The Team
Allow us to introduce ourselves.
You may have heard the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child”. Well, we think it takes more than your GP to help you get well and stay well. You need a sympathetic receptionist to ensure you’re seen when it’s urgent, and to help you navigate referrals and investigations. You need a skilled nurse practitioner to help you with simple acute problems, repeat scripts and medical certificates. You need a gentle and proactive practice nurse to help with procedures, immunisations, office tests and measurements and to follow things up.
And if the going gets tough, or complicated, you may need an expert allied health practitioner to focus on particular issues.
The GPs who work from MIMC appreciate the enormous trust you place in them. We hope you can extend your trust to our dedicated team, and in doing so feel surrounded by support on all sides.
Dr Ami Thies
Practice Principal, General Practitioner
Mbbs (hons), fracgp
(Mon, Tue, Thur)
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Nearly a true local, Ami grew up in Warrnambool from the age of 4 and followed her father’s footsteps to Monash University, graduating with honors in 1999. She spent her early years working in the Geelong region, followed by The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne and various Victorian and interstate Emergency Departments before finally finding General Practice. She lectures with the Deakin University Medical School and has a keen interest in Medical Education and physician self-care.
Ami enjoys seeing children, families, the young at heart, and she especially enjoys partnering with patients who take ownership of their health.
She plays the oboe badly, loves her family and friends dearly, follows Richmond proudly (now), laughs a little too loudly, reads voraciously and practises Medicine gratefully.
Dr Campbell McKellar
Practice Principal, General PractitioneR
mbbs (hons), fracgp
(mon, tue, wed, fri)
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Campbell graduated with honors from The University of Melbourne in 2000. He went on to work at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, enjoying surgical subspecialities, as well as playing VFL football with Sandringham. He worked in regional Emergency Departments before commencing General Practice in both Warrnambool and St Leonards.
Campbell maintains his interest in minor surgery, procedural work and orthopaedics, and he enjoys seeing children and managing chronic illnesses.
Dr Alice Chadwick
General Practitioner
MBBS, FRACGP, BMedSci
(fri)
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Alice undertook her medical studies at the University of Melbourne, which included a year of research at the Royal Children’s Hospital to complete an additional Bachelor of Advanced Medical Science.
Her first experience of Warrnambool came as a 4th year medical student on country rotation from St. Vincent’s Hospital. Having grown up in Lakes Entrance, Alice felt immediately at home, and continued to return each year after graduation; first as an intern & then a locum in emergency, before finally settling here in 2010 to begin her GP training.
Pursuing an interest in medical education & student teaching, Alice spent 6 years working with the Deakin University School of Medicine as Director of Simulation & Clinical Skills. She has also worked as an orthopaedic surgical assistant at SJOG Hospital since 2013.
Alice has a particular interest in Farmer’s Health, & loves looking after local farming families. She also enjoys Lifestyle Medicine, Men’s Health, & Paediatrics.
After a childhood spent on the Gippsland Lakes, Alice loves boating & water sports, & is happiest when on, in or around the water. She also enjoys swimming and painting, and has a passion for interior design.
Dr Eli Cowling
General Practitioner
MBBS, FRACGP, DRANZCOG
(Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri)
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Dr Elizabeth (Eli) Cowling graduated from James Cook University and worked at Townsville Hospital for two years before completing her Diploma of Obstetrics/Gyneacology at Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne. Since then, she’s worked as a GP in Creswick and Clunes, Townsville, and more recently her home town of Ballarat.
She has an interest in shared antenatal care, women’s health, chronic disease management, palliative care, child and adolescent health and family medicine.
After her time in Ballarat, the ocean is calling once again. Eli loves the beach, is mastering standup paddle boarding and enjoys her coffee. She’s come to the right clinic to pursue that passion.
Dr Pauli Cundill
General Practitioner
BM, FRACGP
(mon, wed, Thu, fri)
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Pauli trained as a Doctor in the UK. They completed their GP training in Camperdown and Warrnambool in 2005.
Pauli recently moved back to the area after several years working as a GP and Medical Educator in Melbourne and throughout the Northern Territory. Pauli enjoys all aspects of General Practice and has a special interest in LGBTIQA+ health, gender affirming care, HIV, PrEP and sexual health. They are an accredited S100 prescriber of HIV and Hep B medications.
Pauli loves to be outdoors and will find any excuse to go away hiking and camping.
Dr Grant Elson
General Practitioner
BMed, FRACGP, DCH
(mon, tue, wed, fri)
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Grant was born and grew up on the Eyre Peninsula of SA. He studied medicine at the University of New England in NSW. He completed his General Practice Fellowship in 2018 and was awarded the David Game Award for achieving the highest exam results in SA.
Grant has completed a Diploma of Child Health and is especially interested in seeing paediatric patients. Grant unfortunately barracks for the Adelaide Crows but we won't hold that against him.
He is a keen sportsman and likes playing football, basketball, tennis, lawn bowls and table tennis and also enjoys falling off his paddle board in the local waterways.
Dr Hazel Loy
General Practitioner
Mbbs, fracgp
(tue, thu)
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Hazel has a Chinese Malaysian background and is fluent in both Chinese and Bahasa. After graduating with a Doctor of Medicine and Surgery from Australian National University she completed her training at the Canberra Hospital, and has now found her home in Warrnambool. She has a special interest in Women’s Health having worked with the Southwest Healthcare Obstetrics and Gynaecology team, and she is also interested in paediatrics and minor procedures.
During her days off, you might find Hazel walking her adored terrier Odin when she isn’t gardening or cooking her latest creation.
Dr Anita Pallot
General Practitioner
MBBS, FRACGP, DCH, CWH, GradDipDiv
(tue, thu)
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Anita grew up in Melbourne, and studied medicine at Monash University, apart from a brief hiatus during which she studied theology for a year. She then went on to work for a couple of years at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, before completing her training in general practice.
She has completed a Diploma in Children’s health, and has an interest in women’s health, having worked for six months at the Royal Women’s Hospital.
She recently settled in Warrnambool with her young family and loves the natural beauty of the area. She loves reading, and appreciates any fantasy novel recommendations.
Dr Sara-Emily Philip
General Practitioner
MBBS, FRACGP
(mon, tue, wed, thu)
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With a blended city and country background, Sara completed her medical training and junior years in far North Queensland. She moved to Warrnambool in 2018 to complete her Advanced Diploma in Obstetrics, which she thoroughly relished.
Sara has a strong interest in women’s health, and continues to work with the SWHC obstetrics and gynaecology team. She also enjoys the variety of General Practice, finding particular enjoyment in collaborating with patients to optimise their health.
Outside of work Sara can be found around Warrnambool’s many beach paths, trying to grow a garden or baking. Most of all, Sara finds getting to know people a true delight and privilege.
Dr Kevin Granville
general practitioner registrar
mbbs, msc, bsc
(mon, tue, wed, thu, fri)
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Kevin completed his Bachelor of Medicine in 2017 in Ireland having already completed undergraduate studies in biochemistry and a masters of research in atherosclerosis. He then continued his medical training in Monash Health in Melbourne pursuing training in medicine, surgery, pediatrics and emergency medicine over the past 5 years.
He is interested in all aspects of general practice and aims to pursue special interests in mental wellness for the community as well as doctors, LGBTQI health to ensure everyone has access to non-judgmental healthcare and also travel medicine.
What is a general practice registrar? Click here to find out.
Mrs Lisa Paton
Practice Nurse
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Lisa has been working as a Registered Nurse now for 23 years, with 13 years in acute hospital setting at South West Health Care, and the last 10 in general practice. Lisa also works as an immunisation Nurse for local council.
‘‘I just love working as a Practice Nurse. I love the variety that comes with it, working closely with the GP’s and the other team members in the clinic. You get to know your patients really well, and you get to see a variety of patients from newborn through to the elderly’’
Lisa’s special interest include immunisation, wound care, and preventative health.
Outside of work Lisa enjoys spending time with her family and friends, enjoying the outdoors and keeping fit and active. There is nothing better than a long weekend away with the family, catching up over coffee or going for a long nature walk.
Mrs Maria Zerbe
Practice Nurse
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Born and raised here in Warrnambool, Maria has worked in both regional and metropolitan Melbourne hospitals throughout her career.
She has over 20 years experience in her current role as a Practice Nurse.
Maria gains great satisfaction from meeting patients and supporting them on their health journey.
Her areas of interest include immunisation, wound care and chronic disease management.
Maria loves being a member of the team at Middle Island Medical Clinic.
Mrs Louise Veenstra
Practice Nurse
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Louise has been practicing as a Registered Nurse for 18 years within a number of different roles including District Nursing, Practice Nursing, Acute Care Nursing, Perioperative Nursing and as a Discharge Planner.
She enjoys Practice Nursing and the ability to work closely with our patients of all ages within a proactive multidisciplinary team. Her areas of interest include Chronic Disease Management, Preventative Healthcare, Social Prescribing, Care Coordination, Advanced Care Planning and wound care.
Outside of work she is a busy mum of 4 kids and loves to go walking, read a book and spend time at the beach or with friends.
Mrs Jennifer Coutts
practice nurse
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Jenny studied Bachelor of Nursing at Deakin University in Warrnambool and completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Emergency Nursing at RMIT, Bundoora. She has been nursing for 24 years in different roles including Emergency, Practice Nursing, District Nursing and Immunisation. She has an interest in Preventative Health Care and Immunisation.
Outside of work she enjoys spending time with family and friends, and her dogs and horses. She loves travelling and camping.
Ms Maggie How-Ely
ENDORSED NURSE PRACTITIONER
MNg(NPrac) MMHNg GradDipAppGeront MACN
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Maggie is an endorsed Nurse Practitioner in the specialty areas of Aged Care and Mental Health. She has 30 years’ experience as a registered nurse working in the general wards, nurse education and dementia specific care. Maggie completed her post-graduate degrees online through Flinders University, South Australia.
Maggie works on Wednesdays at the clinic seeing patients in the residential aged care facilities around Warrnambool as well as doing cognitive or mental health assessments. She works four days a week at South West Healthcare as the Psychogeriatric Nurse Practitioner.
Maggie’s passion is in the promotion of understanding dementia and cognitive impairment. She believes in role modeling ways to reduce the risk of dementia including physical activity, mental stimulation and social interaction. She is dedicated to lifelong learning. Maggie loves spending time with her family, locally, within Australia and overseas. She enjoys dining out and drinking coffee.
Mrs Lorraine Purcell
Medical Receptionist
Dip. Man, Cert. IV Customer Service
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Following a long stint in education, Lorraine chose a career change and joined the reception team. With a passion for providing exceptional customer service, Lorraine enjoys interacting and supporting all patients and colleagues, and is always ready to ‘hold a baby’. She finds her work rewarding and interesting because of the vast diversity of tasks.
Lorraine loves her family, and enjoys spending time with her four children and their families. Her grandchildren are her greatest treasure, and she cherishes making memories and having fun with them. Lorraine enjoys walking, pilates, watching football and basketball, and family holidays in Hawaii. She cannot live without her lipstick, and likes to relax and catch up with friends for coffee.
Ms Lucille Farley
Finance and Information Manager
Medical Receptionist
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Lucille has a wealth of knowledge with over 25 years administration and management experience in the healthcare industry. She enjoys every aspect of her role at Middle Island including the interaction with patients, no matter the age. Known to the team as a quiet achiever, Lucille strives for perfection, loves a challenge and is never afraid to go the extra mile when needed.
She loves catching up with family and friends and, on special occasions, spoiling them with her Florentines, rhubarb cake and lumberjack cake. On weekends, she can be found in her garden or heading to Barwon Heads.
Also working from Middle Island Medical Clinic
Ms Emily Gillmartin
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
BSW, AMHSW
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Originally Emily studied Costume Design before gallivanting around the world, where she met some amazing people called Social Workers! Emily settled in Warrnambool with her family and where her husband’s love for the ocean was satisfied.
Emily completed her studies through Deakin University. She acquired her Mental Health Accreditation through the Australian Association of Social Work, and is a member of that Association. She’s been working in the Community Services Sector since 2007, in Mental Health since 2011, and loves seeing theory in practice. Emily offers Focused Psychological Strategies, Supervision (clinical and wellbeing) and Group Work. Her areas of clinical interest include: Stress Management; Biological, Psychological and Social Determinants, Gender Dysphoria in Adolescent and Young Adults, Relationship Separation, Grief and Loss, Suicide Bereavement and Non Suicidal Self Injury.
She runs slowly, should eat cheese platters with her friends more regularly, could listen to someone talk about their passion daily, loves a good dad joke and wouldn’t have turned into the person she is without her family.
Mr Harold Gara
Accredited Mental Health social worker
BSW, aasw
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Harold holds a Bachelor degree in Social Work and has commenced private practice after working as a case coordinator with the Adult Mental Health Service here in Warrnambool and before that in South Africa. He brings considerable experience in helping vulnerable families to cope with the challenges of chronic illness.
His areas of clinical interest include helping patients with depression, anxiety, substance use, crisis management, adjustment to circumstances and trauma.
Ms Ruth Walker
Accredited Practising Dietician
PhD B App Sci, Grad Dip Ed, BND (Hons), APD
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After teaching Food and Technology (Home Economics) for 10 years in Melbourne and Warrnambool, Ruth decided to become a dietitian. She studied at Monash University (Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics) before working as an Accredited Practising Dietitian in Mornington and Warrnambool. She loves her new role supporting women, men and families achieve improved nutrition in a community setting.
Ruth spends most of her week researching women’s health and obesity prevention at Monash University. Her favourite part of the working week is seeing patients for a range of nutrition-related issues (weight management, diabetes, IBS, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, chronic disease prevention).
Ruth makes going to the beach every day a priority. She also loves catching up with her family and friends, and taking any opportunity to jump into an aeroplane for an adventure
Rachel Boak
Accredited Practising Dietitian & Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician
APD, CEDC, PhD
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Rachel has been practising dietetics for over 25 years, initially in hospital and community dietetics and later university teaching, projects and research, most recently working on Australian and New Zealand research into the future of the nutrition and dietetics profession. Rachel is an active member of Dietitians Australia, previously vice-convenor of their public health and community nutrition interest group, and a current mentor and supervisor to new graduate dietitians.
In 2022 Rachel founded ‘Consuming Kind’, returning to private practice as an eating disorder dietitian, working to help any adults, older teens and other health professionals with a range of food and eating concerns; providing support to stress less about eating; and helping to improve their relationship with food and health.
Outside of work, Rachel loves music, biographies, nature, gardens, being active, planning travels and caring for her family.
To book an appointment with Rachel click here.
Mrs Eloise Simpson
Physiotherapist
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Eloise is an experienced physiotherapist who has been practising across musculoskeletal, persistent and complex pain, paediatric and pelvic health since graduating in 2015. Since then, she has returned to university to complete her Graduate Certificate of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy from La Trobe University, and a further Graduate Certificate in Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy from the University of Melbourne.
Eloise is currently a PhD candidate at La Trobe University investigating management of diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles (DRAM) in the early postpartum period. She enjoys using an active approach to empower people to best navigate their physical health.
As a born and raised Warrnambool local, Eloise also enjoys spending her downtime enjoying our beautiful region with her family.
You can book in with Eloise by calling (03) 9491 8250 or via this link.
Join the team
Would you like to join the Middle Island Medical Clinic team? See what positions are currently available.