The Paediatricians

behavioural paediatrician

Welcome to the West Gippsland Paediatric Group. The paediatricians have been helping the children of Gippsland for over 25 years.

We welcome referrals for patients from 0 to 17 years for all general paediatric matters. If you have general questions about how the process works, our FAQ section may answer them.

The practitioners offer an extensive range of services to support your child.

Dr Christopher SmithIn 1989 as an intern, Chris joined the rural doctors’ training program in Toowoomba after completing his medical degree at the University Of Queensland.

A paediatric rotation led to a change in direction with Chris returning to the Mater Children’s And Mother’s Hospital in Brisbane to train as a paediatrician.

In 1998 he relocated to Melbourne as Chief Resident at Monash Children’s Hospital to complete his subspecialist training in paediatric Endocrinology.

Life as a rural doctor still beckoned and he came to Warragul with his family to work for a year and stayed for 20!

In 2009 Chris completed the exams for paediatricians with a special interest in allergy through clinics at The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

His practice focuses on infant and paediatric general medicine, endocrinology and childhood allergy and offers a range of both subcutaneous and sublingual desensitization for the common allergies.

He is also credentialed to prescribe Isotretinoin (Roaccutane) for cases of severe acne.

paediatrician for children Sari HayllarDr. Sari Hayllar is the clinical lead in the hospital for West Gippsland healthcare group. Sari completed her medical degree at Monash University. She spent six months of her internship working in Gippsland, exploring the region on weekends, before deciding to pursue training in paediatrics.

Sari completed her fellowship at the Royal Children’s Hospital and The Mercy Hospital for Women, particularly having a special interest in adolescent medicine, developmental paediatrics and research within the neurology department.

Sari began working at the West Gippsland Paediatric Group in 2001, when she returned to Gippsland to raise her young family (and some farmyard friends) with a desire to contribute to providing for the health needs of the region’s children.

Dr Brendan LaceyDr. Brendan Lacey is a general paediatrician. Dr. Brendan Lacey also works in paediatric medicine in Melbourne. After completing his graduate medical degree at Deakin University, Brendan trained in general paediatrics at The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

He received his Fellowship through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and has also gained broad experience working in many paediatric units across Melbourne including emergency, neonatal and developmental paediatrics.

Brendan also has a number of research publications and has contributed to several clinical practice guidelines currently published by the Royal Children’s Hospital.

His interests lie in a wide variety of General Paediatric issues, including neonatal and infant health, asthma and eczema, constipation, ADHD and autism spectrum disorders, adolescent medicine, and immigrant/refugee health.

Outside of medicine Brendan also holds bachelor’s degrees in engineering and science and worked in these fields around the world.

In his spare time, he enjoys running, spending time with his young family and is an avid reader of anything and everything.

james carter paediatrician warragul drouin

Dr. James Carter works in developmental paediatrics in Melbourne. James is a general paediatrician with a special interest in developmental and behavioural paediatrics.

He serves on the leadership committee of the Neurodevelopmental and Behavioural Paediatric Society of Australasia. A key principle of his paediatric practice is to ensure that the child, and those who care for the child, remember to focus on the child’s strengths. He is yet to meet a child who does not have many.

James completed his medical studies through the University of Melbourne and his paediatric training through the Royal Children’s Hospital and Monash Children’s Hospital.

He holds a PhD in cognitive neuroscience and has served as a post-doctoral fellow at Duke University Medical Centre. He enjoys playing cricket and basketball, loves to kayak wherever he can and his vice, most definitely, is horse racing.

Dr Christian CatalanoDr. Christian Catalano also works as a consultant in the emergency department at the Northern hospital and works in his private practice at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

Christian is a general paediatrician with experience in caring for children with a range of both acute and chronic medical conditions, from birth to adolescence.

He has a particular interest in developmental and behavioural paediatrics, as well as common childhood problems such as asthma, constipation, poor growth, unsettled infants and issues with sleep.

Christian completed his graduate degree at Monash Medical School in Gippsland, and is passionate about the delivery of paediatric care in remote and disadvantaged settings.

He trained to become a paediatric physician through the Royal Children’s hospital and remains involved in the medical education and mentorship of junior doctors.

Prior to studying medicine, Christian worked for several years as a newspaper journalist in Melbourne.

He believes strongly in the importance of effective communication between healthcare practitioners and patients, and in partnering with families to find the best solution for their child’s needs.

Tim sees children of all ages with a wide range of health concerns, having particular interests in newborn and infant health, growth and development, acute paediatrics, respiratory health, and behavioural concerns including ADHD and Autism.

Dr. Timothy Walsh also has established his practice in Leongatha.

He completed his medical degree at Monash Medical School in Gippsland, and it was during his time in East Gippsland that he realised his passion for improving the health outcomes for children and their families in regional and rural areas. He completed his Fellowship in Paediatrics through the conjoint Monash Children’s Hospital/Royal Children’s Hospital program, and in Gippsland as part of the Integrated Rural Training Program.

Tim has a keen interest in training the next generation of medical students and junior doctors, and is a lecturer at Monash University School of Rural Health. He is currently undertaking a Graduate Certificate in Health Professions Education.

When not working, Tim loves to spend time with his three children, and his wife. He likes to cook, read, and bird watch, and loves his footy and cricket- but is self-admittedly not very good at either!

Tim will be consulting at Leongatha on a fortnightly basis.

Dr Charanjit Kaur

BBS, DCH, DNB, FRACP

General Paediatrician

Dr Charanjit Kaur is a General Paediatrician providing care for children from birth through to their adolescent years. Dr. Charanjit Kaur also has established her practice in Pakenham.

She completed her medical degree and Paediatrics training in India, following which she pursued subspeciality training in Neonatal Paediatrics in London, UK and at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne.

Her special interest being Neonatal Paediatrics, she is well versed in the care of newborn babies and common problems of infancy as well as looking after premature babies with complex medical issues following their discharge from newborn intensive care units.

Since making Australia her home, Charanjit has gained further broad and extensive experience in General, Developmental and Emergency Paediatrics.

She has held training positions at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Monash Health and Eastern Health in Melbourne and in regional West Gippsland following which she attained her Fellowship to the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Her interests include management of babies born prematurely, common acute and chronic problems of infancy and early childhood such as feeding difficulties, growth concerns, asthma, eczema, common allergies and dietary intolerances, toileting issues, constipation, sleep difficulties amongst other medical issues.

She also has experience in diagnosing and managing common developmental or behavioral problems in children including Autism and ADHD.

Dr Christopher Smith

In 1989 as an intern, Chris joined the rural doctors’ training program in Toowoomba after completing his medical degree at the University Of Queensland.

A paediatric rotation led to a change in direction with Chris returning to the Mater Children’s And Mother’s Hospital in Brisbane to train as a paediatrician.

In 1998 he relocated to Melbourne as Chief Resident at Monash Children’s Hospital to complete his subspecialist training in paediatric Endocrinology.

Life as a rural doctor still beckoned and he came to Warragul with his family to work for a year and stayed for 20!

In 2009 Chris completed the exams for paediatricians with a special interest in allergy through clinics at The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

His practice focuses on infant and paediatric general medicine, endocrinology and childhood allergy and offers a range of both subcutaneous and sublingual desensitization for the common allergies.

He is also credentialed to prescribe Isotretinoin (Roaccutane) for cases of severe acne.

paediatrician for children Sari Hayllar

Sari completed her medical degree at Monash University. She spent six months of her internship working in Gippsland, exploring the region on weekends, before deciding to pursue training in paediatrics.

Sari completed her fellowship at the Royal Children’s Hospital and The Mercy Hospital for Women, particularly having a special interest in adolescent medicine, developmental paediatrics and research within the neurology department.

Sari began working at the West Gippsland Paediatric Group in 2001, when she returned to Gippsland to raise her young family (and some farmyard friends) with a desire to contribute to providing for the health needs of the region’s children.

Dr Brendan Lacey

Dr. Brendan Lacey is a general paediatrician. After completing his graduate medical degree at Deakin University, Brendan trained in general paediatrics at The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

He received his Fellowship through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and has also gained broad experience working in many paediatric units across Melbourne including emergency, neonatal and developmental paediatrics.

Brendan also has a number of research publications and has contributed to several clinical practice guidelines currently published by the Royal Children’s Hospital.

His interests lie in a wide variety of General Paediatric issues, including neonatal and infant health, asthma and eczema, constipation, ADHD and autism spectrum disorders, adolescent medicine, and immigrant/refugee health.

Outside of medicine Brendan also holds bachelor’s degrees in engineering and science and worked in these fields around the world.

In his spare time, he enjoys running, spending time with his young family and is an avid reader of anything and everything.

james carter paediatrician warragul drouin

James is a general paediatrician with a special interest in developmental and behavioural paediatrics. He serves on the leadership committee of the Neurodevelopmental and Behavioural Paediatric Society of Australasia. A key principle of his paediatric practice is to ensure that the child, and those who care for the child, remember to focus on the child’s strengths. He is yet to meet a child who does not have many.

James completed his medical studies through the University of Melbourne and his paediatric training through the Royal Children’s Hospital and Monash Children’s Hospital.

He holds a PhD in cognitive neuroscience and has served as a post-doctoral fellow at Duke University Medical Centre. He enjoys playing cricket and basketball, loves to kayak wherever he can and his vice, most definitely, is horse racing.

Dr Christian Catalano

Christian is a general paediatrician with experience in caring for children with a range of both acute and chronic medical conditions, from birth to adolescence.

He has a particular interest in developmental and behavioural paediatrics, as well as common childhood problems such as asthma, constipation, poor growth, unsettled infants and issues with sleep.

Christian completed his graduate degree at Monash Medical School in Gippsland, and is passionate about the delivery of paediatric care in remote and disadvantaged settings.

He trained to become a paediatric physician through the Royal Children’s hospital and remains involved in the medical education and mentorship of junior doctors.

Prior to studying medicine, Christian worked for several years as a newspaper journalist in Melbourne.

He believes strongly in the importance of effective communication between healthcare practitioners and patients, and in partnering with families to find the best solution for their child’s needs.

Tim sees children of all ages with a wide range of health concerns, having particular interests in newborn and infant health, growth and development, acute paediatrics, respiratory health, and behavioural concerns including ADHD and Autism.

He completed his medical degree at Monash Medical School in Gippsland, and it was during his time in East Gippsland that he realised his passion for improving the health outcomes for children and their families in regional and rural areas. He completed his Fellowship in Paediatrics through the conjoint Monash Children’s Hospital/Royal Children’s Hospital program, and in Gippsland as part of the Integrated Rural Training Program.

Tim has a keen interest in training the next generation of medical students and junior doctors, and is a lecturer at Monash University School of Rural Health. He is currently undertaking a Graduate Certificate in Health Professions Education.

When not working, Tim loves to spend time with his three children, and his wife. He likes to cook, read, and bird watch, and loves his footy and cricket- but is self-admittedly not very good at either!

Tim will be consulting at Leongatha on a fortnightly basis.

warragul paediatricians

Dr Charanjit Kaur

MBBS, DCH, DNB, FRACP

General Paediatrician

Dr Charanjit Kaur is a General Paediatrician providing care for children from birth through to their adolescent years. She completed her medical degree and Paediatrics training in India, following which she pursued subspeciality training in Neonatal Paediatrics in London, UK and at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne.

Her special interest being Neonatal Paediatrics, she is well versed in the care of newborn babies and common problems of infancy as well as looking after premature babies with complex medical issues following their discharge from newborn intensive care units.

Since making Australia her home, Charanjit has gained further broad and extensive experience in General, Developmental and Emergency Paediatrics.

She has held training positions at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Monash Health and Eastern Health in Melbourne and in regional West Gippsland following which she attained her Fellowship to the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Her interests include management of babies born prematurely, common acute and chronic problems of infancy and early childhood like feeding difficulties, growth concerns, asthma, eczema, common allergies and dietary intolerances, toileting issues, constipation, sleep difficulties amongst other medical issues.

She also has experience in diagnosing and managing common developmental or behavioral problems in children including Autism and ADHD.

We have a number of visiting specialists who visit our clinic. Please be advised we do not book appointments for these specialists, and referrals are required to be sent directly to their individual main practices.

Chris Kimber is a paediatric surgeon who provides specialist care in paediatric urology, complex genitourinary conditions including hypospadias and advanced laparoscopy and endosurgery.

Mr Kimber also performs all standard paediatric surgical operations including hernia repair, orchidopexy and circumcision. Chris Kimber consults in Warragul on a Friday, roughly once every 8 weeks.


Please fax all referrals directly to 03 9509 7577

Mr Ferguson is the Head of General Paediatric Surgery and supervisor of Paediatric Surgical training at Monash Children’s Hospital.

He is a member of the clinical examination committee for the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Mr Ferguson’s special interests include paediatric general surgery, paediatric upper gastrointestinal surgery and paediatric endoscopy.

Peter Ferguson consults in Warragul on a Friday, roughly once every 8 weeks. 

Please fax all referrals directly to 03 9509 7577

Professor Samuel Menahem is a Consultant Paediatrician with extensive experience in General Paediatrics and Neonatology.

He has a subspecialty of Paediatric Cardiology extending from the foetus to the adult with congenital heart disease.

Many of his patients have stayed with him since infancy into adult life.

He visits our Warragul clinic with technician Melissa who performs the echocardiograms.

Prof Menahem’s clinics are variable, normally consulting in Warragul once per month.

Please fax all referrals directly to 03 9576 1352

Prof. Andrew Kornberg is a paediatric neurologist with general neurology and neuromuscular experience.

Professor Andrew Kornberg has recently commenced consulting in Warragul. He visits roughly once every 6-8 weeks on a Monday.

He has particular interests in immune-mediated neurologic syndromes, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, childhood multiple sclerosis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, as well as nerve and muscle disorders, headache, seizures and movement disorders. 

Please contact our clinic directly on 03 5622 1500 to discuss appointment availability.

VCGS are experts in genetic testing. VCGS are Australian and not-for-profit, using proceeds from testing to support the latest in medical research. VCGS counsellors support people through genetic testing including:

  • assisting with decision making about whether to have a test and what test to have
  • waiting for results, understanding the meaning of results and adjusting to the results
  • providing supportive counselling to families
  • arranging referrals to other health professionals and linking families with community support services

The Genetics Team visit Warragul 3-4 times per year. 

Please fax all referrals directly to 8341 6390.

 

Klytie is in the clinic on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Klytie has a passion for working with infants and children.

Klytie is a private paediatric speech pathologist offering assessment and intervention for infants and young children (birth – 12 years) in a range of specialist areas.

Her particular professional interests are in the areas of infant and toddler feeding, and autism spectrum disorders.

Please contact klytie@speakbeak.com.au

or 0439 102 850 to discuss appointment availability

Leigh-Anne McKinley is a clinical psychologist based out of Gladstone Street Medical Clinic, Warragul. Leigh-Anne has a clinic here every second Thursday.

Leigh-Anne offers behavioral assessments, cognitive testing, educational assessment and autism assessments.

Please send all referrals directly to wgp3820referral@gmail.com

Monica Freeman is an occupational therapist  with over 15 years experience in Paediatrics. Monica has provided OT assessment and intervention services throughout Gippsland.

Monica has extensive experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Learning difficulties, Motor Skill Delays, Sensory Processing and Self/Emotional Regulation difficulties.

Monica is in clinic on a Monday.

Please send all referrals directly to Po Box 288 Morwell 3840

Scroll to Top