Vet veteran hangs up his boots

MIKE CAMPBELL WITH the new owner of the Gatton Veterinary Surgery Jason Grey.

RENOWNED veterinarian Mike Campbell retired from the Gatton Veterinary Surgery last week after treating animals in the Lockyer Valley for more than 37 years.

From small beginnings starting the surgery in the bedroom of a house in 1973, Mr Campbell worked tirelessly helping animals across the region to build the Gatton Veterinary Surgery into what it is today and thanked all who had been involved over the years.

“I’ve just been very proud to be the local vet and I’m sure the new owners (Jason Grey and Louise Cosgrove) will continue the practice successfully,” Mr Campbell said.

“I’d really like to thank my loyal customers and dedicated staff for that time.

“I’ve been in partnership with Russell Duigan (from the Laidley Veterinary Surgery) for all but one year of it so I’d like to thank him too.

“But more importantly I’d mostly like to thank my wife Anne for being my receptionist and assistant particularly in the early years. Her support has been immeasurable.”

Mr Campbell said he had entered the veterinary profession due to his love of animals and that the profession had changed significantly over the past three decades.

“There have been a lot of changes in the profession over that period where we practically used to do everything in the paddock, if we didn’t do it in the paddock it never got done,” he said.

“Whereas now there are a lot more referral and specialist centres among a lot of other changes.”

Over the course of his long career with the surgery, Mr Campbell said he had also been the vet for the Gatton Show Society and the Gatton Race Club.

Mr Campbell said he had treated a countless number of animals with varying injuries and had a database of more than 9000 clients.

“I’ve spent many nights of my life treating sick animals and it is always a great joy to see them recover successfully,” he said.

“I certainly have had a lot of exciting cases that have occurred over the years, I wish I’d have recorded them all.”

Mr Campbell said he would still work part-time and help out when needed but planned on taking a well deserved break.

“I plan to spend time with my family, do a bit of fishing and surfing, I still ride a surf board. I’ll go to Rainbow Bay or thereabouts.”