NSW Division President's Report March

In late February I had the pleasure of representing AVA NSW and joining vets from across our state to celebrate 100 years of the veterinary profession in NSW. Organised by the Veterinary Practitioners Board, it was a chance to catch up with a fantastic group of vets who represent the successes of the past 100 years. Among them were numerous former NSW division presidents, members of parliament, academics, and regulators, as well as a representation of vets from across the state.

The Governor, Margaret Beazley AC, spoke about the transitions our profession has been through over the years, from securing Australia’s food production in wartime through to treating beloved family members in modern times. For those of us who practice production animal medicine it’s a good reminder of the responsibility we wield.

Sailing Day, which is always a highlight of the calendar in NSW is underway today. I was unable to make it, but I’m sure it was a cracker of a day, and we’ll make sure to include some photos in the next newsletter!

Our new committee for 2024-5 has been decided and thanks again to those who nominated. 

• Dr Elizabeth Barter
• Dr Emma Davis
• Dr Melissa Kozaruk
• Dr Zachary Lederhose
• Dr Amy Lee
• Dr Diane Ryan
• Dr David Tabrett
• Dr Nick Taylor

Welcome to Dr Nick Taylor who joins our committee for the first time, and thank you to Dr Susan Eckford and Dr Anne Quain for your time on the committee.

Advocacy activities have continued this year and there are some key updates for members:

• Medicines and Therapeutic Goods regulations remain an active area of advocacy. The AVA has had several meetings providing feedback on the regulation of medicines and compounded goods in NSW after we found several unintended consequences in the original draft. This work is ongoing; however we are making good progress in collaboration within the AVA and with the Ministry of Health.
• Submissions have closed into the inquiry into the operation of approved charitable organisations under POCTA. The AVA has called for the gaps in animal welfare prosecution to be filled to protect animals and veterinarians who are often caught in the middle of cruelty cases, and also to make sure that the operation of mobile veterinary hospitals is in cooperation with and in support of local established veterinary services.
• The AVA attended a workshop on the cost benefit analysis of the Protection from Harmful Radiation Regulation 2013. The EPA are conducting a review of the regulation to identify potential amendments and the workshops focused on the impacts of the potential reforms on the veterinary industry.
• The AVA had representatives provide feedback to TAFE on their delivery of the Certificate IV in veterinary Nursing and gave feedback on delivery models, placement requirements and emerging demands on the profession. Some of the recommendations we made were about balancing workplace learning with classroom learning, the prevalence of imaging and pathology equipment in practice, and the importance of having electives such as equine subjects available across the state not just in limited pockets.

To continue our work in this important part of the veterinary landscape, AVA NSW will be nominating a representative to serve on the Industry Collaboration Reference Group at TAFE NSW. Expressions of interest are open now, so please apply here.

Happy vetting!
Zach

Dr Zachary Lederhose
NSW Division President