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 Ashleigh Porep
Veterinarian & Practice Owner (BVSc)
Ashleigh graduated from JCU in 2011 and immediately headed to a mixed practice clinic in Bundaberg. During these first few ‘new grad’ years, Ashleigh was able to work with and learn from amazing, experienced vets and developed a deep commitment to veterinary best practice. In 2015 with her husband and partner, Ashleigh set off the UK to further her skills with international experience and, of course, to travel the world. She worked in many emergency and GP clinics across England and Scotland, while at the same time enjoying the opportunities to travel Europe. Returning home to North Queensland in 2017, Ashleigh joined the team at Marlin Coast Veterinary Hospital in 2018. The busy pace, the wonderful clients and the amazing Cairns area suited her perfectly and in 2021, Ashleigh and her husband, Steven purchased the clinic and are now working hard to ensure it continues to offer the gold standard services the clients are used to. Ashleigh is particularly interested in small animal internal medicine, and has a special interest in ophthalmological and reproduction cases. She is also very good at puppy vaccinations!
Together Ashleigh and Steven 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.
Dr Chantel Moon
Veterinarian (BVSc)
Chantel graduated with a BVSc from the University of Pretoria in 2013. She has worked in practices in South Africa and Mackay after immigrating to Australia in 2017.
Chantel moved to Cairns in 2020 and has worked in other local clinics, joining Marlin Coast Veterinary Hospital in 2023. She brings ten years of experience in general practice with a special interest in small animal medicine and ultrasound, and a passion to provide high quality patient healthcare and immunisation awareness.
In her spare time, Chantel and her husband are kept busy with their son and enjoy fishing, hiking and gaming.
Chantel has three dogs, Sarge, Millie and Chole and Gizmo the cat.
Dr Annemieke van der Goot (BVsc)
Photo coming soon!
Photo coming soon!
Dr Farand Thompson (BVsc)
Dr Astrid Vinall (BVsc)
Photo coming soon!
Molly Coe
Veterinary Nurse (Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing)
Molly’s journey in veterinary nursing started in 2012, joining the MCVH team as a school-based apprentice, moving on to then complete a traineeship, completing the Veterinary Nursing Certificate IV in 2018.
Growing up, Molly cared for her own little zoo at home. She fell in love with having the responsibility to look after something so vulnerable and dependant, understanding their nature.
Nowadays, Molly has a cheeky golden retriever named Flip and a colourful eclectus parrot Mango.
Molly enjoys all aspects of vet nursing but has a passion for critical nursing and exotic anaesthesia, and loves the fact that each day is fast paced, interesting and diverse.
Melanie Boyle
Veterinary Nurse (Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing)
Mel is a Cairns local and began her vet nursing career in 2001. Since attaining her Cert IV vet nursing qualification, Mel has completed post graduate courses in advanced anaesthesia and analgesia, surgical nursing and emergency and critical care - all aspects of particular interest to Mel within general practice.
Mel joined the team in 2022 and enjoys the fast pace and varied and interesting cases that come through the door each day and loves being a part of the amazing and dedicated team of vets, nurses and support staff of the clinic.
Over the years Mel has shared her home with many beloved pets and currently has a geriatric great dane/bullmastiff 'Marli,' 9 Guinea pigs and some tropical fish. Outside of work Mel enjoys getting out and about in the great outdoors with her daughter, camping, 4WDriving, fishing, hiking and horse riding.
Maddison House
Veterinary Nurse (Cert II Animal Studies)
Born and bred in FNQ, Maddi is a Cairns local, who grew up on exotic fruit and cattle farms around the Daintree and Tablelands area. Growing up around a large variety of animals, Maddi knew she wanted to work with animals. She has a passion for all things Native Wildlife (especially if it has scales!)
Maddi joined the MCVH team as a receptionist in 2022, and is currently studying her Cert V in Veterinary Nursing, joining the nursing team as a trainee. She has completed the Cert II in Animal Studies and Cert III in Captive Animals, also previously working at the local Zoos. Maddi enjoys the fast paced clinic and how everyday is different, learning skills from an amazing team of people.
Maddi is owned by Ruckas her 7 year old Staghound X who in her words “Runs the show”. When not at the clinic, you will find Maddi somewhere across FNQ either fishing, camping or 4wddriving.
Jenna Marangone
Practice Manager (BCom)
Jenna joined the MCVH team in 2021, with over twenty years experience in commercial and finance roles, bringing a wealth of business management skills.
Jenna is passionate about empowering the team to continue to grow and provide each pet and their owners the highest standards of care possible.
When not at work, Jenna is kept busy with her children and German short haired pointers Merlo and Dolly, enjoying the beautiful surrounds of FNQ.
