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Perspective on living & working in a rural or regional area

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group of Kookaburra staff at the Big Banana, Coffs Harbour

Every time I visit the city, I have an amazing time – as a tourist – enjoying the nightlife, the amazing shows, music and events, marveling at the frequency of public transport, and the bustling vitality. And every time I leave, I’m so glad to be living my normal daily life in a regional area.

As an immigrant to Australia,  I really feel I’m living the Australian Dream. I can afford a house, with a backyard, a dog, 3 cats (indoors of course). Rush-hour happens for 10 minutes when parents picking up from school queue to get on the roundabouts. I’ve lived inland, on acres, with horses, chickens, cattle, alpacas, a veggie garden, and at the coast, where it’s been a 2 minute walk to the beach and I frequently have the beach all to myself. I’ve always got to know and socialize with my neighbours and the local community. Despite having no actual family living nearby, my kids have grown up with an extended community family through all sorts of activities, in family day care, playgroup, sports, music, and then primary and high school, where we run into and keep in touch with the same families over and over again.

Shopping is easy as I can drop in to the shops on my way somewhere else – it doesn’t take long, and we choose from what’s available. And online shopping is our friend for anything we can’t get locally. Local business owners are members of our community.

There’s always a thriving arts and culture scene in regional areas – and it’s so welcoming. We make our own entertainment. I have sung in choirs, performed in local theatre, played in orchestras. Local sport of all types brings the community together.

Being a vet opened all of this up to me – we’re so privileged to be easily able to have this regional lifestyle due to our professional qualification, when many people find themselves unable to stay in regional areas once they’ve moved there, due to the lack of work opportunities.

If you’re thinking about moving to regional NSW, currently there’s a support package for essential workers, which includes employees in Veterinary services, which has come out of the recent Inquiry into the veterinary workforce shortage in NSW. For more information about The Welcome Experience, visit NSW Government | The Welcome Experience

Author:

Wendy Nathan
Kookaburra Veterinary Employment

This information includes the views and opinions of Kookaburra Veterinary Employment and is of a general nature only. Factual information is believed to be correct at the time of writing, however, should not be relied upon and any person should confirm details with the relevant authorities and through their own research prior to acting on any of the suggestions in this article.

15/05/2025 |

RADINCON – For the Very Best in Diagnostic Imaging Equipment, Service and Support

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Your clinic and your patients deserve the best when it comes to diagnosis and care.

For imaging, that doesn’t just mean great equipment. It means the right equipment for your specific needs, plus support and training to get the most out of your investment.

That’s the philosophy behind Radincon’s commitment to all our customers:

Quality Product – Reliable Service – Honest Advice.

Quality Product.

RAD X DR Systems

RAD-X DR X1A Rover Soft Case

Fully portable system, for DR acquisition, post processing and raw data storage.
Textbook quality images displayed within seconds. Choose from laptop or tablet options. Add the right choice of Canon DR panels.
Use it in the clinic or take it with you for equine and large animal visits.

RAD-X DR CX-4A In Clinic System

Fully integrated workstation for DR acquisition, post processing and raw data storage.
Desktop or wall mount option.
Integrates with existing x-ray units and tables.
Add the right choice of Canon DR panels.
Ideal for small animal clinics

RAD-X DR CX-3A Mobile System

Mount this system on a trolley with UPS and you can move easily from a radiology room to the operating theatre for intraoperative imaging as required.

Full clinical review self-calibrating Dicom monitor.
Get the same textbook quality images you get from all Radincon x-ray equipment, the same rapid image-processing time and with the right choice of Canon DR panels for the work you do.

 

 

Canon High Resolution Panels

Intelligently engineered, high quality flat panels for small animal, mixed, equine practices and zoos.
New and refurbished options at different weights and sizes, but all giving quality x-ray results.
Your choice of panels to match your patient profile and your practice workflow.

GE Ultrasound Systems

GE LOGIQ e R9 Laptop System

Newly released, the GE Logiq e R9 offers the latest in ultrasound capability. Ideal for use in any practice, it has all the technical smarts you expect from GE.

New in this model;

  • Fully sealed keyboard and TGS’s. Scratchpad instead of Trackpad.
  • Larger 15.6”screen
  • ½ kilo lighter than the previous LOGIQe
  • Scan Assist
  • Best of all – 90 minutes battery scanning time.

GE LOGIQ Fortis Console System

Another new model from GE, the Fortis is small and sleek enough to move around your practice as required.

AI tools make exceptional imaging quality easier than ever to achieve.
Customisable probe presets will save you time and improve productivity.

GE Versana Active Laptop System

A long standing favourite of ours and of our clients, the GE Versana Active is the perfect option for portable ultrasound.

Lightweight, affordable, with Colour, Power and PW Doppler as standard.
Scan Assist.

GE Ultrasound Probes

Great selection, wide range for every application.

 

 

 

Vet X-Ray Systems and Combination

RAD-X HF Premier Vet System

Equip your x-ray suite!

Systems are customisable to your practice needs, but include

  • 4 way float table controlled by foot pedal
  • Movable tube stand which combines with the table to maximise positioning options
  • Fully adjustable cassette tray
  • Side rails for patient restraint

RAD X CMP 200 – 150 Generators

Two great options depending on the power supply you have, can be 3 Phase or 15 Amp.

Either way you get 32kW, that means 320mA at 100kV.

Super short exposure times. Great improvement in image quality

 

 

RAD-X Compact Vet Table 3

A favourite investment option

Slightly smaller than the HF table, with a fixed tube stand, this table is packed with features to make your work easier.

  • Mounts any portable x-ray unit on the market
  • Self-centring cassette tray
  • Table top locks for accurate and easy positioning
  • Tie down cleats for patient restraint and positioning
  • High and low rise tube support arms

PORTA 120HF or 100HF

5 and 2kW options depending on your caseload. Both work well on the table above.

100HF great for mixed work, small and large animal.

36 months warranty underpins these units.

RocketPACS

All your DICOM images, available any time on any device

RocketPACS is a secure cloud-based system which lets you store, manage, view and share your DICOM images on any device.
Intuitive and easy-to-use browser based controls, including touchscreen options. Zoom in or swipe through images easily. Ideal for client communication and consultation.

Diagnostic features include brightness and contrast controls, measurement tools and side-by-side comparison with previous exams. Plus you can easily share with other professionals for a second opinion or specialist input on complex cases.

Reliable Service

If you’re using our equipment and anything goes wrong, we want to be there to help out.

‘We had equipment from somewhere else originally, but we chose Radincon for the quality of the equipment and because of their reputation. The after sales service is amazing. We call on Sundays or after hours and we always get help. I remember one weekend Alex was on his way out to attend a wedding, but he stopped and took the time to help us out.’

– Christine Kidd and Pauline Gaven, Manly Road Veterinary Hospital

It’s also why we have loan equipment, for when things go badly wrong.

One client called us on a Sunday because all his equipment had been damaged in a fire. We sprang into action, testing and prepping the required units from our fleet to send out straightaway. By Tuesday, the practice was operational again.

Honest Advice

We’re here to help. That starts right at the beginning, even before you buy. What do you need to start a new practice, or to upgrade your current one? Which DR panel is going to work best for your practice? How do you choose between different x-ray options? Which probes will extend the capability of your existing ultrasound to match your patient caseload? We’re here to advise on all these questions and more.
Radincon have been looking after vets and their diagnostic imaging years for 45 years. We’re in it for the long term. That means we’ll tell you the truth, upfront. It’s not about a quick sale. It’s about what’s right. Right for you. Right for your patients.

So if you’re looking at diagnostic imaging and you’ve got questions, get in touch. Whether you need something now or you’re planning for the future, we’re here to help.

Call Us – PH: 1300 721 734   |   Email Us – Radsales@radincon.com.au   |   Visit the Website

05/06/2026 |

Austvet Endoscopy joins the Mediquip Group of Companies

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Experience fast, accurate, and evidence-based diagnostics across every area of veterinary care — from large horses to smaller companion animals. Our innovative solutions are designed to support your practice with precision, reliability, and efficiency for every patient, large or small.

From the versatile Standard Veterinary Rhinoscope & Otoscope Set for ENT, rhinoscopy, otoscopy, and cystoscopy procedures, to the advanced Aohua Endoscope System for detailed internal imaging, and the trusted EO Steriliser – Anprolene AN75 Series for safe and effective instrument sterilisation — these tools empower smarter workflows, faster diagnostics, and superior patient outcomes.

COMBINING OUR STRENGTHS UNDER ONE ROOF

We’ve brought together the expertise and product ranges of Austvet Endoscopy, Medical Plus ANZ, and MQVet. This integration means veterinarians can access a wider range of trusted products, backed by a single dedicated team committed to supporting excellence in animal care.

AUSTRALIA-WIDE SERVICE SUPPORT

With a technical service team of over 60 members across Australia and local service workshops in NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, and SA, Mediquip ensures reliable service wherever you are.

Get in touch  1300 246 349    |    admin@mediquip.com.au    |    www.mediquip.com.au

10/10/2025 |

World-first App release for Veterinary Industry

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New Release! The Kookaburra Jobs app is now available on the Google Play Store for android devices.

With over 25 years of experience in the veterinary industry, Kookaburra Veterinary Employment is committed to delivering innovative solutions. The Kookaburra Jobs app provides the Veterinary Profession with essential job search tools and map-based search and filter features.

The most widely used Veterinary Employment Service in Australia & New Zealand has made it simple to search worldwide for veterinary jobs, from support staff and veterinary nurses & technicians to all categories of veterinarian vacancy – and even practices for sale.

According to Wendy Nathan, Director of Kookaburra Veterinary Employment, since the launch of Kookaburra Jobs on the App Store in late 2023, the app has surpassed 2,000 downloads. She says “This milestone is a testament to our dedication to creating a tool that truly resonates with users. We’re proud to have now launched an Android version on the Google Play Store, with enhancements to improve the user experience.”

Download for Android now!
Download for iPhone now!

05/09/2025 |

What are you losing if you don’t put a Pay Rate in your job ads?

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I recently did a very quick survey on social media in a veterinary group, to ask whether people find it frustrating when a pay rate or salary range is not given in a job ad – 100% of respondents said yes, they did find it frustrating.

Other job advertising companies have done large scale surveys, and found that salary is one of the top three drivers of attraction to a role, along with work-life balance and career development, across all industries. In fact, there’s a 36.9% increase in job applications when salary is shown on a job ad.  73% of candidates find it frustrating when salary isn’t included in a job ad and many candidates wouldn’t even consider applying for a job if the salary isn’t advertised.

You may have thought that making applicants apply for a job without knowing the remuneration might give you a bigger pool of applicants – however, besides that impression not being supported by surveys, it wastes time on both sides when someone who has got through interviews and been offered the vacancy then turns the job down.

Pay can be expressed as an hourly rate, or an annual rate, and it’s important to include detail in a job ad about the basis on which someone will be paid. Listing a Salary in your advert does NOT mean saying “salary above Award”, or “negotiable depending on experience”. It is understandable that some veterinary employers may prefer to advertise a range so they can assess through the recruitment process what salary best fits the candidate’s skill level, particularly with the current shortage of qualified veterinary staff. Regular evaluation of a new employee is a good way to adjust pay rate to closely match their skills, if necessary, and  produce a good outcome for both employer and employee.

Why is there such a reluctance to list salaries or salary bands in veterinary job ads? Is a pay rate in general practice so totally dependent on the skill set of the vet that it’s impossible to estimate? Why is there no pay grading on the work that the applicant will be expected to do? And the situation is even worse for vet nurse and vet techs – 99.99% of job ads don’t even mention salary.

Start mentioning the pay rate, and you may be surprised at the interest in your next vacancy.

Author:

Wendy Nathan
Kookaburra Veterinary Employment

This information includes the views and opinions of Kookaburra Veterinary Employment and is of a general nature only. Factual information is believed to be correct at the time of writing, however, should not be relied upon and any person should confirm details with the relevant authorities and through their own research prior to acting on any of the suggestions in this article.

09/10/2023 |
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