NEWS
Wednesday March 9, 2016
21
Decades of checking out racehorses Nick Chapman Peter Brennan has been a mixed practice vet since the beginning of 1970 and has been living and working in the Monaro since 1977. He grew up on a seven acre mixed farm outside Sydney and attended school in Armidale before studying veterinary science at the University of Sydney. He owned a mixed practice at Condobolin before his first stint in Cooma, where he worked as a veterinary inspector with the Rural Lands Protection Board for three years. Following that, he moved to Bowral for a period of 12 months where he was the resident vet at the esteemed Hobartville Cattle Stud. Peter enjoyed his time in Bowral but found the climate to be too wet for an outdoor vet and, having developed a fondness for Cooma, he opened up the Monaro Veterinary Clinic in 1977 in a small office in Lambie Street. Peter raised his family in Cooma and considers himself “almost a local” after four decades in the area. “I was keen on Cooma. I like snow skiing and bushwalking and it’s only an hour to the coast,” he said. “Cooma is a great place.” Through his mixed practice, Peter attends to a range of pets and livestock, ranging from companion animals such as cats and dogs to livestock and horses. The most unique animal he has treated was a tigon, which is produced when a male tiger breeds with a female lion. A visiting circus had three tigon cubs that were due to be vaccinated and Peter was tasked with their care.
SIR WILLIAM HUDSON
MEMORIAL CENTRE
He recalls their striped, coarse coat and massive paws, plus their very easy going temperament. It is through his experience dealing with large animals that Peter was approached to work as a race vet at the Cooma and Adaminaby races and he has worked in this role since 1988. He worked at the races before it was an annual event with up to five meets being held a year. Peter enjoys the social element of the races and believes it is much more of a success now that it is only held once a year. “There used to be the jockeys and the stewards and the horse owners and a few punters,” he said. “Since they put all their effort in to one event it has been very successful. It’s a good social day. Even though I’m working I get to say hello to a lot of people.” Peter considers his work at the races to be very rewarding, although it can be a sobering job if something goes wrong and a horse needs to be euthanised. There is also a great deal of pressure on Peter who often has to act quickly and advise the stewards on the condition of a horse and it is critical that he makes the right call. Peter’s day at the races
starts well before the punters get through the gates, when he meets with stewards and addresses any concerns with the horses. He visits the horses in the saddle enclosure and advises of any injuries that a horse might be experiencing. “I have to report if I observe something unsatisfactory. If a horse is injured or sick I bring it to the Stewards’ attention,” he said. Peter closely examines the horses and is constantly on the look out for horses that rear up or injure themselves. “I’ve got to be on my toes,” he said. Another part of Peter’s job involves assessing the horses that did not perform as they were expected. If a horse does not run to its handicap it could be marked for a blood test and all winners are subjected to blood testing. Peter rides in the ambulance so he can be on hand straight away if there is a problem and he enjoys being in the hot seat and getting the waves from the crowd. He jokes that his ambition is to race the horses in his last race and he wagers that he would get pretty good odds. Pictured, Peter Brennan in his surgery in Massie Street.
AGED CARE FACILITY
Preparations are underway for the annual Sir William Hudson Memorial Center's fete which is to be held Sunday 3rd April, just over three weeks away. If you can donate your time to sell raffle tickets, help us either on the Saturday before the fete, or on the day of the fete we would love to hear from you. We are always looking for donations towards our chocolate wheel, the cake stall and the garden/plants stall. If you can help or have something that you would like to donate please contact our reception on 6452 3588 to let us know. Our residents are all looking forward to the fete and the excitement that it brings, and we hope that you will call over and join us on the day. Last Friday our residents held their monthly "Happy Hour" afternoon, enjoying a glass of wine or beer and a plate of nibbles. The residents were entertained by our wonderful volunteers, Judy and Wayne who played beautiful familiar songs on the piano and harmonica.
Are you interested in joining our group "Friends of the SWHMC" please contact reception and leave your details if you would like to more involved with our home.
Our Home is very lucky to have such wonderful and dedicated staff caring for our residents. Monica is one of our many amazing Angels who works at SWHMC, she started at the Center nine years ago this March after previously being self employed at the Adaminaby Newsagency. During her time at SWHMC Monica has been involved as the Activities Officer, an Assistant in Nursing, a carer, is often the bus driver and she is also just as happy working in the Center's laundry. The residents all love Monica's smiling face, her caring nature and her ability to make a joke from absolutely nothing at all. We are fortunate to have so many great personalities such as Monica's involved in our Center. During February SWHMC welcomed six new residents and sadly said goodbye to Mrs Beryl Gottas, Mrs Elizabeth (Jean) Slarke , Mrs Alice Duczynski, and Mrs Sheila Mathieson.
8 Fachin Ave, Cooma | Ph: 6452 3588