In February 1976, Graham Stabler and Bruce Howlett began Veterinary Practice from Graham’s house in Corney Street, North Mackay. We attended both small and large animals, and in the early days we were involved in the TB and Brucellosis eradication programs in cattle.

In order to reduce travelling time and service the rural industry more efficiently, we purchased a share in an aeroplane (a Piper Cherokee 180). We replaced the old aircraft with a Cessna 182 in 1978 and we found it to be a valuable asset to our practice.

In 1999, due to reduced usage, we sold the plane, however we still regularly charter aircraft to travel to our more remote clients. In mid 1977 we moved our surgery to Hodder Street in North Mackay and very soon found that we were so busy we needed the assistance of more vets. One of those early assistants was David Lemmon, who in 1982 became a partner in our Practice. David left the practice in September 2003.

Within two years the North Mackay surgery was no longer large enough to provide the service that we required and this led to the purchase of a house and stables at 31 Peak Downs Highway - the site of our present base clinic. The Ooralea location enabled us to establish vastly improved large and small animal surgical and hospital facilities. Today the Ooralea clinic is a fully equipped Veterinary Hospital with ultrasound machines, endoscopes, laboratory and monitoring equipment, and enough computers to run a small country.

During the 1980’s we also established a part-time clinic at Mirani (two hours three days a week) and a surgery at Bucasia. In February 1994 we commenced servicing the township of Glenden where we continue to hold monthly clinics. Ooralea Veterinary Supplies was established as a rural supply store in the 1980’s. This business has evolved into the Ooralea Pet Shop supplying products for pets, horses (pleasure and racing), cattle and goats.

Puppies, kittens, birds and fish are all sold by the Pet Shop. All are Vet checked. Pups are vaccinated, wormed, have flea treatments applied and given heartworm prevention. Kittens are wormed and flea treatment is applied. Vaccination is offered. All birds are quarantined before being offered for sale.

In 1998 we commenced Puppy Pre-school help educate families with the introduction of a new puppy to the family home. Today the Puppy Pre-school classes are run Monday nights by Mrs. Kerri Howlett at the North Mackay Clinic at Sam’s Road. These are great fun as well as being an excellent tool in the training of your new pup. Children are most welcome to the classes.

Our North Mackay Clinic moved to its current location on Sam’s road in early 2005. The clinic is purpose designed and has flourished in the new location. In July 2004 Bruce Howlett Jnr. nephew to Bruce Howlett Snr. commenced work as a Veterinary Surgeon. In January 2007 B2 officially became a partner in the business.

We have enjoyed our long and continued association with our local kennel clubs, cat clubs, pony clubs, equestrian groups, harness club, endurance and trail riders and we act in an official capacity for the Mackay Turf Club.