The Team

Dom was lured to Junction Street as a GP Registrar in 1995 to work with and learn from the founder, Dr Col Shepherd. He has enjoyed being part of the dramatic growth of the practice in his time here, while remaining dedicated to providing careful, patient centred care. He chose general practice as part of his broader ambition to help make the world a better place.

Day to day, building a better world for Dom starts with a happy, caring workplace, helping you make a difference to your health.

Alongside his general practice work Dom has been very involved in the national charity HeartKids, the peak body for people affected by childhood heart disease. He has played a role in the development of services to the local indigenous community, as well as projects in the the fields of youth health, and mental health. His concern for social justice has also led to involvement with a local high school, including participation in the school’s programme of immersion trips to Timor Leste.

Dom has shared in the teaching of many medical students and registrars in his time in Junction Street Family Practice. Working in a team, passing on the ‘Art of Medicine’ is an ongoing pleasure. Dom has keen interests in Paediatrics, Aged and Palliative care, Emotional well-being, and management of Complex Chronic Disease. Dom is enthusiastic to keep improving our service to you, our patients, and keen to offer the many benefits of a team approach to care.

As a great believer in a balanced life Dom dedicated a ‘day-off’ to his role as a parent and community member, spending many years involved in Little Athletics, Twilight Cricket {which he still plays}, and HeartKids. He likes camping, cycling and bush walking. Dom also loves to read and discuss philosophy, but not when he’s running late…

Dr. Dr. Hodgkins grew up in the local area and attended Junction Street Family Practice as a patient during his primary and high school years. He gained his medical degree at the University of Newcastle before moving to Sydney to work. He later earned his graduate diploma of paediatrics from the University of NSW while working at Sydney Children’s Hospital. He gained a lot of general practice experience both during and after gaining his fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in several city-based practices in Sydney as well as working in rural areas as far flung as Cunnamulla in Queensland before returning to his roots in Nowra in 2000.

Dr Hodgkins enjoys the challenges of general practice but also is an assistant in orthopaedic surgery. He is a visiting medical officer at the Nowra Private Hospital and has been the chair of the medical advisory council for several years. He is actively involved with our local medical school and is a clinical senior lecturer with the University of Wollongong. He also trains general practice registrars within the practice. He is actively involved in several research projects with a desire to further our scientific knowledge with research based in general practice.

When Adam is not working, he can occasionally be found indulging in some telemark skiing (although he sometimes mixes this with medicine as he runs the medical clinic at Charlotte Pass which he has been part of since 1994). He also dabbles in raising sheep having changed from small scale beef production. He is not concerned about having nothing to do at the present time.

Costa started his professional life as an international lawyer and Australian diplomat where he developed a passion for global health, social justice and the environment. With the dream of raising his family on the idyllic South Coast and making a more tangible difference, he went on to complete his postgraduate medical studies from Sydney University.

The diversity and dynamism of general practice lured him into this specialty of medicine. Costa is passionate about holistic, patient-centred care and believes it is the highest privilege to practice medicine in the community he loves.

Costa enjoys all aspects of general practice but retains an special interest in Preventive and Lifestyle Medicine, Mental Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Aged and Palliative Care as well as Adolescent and Paediatric Medicine.

Alongside his general practice work Costa maintains a number of clinical, academic and governance appointments. If he’s not available for an appointment, he might be wearing one of these other hats:

• Academic tutor with the University of Wollongong;
• Visiting medical officer in Palliative Care at David Berry Hospital;
• Clinical supervisor and community trainer of future GPs through GP Synergy;
• Board Member, Medical Board of Australia
• Director and Councillor for the Illawarra Shoalhaven, Australian Medical Association;
• Director, Rural Doctors Network;
• Director, Shoalcoast Community Legal Centre
• Captain and Medical Officer (Reservist), Australian Army
• Councillor, Illawarra Shoalhaven Clinical Council

In his downtime Costa enjoys keeping active in nature with his young family and consuming slow food (which he grows even more slowly!)

Costa is fluent in Greek.

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.

(On Maternity leave)

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 Simes is looking forward to his well earned retirement at the end of January 2024, although you may still see him helping us out in a locum capacity from time to time. If you are a regular patient of Dr Simes, please speak to our reception team about who you should see after he retires.

Dr Simes joined us at Junction Street in 2013 after 40 years in his own practice in Bridge Road. Dr Simes’ general practice experience is extensive and impressive. He is a true rural practitioner with many years of performing anaesthetics at both Nowra Private Hospital and the Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital. He continues in his role as the local medical referee and has extensive experience in general and forensic pathology through this role. Dr Simes is an expert on envenomation and is frequently called upon to provide advice to other professionals in his field.

Dr Simes is a clinical senior lecturer with the University of Wollongong and continues to train medical students and general practice registrars.

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.

Dr Purser (Mitchell), is welcoming new patients to the practice!

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.

Stay tuned for my full profile!

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.

Stay tuned for my full profile!

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.

Stay tuned for my full profile!

Stay tuned for my full profile!

Stay tuned for my full profile!

Stay tuned for my full profile!

Stay tuned for my full profile!