Annual Report 2000 - Australian Veterinary Association

AVA Divisions - South AustraliaA highlight was the plenary session by Mark Auricht who presentedan inspirational story of a team of Australians who climbed the fifthhighest mountain in the world. Ian Carmichael was inducted asDivision President for 2000 by outgoing President Trevor Rickman.Barbara Gill, our new office manager, did a huge amount of work inorganising this successful event together with Julia and AnthonyLucas, who in 2000 have continued to inject an air of optimism andachievement into our activities.During the year the review of the Veterinary Surgeons Act passedthrough its final stage in terms of divisional input. Submissions byboth the AVA and Veterinary Surgeons Board were given a goodhearing. There was significant support for many provisions of the oldAct from diverse animal interest and welfare groups. We areoptimistic that the new Act, albeit with some changes, will notadversely affect the practice and professionalism of veterinaryscience in SA.The SA Division currently has representation, together withgovernment and industry leaders, on a committee designed toreview animal health priorities and policy application in SouthAustralia.Anthony Lucas (with great support from Barbara Gill) produced threeissues of SA Bulletin in 2000. This is a high-quality professionalpublication provides news, reviews, clinical practice articles andupdates from all areas of the profession in SA. With no formal budgetor sponsorship, Anthony has produced these bulletins on a cost-neutralbasis. We value the contributions to SA Bulletin from AVA National, theSouth Australian Veterinary Surgeons Board and the South AustralianGovernment Animal Health Branch.Continuing education for the profession, concentrating mainly oncompanion animals, was provided in six courses during 2000 (threeeach from the Sydney and Murdoch University Foundations). Thesecourses are not always profitable but provide a vital service to ourmembers.More than 40 new graduates chose to commence their careers inSouth Australia this year. Their professional welfare and orientationhas been ably managed by Julia Lucas.In March, the committee held a welcome dinner for graduates,sponsored by AVA National. Sixteen new graduates attended, includingseveral from country practices. The opportunity was taken to promotethe role of the AVA and advantages of membership, highlighted bypresentation of the new graduate referral list, a document listing localveterinarians with specialist expertise who are available to provideadvice. This list has now been upgraded for presentation to the nextcrop of graduates.An individual mentor scheme (very well received) was also establishedin 2000 to provide confidential advice, guidance and encouragementto recent graduates.Julia also surveyed new and recent graduates on whether they felt theAVA was serving their needs. She concluded that younger veterinarianshave much to offer because they are passionate about political issuesand prepared to translate their passion into activism.Our functions secretaries trio of Jo Powell (convenor), Bee Li Tan andTrudy Seidel organised some excellent sponsored social events. Suchas a beachside sausage sizzle (over 40 present, plus dogs), wine andcheese tasting and a pub night followed by dinner and a barbecue. Themessage is spreading that those who attend will enjoy themselves. Itis encouraging that recent graduates and nurses have been prominentat these events.About 120 AVA members, partners and special guests attended the SAPresident’s cocktail party in December, where a feature was thepresentation of a National President’s pin to Dr “Brick” Smith (AVANational President 1965 and SA Divisional President 1945-46) bycurrent National President Dr Ian Denney. Colleagues recognised withlife memberships in 2000 were doctors Hans Van Gyen, Graeme Smithand Pat Cole.Committee members continued to represent the AVA on public andinstitutional bodies in 2000, including the Council for the Professions(Trevor Rickman), Veterinary Surgeons Board (Ian McBryde), Dog andCat Management Board (Ian McBryde), SA Animal Welfare AdvisoryCommittee (Robert Baker) and Council of the Institute of Medical andVeterinary Science (Mary Barton). Dr Jenny Weston has quietly servedas our public relations representative, dealing efficiently with sensitivepublic issues.Several SA members were recognised with AVA national awards thisyear, including Dr Pam Scanlon (Fellowship) for outstandingcontributions and doctors Robert Baker, Tim Lawrie and John Hamilton(meritorious service awards).We are proud that AVA members have elected Robert Baker asincoming National President.Sadly, this year also saw the passing of some important figures in thehistory of SA Division, namely Dr Roberta Read, AM (LadyHumphreys) and Dr Marjorie Reid.Roberta Read was the first woman to practice veterinary medicine inSouth Australia, the first to specialise in companion animals and wasDivisional President in 1960. Marjorie Reid was the first womanveterinarian employed by the SA Department of Agriculture, firstwoman Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer in Australia and SA DivisionSecretary 1977-78.2000 Annual Report - Australian Veterinary Association 45