The Team

We believe your health care is a journey.
‘A journey best travels with a team of professionals with complementary backgrounds and skills working together toward common goals – to keep you and your family healthy.’

Dr Bernard Shiu, Director

General Practice

The following contracted doctors consult at Banksia Medical Centre

Dr Jothikumar Gounder

MBBS (India), MRCEM (UK), MRCGP (UK), FRACGP (Aus)

Dr Jothikumar Gounder

Dr Jo Gounder is a caring, empathetic and experienced doctor who worked for 20 years in the prestigious National Health Service (UK), before moving to Australia in 2021. He has experiences in all major areas of family medicine and enjoys seeing patients of all ages and backgrounds.

He has a friendly and supportive approach and is enthusiastic about working closely with his patients to improve health and wellbeing. He is very passionate about preventative medicine, encourages his patients to stay up to date with all the relevant screening programs, immunisations so they have access to the best treatment options.

He has many special interests, some including:

  • Mens Health
  • Sexual health – including PrEP to prevent HIV
  • Home visits
  • Mental Health including ADHD
  • Travel vaccines/medicine
  • Cardiology – including heart health checks
  • Weight management

Available in Torquay Monday-Friday.

Dr Deepa Chinnachamy

MBBS, MRCGP (UK), FRACGP

Dr Deepa Chinnachamy

Dr Deepa is a specialist GP who completed her GP training in the UK before moving to Australia in 2021.She has over 10 years of experience in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the UK before deciding to pursue a career in General Practice in 2014.

She enjoys treating patients of all ages and also enjoys the diversity General Practice provides.

Areas of special Interest are:


  • Antenatal Shared care with Geelong University Hospital

  • Contraception management

  • Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTOP)
  • Pap smears

  • Menopause management
  • Chronic disease management

Available at both Torquay Tuesday & Thursday and Newcomb Monday & Wednesday.

Dr  Victor Wong

MBBS(HK), DPD(Cardiff), FHKCFP, FRACGP

Dr  Victor Wong

Dr Victor Wong is a General Practitioner registered in both Australia and Hong Kong. He has practised in various hospitals and clinics for more than 15 years, and has mentored medical students and registrars.

Over the years, Dr Victor showed his care to the needy by providing healthcare service in a number of hostels and nursing home facilities. He also served as medical advisor for charity organization. Dr Victor believes in the importance of building up long-term relationships with patients as well as their families. He endeavours to provide continuing, holistic, patient-centred care.

Dr Victor enjoys badminton and piano. He looks forward to serving the Geelong community and making this beautiful place an ever-loving home.

Available in Newcomb Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday.

Dr Natasha Nogueira

MBBS, FRACGP

Dr Natasha Nogueira

Dr Natasha arrived in Australia in 2015. Upon completion of her training, she got her Fellowship of General Practitioner (FRACGP) in Australia.

Natasha provides consults in the comfort of your home, removing the inconvenience of getting to a medical centre and sitting in the waiting room.

Natasha sees all genders of all ages. She has a special interest in women’s health, men’s health, pediatrics and obstetrics. She also does procedures such as insertion of Intrauterine Device (IUD)  and providing Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTOP).

Natasha enjoys doing home visits and patients feel more relaxed and less stressed by staying home when they are unwell. Proving quality care is Natasha’s top priority.

Natasha’s compassion and extensive training will make you feel assured that you’re getting high-quality care. It was not surprising that she was nominated and made the finals for The Geelong Advertisers Best GP in Geelong in 2019.

Available in Torquay Tuesday-Friday

Dr Amanda Goulding

MBBS, BBiomedSc, FRACGP

Dr Amanda Goulding

Amanda is a well-traveled, empathetic doctor who is passionate about holistic medicine. She enjoys empowering people to understand their health and aim for long term better health outcomes.

Amanda’s particular areas of interest in general practice are sports medicine, women’s health and Sexual Health. We are pleased to see that Amanda has become an integral part of our team. Dr Amanda is available Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, please book online or via reception for an appointment.

Available at both Torquay and Newcomb Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday.

Dr Jenny Huang

MBChB, BMedSc(hon), FRACGP

Dr Jenny Huang

Dr Jenny Huang received her medical training in the UK and decided upon General Practice as a specialty after finding herself enjoying all the specialties she experienced during her training.

Jenny is passionate about knowing her patients, what is important to them, and helping to support them. For Jenny, this is about her patients physical health , as well as their mental and social wellbeing.

When Dr Jenny came to Geelong a year ago, she saw a way of life similar to where she grew up – New Zealand.

When away from work she loves swimming, kayaking, bodyboarding, painting, dancing and exploring nature.

  • Languages spoken: English & Mandarin
  • Availability: Monday to Friday

New patients welcome, to make a booking, please call or book online.

Available in both Torquay and Newcomb Monday-Thursday

Dr Chris Chau

MBBS, DFM(HK), MPH(Johns Hopkins), FFPH(UK), FHKAM, HKCFM, FRACGP

Dr Chris Chau

Dr. Chris Chau is a board certified practitioner in Family Medicine, in both Hong Kong and Australia. He has worked in acute hospitals for many years in adult, geriatric and emergency medicine. However, Dr. Chau has chosen to focus his work on preventive and family medicine related to adolescent, maternal & child, and elderly health.

He has obtained a postgraduate diploma in child and adolescent health as well as a diploma in family medicine.

Having obtained a Masters degree in public health in the US, and being a fellow of public health medicine in the UK, Dr. Chau is also experienced in communicable diseases and chronic disease management.

His publications covered topics including drugs, depression and hypertension. He is also a trainer in community medicine and an accredited provider of the Positive Parenting Program in teens.

Available in Newcomb Monday-Thursday and Torquay on Fridays

Dr Bernard Shiu

BSc, MD, FRACGP

Dr Bernard Shiu

Dr Bernard Shiu is the Clinical Director of Banksia Medical Centre. He was the winner of RACGP Victoria GP of the Year Award 2020. Dr Bernard served as the Deputy Chair of RACGP VIC Faculty between 2020-2022 and currently an examiner and supervisor for RACGP. He has been invited to be an expert member of various official DHHS and scientific organizations, including the National COVID19 Clinical Evidence Task Force.

His main clinical and research interests are Mental Health in Children as well as Men’s health with Chronic Disease. He has vast experience in teaching medical students and junior doctors.

Dr Bernard is a keen musician. He is a member of the Australian Doctor’s Orchestra as well as the Geelong Symphony Orchestra. He also enjoys an active lifestyle. You will find him on his bike around the Bellarine peninsula over the weekends.

Dr Bernard is available Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.  He is also available on the first Saturday morning of each month.

Available at both Torquay Monday & Wednesday and Newcomb Tuesday & Friday.

Dr Genevieve Hamilton

MBBS, FRACGP, BBiomedSci,
BSci (Hons)

Dr Genevieve Hamilton

Genevieve started out as a genetics research scientist, but quickly figured out that for her, it was more fun to work with humans than cells in laboratories! She went back to school to study Medicine and graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2011. She moved to Geelong for a temporary training
post in 2014….and never left.

She loves it down here, with her husband, rescue greyhound, and three movie theatres to choose from (well when they are open). She has since become a fellow of the Royal Australian College of the General Practitioners and absolutely loves the variety of patients and issues she sees in General Practice. From newborns to teenagers, and grown-ups to seniors… being a GP is her favourite job so far.

Available in Newcomb Monday – Thursday.

Medical Specialist

The following Medical Specialist consult at Banksia Medical Centre.

Dr Raghu Baburaj

MBBS MRCPsych (UK),
CCT (Intellectual disability), FRANZCP

Dr Raghu Baburaj

Dr Raghavendar (Raghu) Baburaj completed his primary medical education in India. He moved to the UK in 2002 and trained in Psychiatry. He qualified with MRCPsych and also completed a CCT (Certificate of Specialist training) in ID recognised by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK). He worked as an Inpatient Consultant and rehabilitation Consultant for people with ID in the UK from 2011-2019. He also managed epilepsy for people with ID in the UK as part of a joint working initiative with the Neurologist. He trained in diagnostic instruments such as ADI-R, Abbreviated DISCO and ADOS which are validated tools used in the diagnosis of ASD and used his experience to diagnose Adults with Autism and manage their co-morbidities as appropriate. He has a few publications on ID / Epilepsy. Following his move to Australia in 2019, he successfully completed his FRANZCP in 2021 and had a public appointment with Barwon Health. Baburaj started a public ASD clinic within Barwon health and engaged in complex Neurodevelopmental diagnosis for adult clients known to Community Mental Health Teams. This team was recognised by Barwon Health and won an award for innovative practice. He is currently working as a Psychiatrist with Grampians Mental Health and Well-being services.
 
Dr Baburaj accepts referrals for:
 
  • Mood disorders 
  • Psychosis 
  • OCD/ Anxiety disorders/ PTSD 
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD / ADHD 
  • Intellectual Disability (Challenging behaviours)
 
 
Please note: There are limited appointments available. Please send your referral to reception for triage. Our friendly receptionist will call you once the referral is accepted. 

Allied Health

The following allied health professionals consult at Banksia Medical Centre.

Oaklea Boss

Dietitian

Oaklea Boss

Wanting to become a dietitian since she was 15 years old, Oaklea is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with a passion for working with people to help meet their nutritional goals. She completed both her Bachelor of Human Nutrition and Master of Dietetic Practice at La Trobe University, finishing in 2021. She loves cooking, reading, bouldering and going to the beach. Oaklea believes enjoying food is a major part of a healthy life, everyone should be able to enjoy food and be healthy.

Oaklea can provide nutrition therapy for a range of areas, including chronic disease management and general healthy eating, but has particular interest in fertility and antenatal nutrition, allergies and the non-diet approach.

Available in Newcomb every second Thursday.

Zack May

Podiatrist

Zack May

Zack has been practicing in the greater Geelong area for over 5 years, after making the sea change from his hometown of Donald.

Zack enjoys all aspects of his job, with experience in general podiatry and sports podiatry. Another main area of interest is education and prevention of diabetes related foot complications, with his youngest brother a Type 1 diabetic.

Zack is available every 2nd Friday.

Available in Newcomb every second Friday.

Holly McVerry

Psychologist (MA Counselling Psych)

Holly McVerry

Holly provides a warm, welcoming space and meets every client’s concerns with compassion and respect. She offers a holistic mind/body approach that is client centered and considers important environmental and biological factors that may impact psychological well-being.

Her experience has spanned the private, not-for-profit and tertiary sectors with a particular focus on helping people (aged 16 and over) to address anxiety, depression, grief and loss, postnatal depression, trauma and abuse, and life direction and adjustment issues. She is passionate about the relationship between sleep, nutrition and mood- particularly in young people.

She uses techniques including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), schema therapy and relaxation and meditation techniques but always tailors her approach to the individual clients needs.

Holly has loved growing her private practice on the Surf Coast over the past 5 years and is now excited to be accepting new referrals for young people aged 16-25 years at Banksia Medicine from April 2023. Holly will continue to see adults over the age of 25 at her practice in Anglesea. For more info please see her webpage at www.surfcoastpsychology.com

Available in Torquay Tuesday and Thursday.

Our Nurses

Kerrie
(Team Leader)

Ange

Clare

Jo

Rachael

Banksia Medical Centre & researchers from Uni Melbourne invite you to participate in a post viral study.

If you’ve had cold or flu symptoms in the last 7 days and are interested in participating