Our Veterinarians

Practice owner Dr Julian Nalliah graduated from the University of Queensland and has over 20 years’ experience in small animal medicine and surgery. He brings a broad and considered skill set to Daisy Hill Vet, with a strong focus on providing high quality, thoughtful care for every patient.

Julian is proud to lead Daisy Hill Vet as a family owned practice, allowing him to build genuine long term relationships with clients and their pets. His surgical interests include orthopaedics, particularly cruciate ligament disease, as well as advanced soft tissue procedures.

He has undertaken further education in veterinary behaviour and enjoys helping pets and their families work through behavioural challenges to improve quality of life. Julian approaches every case with the same care and attention he would expect for his own pet, a Border Collie named Millie.

Originally from Brisbane, Julian values the close knit Daisy Hill community where he lives with his family and enjoys being actively involved in local events and initiatives. Outside the clinic, he spends his time with his wife Chloe and their two children, mountain biking at Daisy Hill Forest, watching basketball and spending time at the beach.

Dr Erin has a strong interest in internal medicine and enjoys working through complex or ongoing health concerns, taking the time to carefully investigate each case and support pets over the long term.

She graduated with honours from the University of Queensland in 2007 and has worked as a small animal veterinarian in Brisbane ever since. Originally from Adelaide, Erin moved to Brisbane during high school and has built her career locally, including early experience in a pet shop and a suburban veterinary clinic. This has shaped her practical and thoughtful approach to both medicine and client care.

Outside of work, Erin keeps busy with her husband and their two young sons and enjoys travelling and house renovating. She shares her home with birds, dogs and cats and admits she cannot choose a favourite. One of her most memorable moments as a vet was caring for Lulu the koala, who was brought into the clinic by a wildlife carer for treatment.

Dr Kath brings over 25 years of experience to Daisy Hill, after working in numerous other practices over the years, including her own!

This wealth of experience is already proving to be of great value in our clinic. Dr Kath particularly enjoys seeing her patients successfully through surgical procedures and is also highly practiced in dealing with tick paralysis. She’s also currently treating her own dog who is undergoing a course of chemotherapy, and we’re pleased to report this is going very well.

Despite owning both dogs and cats, Dr Kath admits she is secretly really a cat person – just don’t tell the dogs! In fact, she’s a bit of a cat-whisperer with an uncanny knack for making cats feel calm. It’s a great trait to have when cats come in feeling a little bit nervous.

When not at work, you’ll find Dr Kath cooking up a feast in the kitchen or walking her dogs in the bush. You’re more likely to find her reading a cookbook than a novel or perhaps browsing travel sites for her next adventure. In fact, she was recently enjoying a jaunt through Europe. We’re not jealous at all!

With experience in both general and specialist practice, Dr Irving brings a broad skill set and thoughtful approach to his work as a veterinarian.

Born in Canberra, Irving spent part of his childhood in Singapore before returning to Australia for his tertiary education. He initially completed a Bachelor of Commerce but soon realised his interests lay in animal care. He went on to study veterinary science at the University of Queensland, graduating with honours in 2014.

After graduation, Irving completed an Internship in Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care at the Animal Emergency Service before moving into private practice. He later undertook additional training at the University of Queensland in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, managing anaesthesia for both small and large animals, including complex and high-risk cases. In 2021 he achieved Membership by examination in this field through the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists.

Irving enjoys all aspects of general practice but has a particular interest in dermatology and pain management. He values the opportunity to work closely with pet owners to improve the comfort and wellbeing of their animals. Known for his gentle handling and calm manner, he takes pride in building strong relationships with both pets and their families. Irving can also converse in Mandarin and enjoys assisting Chinese-speaking clients.

Outside of work, Irving enjoys eating out with friends, playing board and video games, and listening to a wide range of music. At home he and his partner share their lives with a Chihuahua named Aiko and three cats, Momo, Yuna and Saffy.

Dr James brings a wide range of skills to our practice, and not just veterinary ones! Initially starting his working life as a chef, Dr James then moved on to graphic design, before deciding to retrain as a veterinarian at the University of Queensland.

It might seem like a big leap from chef to veterinarian, but for Dr James it was all down to a growing interest in the science behind both cooking and gardening that led to him to pursue a career with a focus on science and medicine.

Now firmly part of the team, Dr James enjoys both the theoretical and practical nature of his work, and the chance to interact with a wide range of patients during the day.

Dr James has a particular interest in ultrasound as a non-invasive, quick, and painless way to take a look inside his patients before making a diagnosis. He is also often spotted at courses and seminars as he keeps up to date with all the latest initiatives in veterinary science, and has his eye on some further surgical training in the future.

In the clinic, Dr James has a soft spot for golden retrievers, but at home he spends his time tending the family’s pet chickens and fish.  Medicine runs in the family for Dr James. While he is treating our beloved patients of the animal variety, his wife is treating humans as an emergency department doctor.

Dr James has slotted right into the close-knit team here at our practice, supported by our highly skilled nurses and his fellow veterinarians. We’re enjoying having Dr James around too – his chef skills are much appreciated when someone is having a birthday. His carrot cake is exceptional!

Dr Katie Cook is a exceptional small animal veterinarian with particular interests in internal medicine, oncology and pathology. She enjoys the problem-solving nature of veterinary medicine and and her friendly and approachable manner has made her extremely popular amongst her clients and colleagues. Katie has undertaken additional study in pathology, gastrointestinal disease and dermatology.

Katie’s interest in veterinary science began during her childhood growing up on a sheep property in the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. Later, when her family moved to Alstonville and established an avocado farm, they also kept a small hobby farm with pigs, chickens and other animals. One of her most memorable experiences was nursing her young Labrador after a forelimb injury left him paralysed. Learning to help with bandage changes during this time sparked her determination to pursue a career caring for animals.

Alongside her work at Daisy Hill Vet, Katie is also a busy mother of four young children. She prides herself on being organised, efficient and calm under pressure, qualities that serve her well when managing complex cases in practice.

Katie and her husband, who is also a veterinarian, spent time working in the United Kingdom where she developed a love of Spanish culture and cuisine. Outside the clinic she enjoys staying active through cycling and bushwalking.

At home Katie shares her life with a much-loved group of pets including Badger the wire-haired Dachshund, Banjo the excitable Golden Retriever, and Pekoe, a snuggly Burmese cat named after her favourite style of chai tea.

Dr Catherine Fitzgerald has been a long-term locum with Daisy Hill Vet and is very much part of our team. She is someone we trust completely, and our nurses and vets work seamlessly alongside her. In fact, we often plan our holidays around Catherine’s availability, which speaks to how highly she is valued within the clinic.

Catherine and Dr Julian studied veterinary science together at The University of Queensland, forming a professional relationship built on mutual respect and shared standards of care. With over 20 years of experience in small animal practice, she brings depth, perspective and steady clinical judgement to every case.

She has a particular interest in dermatology and enjoys working through complex medical presentations. Catherine is known for her thorough and methodical approach, taking the time to look beyond the surface of a problem. She values careful investigation and clear communication, ensuring families feel informed and supported throughout their pet’s care.

Alongside her clinical work, Catherine tutors’ veterinary students at The University of Queensland, guiding them through the practical components of their training. Teaching reflects her commitment to maintaining high standards within the profession.

Outside of work, Catherine and her husband share their home with Benny a much- loved rescued Burmese. They enjoy bike riding, travelling and hiking whenever they can.