Shine Awards: Equine vet and farmer Kath McIntosh nominated
From a dairy farmer’s daughter to a leading voice on all things equine, Kath McIntosh says she has her mentors to thank for her success.
Shine nominee Kath McIntosh knows just how important a mentor can be.
She’s been blessed by several in her life, not the least of which was her late grandfather Jack Adams, a beef farmer who had a huge influence on her.
“I grew up on a dairy farm in East Gippsland and we would take our cows up to Pop’s place, and he was always so encouraging,” Kath said.
“When I set my heart on going as a full fee-paying student at the University of Sydney to study veterinary science, he paid for my first two year’s tuition before he passed away.
“I think he’d be proud of his influence and support of me and how it has turned out.”
Other mentors have included legendary dairy veterinarian Jakob Malmo.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have good mentors all my career,” she said.
Once she established her own career in the industry, Kath took on the role of mentor, and became heavily involved in the Young Members Group of the Equine Veterinarians Association, as president from 2007-2009, where she pushed for a scholarship for young vets to attend conferences to increase their knowledge.
As a large animal vet, Kath found her niche in the equine world.
She established the Northern Rivers Equine Veterinary Clinic at Kyabram, which now has three full-time vets and a team of 10 staff. As an athlete herself, she loves to work with her equine counterparts to find ways to maximise recovery and performance.
Never one to say no to an opportunity, Kath and her husband Luke bought extra land two years ago to develop an agistment property for broodmares. Here, they manage Standardbred breeding, with seven stallions standing this season, three of which shuttle from North America.
And in recognition of her grandfather’s influence, she’s named the new stud breeding enterprise Llowalong Farms after one of the properties he owned.
A mother of two young girls and a long-distance runner, time management can be a juggle but her passion for veterinary work means they often tag along to help out.
“It’s been exciting to be able to develop what we have and it’s an enjoyable space to be in even when we are busy,” she said.
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