WA Advocacy Report - September

Graduate Mentoring Program event
AVA Graduate Mentoring Program mentees from Murdoch University had a wonderful opportunity to meet Mentors and past Mentees, as they are about to commence their participation as part of the upcoming cohort for the program. Mentees were able to share food, drink and conversation to gain more understanding of the benefits of making the most of participating in this free and invaluable support program offered to all AVA Student members as they enter our amazing profession. Thank you to Katie Kreutz and Sherrilyn Wakefield from the AVA WA Division Committee for their assistance on the evening, and to the Mentors, past Mentees and MU staff who attended.

Meeting with Senator Slade Brockman
Representatives of the AVA met with Senator Slade Brockman to highlight the value of veterinarians and to inform him of issues and challenges facing the profession, especially in remote and regional WA.
Discussions included the need for investment in the veterinary profession to ensure that veterinary services can be sustainably provided, support for vet student practical placement in regional/rural areas of WA to be put in place as a recurrent funded program, and the introduction of a Rural Bonding Scheme (HECS Forgiveness Scheme) for recent graduate veterinarians.