Meet the Team at
Animal Industries Resource Centre

Mark Hardwick General Manager | CCG Consultant

Mark has spent the last 15 years in the veterinary industry as a trainer and consultant. A founding Director of AIRC/CCG, his passion is to work with practice owners to build business. Mark specialises in veterinary practice auditing and coaching, in particular, operational efficiencies, strategic planning and financial management. Mark's no-nonsense approach to creating practice profitability sees him in demand as a coach and mentor. Mark is also the General Manager of AIRC/CCG.

Sue Crampton Business Manager | Lead CCG Consultant

Sue is an acknowledged as an engaging and practical facilitator, trainer and consultant across Australasia in areas of Human resources, business development, change management, strategic visioning and planning, communication excellence, staff /team development and management and innovative learning and development initiatives.

Sue invests time working as the Business Manager for Provet/Crampton Consulting Group and Animal Industries Resource Centre and last year received the 2019 Inaugural VBG Business Professional of the Year award for her contribution to the veterinary profession over the last 2 decades.  Sue was the co-founder of the VNCA and works closely with the AVA and many of the SIG’s on many levels. Sue has worked in a variety of roles including animal welfare, general practice, emergency and university settings in the USA and Hong Kong.  She has formed international connections and networks across the world and frequently works in countries such as UAE, NZ, Malaysia, Singapore, HK.

Sue holds degree qualifications in Change Management, Human Resources, Marketing and Neuro Linguistic Programming along with a Diploma in Company Directorship and applies her knowledge and skills practically to a diverse range of clientele including universities, associations, pharmaceutical companies, veterinary practices of all disciplines and sizes. Sue was also honoured to receive the Inaugural AVA/VBG Veterinary Business Professional of the year Award for 2019.

Most importantly Sue stays connected with a practice in her home village in Qld where she maintains a governance position in a quality mixed practice which she has been associated with for over 20 years. Sue has a passion for facilitating people to be the best they can be and experiencing the value people of all walks of life offer to the veterinary profession across the globe.

Mik O’Leary Technical Online Development

Mik graduated from University of Queensland in 1980 and spent 25 years in small animal veterinary practice. Most of this was spent at a major small animal hospital in Hobart though he has practiced in most states of Australia as well as a year working in the UK. He has a keen interest in surgery and particularly enjoys the challenges of orthopaedics.

After many years in full-time practice and part-time mentor to veterinary nurses, Mik crossed over to work as a full-time veterinary nurse trainer and part-time veterinarian. Mik now designs and delivers all AIRC/CCG online programs including ProSkills, website management and educational webinars and videos. Mik loves to travel at any opportunity and is an avid photographer.

Tracy Woodland RTO Operations and Training Supervisor

Tracy has been working for the AIRC for over 10 years, having come from a strong training and education background in the UK. As the  RTO Operations and Training Supervisor, Tracy manages a team of administration coordinators, student support coordinators, external assessors and contractors to deliver exceptional veterinary nursing and management qualifications across Australasia. Tracy also oversees maintainence of the RTO’s compliance requirements to a high and practical level across the business and co-ordinates with internal and external stakeholders.

In her private life Tracy has a poodle x bichon Oscar who accompanies her to work on a Tuesday and Thursday and a British Shorthair called Poppy.

Esther Boon Student Support Team Leader

Esther joined the AIRC team in March 2012, after working as a Veterinary Nurse for 10 years. Esther spent 9 years working in Brisbane as a Veterinary Nurse, but started out her nursing career in a Bird and Cat Hospital in Oregon, USA. Esther is a past student of the AIRC, graduating with her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2007. Esther has since completed her Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Esther would love to see all Veterinary Nurses meeting their absolute full potential and aims to instil a passion for developing their nursing skills and upholding the highest of standards of care.

Esther is the resident 'bird lady' and owns two Alexandrine Parrots - Chai and Leo. She enjoys baking, motorsport, painting and dancing.

Jasmine Feeney Personal Training Consultant, ACT and Sth. NSW

Jasmine began working as a Junior Veterinary Nurse in a mixed practice on the mid north coast of NSW which resulted in a passion for veterinary nursing. In January 2000 she moved to Sydney to begin studying for her Certificate in veterinary nursing and worked in a cat only practice for 1 year. She then had the opportunity to join the referral medicine team at the Sydney University Teaching Hospital at the end of 2000, completing her Certificate IV in veterinary nursing in 2002 and an advanced certificate IV in critical care and emergency nursing in 2003. Jasmine was the head of nursing at Sydney University Teaching Hospital for 5 years and has recently moved to Canberra where she is the nursing manager in a small animal practice.

Jasmine is a personal training consultant for the Animal Industries Resource Centre for students in the ACT and Southern NSW areas. She obtained accreditation through the VNCA in January 2006, a Diploma in Critical Care and Emergency Nursing in 2007 and has a special interest in intensive care nursing and oncology.

Carole Harvey-Stevenson Technical Advisor and Special Projects

Carole has worked with the AIRC since 2001 as the resident technical advisor. Carole’s role involves developing on-line course materials, presenting workshops, webinars and in-practice training. Carole also lectures on a variety of in-depth topics throughout Australia and overseas. Carole has her UK nursing qualification as well as an Australian Diploma in Emergency and Critical Care. Her greatest achievement was obtaining the Veterinary Technician Specialist qualification in Emergency and Critical Care from the United States (the first person in Australia).

Carole still remains hands-on in the industry working at the Brisbane Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Centre. Any spare time is taken up by her two cats; Kitt-the-Kat and Filbert the Hoon!

Jo Hatcher Personal Training Consultant, SA & TAS

Jo is an Accredited Veterinary Nurse who works at the Gawler Animal Hospital in South Australia and as a trainer and assessor for Veterinary Nursing students with the Animal Industries Resource Centre. She enjoys both the challenges of working in practice, especially in emergency and medical nursing and is also very passionate about the training of Veterinary Nurses in the knowledge and skills required to ensure the highest levels of veterinary care is provided in practice. Jo has worked in a variety of small animal practices as a general practice nurse and as a practice manager. With a great passion for the profession and raising the status of veterinary Nurses in Australia, Jo is an active member of the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia (VNCA) and currently sits on the board as the Immediate Past president and CPD committee chair. Becoming a life member of the VNCA in 2016 was a great career highlight and she is keen to one day see registration of Veterinary Nurses Australia wide. 

Karen Holman Personal Training Consultant

Karen started at the AIRC in February 2013 and has 15 years experience as a Veterinary Nurse in general practice. She is a Certifcate IV Veterinary Nurse and has the Certifcate IV in Training and Assessment. Her main interests are small animal medicine and surgical nursing. Karen works casually on weekends in a busy clinic, to keep her nursing skills up to date.

In her spare time, Karen is currently renovating her house with her husband and keeping busy with her 3 year old son. She also enjoys movies, rock climbing, wine and traveling. 

Andrew Thompson Personal Training Consultant

Andrew joined the AIRC team in February 2015 after spending the 13 years prior as a Veterinary Nurse in a number of clinics in Brisbane. He has worked both in General Practice and an Emergency and Critical Care Hospital and Bird and Exotics Specialist with a stint in a Pet Crematorium as well. He spent a number of years on both the QLD and National VNCA committees with 2 years spent as VNCA QLD President. He holds a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, Diploma in Counselling and is currently completing a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Andrew shares his life with his partner, 2 cats Marshall and Sirius, Chihuahua Deja, Bearded Dragon Charlie and White Ringneck Dove Turtle. He has an interest in mental health and volunteers as a telephone counsellor outside of work hours and is currently exploring Yoga and Mindfulness.

Helen Power Senior Personal Training Consultant, NSW, NT & WA

Helen has been involved in veterinary nursing since 1982. Her qualification in 1984 has been continually upgraded to ensure currency. Helen is recognised as an accredited Veterinary Nurse. She has been continually employed in small animal practice and currently works in small animal practice with her on the mid north coast of NSW. Helen has worked for AIRC & Crampton Consulting Group since 2001. Her main roles are as a Workplace Trainer & Assessor with responsibility for approximately 150 veterinary Nurse students throughout Australia and presenter for CCG practice training. 

Helen is actively involved with industry groups being a current board member of the VNCA national committee, treasurer for VNCA NSW division, committee member of the National Industry Advisory Group for Veterinary Nursing and represents Veterinary nurses on the Agrifoods NSW Advisory Board. Her main interests are the VNCA national conference and promoting the value of qualified Veterinary Nurses. 

Her interests include red wine, good food and baking. She shares her lounge with a 36kg lap dog, Tank the gorgeous Boxer dog.  

Jane Roberts Student Support Coordinator

Jane has worked for the AIRC for 8 years as a work place trainer, assessor and student coordinator. Jane hopes to pass on her knowledge and experience to up and coming nurses whilst following another path in her veterinary nursing career. Jane qualified as a veterinary nurse in the UK and came to Australia in September 1999 to further her career. Since arriving in Australia she has completed her Diploma in Surgical Nursing and has extensive experience in Emergency and Critical Care nursing.

Jane also keeps her finger on the pulse and still has shifts in one of Brisbane's busy Emergency and Critical Care Clinics. Needless to say working in clinic Jane has acquired an extensive family as all veterinary nurses have a tendency to do! Pimple, Squamous and Mole are stray cat's rescued from work and she also has 4 crazy chickens. Jane likes to spend time with her husband and 2 gorgeous little boys enjoying the outdoors and experiencing all that life has to offer.

Jodie Stuart Student Support Team Leader

Jodie joined the AIRC team in 2011 as a regional training Coordinator but now works in the operational side of the school after 17 years' experience in the companion animal industry. She has a background in pet store management, animal adpotion programs and animal beahviour and enrichment. Jodie holds a Certificate IV in Companion Animal Serivces in which she achieved through the AIRC in 2010 and later went on to get her Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and certificate IV in frontline Management. Jodie's passion is with cats, pocket pets and wildlife.   

Jodie has 2 cats, Lexi and Mia. In her spare time, Jodie has a keen interest in wildlife, bushwalking, animal photography and is strongly involved in fostering animals, espeically cats, kittens, puppies and mum and bub fosters. She likes the challenge of rehabilitating foster animals with behavioural issues through positive reinforcement and enrichment strategies to improve their chances of successful adoption. 

Cherry Lui Personal Training Consultant, Hong Kong

Cherry has worked in the veterinary industry for over 10 years and has experience in many different roles including; veterinary nurse, hospital supervisor and practice manager. As a result of having worked in both small animal and exotics clinics throughout Hong Kong, Cherry developed an interest in exotics. Cherry joined the AIRC in 2012 and particularly enjoys being able to organise and attend the annual event for the graduating Hong Kong students. In addition to her role with AIRC, she still works in practice 1-2 days per week to keep her nursing skills current. 

Nichola Spooner Student Support - Assessment Coordinator

Nic graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (first class honours) from the University of Queensland in 2001. She completed a small animal rotating internship at Queensland Veterinary Specialists in 2004 and obtained her membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Small Animal Emergency Medicine and Critical Care in 2005. Nic is now a holistic vet who practices integrative medicine and is completing her Graduate Diplomas in Western Veterinary Herbal Medicine and Veterinary Acupuncture and has a special interest in holistic nutrition. Nic has mentored Veterinary Nurses for many years and now enjoys training and assessing and is passionate about veterinary education. She obtained her Certificate IV TAE in 2014 and finds continuous development course work very rewarding. Having grown up on a cattle property in Central Queensland, Nic now lives on the beautiful Capricorn Coast with her three children, kelpie, cat and two pampered sussex hens.