The Veterinary Kaleidoscope

This episode was recorded live at The Veterinary Kaleidoscope Summit 2026 in Tardanya (Adelaide) on March 14th 2026. In it Dr Suffien Suharju and Rhea Lincoln discuss epxeriences of racism and the subtle and not so subtle negative effects it is having on the veterinary profession.

In the second episode in our special series on GAC we talk to Tom, the parent of a trans girl and their families journey to help her thrive.

Content Warning. There is discussion of self harm and suicide in this episode. If this episode raises concerns or issues for you please contact support services below.

Episode Resources:

Transcend

Transcend.org.au

Transhub

Transhub.org.au

Royal Children’s Hospital Gender Service

https://www.rch.org.au/adolescent-medicine/gender-service/

Inner City Legal Centre FAQ on gender affirming care legal cases including Re:Jamie and Re:Kelvin

https://www.iclc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ICLC-Transgender-children-and-medical-treatment-the-law-210901.pdf

Illawarra Shoalhaven Gender Alliance Trans health resources page:

The Gender Centre:

https://gendercentre.org.au/

TVK support page:

https://www.tvk.org.au/support

Qlife

https://qlife.org.au/

Beyond Blue

https://www.beyondblue.org.au

LifeLine

https://www.lifeline.org.au

Ed is a young Transman. In this episode we talk to Ed and his mum Julia about his journey, accessing care, and what life is like for a young trans person who is just trying to live their best life.

Transcend

Transcend.org.au

Transhub

Transhub.org.au

Royal Children’s Hospital Gender Service

https://www.rch.org.au/adolescent-medicine/gender-service/

Inner City Legal Centre FAQ on gender affirming care legal cases including Re:Jamie and Re:Kelvin

https://www.iclc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ICLC-Transgender-children-and-medical-treatment-the-law-210901.pdf

Illawarra Shoalhaven Gender Alliance Trans health resources page:

The Gender Centre:

https://gendercentre.org.au/

TVK support page:

https://www.tvk.org.au/support

Qlife

https://qlife.org.au/

In this episode Kate and Cam speak to veterinary nurse, educator and counsellor Andrew Thompson about diversity in veterinary nursing, career pathways, mental wellbeing and positivity.

As always we have a transcript of the episode available at the link below.

The Veterinary Kaleidoscope Summit is on in Sydney from the 27th to the 28th of February as part of the Pride Amplified program. Many of our guests - including Andrew - will be presenting and part of the program. If you'd like to know more, or better yet, if you'd like to register to attend, you can do so via our website. We'd love to see you there!

Episode transcripts

Vet Kaleidoscope Linktree

Thank you very much to our sponsors Greencross and Covetrus for supporting the podcast

Sit back and enjoy a wonderful discussion on balance, philosophy, chaos, messiness, and how vets are ideally suited to saving the world with WSAVA President Siraya Chunekamrai. 

Episode transcripts

Vet Kaleidoscope Linktree

Cam and Kate talk to Channy about her identity as an Pansexual, intersex person. We talk bodily autonomy, being invisibly diverse and also travel!

Episode transcripts

Vet Kaleidoscope Linktree

In this episode we talk about what it is like being an Aboriginal Australian on "Australia Day".

We discuss with recent graduate Dhash Perera what it's like being a cis gay male Sri Lankan veterinarian in Far North Queensland. We talk about racism, micro aggressions, self care, the importance of having a safe space to rejuvenate, the AVA mental health wellness report and whether Dhash would take a magic pill to make his skin fairer.

Episode transcripts

Vet Kaleidoscope Linktree

Content warning: In this episode we speak about depression, self harm and suicide.  If that doesn't sound like a safe range of topics for you, you might consider skipping this episode.

In this episode Kate and Cam speak to vet, microbiological researcher, lecturer and soon-to-be B&B operator Professor Darren Trott, along with his wonderful partner Janelle.  We chat about birthdays, a changing world, careers in research, support of students, antimicrobial resistance, experiences for those with mental illnesses and those who support them, invisible illnesses, strengthening relationships through adversity and the mighty Bohemian (or Dalmatian) Rhapsody.

Here you can find the transcript for this episode and our Linktree link to other episodes and relevant images.

Thanks for listening!

Episode transcripts

Vet Kaleidoscope Linktree

Would you take a pill that would magically mean you were no longer deaf? Dr Alex Harrison's is a profoundly deaf veterinarian and his answer might surprise you.