Meet Our Team

Roelof van der Merwe

Director & Veterinarian

 

Roelof qualified in 1994 as a Veterinarian in South Africa. He has a keen interest in Surgery but enjoys all aspects of his day as a vet. He has experience in Emergency work, small animal practice, managing large Welfare organisations and has spent a few years in corporate life managing clinics and emergency centres but finds life as a small animal GP Vet the most interesting by far. Where else can you start the day welcomed by 11 such cute pups.

Karien van der Merwe

Director & Veterinarian

 

Dr Karien qualified in 1997 from the University of Pretoria, South Africa and married Dr Roelof, soon after. Together they have travelled and worked in South Africa, England, Scotland and eventually immigrated to Australia in 2017. The couple bought Southern Cross Vet Group in August 2023.Working in a range of different cultural and socio-economic areas taught her to be adaptable and flexible in her clinical approach. Being a vet is hard work, Mentally and physically, but seeing the joy that pets bring to people’s likes makes her feel privileged to be apart of such a special bond.

Mark McGinley

Veterinarian (BVSc)

Senior Veterinarian. Experienced in Large and Small Animal Veterinary Medicine.

Kym Salter

Practice Manager

Kym Has been a Veterinary Nurse since 2011 and fully Qualified 

since 2014. She has worked in various different settings including general practice, emergency & specialty hospitals, teaching and management. She has a keen interest in theriology and loves to share her nursing knowledge. Kym has two whippets, two cats and three human children. In her spare time you will see her trekking about the national parks, playing music and spending time with her family.

Angela Arlott-Green

Veterinary Nurse

Angela (Anj) is a Registered Veterinary Nurse who joined our clinic in July 2024. She has worked in the veterinary industry since 2019 and has a keen interest in surgery, nutrition and critical care. Anj also has an interest in client education, mentoring new veterinary nurses and continuing education.

Anj has a love for all animals and is mum to two Golden Retrievers, “Barney” and “Oscar” and six rescue Guinea Pigs.

In her spare time Anj enjoys time at the beach with her husband and Goldies, reading and exploring new trail walks.

 

 

Molly Bridgeman

Senior Veterinary Nurse (Qualified)

 

Molly is our experienced and fully qualified Cert IV Veterinary Nurse. She has been working at Southern Cross Veterinarians since 2020. Molly loves all aspects of nursing but has developed a special interest in emergency & critical care and surgery. Outside of work Molly enjoys spending her time with her two Dogs Sassy and Lainey.

Hollie Farquhar

Veterinary Nurse (Qualified)

 

Hollie is one of our Certified Veterinary Nurses. Hollie completed her certificate in Veterinary Nursing in 2023. Hollie has worked at the RSPCA and other veterinary clinics before joining our team. Sheowns 2 energetic dogs. Dorothy, a English Staffy and Ernest, a Cattle dog.

Natassja Dotson

Veterinary Nurse (Qualified)

 

Nat graduated her certificate III in animal Science in 2015 and then continued into her Certificate IV in Vet Nursing completing in 2017. Since then, she has worked in multiple small general practices with a particular interest in Dentistry. Currently she is enrolled part time in Bachelor of Animal Ecology,

Jennifer Alley

Veterinary Nurse 

 

Jen is one of our Veterinary Nurses who is studying to receive her Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing and has a special interest in exotic animals. Jen likes to spend her weekends exploring new places with her partner and their dog Daisy.

Lauren Black

Veterinary Nurse 

 

Lauren is one of our Veterinary Nurses who will soon be studying for her Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing with the hope of eventually studying to become a Veterinarian. Outside of work Lauren likes to spend her time with friends as well as her two dogs Darcy & Louie.

Neva Doctor

Veterinary Nurse 

 

Neva is one of our Veterinary Nurses with over 12 years of experience , working in emergency and specialty departments in America. After training as a Chiropractor in the US her family moved over to sunny Australia. Neva & her family have 2 dogs, 3 cats and some chickens.

Jessica Jeffery

Veterinary Nurse Assistant

 

Jess has always been an animal lover but started her career journey in the medical industry as a Paramedic. Jess wanted a change things up a little so whilst being a paramedic she decided to Study her Cert II in Animal Studies. Jess shares her life with her newborn little boy, husband, 3 dogs & 3 Chickens.

Lauren Stanley

Receptionist

 

Lauren loves all animals especially dogs, but started her career journey in the medical industry as a Phlebotomist. After starting her family, Lauren decided to switch over to the animal industry. Lauren has a busy household with her little boy, husband and 3 dogs. Australian Kelpies Moose & Luna, and toy poodle Alfie.

Oliver

Clinic Manager (Diploma in Feline Entertainment)

 

Oliver likes to take things pretty slow – He’s in no great hurry to get anywhere – except perhaps to the food bowl. Oliver was adopted as a Stray by Vet Nurse Molly in December 2022 and has adapted to the spoilt clinic life since.

Southern Cross Veterinarians Bellmere

The hardworking team at Bellmere is always on hand to offer you and your pets the best of care. If you have any concerns about the health and wellbeing of your furry loved ones, then please do not hesitate to call us today.