Honorary Member past winners

Honorary Member Award winners 2022

After completing an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Science and PhD studies at Sydney University, David Lindsay has spent his career as a teacher, researcher and mentor- much of it as Dean of Agriculture and Professor of Animal Science at the University of Western Australia.

David had a key leadership role in a team which undertook fundamental research to understand and combat practical problems of sheep fertility and lamb survival. That group became the focus internationally in the field of reproductive physiology.

His emphasis on the importance of clear and accurate communication to bridge the gap between science and practical sheep farming became a major influence, not only in Australia.  David became a strong advocate of superfine Merinos across wide climatic ranges, and until 2011 operated his own 800-head stud from which the finest bale of Merino wool ever produced in WA was sold in 2008.

During his time at the University of Western Australia, David Lindsay initiated formal studies in writing for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Now retired from active research, he is the author of the book ‘Scientific Writing = Thinking in Words’ (now in its second edition) and continues to influence graduates and undergraduates in scientific writing, both in Australia and internationally. 

In more recent years, he has combined an active research role with senior research management roles. Including roles on the national committee directing research for the chicken meat industry and as the Research Manager of the Poultry Cooperative Research Centre. He has an impressive record of publication, and for many years has been an Editor or Editorial Board Member for major international journals in veterinary medicine. He is internationally recognised as a veterinary bacteriologist. He has made major contributions to understanding the Pasteurellaceae, has identified new bacterial pathogens of pigs and poultry, developed novel diagnostic tests that have been adopted internationally and become global standards and contributed to the development of effective vaccine programs for porcine pleuropneumonia, porcine pasteurellosis, Glässer’s disease, fowl cholera and infectious coryza, including ongoing quality assurance tests for the vaccines used in these programs. He has also enhanced our understanding of both on-farm and in-processing plant issues in food safety, with a particular focus on the most common food borne bacterial pathogens, campylobacters.

Pat has been a critical source of expertise to the veterinary profession throughout his career and has advanced the understanding of Australian veterinarians working in the intensive animal industries about some of the most important bacterial diseases that they a faced with controlling. His contributions to the profession in Australia, and to our recognition internationally, make him a worthy recipient of honorary membership of the Association.

Honorary Member winners 2021

Sue is a Registered VN, has a Bachelor of Business, Marketing and Human Resources, a Diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Accredited Prosci Change Management Trainer and coach and a Masters in Neuro Linguistic Programming.

With her husband Mark, Sue established the Crampton Consulting Group and the Animal Industries Resource Centre (AIRC). Over the past 25 years, the AIRC has become the leading veterinary nurse RTO in Australia and select south-east Asian countries.

Sue maintained her practical skills as a part-time vet nurse and practice management advisor at the Samford Valley Veterinary Hospital over the last 20 years.

Sue was a co-founder of the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia and was recognised by them for her long-standing commitment to, and passion for, the veterinary nursing profession with honorary life membership. Sue continues to serve on several committees to support professional advancement and regulation of the nursing profession.

Sue has enjoyed a collaborative relationship working with the AVA over many years, being involved in many iconic and important projects, from developing and negotiating the 2002 Queensland State

Veterinary Nurses Industrial Award to developing and launching the AVA’s Diploma of Leadership and

Management along with her current support on the ASAV Chartered Veterinary Practitioners and AVA Workforce Sustainable Working Groups.

She was awarded the VBG inaugural 2019 Veterinary Business Professional of the year award in 2019.

Sue Crampton is an eminent person within our profession and most worthy of honorary membership of the AVA as a token of respect for her contribution to both the Association and the veterinary profession.