AVA WA President Update - August 2022

Dear colleagues,

I’m pleased to report that the recent AVA WA Busselton weekend was a great success! 30 vets gathered at the spectacular Shelter Brewing Company venue on the Busselton foreshore to enhance our professional knowledge. Thank you to Mark Glyde, Jessica Finlay, Nola Lester and Wendy Till for presenting over the two-day schedule. WA Division Committee members Ron Schneider, Rick Fenny, Jackie Rob and myself found it to be a great opportunity to meet colleagues from a bit further afield. We are very much looking forward to the upcoming Albany event in early September.

I am continuing to liaise closely with DPIRD regarding emergency animal disease and disaster preparedness. Our veterinary resources are already stretched very thinly, and the AVA advocacy team has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that government at all levels is aware of the threats. We have recently written to all recently elected (or re-elected) members of federal parliament to ensure they are aware of the issues of significance to our profession.

Following the recent call for expressions of interest, I’d also like to take this opportunity to formally welcome Dr Sue Beetson to the AVA WA Division Committee. Sue is a well-known member of the WA veterinary community, and has recently been heavily involved in convening recent conferences. Sue is a previous AVA Board member and WA state President. She brings a wealth of experience and we are looking forward to her joining us!

Regards,

Garnett Hall
AVA WA Division President