2023 AVA Annual Conference – that’s a wrap!

_{Image: Ngarrindjeri Kaurna Elder Major Moogy Sumner and past president Dr Bronwyn Orr at the Welcome to Country, which opened Monday's Plenary and signified the start of the AVA Annual Conference 2023}

 

The 2023 AVA Annual Conference wrapped last Thursday, and the theme of the week was ‘Refresh. Renew. Refocus’. The conference gave us all a chance to get back to our roots, reminding us of why we’re in the veterinary profession and how we can move forward into the future.

^{Image: AVA Board Members, past and present}

The first event kicked off on Sunday with the inaugural THRIVE Wellness Symposium, which featured Dr Paul Davey, Amanda Goodfellow and Olivia (Liv) Oginska demonstrating how to foster a culture of wellness in veterinary organisations. The session had a fantastic turnout, with 140 veterinary professionals gaining tools and ideas to implement in their own teams.

^{Image: THRIVE Wellness Symposium speakers Amanda Goodfellow (far left) and Olivia Olginska (far right), with THRIVE Steering Group member Rosie Overfield (centre)}

This was followed by Welcome Drinks in the exhibition hall, where delegates mingled and caught up over drinks and canapés.

^{Image: the exhibition stand of this year’s Platinum Sponsor PROVET, a Covetrus company}

Monday 29 May saw the start of the scientific sessions, with more than 100 renowned local and international speakers. The program was packed, featuring more than 150 hours of first-class continuing education across seven concurrent streams.

^{Image: a full audience for the VBG session on the state of the veterinary market. On stage were Moss Siddle, Gary Turnbull, Jo Hatcher and Paul Blanc}

^{Image: Professor Rosanne Taylor delivers a lecture for the education stream}

Registered Behaviour Specialist and 2022 Gilruth Prize winner Dr Kersti Seksel delivered the Gilruth Oration. She reminisced about the challenges she had to overcome as an Estonian refugee, her battle to get behavioural medicine recognised as a legitimate specialty in the veterinary profession, to becoming one of the most eminent veterinary behaviour specialists in Australia and internationally.

^{Image: 2022 Gilruth Prize winner, Dr Kersti Seksel, delivering the Gilruth Oration}

Monday’s Plenary session was a panel discussion, moderated by AVA CEO David Andrews. The panelists were Dr Rena Carlson-Lammers (President of the American Veterinary Medical Association), Dr Chris Bell (President of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association) and Dr Kate Hill (President of the New Zealand Veterinary Association). The theme of the discussion was ‘International Workforce Challenges’. As one of the major issues currently impacting the veterinary profession – and one that ties in with mental wellness – it was a timely conversation.

^{Image (L-R): Dr Kate Hill, Dr Rena Carlson-Lammers and Dr Chris Bell discuss international workforce challenges with AVA CEO David Andrews.}

The general consensus across the three international organisations was that the veterinary industry is experiencing a pan-professional shortage, with rural areas suffering the most. We had the opportunity to learn from our international colleagues and hear some of the initiatives they’re undertaking to tackle the workforce shortage.

^{Image (L-R): AVA CEO Dr David Andrews, CVMA President Dr Chris Bell, AVMA President Dr Rena Carlson-Lammers and NZVA President Dr Kate Hill}

The remainder of the Plenary sessions were ‘Incivility, conflict and the great resignation’ (presented by Olivia Olginska), ‘Three powerful secrets to retaining your people’ (presented by Marie-Claire Ross) and ‘Leptospirosis as a One Health issue in companion animals’ (presented by internationally renowned internist Professor Jane Sykes).

As always, the Exhibition Hall was lively with industry representatives showcasing the latest in veterinary technology, equipment, pharmaceuticals and more.

^{Image: delegates catching up in the Exhibition Hall at the AVA Annual Conference}

^{Image: lunch, which is included with conference registration, is served!}

^{Image (L-R): Dr Ri Scarborough (Melbourne Veterinary School), Dr Amy Hii (University of Melbourne) and Dr Julie Paris (Port Melbourne Veterinary Clinic)}

^{Image (L-R): AVA Board Member Dr Alan Guilfoyle and Dr Michael Hayward the ACT Division President from Gungahlin Veterinary Hospital catch up over a coffee}

^{Image (L-R): Dr Hamish Burns (Rose Park Vet) and Dr Rachel Penn (locum)}

^{Image: AVA staff were on hand to answer delegates' questions at the AVA stand in the Exhibition Hall. Pictured here are AVA staff members Karen Lee, Shirley Nolan and Michael Ghattas}

^{Image: delegates made good use of the complimentary massages, set up near the THRIVE stand in the Exhibition Hall}

This year's winners of the Scientific Poster Session were Anna Sri, Amy Hii and Ri Scarborough for their excellent contributions to veterinary science.

^{Image (L-R): Ri Scarborough, Amy Hii and Anna Sri}

As always, student volunteers were on hand to help delegates, learn from the conference program and soak up the festivities!

^{Image (L-R): student volunteers Brooke Tummel and Carrie Arbon}

^{Image (L-R): final year veterinary students Elizabeth Khor and Bridget Webster are volunteer veterans, having attended numerous AVA conferences during their time as student members!}

^{Image: student volunteers had the opportunity to attend the Gala Dinner}

And the Gala Dinner, with its ‘Winter Wonderland’ theme, saw a dazzling array of glittering costumes, and gave conferencegoers a chance to let their hair down.

^{Images above: attendees celebrate a packed week of Continuing Education at the 2023 Gala Dinner}

AVA members were given the opportunity to vote on AVA matters at the Annual General Meeting, as well as raise issues directly with the AVA Board at the Members’ Forum.

^{Image: there was an excellent turn out at this year's AVA Annual General Meeting}

Overall, the 2023 conference was a great success, allowing attendees the chance to refresh their passion for the profession, renew connections with friends and colleagues and refocus their skills through many learning opportunities. A huge thanks to our conference sponsors, corporate supporters and exhibitors for their support.

Plans are already underway for the AVA Annual Conference 2024, which will be held in Melbourne. We hope to see you there!