Meet the Team

Dr Steven Porep

Veterinarian & Practice Owner (BVSc, MANZCVS Surgery)

Steven graduated from JCU in 2011 and began his veterinary career in a busy mixed practice clinic that allowed him to develop his skills and knowledge in surgery as well as all aspects of mixed practice. With Ashleigh, he practiced in multiple emergency and GP clinics in the UK for a number of years, thriving in the fast-paced, ever-changing nature of locum work.  Since joining the Marlin Coast Veterinary Hospital, Steven has taken every opportunity to enhance his skills as a small animal orthopaedic surgeon and in early 2021 he successfully completed the onerous examinations required to receive membership of the Veterinary College of Small Animal Surgery – hence all those letters after his name! Now as the joint owner of the clinic, Steven ensures that MCVH clients are receiving the highest standard of care and can offer surgical interventions.



Together Steven and Ashleigh have two lovely pets of their own – a Kelpie called Chase and the ever-enthusiastic Labrador, Ivy. Together, when they do manage some relaxation time away from the clinic, Ash and Steve (and sometimes Chase and Ivy) enjoy travelling, camping and exploring as much of this wonderful part of the world as they can.

Dr Peter Barratt

Veterinarian (BVMS)

Peter Barratt Graduated in 1983 from Murdoch University in WA

Peter has worked with a menagerie of animals over the years from Bowen to Townsville before joining the Marlin Coast team in 1995. There aren’t many species of animals Peter hasn’t or won’t treat. We are very lucky to have him and he brings a wealth of knowledge to our team.

Peter has a special interest in all things to do with Native, birds and exotic species, however he also has extensive experience with:

Large animals (horses, cattle & farm animals)

Small animals (cats, dogs and pocket pets; rats, guinea pigs and mice etc)

Reptiles (lizards, dragons, snakes, skinks etc)

Birds of all sorts from canaries to raptors to lorikeets and everything in between

Peter also works closely with some of our local wildlife parks and zoos and Kuranda Koala Gardens recently welcomed a baby and named him Barratt. 

Peter shares his home with his family, surrounded by wildlife and nature, his cows, horses, chooks and his rescue dog Lulu.

Shannon Diblasio

Head Nurse (Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing)

Shannon joined the MCVH team in 2012, during this time has completed the Veterinary Nursing Certificate IV and is currently studying a Diploma of Veterinary Nursing. Shannon is our superstar head nurse and has a high level of experience and knowledge with exotics, birds and reptiles having previously worked in the zoo industry.

Shannon has a strong passion for all the native wildlife Cairns has to offer and enjoys spending time exploring the great outdoors in her spare time.

Nowadays, Shannon has a menagerie of animals of her own including rescue dog Rufus (a foster fail), Fitzroy a British Shorthair cat (thinks is the rule of the house), Echo the Amazon Parrot (actual ruler of the house), Inca the galah (clown of the house and 10 chickens (fluffy butts that produce bum nuts).

Caroline Stillman

Veterinary Nurse (Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing)

Caroline grew up in England, and from a young age grew up in a house caring for all kinds of animals. Her love of horses began when starting out part time work at a stables, leading to a carrier working with competition horses particularly focusing on show jumping and dressage. She was fortunate to work with great instructors and veterinarians during this time.

Once settling to Australia with family, her love and passion for animals led Caroline to work for the RSPCA, during this time fostering many animals before joining the MCVH team in 2017.

Caroline has two horses Coco and Polly which she and her daughter compete with at local shows across Cairns and Tablelands.

 Her other animals include Coda Cat, a 11 year old rescued kitten adopted from the RSPCA; Zep, red and white Basenji, and Eastern bearded dragon.

When she finds time, she also enjoys swim/scuba diving, exercising trying to keep active and having fun with family and friends.

Hannah Hermon

Veterinary Nurse (Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing)

Hannah grew up in Ireland, she started her training and nursing career in 2011. In 2013, she graduated with a BSc. In Veterinary Nursing.

She embarked on an epic adventure shortly after graduating, working with volunteer projects to learn and help with wildlife conservation all over the world. During this trip, she visited Melbourne and discovered our wildlife rehabilitation care. She has worked on a veterinary project in Thailand working with rescued elephants that had been used for tourism. She then moved to the UK working in a 24/7 Emergency Hospital in Wales.

Hannah moved to Australia in January 2019. She fell in love with the landscape and the climate of Cairns. Her favourite place in Cairns is Fitzroy Island and enjoys exploring the reef with her family.

Hannah has over ten years’ experience in veterinary nursing and has been a part of the MCVH team since 2019, and loves teaching puppy classes, enjoying watching families and puppies grow together. The best part of being a Veterinary Nurse for Hannah, is seeing the animal in our care get better and is able to go home. It always a lovely reunion with the families and makes the job worth it.

Outside of the clinic Hannah loves to travel, and is kept busy with her gorgeous son Finley and her well behaved Jack Russel dogs; Murphy and Layla.

Kelsey O’Sughrue

Veterinary Nurse (Cert III Veterinary Nursing)

Kelsey grew up on acreage in rural Victoria, surrounded by dogs, cats, horses, goats, cows and rabbits! Being raised around such a variety of animals definitely inspired Kelsey’s passion for animals and from a young age, she knew she one day wanted to build a career working alongside them.

Kelsey first found her passion for Veterinary Nursing after completing a week of school based work experience at Marlin Coast Veterinary Hospital. Since then, Kely has made it her goal to become a qualified Veterinary Nurse. She first completed a Cert III in Veterinary Nursing in 2020, by volunteering through local vet clinics in Cairns and is now completing her Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing with MCVH.

Kelsey has two fur babies at home, Eli the Australian Mist and Ollie the Pomeranian Cross.

Tegan Ford

Reception Manager (Cert IV Companion Animal Studies)

Tegan is one of MCVH’s longest standing team members, greeting our clients at reception for over 12 years. Tegan is kept very busy overseeing our reception team and clinic daily schedule, managing our pharmacy and drug orders, and stock management for the clinic.

She has completed Certificate III & IV in Companion Animal Studies, and also a Level III Parelli Natural horsemanship and currently working on obtaining Level IV.

Tegan came to us after spending 17 years working in the retail pet industry and has extensive knowledge with tropical & marine fish, birds, dogs, cats and reptiles.



Outside of the clinic, Tegan is kept very busy with 3 Arabian horses, Ernie the basset hound and her chooks and ducks.

Stephenie McCosker

Receptionist

Steph grew up in Atherton and Tasmania, and has lived in the beautiful Tablelands area, Townsville and Cairns. You will be greeted with care and warmth by our receptionist Steph, who joined the MCVH Team in 2022. Steph brings to the team over twenty years reception and customer service experience from working in veterinary and GP clinics.

Steph enjoys being responsible for seeing animals cared for and returned to their owners, with a passion for helping people and their furry friends.

When not in the clinic Steph enjoys the relaxation Cairns has to offer, enjoying spending time with family and friends, dining out and travelling.