President's message from Dr Sally Colgan - November 2024

^{Image: THRIVE Veterinary Wellness Symposium, Melbourne May 2024}

THRIVE Cultivating Safe Teams Stakeholder Summit

The AVA has launched its 2025 Federal Election Priorities, highlighting mental health support for veterinarians as a critical area requiring urgent government support. Providing tailored mental health programs is essential for fostering resilience within our profession.

Through initiatives like THRIVE and the Cultivating Safe Teams Pilot Program, the AVA has been raising awareness and building knowledge, receiving outstanding feedback from program participants across Australia.

Join me in Sydney on Monday 18 November for the THRIVE Cultivating Safe Teams Stakeholder Summit. We’ll share insights from these initiatives and discuss our next steps in driving sustainable change in the veterinary workforce.

Find out more and register here.

Collaborating with our regional colleagues

Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting with members of the Fijian Veterinary Association and the broader veterinary community in Suva and thoroughly enjoyed their genuine Fijian hospitality. We discussed the common challenges facing our veterinary profession, including workforce shortages—a phenomenon that seems to be affecting the industry worldwide.

^{Image: Dr Sally Colgan with members of the Fijian Veterinary Association.}

Importantly, we acknowledged the value of ongoing continuing professional development and the positive impact of international veterinary volunteers, as well as the roles of the AVA and the Commonwealth Veterinary Association (CVA) in sharing resources to empower and strengthen the veterinary profession within our Pacific neighbours.

These conversations underscored the critical need for continued collaboration and knowledge sharing between our Australian veterinary community and our fellow CVA members.

^{Image: Dr Ken Cokanasiga with Dr Sally Colgan}

Volunteering as a veterinarian, whether in Australia or overseas, is an incredibly rewarding experience. It provides an opportunity not only to share your expertise, but also to learn from passionate and dedicated individuals and organisations, all while making a profound impact on communities and animals in need. Organisations such as Vets Beyond Borders, Pets in the Park, AMRRIC, and the Australian Volunteers Program (AVP) make it easy to get involved. If you're interested in a meaningful experience, contact one of these groups to see how you can contribute. Your skills and dedication can create a positive impact on both communities and animals, while also benefiting your own wellbeing.

^{Image: Dr Sally Colgan with Dr Ashmita (Animals Fiji).}

Continuing Professional Development opportunities with AVA

With the first cohort now approaching the final stages of the AVA Chartered Veterinary Practitioner (AVA CVP) professional accreditation program, the AVA Board extends its congratulations to the students for their dedication to continuous learning and commitment to high professional standards.

Feedback from our pilot group has been outstanding. The students have been expertly guided through the program by a team of experienced instructors who deliver practical, immediately applicable CPD content.

As the AVA CVP evolves beyond the pilot stage, it continues to grow in flexibility to better serve practising veterinarians. Courses such Veterinary Personal and Professional Effectiveness and EBVM in Clinical Practice are now available without having to commit to AVA CVP accreditation. 100% online, study can be undertaken from anywhere in Australia.

I encourage you to consider one of our CVP courses for your CPD, with enrolments now open for 2025.

Learn more here or register for an information session on Tuesday 19 November.