High Quality Vet Care
Our Vet Team Lambton Newcastle | Elder St Vets Elder Street
Vets
Dr Darren Gibbins
Head Veterinarian and Practice Owner
Darren has many years of veterinary experience, and still holds a passionate for quality care of his patients. Darren has 4 dogs and multiple horses (12 currently) that rely on him as their primary carer. Darren is regularly trying to increase these numbers!
Darren graduated from the University of Sydney in 1993 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. After working in mixed animal practice in Bega and small animal practice in Caringbah. Darren ventured to the shores of mother England, and worked in large animal practice in Southampton for 5 years. A little over the cold weather and grey skies Darren returned to the fairer weather and beaches of Australia.
Darren set up his own practice by the beach in Forster NSW, handling small and large animals. More recently Darren set up his own clinic in Cooks Hill tailored towards high quality pet care with exceptional quality of vet care. The next chapter in Darren's story is Elder Street Vets. Doing more to help the animals through quality health care in Newcastle.
Darren believes that animals deserve great veterinary care and nothing less. Pets love their owners unconditionally and that should be reciprocated. One of the ways that is done is through really good health care. He has a special interest in orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery. He is a busy man but with a multitude of farm animals, pets, a wife and son to tend to and in his rare moments of solitude loves tennis and tending to the farm on the banks of the Manning River.
Dr Sara Lah
Veterinarian
DR SARA Sara graduated from Charles Sturt Univeristy in 2020. She has since spent her time in mixed animal practice, emergency and critical care within the hunter region. She has a love for small animal medicine and forming a bond with all patients and their family. Sara spent most of her childhood growing up in remote areas of Australia, spending most of her time in Broome WA visiting cattle stations throughout the Kimberly with her dad buying and selling cattle. She spends her time now adventuring outdoors with her kelpie sidekick, Billy and husband Tom, going to the gym, reading, sewing and drinking copious amounts of tea.
Nurses
Gaby
Assistant Manager
​Gaby is on a mission to care for our furry friends. With a heart for senior pets, she rescued her first dog, Gypsy, sparking her journey to become a vet nurse. When not at the clinic, Gaby captures the essence of pets through her lens as a lifestyle pet photographer. Check out her pawsomework on Instagram @thepetprojectphotography
Chloe
Assistant Manager
Chloe started her Tafe journey in 2023 studying Animal Care and moved on to Nursing. Chloe’s love and passion starts from watching Animal Cops Detroit on Foxtel, Chloe loved the compassion and dedication the rangers gave to all suffering animals. Chloe had a variety of animals growing up from cats dogs birds and even snakes. When Chloe isn’t in the clinic you will find her traveling to support her partner with his racing and seeing family.
Emily
Head Nurse
Emily first began her nursing career as a student in 2016 with Cooks Hill Vet Clinic and after almost a decade of working between there and the Animal Referral and Emergency Centre (AREC) now comes to us as our Head Nurse. With an extensive background in emergency and critical care, she brings a wealth of knowledge, skill and calm leadership to our clinic. Emily is passionate about patient care, mentoring our nursing team and ensuring the highest standards across the board. Her personal interests are in surgery, diagnostic imaging and general anaesthetics, particularly for high risk and complicated patients. When not in the clinic Emily enjoys spending time at home enjoying the company of her 6 cats, 2 dogs and one very understanding husband.
Olivia
Nurse
Olivia has grown up with lots of pets and has had a passion for caring for animals since she was young. She currently has 3 crazy but super-loving staffies, as well as a 17-year-old cat called Bibi who she adores. She also loves travelling and going on little getaways with her friends and family
Tanith
Nurse
Tanith’s love for animals began at a young age while growing up on a 10-acre farm, surrounded by echidnas, wallabies and rescue dogs. In 2025, she began studying to become a vet nurse, following her passion for animal care. Outside the clinic, tanith enjoys adventuring with her border collie and spending time creating art.