Vetnews - Faculty of Veterinary Science - University of Melbourne

Vetnews
MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY VETERINARY SOCIETY NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 2 2010
University of Melbourne leads the way
in veterinary MRI technology
The Veterinary Hospital at the
University of Melbourne’s
Werribee Campus is now operating
Australia’s first high-field 1.5
Tesla strength veterinary MRI. It
promises to deliver life-changing
benefits to patients.
The machine’s strength is the equivalent to
a human MRI with superior image quality,
a high-strength magnet and the ability to
conduct vascular studies. The quality of
the imaging studies is equivalent to those
obtained in a human hospital. Little wonder,
as the machine was designed for human
use then adapted to the special needs of
animal imaging.
Made possible by a bequest from Margaret
and Lawrie Kay, the potential applications
and benefits of the technology are
impressive and life-changing for hospital
and referral patients. “Patients have ready
access to the MRI technology on site,
operated by a dedicated technician and
with results interpreted by expert veterinary
radiologists, who understand the nuances of
animal disease,” says Dr Milne, Lecturer in
Diagnostic Imaging. Continued page 6
IN THIS ISSUE: • Elephants in Laos • Roll of Honour • New Appointments • Rural Scholarship Winners

WELCOME
President’s Message
It is with great pleasure and genuine excitement that I welcome all of our
alumni, faculty staff, students, affiliates and friends to this edition of VetNews,
my first since becoming President of MUVS.
With the recent establishment of a taskforce, MUVS is committed to strengthening its
relationship with our Alumni, the Faculty and the University by investigating and introducing
new ways in which we can communicate and encourage participation. As part of the MUVS
development process we have already rejuvenated our website and launched a Facebook page
in recent months, with more to come in due course. You can find out more about our exciting
plans in my article on page 7.
Dr Joseph Galbally, BVSc (Hons.) 1982
President, Melbourne University Veterinary Society
Dean’s message
Contents
ALUMNI AT WORK 3
FACULTY NEWS 6
EVENTS 8
REUNIONS 11
NEW
APPOINTMENTS 12
SCHOLARSHIPS 14
IMPORTANT DATES 16
T.S. Eliot wrote in Quartets that
“we had the experience but
missed the meaning” implying
that it is possible to make the
journey, but not come away with
the essential purpose.
This is not true of veterinary graduates
of the University of Melbourne, whose
education has always been marked as
much by the meaning as by the journey. A
veterinary education at Melbourne is more
than just the journey of attending lectures,
tutorials, and practical exercises. It is about
gaining meaning from the close and caring
professional relationships with members
of staff, the VSSV activities, “O” week,
talent night, Kendall Hall sports teams,
bonding during late nights in the equine
centre, tutorials on the lawn in front of the
Veterinary Hospital, “Friday Things” in the
VRI courtyard, and many and much more.
It is the quality of the combined educational
offerings and the extracurricular activities
that provide the meaning. The result is
that, the veterinary program at Melbourne
is consistently ranked by veterinary
graduates in the national Course Evaluation
Questionnaire as the top ranked course
for provision of generic skills and the top in
two of three years, and equal top last year,
in quality of teaching. We clearly achieve
assisting students through the journey, and
in doing so add the meaning.
Our intent is that the curriculum in the
DVM, in which we enrol our first students
in 2011, provide both an excellent journey
and substantive and special meaning. To do
so, we are introducing a new, progressive
and contemporary veterinary curriculum that
will enhance our already strong capacity to
deliver meaning to the veterinary course.
You can read more about the DVM on
our website, or feel free to contact me for
further information.
Finally, this issue of Vetnews, which is
perhaps our largest to date, highlights
the achievement of some of our alumni,
provides an update on the exciting changes
in our largest teaching unit, the Veterinary
Hospital, which include appointment of a full
time Executive Director and a new Board
of Management chaired by alumnus Dr
Charles Foster. As you will read in this issue,
we recently commissioned a 1.5T MRI that
compliment our suite of imaging modalities
to provide us with the most comprehensive
veterinary imaging facility in Australia.
Most importantly, it is also our pleasure
to introduce you, through this newsletter,
to new members of the academic staff.
These new staff members join a group of
veterinary educators and researchers noted
for their excellence.
I invite you to browse through the pages
of Vetnews and as you do so, to consider
how we ensure that we add meaning to the
journey that is our veterinary education.
Professor Ken Hinchcliff
2 www.muvs.unimelb.edu.au

ALUMNI AT WORK
Veterinary science, personal training
and the elephants of Laos...
University of Melbourne veterinary science graduate Emma Zalcman has been gaining amazing work and life
experiences since completing her degree in 2009.
Her childhood love of elephants – and some
up-close encounters with them as a teenager
– made the decision to become a volunteer
veterinarian with ElefantAsia a natural choice.
ElefantAsia is a French NGO attempting to
save the Asian elephant in Laos through
a combination of breeding programs and
work to improve the health of the current
population.
Once known as the ‘land of the million
elephants’ Laos has seen its population
dwindle to less than 1500, of which 500 are
‘owned’ elephants working in the logging
industry. This creates difficulties when
attempting to improve dangerously low
breeding levels as owners are reluctant
to let their elephants participate in vital
pregnancy programs or the elephants are
too overworked to breed. Add to this the
problem of poaching and habitat destruction
– and the lack of veterinary science training
in Laos – and the work of ElefantAsia
becomes even more crucial.
‘To be honest, the future is very bleak for
elephants in Laos. Reproduction rates are
dangerously low and, as the population
ages, the number of potential breeders
is rapidly declining,’ says Emma. ‘Given
ElefantAsia is the only organisation of its
kind in Laos, extinction of the elephant in
Laos would almost be inevitable (without
their work).’
Continued page 4
www.muvs.unimelb.edu.au 3

ALUMNI AT WORK
Veterinary science, personal training and the elephants of Laos...
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3)
Two mobile veterinary units visit
domesticated elephants at their place of
work, conducting micro-chipping, worming
and general veterinary treatment. The general
health of the elephant is also discussed with
the mahout (the elephant’s driver), with the
Lao vet acting as translator. Importantly,
reproduction is also discussed, with the aim
of entering animals into a breeding contract
as part of ElefantAsia’s ‘baby bonus’ scheme
— an attempt to encourage mahouts to
place their elephants in a breeding program
in exchange for use of a motorised tractor to
assist with the work usually undertaken by
the elephant. The first pregnant cows from
the program are expected to arrive early
next year.
Emma works with Dr Bertrand Bouchard, a
French vet trained in Canada, and a local Lao
vet (who is more like a veterinary technician
by Australian standards). Her main role is to
participate in the mobile unit field trips, which
she thoroughly enjoys. The team stays in
small guest houses in local villages, which
are filled with local wildlife. In between the
field trips, Emma works in the ElefantAsia
office in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos.
She writes veterinary reports and helps plan
reproduction programs and other initiatives,
including a recent partnership with a private
company to build an elephant sanctuary and
breeding centre.
‘In Vientiane I live in a small house with one
other young Indian girl who works at the
UN. I love living in Vientiane. Every day I ride
my pink bicycle to work through the dusty
streets,’ she says. ‘There is a very active and
interesting expat community here, many
of whom are Australian and most of whom
work for NGOs.’.
A talented track and field athlete, Emma
initially took six months off after completing
her degree to finish competing in the
Melbourne athletics season. But, having
made the move to Laos, her love of athletics
has certainly not being wasted. Emma has
started up a personal training business for
the significant expat population, plays in the
netball team and trains with the ALF team.
What’s more, she trains with and helps to
coach the Lao athletics team.
‘I really enjoy the field work and in particular
the challenges faced in working with such
limited resources. When I first arrived I was
very nervous that I might not be able to do
the job. But I soon realised that ... limited
resources make gold standard medicine
impossible (and) … it is usually a matter of
applying very basic veterinary first principles.
It is really rewarding to see just what a
difference very simple treatment can make,’
says Emma.
However, there are also plenty of challenges:
limited resources, the time taken to get to
some remote locations for urgent treatment
and the emotional effect of the living
conditions for some local villagers to name
but a few. On top of that, dealing with local
mahouts is nothing like dealing with private
clients in Melbourne. Most owners have a
very limited level of education, which can
make dealing with animal welfare issues
difficult. Compounding matters, there is only
one local Lao vet who speaks English.
After a while, Emma also found her number
being circulated amongst expats as a kind
of free, 24-hour small animal vet for anyone
wanting a second opinion.
‘I soon found myself spending my lunch
breaks at the local pharmacies trying to do
charades to obtain the drugs I needed. Trying
to charade ‘oral prednisolone’ is not an easy
task!’ says Emma.
‘The organisation greatly appreciates the
work done by foreign veterinarians. The
mobile veterinary unit is a central part of the
organisation’s work. The language barrier
is always a challenge but I’m slowly trying
to learn Lao. My vocabulary has a strange
veterinary and running focus. I knew the
words for muscle cramp and diarrhoea before
I knew the word for goodbye!’
Emma credits her University of Melbourne
degree with helping her in this challenging
role.
‘I think when I first arrived I underestimated
just how much my degree has prepared
me for a diverse range of veterinary
work. I also don’t think I realised just how
many applications there are for veterinary
knowledge. My work here has ranged
from simple clinical work with an individual
elephant to designing breeding programs
for a group of elephants or deciding on
the best way to train mahouts to detect
oestrus. The course gave me the research
skills to investigate these areas and then
use the information obtained for practical
applications,’ she says.
4 www.muvs.unimelb.edu.au

ALUMNI AT WORK
Looking ahead, Emma’s ultimate goal is to
win acceptance into a residency program at a
zoo in Australia. First, however, she plans to
gain some more clinical experience, perhaps
in the UK or Canada.
How to help the
elephants
ElefantAsia is an NGO, so donations
are greatly appreciated and can
be made via the organisation’s
website: www.elefantasia.org.
Anyone interested in volunteering
as a veterinarian can also find all the
relevant information there.
In addition, foreign veterinarians
can help by sourcing and donating
veterinary equipment. At the
moment, ElefantAsia is looking to
obtain an ultrasound machine to
pregnancy test elephants involved
in the baby bonus scheme. Contact
emma@elefantasia.org for more
information.
Professor Brendan Crabb –
Holding The Reins
As Director of the Burnet Institute, Professor Brendan Crabb heads
an organisation focused on helping the world’s poorest and most
vulnerable people. As an individual, his work in the field of infectious
diseases in humans has earned prestigious awards, including
the Bancroft-Mackerras Medal from the Australian Society for
Parasitology in 2009 for his work towards a malaria vaccine.
So it might come as a surprise that he cites
occasions spent holding the reins of horses
on farms as a major source of inspiration. Yet
these experiences, which took place while
he completed his PhD and post-doctoral
research at the University of Melbourne’s
School of Veterinary Science, have helped
define his working life. In fact, the Burnet
Institute’s unifying vision – “the linking of
research with public health outcomes” – can
be traced back to those years.
“It was a fantastic springboard for a future in
biomedicine and biological sciences,” says
Professor Crabb, recalling the time he was
forced to take the skills he was honing in the
“comfort zone” of his lab into the field when
Victorian farms were hit by a disease that
caused abortions in pregnant mares.
“You couldn’t hide yourself away in a lab –
you were part of the response. I ended up
talking on radio and speaking to owners about
it, going to farms and managing the situation
within a team. I remember thinking, ‘Is there
any other field of molecular science where
you would be exposed as much as this?’.
“In situations like that, the work that you’re
doing in research, which is often quite
academic, isn’t enough; they want the new
test and the new vaccine and it was that
transitional aspect of science that was very
real for me. A part of my course became
solving a real problem for the industry
and that idea – real problems solved with
something practical – is the vet school way
and it stuck with me.”
Since completing his studies at theSchool
of Veterinary Science, Professor Crabb has
remained local and retained close ties with
the university. He still holds Professorial
appointments at Melbourne, La Trobe and
Monash Universities and, prior to taking on
his current role at the Burnet Institute, was
Laboratory Head at the Walter & Eliza Hall
Institute of Medical Research.
Today, he is responsible for 410 staff, including
honours and PhD students from Melbourne
and Monash Universities, and an annual
Professor Brendan Crabb
budget of $50m. It’s a substantial step up
from running a lab but he says another lesson
from his time at the School of Veterinary
Science has stood him in good stead.
“I was working with the best and brightest
who, no matter what problem they are
faced with, didn’t box themselves into being
specialists, but had a ‘can do, we can fix it’
attitude,” he says.
“As a result, I rarely tend to pigeonhole
myself as a researcher but have gained
the unrestricted confidence that veterinary
graduates have. It’s not arrogance, just
confidence, and has probably been more
important for me than anything else.”
He says his aim now is to have the Burnet
Institute recognised as Australia’s centre of
excellence for research in public health and
education for the communities across the
world that suffer the worst and have the
least money. It’s an ambitious goal but one
he sees reflected at the university – and the
School of Veterinary Science.
“I’m not a vet and was one of very few
people doing a PhD at the Vet School at the
time who weren’t yet it was a terrific place
to do research as a science graduate,” he
says. “The School of Veterinary Science is
full of very high quality people who choose
to put an academic life of learning ahead of
the dollar and has only got better since I was
there.”
Dr
co
a f
Un
at
www.muvs.unimelb.edu.au 5

FACULTY NEWS
University of Melbourne leads the way in
veterinary MRI technology (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)
Among the many benefits are:
• the investigation and diagnosis of
hereditary brain diseases of dogs;
• rapid diagnosis of seizure disorders,
strokes, and acute spinal problems
(allowing timely treatment);
• investigation of lameness in horses (due
to improved ability to view problems in
ligaments, tendons and joints that are
difficult to see with other techniques);
• imaging of the horse brain;
• accurate determination of the location and
extent of soft tissue tumours (assisting
surgical planning);
• non-invasive investigation of vascular
shunts and thrombosis disorders; and
• increasing the knowledge of the
causes and process of animal diseases,
such as epilepsy, brain tumours, heart
conditions and degenerative joint
disease.
The MRI is a boost to the Hospital’s already
extensive radiological services — making
them the most comprehensive veterinary
imaging facility in Australia. Services include
radiology, the PennHIP radiograph for
canine hip dysplasia testing, fluoroscopy,
ultrasound, CT, and nuclear medicine.
Reporting services are provided to
veterinary practices nationwide, including via
teleradiology services over the Internet.
The MRI also highlights the comprehensive
nature of the service the Hospital is able to
provide: a veterinary clinic for local clients
and others Australia wide, as well as allinclusive
specialist services (including
neurology, internal medicine, surgery,
anaesthesia and critical care), with a
dedicated 24-hour emergency and critical
care service also on site.
The MRI service is available for domestic
pets (such as dogs and cats) and horses, as
well as exotic pets.
MRI examinations are conducted under
general anaesthetic and referral to our
veterinary hospital is required.
For more information or to make an
appointment contact 9731 2000 or
vet-radiology@unimelb.edu.au.
Roll of Honour
The Faculty of Veterinary Science has celebrated
a variety of successes this year, with our staff
recognised for their endeavours in research,
teaching and veterinary specialisation.
Professor Ian Beveridge, a professor of veterinary
parasitology, received the Australian Veterinary
Association’s (AVA) highest ranking award, the Gilruth
Prize, in recognition of his contribution to veterinary
science. He is internationally acknowledged as one of the
foremost authorities in veterinary parasitology and is also
an exceptional teacher of veterinary science students at
the Faculty.
Other associates of the Faculty who were recognised
by the AVA this year were: alumnus Dr Laurence
Gleeson, who received the Kesteven Medal; alumnus
and Veterinary Hospital consultant Dr Wayne Fitzgerald,
who received a Meritorious Service Award; and alumni
Drs Onn Ben-David and George Smyth, who were
both awarded AVA Fellowships.
Professor Glenn Browning was recognised for his
outstanding achievements in veterinary research and
academia with the Australian College of Veterinary
Scientists’ Ian Clunies Ross Memorial Award. As Head
of the Faculty’s Veterinary Microbiology team, Professor
Browning’s research has made a direct contribution
to the control of animal disease, through development
of novel vaccines and diagnostic tests for diseases of
several species.
Dr Andrew Fisher, the Faculty’s Associate Professor in
Production Animal Management and Welfare, was
recently appointed a Fellow in Animal Welfare at the
Australian College of Veterinary Scientists. Dr Fisher is
one of only two fellows in animal welfare in Australia.
Drs Marjorie Milne and Laura Fennell were also both
awarded Fellowships of the Australasian College of
Veterinary Scientists this year. Dr Fennell completed her
residency in Equine Internal Medicine at the Veterinary
Hospital’s Equine Centre.Dr Milne completed her training
program in the Veterinary Hospital’s Diagnostic Imaging
section. Their success so soon after completing their
training illustrates the high quality of clinical training
programs in the Faculty.
Dr Josie Holmes was awarded membership of the
Australasian College of Veterinary Scientists in equine
surgery. Dr Holmes began her residency in equine
surgery at the Veterinary Hospital earlier this year. Dr
Priscilla Hodge, who joined the Faculty in 2009, was
successful in her membership examinations in Pathology.
Dr Brenton Chambers from the Hospital’s Small Animal
Surgery section was awarded the Australian College of
Veterinary Scientists’ Surgery Chapter for Best Young
Speaker. This award was received for a presentation he
gave at Science week entitled “Thoracoscopic-assisted
lung lobectomy in the dog: A Novel wound retractor and
recommended portal placement sites”.
PhD student Garrett Ng was recently awarded the top
early career researcher prize at the “The 9th International
Workshop on pathogenesis and host response in
Helicobacter infections” in Denmark. Garrett is a member
of the Centre for Animal Biotechnology team and is
supervised by Dr Phil Sutton.
Ian Beverage
Dr Wayne Fitzgerald
Professor Glenn Browning
Dr Brenton Chambers
6 www.muvs.unimelb.edu.au

FACULTY NEWS
Melbourne University Veterinary Society (MUVS) –
Your Alumni Association
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2)
Since its inception, MUVS has endeavoured to maintain connections between the University of Melbourne Faculty
of Veterinary Science and its graduates, and also amongst graduates themselves.
My role as President of MUVS is to build upon and enhance the
core objectives of our alumni association. I took up the mantle from
my predecessor, Dr Peter Cullen, who espoused great vision for the
development of MUVS under his committed stewardship over more
than 20 years.
The core objectives of MUVS are to promote, encourage and
facilitate:
• communication amongst graduates of the Faculty of Veterinary
Science;
• communication between graduates and the Faculty itself,
including academic staff, undergraduate and postgraduate
students;
• participation of graduates in the current and future development
of veterinary education in the Faculty;
• philanthropic participation of both graduates and the wider
University alumni network in the development of veterinary
education, research and scholarship activities at the Faculty;
• the continuing educational development of graduates of the
Faculty;
• a positive social and cultural relationship amongst graduates,
the Faculty, the University, and the wider alumni community,
particularly through the promotion of University, Faculty and
alumni activities of relevance to Faculty graduates.
It is these objectives which have been at the forefront of MUVS’
purpose and development over its 25 year history.
MUVS is not an association by membership but rather a network by
association. Inherent within our involvement with the University and
the Faculty is our relationship with the expanding network of fellow
graduates linked by our common Alma Mater. The Faculty’s alumni
maintain a keen determination to remain connected, as evidenced
by the popularity of events such as the 2009 centenary celebrations
and the regular veterinary science class reunions.
However, as we progress from graduation to formulate professional
and family relationships there may be extended periods when our
commitments leave us little time to participate in alumni activities.
This makes communication the backbone of our alumni network.
My vision is to expand our range of communication opportunities
so that all graduates are able to maintain at the very least a passive
awareness of what is happening in our alumni community.
The MUVS website, along with the Faculty’s
website and Facebook page, are key elements for facilitating this
objective. So please explore, connect and engage with your fellow
alumni, the Faculty and the University.
Dr Joseph Galbally, BVSc (Hons.) 1982
Staying
connected
through MUVS
web page
updates
Visit the newly updated MUVS webpage at:
www.muvs.unimelb.edu.au. This features news
and information to keep you connected with your
fellow alumni and the Faculty.
News
The revamped News page has a number of news
items about alumni activities, reunions, whereabouts
and more. We will also aim to highlight opportunities
for your professional development by advertising
upcoming graduate scholarships and PhD
opportunities.
Events
The Events page will keep you up to date on future
events, such as class reunions. If you intend to
hold an alumni event please contact us and we will
advertise it for free on our webpage.
Alumni profiles
The Alumni Profiles page has an easy to use search
function to help you find fellow alumni by:
• career path
• graduation year
• location
We are always interested in hearing what you’ve
been doing since you left the University. If you’d
like to share what’s been happening in your life,
we’d love to hear it! So submit your profile and a
recent photo to vet-alumni@unimelb.edu.au.
Alumni newsletter: Vetnews
Missed getting a past copy of Vetnews? Simply go
to our Alumni Newsletter page and click on the link
to open the edition you want to read.
www.muvs.unimelb.edu.au 7

EVENTS
Open Day – Werribee campus
More than 4,000 people joined
staff and students at the University
of Melbourne Veterinary Hospital
in Werribee earlier this year for the
Faculty’s Open Day. The annual
event was run in conjunction with the
Wyndham City Council’s Pet Expo for
the first time, making it a great day
for prospective students and the local
community alike.
Visitors found the campus alive with dog
competitions, exhibitions and music. The
behind-the-scenes tours of the Veterinary
Hospital provided an opportunity to see
demonstrations of our state-of-the-art
facilities, while exhibitions covering
everything from alpacas to police dogs and
parasites kept visitors busy. The ferrets –
perennial favourites – drew a crowd, and the
agility dog show’s four-legged performers
kept onlookers cheering.
Minister Tim Pallas, local member for Tarneit
and Victorian Minister for Roads and Ports,
officially opened the newly-refurbished
lecture theatre. The additional space in
the lecture theatre allowed Professors
Ken Hinchcliff and Bruce Parry to deliver
information sessions on the new Doctor
of Veterinary Medicine program to almost
900 people.
Top: The Hill’s Pet Nutrition dog entertained children
Bottom left: Mr Tim Pallas, Minister for Roads and Ports
and Member for Tarneit, and Professor Ken Hinchcliff,
Dean of the Faculty, with a Canine Blood Donor dog.
8 www.muvs.unimelb.edu.au

EVENTS
Above: Veterinary Science
students were on hand to answer
questions and demonstrate
equipment
www.muvs.unimelb.edu.au 9

EVENTS
White Coat Ceremony
The White Coat Ceremony was held on Sunday 18 July at
the Werribee Racecourse. Third year Bachelor of Veterinary
Science students were each presented with a white coat, the
symbolic representation of becoming a healer. The ceremony
celebrates their transition from detached observers of animal
health and disease in the classroom to individuals actively
involved in the management of the health and well-being of
animals in a clinical setting.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Dewar, delivered the
welcome to country, while Dr Sasha Herbert (BVSc, 1993) provided an
address to students, speaking about her experiences as a veterinarian. Dr
Bill Harkin, President of the Victorian Division of the AVA, also addressed
the students.
Despite the cold and rainy weather, the event was very well attended,
with proud parents, partners and friends joining students to celebrate this
important step in becoming a veterinarian
Ash Phipps, Student Representative
Third year Bachelor of Veterinary Science students
10 www.muvs.unimelb.edu.au

REUNIONS
Vets gather for 30-year reunion
BY VANESSA GAVENS AND TRISH STEWART
May Day 2010 was lovely, sunny
and autumnal in Woodend where
Campaspe Country House provided
the perfect setting for the
gathering of 30-odd vets and
partners. Some might say very odd.
Some of us had not seen each other since
graduation nearly 30 years ago. It may have
taken a second to recognise a few, but as
soon as the chins started wagging the years
evaporated.
We all enjoyed a lovely evening spent sharing
tales old and new. Bloggs’ hilarious pun
spoof speech, which left not one graduate
unmentioned (and was apparently written
in the back of a speeding Commodore
between Wangaratta and Woodend on the
way down), was a huge hit.
The slide show compiled for us by
the Veterinary Faculty from assorted
contributions from our student days, also
brought back many memories that had been
deeply recessed. Perhaps the University
might also donate counselling? It confirmed
that many males in our year had an endless
fascination with cross dressing., although
this would not be such a problem these
days, I suspect. It turns out the most
notorious of them is now happily married
with seven children. Hmmmm…
A bit like an Agatha Christie mystery, our
numbers diminished as some left and some
stayed the night. Those remaining in the
morning enjoyed a sumptuous breakfast,
finished off with entertainment courtesy of
Sally Adams. She sang a little ditty about
the BVSc (originally penned for Talent Night
at Kendall Hall in 1980!) to a Gilbert and
Sullivan tune with a sing-along chorus.
And then there were nine who walked up
Hanging Rock to finish a perfect weekend.
“Miranda… Miranda….”
Thanks to the University of Melbourne Vet
Science Faculty for donating resources to
produce the magnificent memory book,
Lauren Hull for compiling the book and the
slide show for us, Mark for taking great
photos and everyone who came along or
contributed in some way to make it the best
reunion …ever. I think we might have got
it right this time – no amplified balalaikas to
be seen! We look forward to seeing all our
classmates in another five years.
The Bachelor of Veterinary Science Class of 1980
www.muvs.unimelb.edu.au 11

FACULTY NEWS
Dookie Visit
First year veterinary science
students recently completed a four
day experiential learning visit to
North East Victoria, based at the
University of Melbourne’s Dookie
Campus. It involved property visits
to thoroughbred, beef cattle and
alpaca studs plus wool production,
dairy cattle, goat, Poll Dorset and
commercial cattle farms.
While away, students participated in
communication and leadership activities
as well as hearing about working in rural
practice, possible impacts of climate
change and agriculture. They attended an
industry night with presentations from the
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and
Forestry (who sponsored the visit), Bayer,
Pfizer and Virbac representatives.
Stuart Barber, who organised the trip, said:
“We consider this program a vital part of
the education of our veterinary students, as
for many students it may be the first time
they have set foot on an Australian farm.
Visiting farms allows students to gain an
insight into Australian production systems
and what farmers do, irrespective if they are
international students, students from the
city or those with a rural background.
“We hope more students will consider a
career in mixed or large animal veterinary
practice and have a greater understanding
and empathy for farmers. These trips also
showcase how good Australian farms
are and, with some of our international
graduates returning home to work in
government or biosecurity roles, a practical
understanding of Australian production
systems can be beneficial in the longer term
for international trade.”
Students mark lambs at the Dookie campus
The students are now working on reports
based on their experiences at Dookie.
NEW APPOINTMENTS
Hill’s Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine
– DR CAROLINE MANSFIELD
Dr Caroline Mansfield joins the Faculty of Veterinary Science in October as the
Hill’s Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine as part of a new partnership
between the Veterinary Hospital and Hill’s Pet Nutrition, which has also enabled
the Faculty to employ a new resident in small animal medicine. She will be
section head of small animal medicine, with key responsibilities in research and
research training, clinical teaching and service.
Dr Caroline Mansfield
Dr Mansfield graduated from Murdoch
University in 1993, going on to work in
mixed animal and small animal practice in
Australia and the UK before completing
a three-year residency in small animal
medicine at University College, Dublin. She
returned to Australia in 2001, where she is
active in the Australian College of Veterinary
Scientists, both as examiner and President
of the Small Animal Medicine chapter.
Since 2001, Dr Mansfield has been
employed at Murdoch University, first
as Registrar, then Lecturer, and most
recently Senior Lecturer in Small Animal
Medicine. Her teaching covered general
medicine, oncology, respiratory medicine,
immunology and gastroenterology, while
she also maintained a strong commitment
to continuing veterinary education, speaking
nationally and internationally.
Dr Mansfield brings with her an active
research program in small animal medicine,
with an emphasis on inflammatory bowel
disease in dogs. She hopes to recruit
a number of postgraduate students for
new research projects in comparative
gastroenterology and companion animal
health.
12 www.muvs.unimelb.edu.au

NEW APPOINTMENTS
New Director for
University of Melbourne
Veterinary Hospital
– SHARYN THOMPSON
The Faculty of Veterinary Science has appointed
a new Executive Director to lead the Veterinary
Hospital in its ongoing expansion and capacity
building program. Sharyn Thompson joined the
Hospital in May and is responsible for managing
the people and facilities of the Faculty’s most visible
public unit.
She is developing a strategy to ensure the Hospital is able to
deliver high quality clinical training of undergraduate and graduate
veterinarians, conduct clinical research that ranks with the best
in the world, while ensuring that our patients are offered the best
veterinary care in the state.
A registered nurse with over 20 years experience within both
the human and animal health sectors, Sharyn joins the Faculty
from the Lort Smith Animal Hospital where, as Director of
Operations, she was responsible for overall operational and
Sharyn Thompson
financial management of the hospital and animal shelter. She
also has experience in procurement and supply negotiation from
her time with advisory firm Babcock and Brown and at Affinity
Health hospital sites across the country.
Sharyn, who gained her nursing degree at NSW’s Southern
Cross University, brings extensive practical clinical experience
to the role, having worked as a clinical nurse specialist and
registered nurse in operating theatres at Cabrini, Bellbird and
Royal Melbourne Hospitals. She has also completed an MBA at
Monash University.
New Lecturer in Veterinary Reproduction
– DR NATALI KREKELER
Dr Natali Krekeler became Lecturer in Veterinary Reproduction at the Faculty of
Veterinary Science in September after completing her PhD in molecular biology. She
will develop subjects, carry out research and teach both veterinary and non-veterinary
students in anatomy, biology and physiology of animal reproduction as well as
veterinary clinical practice.
Natali, who grew up in northern
Germany, graduated as
valedictorian in 2001 before
completing a Doctorate degree
in equine clinical research at
the Free University of Berlin.
Dr Natali Krekeler
In 2002, she began a residency
at the Cornell University, USA,
pursuing her interests in reproductive medicine. She remained at
Cornell as a Clinical Instructor in Theriogenology and Postdoctoral
Associate in Developmental Biology until 2006, before moving to
Melbourne to combine her interests in clinical work and molecular
techniques.
Natali brings considerable experience in teaching veterinary medicine
to the position, having taught both undergraduate and graduate
students at Cornell University and delivered lectures and practicals
to BVSc students at the University of Melbourne in small animal
reproduction.
Away from work, Natali is a keen athlete, having completed 13
marathons and competed in Ironman-distance triathlons. As Lecturer,
she is looking forward to motivating and improving the skills of
students in reproductive biology, strengthening her international
collaborations, and contributing to the University’s excellent reputation
in canine reproductive research.
www.muvs.unimelb.edu.au 13

SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarship boost for rural
veterinary students
Two students from country Victoria have received scholarships worth
$20,000 to help fund their veterinary science studies at the University
of Melbourne.
First year Bachelor of Veterinary Science
students Ben Porter and Meaghan Barrow
will benefit from valuable financial assistance
over the duration of their degrees, thanks
to the generosity of alumni and supporters
of the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of
Veterinary Science.
Meaghan Barrow and Ben Porter
The Rural Veterinary Students Scholarship
and the Noble Stewart-Hamilton Scholarship
are awarded annually to students moving
from rural or regional areas to begin their
veterinary science studies. They are awarded
to students with an interest in rural practice
who intend to return to regional or rural
practice after graduation.
Ben, the recipient of the Rural Veterinary Students Scholarship, had decided on a career as
a vet by the age of six. He made sure he entered the profession with open eyes, working
on farms, an abattoir and a dairy processing plant around his hometown of Warragul as a
teenager, along with a number of local mixed practice vet clinics.
“Scholarships like this make the world of difference for rural students, and ensure that
others like me are able to complete our studies and return to the country,” says Ben.
Meaghan, who moved to Melbourne from her family’s farm in the Benalla region of northeastern
Victoria, says: “The vet science degree is a very challenging course, which is
something I like about it. The Noble Stewart-Hamilton Scholarship means I don’t have to
work during semester and can spend more time on my studies and with my family.”
Students in the University of Melbourne’s veterinary science program complete a range of
farm and rural clinic placements, while many of the Faculty’s teaching staff are leaders in
the field of agricultural animal production medicine. This means they can offer experiences
of significant value to Ben and Meaghan’s career aspirations of returning to the country to
work.
Professor Ken Hinchcliff, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, says: “These
scholarships are important in assisting rural students to undertake the highly demanding
veterinary science course. We are optimistic that students awarded these scholarships will
return to rural areas of Australia as veterinarians.”
The Rural Students Scholarship was set up by retired veterinarian Dr Bill Riches and his
wife Jenny Riches in 2009. Along with helping vet students from the country, the Riches
hope the fund will go some way towards addressing the shortage of vets in rural areas.
The Noble Stewart-Hamilton Scholarship, donated through the estate of Joyce Agnes
Stewart-Hamilton (née Noble), has been supporting rural students in veterinary science
since 2008.
Should you wish to contribute to the Rural Veterinary Student’s Scholarship fund,
please contact Mr Peter Moran, Advancement Manager, on +61 3 8001 2420 or by
email at: pgmoran@unimelb.edu.au.
14 www.muvs.unimelb.edu.au

SCHOLARSHIPS
Generosity of pet lovers helps
broaden students’ horizons
The generosity of long term clients of the University of Melbourne Veterinary
Hospital has enabled 16 Werribee-based veterinary science students to
undertake valuable training across Australia and around the world.
Hoppers Crossing couple Dale and Lynette
Sayner have been taking their pets to the
University’s veterinary teaching hospital for
the past 15 years and, over the previous
five years, they have funded travel bursaries
and the purchase of equipment to help train
veterinary science students.
Johannes and Dianne Schelfhorst, from
New South Wales, have been making
regular donations to the Hospital since 2007
when their dog, Tess, received life-saving
surgery to remove a tumour on her spinal
cord. Both couples hope their support
will provide trainee veterinarians with
opportunities to work with diverse species
of animals in environments they may not
otherwise experience.
Among those to benefit from the most
recent bursaries are:
• Xiao Yi Niu, from Melbourne, who will
use the funds to travel to the US to
undertake externships at the University
of Pennsylvania and Colorado State
University, working with small animal
soft tissue and orthopaedic surgeons.
• Tessa Muir, from the UK, who is also
traveling to the US for a three week
externship at Rood and Riddle Equine
Hospital, in Lexington, Kentucky.
“I hope to get exposure to a wide variety
of cases, in medicine, surgery and
ambulatory fields,” says Tessa. “Through
this very generous bursary I’ll gain a better
understanding of the veterinary profession
in the USA, where I hope to apply for an
internship next year.”
Fellow scholarship recipients Denia Ford
and Maggie Schibler are both hoping
to work as country veterinarians after
graduation. For them, the bursary provides
an important opportunity to gain experience
in rural practice by covering the extra costs
associated with rural placements, such as
accommodation and transport.
Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science,
Dale and Lynette Sayner, Professor Ken Hinchcliff
and Johannes and Dianne Schelfhorst”
Professor Ken Hinchcliff says: “Both the
Sayners and Schelforsts recognise the
value of these placements as formative
experiences for students and have
committed to supporting University of
Melbourne students. The Faculty is deeply
appreciative of the support of these
families.”
A number of scholarships and bursaries
are offered by the Faculty each year,
providing invaluable support for veterinary
science students. If you would like to
find out more about supporting our
students, please contact Mr Peter Moran,
Advancement Manager, on +61 3 8001
2420 or pgmoran@unimelb.edu.au.
Dr Ted Whittem, Dale and Lynette Sayner, Professor
Ken Hinchcliff and Johannes and Dianne Schelfhorst
and travel bursary recipients
www.muvs.unimelb.edu.au 15

IMPORTANT DATES
Are you
planning on
holding a
class reunion
in 2011?
The Faculty of Veterinary Science
can provide support in a number of
ways for class secretaries and other
alumni organising or hosting reunions
and events.
For more information please
contact Mr Peter Moran, Faculty
Advancement Manager, on
+61 3 8001 2420 or
vet-alumni@unimelb.edu.au
Upcoming Events & Reunions
CLASS OF 1990 – 20 YEAR REUNION
Saturday 12 February 2011
Contact Liz Campbell –
Elizabeth.Campbell@csl.com.au
or John Penry –
jpenrycampvet@ansonic.com.au or
john@camperdownvet.com.au
CLASS OF 2005 – 5 YEAR REUNION
Date to be confirmed
Contact Rebecca Belousoff –
rbelousoff@gmail.com
CLASS OF 2001 – 10 YEAR REUNION
March 19th & 20th 2011
Contact Louisa Johnson -
louisajohnson@hotmail.com
VETERINARY SCIENCE OPEN DAY
Sunday 27 March 2011
University of Melbourne Veterinary
Hospital, Werribee
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Faculty of Veterinary Science • Corner Park Dr & Flemington Rd, Parkville, Vic, 3010 • Tel: 03 8344 7357 • Web: www.muvs.unimelb.edu.au
Vetnews published by the Faculty of Veterinary Science with the authorisation of the Dean.
Disclaimer: the information in this publication was correct at the time of printing. The University reserves the right to make changes as appropriate.
CRICOS Provider Code: 00116K
October 2010
www. muvs.unimelb.edu.au