VETERINARY SURGEONS

DR. ROBIN ZELESCO, BVSc (Hons)

I have dreamed of being a Vet since the age of 6 and was fortunate enough to fulfill this life-long ambition when I graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1985. Though I learned about many animal species throughout my University years, I always knew that I would eventually work in a small animal practice as I loved dogs and cats.

I commenced at the Preston Veterinary Clinic in 1986 as a part- time Associate to Doctors Douglas Brown and Raymond James, while I was concurrently working at other veterinary clinics including the RSPCA. In 1990 I became a full time partner in the Preston Clinic when the (late) Dr James retired and in 1992, when Dr Brown retired, I became the Principal Veterinarian.

I enjoy all aspects of my profession including consulting, medical case “work–ups” and all types of surgery (from routine de-sexing to orthopaedics). Surgery is a very important part of a Vet’s daily work as we are entrusted with client’s loved pets and I take this responsibility very seriously. I find the surgical cases very fulfilling, especially in the new facility, and the state of the art equipment now at my disposal allows me to provide a greater range of surgical procedures

Overall a Veterinarian in a small animal practice enjoys a fantastic variety of duties. One minute you’re cuddling a cute little pup having its first vaccination, half an hour later you can be engrossed in a complex surgical procedure, and then be taking an x-ray of a lame rabbit, or blood from a diabetic cat!

Providing emergency advice and support ‘after hours’ is also very satisfying. Over the past 15 years or so that I have offered this service, I have found that clients genuinely appreciate being able to speak to the Vet who in most cases knows them and their pet personally.

My overall aim with the Preston Veterinary Clinic and Hospital was always to make it a modern, efficient practice with a focus wholly on pet health and offering the latest veterinary services. It was equally important to make it a happy and personable place.

Enough about me, allow me to introduce you to the rest of the team. I am fortunate to be supported by three dedicated and highly skilled Veterinarians:

DR. ANABAN GHOSH, BVSc (Hons) MSCVSc

Anaban graduated from Melbourne University in 1996 and commenced his career working in numerous small animal practices throughout Melbourne including Hampton Park and RSPCA, before commencing with us in 1999. Anaban has a special interest in all forms of surgery and was successful in passing numerous post-graduate exams in this discipline. He’s recently returned from a 4 month trip to Europe and Asia broadening his surgical skills.

DR. SWEE LIM, BVSc (Hons)

Swee graduated from Melbourne University in 1997. She gained valuable experience at the Broadmeadows Veterinary Clinic prior to commencing with us in 2001. Swee is a very knowledgeable Veterinarian interested on both internal medicine and surgery and is known for her calm, methodical manner and welcoming smile.

DR. LEANNE BAILEY, BVSc (Hons)

Leanne graduated from Melbourne University in 1998 and then sat three sets of stringent exams in the USA before launching her professional career there. She has spent the last six years working at a very demanding and prestigious practice in San Diego, California. We are excited to have this delightful lady join our team, as Leanne brings with her a wealth of experience and new ideas.

NURSING STAFF

There are six Nurses on the Staff. From our longest serving Nurse (Bernadette) who has been with us since 1984 to our newest Junior Nurse (Bree) who commenced with us in 2005, they all share the common trait of a genuine love of animals. Whilst their formal qualifications are important, no Nurse is employed at the Preston Clinic solely on this basis. All our Nurses have a good rapport with pets and I am always pleased when I observe them quietly cuddling the boarding cats or giving the surgical patients a gentle pat and loving attention to help them through their recovery.

BERNADETTE CRAVEN

Bernadette is our longest serving Nurse and member of staff having commenced working at the Clinic in 1984 when it was owned by Drs Brown and James. She has observed many changes to the Clinic over the last twenty three years. She is so trusted that many of our Clients engage her services to care for their pets at home whilst they are away on holidays. Bernadette is a very hardworking, reliable and loyal team member and is indeed a familiar and welcoming face at our Clinic.

LORRAINE ANTONELLO

Lorraine has been nursing for 17 years and worked in a number of Veterinary Practices throughout Melbourne prior to joining us in 2003. Many of our clients know Lorraine outside of the Preston Clinic, as she spends her “free” time as an Instructor at the Northcote Obedience School. Lorraine often stays back to help with after hours emergency surgery over and above the call of duty and it would be difficult to find a more dedicated, enthusiastic nurse.

WENDY BULLAS

Wendy has been a Veterinary Nurse for 19 years and commenced at Preston at the start of 2004. She is a very resourceful and practical Nurse who puts her experience and common sense to good use. Wendy maintains a very cool-head in emergencies and is always able to provide sound, intelligent advice to clients.

KYLIE HAYNES

Kylie has been a Veterinary Nurse for 10 years and joined us at the start of 2005 having worked at several small animal practices in the Northern Suburbs. The “weakness” she mentioned in her resume was that she “had too soft a heart and wanted to save all pets and bring all strays home with her”. I saw this as a positive attribute for a Nurse and I am reminded of this everyday when I see Kylie cuddling pets. Her caring, affectionate ways with pets have endeared herself to many clients.

ALEESHA GRAY

Aleesha has been a Veterinary Nurse for 7 years and joined the Preston team in 2005. She gained valuable experience at the previous Clinic at which she worked, especially in in-house pathology work. Aleesha is proving herself to be very confident and proficient in every field of veterinary nursing.

BREE WHITE

Bree is a very keen Veterinary Nurse who relocated to Melbourne from Cairns in order to gain broader experience in the field she loves. She joined the Preston Clinic in 2005, having been a Veterinary Nurse for 7 years, and is proving to be a very capable and conscientious team member. Many clients have already commented on her kind and sweet nature.

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

RAELENE ZELESCO

Raelene has been our Practice Manager since 1998. She looks after staff matters and administration and generally keeps things “ticking over”. She has been very involved in the development and look of the new Clinic as well as the co-ordination of this Website. With Raelene looking after the practice management side of things I am able to devote myself 100% to the medical side of the Practice which is great.

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

SERGE “THE SURGERY CAT”

Serge has been an integral part of the Preston Clinic since 1988 when he first came to live here as a cute little kitten. He is well known by most Clients and has endeared himself to all with his quirky personality and ways. Serge had a great sense of adventure in his younger years and a couple of times had to be returned to us having toured Melbourne on the underside of a delivery van! The staff will all attest to his wool fettish – there have been lots of chewed jumpers at the Clinic over the years! (Just a quiet word of warning though: if this fellow is innocently sitting at your feet, be careful as he is very likely to try to chew off your shoelaces)! After almost 20 years ‘in the chair’ I guess Serge could be forgiven for thinking he's “the Boss”.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS

The Preston Veterinary Clinic was established in 1953 by Dr Douglas Brown who graduated from the very first Class of the University of Queensland, Faculty of Veterinary Science. This Clinic was one of the first established in the Northern Suburbs of Melbourne. Dr Brown went into partnership with Dr Raymond James whose early career in the United Kingdom was in the “James Herriot” era, and together they were instrumental in growing the Practice over the next 40 years. I was privileged to have worked under these two fine mentors who were indeed pioneers in their field.

I would like to thank all the Veterinary Staff, past and present, who have worked at the Preston Clinic during the last 20 years that I have been here. The Veterinarians and Nursing Staff have always brought fresh ideas and new skills to the Practice but their most important attribute, by far, is genuine concern and compassion towards the animals in their care. This has never gone unnoticed by me.

The Practice has had numerous “facelifts” since it was first established but the recent re-build took over 14 months to complete and was the largest attempted to date. Initially I was concerned about the extent of possible inconvenience to clients, but we were overwhelmingly supported by them and they continued to see us in this time whilst operating out of temporary on-site accommodation. I’m very grateful and indebted to the people of the Northern Suburbs for this and feel humbled by their loyalty.

The new hospital incorporates some design features and equipment suggested over the past 20 years by hospital staff, visiting specialist veterinarians and clients and their contributions are appreciated.

Finally, I would like to thank all the wonderful pets that I have been privileged to treat and care for over the years.