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Meet The People Who Make Us A Top Rated Veterinary Clinic In The Southern Highlands
MEET OUR VETERINARY TEAM!
We love coming to work every single day and ensuring that the pets we see receive the attention and care that they deserve.
DR DIEDERIK GELDERMAN
Owner / Veterinarian BVSc, MVS
Diederik Gelderman BVSc, MVS, graduated from the University of Sydney with First Class Honours in 1977.
He established Greenhills Veterinary Hospital in 1990 and transformed it from a struggling one-man practice into a burgeoning regional veterinary hospital servicing the wider Hunter Valley.
This business won many Australian Veterinary as well as non-Veterinary (customer service) awards from 1996 till 2005 when Diederik sold it to move to The Southern Highlands. He took over HIGHlands Veterinary Hospital in May 2018.
He has a passion for pets (as can be seen by the number of horse, dogs, cats, birds, and many other ‘rescues’ he and his partner Jennifer look after at any one time), the environment, and competes at ‘A’ level squash.
Dr Helen McLean
Veterinarian
Helen grew up in South Africa and gravitated towards animals from the moment she could walk! Becoming a veterinarian was inevitable, and she qualified as a vet in 2007 from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. She worked as a small animal vet in various practices and environments ranging from specialists centres to welfare work in disadvantaged communities. She started own welfare organisation in South Africa providing essential veterinary care for communities in need. In 2021, Helen moved with her husband and son to Australia. She had the opportunity to locum in many veterinary practices in the Highlands, and is happy to have found a home at Highlands veterinary Hospital.
Helen has earned further certification in Clinical Pathology and Dermatology, and is currently completing her Advanced Veterinary Dermatology Certificate. When home she spends time with her family and their Maine Coon cat Samantha, who is unashamedly the boss of everything!
MICHELE
Receptionist & Marketing / Office Manager
As a receptionist, Michele is the first to greet you with a warm smile and assist with your needs, ensuring a smooth experience for both you and your furry companions.
But Michele’s passion for animals doesn’t stop at the reception desk. With a knack for digital savvy, she also manages our practice’s social media presence and digital marketing efforts, keeping you informed and engaged with the latest updates and essential pet care tips.
Outside of the clinic, you might just spot Michele in her vintage caravan on weekends, serving up delicious hot donuts and coffee.
At home, Michele is a proud parent to three lovable dogs, Ruby the Labradoodle and Bailey the Cavoodle, and Charli the Toy Poodle as well as a cat named Cookie.
Rachael
Veterinary Nurse
Rachael joined the Highlands Veterinary Hospital family in May 2026, bringing with her several years of experience nursing around Southern Highlands. She completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2020 through Yallah TAFE and has been dedicated to animal care ever since.
Animals have always been at the centre of Rachael’s life. She grew up surrounded by a menagerie of pets and went on to spend six years working the local animal shelter, where her passion for animal welfare, dog training, and canine behaviour truly flourished. She continues to expand her knowledge by studying additional animal-related courses, with a particular focus on behaviour and training.
At home she and her fiancée, are busy raising their young son, alongside their much-loved animal family. This includes Penny, a rescue Boxer, Ally, a rescue Staffy, and three adopted cats - Eddy, Herbie, and Ivy - who Rachael bottle-raised from tiny kittens.
Rachael’s knowledge, compassion, and leadership make her an invaluable part of our team and an advocate for the wellbeing of every animal she cares for.
Anastasia
Veterinary Nurse
Anastasia (Anna) Completed her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2022.
Together with her husband Sidney, they raise their beautiful daughter Ella.
Anastasia has many pets within their household, Millie the Blue cattle dog, Xena a Border Collie, Alfie a Thoroughbred and Buster the Jack Russel x Maltese
Anna has always been passionate about working with animals, but what drew her to this field is the ability to also help people in tough situations .
As an animal lover, she knows it can be challenging to take a pet in for veterinary care, so she dedicated to communicating effectively to make all visitors feel as comfortable as possible.
KELLIE
Receptionist
Kellie has had an extensive career working in Veterinary Hospitals in Sydney until 8 years ago, when a tree change to the Southern Highlands saw her change careers as well to working with children with special needs.
Now she has come back home to the industry and work environment she really loves.
Kellie works as a all-rounder in the hospital, doing reception and helping our nurses with hospital duties.
When not working Kellie enjoys going to the beach, yoga, reading and spending time with her children.
SHANNA
Shanna has extensive experience working with the public and animals. She has provided force-free dog training and behavioral consultation for over 25 years. She also competed in agility, dog obedience, herding, and sledding at all levels with her Border Collies and Belgian Shepherds.
Previously, Shanna was a dog handler for the NSW Police Dog Squad, working with bomb, drug, and cadaver detection dogs as well as the general policing and tactical canines.
Shanna has also trained and competed in equine sports such as dressage and show jumping. She is retired from all canine/equine competition now and enjoys living life to the fullest with her adorable Border Terrier, Muppet, as well as running her own graphic design business.
AVA
Team Motivator
Ava...
As in Ava Gardener, the famous actress - because she had black hair and was sultry.
Ava is, as Diederik calls her, “My car dog.”
She goes everywhere with him - to the hospital every day and out on all the farm calls - day or night.
She loves scaring people when she greets people with her ferocious bark but would not hurt anyone.
At the practice, she spends a lot of time babysitting any sick or injured younger and smaller dogs. She gets on with all of them, and her companionship helps them relax.
She’s ball and stick obsessed and is also known to chase a leaf when someone throws one.
Her only ‘bad behaviour’ is that she loves tearing out the in-ground sprinkler system at Jennifer and Diederik’s house. It’s almost like she lies in wait - waiting for him to repair it and then pounces...
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