New Bendigo equine hospital opens
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
Bendigo's $52 million equine industry will be supported by a new purpose-built veterinary facility opened today by Victorian Minister for Racing Denis Napthine.
Dr Napthine congratulated leading equine veterinarian Dr John Brown for turning his vision for a Bendigo Equine Hospital into a reality which would benefit racing, equestrian and leisure horses.
"This $1 million centre has been designed from the ground up by Dr Brown and is fully equipped with state-of-the art technology including a high-tech surgical suite and examination facilities," Dr Napthine said.
Bendigo's multi-million dollar equine industry is renowned for equestrian and showhorse events and is also recognised as a leading provincial thoroughbred and harness racing centre.
Located across the road from the entrance to the Bendigo Jockey Club, this brand new facility will be an enormous benefit to the local racing industry which accommodates about 50 trainers and 200 horses.
Dr Brown's equine hospital will further enhance Bendigo's reputation as one of Australia's premier regional racing centres. This significant investment highlights one of the many ways the racing industry provides jobs and contributes to regional economies.
"Aside from being an exciting sport, racing is a significant business contributing more than $2 billion to the Victorian economy and supporting 70,000 jobs with more than half of these located in regional communities," Dr Napthine said.
Dr Brown has been a practicing veterinarian for over 30 years and is a self-professed racing enthusiast. His new hospital was constructed by local contractors and already employs six full-time staff and a part-time stablehand.
"I started the Bendigo Animal Hospital in 1977 as a small mixed animal and equine practice but as the business grew I realised that a larger dedicated facility for the treatment of horses was required. In 2010 I purchased the undeveloped site for the new hospital," Dr Brown said. "I designed the facility with ultra-modern equipment including an overhead crane for transferring horses, a hydraulic operating table, a lameness examination area, endoscopy, athroscopy, digital radiology, digital ultrasonography, electrocardiography and dental power float."
Dr Brown was also Bendigo Jockey Club's 37th President, serving for five years between 2002 and 2007 and was on the executive committee for 19 years. On Bendigo Cup Day 2010, Dr Brown was awarded life membership of the Bendigo Jockey Club in recognition of his long serving contribution to the club.
"As a former veterinarian myself, I have great admiration and respect for the achievements of Dr Brown and his staff in bringing this outstanding facility to the people of Bendigo," Dr Napthine said.
