Vale Adj Professor Philip Moses

Philip Moses died peacefully surrounded by his family on March 16, 2024, following a brave battle with illness. The veterinary profession has lost an exceptional individual, a colourful, bigger-than-life personality who made a profound impact and was well-loved by many in the profession.

Philip was a 1986 University of Sydney graduate. After a short period in mixed animal practice, he gravitated to private and referral small animal practices in the UK, Australia, and the University of Sydney Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Philip was a founding partner of Veterinary Specialist Services in Brisbane in 2000 and first registered as a Small Animal Surgery Specialist in 2003. He was an Adjunct Professor with the University of Queensland, and loved teaching veterinary students, including his own son! His specific surgical interests included brachycephalic airway syndrome, spinal anomalies, particularly of brachycephalic dogs, and spinal surgery in general – especially IVDD in chondrodystrophic dogs. He was generous with his time, often donating his services to complete orthopaedic procedures for koalas and other wildlife.

Philip loved and served the veterinary profession. He was recognised in 2023 as a Member (AM) in the General Division of the King’s Birthday Honours for significant service to the veterinary profession as a doctor, administrator, and educator. He was a Life Member of the AVA and an AVA Meritorious Service Award recipient. He was President of the Council of the ANZCVS and a long-serving member of the Surgery Chapter and Board of Examiners, and his substantial contribution to the College was recognised with an ANZCVS Meritorious Award and a College Oration. He was a long-standing member of the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Queensland. For the last 20 years, Philip lectured widely in Australia, North America, and Southeast Asia to help promote and improve surgical standards and animal welfare. One of Philip’s fundamental interests was promoting the welfare of brachycephalic dogs and advocating changes to improve these breeds, including assisting in the development of the AVA’s Brachycephalic Dog Breeding policy as part of the Australian Brachycephalic Working Group.

Philip was devoted to his wife and life partner, Mary Anne, and is the proud father of six beautiful children, including two veterinarians, an owner of Pugs, Dachshunds and Burmese cats. He was also a staunch, if tragic, supporter of the Queensland Reds and the Wallabies.

We will remember Philip as a dedicated veterinarian and great friend. He will be profoundly missed by all who knew him, and our memories of Philip’s generosity, warmth, leadership and sense of humour will always be a blessing.

Richard Malik, Rachel Korman, Mandy Burrows, Terry King and Melanie Latter