STEPHEN VINCENT COLES

Notice Condolences

The NVC Community is saddened beyond words by the passing of our colleague and friend, Dr Stephen Coles. Stephen was there as a non-executive director at the formation of NVC and was instrumental in creating the ethos that guides our veterinary community to this day. His experience, guidance and generosity in training the next generation of veterinarians and vet nurses will be a legacy that will elevate the sector for decades to come.
With 40 years' veterinary experience, Stephen was highly respected as a General Practitioner and Specialist. He was a Senior Fellow of the University of Melbourne and a Scientific Associate of the Zoological Board of Victoria. For more than 20 years he served as honorary zoological dentist at Melbourne Zoo, seeing to the oral health of more than 3000 animals, from big cats to gorillas and hippopotamus.
We grieve his passing, but we celebrate the gift it was to have known him, to have learnt from him and to marvel at the positive difference he brought to countless lives.

Susan Forrester
Chair
National Veterinary Care

Alison and I have known Steve from university days.
He was a good friend and a learned colleague as we journeyed through our veterinary careers.
We had a lot of great times together. Steve got me a job as an after hours packer at the then Arnotts and Brockhoffs biscuit factory in Glen Waverley. We unfortunately ate a lot of biscuits in those days, but we had a great time. The RSPCA rescue service in Burwood then became our next job at night, picking up injured animals from all over Melbourne (as far afield as Frankston and Melton. )Of course, we would go to uni the next morning and promptly fall asleep during the lectures.
I had to once tow Steve's broken down Datsun 180B SSS for about 60 miles near the city of Adelaide (we were in Adelaide for a friend's birthday party). As luck would have it, the tow rope snapped as we pulled into our caravan park, where we were stating for a few nights.
Rest in peace Steve.
Condolences to the family.
Sincerely
Alison and Tony Caiafa

Robyn and I are greatly saddened by the passing of Steve as he has been a great friend and colleague for many years. His generosity and support both personally and professionally will be missed, leaving a gap that cannot be filled.
We offer our sincere sympathies to Aida and family at this time.