Our Team
VETERINARIAN'S OATH
"Being admitted to the profession of Veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of livestock resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics. I accept as a lifelong obligation, the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence."
Max Wilson
Veterinarian - BVSc (Hons), MACVS.
Max was born on a property at Karara on the Darling Downs. He graduated with honours in Veterinary Science from The University of Queensland in 1973. After a brief stint at Lismore in N.S.W. he commenced work at Oakey Veterinary Hospital. He remained in general practice there for 15 years and it was during this time that he developed an interest in Equine Reproduction. Max established the Equivet Breeding Centre at Southbrook in 1994. He was joined by Robyn in 2002 and together they have developed a nationally significant reproduction practice.
Robyn Woodward
Veterinarian - BVSc, MVSc Born in North Queensland, Robyn always had a passion for horses. After completing her Veterinary Science degree in 1976 she worked in mixed practice in North Queensland. From there, Robyn took up an opportunity to commence a Masters Research project at The University of Queensland where she performed the first successful frozen embryo transfer in Australia. Robyn has lectured in reproduction and exercise physiology at both Roseworthy and Orange Agricultural Colleges. Since 2002 her reproduction skills have expanded Equivet Breeding Centre to the busy facility it is today.
Susanne Brundell
Veterinarian - BVSc (Hons) Susanne was born in Germany and grew up in a marina in the Hamburg harbour. After completing her engineering degree she worked in the Far East and South America running an import agency for leather garments before migrating to Australia and becoming a veterinarian. Susanne is passionate about equine reproduction and runs her own stud breeding Lusitanos, Spanish horses, Iberians and mules. She has been working at Equivet since 2003 and enjoys training her breeding stallions in Dressage, Working Equitation and Carriage driving.
Robbie Daley
Management Consultant - B.MusT, MA For 28 years Robbie managed her husband's veterinary practice in Western Australia as well as helping to run their mixed farming enterprise and Australian Stock Horse Stud (and raise 4 children!). In 2004 Peter & Robbie sold their veterinary practice and re-located to Pittsworth. Robbie joined the staff at Equivet Breeding Centre as practice manager in 2009 - but in 2023 stepped back a little to enjoy more time with family.
Sandy Robinson
Operations Manager Sandy grew up on a beef and sheep property in the Barossa Valley - mustering on a pony from the age of 5 and later taking up endurance riding. She has experience doing yearling preparation and worked as an equine veterinary nurse from 1986-1993. Sandy married and moved to Queensland in 2006 and worked in a mixed veterinary practice for 16 years. In 2023 the Equivet Breeding Centre team welcomed Sandy in a management position.
Robyn Johansen
Frozen semen extraordinnaire and office all-rounder Robyn J grew up in the country and has vast experience in a variety of agricultural industries - dairy, pigs, poultry, horticulture & transport. She loves all creatures and has always wanted her own horse. Robyn joined the team at Equivet in 2013 and is able to enjoy the mares and foals at the breeding centre. She says her photo is the nearest she has come to riding a horse!!
Leighanne OBrien
Admissions / Communications Leighanne grew up on a sheep / cattle property at Glenmorgan and had a love of horses from a young age - helping with mustering and riding at Pony Club competitions. Leighanne has had pervious experience in property management and as a medical receptionist. She is excited to be joining the equine industry with the team at Equivet Breeding Centre in 2023. In her spare time Leighanne enjoys spending time in the country garden at her hobby farm in Stoneleigh.
Alexandra Gramotnev
Reproduction Assistant BSc, BEd, MA (Medical Science) An ex-teacher and ex-researcher, Alex has taken on a new path in life and never looked back.She was a late horse-bloomer, learning horsemanship only in her early 30's. Alex assisted at an NFP equine organisation before eventually finding her way to Equivet in 2021. She absolutely loves being back at Equivet with her little family for her fifth season. Outside work, Alex loves horse riding, long distance running, photography, and doing sheep herding with her dog, Gidgee.
Kylie Shepherd
Reproduction Assistant Kylie grew up near Southbrook on a dairy farm which transitioned into mixed farming in 2007. Currently, she is in her final year veterinary science at UQ Gatton. She has a keen interest in reproduction & equine medicine. When not working or studying Kylie enjoys riding her own horses. Kylie joined the Equivet team in 2020 and the breeding season is her absolute favourite time of the year.
Adi Imray
Reproduction Assistant Adi began work at Equivet in the 2020 season as a horse loving high school student. This year, she is in her fourth year of Veterinary Science at The University of Queensland. Adi has been competing in endurance riding since 2016. In 2017 she begain training her own arabian “Chip” and completed the Tom Quilty ride in him in 2019. Adi enjoys the supportive and educational environment at Equivet, and loves to see different breeds of horses, and of course, all their cute foals!
Lyn Knott
Laboratory Person (BAppSci – Med Tech) After graduation Lyn worked at UQ’s Vet School in horse and cattle reproduction research and teaching, and then moved over into the field of Parasitology. She joined Equivet in 2022 in pursuit of semi-retirement and has enjoyed the return to equine reproduction and now assists in maintaining equipment and trying to be useful.
Tim Wilson
Farm Manager After twenty years away from the land, Tim has returned with his two young sons, Tom and Charlie, with partner Rhiana. Tim has spent long stints working in the kitchens in Noosa, landscaping on the Sunshine Coast, university, and ten years with Hutchinson Builders in Brisbane City.
Tim’s duties include farm management of 5 separate farms, crop rotation, pest weed management, farm machinery maintenance, horse management, water supply, all feed and supplement management, infrastructure implementation, all aspects of farm beautification.
It’s a real honour to work so closely with my father and give my kids the chance of a country upbringing.
Michael Wacker
Recipient Manager Mike grew up in Brisbane and after finishing school went jackarooing. He then took up a position managing a large Santa Gertrudis stud in the Blackall district and remained there for 28 years. During this time he played polocrosse and campdrafted using horses from the mustering camp. Mike moved back to the Darling Downs and purchased a property at Rossvale in 2020. Mike is an excellent all-round horseman and joined the Equivet team in 2022 as the manager of the recipient herd.
Ross Barr
Maintenance After finishing school at Townsville Grammar, Ross completed a cabinet makers apprenticeship in Brisbane. Following that he managed a sheep / cattle property at Hughenden for several years before moving to Darwin and various jobs. In 2003 the family moved to the Darling Downs and purchased a small property at Broxburn. Ross joined the Equivet team as general maintenance man in 2021 and it is known that he can "fix anything". Ross plays polocrosse in his spare time and also minds his grandchildren at polocrosse carnivals.
Rod Chandler
Yard Hygiene Rod worked in the aged and disability sector for over 20 years and after retirement from this industry changed his occupation from caring for humans to caring for horses. NSW born, Rod has worked in a variety of industries - from stablehand/strapper, trawler deckhand, chauffeur, builder's labourer and rouseabout. A very useful member of the Equivet team.
Charlotte Baker
Weekend Mare Care Charlotte was thrilled to join the Equivet team in 2021 and loves every aspect of her work. She was born & raised in Toowoomba and is currently a Year 10 student at Downlands College. Charlotte is working to fulfill her dream of becoming a vet nurse after completing Year 12. She loves riding horses and hopes to own her own acreage and have some space to have horses herself in the future.