Annual Report 2000 - Australian Veterinary Association

IntroductionThe Australian Veterinary Association Ltd is a non-profit, incorporated body composedof members of the veterinary profession. The AVA was founded in 1921 when themembers of the then handful of state associations decided to establish a nationalorganisation to enable them to act and speak with a single voice on behalf of theinterests of their members.The original membership was 84 and this has grown steadily to the4,638 who were registered as financial members of the AVA at 31December, 2000. That figure was an increase of 200 on themembership tally at the end of 1999.The mission of the AVA is to serve the veterinary professionby providing:■■■Support, identity, fellowship direction and growth for members.Expert advice and service to governments.Services to the community.This is pursued through a diverse range of activities:■Representation of the profession to all levels of government andthe general community - on matters relating to animals, theanimal industries and the veterinary profession.■ Developing policies and codes of practice on relevant subjects -for the guidance of members and for the information of thepublic.The national office of the AVA is located in Sydney, with othernational staff located in offices in Melbourne, Brisbane andCanberra.There are eight Divisions (based on all States and Territories). Eachof the Divisions has varying numbers of branches (based on regionalboundaries - or specific professional interests, eg rural ormetropolitan practitioners).The AVA currently has 22 Special Interest Groups (SIGs); these aresub-groups within the ranks of the AVA whose members cometogether because of their mutual involvement in specific areas ofveterinary practice. This may stem from them specialising intreatment of a particular type of animal (sheep, cattle, pigs, horses,etc) or through common interest in fields such as practicemanagement, veterinary dentistry, holistic treatments, acupuncture,veterinary history or through working as employed veterinariansrather than running their own businesses.The AVA is constantly engaged in a wide range of policy research anddevelopment projects of importance to veterinarians.■■■Conducting surveys of the profession and preparing strategicplans for the development of the Association - for the benefitof members and the profession at large.Publication of a scientific journal - for the information andprofessional development of members.Development and expansion of an AVA site on the WorldWide Web - providing library, online discussion and searchfacilities for members and a source of general veterinaryinformation for the public.■ Preparing guidelines on professional relations and interactions -including a code of ethics for the guidance of members.■Conducting meetings on matters of interest to the veterinaryprofession - including scientific, professional and lifestyle issues.2000 Annual Report - Australian Veterinary Association 3