AVA Board of Directors

Dr. Gemma Chuck graduated from The Royal Veterinary College, London, in 2006. Moving to Queensland in 2007, Gemma focused on dairy and beef cattle. In 2010, Gemma undertook a residency in dairy cattle medicine at the University of Melbourne, completing a PhD in dairy heifer performance in 2016. She held various roles at Apiam Animal Health and founded her own business, Vetuosity, in 2023, focusing on continuing education for the veterinary profession and its clients. Gemma is a Director of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), has served on the Executive Committee of the Australian Cattle Veterinarians, and is an adjunct lecturer at James Cook University and Charles Sturt University. She continues to consult on calf and heifer health in the dairy and beef industries and has co-authored key veterinary textbooks. Gemma is passionate about women's professional development and advocates for veterinary mental wellbeing. She lives with her husband Jason and daughters Georgina and Emily.

Diana is an experienced small animal surgeon and the managing director of a practice group in Melbourne’s inner suburbs employing more than 60 staff. She holds an Executive MBA from the Monash Business School and obtained her Membership with Australia New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in small animal surgery. Diana has represented the profession at both regional and state level including roles with the Melbourne Metropolitan Practitioners Branch and the Victorian AVA Division, as well as being an active member of the AVA’s Veterinary Business Group and the Chair of the Veterinary Wellness Steering Group. Diana was President of the AVA in 2023 – 2024.

Since graduating (USyd 1990) Sally has been involved in many aspects of our profession - mixed practice, referral and university equine practice, wildlife, the pharmaceutical industry and research. An AVA member for over 20 years, past AVI President and past convenor of the AVA national conference (2014-2018), she believes in our Association and its unwavering commitment to animal health and welfare. Sally was AVA Vice President in 2023 – 2024 and appointed AVA President in May 2024.

James is currently a Professor of Veterinary Microbiology at the University of Melbourne. Previously, he served the AVA as a Director (2014-2017), as the President of Equine Veterinarian Australia (2007-2008) and as the President of the Victorian Division (2005-6). James is a Fellow of the AVA and the recipient of the AVA President's Prize, as well as an AVA Meritorious Service Award. His work in equine infectious diseases has been recognised by his peers with the EVA award for excellence (2009) and the South African equine veterinary association 'Spirit of SAEVA award' (2020). In 2023 James commenced a two-year term as the EVA nominee to the AVA Board, and was appointed Vice President in 2024.

Dr Johnson is a highly respected veterinarian with over 40 years of experience in mixed practice, particularly equine medicine. Over that time, his regional practice grew to a 16-vet team and was recognised with the AVA's Best Mixed Practice Award in 2014. David has extensive experience in equine sports medicine and attended three Olympics as a vet: Sydney, Hong Kong (Beijing) and was a member of the Australian Olympic Team in London as the show jumping team veterinarian. He is an FEI Official and remains active at race meetings and Three-Day Events nationwide. His contributions to the profession have been honoured with a Fellowship of the Australian Veterinary Association (2017) and Honorary Life Membership of Equine Veterinarians Australia (2021). Now retired, David enjoys golf, bridge, travelling, and time with his family.

Margaret is currently the Professor of Practice (Veterinary Science) at James Cook University, where she manages the external relationships with the profession, the provision of continuing education for the veterinary discipline and teaches veterinary business management to undergraduate students. Margaret has extensive corporate, clinical and academic experience and is a member of the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Queensland. Previously, she has owned (or co-owned) two privately operated veterinary practices for 13 years. A long-standing member of the AVA, Margaret has served in numerous leadership roles, including Division and Branch President, and has been actively involved in key committees including the AVA Advocacy Advisory Committee and AVBC Sustainable Practice Committee.

Geeta Saini has been a small animal GP veterinarian on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, since graduating from the University of Queensland with First Class Honours in 1980. She owned a small animal practice for 30 years, co-founded the first Animal Emergency Clinic (Pet ER) on the Sunshine Coast in 2005 and now works part-time in small animal practice. She has been passionately involved with the AVA throughout her career – at local and divisional levels, serving on the ASAV Executive Committee 2013-2022, ASAV President 2015-2017, ASAV Policy Councillor 2014-2022 and is the current ASAV representative to the WSAVA Assembly. She is a current member and past Chair of the WSAVA Membership and Nominations Committee. She received the AVA Meritorious Service award in 2019 and the ASAV John Holt Memorial award in 2022.

Mark recently retired as Australian Chief Veterinary Officer, a position he held for 12 years. During that time, he was also a member of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH/OIE) Council, including 3 years as President (2018-21). Marks is an experienced board member and an Australian Institute of Company Directors graduate. As a previous member of the ACT Veterinary Practitioner's Board, he has a good appreciation of the issues facing veterinarians in Australia, both in the private sector and in government service. He looks forward to continuing to service the veterinary profession as a Director of the AVA.

Tracy started her career in small animals whilst completing a Master’s. After, she focused on cattle and reproduction whilst completing a PhD. Tracy has also enjoyed government roles in biosecurity, live animal export, and abattoir. Currently, she operates Australian Veterinary Semen Morphology and is the distributor of iSperm. She has been an active member of the Australian Cattle Vets for over a decade, recently as President. Tracy also wears hats as a beef producer, for Cattle Australia, the Biosecurity Council of WA, and Roebuck Plains Station. Always learning, she is a graduate of the AICD and the ARLP, and is currently studying for a Graduate Certificate in Aboriginal Studies. She looks forward to contributing to the AVA Board.