NSW Division President's Report May 2024

It is with great pleasure, and perhaps some trepidation, that I write this President’s Report after taking over the reins from Dr Zachary Lederhose as AVA NSW’s Division President. I have some big shoes to fill! Zach’s phenomenal understanding of the AVA and the greater industry priorities and challenges, his approachable, genuine nature and desire to help others, and his ability to juggle running his own practice, parenthood, and the demands of the President role are truly inspirational. Not to mention the enormous amount of advocacy work he has performed during his term, particularly in regard to the inquiry into the Veterinary Workforce Shortage. Thankfully, he will remain part of the NSW Division Committee and our profession can continue to benefit from his generosity and expertise.

For those of you who don’t know me, I am a small animal veterinarian who graduated from Sydney University in 2005. I own a private practice in Blacktown, which has recently been part of AVA’s THRIVE Cultivating Safe Teams pilot program, and am passionate about the sustainability of our industry, and helping vets and nurses flourish. After nearly 20 years in practice, I still love this career. One of the main reasons I love it is because I get to help people – not just clients, but vet students via placement at the practice or mentoring, those in my team, and now hopefully, the wider NSW AVA community. I look forward to hearing from you and hearing how AVA NSW can be of service.

Last week, I had the privilege to appear at a NSW Parliamentary Hearing for the Inquiry into the Operation of Approved Charitable Organisations under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979. This was a great opportunity to advocate for issues which concern our profession, including:

• Laypeople performing Acts of Veterinary Science;
• The piecemeal nature of animal welfare legislation in NSW, creating not only confusion, but loopholes and gaps in enforcement;
• Concerns with the 2022 inquiry report recommendation for government funding of mobile veterinary clinics. AVA supports the use of mobile veterinary units in disaster affected and remote areas but highlights this must complement, rather than compete with, existing veterinary practices.

AVA NSW has had further engagement with the Ministry of Health in regard to the draft Medicines Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act, and continue to make progress in this space.

We are also expecting the report from the inquiry into the Veterinary Workforce Shortage in June.

This week the NSW Division Committee conducted our annual face-to-face meeting. We covered a broad range of topics, including reviewing and discussing policy, activation of NSW branches, the restructure of LLS/DPI and, of course, opportunities for advocacy for the profession. On that note – if you haven’t already completed the Public Good survey, please do so! It is only with your input that we can gain the valuable data we need to lobby government and agencies on your behalf, and better our profession.

Thank you to all those who provided expressions of interest for positions on the NSW Veterinary Practitioners Board. The AVA nominations have been provided to the Department of Primary Industries and the nominees notified.

I hope you are staying safe and well with all this rain!

All the best,

Dr Amy Lee
NSW Division President