Kesteven Award past winners

Kesteven award winner 2024

His work primarily spanned Eastern Europe and Asia, where he identified the widespread reliance on prophylactic antibiotics to control the effects of chronic diseases, particularly those caused by mycoplasmas, on poultry health and productivity. This reliance was particularly pronounced in low- and middle-income countries, where chronic disease management was often ineffective. 

In response, Dr Morrow championed a shift away from antibiotic use by advocating for innovative vaccination strategies. Since 2006, he has dedicated much of his career to providing practical, hands-on advice to poultry producers in Asia, South America, and Africa, focusing on mycoplasma control and the adoption of vaccines as an alternative to antibiotics. He played a critical role in the global uptake of two key Australian-developed vaccines: the Mycoplasma gallisepticum ts-11 live attenuated vaccine, developed in the 1980s at the University of Melbourne, and the Mycoplasma synoviae vaccine, which he himself developed. These vaccines have proven to be effective tools in reducing antibiotic use and improving poultry health and productivity worldwide. 

Dr Morrow’s contributions have had a profound impact on public health, animal health, and welfare, particularly in regions where intensive poultry production is expanding rapidly, and where the human population is at high risk of emerging antibiotic-resistant pathogens. His expertise continues to shape the future of poultry medicine, ensuring better, more sustainable practices for the industry and contributing to global efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance. 

Kesteven award winner 2023

As Convenor of the WSAVA CCAW, Dr Clarke was instrumental in the drafting, adoption and promotion of the WSAVA Convention for the Protection of Companion Animals, now ratified by 64 member associations. He also promoted a scientific stream devoted to animal welfare in the WSAVA annual congress, making it the first international veterinary association to so recognise the importance of animal welfare in veterinary science. He also assisted several developing countries with their animal welfare legislation.

As Convenor of WSAVA CE, Dr Clarke established, and was subsequently responsible for, their continuing education seminar program in the Asia-Pacific region (1999-2009). These commenced in Thailand and extended to China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, South Korea and Taiwan, with 2-3 seminars/year.

As Convenor of WSAVA CE in Asia, Dr Clarke assisted in the formation of the Federation of Asian Small Animal Veterinary Associations (FASAVA), to act as an international small animal veterinary group and provide a forum for the region’s specific needs. He helped develop its constitution and rules and was elected inaugural Chairman (2007-2011), was Past-President (2011-2013) and then continued as an Advisor.

Under Dr Clarke’s guidance, FASAVA has been hugely successful. It currently comprises small animal veterinary associations from Australia, Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Shanghai, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taipei and Thailand. Since 2009, it has held conferences in Thailand, South Korea, New Zealand, China and Taiwan.

Veterinarians in the Asia-Pacific region have benefited enormously from Dr Clarke’s enthusiasm and drive. The Kesteven Medal would be a fitting tribute to his extraordinary efforts to improve the standards of veterinary practice and animal welfare in these countries.

Kesteven Awards winner 2022

The working ponies on these islands are bred wild in the island hinterland. Captured by local horseman who train the ponies to ferry supplies, luggage and visitors in the islands’ tourist trade.  In the practice of veterinary science, the Indonesian islands is still developing and these ponies do not receive any local veterinary care or attention.  

In 2013, Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA) was contacted by Animal Aid Abroad who needed a volunteer team to travel to the islands to provide care for the ponies in a “relief effort.” EVA put out the call which was answered by volunteer EVA members and veterinary science students.  

Dr El Hage is a leader in this relief effort and has made numerous trips to the islands to deliver a range of procedures to the working ponies, all as a volunteer and considerable personal expense. His commitment to this cause is without doubt and we commend him to you for consideration of the Kesteven Prize.