Meet The Team
Dr. Mitchell Brown
BVSc MANZCVSc (Eq Surgery)
Managing Partner & Veterinarian
Mitchell grew up in Tenterfield in northern New South Wales and studied Veterinary Science at the University of Queensland.
Dr. Imogen Thomas
BVMEDSCI BVM BVS MRCVS
Associate Veterinarian
Imogen grew up in Wales, UK where her love of horses began at a young age. Imogen has a particular interest in emergency medicine, dentistry and lameness. Outside work Imogen enjoys running, surfing, walking her dog Bea.
Dr. Jonathan Lumsden
BVSc, MS, DACVS2
Partner & Specialist Equine Surgeon
Jonathan is a surgeon and partner of the Illawarra Equine Centre & REC Specialist Equine Centre.
Dr. Marie-Camille Repecaud
DVM
Associate Veterinarian
Marie joined Illawarra Equine Centre in January 2026 from Ballarat Equine Vets. She has been working as an ambulatory equine vet for the past 5 years and enjoys all areas of the field, particulary reproduction.
Dr. Ebony Leppaenen
DVM
Associate Veterinarian
Ebony joined the practice after completing the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Adelaide at Roseworthy campus. Read more...
Victoria Salkeld
Practice Manager
Victoria joined the team in early 2019 bringing extensive experience in business management and marketing to the practice. Combined with her passion for horses she enjoys working in a busy practice and helping clients with routine and emergency care of their horses and ponies.
As Practice Manager, Victoria runs the operations of the Illawarra Equine Centre clinic and office.
In her spare time Victoria runs a horse agistment business at her home near Kangaroo Valley and rides her two stock horses, Flash and Leo.
Renee Warobiow
Administration / Vet Nurse
Renee joined the Illawarra Equine Centre team as Administration Assistant mid 2020. She is well known by many of our clients as she has lived in the Illawarra all her life and has previously worked in vet hospitals as a Vet Nurse/Receptionist.
Renee has had a passion for animals from a very young age and has several animals including 2 horses, Lotti and Jet. She has an extensive knowledge of animal nutrition and health care.
She enjoys pleasure riding, relaxing at the beach and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Ellie Smith
Administration / Vet Nurse
Ellie began riding at age 11 and has been involved with horses ever since. She now has over 30 years equine experience. Ellie was an active member of pony club, developing a strong passion for eventing and competed up to Novice level.
After taking a 10-year break to raise children, she now focuses on dressage and pleasure/trail riding.
Ellie owns an 8-year-old Friesian/Gypsy Cob and an 11-year-old Haflinger. She has a special connection to the breed, as er first pony was a Haflinger who she had from age 9 through to his remarkable age of 37.