Our Team

Clarissa started at Junction Street Family Practice in 2017. This was following work in hospitals within the Illawarra/Shoalhaven district.

Clarissa grew up in Clermont in Central Queensland. A small town with limited access to medical care, it was here that she saw how valuable General Practice is. Clarissa has since moved down the east coast, first to Brisbane to complete a science degree and then on to Wollongong for her medical degree. Completing her medical training locally, Clarissa is pleased she has been able to continue working in the area. In 2019, Clarissa obtained her Fellowship of General Practice.

Appreciating the ‘Family’ aspect of Junction Street, Clarissa particularly enjoys being able to look after everyone in the family from grandparents to the latest newborn addition. Currently completing a Certificate of Women’s Health, Clarissa is also interested in Family Planning (including contraception and sexual health), Preconception care and Fertility concerns. Clarissa also enjoys caring for antenatal patients in GP Shared Antenatal Care with the local antenatal clinic.

Clarissa consults at the practice from Monday to Thursday. When not at work, you might find Clarissa taking her dog, Digger, to the beach (or to the cafe depending on the day he has had).

Dr Stuart grew up in Sydney and earned her medical degree at the University of NSW. She worked in a variety of general practices and gained fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners before moving to Nowra and commencing work at the practice in 1998 Along side Dr Dom Frawley and Dr Col Shepherd. She has a strong interest in youth health and also dedicates some of her time to working at Crossroads Youth Health.

James is an experienced GP who moved from Sydney to the Shoalhaven in 2018. He has a special interest in children’s health, particularly behavioural issues, parenting and autism.

James is the Chair of the Child and Young Person Health Network, within the Royal Australian College of General Practice (RACGP).

Having a keen interest in GP education James has previously won the title of RACGP Supervisor of the Year.

James and his wife have three adult sons, and love living in this beautiful area.

Mitchell joined the Practice in 2020 after finishing his general practice training. Mitchell completed his university training at Western Sydney University before working at Liverpool hospital. He moved to the south coast as part of his GP training and has decided to stay.

Mitchell maintains a broad interest in all aspects of general practice. He is passionate about preventative health and chronic disease management. Mitchell provides care to a number of patients from aged care facilities.

In his spare time Mitchell enjoys surfing, cooking and playing guitar. You may also find him engaging in a range of local community groups.

Stay tuned for my full profile!

Dr Ben Pearce grew up locally in Nowra, and completed his medical training at University of Wollongong attaining a Doctor of Medicine qualification and a Bachelor’s degree in Medical and Health Sciences. He has previously worked within the health district at Shoalhaven and Wollongong Hospitals attaining experience in various aspects of medicine.

Ben is dedicated to holistic, patient centred care and has obtained Fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and will be working at the Practice long term.

When not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, surfing, bushwalking and exercising outdoors.

Dr McKinstry undertook her university and junior doctor training in Northern Ireland before moving to Australia in 2014. She has experience in a broad range of medicine from paediatrics through to geriatric medicine as well as extensive experience in surgery and emergency medicine.

Particular areas of interest include skin cancer management and excisions, and women’s health including offering mirena IUD insertions and implanons.

In her free time you might spot Dr McKinstry walking her dog or enjoying the beach. If you can’t find her she might be exploring this beautiful country in her camper van.

Dr Vicki Bonney joined Junction Street Family Practice in 2021 after 25 years of working in General Practice in Culburra Beach. She has an interest in Women’s health and pregnancy, but appreciates the opportunity to care for patients at every stage of life.

Dr Elise Parker was born and raised in Canberra. She completed both her Bachelor of Medical Science and post-graduate Doctor of Medicine and Surgery at the Australian National University. She relocated to Shoalhaven in 2021 with her family where she has completed her GP training and will be working at the Practice long term. Elise has always been drawn to rural healthcare, and this was solidified after spending time on rural placements as a medical student.

Dr Elise is passionate about preventative health and the continuity of patient care that General Practice offers. She has special interests in paediatrics, women’s health and skin cancer procedural work. She has completed the Sydney Child Health Program and the FPAA National Certificate in Reproductive and Sexual Health. She hopes to complete further training in skin cancer medicine over the next few years.

When not at work you can find Elise at the gym, enjoying outdoor adventures such as camping or fishing, or spending time with family and friends. Dr Elise is loving her sea change to the Shoalhaven and is looking forward to both caring for and being a part of this community for the years to come.

Dr Chelsea Ricketts grew up in Canada, having completed both a Bachelor and a Master of Science degree prior to moving to Australia to study medicine at the University of Wollongong. After working as a junior doctor at Toowoomba Hospital she found her passion in General Practice.

Dr Ricketts has a special interest in women’s and maternal health. She provides antenatal shared care with Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital and offers medical abortions (MS-2Step). She performs Implanon and hormonal IUD (Mirena/Kyleena) insertions. Even though Dr Ricketts does a lot of women’s health work, she enjoys all aspects of medicine and providing personalised care for her patients.

Outside of work, she is married with two young children and enjoys spending time exploring the Shoalhaven.

Stay tuned for my full profile!

Eleanor trained at the University of Sydney and worked as an emergency doctor in the city for a number of years before moving to the Country for a better life in GP practice. She has a love for general medicine but has also specialised in women’s health and loves to talk your ear off about all things hormones and menopause. Special services Eleanor offers are extended consults and thorough understanding of perimenopause, menopause, endometriosis, contraception and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Mirena insertion +/- sedation; vaginal pessary changes; vulval dermatology; vulval skin biopsies; medical termination of pregnancy; cervical screening +/- sedation.

Women’s health education is one of Eleanor’s passions, She has written and regularly presents a course on perimenopause and menopause that you can book on our website.

When she isn’t working she is off adventuring in her offroad campervan, recently doing the big lap of Australia, or in her vegetable garden with her 3 children.

Dr Nquyen’s full biography coming soon

Linda’s full biography coming soon

Zara’s full biography coming soon

Taylor has been working in the medical field since 2020, beginning her career as a receptionist for a chiropractic practice. From there progressing into an ophthalmic assistant role, where her hands-on clinical experience were developed. She is now currently training as a medical practice assistant, continuing to build my knowledge across both administrative and clinical settings. I grew up in the Shoalhaven, which has shaped my strong sense of community and commitment to providing compassionate, patient-focused care.

Gail commenced work at Junction Street Family Practice as a casual receptionist in 1997, when there were two doctors and three part time receptionists and has been an integral part of the growth of the practice over the past 23 years.

Over the last 10 years Gail completed a Certificate III in Professional Practice Management and then received a scholarship to complete her Diploma in Professional Practice Leadership, for which she won the Barbara Meredith Memorial Award in 2018. Gail also won the GP Synergy Practice Manager of the Year Award for South East NSW in 2017.

Gail loves being part of this dynamic and ever changing practice and enjoys working with our team to be always striving to provide the best possible care and experience for you and your family, at what can often be a very stressful time in life.

Tahleka’s full biography coming soon

Dr Lefebe-Bailey’s full biography coming soon

Dr Downton’s full biography coming soon

Doctor Schurink’s full biography coming soon

Kathryn’s full biography coming soon

Lorraine has been a registered nurse for over 30 years having trained at Wagga Base Hospital. She has been a practice nurse at Junction Street Family Practice since 2002. Prior to that she worked in operating theatres locally and in Sydney.

She has a special interest in aged care, dementia, grief and loss and palliative care. She is a facilitator of Shared Medical Appointments. Lorraine also teaches Aged Care Nursing at TAFE and finds the two roles greatly complement each other.

Stay tuned for my full profile!

Stay tuned for my full profile!

Janine has been working as a medical receptionist for over 20 years at the practice and felt like she needed a change. She had the opportunity to train and study to be a Medical Practice Assistant and found it rewarding and challenging. She loves being able to interact with the patients more and loves the different types of work. She has lived locally most of her life, is married and has two sons with successful careers.

Luke’s biography coming soon

• Louise Hamill
• Hope Ide
• Angus Mahon
• Karen Muller
• Zoe Schofield
• Elisha Turner
• Melanie Wolfenden
• Gabi Clarke
• Brittany Heron
• Courtney Smith