President’s message from Dr Sally Colgan – July 2024

The AVA's mission is clear: to provide veterinarians with the support, resources, and the respect they need to uphold welfare standards in every endeavour. 

Whether it’s in industry, government, production animal or sporting industries, or in caring for companion animals from any one of the 70% of Australian households who have pets, we are essential. Where there are animals, there must be veterinarians. We are essential in ensuring animal wellbeing, performance, production, biosecurity and food security and are pivotal in advancing the aspirational global goals of One Health.

The AVA advocates for the profession on all these fronts. Our unity is our strength and amplifies our impact.

As we push forward with the AVA response to the NSW Inquiry into the Veterinary Workforce Shortage, we need to ensure our needs and concerns are considered at a national level. While the report was NSW based, many of the issues it addressed are mirrored across the country. We are looking for your feedback to inform our detailed response.

At the heart of our advocacy efforts are our AVA policies.  Despite our diverse roles across sectors and regions, policy development ensures we converge on solutions that uphold animal welfare and promote the wellbeing of our profession. They may not always align perfectly with individual desires, but our policies safeguard our collective mission.

When you receive your membership renewal, I encourage you to not only renew your own membership, but also to engage with non-members about the benefits of joining the AVA. While the AVA’s advocacy work benefits all veterinarians, only members can actively contribute to the policy-making process. Together, let’s continue to advocate, support, and innovate—to ensure that veterinarians everywhere can thrive in their vital roles.

Having recently returned from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Convention, it became evident to me that Australian veterinarians and the AVA are highly regarded. Our participation is both sought after and valued, and we are seen as role models in many ways. While change requires time and social buy-in, we are considered nimble and effective. This visit was immensely reaffirming.

Through the AVA, there are so many exciting opportunities to have your say at a state and national level, and to also represent Australia on a global platform. Whether it’s having your say on what happens next with the NSW Inquiry Report, joining a working group, contributing to submissions, or commenting on policy, I encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities and help strengthen our voice and influence, both locally and internationally.

Dr Sally Colgan
AVA President

AVMA Convention 2024

^{Image: Dr Trevor Lawson - President, CVMA; Dr John de Jong - President, WVA; Dr Sally Colgan - President, AVA; Dr Isao Kurauchi - President, FAVA; Dr Siegfried Moder - President, FVE}

^{Image: Dr Sally Colgan - President, AVA, Dr Guy Lonergan - Dean, Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine (and a University of Sydney graduate!)}

^{Image: Dr Sally Colgan presenting to the AVMA House of Delegates and Board of Directors}

^{Image: Dr Sally Colgan - President, AVA; Dr Sandra Faey - President, AVMA 2024-2025}

^{Image: Dr Sally Colgan - President, AVA; Ms Vanda Ducic - President of the International Veterinary Students Association}

^{Image: Dr Sally Colgan - President, AVA; Dr Mary Beth Leininger - AVMA's first female President (1996)}

^{Image: Dr Jose Arce - Vice President, Pan American Association of Veterinarians; Dr Rena Carlson - President, AVMA; Dr Sally Colgan - President, AVA; Dr Michael Bailey - President elect, AVMA}

^{Image: Dr Laura Arvizu – President, Mexican Veterinary Medical Association; Dr Siegfried Moder – President, Federation of Veterinarians of Europe; Dr Ellen van Nierop – President, World Small Animal Veterinary Association; Dr Isao Kurauchi – President, Federation of Asian Veterinary Association; Dr Sally Colgan – President, AVA; Dr Trevor Lawson – President, Canadian Veterinary Medical Association; Ms Vanda Ducic – President, International Veterinary Students' Association; Dr Jose Arce - Vice President, Pan-American Association of Veterinary Societies}