The Kendall Oration is awarded to a veterinarian who has made a significant career contribution to the advancement of veterinary science and/or the profession. They bring a perspective on a significant achievement of the profession or future challenges of the profession.

Open to AVA members and non-members, the winner of the Kendall Oration presents a 10-minute oration at the following AVA Conference.

The Kendall Oration was founded in Canberra in 1930 by the five sons of Dr William Tyson Kendall who migrated to Australia in 1880 and made a unique contribution to veterinary science in Australia. Dr Kendall helped found the Australasian Veterinary Medical Association in 1880 and is known to many as the ‘father of veterinary medicine’ in Australia.  

It was initially administered jointly by the AVA and the Commonwealth Department of Health, but since 1972 the AVA has been solely responsible. The oration is awarded when the AVA Conference is held in Canberra or Melbourne.