As we wrap up another big year across our rural and regional slice of the country, I want to begin by saying how incredibly proud I am of this community. Living outside the metro centres comes with real challenges for animal owners — especially when it comes to accessing veterinary services — but what we have here at RCVC is something pretty special: genuine connection, community spirit, determined volunteers, and neighbours who step up for one another.

This year, that spirit shone brighter than ever. Our focus for 2025 has been simple but powerful:

RCVC isn’t a typical vet clinic. Our role is prevention-focused, community-driven care — keeping animals healthy, reducing suffering, managing population issues, and supporting people who face extenuating barriers to treatment. This is a very difficult tension in a cost of living crisis. Rural and regional communities often have fewer services, longer drives, higher costs and limited access to specialised care. So, we’ve made it our mission to take veterinary care to the people.

Looking to 2026: Big Hopes for a Big Region

We head into the new year with ambitious plans and a deep commitment to the communities we serve. In 2026, we aim to:

• Expand outreach to even more remote pockets of the region.
• Build and nurture partnerships with local councils, farmers, rescue groups, and animal welfare organisations.
• Continue strengthening our preventative care programs so animals stay healthier year-round reducing their need for expensive veterinary intervention.
• Increase desexing capacity to reduce suffering and overpopulation.
• Provide more education and support to pet owners across rural and regional Victoria.

I want to extend a genuine thank you to everyone who supported RCVC in 2025 — whether you brought your pet in, donated, volunteered, hosted us in your community hall, or simply offered kindness on a long outreach day.

From our team to your family — two-legged, four-legged, feathered, or hoofed — we wish you a safe, peaceful, and joyful holiday season.

May the rain fall when we need it, may the paddocks stay green longer, and may 2026 bring good health and brighter days for every household across our region.

With heartfelt thanks,

Dr Yvette Berkeley
Co-Founder and Chair
Regional Community Vet Clinic

In May after 4 years of relentless work, RCVC officially opened the doors of its purpose-built clinic in Castlemaine — a huge milestone for our region and a foundation for the preventative and outreach work that followed. Without the support of our grantors, donors, friends, and community this would not have been possible.

In September, an organisation who firmly believes in the mission of RCVC committed to funding a paid veterinarian position for one day per week for one year. The organisation wishes to remain anonymous, and we take this opportunity to publicly acknowledge this generous support.

From farming districts to small towns with no permanent vet, RCVC’s loyal volunteers continue to deliver cat desexing clinics in community halls and centres across the region.

These clinics are a cornerstone of our preventative work — reducing unwanted litters and improving long-term animal welfare.

This year, RCVC provided mentoring opportunities for veterinary students both in clinic and during desexing days – an important adjunct to their formal training and a contribution to the future rural veterinary workforce.

Our outreach program continues to assist vulnerable members of the community; volunteers have this past year continued to offer friendship and support enabling the continuance of the human animal bond.  Many of our outreach clients lack local family or friendship support, so the RCVC volunteers provide a vital lifeline to these residents and their pets, keeping their connection not only to each other but also to the community.

Regrettably the circle of life does continue, and we all need to step off at some point, to that end we have had to say goodbye to several beloved pets and their people in our program this year and we remember you all with fondness.

Support for People Experiencing Disadvantage

With the permanent clinic now open we have been able to expand our low-cost services for animals who might otherwise have gone untreated. This is core to our mission. For cases outside of our delivery capabilities, we have been able to assist with financial support and referrals to full-service clinics.

Food Pantry

With the opening of the clinic, the RCVC Pet Food Panty now also has a permanent home. Every Friday, RCVC opens its pet food pantry for people needing support.
Since May, we have distributed 15400 meals for dogs and cats — ensuring no animal goes hungry due to financial hardship.

Rural and regional communities run on community spirit, and our volunteers are the backbone of everything we do. They drive long distances, make appointments, maintain the clinic and garden, organise and run outreach services, assist in the food pantry, support pop-up clinics, and help care for nervous pets — and sometimes even more nervous owners.

They contributed an incredible 3622 hours in 2025, often juggling work, families, and other commitments to make it all happen.

A huge thank you to dedicated locals and so many others who pour their passion into RCVC. Your generosity is what keeps our doors open and our services running.

Community vet services are tough to sustain in regional areas — demand is high, distances are long, and resources are always stretched. But with your support, we can continue reaching the people and animals who rely on us.

RCVC is a registered charity, with DGR status, meaning every donation over $2 is tax deductable.

Here’s how you can help:

• Financial donations – Every contribution helps fund our clinic and outreach work. Regional Community Vet Clinic BSB: 633-000 Acc: 192414894
• Donation boxes – Found at local businesses including Guilford General Store, Castlemaine Vet Clinic, Cabosse and Feve, Midland Pet Supplies, Maldon Takeaway, Bubble and Squeek, Crameri’s Mitre 10 Maryborough, The Daily Express Café and Mutz Kutz.
• Victorian Container  Deposit Scheme – Quote C2000019668 when returning eligible bottles.
• My Cause – https://donate.mycause.com.au/charity/52305
• Volunteer locally or on the road – A few hours makes a huge difference.
• Share the word – Tell your friends, family, and neighbours about RCVC’s services.
• Bequests – Nominate RCVC in your Will.

Together, we can continue to strengthen the safety net for animals across our region.