Our history
Our practice began as a solo vet practice based at our Mulwarree Road location in Barraba back in the 1970's. Supported largely by the public campaigns eradicating Bovine Tuberculosis and Brucellosis, the practice offered veterinary services to livestock enterprises with a scattering of horses and companion animals. Ben Gardiner arrived from a New Zealand dairy practice to join his older brother David for a spring locum in 1981. He was immediately enthused by the quality of the grazing community, forming a partnership with David that prevailed for 10 years.
In 1987 the Manilla clinic was established in Market Street, growing the practice to five full-time staff. The Bingara clinic opened in 1995 further expanding our coverage. The name Nandewar Animal Health Services was adopted in 1999 to better reflect the services and synergy of the three separate but cooperative clinics. In 2007 Kym Hagon joined the practice as a partner based in Manilla and brought a new enthusiasm to our team, our community and his special interest in equine services. In 2018 Leanne Knight purchased Kym's partnership after moving from a mixed practice in Victoria and working in our Manilla district since 2016.
Over the past few decades over 30 veterinarians have called this area home and together with our communities we’ve assisted many vet nurses and hundreds of final year uni students on their path to a veterinary career.
In 1987 the Manilla clinic was established in Market Street, growing the practice to five full-time staff. The Bingara clinic opened in 1995 further expanding our coverage. The name Nandewar Animal Health Services was adopted in 1999 to better reflect the services and synergy of the three separate but cooperative clinics. In 2007 Kym Hagon joined the practice as a partner based in Manilla and brought a new enthusiasm to our team, our community and his special interest in equine services. In 2018 Leanne Knight purchased Kym's partnership after moving from a mixed practice in Victoria and working in our Manilla district since 2016.
Over the past few decades over 30 veterinarians have called this area home and together with our communities we’ve assisted many vet nurses and hundreds of final year uni students on their path to a veterinary career.