Proserpine Vet Surgery Celebrates 50 Years Young
With Owner Faye McPherson & Vet Nicole Frohlich
Since 1975, Whitsundays locals have trusted the tried-and-tested veterinary stalwart that is Proserpine Vet Surgery (PVS)—and the good news is, they won’t have to stop any time soon.
“We’re 50 years young,” says owner Faye McPherson, reflecting on the clinic’s proud legacy and ongoing commitment to the Whitsundays community.
Faye’s journey to PVS was one of a caring, resilient and community-focused nature—three key elements that make up the core values of PVS today.
After years of locum work, Faye was drawn to Proserpine by its warm climate, tight-knit community and the sense of professionalism she encountered at the clinic.
“It was an enjoyable clinic to work in... the mainstay nurse, Billye-Jean Stevens, ran a tight, tidy ship. She was just a pleasure to work with,” Faye says. “Bill Bowman, the then owner, and Billye-Jean were trustworthy, genuine people with high standards.”
What began as temporary work soon turned into a long-term commitment. In 2003, Faye became a partner in the business and, after seven years, took the reins entirely, growing the clinic steadily year by year, all while juggling the demands of raising two young children, including her daughter with Cystic Fibrosis.
“My second child has a chronic illness. This meant a lot of work; physiotherapy on the chest, morning and night, lots of supplementary medication… so I thought, ‘I need to help the surgery to grow, so I can take time off to be with her when I needed to’.”
And boy, did the business grow.
The clinic expanded by about 25 % annually. Faye balanced hands-on veterinary work with more managerial responsibilities, balancing growth while maintaining the clinic’s family-oriented, friendly atmosphere.
“We pride ourselves on providing a friendly country service you can rely on,” she says.
“It’s about supporting each other, caring for the community, and delivering the best possible care for our patients. I tell my team we are here to serve people the way they wish to be served.”
Technological advancements have played a big part in PVS’s evolution. From traditional X-rays to state-of-the-art ultrasound machines, dental units, and rapid blood analysis equipment, the clinic keeps pace with the latest tools to ensure prompt, accurate diagnoses.
“We used to wait days for blood test results—now, it takes 12 minutes,” Faye explains.
“And computerisation has revolutionised how we manage patient records and day-to-day operations.”
Already a household name in the local veterinary industry, PVS continues to grow, and its latest hire, Nicole, is helping lead the charge.
Nicole brings with her 10 years of full-time experience–the last 8 years in emergency medicine on the Gold Coast, but also a modern approach to veterinary care that’s set to refresh the clinic’s direction, while staying true to the roots that made them so successful.
In just 10 weeks, she’s already prompted new investments in state-of-the-art equipment and is expected to step into a partnership role as the clinic continues to evolve.
“She’s bringing the latest and greatest care,” says Faye.
“I think the clinic’s in good hands going forward, long past my tenure.”
Q: What would you say is the most important lesson you’ve learned over the years?
A: Communication. If you’re not communicating clearly, you might do great work, and still end up with an unhappy client. You’ve got to explain, listen, and guide people. Also— to care. I’m a mum, so that comes naturally to me. In this job, you might work all day and then be on call all night. You have to genuinely care.
