WA Division President Report - April

Dear AVA WA Division members,

I hope this message finds you all in good spirits, refreshed after enjoying the Easter holidays. I had the opportunity to spend a wonderful week at Woodgate Beach in Queensland, and I trust that many of you were able to take some time off as well.

In this month's update, I want to share with you the recent activities and key discussions that have taken place to address the challenges faced by our veterinary profession.

On the 18th of April, I had the pleasure of meeting with the new WA Agriculture Minister, Ms. Jackie Jarvis. In our productive discussion, we addressed the pressing issues faced by the veterinary profession, including severe workforce shortages, the review and update of the WA Animal Welfare Act and the development of the WA Veterinary Regulations (Tranche 2). We emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government and the veterinary community to ensure that animal welfare is at the forefront of these reviews and regulations.

In addition to our conversation with the Agriculture Minister, the AVA WA Division Committee held our usual bi-monthly meeting on the 11th of April. We discussed various topics, including the AVA’s proposed constitutional changes, our advocacy plan for the year, initiatives to reduce pressure on regional practitioners, proposed ‘dog theft’ laws, and future strategies for domestic cat management.

On the 28th of March, I had the opportunity to attend the AVA Media Training webinar run by Kirstine Murray. The training provided valuable insights on engaging with the media and effectively communicating our message to a broader audience. This skillset will be instrumental in raising awareness about the importance of animal welfare and the role of the veterinary profession in society.

Looking forward, I will be attending the AVA Council of Presidents' meeting in Adelaide on the 28th of May, just prior to the national AVA conference. This gathering will provide a platform for discussing nationwide veterinary concerns and fostering collaboration between different Divisions and SIGs of the AVA.

Lastly, I have been actively advocating for the development of technology partnerships to enable real-time sharing of veterinary emergency centre wait times in WA. This initiative aims to reduce the pressures facing our emergency centres and improve the overall experience for pet owners during critical situations.

As always, your support and dedication to our profession are vital in driving these initiatives forward. Together, we can continue to make a positive impact on animal welfare and strengthen the veterinary community in Western Australia.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment and contributions.

Warm regards,

Garnett Hall
President
AVA WA Division