Dr Maxwell.

Dr John Maxwell and his wife Julie first settled in Katanning with their family and opened the original Katanning veterinary center over 45 years ago. A  lot has changed in that time however In 1975 they opened the present, purpose built 500 square meter facility, located on 10 acres of land some 3km north west from the center of Katanning.

 

Dr Maxwell opened Western Autstralia's first purpose-built rural veterinary hospital. Its opening was officiated by the then Agricultural Minister, Dick Old, in conjunction with Murdoch University's foundation Dean, Professor Robert Dunlop.This Regional Hospital operated in conjuction with branch practices in Kojonup and Wagin providing on-farm and hospital facilities for both large and small animals throughout these regions.

 

Dr Maxwell's objective was the provision of comprehensive veterinary services for all creatures, great and small which include the household dogs, cats and guinea pigs through to the primary producers beef cattle, sheep and pigs as well as equine facilities servicing thoroughbreds, standardbreds and pleasure horses.

 

This objective has effectively been met since the Katanning Regional Veterinary Hospital began operation on its present site, 30 years ago.This facility is most unusual in that it has complete hospital facilities for both small and large animals - more like two hospitals in one!!

 

During his time working and managing the centre Dr Maxwell has been continuously involved in post graduate education. He has shared this knowledge with others through publishing in the Australian veterinary literature - a listing of which can be found below.