Welcome to EVDS
EVDS is an equine-only veterinary business founded in 2002 by Dr Oliver Liyou. Based on a 60-acre property in South Grafton, NSW, EVDS now operates as a specialist referral service, with Dr Liyou exclusively undertaking complex equine dental extraction cases by referral.
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The business has evolved to focus on two core pillars: the provision of high-quality equine dental instruments and the delivery of advanced postgraduate workshops and professional training for equine veterinarians. This refined direction reflects EVDS’s long-standing commitment to excellence, innovation, and improved equine welfare.
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With decades of clinical experience and deep expertise in advanced equine dentistry, EVDS has invested heavily in the design, sourcing, and refinement of premium dental instruments trusted by professionals across Australia and internationally.
EVDS is also recognised as Australia’s leading training centre for equine dentistry. Our highly sought-after postgraduate workshops, seminars, and teaching programs are offered exclusively to licensed equine veterinarians.
Through education, mentorship, and the sharing of best-practice techniques, EVDS continues to champion higher standards of care and improved outcomes for horses in Australia and beyond.
The EVDS Team
Dr Oliver Liyou
BVSC (HONS1) MANZCVSC (EQ DENT)
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Dr Oliver graduated from Uni of Qld in 1993 and is the principle veterinarian and business owner of EVDS which he founded in 2002. Having grown up around horses, Dr Liyou has a passion for helping owners to help their horses and enjoys all equine vet work – despite focussing on dentistry.
Since 2002, Oliver has co-ordinated and hosted equine dentistry training workshops for equine vets from all over the world. He has authored several scientific papers and lectured on equine dentistry in most states of Australia, at AVA, AEVA and Aust College Science Week Functions, to vets in China, along with writing many articles for horse magazines to raise awareness of welfare in horses.
Oliver has co-designed many equine dental instruments including the Porta-Safe-Stock trailer, which has been supplied to vets in all states of Australia. He developed his own brand of dental instruments and launched the EVDS webstore in 2005 to service the need for quality equine vet dentistry tools in Australia and New Zealand.
Oliver loves his work but also loves spending time with family and friends, watching rugby league, playing with his horses, boating and most things outdoors and fun.
Justin James
Operations Manager
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​Justin joined the EVDS team in mid 2025. Justin's expertise in Web Development and Design coupled with vast experience in business has led to a number of shelved projects within EVDS coming to fruition.
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Digitalisation and streamlining procedures has meant the team has more time to laugh and enjoy an amazingly unique workplace.
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Outside of work Justin enjoys his small farm with his partner Scott, and their myriad of 4 legged family members.
Chani Farrell
Client Relations
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Chani joined the EVDS team in 2021 as our receptionist where she has thrived. Coming from a medical receptionist background, Chani is a positive and professional voice on the other end of the phone, always going the extra mile for our clients.
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Chani is a local girl, growing up in the coastal town of Minnie Waters. Her, and her partner, Ryan, enjoy working on their property and packing their three kids up of a weekend and heading off to find an adventure.
Lisa Johnston
Accounts Manager
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Lisa joined the team in 2024 as our Accounts Manager after recently relocating to Grafton. Prior to this move, she spent 15 years with a major franchising organisation, where she oversaw franchise administration, business growth, and operational development. She brings extensive knowledge of accounting software, financial systems, and bookkeeping practices.
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Holly Lockwood
Workshop Coordinator
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Holly joined the EVDS team in late 2020 as a casual vet nurse. Originally from Woolgoolga, Holly lived on-and-off in the Hunter Valley prior to working at our clinic, attending Tocal Agricultural College, then working on large Thoroughbred studs.
Holly and her partner now have a small Thoroughbred breeding program on their own property in the Clarence Valley, which along with their identical twin girls, keeps them very busy.
When they can, Holly and her family enjoy travelling, camping and exploring the local beaches.
Matthew Walsh
Grounds Keeper/Chief Problem Solver
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Matt joined EVDS at the beginning of 2020 as our Groundskeeper. He much prefers being outside in the fresh air, so enjoys the freedom and challenge of working at EVDS, always looking for ways to make the property look and perform better.
Matt and his partner have three sons, and a granddaughter. He takes great pride in maintaining the grounds of EVDS, always ensuring our clients arrive to a beautifully presented property.
Chris Spry
Repair Technician
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Chris was first introduced to EVDS when he installed air-conditioning into Oliver’s house. He and Oliver got to talking about PowerFloats and Chris’s mechanical mind along with his “mad scientist” nature was drawn to the challenge of working out how to service/repair and solve the problems that others had put into the “too hard basket”!
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He implemented the “7 day turnaround” for PowerFloat repairs and also developed a unique conversion system for the old style 14v Powerfloat drills so that they can interchange shafts. Chris’s favourite mantra is “There is always a way!" When not working, Chris enjoys boating, flying, surfing, camping and dancing.
Lara Hamilton
Workshop Manager
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Lara has been with EVDS since October 2018. She grew up in Kulnura on the Central Coast, moving to Armidale for University in 2012. There she completed 12 months on campus before deciding to study via distance and work full-time at New England Girls School. After a short stint back on the coast, her partner and her now live permanently in Grafton (with their rescue cat Milo, Jack Russell Harry, Clydie X Tommy, and Standardbred Yoshi), where they plan on staying for the long haul.
