous qualifications under her belt, Gill enjoys continuing professional development and the immense benefits that go with furthering qualifications and education. Gill became an Accredited Veterinary Nurse in 2009 and continues to strive to do the best she can. Being very passionate about the veterinary nursing profession, Gill enjoyed a long tenure on the Executive Committee of the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia (VNCA) and held the position of National President in 2010 and 2012.

Gill has two beautiful children, Hayden & Tayah, who both share their parents passion for animals.  Outside of the business, Gill also breeds Paint Horses and is regularly seen around the equine show circuit competing at both State & National levels.

 

Tilly Turner

Certificate IV Qualified Veterinary Nurse

Tilly joined the team here at Sonza in February 2017 to fulfill her dream of being a veterinary nurse.  She commenced her studies and graduated with her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2019.

Tilly loves all aspects of being a nurse – monitoring anaesthetics, surgical nursing, reception, floater nursing, training the junior staff and helping out wherever she can.

When she is not at work, Tilly loves spending time with family and friends, holidaying at the beach, camping and enjoying relaxing massages.

Alex Cornish

Certificate IV Qualified Veterinary Nurse

Growing up Alex always had a passion for animals and decided to make a career out of it by becoming a Veterinary Nurse, completing her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing studies in early 2021.

In Alex’s spare time, she plays hockey, reading, camping and taking road trips.

Joining the team at Sonza, Alex is excited to further her skills and knowledge and help as many animals along the way.

Natasha Coopso

Certificate IV Qualified Veterinary Nurse

Natasha moved from Cowra to Queanbeyan and joined the team at Sonza.  She originally completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in  2012, but struggled to find opportunities in such a small town to develop her career.  Natasha is thrilled to be able to finally follow her passion here at Sonza.

When she is not petting all the animals at work, Natasha enjoys immersing herself in games.

Erin Bradley

Trainee Student Veterinary Nurse

Erin loves being part of the team here at Sonza and is studying her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.

Erin has always wanted to work in the animal industry and is excited to be pursuing her career here at Sonza.

In her spare time, Erin enjoys spending time with her friends and family and playing with her kitten Kozi.

Edina Hewitt

Trainee Student Veterinary Nurse

Edina has always had an interest in working with animals.  She first started her veterinary nursing studies in 2020, but due to unforeseen circumstances she had to put her studies on the back burner.  Edina will recommence her studies and will be working alongside us to fulfill her dreams of being a qualified Veterinary Nurse.

When not at work, Edina enjoys spending her free time with her pet Labrador Bean.  One of their favourite things to do together is to go on hikes.

Rosie Jacobs

Receptionist & Animal Attendant

Rosie joined the team at Sonza in early 2023 after moving from Wallendbeen to Bungendore.  Rosie has lived on her family farm her whole life, where she developed a love for all animals. From an early age, Rosie would rescue injured wild life, raise poddy lambs and care for litter after litter of Kelpie puppies.

Rosie currently has two dogs, Basil, an Australian Terrier and Billie, a Kelpie.  She also owns two horses, Crown and Chester, but is always looking to add more animals to her family.

Aside from animals, in her spare time, Rosie’s other passions include watching sport, playing rugby and going to the gym.

Tully Clifton

Animal Attendant & Grounds Maintenance

Tully was born on the south coast and grew up on a small farm in Bemboka where she developed her everlasting love for all animals.

Tully has a passion for travel and spent the majority of the past few years travelling all over the world including Argentina, New Zealand, Philippines, Europe, England and Scotland.

In her spare time,Tully enjoys painting, playing with her two dogs Opie and Keeva, going on adventures with friends and fishing in her brand new boat!

Maddie Adamson

Animal Attendant & Grounds Maintenance

Growing up, Maddie lived and worked on a dairy property and a family farm where she also professionally bred and showed German Shepherds. She has spent most of her childhood working on both of these properties. Maddie has a passion for working with large and small animals.

Currently Maddie has three dogs, Chuck who is an Australian Cattle Dog, Rex who is a Labrador and Layla who is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. In Maddie’s spare time she likes to go back home to the farm, play sports, watch sports and play with her dogs. She hopes that one day she can be a veterinarian or a veterinary technician like most of her family.

Jasmine Kay

Animal Attendant & Grounds Maintenance

Jas grew up with cats and dogs being a big part of her family and she used to help her Mum show their dogs.  As avid Golden Retriever breeders, she has had a lot of experience helping her Mum raise litters of puppies.

Jas is a passionate animal care giver and has experience in dog training with positive reinforcement and food rewards, exercising pets, grooming, weight charting, and monitoring their nutritional needs.