Annual Report 2000 - Australian Veterinary Association

AVA Divisions - Queensland/Western AustraliaQueensland DivisionReview of Veterinary Surgeons ActThe review commenced in March 1999 and a draft document wasreleased in November last year. In July as part of ongoingconsultation between the State Government and the relevantstakeholders, the Veterinary Surgeons Act Review Reference Group(on which the division has two representatives) was recalled to discussprocedures that are exempt from being "acts of veterinary science".The meeting was very positive and the recommendations generatedwere in line with the AVA stance. The Division also made a furthersubmission on certain aspects of the lay ownership issue.The review of the Act is now progressing with surprising speed. Theconfident prediction is that Queensland will have a new VeterinarySurgeons Act and regulations within the next one-to-two years.PetPEPThere have been considerable developments on PetPEP this year. Inlate August after many months of discussion, RSPCA Queenslandagreed to support our division with the implementation of PetPEP inprimary schools, to the tune of $20,000 a year.This financial support will allow an increase in the part-time position ofour education officer Tanya Pullen from two to three days a week. Aswell, it will facilitate the training of RSPCA volunteers in several centresto participate in PetPEP activities. This collaborative approach betweenAVA and RSPCA will provide a wider and more effective promotion ofPetPEP with better resourcing and a larger pool of enthusiasticsupporters.Queensland Department of Primary Industries continues to assist AVAwith this education program. Their many years of support have madepossible the ongoing success of the State’s PetPEP education officer.In the later part of the year Tanya has been talking to several citycouncils about their potential involvement in the PetPEP scheme.Training workshop for Disputes Resolution CommitteeThe Division conducted a weekend training workshop for membersand potential members of the disputes resolution committee inOctober. Dr Harry Weaver was the principal presenter. The weekendwas a great success. The Division is revising the existing complainthandling protocols with the aim of improving this vital service to bothAVA members and the community.University of Queensland Veterinary SchoolThe release of the Brown Report late last year seemed to stem dissentover the relocation of the veterinary school at the University ofQueensland. But in the first few months of the year questions wereagain raised about the intentions of the university hierarchy.Meetings of the veterinary school staff were told that funding wouldnot be spent on the present St Lucia and Pinjarra Hills locations. TheDivision has once again expressed its concern to the university overthese insidious developments.The Division has been watching with increasing concern the difficultiesarising from attempts to find a replacement for the retiring head ofschool, Professor Keith Hughes.Divisional AGM and ConferenceThe Conference and AGM were held on the first weekend in March atRydges Capricornia Resort at Yeppoon in Central Queensland. Theweekend continued the ongoing success of conducting the divisionalAGM in conjunction with branch-hosted conferences.The quarterly divisional newsletter had a facelift this year. A colourouter shell was introduced and received favourable reports fromsponsors and members alike.The Division has worked hard to maintain good lines ofcommunication with members using the fortnightly communique TheGrapevine and monthly teleconferences with Presidents of the State’ssix branches.The paid employees Mary George, Matt Pope and Tanya Pullen haveserved the membership well and the honorary officers have onceagain been enthusiastic and diligent in their work for the Division.Western Australia DivisionConference 2000Without doubt, the major activity for WA Division in 2000 was hostingthe AVA Annual Conference in Perth. The Division thanks all involved,nationally as well as locally, for organising such a successful andenjoyable event that was extremely well supported by visiting andlocal veterinarians.MembershipOur main thrust is still to promote contact with as manyundergraduate students as possible. While the emphasis tends to be ontheir later years, the committee has attempted to promote the AVA toyounger students.AVA student representative Greg Kelman must be congratulated on hisenthusiasm in promoting the AVA to students at Murdoch University.Carolyn Walsh, our incoming student representative and president ofthe student association, has also been a big contributor. Both Greg andCarolyn attended nearly all the committee meetings this year and thiswas invaluable in liaising with students.2000 Annual Report - Australian Veterinary Association 43