25 Years Of Care
With Kim McPherson, Ben Brightman and Chloe Watson from Valley Veterinary Surgery
From humble beginnings, Valley Veterinary Surgery has spent 25 years growing into a trusted network of family-run clinics, supporting animal-lovers on their best days and worst, and delivering next-level care to pets, livestock and native wildlife.
It all began with a single branch, opened in 2001 by Veterinary Surgeon Kim McPherson and her then-husband Brad Pullen, when their eldest daughter was just seven-months-old.
“I never planned on being a business owner, but it just happened, out of true necessity. We were going to be cane farmers, but the cane was in a real crisis,” Kim said.
Kim and Brad identified the potential for a vet surgery in Walkerston.
It was a risk that depended on the community giving them a chance.
“We were so appreciative of anyone who came to see us,” Kim shared.
Now, Valley Veterinary Surgery has 3 fully-staffed clinics.
“It's unbelievable to look back now and think where we began. It was such a small beginning. We didn't do anything fancy,” Kim reminisced.
“We just said: Let's do this. Let's listen to people, try and help, give good service... And you know, it's just happened.
“We barely had a holiday in six years when we first set up - but they were good times. It was really rewarding to be focused on supporting the Valley. Our girls grew up amongst after-hours emergencies, and sacrifices were endured, but I am so proud of them, one now a doctor and one about to graduate vet science.”
As demand grew, expansion followed, and Valley Veterinary Surgery opened clinics in central Mackay and Marian.
Ten years into the journey, Kim and Brad separated, but the business continued to thrive with his support.
Kim expresses gratitude for Brad’s founding role: “I wouldn't have done this on my own. We were a unit.”
In 2021, Brad’s shares in the business were taken over by Veterinarian Ben Brightman and Vet Nurse Chloe Watson.
Ben and Chloe were already on staff, dedicated to the team and to maintaining the clinic’s core family values.
Ben had grown up with a dream of working with animals. Valley Veterinary Surgery cared for his family pets, and Ben realised it was exactly the kind of clinic he wanted to work for.
“It was just always a great community-minded family vet clinic. They really cared about our pets and our livestock and wanted to do the best thing for us. You had that special relationship with them.”
Chloe was a nurse for Valley Veterinary Surgery between 2012-2018, before moving to the UK. When she returned in 2020, she became head nurse and took on clinic management.
“I never thought I would be a business owner,” Chloe said.
“I never thought it was an option for a vet nurse or a practice manager. But Kim mentioned it to me and said, with my work ethic, it’s something I’d be good at.
“I found myself thinking about it all the time, after that.”
Despite the business’s growth, a close-knit family-feel endures, with senior staff from day one now mentoring recent graduates.
An upcoming milestone for the business includes the addition of a CT scanner, the first between Bundaberg and Townsville.
Day to day, it’s all about making a difference in the community, treating every pet like it’s their own, and supporting owners on their best days and their worst.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
Kim: A client really appreciating our effort.
Ben: The people in the community.
Chloe: Training the young nurses.
